Teaching signal processing with a dual-core embedded platform

Practical use of digital signal processors has dramatically increased over the last few years due to their versatility, computing power and decrease in price per MFLOPS. Consequently, growing interest of real-time DSP even for biomedical applications demands from BME students to come close up and personal with real DSPs during their studies. In order to do so, we implemented an earlier proposed lab class for master students of Biomedical Engineering (BME) students within a preconfigured development environment, designed to make embedded programming with an OMAP3 developer´s board easier. Our successful implementation of the embedded system and the consecutive DSP based, hands-on lab-class raised the students´ interest in DSP learning and embedded programming.