Teaching DSP: Bridging the gap from theory to real-time hardware

Many digital signal processing (DSP) topics are difficult for undergraduates to internalize, but studies have shown that demonstrations and laboratory experiences can facilitate the process. In the past, many barriers prevented including real-time DSP hardware in an undergraduate curriculum. This paper describes a pedagogical model the authors have developed which includes theory, demos, lab exercises, and real-time DSP experience using MATLAB, C, and real-time DSP hardware that overcomes the barriers. This model has been very successful.