Signaaltöötlus

Signaaltöötlus, also known as signal processing, is a field of study that deals with the analysis, modification, and synthesis of signals. Signals are representations of information that vary over time or space, such as audio, images, or sensor data. The primary goal of signal processing is to extract meaningful information from these signals or to transform them into a more useful format.

There are two main types of signal processing: analog and digital. Analog signal processing operates on continuous signals using electronic circuits. Digital signal processing, on the other hand, works with discrete-time signals that have been sampled and quantized, and it is performed using algorithms implemented on computers or specialized hardware. The advent of digital signal processing has revolutionized many fields due to its flexibility, accuracy, and ability to perform complex operations.

Key techniques in signal processing include filtering, which removes unwanted components from a signal; transformation, such as the Fourier transform, which decomposes a signal into its constituent frequencies; and compression, which reduces the amount of data needed to represent a signal without significant loss of information. Applications of signal processing are widespread, encompassing audio and speech processing, image and video analysis, telecommunications, radar and sonar systems, medical imaging, and control systems. The development of efficient algorithms and powerful processing hardware continues to drive advancements in this vital area.