Digital Signal Processing Reference
In-Depth Information
7
DSP Hardw
are Design I
7.1
Background of Digital Signal Processors
Digital signal processing (DSP) is a rapidly growing field within electrical
and computer engineering. Analog processing is achieved using components
such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors, whereas digital processing uses
a programmable microprocessor. The main advantage of digital processing
is that applications can be changed, corrected, or updated very easily by
reprogramming the microprocessor, unlike analog systems, which would
require components, such as resistors or capacitors, to be physically changed.
Additionally, DSPs also reduce noise, power consumption, and cost, when
compared with analog systems.
With processing power doubling every 18 months (according to Moore's
law), the number of applications suitable for DSP is increasing at a comparable
rate. In this introductory lab on DSP hardware, we will be using the Texas
Instruments (TI) digital signal processors (DSPs), and the aim of the lab is to
become familiar with the essential tools to set up and program the processors
for practical applications. We will briefly discuss some important details of the
DSPs before proceeding with the actual experiments. More detailed informa-
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tion on TI DSPs is available in
Appendix E
of this topic and in the references.
7.1.1
Main Applications of DSPs
A DSP is a special purpose processor that is different from a general purpose
processor such as an Intel Pentium processor. While the latter is used for
large memory, advanced operating applications, the DSP is a small, low-
power consumption, low cost device. The sum of products (SOP) is the key
element in DSP algorithms and is shown in
Table 7.1
.
7.1.2
Types and Sources of DSP Chips
Many companies produce DSP chips, including Analog Devices, Motorola,
Lucent Technologies, NEC, SGS-Thompson, Conexant, and Texas Instru-
ments.
1-3
In this laboratory, we will use DSP chips designed and manufactured
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