Tools for designing systems around digital signal processor (DSP) chips are discussed. These tools accelerate the design and development of systems with embedded DSPs and can also reduce development costs by letting the engineer focus on a specific application rather than the myriad details of the programming task itself. While a developmental program is running, designers can use higher-level tools-debuggers, simulators, and emulators-to help provide insight into the program's execution and flaws. Some recent upgrades are noted, and tools for block-diagram algorithm development are examined. A table of representative packages is given. >