HyperTransport in Embedded Applications

HyperTransport Simplifies the Design of Embedded Applications

HyperTransport is scalable, enabling a 2 bit, 4 bit, up to 32 bit wide data paths at clock speeds varying from 200 MHz to 1.4 GHz. In addition, it uses enhanced low-power Low Voltage Differential Signaling (LVDS) that simplifies printed board manufacture and test. Using two wires for each signal overcomes the problems associated with single-ended signaling of high-speed parallel buses such as bounced signals, interference and cross-talk from adjacent signals. In addition, there is no clock recovery overhead. These characteristics make HyperTransport ideal for a wide range of embedded systems, from consumer devices like the X-box, to printers and copiers,  to industrial controls.

Printing and Imaging Systems

For example, printing and imaging systems have become extremely compute-intensive as printer description languages such as Postscript® and high resolution digital image creation and capture tools such as digital cameras and scanners have proliferated. In the corporate environment, highend printers and imaging systems have become important nodes on the corporate network providing high resolution imaging to both local and remote users. The task facing the designer of today's printers and copiers is how to shoehorn in the necessary computing and networking resources into an ever smaller footprint and at a cost that can keep the market expanding. HyperTransport technology, as an efficient in-the-box connection technology, provides the economical,scalable and high performance characteristics they need.

Unlike most other connection technologies, HyperTransport is scalable to fit the exact bandwidth requirements of a given embedded system. This enables simpler, more economical system design while providing the very high data path bandwidth between print engine, image processor and the network. With the emergence of high performance 1 GHz and up embedded processors that are not only software compatible with previous generations of print controllers, but also include HyperTransport ports integrated on-chip, systems designers can now have the best of both worlds - systems that are software compatible, support legacy I/O subsystems, obtain maximum data throughput throughout the system and are low cost to implement.