A Simulation and Experimental Platform for Communication Courses Based on Digital Signal Processor

Abstract

In this paper, a simulation and experimental platform is designed and implemented to overcome the shortcomings of the existing experimental platform for communication related courses. Firstly, the overall scheme of the simulation and experimental platform are introduced, including the specific hardware composition and supporting software. Secondly, the implement details are described in the following order: system composition, peripherals, hardware accelerator, and interface to the host computer. The main system is based on an independently developed digital signal processor, which may relieve the bottleneck problem of imported chips. Using FPGA to implement peripherals enhances the flexibility of the entire system and provides the ability for further development. The feasibility of reducing the cost is then discussed. Thirdly, the design and implementation of the simulator, compiler and assembler, debugger and other tools are introduced respectively. The simulator can operate under normal mode and debugging mode. The former can be used for ordinary experiments for teaching purpose, while the latter is for further development of graduated students. Finally, the prepared experimental projects are shown, including 6 basic experiments and 6 communication algorithm experiments. With the help of these experiments, students can better understand the principles and implementation of corresponding communication algorithms, and experience how different parameters may impact on the communication results, by modifying the configuration of the experimental system. The demonstrations of prototype prove that the simulation and experimental platform can meet the needs of communication related courses. The future work includes developing more experimental projects, raising integration to reduce the costs, and improving the entire system based on student feedback.