LABPACKS FOR DSP_SPEEDSTER:

NEW DSP, INSTRUMENTATION

AND COMMUNICATION LABORATORY EXERCISES

DSP Creations Ltd is pleased to announce the release of a range of laboratory exercises to accompany its Simulink-based DSP development environment, DSP_Speedster. Each LabPack is suitable for supporting a 2-3 hour laboratory session, and also supplies the Instructor with useful background material that can be used for student preparation.

Every LabPack contains a set of Powerpoint slides, including references in the relevant technical literature and specimen problems, addressing a particular topic in Digital Signal Processing, Instrumentation or Communication Systems. The Instructor can customize this slide set and freely distribute it to classes as general study material or laboratory-specific support documentation. Laboratory sessions are paperless, requiring participants only to follow a colour-coded Task menu which utilizes the DSP_Speedster library of Simulink blocks. Students then rapidly build and run small models which illustrate elements in the overall concept being explored in that laboratory. Parameterized and commented runnable models are saved for subsequent checking and efficient assessment by the Instructor.

Students can swiftly progress from assembling the components underlying basic ideas to realistic system testing as they pass through each Task level and are provided with more and more elaborate pre-fabricated subsystem assemblies and measuring devices. The overall result is a demanding, sensible work envelope firmly grounded in sophisticated virtual instrumentation (which need not involve any benchtop equipment) that provides students with a real feeling of achievement. The superb environment that Simulink provides for understanding time-varying and adaptive systems combines with user-controlled parameter adjustment facilities to make for satisfying hands-on experimentation.

DSP Speedster LabSuites

LabPacks are collected into “LabSuites” (each comprising 5 LabPacks) which contain about 15 hours of structured hands-on experimental work with associated learning materials. Sample LabSuite topics are:

(1) LabSuite for Digital Filtering in Pulse Detection

· SigPowLab: Averaging strategies and measuring filter effects on signal energy and power.

· MatchLab1: Concepts and basic issues in Matched Filtering with a 6-step design procedure in pole-only noise

· MatchLab2: Application of matched filtering and quadrature filter receivers to bandpass signal detection in narrowband and wideband noise

· Matchlab3: Design of optimal signal pulse shapes to undergo Matched Filtering

· DTMFLab: Energy detection of tonebursts, evaluation of real-world Matched Filtering effectiveness and construction of a complete Touchtone telephony detection scheme

(2) LabSuite for Digital Correlation and Random Signal Filtering

· RanSigLab: Characterizing and measuring random signals and effects of linear digital filtering

· CorrLab1: Applications of autocorrelation and cross-correlation to noisy signal detection and periodicity determination

· CorrLab2: System identification, cross-power spectra and coherence

· WeinersimLab: Mean-square filtering and prediction

· LMSsimLab: Exploration of a variety of uses of Widrow’s LMS algorithm.

(3) LabSuite for Signals and Modulation

· SigFiltLab: Characterizing deterministic signals (pulses, tones, chirps, etc.) and their spectra, including modifications through filtering and nonlinear/time-variant processing

· EnergybwLab: Examination of these important descriptors of signals and spectra

· AudioEffectsLab: Sound effects and restoration of damaged audio signals using filters

· AnalogModLab: AM, SSB-AM, and angle modulation and demodulation

· DigBaseLab: Baseband digital transmission; line coding, intersymbol interference, eye diagrams, Nyquist transmission

· DigModLab: BPSK,(O)QPSK, FSK, AM, SSB-AM, and (G)MSK spectral occupancy, demodulation and bit error rates

The range of LabSuites is being continually expanded, and will soon encompass a wide range of important DSP-intensive topics. These LabSuites turn the job of producing courseware into a simple matter of customizing an extensive baseline of material already tested in on-going training courses and can help Instructors strengthen the impact of their DSP and Communication courses. In industry LabSuites furnish valuable central resources to support self-directed learning for Continuing Professional Development.

Price and Availability

DSP_Speedster LabSuites each containing five LabPacks are available for PC/Unix platforms now, at a cost of £1000* per license. Simply email information@dspcreations.com, to arrange payment and delivery details.

Users must have DSP Creations’ DSP_Speedster installed on each computer designated for running a Speedster LabPack. Also required is MATLAB version 7.2 (R2006a) [or any version dating back to 7.0.1 (Service Pack 1)] along with corresponding versions of the Signal Processing Toolbox, Simulink, and the Signal Processing Blockset (available from the MathWorks Inc. at mathworks.com). Slifer and Sketch-A-Filt are companion products from DSP Creations which supply still more useful functionality in the DSP_Speedster setting. Each of these tools has Simulink blocks GUI-controlled, in place, permitting the ultimate in both broad-brush arbitrary-gain filtering or meticulously-specced online filter design while Speedster models are running.