A laboratory for digital filter instruction

To appreciate adequately digital filtering with one semester or less of class work, a laboratory must be provided. Simulation on a general-purpose digital computer does not give an adequate feel for the processing of signals of various waveshapes. If the student must build the filters from commercially available packages there is not enough time in one semester to build more than the simplest filter. Described herein is a hardware laboratory which provides the student with hardware components that perform the mathematical operations that are normally used in digital filter equations. The equipment is such that the student begins with simple filters, proceeds to more complicated signal processing, and then learns how to share hardware to reduce costs. Finally, a highly multiplexed computer controlled filter is provided for the student to design and test high-order filters. Guidelines for those who wish to build such a laboratory are given.