Signaalitöötlusjärjestelmiä

Signaalitöötlus, commonly translated as signal processing, is a field of electrical engineering and applied mathematics that deals with the analysis, modification, and synthesis of signals. Signals are physical quantities that vary over time or space and can be used to convey information. Examples include audio, video, radio waves, and medical imaging data.

The core objective of signal processing is to extract useful information from signals, remove unwanted noise or distortions, and transform signals into a more suitable form for transmission, storage, or further analysis. This can involve various techniques, such as filtering, modulation, demodulation, compression, and feature extraction.

Signal processing can be broadly categorized into analog and digital signal processing. Analog signal processing operates on continuous-time, continuous-amplitude signals, often using electronic circuits. Digital signal processing, which has become increasingly dominant, works with discrete-time, discrete-amplitude signals that have been sampled and quantized. This digital approach allows for greater flexibility, accuracy, and the implementation of complex algorithms using computational methods.

Applications of signal processing are widespread, impacting numerous technologies. In telecommunications, it enables efficient data transmission and reception. In audio and image processing, it is fundamental to tasks like noise reduction, compression, and enhancement. Medical imaging, radar, sonar, and control systems also heavily rely on signal processing techniques to interpret data and make decisions. The study and application of signal processing continue to evolve with advancements in computing power and algorithmic development.