# Host signal processing
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{{refimprove|date=September 2014}}
'''Host signal processing (HSP)''' is a term used in computing to describe hardware such as a [modem](/source/modem) or [printer](/source/Printer_(computing)) which is emulated (to various degrees) in software. [Intel](/source/Intel) refers to the technology as '''native signal processing''' (NSP).[{{cite magazine |last1=Gerding |first1=David |title=MMX: Do More With Less? |journal=[PC Games](/source/GamePro) |date=September 1996 |volume=3 |issue=9 |page=104 |url=https://archive.org/details/pc-games-vol.-3-no.-09-september-1996/page/n105/mode/2up |publisher=[International Data Group](/source/International_Data_Group)}}] HSP replaces dedicated [DSP](/source/Digital_signal_processor) or [ASIC](/source/ASIC) hardware by using the general purpose [CPU](/source/CPU) of the host computer.
Modems using HSP are known as [winmodem](/source/winmodem)s (a term trademarked by 3COM / USRobotics, but genericized) or [softmodem](/source/softmodem)s. Printers using HSP are known as [GDI printer](/source/Graphics_Device_Interface)s (after the MS Windows GDI software interface), [winprinter](/source/winprinter)s (named after winmodems) or [softprinter](/source/softprinter)s.
The [Apple II](/source/Apple_II) [Disk II](/source/Disk_II) floppy drive used the host CPU to process drive control signals, instead of a [microcontroller](/source/microcontroller). This instance of HSP predates the usage of the terms HSP and NSP.
In the mid- to late-1990s, Intel pursued native signal processing technology to improve multimedia handling.[{{Cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1998/04/98/microsoft/215645.stm | title=BBC NEWS | Special Report | 1998 | 04/98 | Microsoft | USA versus Microsoft: The fourth week | access-date=2012-05-26 | archive-date=2008-12-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216122738/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1998/04/98/microsoft/215645.stm | url-status=live }}] According to testimony by Intel, Microsoft opposed development of NSP because the technology could reduce the necessity of the [Microsoft Windows](/source/Microsoft_Windows) operating system.