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Archive-name: dsp-faq/part3
Last-modified: Sun May 30 1993
Version: 1.1

Q5.0 What DSP operating systems are available?

[This was researched and written by Chuck Corley (chuckc@sr.hp.com)]

        Some designers need to use an operating system with a DSP
processor and others don't.  The need for DSP operating system seems to
depend on the task(s) to be performed.

        For simple DSP tasks where the DSP is doing only a single
repetitive function, an operating system is usually not needed and
could get in the way.

        When the number and complexity of DSP tasks increase, an
operating system of some type may be needed in order to allocate system
resources (RAM, etc.) and to perform multi-tasking, where several tasks
take turns executing.

        One example:  A DSP processor may be required to perform non-DSP
jobs in order to eliminate a 'host' processor.  An operating system may
be needed in order to share processing time and resources between the
DSP and non-DSP tasks.

        An option for some DSP applications is to write your own DSP
'task-switching' or 'job allocating' operating system.  Whether this is
the right choice for you depends on how involved your operating system
needs to be, and how much time you have available to spend writing it.

        A number of companies now offer pre-written operating systems
that execute on DSP processors.  In exchange for your money they offer
to save you the time and effort of writing and debugging your own
'operating system' or 'task switcher'.

        These companies describe their products as 'real-time' operating
systems.  What 'real-time' means is debated, but it normally means that
the maximum time for the operating system to respond to an external
event is known.  The calculation for measuring this time involves adding
together interrupt response time, task switching time, and other
processor and operating system benchmarks.  'Real-time' also usually
means 'fast'.  Embedded CPU or DSP tasks often require a 'real-time'
response time.

        Prices and features vary.  All companies charge for purchasing
their 'development environment', which allows you to develop code which
will run on their operating system.  Some companies also charge a fee
for each product you build that includes their operating system
software.  This is usually called a 'target fee' or 'runtime license'
fee.  Some operating systems have no 'runtime license' fees.

        It is *very* important to negotiate what the runtime license fee
will be *in advance*.  If this price is not agreed upon in writing when
the development system is purchased, you could be in a bad position
later.  You will have invested a lot of time and effort writing software
to work with a particular operating system, and when your creation is
produced you could discover that the 'runtime license fee' has increased
or is more than you can afford.  Considering the amount of work you
would have invested in that operating system, you would be in a very
poor bargaining position.

	You will also need to decide if having the source code for the
operating system is important to you.  Some companies include it for
free, while others may charge extra.

        Features for the DSP operating systems are listed below.  Some
vendors claim that a 'No' listing for a feature doesn't necessarily mean
that their operating system is missing something you need.  Some
companies state that certain features were not appropriate for either a
'DSP' or a 'real-time' operating system, and so they did not implement
them.  Other companies stated that some features were not appropriate
for their targeted users.

        One suggestion for comparing features:  Make a list of the
features you *really* need and compare it against the list below.

       Disclaimer:  I've tried to make this information current,
accurate, and impartial, but I can't guarantee this.  This document is
provided as is, with no warranty of any kind.  You should contact the
vendors listed below for the best and most up-to-date information.
Corrections and suggestions for this section on DSP operating systems
should be addressed to chuckc@sr.hp.com


                            Byte-
Operating System Features:  BOS      Nucleus    RXTC      SPOX      Helios
--------------------------  ------   -------    ----      ----      ------
Preemptive Task Scheduling  Yes      Yes        Yes       Yes       Yes
Time-Sliced Scheduling      Yes      Yes        Yes       No        Yes
Round-Robin Scheduling      ?        Yes        Yes       No        Yes
Parallel Processing         No       No         No        Optional  Yes
Inter-Task Messages         Yes      Yes        Yes       Yes       Yes
Memory Management           Yes      Yes        Yes       Yes       Yes
Interrupt Management        Yes      No         Yes       Yes       Yes
Timer Management            Yes      Yes        Yes       No        Yes
Device-Independent I/O      No       No         No        Yes       Yes
Stream I/O                  $495*    No         No        Yes       Yes
OS RAM/ROM Size (Bytes)     5K-40K   4K-20K     12K-16K   44K+      80K-200K

* Serial port only


OS Libraries And            Byte-
Development Envrionment:    BOS      Nucleus    RXTC      SPOX      Helios
--------------------------  ------   -------    ----      ----      ------
Includes C Compiler/ASM     No       No         No        No        Yes
C Run-Time Library          No       No         No        $2K       Yes
DSP Math Library            No       $1K        No        $4K       Q2 1993
Image Processing Library    No       No         No        No        Q3 1993
X Windows XR5 Library       No       No         No        No        $930
Ethernet Library            No       $9.5K      No        No        $1K-1.3K
Source Code Included        Yes      Yes        Yes       No        No
Source Code Type            C        C          ASM & C   ASM & C   ASM & C
Development License Type    Site     Prod Line  Site      Computer  Computer
Run-Time License Fee        None     None       None      $25-200   $25-300
Development License Cost    $2K      $5K        $1K-4.2K  $6K-12K   $3.9K-5.4K
Demo Disk Available         ?        Yes        Yes       No        No


                            Byte-
OS System-Level Debugger:   BOS      Nucleus    RXTC      SPOX      Helios
-------------------------   -----    -------    ----      ----      ------
Basic Debugging             Yes      Yes        Yes       Yes       Yes
Performance Timer           Yes      Yes        No        Yes       Yes
Debugger Cost               $295     $750       $0        $5K       $900



'Byte-BOS' is available from:

   Byte-BOS                               Phone:     (619) 788-7288
   P.O. Box 3067                          Toll Free: (800) 788-7288
   Del Mar, CA	92014

   Supported DSPs: TI 320C2x/C3x/C5x
   Other CPUs:     80x86, V25/V35/V40/V50, Z80, Z180, 64180, 37700,
                   680x0, 68332, 68340, 68302, 
                   8051, 8096, 80188/86, 68HC11, 68HC16, 6301/3


'Helios' (for distributed parallel processing) is available from:

   Distributed Software (Perihelion)      Phone:     +44 (0) 749-344345
   The Maltings                           Fax:       +44 (0) 749-344977
   Charlton Road, Shepton Mallet          Email:     jon@perisl.co.uk
   Somerset, United Kingdom  BA4 5QE      Tech Info: techsupp@perisl.co.uk

   Transtech Parallel Systems Corp.       Email:     transtech@transtech.com
   Phone:     +1 (607) 257-6502           Fax:       +1 (607) 257-3980

   Traquair Data Systems                  Email:     sjb@TC.Cornell.EDU
   Phone:     +1 (607) 272-4417           Fax:       +1 (607) 272-6211

   Ariel Corporation                      Email:     ariel@ariel.com
   Phone:     +1 (908) 249-2900           Fax:       +1 (908) 249-2123

   Also Sonitech and MIZAR

   Supported DSPs: TI 320C40
   Other CPUs:     T400/T800, ARM


'Nucleus' is available from:

   Accelerated Technology                 Phone:     +1 (205) 661-5770
   P.O. Box 850245                        Toll free: +1 (800) 468-NUKE
   Mobile, Alabama 36685, USA             Fax:       +1 (205) 661-5788

   Supported DSPs: TI 320C2x/C3x/C4x/C5x, Motorola 56xxx, Analog Devices 21xxx
   Other CPUs:     Am29xxx, R3000, SPARC, i960, 680xx, 683xx, 80x86


'RTXC' and 'RTXC/MP' (a parallel processing version) are available from:

   AT Barrett & Associates                Phone:     +1 (713) 728-9688
   11501 Chimney Rock                     Toll free: +1 (800) 525-4302
   Houston, Texas  77035                  Fax:       +1 (713) 728-9688

   Supported DSPs: TI 320C3x
   Other CPUs:     680x0, 68332/331/340, 68302, 68HC16, 68HC11, 6803,
                   80x86, 80x96, 80x51, T400/800, Z80/Z180
                   

'SPOX' and 'SPOX-MP' (a parallel-processing version) are available from:

   Spectron Microsystems                  Phone:     +1 (805) 967-0503
   5266 Hollister Ave                     Fax:       +1 (805) 683-4995
   Santa Barbara, CS 93111, USA

   Supported DSPs: TI 320CC3x/C4x/C5x, Motorola 96002/56xxx,
                   Analog Devices 21xxx

Q6. Manufacturer's addresses and telephone numbers.

Analog Devices
1 Technology Way
P.O. Box 9106
Norwood, MA  02062-9106
Phone: (617) 329-4700
Phone: (617) 461-3672 (DSP applications assistance)
Phone: (617) 461-3881 (DSP marketing)

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Analogic
8 Centennial Dr.
Peabody, MA  01960-7987
Phone: (508) 977-3000 x. 3468
FAX: (408) 977-9220

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Analogical Systems
2916 Ramona St.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
(415) 32-3232
Fax: (415) 323-4222
Email: cole@analogical.com

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Ariel Corp.
433 River Road
Highland Park, NJ 08904
Phone: (908) 249-2900
FAX: (908) 249-2123
BBS: (908) 249-2124
Email: ariel@ariel.com

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AT&T Microelectronics
Dept. AL-520404200
55 Union Blvd.
Allentown, PA  18103
Phone: (800) 372-2447
FAX: (215) 778=4106

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Atlanta Signal Processors, Inc. (ASPI)
770 Spring St.
Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: (404) 892-7265
FAX: (404) 892-2512

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Berkeley Camera Engineering
3616 Skyline Drive
Hayward, CA 94542
Phone: (510) 889-6960
FAX: (510) 889-7606
Email: mikep@nikon.ssl.berkeley.edu

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BittWare Research Systems, Inc.
Inner Harbor Center, 8th Floor
400 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (800) 848-0435
FAX: (410) 783-7375 

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Bridgenorth Signal Processing, Inc.
P.O. Box 469
Custer, WA  98240
Phone: (604) 538-0003
FAX: (604) 538-9073

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Catalina Research Inc.
Colorado Springs
(719) 531-5767

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CMS GmbH
Postfach 100202
Einsteinstrabe 61-63
D-7505 Ettlingen
Germany
Phone: (07243) 31001

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Communication Automation and Control, Inc. (CACI)
1642 Union Blvd., Suite 200
Allentown, PA  18103-1510
(215) 776-6669
FAX: (215) 770-1232

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Computer Continuum
75 Southgate Avenue
Daly City,  CA 94015
(415) 755-1978

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Crystal Semiconductor Corp.
P.O. Box 17847
Austin, TX  78760
Phone: (512) 445-7222
FAX: (512) 445-7581

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Current Technology, Inc.
99 Madbury Road
Durham, N.H. 03824
Phone: (603) 868-2270
FAX: (603) 868-1352

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Data Translation
100 Locke Dr.
Marlboro, MA 01752-1192
(508) 481-3700
(800) 525-8528

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Dalanco Spry
89 Westland Ave.
Rochester, NY  14618
Phone: (716) 473-3610

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DigiDesign Inc
1360 Willow Road, Suite 101
Menlo Park CA 94025
Tel: 010 1 415 327 8811
FAX: 010 1 415 327 0777

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DSP Research
391 Balsam Ave. (OR Possibly: 1095 E. Duane Ave) {Someone clarify?}
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Phone: (408) 773-1042
FAX: (408) 736-3451

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DSP Software Engineering
165 Middlesex Tpk, Suite 206
Bedford, MA  01730
(617) 275-3733
(617) 275-4323 (fax)
dspse.bedford@channel1.com

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EnterTec, Inc.
P.O. Box 8858
Richmond, VA 23225
Phone: (804)353-7133
FAX: (804) 353-7134

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Hollis Electronics Co.
5 Northern Blvd., Unit 13
Amherst, NH  03031
Phone: (603) 598-4640

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Image & Signal Processing
120 Linden Avenue
Long Beach CA 90802
Phone: (213) 495-9533
FAX: (213) 495-1258

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Innovative Devices, Inc.
1119 Damelart Way
Brentwood Bay, B.C.  V0S 1A0
Canada
Phone: (604) 652-5240 

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Integrated Motions, Inc. (IMI)
758 Gilman St.
Berkeley, CA  94710
(510) 527-5810
FAX: (510) 527-7843

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Integrated Technologies Solutions, Inc.
402 Chestnut Ln.
East Meadow, NY  11554
(516) 481-0857
FAX: (516) 292-3115

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Intellibit
P.O. Box 9785
McLean, VA  22102-0785
Phone: (703) 442-4781
FAX: (703) 442-4784

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Ixthos, Inc.
12210 Plum Orchard Drive
Silver Spring, MD  20904
Phone: (301) 890-1000

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KINETICSYSTEMS
in USA:
William Ponton
Tel: 609-921-2088 
FAX: 609-683-9633
in Europe:             
Tel: 41-22-798-4445    
FAX: 41-22-798-0525  

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Logabex
ZI de Montaudran
3 Avenue Didier Daurat
31400 Toulouse
France
Phone: (33) 61-80-94-37

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Loughborough Sound Images Ltd
The Technology Centre
Epinal Way
Loughborough Leics LE11 OQE
England
Phone: +44 (0)509 231843
FAX: +44 (0)509 262433
N.B. U.S. distributor is Spectrum Signal Processing (see below)

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Mizar
2410 Luna Rd.
Carrolton, TX 75006
(214) 277-4600
FAX: (214) 277-4666

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Motorola Corp.
DSP Operation
Mail Drop OE314
6501 William Cannon Drive, West
Austin, TX 78735-8598
Phone: (512) 891-2030 (marketing)
BBS: (512) 891-DSP1 (300/1200 bps)
BBS: (512) 891-DSP2 (1200 bps V.22)
BBS: (512) 891-DSP3 (2400 bps V.22bis)

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Motorola Ltd.
Motorola Literature Centre
88 Tanners Drive
Blakelands Milton Keynes
MK145BP
Great Britain

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National Instruments
6504 Bridge Point Parkway
Austin, TX  78730-5039
Phone: (512) 794-0100
Phone: (800) 433-3488
FAX: (512) 794-8411

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Natural Microsystems Corp.
8 Erie Drive
Natick, MA 01760-1313
Phone: (800) 533-6120

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N.E.L.
Systems Center
Advanced Computing Group
East Kilbride
Glasgow
G75 0QU
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (0)3552 72838
FAX: +44 (0)3552 72979

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Pacific Cyber/Metrix, Inc
6805 Sierra Ct.
Dublin, CA  94568-2615
(510) 829-8700
FAX: (510) 829-9796

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Pentek, Inc.
55 Walnut St.
Norwood, NJ  07648
Phone: (201) 767-7100
FAX: (201) 767-3994

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Precision Design Services PTY LTD,
P.O. Box 61
Berwick, Victoria, 3806
Australia
TEL: +61 3 796 2003
FAX: +61 3 796 1500
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Prime Ideal
Joseph Virzi
2124 Parker Street #300
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: (415) 513-8062

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Quantawave
(508) 481-9802

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Saddle Point Systems
3960 Greenwood Ave.
Oakland, CA  94602
Phone: (510) 530-0971

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Sharp Microelectronics Technology, Inc.
5700 NW Pacific Rim Blvd
Camas, WA 98607
Phone: (206) 834-8711
FAX: (206) 834-8611

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Signal-Data
63 Vester Paradisvej
DK-2840 Holte
Denmark
Phone: (45) 30 42 6054
Phone: (301) 890-1000

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Sonitech International Inc.
14 Mica Ln.
Wellesley, MA 02181
(617) 235-6824
FAX: (617) 235-2531

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Specom Technologies Corp.
3673 Enochs Street
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Phone: (408) 736-7832
FAX: (408) 736-7861

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Spectral Innovations
Santa Clara, CA
(408) 727-1314

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Spectrum Signal Processing
Westborough Office Park
1500 West Park Drive
Westborough MA 01581 USA
Phone: (508) 366-7355
FAX: (508) 89988 2772

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Tartan Inc.
300 Oxford Drive
Monroeville, PA 15146  
Phone: (412) 856-3600
FAX: (412) 856-3636
Email: englert@tartan.com 

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Texas Instruments Incorporated
P.O. Box 1443  M/S 737
Houston, TX  77251-1443
(713) 274-2320   (voice)
(713) 274-2324   (fax)
(713) 274-2323   (BBS  300-9600 N,8,1)
4389750@mcimail.com   (Internet email)

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Townshend Computer Tools 
Phone: (514) 289-9123,
FAX: (514) 289-1831
E-Mail: datlink%tt@cam.org

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Transtech Parallel Systems Corp.
20 Thornwood Dr.
Ithica, NY 14850-1263
(607) 257-6502
Fax: (607) 257-3980

Transtech Parllel Systems Corp.
P.O. Box 1596
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 838-0770
Fax: (310) 280-0697

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Traquair Data Systems
Judd Falls Plaza, Suite 80
Ithica, NY 14850
Phone: (607) 272-4417
FAX: (607) 272-6211

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Tucker-Davis Technologies
4639 NW 6th St., Suite A
Gainesville, FL  32609
(904) 375-1623
FAX: (904) 375-4523

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Valley Technologies, Inc.
RD #4, Rt. 309
Tamaqua, PA  18252
(717) 668-3737
FAX: (717) 668-6360

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Virga, Inc.
4901 Morena Blvd.
Bldg. 502
San Diego, CA 92117
(619) 483-1197

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Wavetron Microsystems
1135 Oddstad Drive
Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone: (415) 366-5371 or (415) 366-5375

=============================================================================
Questions, comments, or submissions for this FAQ should be mailed to
comp-dsp-faq@ohm.Berkeley.EDU, ...!ucbvax!ohm!comp-dsp-faq.  Thanks!