DSP - What does it do exactly?

[PbFoot]

I understand that a DSP may filter out some false signals, and increase range, but I am interested in specifically how this is done. Can some of the resident gurus weigh in on this?

Thanks,

-PbFoot

[kpatz]

DSP generally stands for Digital Signal Processing. In simple terms, it means the signal is converted into a digital stream and analyzed by a computer. Pretty much all modern detectors use some form of DSP to handle signal analysis and filtering.

I know Escort used the term "DSP" in some of its detectors, I don't know if they were referring to Digital Signal Processing or some Escort marketing term that shares the initials.

[PbFoot]

DSP generally stands for Digital Signal Processing. In simple terms, it means the signal is converted into a digital stream and analyzed by a computer. Pretty much all modern detectors use some form of DSP to handle signal analysis and filtering.

I know Escort used the term "DSP" in some of its detectors, I don't know if they were referring to Digital Signal Processing or some Escort marketing term that shares the initials.

I've got that part figured out. I am looking to find out some deeper info, like what exactly is being compared and processed etc.

-PbFoot

[takeshi]

I doubt you'll find much more in the way of specifics.

[nine_c1]

I understand that a DSP may filter out some false signals, and increase range, but I am interested in specifically how this is done. Can some of the resident gurus weigh in on this?

Thanks,

-PbFoot

It actully has nothing to do with signal reception and amplification that occurs in the front end of the detector......that's all still handled by analog devices.

Digital Signal Processing is a bit of a misnomer as Radar Signals are transmitted and received as analog signals.

Incoming signals are received by the Antenna and delivered to a mixer where these signals are mixed with Local Oscillator freqencies to produce IF (Intermediate Frequency) frequencies which are then sent to the detection microprocessor. There is much more that happens in the front end with further amplification and 2nd or 3rd mixers but you get the idea. This would all be considered analog signal processing.

It's in the "detection microprocessor" that we can say things start to happen digitally. Analog values from the receiver are converted to digital values within the microprocessor and so the detector can compare number of signals received, frequencies received, and relative signal strength to start making some smart decisions.

Digital Signal Processing really does nothing to make the receiver circuitry more sensitive. However, since it can look for many signals at one time and analyse characteristics, such as power levels, and look at harmonics, it can and does act as the detectors main garbage filter. This allows the front end to be made as sensitive as possible without the problem of having numerous false alerts. So effectively, it makes a super sensitive analog detector practical for daily use.