Design Fixed-Point Digital Filters

In signal processing, a digital filter is a computational algorithm that converts a sequence of input numbers to a sequence of output numbers. The algorithm is designed such that the output signal meets frequency-domain or time-domain constraints (desirable frequency components are passed, undesirable components are rejected). In general terms, a discrete transfer function controller is a form of a digital filter. However, a digital controller can contain nonlinear functions such as lookup tables in addition to a discrete transfer function. This guide uses the term digital filter when referring to discrete transfer functions.

In the world of fixed-point numbers, where precision and range are limited, you must carefully select the data type, word size, and scaling for each realization element that results are accurately represented. To assist you with this selection, design rules for modeling dynamic systems with fixed-point math are provided in Targeting an Embedded Processor.