DSP is leaner, nimbler chip

Texas Instruments is developing the fifth generation of its DSP chip, the DA250 chip, with a view toward conserving power. DSP chips are used in CD players, cellular phones, PDAs, digital cameras, auto stereos and other consumer electronics. As semiconductor fabrication advances shrink chip size, functions that once required their own processor have been integrated into the DSP chip. Besides being more energy efficient, the smaller chips will allow product engineers more flexibility in enclosure design. Also, look for innovations such as wireless personal stereo ear phones by 2002.