DSP Curriculum Development for Computer Engineering using Altera\u27s DE 2 FPGA

This paper presents laboratory materials on Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for Computer Engineering (CmpE) curriculum using Altera\u27s DE2 FPGA (Field Programmable Array) university kits. The Altera\u27s DE2 kit has been adopted by many universities for courses on digital logic, embedded systems, and computer architecture. However, it has not been fully exploited for DSP. We take advantage of the multiplier blocks and the IP (Intellectual Property) cores available in the on-board FPGA to demonstrate the basic digital filter operations. Although the number of multiplier blocks in the DE2 board is limited, we have successfully implemented high pass, low pass, and band pass filters with reasonable performance. We also utilize the onboard audio codec to demonstrate real-time data acquisition and processing. By comparing the sound effects of input and output audio signals, the lab exercises demonstrate basic DSP theory such as analog-to-digital converter, frequency analysis, digital filter, and digital-to-analog converter. The designed experiments can be used either in an upper undergraduate level electronics or embedded systems course or in a stand-alone DSP course for both EE and CmpE. It offers excellent integration of the DSP component with other components of the CmpE curriculum and achieves necessary coverage in the limited number of hours allocated