Professional Exams for Digital Signal Processing!?

Hi there !

I am a computers professional and have been working as a programmer for a 
few years now.

Im looking to prove my competence in Digital Signal Processing to gain a job 
in the area.

Are there any professional examinations recognised within the DSP industry ?

Any useful information appreciated.

Thanks,

Brian 

Brian Byrne wrote:

> I am a computers professional and have been working as a programmer for 
> a few years now.
> 
> Im looking to prove my competence in Digital Signal Processing to gain a 
> job in the area.
> 
> Are there any professional examinations recognised within the DSP 
> industry ?

There is a fairly good DSP quiz at brainbench.com.


Vladimir Vassilevsky

DSP and Mixed Signal Design Consultant

http://www.abvolt.com

On Aug 28, 3:36 pm, "Brian Byrne" <brian.byrn...@mail.dcu.ie> wrote:
> Hi there !
>
> I am a computers professional and have been working as a programmer for a
> few years now.
>
> Im looking to prove my competence in Digital Signal Processing to gain a job
> in the area.
>
> Are there any professional examinations recognised within the DSP industry ?
>
> Any useful information appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Brian

Others will disagree, but I don't think that there's a standard
definition of what makes a basic set of skills in 'digital signal
processing.'  So perhaps it will help if you clarify what you
have in mind.

You will see that even in this newsgroup, there are two rough
sets of questions and discussions:  on programming DSP
processors, or FPGA, or ASIC, or whatever other platform you
have;  and the other is on the theory of signals and systems,
typically focusing on LTI systems, estimation of signal
parameters, etc.

Which of the two do you have in mind?

For the former, the closest thing to a "certification" that I can
think of is to take courses in programming particular devices.
TI has classes targeted to particular chips, and so do many
others.  They probably give certificates.

For the latter, it's harder to think of anything other than to take
a class in the subject.

Of course, my answer above is very biased due to my own
background ;-).
Julius

julius wrote:
> You will see that even in this newsgroup, there are two rough
> sets of questions and discussions:  on programming DSP
> processors, or FPGA, or ASIC, or whatever other platform you
> have;  and the other is on the theory of signals and systems,
> typically focusing on LTI systems, estimation of signal
> parameters, etc.

I thought the focus was on LQI - largely question invariant. :-)

Steve

>
> I thought the focus was on LQI - largely question invariant. :-)
>
> Steve

If that is the case, then you are approaching the Nash equilibrium ;-)

Clay

Thanks for that information.

Ideally , I want to program computers using DSP techniques for Audio and 
video games.

Based on you information, I think its worth while to consider the whole DSP 
area as two components:
1.) Theory of signals & System , DSP Processing techniques, programming DSP 
concepts via Matlab.

2.) Actual programming of DSP devices , FPGA, & ASIC's based on fundamentals 
in point 1.

It would be nice to actually gain some credit for the effort of becoming 
proficient in the DSP theory area.
This makes it easier to apply for relevant jobs !.

Hopefully, my home work in DSP will somehow be communicated to a prospective 
employer getting me the (interview! &) job Im looking for !.

Thanks again.

Brian

"julius" <juliusk@gmail.com> wrote in message 
news:1188343190.188662.293320@q3g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
> On Aug 28, 3:36 pm, "Brian Byrne" <brian.byrn...@mail.dcu.ie> wrote:
>> Hi there !
>>
>> I am a computers professional and have been working as a programmer for a
>> few years now.
>>
>> Im looking to prove my competence in Digital Signal Processing to gain a 
>> job
>> in the area.
>>
>> Are there any professional examinations recognised within the DSP 
>> industry ?
>>
>> Any useful information appreciated.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Brian
>
> Others will disagree, but I don't think that there's a standard
> definition of what makes a basic set of skills in 'digital signal
> processing.'  So perhaps it will help if you clarify what you
> have in mind.
>
> You will see that even in this newsgroup, there are two rough
> sets of questions and discussions:  on programming DSP
> processors, or FPGA, or ASIC, or whatever other platform you
> have;  and the other is on the theory of signals and systems,
> typically focusing on LTI systems, estimation of signal
> parameters, etc.
>
> Which of the two do you have in mind?
>
> For the former, the closest thing to a "certification" that I can
> think of is to take courses in programming particular devices.
> TI has classes targeted to particular chips, and so do many
> others.  They probably give certificates.
>
> For the latter, it's harder to think of anything other than to take
> a class in the subject.
>
> Of course, my answer above is very biased due to my own
> background ;-).
> Julius
> 

Brian Byrne wrote:
> Thanks for that information.

Among the skills that will help you find a job that you want is better 
command of written English, especially if you're a native-born 
anglophone. For one example, there should be no space between a 
punctuation mark and the word immediately preceding it:

> Ideally , I want to ...

Some words composed of two parts are (depending on the sense) written as 
one word. "Worthwhile" is one of those.

> Based on you information, I think its worth while to consider the whole 
> DSP area as two components:
> 1.) Theory of signals & System , DSP Processing techniques, programming 
> DSP concepts via Matlab.
> 
> 2.) Actual programming of DSP devices , FPGA, & ASIC's based on 
> fundamentals in point 1.
> 
> It would be nice to actually gain some credit for the effort of becoming 
> proficient in the DSP theory area.
> This makes it easier to apply for relevant jobs !.
> 
> Hopefully, my home work in DSP will somehow be communicated to a 

"Homework" is another.

> prospective employer getting me the (interview! &) job Im looking for !.

Skill at using language requires attention to detail and logical 
thought. Those same skills advance technical work. While there is no 
assurance that someone with good language skills will show competence in 
another field (or that poor language skill shows poor competence) the 
correlation is high enough for employers to judge on that basis.

Good luck with your studies.

Jerry
-- 
Engineering is the art of making what you want from things you can get.
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

Jerry Avins wrote:

> Brian Byrne wrote:
> 
>> Thanks for that information.
> 
> 
> Among the skills that will help you find a job that you want is better 
> command of written English, especially if you're a native-born 
> anglophone. For one example, there should be no space between a 
> punctuation mark and the word immediately preceding it:
> 
>> Ideally , I want to ...
> 
> 
> Some words composed of two parts are (depending on the sense) written as 
> one word. "Worthwhile" is one of those.
> 

Jerry, be ye careful with "anglo..." ;)
The gentleman's country code indicates Ireland.
And as with the rest of the UK, they don't speak our English.
[they "earth' circuits composed of "valves" while driving behind a bonnet]
My Grandfather was from south and probably kissed a certain stone ;)

He has been asking a simple pointed question
"Is there a professional certification for DSP?"

On this side of the pond, the simple answer is *NO!*

Why?

In my VERY personal opinion the IEEE got too fascinated with academic 
credentials. The result is a registered PE is qualified to build bridges 
but need never have used an IC.

I was a student member in early 60's and abandoned ship at next renewal.

I doubt there's a meaningful professional certification in any EE field.

I've seen some meaningful attempts at technician level. I've never 
followed up on those as they were aimed at a different audience.

My advice to Mr. Byrne, follow practice of artists.
Show up at interview with a "portfolio".
It would contain samples of your work.
What you want to show prospective employers is that you have real 
solutions to real problems.

Richard Owlett <rowlett@atlascomm.net> wrote in
news:13dbpjsb8gd5vea@news.supernews.com: 

> Jerry Avins wrote:
> 
>> Brian Byrne wrote:
>> 
>>> Thanks for that information.
>> 
>> 
>> Among the skills that will help you find a job that you want is
>> better command of written English, especially if you're a native-born
>> anglophone. For one example, there should be no space between a 
>> punctuation mark and the word immediately preceding it:
>> 
>>> Ideally , I want to ...
>> 
>> 
>> Some words composed of two parts are (depending on the sense) written
>> as one word. "Worthwhile" is one of those.
>> 
> 
> Jerry, be ye careful with "anglo..." ;)
> The gentleman's country code indicates Ireland.
> And as with the rest of the UK, they don't speak our English.
> [they "earth' circuits composed of "valves" while driving behind a
> bonnet] My Grandfather was from south and probably kissed a certain
> stone ;) 
> 
> He has been asking a simple pointed question
> "Is there a professional certification for DSP?"
> 
> On this side of the pond, the simple answer is *NO!*
> 
> Why?
> 
> In my VERY personal opinion the IEEE got too fascinated with academic 
> credentials. The result is a registered PE is qualified to build
> bridges but need never have used an IC.
> 
> I was a student member in early 60's and abandoned ship at next
> renewal. 
> 
> I doubt there's a meaningful professional certification in any EE
> field. 
> 
> I've seen some meaningful attempts at technician level. I've never 
> followed up on those as they were aimed at a different audience.
> 
> My advice to Mr. Byrne, follow practice of artists.
> Show up at interview with a "portfolio".
> It would contain samples of your work.
> What you want to show prospective employers is that you have real 
> solutions to real problems.

I assume that Brian and his counterparts are going to know a little about 
Matlab, signal processing, etc if they finish a degree in EE. This is never 
the reason I hire anyone. 

Richard's portfolio suggestion is excellent. There is really no reason why 
an EE graduate can't have some show and tell exhibits. It's even better if 
the exhibits are not the results of a class assignment. 

One of the very best design engineers I know, had an awful grade point 
average in school and never finished his degree (due to a couple of missing 
non technical electives). He also designed and assembled test cells for 
cardiac pacemakers and rebuilt his own airplane before starting his junior 
year. 

Good engineering candidates are interesting. If you chose engineering just 
because you are good at math, you probably won't be a good engineer. Better 
candidates know the smell of smoked parts and have spent all night chasing 
a software bug. 

These are a few of my interview questions:

1. Can you solder? If yes, SMT?
2. Can you write Windows programs?, If yes, device drivers?
3. What have you designed and built yourself?
4. Can you write?
5. Why did you want to become an engineer? When did you know?

A professional exam will probably tell me almost nothing except that 
someone can pass or fail a test. The only hiring failure of engineers that 
I have made in 30 years was an individual who would have had the easiest 
time of passing a professional exam in digital signal processing. I had him 
working on noise reduction algorithms for speech. I asked him how his work 
was going and he showed me his Matlab simulation. I then asked him how it 
sounded. He didn't know, he had never bothered to listen to the results!
I was not impressed......

Al Clark
Danville Signal Processing, Inc.
  
  











> 

On Aug 29, 8:15 pm, Al Clark <acl...@danvillesignal.com> wrote:
>
>  If you chose engineering just
> because you are good at math, you probably won't be a good engineer.

it's too late for me.

> These are a few of my interview questions:
>
> 1. Can you solder? If yes, SMT?

what's an SMT?  surface mount?  "T"?  little Twisty leads?  Touch this
and you die?

> 2. Can you write Windows programs?, If yes, device drivers?

oh God no!   ahhhhhh!    i'd rather die.    <spitooe>

oh, do C programs with stdio count?  (to be run in a DOS box?)  i
never considered those to be Windoze programs.

> 3. What have you designed and built yourself?

hmmm.

> 4. Can you write?

hell, i cant evn read.  or spel.

> 5. Why did you want to become an engineer?

to get access to all them sexy engineering chicks.

> When did you know?

when i was cradled in my mothers arms.

r b-j