Digital Signal Processing, DSP for short, is a special kind of computing. As the name implies, the focus is on the analysis of signals derived from sensors like video cameras, microphones, or strain gages.
DSP is intended primarily for embedded computer applications where the processor is an integral part of a product which is not just a computer. In other words, a DSP processor helps the product perform its function, but the purpose of the product goes beyond computing. End users of the product with an embedded computer often do not know that the product uses any processor. Special kinds of processors are used for DSP that focus on fast, medium precision (8-24 bit) calculation. Unlike personal computers or work stations, they usually run one program and do not support peripherals. Unlike micro-controllers, a DSP processor excels at numerical computation instead of logic and decision making. Embedding DSP hardware and software is readily done by DSP specialists using the tools and techniques available for this mature technology.
DSP is also useful as an addition to any computer to speedup image processing, scientific computing and other intensive computing applications. Boards that directly plug into personal computers and workstations are available at much lower cost than buying a computer with comparable throughput. These boards perform the heavy computation while the host computer provides other services for the user. Today, software for DSP is written in high level languages so that a DSP algorithm specialist can write and debug programs quickly.
DSP offers exciting possibilities for new products! Texas Instruments new high-end, single-chip DSP processor, that can do 2000 million operations/second, has the potential to transform the multimedia industry. At the other end of the DSP processor spectrum, the new $10 chips can do 40 million operations/second and outperform personal computer processor chips costing $100++. With the interface chips that grab audio and video frames in real time, the signal processing capability that one can embed in a new product is absolutely amazing.
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