Toolset produces smaller faster code for StarCore

The Tasking software development toolset for StarCore DSPs is a highly efficient set of embedded software development tools for the StarCore family of digital signal processor cores.

The Tasking software development toolset for StarCore DSPs is a highly efficient set of embedded software development tools for the StarCore family of digital signal processor cores.

In the second version of this toolset since its release in July last year, Altium has succeeded in significantly improving the already impressive ability of the toolset to deliver fast and compact code.

Tests on industry standard audio/GSM codec suites (G723/G729/EFR) show that the compiler in v1.2 of the toolset delivers an increase in execution speed between 25 and 60%, while reducing the code size by 5% when compared with v1.1.

By making use of a wide variety of optimisations in the new compiler, code size reductions between 10 and 20% are attainable, while maintaining a speed increase of up to 30%.

Dr Brian Deitrich, Software Tools Planning Manager for StarCore said, "We at StarCore are very pleased to see Altium's commitment to the StarCore DSP technology, as well as their ongoing investment in the toolset.

The improvements in code size and application speed that they have achieved in this release are impressive".

Jeroen Verheijen, Altium's Product Manager for the Tasking toolset for StarCore DSPs said, "The performance gains realised in v1.2 are of great benefit to our customers.

They can now add powerful new functionality to StarCore DSP applications because higher performance can be achieved thanks to a more efficient use of memory space".

Altium believes that this increased efficiency places the Tasking toolset well ahead of the competition in this increasingly popular DSP architecture.

"StarCore's business model of licensing the StarCore DSP cores and peripherals to many OEMs and semiconductor companies alike is intended to proliferate the StarCore technology and, we believe, will increase the demand for Tasking tools as well", said Verheijen.

The new toolset is based on Altium's next-generation Viper compiler technology and benefits from ongoing developments in optimisation technologies and features such as the new Misra C enhanced code checking facility, now capable of verifying code against 117 out of 127 Misra C rules.

As with Altium's first release, v1.2 is compliant with the StarCore application binary interface (ABI) and with ISO C'99.

The toolset supports all StarCore DSP devices, including the new MSC8102 from Motorola.

The Tasking toolset for StarCore DSPs is another state-of-the-art design tool from Altium that breaks down the barriers to innovation and allows developers to develop highly efficient code for the StarCore DSP architecture and complete range of StarCore DSP-based devices.

The Tasking software development toolset for StarCore DSPs is a complete, integrated toolset consisting of the Tasking EDE, C/C++/EC++ compiler, assembler, linker/locator and CrossView Pro EOnCE/simulator debugger.

Version 1.2 is available for PC/Windows and Sun/Solaris platforms and is priced from US $5390 for the complete C/C++/EC++ compiler and debugger toolset.

For more product information, visit www.tasking.com.

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