The Scientist and Engineer's Guide to Digital Signal Processing

"The Scientist and Engineer's Guide to Digital Signal Processing" by Steven W. Smith is a comprehensive textbook aimed at providing practical techniques in digital signal processing (DSP) without delving into detailed mathematics and abstract theory. Here is a detailed overview of the book:

Key Themes

1. Foundations of DSP:

   • Chapter 1: The Breadth and Depth of DSP: Introduces the roots of DSP, including telecommunications, audio processing, echo location, and imaging processing.
   • Chapter 2: Statistics, Probability, and Noise: Covers signal and graph terminology, mean and standard deviation, signal vs. underlying process, histograms, and digital noise generation.

2. ADC and DAC:

   • Chapter 3: ADC and DAC: Discusses quantization, the sampling theorem, digital-to-analog conversion, analog filters for data conversion, selecting the antialias filter, multirate data conversion, and single-bit data conversion.

3. DSP Software:

   • Chapter 4: DSP Software: Explains computer numbers, fixed-point integers, floating-point real numbers, number precision, execution speed in program languages, hardware, and programming tips.

4. Linear Systems:

   • Chapter 5: Linear Systems: Covers signals and systems, requirements for linearity, static linearity and sinusoidal fidelity, examples of linear and nonlinear systems, special properties of linearity, superposition as the foundation of DSP, and common decompositions.

5. Convolution:

   • Chapter 6: Convolution: Introduces the delta function and impulse response, convolution as a mathematical operation combining two signals to form a third, and the input side and output side algorithms.

6. Properties of Convolution:

   • Chapter 7: Properties of Convolution: Discusses common impulse responses, mathematical properties, correlation, and speed.

7. Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT):

   • Chapter 8: The Discrete Fourier Transform: Explains the family of Fourier transforms, notation and format of the real DFT, frequency domain's independent variable, DFT basis functions, synthesis and analysis of DFT, duality, polar notation, and polar nuisances.

8. Applications of DFT:

   • Chapter 9: Applications of the DFT: Covers spectral analysis of signals, frequency response of systems, and convolution via the frequency domain.

9. Fourier Transform Properties:

   • Chapter 10: Fourier Transform Properties: Discusses linearity of the Fourier transform, characteristics of the phase, periodic nature of the DFT, and compression and expansion methods.

Plot Summary

The book is structured to provide a comprehensive understanding of DSP techniques without requiring advanced mathematical knowledge. It starts with foundational concepts, progresses through ADC and DAC, discusses DSP software, and delves into linear systems and convolution. The latter part of the book focuses on the discrete Fourier transform and its applications, as well as properties of the Fourier transform.

Critical Reception

The book has received positive reviews for its practical approach to teaching DSP techniques. Reviewers have praised the author for making complex concepts accessible without relying on advanced mathematics. Here are some excerpts from reviews:

• Practical Approach: "The author promises at the beginning of the book to explain all DSP concepts without using anything else then elementary math. He has succeeded in doing that from page one to the last one!"
• Accessible: "I'm still in the middle of this book but now I can understand what the mathematical languages mean. The author is very precise using math languages and translate the language into easy plain English without missing any clarity and bravery of mathematical language."
• Effective for Practical Use: "With the help of this book I have developed a modem software within four months, without any basic knowledge in DSP."

Overall, "The Scientist and Engineer's Guide to Digital Signal Processing" by Steven W. Smith is highly regarded for its practical approach to teaching DSP, making it an excellent resource for those looking to apply DSP techniques in their work without needing to delve into advanced mathematical theory.