This document describes a real-time video and image processing system that combines a Spartan 3 FPGA and DSP array on a SigC641x card. The DSP array can include up to 8 Texas Instruments 1 GHz DSPs with access to various analog and digital video I/O. Video data is preprocessed by the FPGA and DSPs before being sent to the PCI bus or between DSPs. The system provides SD and HD video I/O and is in alpha testing, with production units expected in 3Q08.

1. Real-Time
Video /
Image
Processing
DSP Video
Processing
SigC641x shown card with video coprocessor card attached and both mounted
on PMC-to-PCI adapter
Underside of SigC641x card shown, with 6 TI DSPs and video processing FPGA
visible
A wide range of analog and digital video I/O interfaces are included

2. • Overview
• Block Diagram
• Specifications
• Project Status
• Video Transcoding PCI Card
• Video Array Processor / Accelerator
• VoIP and Wireless SigC641x Applications
Overview
The SigC641x card combines a Spartan 3 FPGA and DSP array to perform real-time video and
image processing. The DSP array scales from one to eight (8) 1 GHz Texas Inst DSPs, with direct
access to digital and analog video I/O, including SD and HD SDI, and DVI digital video I/O, several
types of analog video I/O, and a camera link interface. Video I/O data may be pre-processed by
both the Virtex II FPGA and the Spartan 3 prior to DSP farm processing. Digitized video is
transported via 32-bit data path containing pixel data in various RGB, chroma + luma, and other
formats.
DSP array processing is distributed; video I/O data may be transferred to any combination of DSPs
in any sequence, under FPGA logic and/or software control. DSP interprocessor communication is
implemented via high speed serial interface, routable between any combination or pattern of
DSPs under software control. Separate, physically independent data paths are available for
transfer of DSP results to/from host software over PCI bus and for transfer of digital video data over
PCI bus (see block diagram below).
Block Diagram
Below is an architecture diagram of the SigC641x plus analog/digital video card solution. Real-time
video and image processing may occur in FPGA logic both before and after DSP farm processing.
DSP farm processing scales from zero to eight (8) Texas Instruments C641x devices, running at clock
rates from 720 MHz to 1 GHz.
Real-time video / image processing architecture diagram shown above. Click for an enlarged view
Specifications

3. Below are preliminary specifications for the SigC641x and video coprocessor card combination. All
specifications are subject to change.
Dimensions 4.3 x 7.44 x 0.5" (109 x 189 x
Without Video 12.7 mm)
Coprocessor Card Consumes one (1) PCI slot
Dimensions With 9.25 x 4.55 x 1.81" (234.95 x
Video 115.54 x 45.87 mm)
Coprocessor Card Consumes two (2) PCI
slots
Length measured from
surface of back-plate,
height measured from
surface of motherboard,
width lesss than single slot
Video I/O SD SDI, up to 720 x 480,
(Requires interlaced or progressive,
Coprocessor 50 or 60 fps
Card)
HD SDI, up to 1920 x 1080
interlaced or progressive,
50 or 60 fps
DVI, both DVI-I and HD15
connectors. VGA,
XGA,UXGA. Up to 1600 x
1200 x 24 bit resolution, 60
fps
PAL, NTSC, and SECAM,
both Composite Video
RCA connectors and S-
Video connector
Component Video RCA
connectors, formats
include 525i, 625i, 525p,
625p, 720p, 1080i, and
graphic digitization from
VGA to SXGA
Analog video output
includes SMPTE 293M
(525p), BTA T-1004, EDTV2
(525p), CCIR-656, and
SMPTE 274M. SD and HD
standards include YPrPb
HDTV (EIA 770.3), RGB,
RGBHV, YPrPb
proogressive scan
(EIA-770.1, EIA-770.2) and
component YPrPb
(SMPTE/EBU N10), and
4:2:2 or 4:4:4 HDTV
Digital Video ITU-R, BT.656, 20-bit (10-bit

4. Transfer to Luma, 10-bit
SigC641x Chroma), or 16-bit
UYVY422 formats
DSP Farm Up to eight (8) Texas
Instruments 6414, 6415, or
6416 devices, with clock
rates 720 MHz, 850 MHz, or
1 GHz. SDRAM memory
per DSP (EMIF-A): none,
2M x 32, 4M x 32, or 8M x
32
PCI Bus Interface 32-bit, 33 MHz PCI; 3.3V
signaling with passive
adapter, 5V signaling with
active adapter
Power 15W (est.) in 2 DSP
Consumption configuration
27W (est.) in 8 DSP
configuration
Temperature Operating: 0ºC to 55ºC
(airflow >200 LFM)
Storage: 40ºC to 85ºC
Humidity Operating: 10 to 90%
non-condensing
Storage: 5 to 95%
non-condensing
Designed to Meet FCC Part 15 Subpart B
EN55022
EN55024
UL60950 3rd edition
UL60950 3rd edition
Project Status
The SigC641x plus analog/digital video card solution is currently in alpha status and not yet in
production. Single qty, off-the-shelf systems are not expected to be available until 3Q08. For
customers interested in obtaining and working with a alpha system, we may require an NRE charge
and/or minimum qty order, depending on what functionality is required by the customer
application. If this option is of interest, please call and mention this web page to speak with
engineering staff and obtain updated project status and pricing.
VoIP and Wireless SigC641x Applications
The SigC641x-PTMC card provides a high-speed signal processing solution for VoIP and wireless
applications on a variety of platforms, including cPCI, VME, desktop PC, and stand-alone. It can
also be used with a PC104+ adapter. Click here for detailed information on the SigC641x-PTMC
board.