High speed data collection with Blackfin DSP

Abstract: This report covers a master thesis in embedded systems, the goal of which
was to investigate the high speed data collection capabilities with a
Blackfin DSP. Basic theory about sampling and noise is covered briefly from
a practical point of view. The theory is intended to be useful for those
diving into a ADC datasheet for the first time. After an investigation of
the delimiting factors, suitable components were selected and a prototype
ADC PCB was designed from scratch. The goal is to design a general low
noise data collecting unit compatible with the Blackfin DSP. Finally simple
DSP software is designed to prove that DSP can handle such a high
datastream.

Testing the ADC card with the target Blackfin platform indicates that
the analog parts indeed works. An analog bandwidth of over 10MHz is
measured at a resolution exceeding 10 bits with respect to noise. The
digital parts intended to interleave the two channels digital streams into
one Blackfin unit did not work as intended. Only one channel is supported
as of now. The report contains suggestions for future work in this area.