Analog Devices Inc. ADSP-21368KBP-2A

Overview

ADSP-21368KBP-2A from Analog Devices is a 32-bit/40-bit floating-point SHARC® DSP optimized for high-fidelity automotive and professional audio systems. It delivers 400 MHz core instruction rate, 2 Mbits of on-chip SRAM, 6 Mbits of mask-programmable ROM, and integrated audiocentric peripherals including S/PDIF transceiver, 4-channel asynchronous sample rate converter (ASRC), and 8 serial ports - enabling real-time multi-channel audio processing in compact embedded platforms.

For engineers reviewing the ADSP-21368KBP-2A datasheet, ADSP-21368KBP-2A pinout, ADSP-21368KBP-2A application, or ADSP-21368KBP-2A equivalent, key selection criteria include SIMD computational throughput (2.4 GFLOPS), ROM-based security with 64-bit JTAG key enforcement, dual-clock-domain architecture (core + I/O processor), and support for 256-ball BGA_ED packaging with shared memory arbitration for multiprocessor audio systems.

Technical Context

The ADSP-21368KBP-2A implements a dual-processing-element SIMD core (PEx/PEy) with independent ALU, multiplier, and shifter units operating at 400 MHz, enabling parallel execution of identical instructions on distinct data streams. Its enhanced Harvard architecture supports single-cycle fetch of one instruction and four operands via 64-bit PM/DM buses and instruction cache.

It features two clock domains: a 400 MHz core domain hosting computation, on-chip memory, and JTAG debug; and a peripheral domain with dedicated 32-bit IOD0/IOD1 buses, DAI (digital applications interface), DPI (digital peripheral interface), S/PDIF transceiver, and 4 ASRC units - all programmable via signal routing units (SRU) for flexible interconnection without hardware redesign.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

ADSP-21368KBP-2A is housed in a 256-ball BGA_ED package (17 mm × 17 mm, 0.8 mm pitch) with exposed thermal pad. Pin functions are defined per Analog Devices' official 256-Ball BGA_ED Pinout (Rev. H, Page 53), supporting core, memory, DAI, DPI, JTAG, and power domains.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar high-performance audio DSP applications.

Compared with ADSP-21368KBP-2A, ADSP-21369KBPZ-2A offers verified security enhancements and broader ASRC compliance for next-gen audio certification, while ADSP-21364KBPZ-2A trades performance and peripheral richness for lower power and cost in less demanding signal paths.

Availability

ADSP-21368KBP-2A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive infotainment, professional audio mixing consoles, and high-end home theater AV receivers requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and traceable sourcing from authorized channels.

Supply support for ADSP-21368KBP-2A includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Analog Devices, Inc. is a global leader in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and DSP technology, headquartered in Norwood, MA, with design centers and manufacturing facilities worldwide.

The SHARC® processor family - including ADSP-21368KBP-2A - was engineered specifically for computationally intensive, low-latency audio signal processing in automotive, studio, and consumer electronics, emphasizing SIMD throughput, on-chip memory bandwidth, and hardware-accelerated audio peripherals.

FAQ

What is the maximum operating frequency of the ADSP-21368KBP-2A?

The ADSP-21368KBP-2A operates at a guaranteed maximum core instruction rate of 400 MHz, achieving a 2.5 ns instruction cycle time. This frequency is validated across commercial temperature range (0°C to 70°C) and supported by its 1.2 V VDDINT supply rail. The device's PLL allows flexible clock multiplication from external reference sources, and timing specifications in the official datasheet (Rev. H, Page 18) confirm setup/hold margins at this speed under specified load conditions.

Does the ADSP-21368KBP-2A support booting from internal ROM only?

Yes - the ADSP-21368KBP-2A supports ROM-based security mode where it boots exclusively from its 6 Mbits of mask-programmable internal ROM. In this mode, external boot sources are disabled, and JTAG access to memory is restricted until a valid 64-bit authentication key is scanned via the test access port. This feature is documented in the "ROM-Based Security" section (Page 6) and ensures firmware integrity in certified automotive and professional audio applications.

How many serial ports does the ADSP-21368KBP-2A include, and what protocols do they support?

The ADSP-21368KBP-2A integrates eight fully configurable synchronous serial ports (SPORTs). Each supports standard DSP serial, multichannel TDM (including packed I2S), I2S, left-justified sample pair, and right-justified modes. Word lengths range from 3 to 32 bits, with per-channel μ-law or A-law companding. These ports interface directly with audio codecs like the AD183x family and support up to 32 transmit/receive channels or eight full-duplex TDM streams - details confirmed in Table 2 and Page 8 of the Rev. H datasheet.

Can the ADSP-21368KBP-2A perform sample rate conversion between different audio domains?

Yes - the ADSP-21368KBP-2A includes four independent asynchronous sample rate converters (ASRCs), each capable of resampling up to two channels simultaneously. These ASRCs operate with 128 dB SNR performance and support conversion between arbitrary sample rates (e.g., 44.1 kHz ↔ 48 kHz ↔ 96 kHz), essential for integrating disparate audio sources in mixing consoles and AV receivers. Their inputs/outputs are fully routable via the DAI signal routing unit (SRU), as described on Page 8 and in Figure 1 of the datasheet.

What package type and thermal characteristics apply to the ADSP-21368KBP-2A?

The ADSP-21368KBP-2A is supplied in a 256-ball BGA_ED package (17 mm × 17 mm, 0.8 mm pitch) with exposed thermal pad. Its thermal resistance θJA is 22.5°C/W under JEDEC JESD51-7 conditions (2s2p board), and θJC is 2.5°C/W. The device requires proper PCB thermal vias beneath the exposed pad and adherence to Analog Devices' layout guidelines (Page 59) to maintain junction temperature within −40°C to +105°C operational limits during sustained 400 MHz operation.