**The ADSP-21060LKB-160: A Deep Dive into SHARC's Flagship Digital Signal Processor**

In the realm of high-performance digital signal processing, few names command as much respect as the SHARC family from Analog Devices. At its zenith stands a legendary processor: **the ADSP-21060LKB-160**. This device wasn't merely a component; it was a complete system on a chip, engineered to tackle the most computationally intensive tasks with unparalleled elegance and power.

The "LKB" suffix denotes a 225-contact ceramic pin grid array (PGA) package, a robust form factor designed for demanding applications. The "160" specifies its core clock speed of **40 million instructions per second (MIPS)**, capable of executing a single-cycle instruction every 25 nanoseconds. However, the true genius of the 21060 lies not in its raw clock speed but in its architectural brilliance.

At its heart is a super-Harvard architecture featuring not one, but four independent data buses. This allows the core to simultaneously access two data values, an instruction, and perform I/O – a massive leap over traditional von Neumann or even basic Harvard architectures. This design eliminates bottlenecks and ensures the computational units are fed a constant stream of data. The core is built around a 32-bit IEEE floating-point unit, which is **crucial for high dynamic range applications** like professional audio, medical imaging, and scientific computation, where precision is non-negotiable.

Perhaps its most defining feature is its massive on-chip memory. The ADSP-21060 integrates a staggering **4 megabits of dual-ported SRAM**, configurable as both program and data memory. This on-chip RAM, organized in two blocks, can be accessed simultaneously by the internal core and the external bus or I/O processor, enabling incredibly fast data transfers without stealing cycles from the core. This vast internal memory often eliminated the need for external RAM, simplifying board design and maximizing speed.

For system expansion and multiprocessing, the 21060 was in a class of its own. It included hardware support for **seamless glueless multiprocessing** via its cluster bus and link ports. Up to six ADSP-21060s could be connected in a shared memory cluster, behaving as a single, powerful computational entity. The six 4-bit link ports provided ultra-fast, point-to-point communication between processors, with a combined throughput of 240 MB/s, making them ideal for building large, scalable multiprocessing arrays.

Its integrated I/O capabilities were equally impressive. It featured a dedicated I/O processor that handled all data transfers via its **high-performance direct memory access (DMA) controllers**, which could stream data between its internal memory and external peripherals, serial ports, or link ports without burdening the core. This made it exceptionally well-suited for real-time processing of data streams in radar, sonar, and imaging systems.

In its heyday, the ADSP-21060LKB-160 was the processor of choice for applications that demanded the absolute best in floating-point performance and integrated system features. It powered high-end audio processors, military avionics, medical MRI machines, and seismic analysis equipment. Its legacy endures as a benchmark for what a truly holistic DSP design can achieve, combining raw power with intelligent integration.

**ICGOODFIND:** The ADSP-21060LKB-160 remains a landmark in DSP history. It was a massively integrated, architectural marvel that combined a high-performance 32-bit floating-point core, a vast amount of dual-ported on-chip SRAM, and unparalleled glueless multiprocessing capabilities. Its system-on-chip design, featuring advanced DMA and link ports, set a standard for real-time, high-throughput signal processing that influenced generations of processors that followed.

**Keywords:**

**SHARC DSP**

**Floating-Point Processor**

**Glueless Multiprocessing**

**On-Chip Memory**

**Harvard Architecture**