ASSIGNMENT BRIEF

Digital Filter Design

Date Set: Teaching Week 10

Module:

Digital Signal Processing

Digital Filter Design & Implementation

Introduction to digital filters
A filter is essentially a system or network that selectively changes the wave-shape,
amplitude/frequency and/or phase/frequency characteristics of a signal in a desired manner.
Common filtering objectives are to improve the quality of a signal (for example, to remove or
reduce noise), to extract information from signals or to separate two or more signals
previously combined to make, for example, efficient use of an available communication
channel.
A digital filter is a mathematical algorithm implemented in hardware and/or software that
operates on a digital input signal to produce a digital output signal for the purpose of
achieving a filtering objective. The term digital filter refers to the specific hardware or
software routine that performs the filtering algorithm. Digital filters often operate on digitised
analogue signals or just numbers, representing some variable, stored in a computer memory.
Most useful real-time systems are presented with band limited analogue input and output
signals (i.e.: via anti-aliasing filters). The band limited analogue signal is sampled
periodically and converted into a series of digital samples (quantised), n = 0, 1. The digital
processor implements the filtering operation, mapping the input sequence, x[n], into the
output sequence, y[n], in accordance with a computational algorithm for the filter. The DAC
converts the digitally filtered output into analogue values which are then analogue filtered to
smooth and remove unwanted high frequency components.
Digital filters play very important roles in DSP. Compared with analogue filters they are
preferred in a number of applications (for example data compression, biomedical signal
processing, speech processing, image processing, data transmission, digital audio, and
telephone echo cancellation because of one or more of the following advantages.

Digital filters can have characteristics which are not possible with analogue filters, such
as a truly linear phase response.

Unlike analogue filters, the performance of digital filters does not vary with
environmental changes, for example thermal variations. This eliminates the need to
calibrate periodically.

The frequency response of a digital filter can be automatically adjusted if it is

implemented using a programmable processor, which is why they are widely used in
adaptive filters.

Several input signals or channels can be filtered by one digital filter without the need to
replicate the hardware.

Both filtered and unfiltered data can be saved for further use.

Advantage can be readily taken of the tremendous advancements in VLSI technology to

fabricate digital filters and to make them small in size, to consume low power, and to
keep the cost down.

In practice, the precision achievable with analogue filters is restricted; for example,
typically a maximum of only about 60 to 70 dB stopband attenuation is possible with
active filters designed with off-the-shelf components. With digital filters the precision is
limited only by the word length used.

The performance of digital filters is repeatable from unit to unit.

Digital filters can be used at very low frequencies, found in many biomedical applications
for example, where the use of analogue filters is impractical. Also, digital filters can be
made to work over a wide range of frequencies by a mere change to the sampling
frequency.

The following are the main disadvantages of digital filters compared with analogue filters:

Speed limitation. The maximum bandwidth of signals that digital filters can handle, in
real time, is much lower than for analogue filters. In real-time situations, the
analogue/digital- analogue conversion processes introduce a speed constraint on the
digital filter performance. The conversion time of the ADC and the settling time of the
DAC limit the highest frequency that can be processed. Further, the speed of operation of
a digital filter depends on the speed of the digital processor used and on the number of
arithmetic operations that must be performed for the filtering algorithm, which increases
as the filter response is made tighter.

Finite wordlength effects. Digital filters are subject to ADC noise resulting from
quantizing a continuous signal, and to roundoff noise incurred during computation. With
higher order recursive filters, the accumulation of roundoff noise could lead to instability.

Long design and development times. The design and development times for digital filters,
especially hardware development, can be much longer than for analogue filters. However,
once developed the hardware and/or software can be used for other filtering or DSP tasks
with little or no modifications (several examples of this are given in subsequent chapters).
Good computer-aided design (CAD) support can make the design of digital filters an
enjoyable task, but some expertise is required to make full and effective use of such
design aids.

Types of Digital Filter

Digital filters are broadly divided into two classes, namely infinite impulse response (IIR)
and finite impulse response filters (FIR). The choice between FIR and IIR filters depends
largely on the relative advantages of the two filter types and the application to which the filter
is to be applied.
(1)

FIR filters can have an exactly linear phase response. The implication of this is that no
phase distortion is introduced into the signal by the filter. This is an important
requirement in many applications, for example data transmission, biomedicine, digital
audio and image processing. The phase responses of IIR filters are non-linear,
especially at the band edges.

(2)

FIR filters realised non recursively (i.e.: they operate only on past input samples), that
is by direct evaluation of the convolutional sum, these filters are always stable. The
stability of IIR filters cannot always be guaranteed.

(3)

The effects of using a limited number of bits to implement filters such as roundoff
noise and coefficient quantisation errors are much less severe in FIR than in IIR.

(4)

FIR requires more coefficients for sharp cut-off filters than IIR. Thus for a given
amplitude response specification, more processing time and storage will be required
for FIR implementation. However, one can readily take advantage of the
computational speed of the FFT and multirate techniques to improve significantly the
efficiency of FIR implementations.

(5)

Analogue filters can be readily transformed into equivalent IIR digital filters meeting
similar specifications. This is not possible with FIR filters as they have no analogue
counterpart. However, with FIR it is easier to synthesise filters of arbitrary frequency
responses.

(6)

In general, FIR is algebraically more difficult to synthesise, if CAD support is not

available.

From the above, a broad guideline on when to use FIR or IIR would be as follows. Use IIR
when the only important requirements are sharp cut-off filters and high throughput, as IIR
filters, especially those using elliptic characteristics, will give fewer coefficients than FIR.
Use FIR if the number of filter coefficients is not too large and, in particular, if little or no
phase distortion is desired. One might also add that newer DSP processors have architectures
that are tailored to FIR filtering, and indeed some are designed specifically for FIRs.

Filter Design & Implementation

A simple step-by-step guide for designing digital filters, from specification to implementation
can be found in many DSP texts. There are many options open to the designer at each step of
the design process and factors that influence their choice. Most DSP texts devote substantial
space to the theory of digital filters, especially approximation methods, reflecting the
considerable research effort that has gone into finding useful methods of calculating filter
coefficients and the significant advances that have been made in filter design.
The Task & Assessment Methods
The aim of this assignment is for you to gain and demonstrate your understanding of the
technical issues relating to the design and implementation of digital filters suitable for
industrial applications. Specifically you will focus on the design of a Finite Impulse Response
Filter (FIR) to a given design specification. During the DSP Theory module you will design
the filter using MATLAB tools as described below.
You will be given an individual set of filter design criteria by your subject tutor. You will be
expected to carry out extensive research into the subject of FIR design. Towards the end of
the design period you will be expected to demonstrate that your filter design is correct, this
will be through the use of MATLAB tools.
During this assignment you will carry out the tasks detailed in the Digital Filter Design
section over the page.

Digital Filter Design

Background Research

Part One:

Literature Review. Review the lecture notes and other sources of

information, detailing different aspects of FIR filter design. Obtain,
read and familiarise yourself with various review and journal articles,
books, Internet sites and manufacturers information on all aspects of
digital based filters.

Practical Activities

Part Two:

FIR Filter Design. Using the appropriate design equations design your
own set of FIR filter co-efficients in order to fulfil the given design
criteria. You need to demonstrate for the first two iterations, by hand,
the calculation of the coefficients. Obviously, this can be a rather
repetitive process and if you are not extremely careful you will make
mistakes. It is recommended (essential) that you write a small program
to calculate the co-efficients for you - i.e. write a MATLAB based
program to design your filter. Once the programme is working check
that the hand calculated coefficients much the one obtained using the
Matlab program for the first two iterations.

Part Three:

Design Verification. Make use of MATLAB's SPTOOL to verify your

design. Print graphical plots of the impulse response, any window
functions used and the final filter response. Note that although you
may use SPTOOL to verify your design, you must write your own
small design program to calculate the filter.

Part Four:

Filter Simulation. Import your filter design into SPTOOL and using a
suitable test signal file, verify that your filter works correctly.

Presentation of results & Write up

Part Five:

During the assignment period you should present your FIR filter design
to the subject tutor i.e. using MATLAB demo your calculation
software.

Part Six:

You will write a detailed technical report of approx. 2000 words long
plus diagrams, charts and programs- the content of which will be as
detailed below. You should bring together relevant information
obtained through the research periods of the assignment, collate results
from your practical activities and present your findings in a clearly
written analytical report. The report will demonstrate that you have
undertaken an extensive level of research activity and that you have
understood the subject matter to an appropriate level.
Project details: Name of the project, Course title, Module title, Filter
specification parameters (given individually), Year written, Your name.
General review of FIR design method used: An explanation of how
you designed the FIR filter, the methods, processes and equations used.
If you decided to write a program to help calculate the filter coefficients discuss the use of this program here include a copy of your

co-efficient calculator program along with a co-efficient data table in

the appendices at the end of the report.
Comments and Conclusions: General review of the whole process,
the success of the project, final conclusions.
Electronic Copy: An electronic copy of your assignment is required
and can be used to check for plagiarism if need be.
Part Seven:

Once you have completed your filter design, you need to approach
the tutor to demonstrate your working filter and a mark will be
awarded (need to be done during one of the lab session by Friday 11
December 2015). Do plan accordingly.

Part Eight:

If necessary additional session will be arranged to discuss the project,

associated theory and the final design.

Final Assessment grade

Your final individual assessment grade for this assignment will be assessed through the
following:

50% Accuracy and appropriateness of Technical report

30% Evidence of testing and appropriate analysis

20% Success of FIR filter designs (with/without assistance of tutor) (Part Seven).

Assessment Criteria
In order to pass the module THIS ASSESSED WORK MUST BE ATTEMPTED AND THE
WORK SUBMITTED VIA E-submission
Assessment is based upon the achievement or non-achievement of learning outcomes and the
grade achieved. In evaluating the students performance the assessor compares the students
work with the set of grade descriptors shown in the Assessment Grade table in the
Assessment Regulations handbook or Rights, Responsibilities and Regulations handbook.
The university assessment grading scale and related regulations can be accessed via:
http://www.derby.ac.uk/academic-regulations

The grade, achievement or non-achievement of learning outcome(s) are reported on the

Student Assessment Record and Receipt Form.
Learning outcomes for the assessed work are specified within the module documentation.

requirements. Clear evidence is provided of research and critical evaluation of

digital filter designs. Work would be improved through more detailed review of
research literature, including more focused academic sources.

Class

Outcome

First
Upper Second
Lower second

Exceptional quality work. The report demonstrates an exceptionally detailed and

considered approach to the design, analysis and performance of digital filter
designs and related academic research and enquiry. Insightful connections are
established between research information and DSP filter design project. Trivial
weaknesses only.
Excellent quality work. The report is detailed, concise and demonstrates
considerable interaction between personal evaluation of digital filter designs
development and analysis of current research. A significant range of information
is drawn together in a meaningful and productive manner and information is
presented in a highly logical and coherent style. Very minor criticisms only.
Very good to excellent work incorporating detailed consideration of a wide range
of information and ideas. Clear connections established in meaningful terms
between identified research sources and digital filter design. There is a welldeveloped synthesis of ideas, detailed analysis of the DSP filter design project,
and originality evident in the research. Very minor issues only.
Very good work incorporating a significant level of information and depth and
detail of research. Information sources are appropriate and numerous and critical
evaluation completed carefully and methodically. A positive level of connection is
established between research sources and digital filter design and there is evidence
of a progression of evaluation and ideas. There is scope for more evidence of
focused academic research, synthesis of information drawn from information
sources,
or more
meaningful
connection
to be established
between research
and
Good
work
indicating
a consistent
engagement
with the assignment
objectives,
positive evaluation of digital filter designs and engagement with relevant research
and information sources. Some connections are established between current
research and relevant DSP design examples and critical evaluation demonstrates
understanding and appreciation of the wider context of study. There is scope for
more evidence of focused academic research, synthesis of information drawn from
information sources, or more meaningful connection to be established between
research
and personal
Satisfactory
standard development.
work that successfully addresses each of the specified

LEARNING OUTCOMES HAVE BEEN MET

Grade Descriptors

Third

40-49%

50-59%

60-69%

70-79%

80-89%

90-100%

Percentage

Level 6

Non-submission: No work has been submitted

Academic offence notation: Applies to proven instances of academic offence.

Fail

Learning outcomes not met

35-39%
1-34%
NS

Unsatisfactory work incorporating some aspects of the required assignment

components but indicating significant lack of understanding or failure to connect
understanding gained through scholarly research with meaningful analysis and
evaluation of DSP design filter project.
Very poor work indicating an incomplete submission or generally superficial
engagement with the assignment objectives. Some outline information but nothing
to substantiate meaningful interaction with the notional learning time. No
evidence of understanding or evidence of serious misunderstanding.