Application Note AN_304 FT90x Microcontroller Benchmark Version 1.1 Issue Date: 2015-07-18 Application note to compare the performance of the FT90x to typical microcontrollers. Use of FTDI devices in life support and/or safety applications is entirely at the user’s risk, and the user agrees to defend, indemnify and hold FTDI harmless from any and all damages, claims, suits or expense resulting from such use. Future Technology Devices International Limited (FTDI) Unit 1, 2 Seaward Place, Glasgow G41 1HH, United Kingdom Tel.: +44 (0) 141 429 2777 Fax: + 44 (0) 141 429 2758 Web Site: http://ftdichip.com Copyright © 2015 Future Technology Devices International Limited Application Note AN_304 FT90x Microcontroller Benchmark Version 1.1 Document Reference No.: FT_001006 Clearance No.: FTDI# 375 Table of Contents 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 2 1.1 2 Overview ................................................................................................................................. 2 1.1.1 Dhrystone Source code ................................................................................................... 2 1.1.2 Dhrystone explanation .................................................................................................... 2 1.1.3 FT90x ............................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Comparison Table ................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Comparison Graph .................................................................................................................. 3 1.4 Summary ................................................................................................................................. 4 Contact Information........................................................................................................................ 5 Appendix A – References ........................................................................................................................ 6 Document References......................................................................................................................... 6 Acronyms and Abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 6 Appendix B – List of Tables & Figures ..................................................................................................... 7 List of Tables ....................................................................................................................................... 7 List of Figures ...................................................................................................................................... 7 Appendix C – Revision History ................................................................................................................ 8 Product Page Document Feedback 1 Copyright © 2015 Future Technology Devices International Limited Application Note AN_304 FT90x Microcontroller Benchmark Version 1.1 Document Reference No.: FT_001006 Clearance No.: FTDI# 375 1 Introduction In microcontroller data sheets, DMIPS are quoted to compare the performance of the device. This application note explains DMIPS and highlights the speed of FTDI`s FT90x microcontroller. 1.1 Overview 1.1.1 Dhrystone Source code Dhrystone is a computer program that calculates the millions of instructions handled per second (MIPS) based on a standardized Dhrystone application. The source code is freely available throughout the internet. The version used in the Application Note is available from this link Dhrystone-2.1.tar.gz. 1.1.2 Dhrystone explanation Dhrystone MIPS (DMIPS) allow you to compare processors that have different instruction sets. While two processors may have the same MIPS (how many instructions they can execute in a second - basically clock speed), it can take the two processors a different number of instructions to complete the same calculation or task because they have different instruction sets. So DMIPS measures not just instructions per second but gives an idea of how long overall it will take one processor to perform a task versus another, taking into account the different number and kinds of instructions the processors will have to use to complete the task. Because of this, DMIPS can't just be calculated from MIPS, you have to actually measure them using the Dhrystone benchmark testing. And this is also why DMIPS can be greater than 1 DMIPS/MHZ - due to a particular instruction set, 1 instruction can actually be getting more done than 1 instruction on another processor. For example 16 bit architecture is likely to be more efficient than an 8-bit one for some tasks. 1.1.3 FT90x The FT90x is a complete System-On-Chip 32-bit RISC microcontroller for embedded applications featuring high performance and a full feature set for system connectivity enabling a high level of functional integration. The full datasheet of the FT90x device is available to download from FTDI Chip. Table Product Page Document Feedback 2 Copyright © 2015 Future Technology Devices International Limited Application Note AN_304 FT90x Microcontroller Benchmark Version 1.1 Document Reference No.: FT_001006 Clearance No.: FTDI# 375 1.2 Comparison Table Microcontroller / Core Bus (bits) DMIPS/MHz Maximum frequency (MHz) FT90x / FT32 32 3.1 100 RX600 32 1.65 100 AVR32 32 1.38 66 Pic 24 16 0.5 80 MSP430 16 0.3 24 MIPS M4K 32 1.65 80 Arm Cortex-A9 32 2.5 1000 Arm Cortex-A8 32 2 1000 Arm Cortex-A5 32 1.6 1000 Arm Cortex-M0 32 0.93 200 Arm Cortex-M4 32 1.25 250 Synopsys ARC EM6 32 1.52 420 Table 1.1 MCU Comparison Table 1.3 Comparison Graph Micro/Core DMIPS/MHz 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 Figure 1.1 MCU Comparison Graph Product Page Document Feedback 3 Copyright © 2015 Future Technology Devices International Limited Application Note AN_304 FT90x Microcontroller Benchmark Version 1.1 Document Reference No.: FT_001006 Clearance No.: FTDI# 375 1.4 Summary Many commercial MCU’s display the DMIPs/MHz as per the Table 1.1 however, these figures are based on 0 wait state operation. Many Flash based MCU’s usually max out 0WS at around 25MHz to 30MHz, so for operation beyond that you have to add 1, 2 or 3 wait states to run the MCU at its maximum stated operating frequency and this limitation is in general not widely publicised. Adding wait states, especially to a RISC CPU cripples the performance. FTDI’s shadow RAM architecture overcomes this limitation by executing out of shadow RAM at true 0 WS up to the full operating core frequency of the MCU (100MHz), without compromise. Product Page Document Feedback 4 Copyright © 2015 Future Technology Devices International Limited Application Note AN_304 FT90x Microcontroller Benchmark Version 1.1 Document Reference No.: FT_001006 Clearance No.: FTDI# 375 2 Contact Information Head Office – Glasgow, UK Branch Office – Tigard, Oregon, USA Future Technology Devices International Limited Unit 1, 2 Seaward Place, Centurion Business Park Glasgow G41 1HH United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 141 429 2777 Fax: +44 (0) 141 429 2758 Future Technology Devices International Limited (USA) 7130 SW Fir Loop Tigard, OR 97223-8160 USA Tel: +1 (503) 547 0988 Fax: +1 (503) 547 0987 E-mail (Sales) E-mail (Support) E-mail (General Enquiries) [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] E-Mail (Sales) E-Mail (Support) E-Mail (General Enquiries) [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Branch Office – Taipei, Taiwan Branch Office – Shanghai, China Future Technology Devices International Limited (Taiwan) 2F, No. 516, Sec. 1, NeiHu Road Taipei 114 Taiwan , R.O.C. Tel: +886 (0) 2 8791 3570 Fax: +886 (0) 2 8791 3576 Future Technology Devices International Limited (China) Room 1103, No. 666 West Huaihai Road, Shanghai, 200052 China Tel: +86 21 62351596 Fax: +86 21 62351595 E-mail (Sales) E-mail (Support) E-mail (General Enquiries) E-mail (Sales) E-mail (Support) E-mail (General Enquiries) [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Web Site http://ftdichip.com System and equipment manufacturers and designers are responsible to ensure that their systems, and any Future Technology Devices International Ltd (FTDI) devices incorporated in their systems, meet all applicable safety, regulatory and system-level performance requirements. All application-related information in this document (including application descriptions, suggested FTDI devices and other materials) is provided for reference only. While FTDI has taken care to assure it is accurate, this information is subject to customer confirmation, and FTDI disclaims all liability for system designs and for any applications assistance provided by FTDI. Use of FTDI devices in life support and/or safety applications is entirely at the user’s risk, and the user agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless FTDI from any and all damages, claims, suits or expense resulting from such use. This document is subject to change without notice. No freedom to use patents or other intellectual property rights is implied by the publication of this document. Neither the whole nor any part of the information contained in, or the product described in this document, may be adapted or reproduced in any material or electronic form without the prior written consent of the copyright holder. Future Technology Devices International Ltd, Unit 1, 2 Seaward Place, Centurion Business Park, Glasgow G41 1HH, United Kingdom. Scotland Registered Company Number: SC136640 Product Page Document Feedback 5 Copyright © 2015 Future Technology Devices International Limited Application Note AN_304 FT90x Microcontroller Benchmark Version 1.1 Document Reference No.: FT_001006 Clearance No.: FTDI# 375 Appendix A – References Document References DS_FT900Q – FT900 Datasheet Acronyms and Abbreviations Terms CPU DMIPS Description Central Processing Unit Dhrystone Million Instructions Per Second MCU Microcontroller RAM Random Access Memory RISC Reduced Instruction Set Computing WS Product Page Document Feedback Wait States 6 Copyright © 2015 Future Technology Devices International Limited Application Note AN_304 FT90x Microcontroller Benchmark Version 1.1 Document Reference No.: FT_001006 Clearance No.: FTDI# 375 Appendix B – List of Tables & Figures List of Tables Table 1.1 MCU Comparison Table .......................................................................................... 3 List of Figures Figure 1.1 MCU Comparison Graph ........................................................................................ 3 Product Page Document Feedback 7 Copyright © 2015 Future Technology Devices International Limited Application Note AN_304 FT90x Microcontroller Benchmark Version 1.1 Document Reference No.: FT_001006 Clearance No.: FTDI# 375 Appendix C – Revision History Document Title: AN_304 FT900 Microcontroller Benchmark Document Reference No.: FT_001006 Clearance No.: FTDI# 375 Product Page: http://www.ftdichip.com/FTProducts.htm Document Feedback: Send Feedback Revision Changes Date 1.0 First release 2014-03-13 1.1 Update to performance figures 2015-07-13 Product Page Document Feedback 8 Copyright © 2015 Future Technology Devices International Limited