Speeding DSP algorithm design

The boom in the use of systems based on digital signal processing (DSP) is rivalled only by the swiftness with which their technology changes. No sooner do engineers master the latest development than a still newer one emerges. It's the same with design tools; it never seems quite possible for the users to catch up. Designing DSP based systems, therefore, remains a challenging and multidisciplinary task. More often than not, unfortunately, there is a gap between the algorithm development and implementation phases of a DSP design project. Therefore, DSP engineers are turning in droves toward a methodology that integrates the design of DSP algorithms with the later stages of development and implementation. Called "accelerated DSP design" (ADD), the methodology makes use of high level algorithm simulation and rapid prototyping (on off the shelf DSP boards)-both offline and in real time environments-to achieve its goals. The tools it uses allow early validation of algorithms and evaluation of tradeoffs, increasing the designer's confidence that a particular design will meet its requirements.