What is DSP?

A digital signal processor (DSP) receives digitally processed real-world signals such as speech, audio, video, temperature, pressure, or position, and then performs mathematical operations for processing. DSP can perform mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division very quickly.

The signal needs to be processed in order to display the information contained in it, perform signal analysis, or convert it into another usable signal type. In practical applications, simulate product detection of signals such as sound, light, temperature, or pressure, and then perform operational processing. Subsequently, it is received by converters such as analog-to-digital converters and converted into digital formats of 1 and 0. Subsequently, the digital information is captured and processed by the DSP. Finally, it feeds digital information back to the real world for use. This process can be achieved in two ways: digital mode and conversion to analog format through a digital to analog converter. Both are completed at high speed.

During the recording phase, analog audio is input through a receiver or other source. The analog signal is then converted into a digital signal through an analog-to-digital converter, and then transmitted to the DSP. DSP performs MP3 encoding and saves the file to memory. In the playback stage, the file is taken out of memory, decoded by the DSP, and then converted back to an analog signal through a digital to analog converter. This way, the analog signal can be output through the audio system. In more complex examples, the DSP will perform other functions such as volume control, equalization, and user interface.

Computers can use DPS information to control functions such as security, telephone, home theater systems, and video compression. The signal can be compressed to quickly and efficiently transmit it from one location to another (for example, a conference call can transmit voice and video over a telephone line). It can also enhance or manipulate signals, improve their quality, or provide information that humans cannot perceive (such as eliminating phone echoes or improving medical image quality through computers). Although it can process real signals in analog form, digital processing also has the advantage of high speed and accuracy.

Because DSP can be programmed, it has a wide range of applications. You can create your own software or use ADI and its third-party software to design specific DSP solutions for your application.