What is a Digital Signal Processor?

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Leo
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What is a Digital Signal Processor?

Post by Leo » Fri Jul 17, 2009 7:36 pm

Hi,

I have seen some information on the web regarding DSPs. But I still don't get it.
Could you please explain a bit on that. Is there anybody who's using those in this forum?
Basically what's the difference between a DSP and an ordinary Microcontroller.

Best Regards,

Leo

Leonard Patrick
JK Solutions Ltd,
Australia
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Magneto
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Re: What is a Digital Signal Processor?

Post by Magneto » Sun Jul 19, 2009 12:00 am

Digital signal processors are also some kind of microcontrollers , but they have optimized to handle digital processing algorithms.
As a example digital signal processing algorithms like Fourier Transform contain lots of floating point calculations. So most of the
Digital Signal Processors contain , floting point instructions. And also they have seperate hardware to handle floating point instructions , with in
less number of CPU Cycles.

Another important feature of DSP's related to microcontrollers is ther high operating speed. This will very much user full , such situations like
real time video processing
Leo
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Re: What is a Digital Signal Processor?

Post by Leo » Sun Jul 19, 2009 11:08 am

Thanks for your reply Magneto.

BTW: I had a quick look at the net and seen that there are many number of DSPs with lots of unneeded ports.
How do I select a DSP for a specific application?

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Leo
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Re: What is a Digital Signal Processor?

Post by Magneto » Mon Sep 21, 2009 11:33 pm

Hi Leo ,

You have to select a DSP , which mostly match to your needs. Because it is very difficult or most of the time , impossible to find a DSP , which match 100% for your needs

Here I am mention some clues , for selecting a DSP

1. peripheral ports you want for your design
2. operating speed of your system
3. number of GPIO you want
4. Cost
5. Capability of handling floating points ( if your system involve lots of floating point calculations)
6. physical size
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