DSP Design Services: Finding the Right Development Partner

Outsourcing is now common practice in the technology industry. This is in line with the modern business practice of maintaining the core business internally, and outsourcing non-core activities. In this context it has become common place to outsource development in such areas as printed circuit boards (PCBs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate array (FPGA) code, embedded software, and enterprise software. In these areas it is a relatively straight forward process to outsource the development, while maintaining the core intellectual property development in house. The design service provider works to the customer specification, and the customer assesses the completed design against the specification.

Outsourcing of digital signal processing (DSP) projects contain some particular challenges that may not be present for ASICs, PCBs, FPGA, and software development. This article identifies the major challenges associated with DSP outsourcing, and provides guidance as to how the right outsource partner can overcome these challenges. The article closes with a discussion of the type of projects that can be outsourced.

Project Specification: DSP projects can be very difficult to specify accurately. DSP algorithm development generally occurs early in a project cycle, and as such, the full requirements may not be known at the time of outsourcing. It is extremely valuable if the DSP outsource partner is involved in the requirement analysis phase, in order to make use of their experience. Hence it is important to seek a DSP outsource partner with whom it is possible to establish a very close partnership, and again IP protection issues are an important consideration in establishing such a close relationship.

Simulation and Analysis: Many DSP algorithms are implemented in fixed point arithmetic, yet they are developed and simulated using floating point tools. There are many algorithms that work very well in floating point arithmetic, but are quite unstable in fixed point arithmetic. The DSP outsource partner must have a thorough understanding of the issues involved in fixed-point implementation of algorithms, and demonstrate simulation and analysis techniques that mitigate the risk of fixed point implementation.

Technical Uncertainty: At the commencement of a DSP project, there may be a degree of technical uncertainty as to the feasibility of the project. The right outsource partner will be able to use their experience to assist in the technical evaluation of the project, and recommend appropriate development options. Once again, it is critical to establish a close partnership with the outsource company, as it is essential that such advice come from a trusted source. There must be a high level of trust, and a degree of flexibility within the engagement model to accommodate for any technical uncertainty in the project.

System Integration: Eventually DSP solutions must be integrated into a broader system. In general, real world systems will involve some form of sensor to capture the signal that is then digitized and processed. To be properly effective, a DSP outsource partner must have a thorough understanding of the complete system, and where the DSP sits within the system. It is almost certain that the design of the sensor system will have an impact on the effectiveness of the signal processing. In addition, there are some functions that lend themselves to hardware (FPGA/ASIC) implementation, and others that are better implemented in software in a dedicated DSP chip. The right DSP outsource partner will have a strong understanding of analog, RF and digital PCB design, FPGA/ASIC design, embedded software design, and system development.

Testing Methodology: DSP algorithms operate on real world signals, and as such testing and verification can be a major challenge. Exhaustive testing is often not possible, due to the virtually unlimited range of possible input signal sequences. The right outsource partner must have a rigorous and thorough test methodology, to ensure the system works reliably under all input conditions. In addition, real world signals may contain artifacts that the DSP algorithms were not designed to cope with. The outsource partner must be able to verify the robustness of the DSP algorithms under all anticipated signal conditions.

Diverse Applications: There are many diverse applications of DSP technology, including telecommunications, photography, medical equipment, automotive, mining, defense, and many others. A good DSP outsource partner will have a very solid understanding of fundamental signal processing principles, and will also have an understanding about how these principles may be applied in diverse areas.

Once the right outsource partner has been identified, there is really no limit to the DSP projects that can be outsourced. The following are examples of what may be outsourced:

• System Analysis and Requirements Capture
• Theoretical Analysis
• Algorithm Development
• Algorithm Simulation and Analysis
• Algorithm Implementation and Optimization
• DSP chip
• FPGA/ASIC hardware implementation
• System/Sub-system Development
• Product Development.

In summary, there need be no obstacle to outsourcing DSP projects, provided the right outsource partner is identified. The nature of DSP projects means IP protection and trust of the outsource partner are critical. It is valuable to have the outsource partner involved from very early in the project, and the key to success is forming a very close strategic relationship with the outsource partner.

Shane Tonissen has been with Calyptech since June 2002, taking up the position of Chief Technology Officer. Prior to joining Calyptech, Dr. Tonissen was Principal Development Manager with Bandspeed, a Texas-based startup developing xDSL and wireless broadband technology. At Bandspeed he led the development of Bandspeed's ADSL product, and over a four year period has become a world leader in Discrete Multitone technology for both ADSL and VDSL systems. He is the holder of one patent, and co-inventor on four other pending applications.

Dr. Tonissen received a BEng (Hons) from the University of Adelaide, Australia in 1988, and a PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Melbourne, Australia in 1996. Since 1989 Dr. Tonissen has had a broad range of experience in both the defense and telecommunications industries. He has developed innovative signal processing techniques for SONAR, image processing, target tracking, and broadband telecommunications technologies.

For more information on design services, visit Calyptech's Web site.