Optimal design of digital filters with embedded signal processors

Digital filters are systems that modify certain frequencies relative to others either by a digital computational process or by implementation of an algorithm. A band-limited signal which is continuos-time is sampled at the Nyquist rate and converted to discrete-time by a digital filter. This paper deals with the design of digital filters which include specification, approximation and realization of the desired properties of a causal discrete time system using a new generation of Intel 80C196 embedded controller with digital signal processing capabilities. The 80C196, in addition to its register to register architecture, has a hardware based accumulator and multiply/accumulate instructions suitable for signal processing. Key features of the instruction set to perform signal processing functions are described. Fast I/O operations and software implementation of digital filters in hard disk drive servo operations, optimized for performance and memory are discussed, along with a high level overview of both the architecture and software are discussed.