[sdiy] New DSP for SDIY?

[Eric Brombaugh]

Just got a press release from TI about a new family of DSCs (Digital
Signal Controllers):

http://www.ti.com/corp/docs/landing/f280xx-piccolo/index.htm

and some introductory development systems:

http://www.ti.com/corp/docs/landing/piccolotools/index.htm?DCMP=Piccolo&HQS=Other+EM+controlstick_em

Specs are:
----------
60MHz clock rate
32-bit data path
62kB - 128kB flash
20kB RAM
2kB OTP Boot ROM
JTAG
3.3V supply (on-chip 1.8V core regulator)
12-bit ADC, SPI, CAN, I2C, SCI etc. peripherals.

available in 38-pin TSSOP, 48-pin LQFP, etc.

Assy/C/C++ programmable with TI's Code Composer Studio (CCS). Free
version is limited to 32kB code size.

Looks like they're going after the MCHP dsPIC market. Higher-end devices
have a floating point accelerator (!). Prices are sub $2 in production
qty. Could be an interesting part to use when they finally appear in the
usual distribution channels and we can see what the unit price is for
mere mortals. 32-bit math and FP acceleration would be pretty cool.
Charging for the development tools is not so cool...

Eric