An overview of popular DSP processors, comparing some essential features and benefits of each with future chip directions for memory and interprocessor communication. In addition, ways to improve data transfer rates within the system to offload the backplane bus, including VIM mezzanines, FPDP and RACEway, to give DSPs access to the data they need. How to use Benchmark's effectively, factors that effect the usefulness of benchmarks and independent resources for chip benchmarks will be given. Real-life application examples will be discussed for a direction finding system showing the versatility of RACEway routing. Flexibility in freely assigning data sources to DSP's without building new cables or adding new connectors is a major benefit of this methodology of system architecture. Another application example for a signal intelligence application will be discussed showing the use of VIM mezzanines, FPDP, and RACEway to meet the needs of this system. Supporting software including host to target communication and C-callable library functions will also be discussed.