A microprogrammable signal processor

Digital signal processing has cone full circle from software algorithms performed on general purpose computers through special purpose, dedicated, real time processors to the programmable signal/array processor. The Programmable Number Thresher (PNTJT) is an addition to the list and its organization and features is described. The PNUT is intended primarily for the linear front end computations required in many signal processing applications. It has a high speed, pipelined arithmetic unit which is kept busy by means of data transfers through several levels of memory - with all operations and transfers under microprogram control. In fact, a high speed bipolar microprogrammed controller is replicated several times to handle the data transfer and system management functions. The design utilizes LSI and VLSI devices that have recently become available and some are described.