DSPower® Software Technical Information

DSPower® Visual Environment software v3.0 is a DSP product, system, and algorithm design software package which runs under Win9x, or WinXP. The package presents an integrated user-interface which offers block diagram signal flow editing, source code editing, DSP and math function blocks, user-defined function blocks, and real-time code generation and debug for more than 80 types of off-the-shelf DSP/data acquisition hardware. In addition, DSPower Visual Environent software provides interactive data visualization displays and instruments blocks, allowing users to debug designs, perform in-depth analysis, and make analog signal measurements.

DSPower software can manipulate, save, and generate three types of source code, two for simulation purposes, and one for real-time systems. For simulation of block diagrams, DSPower generates MATLAB® (.m) and Hypersignal® macro language (.mac) code and saves diagrams directly in these formats. For real-time systems, DSPower generates C/C++ (.c or .cpp) code, and saves diagrams in C/C++ source code format. Generated MATLAB and Hypersignal source code can be used to perform algorithm or system simulation, and generated C/C++ language source code can be downloaded for real-time execution on a supported board. To some extent, block equivalence is maintained across source code types, allowing a diagram first to be simulated with MATLAB or Hypersignal macro language blocks (or combination), and then regenerated as C source code for real-time execution.

Creating user-defined functions is well-supported and possible using methods which do not require programming knowledge. A graphical "block wizard" is available to assist in creating user-defined block symbols, defining block inputs, outputs, and other setup properties, and assigning user-defined source code to new blocks.

Algorithm, System, and Product Simulation

• Diagram Execution. Block diagram execution is data-driven by default; however, all blocks contain optional control connections which can be used to explicitly specify execution sequences. Control-flow may also be specified for ambiguous situations and is required for control construct blocks such as loops, if-then, and case-statement. Individual blocks or groups of blocks can be isolated and run as "partial execution" without disturbing the overall diagram.

• Simulation Mode. In simulation mode, the block diagram and associated source code files are executed on the host PC. In simulation mode, generated code is compiled and executed by the applicable DSP engine, either Hypersignal-Macro or MATLAB. Simulation block diagrams may reference blocks which are external DLLs, OCX, or ActiveX objects, in which case the generated Hypersignal or MATALB code invoke these blocks at the appropriate location in the diagram execution flow. All intermediate results are stored in time, frequency, or wavelet domain waveform files, allowing post-simulation analysis and debug at any point in the diagram.

• Real-Time Mode. In real-time mode, the block diagram and associated source code files are compiled (and assembled), linked, and downloaded for execution on a supported DSP/data acquisition board. Real-time diagrams may reference intermediate result storage or display blocks, such as "probe-point", debug, or utility functions.

• Probe-Point and Debug Blocks. In real-time mode, probe-point and debug blocks may be added to diagrams, including text readout, monitors and gauges, and waveform displays. Probe-point and debug blocks are normally "tied" to a symbol or variable name in the generated real-time code, although they can also access absolute onchip or external SRAM locations. For synchronous probe-point and debug blocks, constructs are embedded in the generated real-time C code which cause the DSPower host software to upload time or frequency domain data from the DSP/data acquisition board and display it in the appropriate window, store it to file, etc. For "asynchronous" probe-point and debug blocks, which are not necessarily connected to other blocks in the diagram, an update rate must be specified (in msec). For all probe-point and debug blocks, unlike JTAG-based debugging, the DSP/data acquisition board is accessed as the real-time code continues to execute, without stopping.

User-Interface

• Signal Flow Editor. The DSPower signal flow editor offers a graphical, object-oriented block diagram interface, including graphical block symbols, data-flow and control-flow interconnections between blocks, block setup property dialog boxes, and Block Selector which organizes and categorizes block libraries.

• Source Code Editor. The DSPower source code editor allows multiple files to edited at one time, highlights keywords for three (3) different source languages (C, MATLAB, and Hypersignal macro language), and is integrated with the signal flow block diagram editor. For example, source code files associated with blocks can be easily located and edited by clicking on block parameters, including file names, connections, and function names.

• Multiple Project Interface and Multiple Diagram Interface. The DSPower user-interface includes multiple project support and multiple diagram support. Users can maintain different projects to accomodate simultaneous development efforts and different DSP/data acquisition hardware configurations. Each project supports multiple signal flow diagrams and multiple source code files being viewed and edited at the the same time.

• Worksheet Objects. Worksheet objects include Block Selector, toolbars, multiple diagram and source code file interface, DSP/analog hardware setup and configuration, simulation and real-time mode setup and configuration, and waveform file locator.

• Block Selector. A Block Selector is used to present the current configuration of block libraries onscreen. Block categories include code, control construct, function, display and visualization, filter, instrument, utility, and debug/monitor.

  A configuration utility is available to allow the Block Selector to be configured online. Blocks can easily be listed and unlisted from the current Block Selector display, renamed, and deleted. Blocks may be moved between libraries and appear in more than one library simultaneously. User-defined blocks may be manipulated as easily as system blocks.

• Interactive Display and Instrument Blocks. Display and instrument blocks can be shown and arrayed in various sizes; maximize and automatic tiling options can be used to temporarily utilize worksheet area for detailed display/instrument analysis and measurement.

• Block Setup Properties. Block setup properties include inputs, outputs, and operating parameters. In many instances, blocks contain both standard and "Ex" setup properties. These parameters can be set prior to diagram execution or individual block interactive operation. For example, a typical FFT block contains input, output, and FFT size as standard properties; additional Ex parameters include window type, overlap, and analysis framesize (zero-fill). If Ex properties are present but not specified, default values are used. Setup properties for individual blocks are saved according to block type and/or waveform file input.

• Online Help. Dialog box fields, controls, and other user-interface objects in the DSPower environment have context-sensitive online help text available. Context-sensitive online help can be invoked by right-clicking on the user-interface object, using the main Help button in dialog boxes, or in most cases, stabilizing the cursor over the object to cause fly-over help text (sometimes referred to as "hint" or "tooltip" text) to appear.

  When context-sensitive help text is displayed, an additional "small help" button is often present which can be used to display more detailed online help documentation sections.

  All dialog boxes and worksheet objects such as the Block Selector contain Help buttons. Important sections of online documentation are available from the main menu Help item.

Interactive Operation

• Access to Waveform Analysis and Function Results. Blocks can be run individually and as partial diagrams. Each block contains an "Run" button, which activates the function or display/instrument using the currently entered setup properties. For display and instrument blocks, all interactive measurement and analysis controls are active. In simulation mode, intermediate results are stored in waveform files, which can be displayed and analyzed using interactive display and instrument blocks.

• User Control Objects. Display and instrument blocks include a rich assortment of interactive controls. Examples include:

  • zoom, pan, amplitude offset and control

  • waveform editing (cut-paste and rubberband)

  • D/A output to supported DSP/analog hardware

  • multitrace and overlay options

  • 256-color contour frequency domain displays, with fast update, control over dB range and step, time-spanned, and zoom/pan

  • linear and log amplitude formats; linear and log axes in frequency domain displays

  • cursor readout and measurement

  • display format, axes, grid, plot style, and many other options

  • context-sensitive online help

User-Defined Expansion

• Adding user-defined blocks. Blocks can be easily added in the DSPower system by specifying a template file and one or more associated code files (functions, include files, library files, etc.). A graphical "block wizard" is available which generates block template files, using existing blocks as a starting point or creating new blocks from scratch. The block wizard allows block symbols, inputs, outputs, and other setup properties, and associated source code to be defined graphically.

  Once a template file has been created for a new block, the block can be added to one or more user libraries using the configuration utility for the Block Selector (see above).

• Template Files. All blocks are "registered" in the DSPower system by a unique template file which contains all block properties. Properties include graphical symbols, inputs, outputs, operating (setup) parameters, associated code, attributes, data types supported, and interactive user-interface controls, if any. All aspects of block definition are specified in the template file, and may be user-defined, including the type and layout of interactive toolbars, dialog boxes, and other user-interface objects.

• Associated Code Files. Each block typically has associated with it one or more code files. Code files may specify functions (in source or object form), "include" files, and library files.

DSP Engines

Central to the design of DSPower software is the capability to perform both simulations and real-time code operation. To allow this, the concept of "DSP engines" is used, which creates a clear division of labor between visual representation and source code generation on one side and compilation, link, and execution of generated code on the other. The DSPower Visual Environment software is responsible for all required user-interface, including signal flow diagram and source code editing and visual IDE, code generation and all support functions, and Windows interface. DSP engines are responsible for code execution.

The line blurs somewhat in two cases:

1) When running interactive display and instrument blocks in order to perform signal measurement and analysis. This typically involves generating temporary code for one block, and invoking the appropriate engine.

2) When generated code for a block diagram is executing, because probe-point, debug, monitor/gauge, and display blocks must be updated inside the visual environment according to execution flow in the diagram, and based on information sent by the DSP engine. To accomplish this, DSPower software uses asynchronous communication methods to transfer data independently of executing code. Examples include VxD drivers, kernel mode drivers, and hardware drivers in the case of DSP/data acquisition boards.

In simulation and interactive display and instrument modes, the MATLAB and Hypersignal-series (-Macro, -Macro Ex, and -Acoustic) engines provide excellent capability, by virtue of their rich procedural languages, built-in compilers, numerous DSP and math functions and waveform displays, and in the case of Hypersignal, driver support for more than 80 types of DSP/data acquisition boards.

System Requirements

DSPower Visual Environment software requires Win9x, or WinXP, and at least a 33 Mhz 80386 machine with 4 Mb or more of memory.