Digital Signal Processing Reference
In-Depth Information
A
PPENDIX
E
Texas Instru
ments DSPs and DSKs
E.1
Introduction to Digital Signal Processors (DSPs)
A digital signal processor (DSP) is a type of microprocessor — one that is
incredibly fast and powerful.
1
A DSP is unique because it processes data in
real time, which makes it perfect for applications that cannot tolerate any
delays. For example, did you ever talk on a cell phone where two people
could not talk at once? You had to wait until the other person finished talking.
If you both spoke simultaneously, the signal was cut — you did not hear
the other person. With today's digital cell phones, which use DSP, you can
talk normally. The DSP processors inside cell phones process sounds so
rapidly you hear them as quickly as you can speak — in real time. Here are
just some of the advantages of designing with DSPs over other micropro-
cessors:
•
Single-cycle multiply-accumulate operations
•
Real-time performance, simulation, and emulation
•
Flexibility
•
Reliability
•
Increased system performance
•
Reduced system cost
The overall architecture of a typical DSP is shown in
Figure E.1
. The heart
of the DSP is the Central Processing Unit (CPU), which is connected to the
internal memory, external memory, and peripherals such as audio speakers
and microphones.
Some material in this Appendix is reproduced with permission from Texas Instruments, Inc.,
Dallas, TX.
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