Baseband processor

A baseband processor is usually a digital signal processor (DSP) chip, which has the task of processing a baseband signal. The baseband signal contains data and it is the job of this processor to process this signal to get the data.

This processor has to be very fast because it is working with a continuously changing stream of information in real-time. Since this process has to be fast, and cannot be disturbed, it is used in a separate dedicated processor with its own memory that is close by.

Processing function

The processor's tasks are to code, and decode the signal. For example, a phone baseband processor has to receive and transmit signals, therefore the processor has to be able to code and decode. However, a digital radio receiver only has to decode the signal, because it is only a receiver.

Applications

Wireless digital communication equipment usually employs a baseband processor to perform the processing of the signal. For example, the iPhone uses the S-Gold 2 processor. As a general rule of thumb, any device that uses wireless digital communication such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi usually employs these types of processors.

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