An open architecture for an embedded signal processing subsystem

The paper describes the process employed to implement an advanced embedded signal processing subsystem for a legacy search digital signal processor (DSP), with emphasis on cost and open architecture (OA). This effort produced a low-cost, reconfigurable search DSP in a 15 month design cycle. A team of international partners was assembled, including Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors (LM) (Moorestown, NJ), Indra Sistemas (Indra) (Madrid, Spain) and CSP Inc. (CSPI) (Billerica, MA). LM acted as the system design agent and was responsible for definition of the commercial off the shelf (COTS) architecture, technical requirements and fire control system (FCS) integration. Indra's responsibility was for software development that included the design, implementation and test of radar signal processing functions on general purpose processors. CSPI's responsibilities included providing development hardware, software, and training, as well as the development of a real-time interface to the legacy radar's processing cabinet.