Hi-Fi vs SigmaDSP

Hello sinankzn,

This is actually a large topic of discussion. There are some basic differences like the Hi-Fi core is floating point and the SigmaDSP core is fixed point. For the Sigma200 core this is a significant difference but can usually be worked around and is always not a problem for most average audio processing that needs to be done. For the record, the Sigma300 core vastly outperforms a Hi-Fi core for most audio applications but this is not true for the Sigma200 cores.

The ADAU1787 has a Sigma200 core.

Still there are advantages. The SigmaDSP is setup with all the serial ports and ASRCs and other hardware interfaces already setup in hardware so the software does not need that interrupt structure to implement programs. The ADAU1860 has some of this but the processor itself still needs to be setup for the sample rate and the overhead of that. In the Sigma200 it is a register setting for the start pulse. The start pulse is a clock source that signals the DSP to start running its program at the start of the frame.

The SigmaDSP is a deterministic type of program. It has some looping ability but no interrupts so the program will run the same way every time it is run. This is good for reliability and ease of testing.

The SigmaDSP uses parameters stored in RAM which makes it easy to be controlled by external controllers and easy for the SigmaStudio developing environment to "look" inside of the DSP to monitor the program.

Then we get to SigmaStudio, It is a very easy to learn and easy to use development environment making it easy to program the DSP code without any knowledge of assembly level programming. It does help to understand some basics of number formats and DSP algorithms but it is not required. The best thing is that the tools are free and do not require a license. The Hi-Fi core will require a license to use the tools and most people will program in C. It gives you a lot of control over the program but it takes a lot longer to program an application.

One other detail that might be important to you. The ADAU1860 was designed and is supported out of our China based office. The ADAU1787 was designed and is supported out of Wilmington MA office in the USA. Depending on where you are located this may sway your decision. They both are great parts and are designed for ANC.

I hope this helps.

Dave T

Dear Dave,

1. I am with the same issue. I understand the the fast DSP is the same in ADAU1860 and ADAU1787. I also know that we need FIR filter to implement the ANC. I assume the teh FatDSP engine is the same for both chips (the software support is better with the SigmaStudio).
I was loocking at the Lark gui for the ADAU1860 and could find implementation to FIR in the FastDSP. however with the ADAU1787, using the SigmaStudio, there is already implementation of FIR filter in the SigmaDSP only. My quiestion is: Is it possible to implement FIR filter in FastDSP? Is there any example?

2. Another quiestion related to teh ADAU1860. Is there a way to program the selfboot Flash ? I could not find such option in the Lark Software.

Thanks,

Hello neham,

It is not possible to program an FIR filter into the FastDSP. It is only BiQuads.

https://ez.analog.com/members/dianeli should be able to answer the question about the flash.

Thanks,

Dave T