#1287 Digital Signal Processing (DSP) change request deferred
We should review whether DSP is sufficiently covered in SFIA
An internal assessor in a customer organisation asked my guidance on how digital signal processing was covered in SFIA.
I looked up 'digital signal processing' online, just to make sure I’m not making too many assumptions https://www.techopedia.com/definition/2360/digital-signal-processing-dsp
Looking at this definition, I’m drawn to the following:
- Analytics (INAN) because of the use of mathematical and computational algorithms, and analysis of the signal data, plus the reference to audio information
- Real-time/embedded systems development (RESD) – for example, level 4 mentions “optimise performance”, “specialised tools” including “digital storage oscilloscopes”.
- Hardware design (HWDE) – but you would have to check if they are involved in designing hardware elements of systems to produce signal outputs
- System software (SYSP) if they are using tools to collect performance statistics and maintaining the system.
- IT infrastructure (ITOP) – operational procedures on infrastructure items
- Radio frequency engineering (RFEN)
- Specialist Advice (TECH) is they are advising others on this area
There are others that it could be, but it depends what this particular person does in DSP – for example, are they designing, building, implementing, supporting – or a mix of these. I might consider problem management (PBMG) for example, if they are investigating root cause and fixing. If they just support applications which do digital signal processing, then it could be Application support (ASUP).
I would be interested to hear if anyone else has experience in this area and can give guidance on whether we already have it covered in SFIA7 or if we need to make changes for the next version.
Current status of this request: deferred
What we decided
This analysis suggest that DSP is a specific technology which can have application in a number of SFIA skill areas.
If there is sufficient demand this could be added to guidance notes for relevant skills to make the coverage explicit.