Data logging solution for digital signal processors

Digital signal processors (DSPs) are some of the most powerful processors in the world. With clock speeds topping 1 GHz and architectures capable of performing multiple instructions per clock cycle, they are ideally suited for working with audio and video signals with high data rates. The signal processing algorithms that are used to analyze such data are complex and can be difficult to debug if results are not as expected. Having the ability to store the data that is being analyzed by the DSP allows for post processing of data so that the algorithm can be perfected outside of actual testing conditions. This capability of "playback" can drastically reduce the time and cost of system testing. For this purpose, an embedded DSP data logger was designed to store audio data that is being collected and analyzed by a DSP. The data logger is designed to download audio data from the DSP at a high rate, store the audio data as a binary file on a static storage medium, and be able to upload the data to a separate PC from the static storage medium.