Module: Real-Time Digital Signal Processing (DSP)

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Real-Time Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
Module Code	EEN1073 (ITS: EE515)
Faculty	Electronic Engineering	School	Engineering & Computing
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

This module will provide students with the knowledge, skills and competencies in the area of high-speed DSP. It is focused on providing students with not only a strong theoretical foundation, but also the ability to make practical use of modern DSP approaches.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a mastery and detailed appreciation of the theoretical founding principles, central algorithms and current implementation-focussed technology of DSP.
2. Categorize the different classes of problems in DSP, and to decide upon appropriate methodologies and technologies for their solution.
3. Design and implement algorithmic solutions for solving advanced DSP problems.
4. Design and implement DSP algorithms for real-time applications.
5. Establish and categorize hardware/software boundaries in DSP
6. Define embedded systems with consideration to cost, power, accuracy and other constraints.
7. Conduct literature searches, abstract and summarize relevant ideas and techniques in DSP- related areas, and demonstrate scientific report writing to as Masters level.
8. Demonstrate the use of analysis and presentation packages relevant to DSP.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	36	Lectures
Assignment Completion	30	Assignment 1
Assignment Completion	30	Assignment 2
Independent Study	92	Study of module materials and assessment preparation
Total Workload: 188

Section Breakdown
CRN	11045	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Prince Anandarajah	Module Teacher

Section Breakdown
CRN	11828	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Prince Anandarajah	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Design of a DSP chain based on featured content and/or case studies.	15%	Once per semester
Report(s)	Detailed report writing on the applications of DSP processes in selected industry fields.	15%	Once per semester
Formal Examination	End of Semester Examination	70%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

A review of DSP fundamentals
ADC, DACs, Nyquist criteria, Aliasing; Fixed point and floating point number representations; Time-domain and Frequency-domain representation of discrete-time signals, Linear time-invariant systems in the transform domain, Transfer functions; Convolution, Correlation, Windowing operations; Applications of DSP, Low cost DSP, Power efficient DSP, High performance DSP.

Quadrature and multi-rate signal processing
The Hilbert transform; waveform modulation; waveform detection/demodulation; envelope detection and rectification; quadrature frequency translation; decimation; interpolation; base-band sampling; IF and under sampling, frequency shift and recovery.

Real-time Systems:
Real-time systems (soft and hard real time systems, differences between real time and time shared systems, real time event characteristics) Efficient execution (resource management), Challenges in real time systems, Distributed and multiprocessor architectures, Embedded systems.

Embedded Systems and DSP:
Introduction to embedded systems, hardware gates, software programmable, general purpose processors, microcontrollers, FPGA enabled solutions

Hardware for DSP
FPGA in embedded design, ASICs vs FPGAs, Software programmable DSP, General purpose embedded cores; Accuracy vs complexity

DSP Programmable Architectures (DSPPA):
Common features of DSPPA (DSP core and Instruction Set Architecture features, Memory architecture (access sizes and alignment issues), data operations.

Case Studies
Examples include: DSP for IoT, DSP for SDR, LTE baseband software design, MIMO systems, Beamforming for WIMAX

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Robert Oshana: 2012, DSP for Embedded and Real-Time Systems, 1st, Newnes, 978-012386535

Articles:
None

Other Resources

Website: Module Loop Website, loop.dcu.ie