MAXQ Competitive Analysis Study - AN3593

Maxim > App Notes > MICROCONTROLLERS
Keywords: maxq, maxq2000, microcontrollers, benchmark, 16-bit, micro controller Aug 31, 2005
APPLICATION NOTE 3593
MAXQ Competitive Analysis Study
Abstract: To demonstrate the abilities of the MAXQ microcontroller, we took benchmark code written for a competitor's
microcontroller and ran it on the MAXQ2000. The results show that the MAXQ is one of the best 16-bit microcontroller
cores available.

Introduction
The MAXQ's unique transfer-triggered architecture makes it a top performer in the 16-bit microcontroller market. The MAXQ
instruction set features single-clock and instruction-cycle operations for jumps, calls, returns, loop control, and arithmetic
operations. As a result the MAXQ enables applications to process more data in less time than other microcontrollers.
Designers can thus add more functionality in their applications or reduce power consumption by completing required tasks
quickly and spending more time in low-power stop modes.

To demonstrate the MAXQ's capabilities for this competitive analysis, we took benchmark code written to showcase the
MSP430, ran it on the MAXQ, and monitored MAXQ performance. The competitor's code initially made the MAXQ function
comparatively slow and inefficiently. Later when Rowley's highly optimized CrossWorks compiler for the MAXQ was released
to the market, we reran the benchmark code. We found that Rowley's compiler used MAXQ architectural features more
effectively, and ...