ABSTRACT

The objective of this project is to integrate an 8-bit 8051 processor core with a

general purpose 16-bit fixed-point digital signal processor core using FPGA. The

integration of a microcontroller (MCU) and a digital signal processor (DSP) in one

integrated circuit (IC) chip gives birth to a new processor family called the digital

signal controller. The integration is of paramount importance as it combines the

unique control ability of the MCU and the inherent number-crunching prowess of

the DSP. This provides a tighter coupling of control and signal processing besides

the other apparent advantages of reduced board space, cheaper component cost and

lower system power consumption. The presence of this chip will generate more

interest in the use of signal processing algorithms in embedded control applications

such as in digital-motor control, robotics, and computer system and power

management products. The Digital Signal Controller combines the MCU’s control-

orientated attributes with the DSP’s fast calculation capability to create a hybrid

architecture that is suitable for many of the engineering problems that have

previously required both MCU’s and DSP’s together. The architecture was

developed to execute a small number of very specific instructions and types of

operations as fast as possible.

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