DSPE-1.1

A TEACHING AND EVALUATION TOOL FOR ADAPTIVE SIGNAL PROCESSING USING JAVA
Moritz Harteneck, Robert W Stewart (University of Strathclyde)

In this paper, a teaching and evaluation tool for adaptive algorithms using the JAVA platform is presented. The tool has been developed for use in teaching adaptive signal processing and gives the students the facility to observe a comprehensive set of algorithms executing in the time, frequency and z-domain, vary any parameters and thereby augment the traditional learning process. Another key aim in the development was to provide a simple tool so that the feasibility of adaptive algorithms for a particular problem can be evaluated quickly. The JAVA platform has been chosen for this task since it is possible to run the tool on any computer system (e.g. Unix, Windows, Linux) using a JAVA virtual machine via the world wide web. The tool is freely available to use at http://www.spd.eee.strath.ac.uk/users/moritz/algorithmDemo/jdk1.1.

DSPE-1.2

Two New DSP Teaching Tools: DigiFilter and DSPlus
Hen-Geul yeh (EE Department, California State University, Long Beach, USA), Xiufeng Cao (Lab of Earthquake Electronic Instruments, Seismological Bureau of Shaanxi Province, 4 Shuiwen Xiang, Bianjia Cun, Xi'an Shaanxi 710068, P. R. China)

Two window-based new digital signal processing (DSP) software packages, namely, DigiFilter and DSPlus are used as teaching tools at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), DSP laboratory in conjunction with DSK31 of TI. First, DigiFilter is a digital filter design and processing software. The uniqueness of this package is that it is not only design digital filters, but also supports DSK31 for real-time filtering. Second, DSPlus is a data acquisition and processing software which supports DSK31 for real-time FFT and can be used as a digital scope. These two packages are employed as computer-aided design and analysis tools for DSP courses.

DSPE-1.3

Teaching DSP Concepts Using MATLAB and the TMS320C31 DSK
Cameron H. G. Wright (U.S. Air Force Academy, CO), Thad B. Welch (U.S. Naval Academy, MD), Walter J. Gomes III (Naval Undersea Warfare Center, RI), Michael G. Morrow (U.S. Naval Academy, MD)

A graphically-oriented MATLAB program written by the authors facilitates teaching real-world digital signal processing concepts such as quantization of digital filter coefficients that occur in fixed-point processors, for example the widely used TMS320C5x. While many universities have or plan to buy the inexpensive floating-point TMS320C31 DSKs for pedagogical reasons, this MATLAB program simulates certain fixed-point effects on these floating-point devices and eliminates the need to purchase expensive specialized software programs or extra hardware. The program described in this paper provides an interactive graphical user interface which communicates directly with the DSK, and demonstrates in real-time how coefficient quantization adversely affects filter performance, without the need for tedious programming of the TMS320C31.

DSPE-1.4

Reinforcing the Understanding of Signal Processing Concepts using Audio Exercises
John W Pierre, Robert F Kubichek, Jerry C Hamann (Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071)

In the near future, multimedia techniques will be used more extensively in signal processing education because the technology is available and the benefits to student learning and information retention are high. Using a variety of teaching techniques helps a wider range of students, who have different learning styles, and enhances student skills in their weaker areas. This paper describes a number of audio signal processing homework exercises used to reinforce concepts of signal processing. These exercises include some fundamental concepts of DSP (quantization, aliasing, Fourier analysis, and filtering) and more advanced areas (sampling rate conversion, LCMV filtering, and adaptive filtering). All these exercises use the signal processing and audio capabilities of MATLAB. A web page for these homework exercises is being developed at wwweng.uwyo.edu/electrical/dsp_audio.

DSPE-1.5

Making Music with MATLAB: An Electronic Music Synthesis Course for Engineering Students
Ed Doering (Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology)

An elective course in electronic music synthesis has been developed for electrical and computer engineering students. The course provides an interesting way to integrate and apply DSP and computer manipulation concepts studied in previous courses, and extends student understanding of more advanced concepts such as time-evolving spectra. MATLAB is a standard platform used in the signals and DSP courses, so MATLAB forms the primary tool for converting algorithmic descriptions of waveforms into sound. The paper outlines course topics and methods, includes a detailed example of pedagogy, and presents assessment results. Example MATLAB code, graphics, and sound clips are available on-line at http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~doering/icassp99.

Last Update: February 4, 1999 Ingo Höntsch