FET Corporation Leverages Serial RapidIO-Based Tool to Unlock the Power of TI's C64x+ DSPs in Communications Infrastructure Applications

As communications networks continue to grow in complexity, base station and other telecom equipment manufacturers are constantly looking for ways in which to add performance, and simplify system design and management. Based on TI's enhanced TMS320C64x+ DSP core, TI DSP
platforms with embedded Serial RapidIO interface are designed specifically to address the high-bandwidth requirements of today's leading edge communications systems. While Serial RapidIO based systems have advantages over legacy bus topologies in complex communications systems, their operation requires devices to be initialized and enumerated, as well as configuration of route tables for switches. With the help of graphical, easy to use tools such as RapidFET, communications OEMs can streamline system design, configuration and debug, thus overcoming system complexity and delivering efficient solutions.

Combining the TMS320C6455 DSP and TMS320TCI6482 DSP with RapidFET enables TI DSPs to easily boot, monitor and debug Serial RapidIO based systems. This allows developers to use the cost-efficient, low-power, high-performance characteristics of TI DSPs to create homogenous processing platforms, eliminating the need to use separate host controllers as seen in traditional architectures. The benefits of such homogenous systems include load balancing, inherent redundancy, simpler system design, smaller bill of materials and lower system maintenance costs. Such an implementation allows designers to let any TI DSP act as system debugging device or as a host to configure system resources and
route tables. Not only are real time system performance-monitoring and diagnostics simplified, they can also be performed remotely, saving a costly maintenance "truck roll" to the site to analyze and solve the problem.

Even though RapidFET enables interaction with a system map by the push of a button, it also has command line control that allows designers to view and manipulate low levels of TI DSP features and capabilities in order to optimize system behavior. RapidFET also identifies and
highlights faults and lets designers leverage the capabilities of Serial RapidIO in monitoring system health and potentially fixing errors, thus lowering development costs and accelerating time-to-market. In addition, RapidFET software on TI DSPs facilitates board level testing and enables
interoperability testing with other Serial RapidIO enabled devices.

"TI's C6455 DSP and TCI6482 DSP are key processors to many of our customers and the use of RapidFET software on TI DSPs ensures customers get instant results using this Serial RapidIO network
management and diagnostic tool," said Jim Parisien, president of FET Corporation. "TI's DSPs have proven to be solid Serial RapidIO performers with a rich set of features that simplify using a DSP as a
system host processor."

TI's TMS320C6455 DSP, TMS320TCI6482 DSP, and RapidFET software are available now.

Fabric Embedded Tools Corporation is a privately owned company located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. FET's products are designed for embedded developers by embedded developers. The focus of FET is to provide high quality, high value diagnostic tools minimizing technology risk and time to market challenges.