Animating Algorithms as a DSP Teaching Tool

Abstract

This paper introduces the notion of ‘animation’ of digital signal processing algorithms and related concepts. The purpose of the paper is threefold: (i) to introduce the idea of animation of algorithms as an adjunct to teaching DSP; (ii) to discuss some possible approaches to developing such animations, and motivate possible scenarios where algorithm animation would be of benefit in explaining abstract DSP principles; and (iii) to provide details on a method which successfully demonstrates the algorithm animations using a web browser without the need for user-installed software or browser plug-ins.