Our initial research work was focussed on employing metaheuristic optimization techniques to design optimal digital signal processing (DSP) systems such as the full band, conventional infinite impulse response differentiators and integrators meeting the accurate magnitude responses with a smaller average group delay. Since, integer order systems are a tight subset of the fractional order (FO) systems the research has been extended towards the optimal design of FO differentiators and integrators in the discrete domain with improved frequency response performances. Specific emphasis was laid on the feasibility of the designed FO differentiators in controlling a double-integrator plant. Analogue Butterworth filter with fractional stepping in the transition band has also been realized using an optimal integer-order rational transfer function. In future, we intend to design and implement generalized fractional-order filters on FPGA/DSP kit and FPAAs.