Embedded Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) are specialized microprocessors designed to efficiently process data in real-time. Their main function is to manipulate digital signals—which can represent a variety of physical variables such as sound, light, temperature, and motion—allowing them to be filtered, measured, or transformed. DSPs accomplish these tasks through mathematical operations, making them ideal for applications that require high-speed numeric processing. They are characterized by their high performance, real-time processing capabilities, low power consumption, and the ability to handle complex algorithms and signal processing tasks.
Commonly found at the heart of audio and video processing systems, communications devices, and control systems, DSPs play a crucial role by improving the quality and efficiency of data processing. These processors are extensively used in industries ranging from telecommunications and consumer electronics to automotive and healthcare, underpinning technologies such as mobile phones, digital media players, and smart sensors. Noteworthy manufacturers of Embedded DSPs include Texas Instruments, Analog Devices, and Qualcomm.