Abstract:

Digital Signal Processing (DSP) is a field from the domain of signals and systems that finds each year new applications in almost all areas of science and research. For the education in electrical engineering and electronics, this field is a mandatory one. The theoretical part is difficult and hard to understand because it is based on notions and concepts from many fields of the exact sciences: calculus, statistics, discrete mathematics, advanced mathematics, probabilities, signals, systems, analysis and synthesis of circuits, programming, etc. The purpose of the applications developed within the laboratories and projects is to facilitate and accelerate the learning of elementary theoretical knowledge in DSP. This paper describes how authors attempt to clarify, ease and improve the assimilation of elementary concepts in the DSP using the laboratory works based on the Matlab programming environment. From all the available instruments, Matlab was chosen because it is very versatile, well-structured and operates naturally with both matrices and arrays. By knowing the basic commands and syntax of the program, it is easy to continue with the functions defined in various toolboxes. The paper will present the strengths of the Matlab environment for the learning process of DSP in the laboratory. In parallel with the gaining of knowledge, the students solve different problems and exercises ment to teach them how to solve by themselves tasks with increasing difficulty. The assignments belong to the analysis and synthesis of signals and digital systems, including the design of Finite Impulse Response (FIR) and Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filters. For the ones willing to implement the filters using microcontrollers, there is the possibility to make the designed filters operative in an Arduino system.

Keywords:

Digital Signal Processing, Laboratory, Matlab, Arduino.