Signal Processing
/ˈsɪɡnəl ˈprɑːsɛsɪŋ/
noun … “Analyzing, modifying, and interpreting signals.”
Signal Processing is the field of engineering and computer science concerned with the analysis, transformation, and manipulation of signals to extract information, improve quality, or enable transmission and storage. Signals can be analog (continuous) or digital (discrete), representing phenomena such as sound, images, temperature, or electromagnetic waves.
Digital
/ˈdɪdʒɪtl/
adjective … “Discrete representation of information.”
Digital refers to signals, data, or systems that represent information using discrete values, typically in binary form (0s and 1s). Digital systems contrast with analog systems, which use continuous physical quantities. Digital representation allows reliable storage, transmission, and processing of information, as discrete values are less susceptible to noise and degradation.
Key characteristics of Digital include:
Analog
/ˈænəlɔːɡ/
adjective … “Continuous representation of information.”
Analog refers to signals, data, or systems that represent information using continuous physical quantities rather than discrete values. In computing and electronics, analog signals vary smoothly over time, often representing real-world phenomena such as sound, light, temperature, or voltage. Analog systems contrast with digital systems, which represent data using discrete levels or binary values.
Key characteristics of Analog include:
Digital-to-Analog Converter
/diː-eɪ-siː/
noun … “Converts digital signals to analog signals.”
DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) is an electronic component or system that transforms digital data, typically represented as binary numbers, into a continuous analog signal. DACs are crucial in applications where digital information must interface with the physical world, such as audio playback, video display, instrumentation, and control systems.
Key characteristics of DAC include:
Communication
/kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən/
noun … “Exchange of information between entities.”
Communication in computing refers to the transfer of data or signals between systems, devices, or components to achieve coordinated operation or information sharing. It encompasses both hardware and software mechanisms, protocols, and interfaces that enable reliable, timely, and accurate data exchange. Effective communication is essential for networking, distributed systems, and embedded control applications.
Key characteristics of Communication include:
Electromagnetic Spectrum
/ɪˌlɛktroʊmæɡˈnɛtɪk ˈspɛktrəm/
noun … “Range of all possible electromagnetic wave frequencies.”
Gain
/ɡeɪn/
noun … “Measure of how effectively an antenna radiates or receives energy.”
Wavelength
/ˈweɪvˌlɛŋkθ/
noun … “Distance over which a wave repeats its shape.”
Antenna
/ænˈtɛnə/
noun … “Device that converts electrical signals to radio waves and back.”
Antenna is a transducer used in radio and wireless communication systems to convert electrical signals into electromagnetic waves for transmission, or to receive electromagnetic waves and convert them back into electrical signals. It serves as the critical interface between a Radio transmitter or receiver and free space, enabling communication without physical conductors.
Key characteristics of Antenna include:
Radio
/ˈreɪdioʊ/
noun … “Information carried on invisible waves.”