Digital Signal Processor: Design of the Assembler

The assembler for the digital signal processor (DSP), as for any processor, converts programs written in a symbolic language into the corresponding machine language, and provides various convenience features for use by the DSP programmer. The architecture of the DSP is designed for a maximum speed of operation in applications which differ markedly from those of ordinary computers. As a result, the DSP assembler contains features which are unique to this DSP application. At the assembly language level, this results in a complex programming language, which the programmer must understand thoroughly in order to produce correct and efficient programs. The assembler, of course, must accept every legal instruction in this input language and produce machine language corresponding to every operation in the DSP repertoire. This language differs from standard assembly languages in several major respects, as described below. 1483 The DSP has a number of unusual architectural features which affect the design of the assembler. Following an overview, these features are described from a user's point of view and their effects on the assembler's design and operation are discussed. Boddie et al.1 give a more complete description of the machine architecture. 2.1 Overview of DSP architecture