Difference between DSP and

Microprocessor

A microprocessor incorporates the functions

of a computer's central processing unit (CPU) on a single or few integrated
circuits (IC). The purpose of a microprocessor is to accept digital data as
input, process it as per the instructions, and then provide the output. This is
known as sequential digital logic. The microprocessor has internal memory
and operates basically on the binary system.
Most general purpose microprocessors are present in personal computers.
They are often used for computation, text editing, multimedia display, and
communication over a network. Other microprocessors are part of
embedded systems. These provide digital control over practically any
technology, such as appliances, automobiles, cell phones, industrial process
control, etc.
The DSP processor, on the other hand, is a particular type of
microprocessor. DSP stands for digital signal processing. It is basically any
signal processing that is done on a digital signal or information signal. A DSP
processor is a specialized microprocessor that has an architecture optimized
for the operational needs of digital signal processing.

DSP aims to modify or improve the signal. It

is characterized by the representation of discrete units, such as discrete
time, discrete frequency, or discrete domain signals. DSP includes subfields
like communication signals processing, radar signal processing, sensor array
processing, digital image processing, etc.
The main goal of a DSP processor is to measure, filter and/or compress
digital or analog signals. It does this by converting the signal from a realworld analog signal to a digital form. In order to convert the signal it uses a
digital-to-analog converter (DAC). However, the required output signal is
often another real-world analog signal. This is turn also requires a digital-toanalog converter.
Digital signal processing algorithms run on various platforms, such as general
purpose microprocessors and standard computers; specialized processors
called digital signal processors (DSPs); purpose-built hardware such as
application-specific integrated circuit (ASICs) and field-programmable gate
arrays (FPGAs); Digital Signal Controllers; and stream processing for
traditional DSP or graphics processing applications, such as image, video.
The main difference between a DSP and a microprocessor is that a DSP
processor has features designed to support high-performance, repetitive,
numerically intensive tasks. DSP processors are designed specifically to
perform large numbers of complex arithmetic calculations and as quickly as
possible. They are often used in applications such as image processing,
speech recognition and telecommunications. As compared to general

microprocessors, DSP processors are more efficient at performing basic

arithmetic operations, especially multiplication.