Digital signal processing (DSP) is steadily gaining importance, especially since signal processors and corresponding modules have become commercially available. While theoretical foundations of the digital signal processing were laid down years ago, it was the arrival of very-large-scale-integration (VLSI) technologies that has made economic realization of signal processing systems possible. Design of such systems, however, presents great difficulties due to its high complexity. Actually, an imaginary "good" designer of a DSP system integrated on a silicon chip should possess interdisciplinary knowledge of information sciences, computer architecture, signal theory, communications, network theory, circuit design, solid-state physics, device modelling and semiconductor technology. In addition, experience in design for testability, measurement techniques know-how and capability of tackling all computer-aided-design (CAD) tools would be indispensable as well. In practice, all these aspects are handled by a team of specialized designers who cover all levels of design hierarchy.
