**The ADSP-21062LKB-160: A Deep Dive into SHARC's Flagship Floating-Point DSP**

In the realm of digital signal processing, few names command as much respect as the SHARC family from Analog Devices. Among its distinguished members, the **ADSP-21062LKB-160** stands out as a true flagship, a processor that defined high-performance floating-point computation for an entire generation of demanding applications. This deep dive explores the architecture and legacy of this iconic DSP.

At its core, the ADSP-21062 is a 32-bit superscalar processor, but its genius lies in its parallel processing capabilities. It features **two computational units (ALU and Multiplier/Accumulator)** that can execute instructions in a single cycle. This allows the core to perform a breathtaking range of operations—such as a multiply, an add, and a subtraction—all simultaneously. For the complex matrix algebra and filter calculations common in audio, radar, and medical imaging, this parallelism was revolutionary.

The "LKB-160" suffix is critical: it denotes a specific ceramic package and the top-tier **160 MHz core clock speed**. At this frequency, the processor achieved a peak performance of **120 MFLOPS (Millions of Floating-Point Operations Per Second)** for 32-bit IEEE floating-point math and an astonishing 240 MFLOPS for shorter word formats. This raw power made it a go-to solution for real-time processing tasks where precision and speed were non-negotiable.

A defining feature of the SHARC architecture, and a key to its success, is its internal memory organization. The ADSP-21062 integrates a substantial 2 Megabits of on-chip SRAM, configured as two blocks. This memory can be configured as either 32-bit program memory or 48-bit data memory, offering tremendous flexibility. This on-chip RAM operates at the full core speed, creating a **zero-wait-state memory architecture** that eliminates the performance bottleneck of external memory accesses for critical loops and algorithms.

Furthermore, the chip was designed for scalability. Its built-in **cluster-friendly link ports and external bus support** allowed multiple ADSP-21062s to be connected seamlessly in parallel or shared-memory multiprocessing configurations. Engineers could build massive processing arrays, harnessing the power of several SHARCs to tackle problems that were previously insurmountable.

From high-end professional audio consoles and sonar processing systems to aerospace and defense radar, the ADSP-21062LKB-160 provided the computational muscle. It offered the precision of true 32-bit floating-point math, which simplified algorithm development compared to fixed-point alternatives, reducing the risk of overflow and scaling issues.

**ICGOODFIND**: The ADSP-21062LKB-160 remains a landmark in DSP history. It exemplifies a perfect balance of **raw computational horsepower, innovative on-chip memory design, and robust multiprocessing support**. While surpassed by modern chips, its architectural principles continue to influence high-performance processor design today, cementing its legacy as a true workhorse of signal processing.

**Keywords**:

* Floating-Point DSP

* SHARC Architecture

* Parallel Processing

* Multiprocessing

* High-Performance Computing