A DSP Hardware-Based Laboratory for Signals and Systems

Hardware-based laboratories have been successfully integrated into individual digital signal processing (DSP) courses at many universities. Typically, most hardware-based DSP laboratory experiences are offered to upper-level students and focus on programming the signal processor. While this approach may be ideal for preparing motivated upper-level students for future careers in signal processing, it is not suitable for students with no prior experience in the field. To address this issue, a hardware-based signal processing laboratory, based on the Texas Instruments 6713 DSP starter kit (DSK), suitable for students in an introductory signals and systems course has been developed. After two semesters of implementation, results indicate that student understanding is enhanced and interest levels increase when a DSP hardware-based laboratory is integrated into an introductory signal processing course