Question about K3 firmware

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Question about K3 firmware

w2bvh
Just out of curiosity, does the K3 firmware run inder a rtos? And if so, it it home grown or a commercial product?
(I assum the DSP is programmed down to the silicon).

The K3 looks like a truly outstanding product thats user oriented in terms of features and interface. Congrats!

Now I've got to start saving up for one.

73,
Lenny W2BVH
K2 sn 1520
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Re: Question about K3 firmware

KK7P
> (I assum the DSP is programmed down to the silicon).

I've had several private questions about the DSP.  I'll combine the
information and make it public here :-)

The K3's DSP is a Texas Instruments TMS320VC33-150 embedded DSP, not a
PC CPU from Intel or AMD or VIA.  There is one DSP chip per receiver;
the subreceiver option includes a PC board assembly incorporating the
second DSP.

The TMS320VC33 is a 32-bit, floating point processor that we chose for
its performance, low power consumption, and the fact it has been in the
marketplace long enough to have a completely functional silicon along
with a development tool suite that is stable.

The DSP firmware is written in assembly language, and is original.  It
does not borrow from any GPL'ed sources or use any commercial "function"
libraries. It does not run on a formal operating system.

Much of the DSP peripheral support hardware is contained in a
flash-based programmable logic device.  This enables us to connect a
very high performance 24-bit A/D converter for the receiver IF, two more
channels of greater-than 16-bit A/D for microphone and PC input, and
several more channels of less-than 16-bit A/D for more mundane things
like forward and reflected power, upstream signal level detection, and
so forth.  It also connects six D/A channels, lets the DSP check some
digital I/O lines (e.g., to support true FSK generation) -- and to
communicate with the control processor!

Oh, and it enables the DSP's Flash memory to be programmed by the user :-)

73,

Lyle KK7P

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