University of Technology

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Department

digital signal processing and the typical digital signal

processing block diagram

By
Muhaimin Ghanem Khudair
Supervisor by
Prof.Dr.Hadi T.Ziboon
2020/2019
digital signal processing and the typical digital signal
processing block diagram

What is a Digital Signal Processing System?

 Let’s start with the individual meaning of the words defining Digital Signal
Processing in its entirety.

o Digital: In digital communication, we use discrete signals to represent

data using binary numbers.

o Signal: A signal is anything that carries some information. It’s a physical

quantity that conveys data and varies with time, space, or any other
independent variable. It can be in the time/frequency domain. It can be
one-dimensional or two-dimensional. Here are all the major types of
signals.

o Processing: The performing of operations on any data in accordance with

some protocol or instruction is known as processing.

o System: A system is a physical entity that is responsible for the

processing. It has the necessary hardware to perform the required
arithmetic or logical operations on a signal. Here are all the major types of
systems.

 Putting all these together, we can get a definition for DSP.

What is Digital Signal Processing (DSP)?

Digital Signal Processing is the process of representing signals in a discrete
mathematical sequence of numbers and analyzing, modifying, and extracting the
information contained in the signal by carrying out algorithmic operations and
processing on the signal.

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Block diagram of a DSP system

 The first step is to get an electrical signal. The transducer (in our case, a
microphone) converts sound into an electrical signal. You can use any transducer
depending upon the case.
 Once you have an analog electrical signal, we pass it through an operational
amplifier (Op-Amp) to condition the analog signal. Basically, we amplify the
signal. Or limit it to protect the next stages.
 The anti-aliasing filter is an essential step in the conversion of analog to a digital
signal. It is a low-pass filter. Meaning, it allows frequencies up to a certain
threshold to pass. It attenuates all frequencies above this threshold. These
unwanted frequencies make it difficult to sample an analog signal.
 The next stage is a simple analog-to-digital converter (ADC). This unit takes in
analog signals and outputs a stream of binary digits.
 The heart of the system is the digital signal processor. These days we use CMOS
chips (even ULSI) to make digital signal processors. In fact, modern processors,
like the Cortex M4 have DSP units built inside the SoC. These processor units
have high-speed, high data throughputs, and dedicated instruction sets.
 The next stages are sort of the opposite of the stages preceding the digital signal
processor.
 The digital-to-analog converter does what its name implies. It’s necessary for the
slew rate of the DAC to match the acquisition rate of the ADC.
 The smoothing filter is another low-pass filter that smoothes the output by
removing unwanted high-frequency components.
 The last op-amp is just an amplifier.

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 The output transducer is a speaker in our case. You can use anything else
according to your requirements.

Applications of a Digital signal processing system

We use digital signal processing in:

 Telecommunication
o For echo cancellation.
o Equalization – Think about tuning your radio for bass and treble).
o Filtering – Removing unwanted signals using specially designed filters
like the Infinite Impulse Response Filter (IIR).
o Multiplexing and repeating signals.
 Instrumentation and Control
o In designing Phase Locked Logic (PLL).
o Noise reduction circuits.
o Compression of signals.
o Function generators.
 Digital Image Processing
o Compression of an image.
o Enhancement, reconstruction, and restoration of an image.
o Analysis or face detection (like Snapchat).
 Speech Processing
o Digital audio synthesis.
o Speech recognition and analysis.
 Medicine
o X-rays, ECGs, EEGs.
 Signal filtering
o Noise removal and shaping of signal spectrums.
 Military
o Sonar and navigation.
o Analysis after tracking in radars.
 Consumer electronics
o Music players
o Professional music turntables (like the ones DJs use).

Advantages of a Digital Signal Processing system

A digital signal processing system enjoys many benefits over an analog signal processing
system. Some of these advantages are briefly outlined below:

 Less overall noise

o Since the signals are digital and inherently possess a low probability of
getting mixed with unwanted signals, the entire system benefits. Thus,
DSPs don’t really have as much noise to deal with comparatively.
 Error detection and correction is possible in DSPs

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o Again, the presence of digital signal means we have access to many error
detection and correction features. For example, we can use parity
generation and correction as a detection and correction tool.
 Data storage is easier
o Yet again, an advantage because of digital signals. You know how easy it
is to store digital data, right? We can choose from a wide plethora
of digital memories. However, analog data needs to be stored in tapes and
stuff like that. It’s harder to transport and recreate with 100% fidelity.
 Encryption
o Digital signals are easy to encrypt. So this one counts as a win for the
entire DSP system too.
 Easier to process
o Digital signals can easily undergo mathematical changes as compared to
their analog counterparts.
 More data transmission
o Time-division multiplexing is a great tool available for digital systems to
transmit more data over unit time and over a single communication path.
 Higher component tolerance in DSP
o The components like resistors, capacitors, and inductors have a certain
threshold in terms of temperature. Outside this threshold, as the
temperature increases, they might start behaving erratically.
o These components are not present in a digital system. Moreover, digital
systems can increase their accuracy with concepts like floating-point
arithmetic.
 Easier to modify
o To modify an analog processing system, you need to change components,
test, and verify the changes. With digital processing systems, you just need
to change a few commands or alter a few lines of code.
 DSP systems can work on frequencies of a broader range
o There are some natural frequencies, like seismic frequencies that detect
earthquakes. These signals have very low frequencies. Traditional analog
signals might not even detect these signals. However, digital signal
processing systems are adept at picking up even the tiniest of disturbances
and also process them easily.
 Cost
o When working at scale, DSPs are cheaper.

Disadvantages of a Digital Signal Processing system

 Complexity
o As we saw in the block diagram above, there are a lot of elements
preceding and following a Digital Signal Processor. Stuff like filters and
converters add to the complexity of a system.
 Power
o A digital signal processor is made up of transistors. Transistors consume
more power since they are active components. A typical digital signal

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processor may contain millions of transistors. This increases the power
that the system consumes.
 Learning curve and design time
o Learning the ins and outs of Digital Signal processing involves a steep
learning curve. Setting up digital processing systems thus takes time. And
if not pre-equipped with the right knowledge and tools, teams can spend a
lot of time in setting up.
 Loss of information
o Quantization of data that is below certain Hz causes a loss in data
according to the Rate-Distortion Theory.
 Cost
o For small systems, DSP is an expensive endeavor. Costing more than
necessary.