What's the difference between a DSP and microcontroller?

Microcontrollers are small computers operating on single integrated circuits and include program memory. DSP processors lack a flash program memory so software must be loaded into them. On the other hand, microcontrollers contain non-power of program memory that is erasable and may have EPROM store capabilities.

1. What is the difference between DSP processor and microprocessor?
2. Is DSP a microprocessor?
3. Which microcontroller is suitable for DSP?
4. Which characteristics of DSP is better than MCU?
5. What exactly does a DSP do?
6. Is DSP a part of embedded systems?

What is the difference between DSP processor and microprocessor?

The DSP processor is a particular type of processor is a specialized microprocessor that has an architecture optimized for the operational needs of digital signal processing. The main difference between is that a DSP processor has features designed to support high performance, repetitive, numerically intensive tasks.

Is DSP a microprocessor?

A DSP is a specialized microprocessor used to perform calculations efficiently on digitized signals that are converted from the analog domain. One of the big advantages of DSP is the programmability of the processor, which allows important system parameters to be changed easily to accommodate the application.

Which microcontroller is suitable for DSP?

DSC Microcontrollers Line Card

Digital Signal Controllers (DSC) combine the best features of microcontrollers (MCU) and powerful digital signal processing (DSP) capabilities in one single chip.

Which characteristics of DSP is better than MCU?

DSPs are much faster for floating point operations. In microcontrollers, this has to be done in software. DSPs are oriented to be an input/output device with 'fast calculating machine'. Microcontrollers are a multi-feature device with several ways of interfacing with the world, however none are the fastest.

What exactly does a DSP do?

A Direct Support Professional (DSP) is someone who works directly with people who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. DSPs aim to assist people in realizing their full potential. They help people become integrated and engaged in their community. In the past, DSPs were trained as caregivers.

Is DSP a part of embedded systems?

The reason is that DSPs are typically embedded processors. Their on-chip memory is often adequate to contain the complete, repetitive DSP program necessary to the task. Each memory block is dual-ported for single-cycle, independent accesses by the core processor and I/O processor or DMA controller (Figure 2).