NXP Semiconductors DSPB56720AG

Overview

DSPB56720AG from Freescale Semiconductor is a dual-core 24-bit audio DSP designed for high-definition audio processing in automotive and consumer systems. It delivers 200 MIPS per core at 200 MHz internal clock, integrates an External Memory Controller (EMC) for SDRAM expansion, and supports S/PDIF, ESAI, ASRC, and dual SHI interfaces. It is used in Blu-ray players, car audio amplifiers, and professional recording equipment requiring multi-stream decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD.

For engineers reviewing the DSPB56720AG datasheet, DSPB56720AG pinout, DSPB56720AG application, or DSPB56720AG equivalent, this page provides verified technical context, package-confirmed pin functions, real-world audio system roles, and validated alternative options for HD audio processor selection.

Technical Context

The DSPB56720AG implements two independent DSP56300 24-bit cores sharing 64 KB on-chip RAM across eight 8-KB blocks and a unified 8-KB shared memory. Its architecture includes dedicated hardware accelerators: Asynchronous Sample Rate Converter (ASRC), Inter-Core Communication (ICC), and Enhanced Serial Audio Interface (ESAI) with four independent channels supporting I²S, left-justified, and right-justified formats.

It operates with separate 1.0 V core and 3.3 V I/O supplies, supports external crystal (24.576 MHz typical) or square-wave clock input, and features PLL-based clock generation with 200–400 MHz VCO range. The EMC enables 16-bit SDRAM interfacing with configurable timing, while dual SHI modules support both SPI and I²C protocols for host control.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 144-pin LQFP (20 mm × 20 mm, 0.5 mm pitch), RoHS-compliant, moisture sensitivity level 3.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar multi-core audio processor applications.

Compared with AK4182A and TMS320C6748, the DSPB56720AG uniquely combines dual 24-bit fixed-point cores, hardware ASRC, four ESAI ports, and SDRAM support in one package-enabling single-chip HD audio systems without external glue logic or companion audio ICs.

Availability

DSPB56720AG is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive infotainment, home theater AV receivers, and professional digital mixers requiring stable component supply and long-term production continuity.

Supply support for DSPB56720AG 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

Freescale Semiconductor (now part of NXP Semiconductors) is a global leader in embedded processing solutions for automotive, industrial, and audio applications.

The DSP56720 family was engineered specifically for high-fidelity, multi-standard audio processing in resource-constrained embedded systems-emphasizing deterministic real-time performance, low-latency inter-core communication, and hardware-accelerated audio functions.

FAQ

What is the core voltage requirement for stable operation of the DSPB56720AG?

The DSPB56720AG requires a tightly regulated 1.0 V ±10% (0.9 V to 1.1 V) core supply (CORE_VDD). Operation outside this range risks timing violations or functional failure. Power-on sequencing mandates that IO_VDD (3.3 V) must be applied before CORE_VDD, with CORE_VDD ramp time under 10 ms to ensure reliable power-on reset behavior. The DSPB56720AG datasheet specifies these limits in Section 2.5.

Does the DSPB56720AG support external SDRAM, and what interface does it use?

Yes, the DSPB56720AG supports external SDRAM via its integrated External Memory Controller (EMC). It provides a 16-bit data bus, 24-bit address bus, and dedicated control signals (LCS0–LCS7, LWE, LOE, LBCTL) for direct connection to standard SDRAM chips. The EMC supports configurable CAS latency, RAS precharge, and refresh timing-enabling use of low-cost, high-density memory for audio buffering and algorithm coefficient storage in the DSPB56720AG.

How many independent audio serial interfaces does the DSPB56720AG provide?

The DSPB56720AG provides four independent Enhanced Serial Audio Interface (ESAI) modules (ESAI, ESAI_1, ESAI_2, ESAI_3), each capable of full-duplex operation with programmable word length (8–32 bits), frame sync polarity, and clock polarity. This allows concurrent connection to multiple audio codecs, DACs, or ADCs-for example, feeding eight channels to a multi-zone amplifier while receiving four channels from microphone arrays-all without time-division multiplexing. This capability is documented in the DSPB56720AG reference manual.

Is the DSPB56720AG pin-compatible with the DSP56721 series?

No, the DSPB56720AG is not pin-compatible with any DSP56721 variant. While both share the 144-pin LQFP package footprint, their pin assignments differ significantly: the DSPB56720AG includes dedicated EMC signals (LAD0–LAD23, LCS0–LCS7), whereas the DSP56721 144-pin version replaces those with host interface signals (H0–H15, HREQ, HRW). Pin compatibility is explicitly absent per Freescale's DSP56720EC Rev. 5 datasheet Section 1.3.

What clock sources does the DSPB56720AG support for its internal PLL?

The DSPB56720AG supports two clock source configurations: (1) external crystal (e.g., 24.576 MHz) connected between EXTAL and XTAL pins, or (2) external square-wave clock applied to EXTAL only (with XTAL left unconnected). The internal PLL accepts input frequencies up to 200 MHz and generates VCO frequencies from 200–400 MHz, producing output clocks up to 200 MHz for core and peripheral domains. These specifications are defined in Table 5 and Figure 9 of the DSPB56720AG datasheet.