The KK7P DSP modules provide a cost-effective solution for embedded digital signal processing applications. Whether you want to learn about DSP techniques, put DSP to work in your projects, or build published projects such as software defined radios, the KK7P DSP modules were designed for you.
There are currently two hardware modules: the KDSP10 and the DSPx. Software tools are included with the DSPx, and are freely available on the web as noted below.
The DSPx module is small (1.8" by 2.0"), low power (225 to 240 mW), and runs at 80 MHz/80 MIPs. This module is preassembled and tested. It uses surface-mount components and runs from a +3.6 to +5.5 volt source. It can be modified (by adding two jumpers) to operate directly from a +3.0 to +3.3V source. It is based on the Analog Devices ADSP-2185N DSP chip. The current version of the DSPx module includes loader firmware in a socketed 4 Megabit/512k byte Flash memory device.
The KDSP10 is a kit-based module that accepts the DSPx as a plug-in. It provides a regulated power supply, convenient access to digital and analog I/O and other features. Together, the KDSP10 + DSPx create an inexpensive development environment for DSP learning, testing and debugging.
Notes on the Monitor Programs (2005 Nov 23)
The serial port implemented in the DSPx Monitor program (all versions to date) has a limitation that can cause problems if you are trying to run an automated program, such as a loader, and you are not aware of it.
Specifically, if you send data to the DSPx while it is sending data to you, the data you send may be corrupted or missed. When typing at a keyboard, it is not a problem. But if you are writing an automated script or loader, or other utility that interacts with the Monitor, you need to ensure your program does not send data to the DSPx at the same time it is sending data to you.
Thanks to Bob Larkin, W7PUA, for pointing this out.
Flash Utility (2005 Jan 17)
The KK7P FLASHUTL software is now available, along with an updated monitor program. The new monitor runs the CODEC at a 48 kHz sample rate, and it allows you to boot directly into a DSP application loaded into Flash, while retaining the Monitor in Flash at the same time.
Click here for details and how to download.
Included Tools
The DSPx includes a CD-ROM with DOS-based software development tools, and documentation. These tools are Analog Devices release 5.1 plus other freeware applications. EZLoader, a DOS-based program to load files from your PC into the DSPx, is included.
Please note that the software tools are provided at no charge, and with no implicit or explicit pledge of support from Lyle Johnson, or KK7P, LLC. They are included as a convenience for you to use at your option. They may or may not be suitable for your requirements. Use of these tools assumes familiarity with Assembly Language programming and the MS-DOS or Microsoft Windows environment.
Windows Loader
A windows-based loader has been written by KA7EXM and is available here.
Analog Devices EZ Kit Lite Tools
The Analog Devices EZ Kit Lite tools work well with the KK7P DSP modules. You may download them here. You'll want the files DISK1.ZIP and DISK2.ZIP. You may need expand and copy them to floppies to install them. This package includes a windows-based program loader. Note that the example programs won't work properly on the DSPx; you'll have to change them to allow for the faster clock speed of the DSPx as well as the different CODEC.
Some of the tools in the EZ Kit Lite suite may be older than the ones furnished with the DSPx. Use the newer tools!
Getting the Analog Devices Tools to run under Windows XP (Updated 2005 Feb 18)
I have had success with two different approaches to Windows XP compatibility. The first uses a third party application and allows the simulator run as well as the rest of the tools. The second won't run the simulator, but seems to run the other tools just fine.
Solution 1: DOSbox
I have had challenges getting some of the DOS tools to work properly under Windows XP. I found a wonderful program called DOSBox that seems to solve the problem nicely, even allowing the Analog Devices Simulator program to run in Windows XP! The version I tested is 0.61.
I created a directory structure like this on my PC:
adi_dsp
21xx
BIN
ETC
INCLUDE
LIB
SRC
work
inc
(various subdirectories, one per project)
I modified the DOSBOX config file by adding the following to the end of the provided DOSBOX.CONF file:
[autoexec] # Lines in this section will be run at startup. mount c c:\adi_dsp SET PATH=C:\21xx\lib;C:\21xx\bin;C:\21xx\etc;C:\21xx\include; SET ADI_DSP=C:\ SET ADI_PATH=C:\work; SET ADII=C:\21xx\include;C:\work\inc; c:I then found I could navigate within the DOSBOX and invoke the various software tools. Note that DOSBOX consumes considerable computing resources while it runs, and the DOS tools run slowly. Minimizing the DOSBOX when you don't need to look at it reduces the overhead.
Solution 2: Using Windows XP Environment Variables
First, I created a directory structure like this on my PC:
adi_dsp
21xx
BIN
ETC
INCLUDE
LIB
SRC
work
inc
(various subdirectories, one per project)
and installed the Analog Devices tools. Once this was done, several Environment Variables had to be set.
This is done in Windows XP via Start -> Control Panel -> System -> Advanced -> Environment Variables.
Under User variables: Click New, then type the following in the named dialog boxes:
Variable Name: ADI_DSP Variable Value: F:\adi_dsp\then OK. In this and the rest of these examples, substitute the drive or path you used in place of "F". On my computer, I used "C".
Similarly, create the follwoing:
Variable Name: ADI_PATH Variable Value: F:\adi_dsp\work; Variable Name: ADII Variable Value: F:\adi_dsp\21xx\include;F:\adi_dsp\work\inc;Finally, if PATH exists, select it and click Edit. In the Variable value: dialog box move your cursor to the last entry. If it is not a semicolon, insert a semicolon, then
F:\adi_dsp\21xx\lib;F:\adi_dsp\21xx\bin;F:\adi_dsp\21xx\etc;F:\adi_dsp\21xx\include;and click OK.
If PATH does not exist, click New and build as above.
After completing these steps this, I was able to run the DOS tools in a Windows XP Command box without requiring the DOSbox program. I was also able to launch the tools from within the PFE editor, included on the DSPx CD-ROM. DOSbox is still required to run the simulator, which you can download from the Analog Devices FTP site.
What About Mac, Linux or non-DOS Windows Tools?
OPEN21XX is a set of programs to allow assembling code for the DSPx under Linux, Windows or Mac OS-X. I haven't tested these tools. This is the homepage for the tools themselves, including source.
Note that OPEN21xx requires the use of the installation of Cygwin to simulate a Unix-like environment within Windows. This can quickly get very complex, so if you aren't familiar with Unix/Linux and Cygwin...
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The DSPx has been used in a number of applications since its introduction in May, 2003. The project list includes:
The KDSP10 plus DSPx Module together are excellent tools to experiment with DSP.
The book
"Experimental Methods in RF Design"
includes many example programs which run on the discontinued Analog Devices ADSP-2181-based EZ Kit Lite.
Many of these programs have been ported to the DSPx; the others are in the process of being ported.
Click here for descriptions and links to the modified files.
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Updated 2006 December 23.
If you are building a DSP-10 Software Defined Radio, please contact TAPR. They offer the DSP-10 kit, the DSPx pre-assembled module and the KDSP10 kit.
The DSPx costs $109 and the KDSP10 costs $39.
Note that all DSPx modules now supplied are RoHS-compliant. Non-compliant DSPx are no longer available from KK7P or from TAPR.
If you represent a club or want to arrange a group buy, please contact me and we'll see what can be arranged.
I can be reached at:
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Here are two good places to start to get your education in DSP!
Scientist's and Engineers Guide to DSP is a free, downloadable book! The math is light, and the book is very good.
dspGuru has a lot of references and links to DSP resources.
Aerospace Software has an excellent tutorial on programming techniques for DSP.
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Note: The DSPx module used in the KDSP2 product is different than the regular DSPx module in two ways. First, until sometime in 2006 it used an ADSP-2184N DSP chip, which has less internal memory than the ADSP-2185N. Second, the Flash memory contains the KDSP2 application code, not a program loader. The program for the KDSP2 version of the DSPx will run perfectly in a standard DSPx. The KDSP2 DSPx code is open-source and is available through the Elecraft website.
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Last updated: 2008 January 16