Skip to content

FIRSparse

Overview

Sparse FIR filter in which most coefficients equal zero

Discussion

This module implements a sparse FIR filter in which most coefficients are equal to zero. The filter is implemented using a tap delay line rather than a traditional FIR filter. The number of output taps (NUMTAPS) is specified at instantiation time. For each tap, you specify the delay time (tapDelay array) and the weighting coefficient (tapCoeffs array). Delays are specified in units of samples.

At construction time, you specify the maximum delay (maxDelay) of the module. maxDelay determines the size of the internal state buffer. To be precise, the size of the internal state buffer equals maxDelay+blockSize samples. The delay time per tap must be in the range [0 MAXDELAY]. Delay times and coefficients can be adjusted at run-time. However, the module is not smoothly updating and you may get audible clicks when adjusting the tapDelay at run-time. The module uses one scratch buffer whose size equals the size of the input pin.

The module gives you some control over where the state buffer is allocated in memory. By default, the memory heap AWE_FAST2SLOW is used and thus the state buffer is first allocated in internal DM memory. If this fails, then internal PM memory is used. And finally, if this fails, then external memory is used. The 4th input argument MEMHEAP provide control over the allocation process. See the fir_sparse_module.m function header for more details.

The tapCoeffs and tapDelay array are always allocated in internal DM memory.

Module Pack

Advanced

ClassID

classID = 1277

Type Definition

typedef struct _ModuleFIRSparse
{
ModuleInstanceDescriptor instance;            // Common Audio Weaver module instance structure
INT32 numTaps;                                // Number of non-zero coefficients (taps) in the filter
INT32 maxDelay;                               // Maximum delay that can be realized, in samples
INT32 stateHeap;                              // Heap in which to allocate memory
INT32 stateIndex;                             // Index of the oldest state variable in the array of state variables
INT32* tapDelay;                              // Current delay per channel
FLOAT32* tapCoeffs;                           // Coefficient applied to each tap output
FLOAT32* state;                               // State variable array
} ModuleFIRSparseClass;

Variables

Properties

Name Type Usage isHidden Default Value Range Units
numTaps int const 0 5 Unrestricted
maxDelay int const 0 100 1:100000 samples
stateHeap int const 1 2 Unrestricted
stateIndex int state 1 0 Unrestricted
tapDelay int* parameter 0 [5 x 1] 0:1:100 samples
tapCoeffs float* parameter 0 [5 x 1] Unrestricted
state float* state 1 [132 x 1] Unrestricted

Pins

Input Pins

Name in
Description audio input
Data type float
Channel range 1
Block size range Unrestricted
Sample rate range Unrestricted
Complex support Real

Output Pins

Name out
Description audio output
Data Type float

Scratch Pins

Channel Count 1
Block size 32
Sample rate 48000

Matlab Usage

File Name: fir_sparse_module.m 
 M=fir_sparse_module(NAME, NUMTAPS, MAXDELAY, MEMHEAP) 
 Creates a sparse FIR filter which is equivalent to a multi-tap time 
 delay in which the outputs are weighted and summed.  The module 
 has a single mono input pin and a single mono output pin. 
 Arguments: 
    NAME - name of the module. 
    NUMTAPS - number of taps 
    MAXDELAY - Maximum delay, in samples.  This is the largest delay 
               which will be supported and determines the length of the 
               internal state buffer. 
    MEMHEAP - specifies the memory heap to use to allocate the main 
              state buffer.  This is a string and follows the memory 
              allocation enumeration in Framework.h.  Allowable values 
              are: 
              'AWE_HEAP_FAST' - always use internal DM memory. 
              'AWE_HEAP_FASTB' - always use internal PM memory. 
              'AWE_HEAP_SLOW' - always use external memory. (the default) 
              'AWE_HEAP_FAST2SLOW' - use internal memory.  If this fails 
                 then use external memory (the default). 

Copyright (c) 2026 DSP Concepts, Inc.