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Darin Brezeale

When I was an undergraduate I took a course called Linear Systems, which provides background theory for courses like Digital Signal Processing, Control Systems, and Communication Systems. While I did earn a grade of A in the course, I never really understood the purpose of the course beyond it being a prerequisite to other courses that I was required to take.

My goal in this course is to introduce you to digital signal processing in such a way that you not only understand the purpose of the various topics, but that you also see how you can apply the material.

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When I was an undergraduate I took a course called Linear Systems, which provides background theory for courses like Digital Signal Processing, Control Systems, and Communication Systems. While I did earn a grade of A in the course, I never really understood the purpose of the course beyond it being a prerequisite to other courses that I was required to take.

My goal in this course is to introduce you to digital signal processing in such a way that you not only understand the purpose of the various topics, but that you also see how you can apply the material.

In order to demonstrate practical applications of digital signal processing, I provide about a dozen Python programs for doing such things as removing noise from audio files, removing noise from images, identifying which phone numbers are pressed on a touch-tone phone, and analyzing temperature data. I go over each program, explaining how it works and how I designed it. I don't assume that you have already programmed using the Python programming language, so I also provide a crash course to get you up to speed.

This course is not for someone wanting a rigorous, theory- and math-heavy course; there are many available options if this is what you are looking for.  This isn't to say that we will not use math in this course. I think that there is too much that you need to know that you can't really understand without some math.  To help you with the math that we will learn, I review complex numbers and complex exponentials at the beginning of the course. Then as we learn new topics I provide practice problems with my solved answers.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction
Review of Complex Numbers
Review of Complex Arithmetic (with practice problems)
Python Crash Course
Read more
Installing Anaconda on Linux (also watch if using Mac OS)
Installing Anaconda on Windows
Statements
Booleans
Conditionals
Loops
Program Development
Functions
Lists
Strings
Files
Dictionaries
Numpy
Matplotlib
Sinusoids and Basic Signals
Sinusoids
Sinusoids Example (with practice problems)
Sampling
Aliasing (with practice problems)
Application: Music Generation
Basic Filters
Basic Signals
Difference Equations (with practice problems)
Linear, Time-Invariant (LTI) Systems
Linearity Examples, part 1
Linearity Examples, part 2 (with practice problems)
Time-Invariance Examples
Application: Decoding a Digital Message
Time-Domain Analysis
Impulse Response
FIR vs IIR Filters
Linear Convolution
Convolution Property: Commutativity
Convolution Property: Associativity
Convolution Property: Distributitvity (with practice problems)
Application: Image Processing
Correlation (with practice problems)
Application: Template Matching
Frequency-Domain Analysis
Harmonics (with practice problems)
Discrete Fourier Transform
The Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT)
DFT: A Conceptual Understanding (with practice problems)
Application: Noise Removal from Audio using the DFT
Application: Analyzing Temperature Data using the DFT
Frequency Response
Frequency Response of a Filter
Frequency Response and Convolution
Spectrogram
The Spectrogram
Application: Identifying a Phone Number using DTMF
Feature Selection
Application: Classifying Audio Files
Design of Nonrecursive Filters
Design of Nonrecursive Filters, part 1
Design of Nonrecursive Filters, part 2
Application: Noise Removal from Audio using an FIR Filter
Frequency-Domain Analysis and the z-Transform
The z-Transform
The z-Transform: Poles and Zeros
The z-Transform: Examples
The z-Transform and Convolution (with practice problems)
Application: Remove a Specific Frequency with a Notch Filter
Design of Recursive Filters
Design of Recursive Filters, part 1
Design of Recursive Filters, part 2 (with practice problems)
Application: Change Low Frequencies with a Shelving Filter
Application: Separate Audio with Blind Source Separation
End of Course
Where to Go From Here

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a practical introduction to digital signal processing, which is often a core topic in undergraduate engineering and computer science curricula
Includes a Python crash course, which helps students with little to no programming experience to understand and implement DSP concepts
Offers a dozen Python programs for practical applications, such as noise removal and signal analysis, which allows learners to apply theoretical knowledge
Reviews complex numbers and exponentials and provides practice problems, which helps learners grasp the mathematical foundations of signal processing
Uses Python with libraries like NumPy and Matplotlib, which are open-source and widely used in scientific computing and data analysis
Covers applications like noise removal from audio and images, which are common use cases of digital signal processing in various fields

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Reviews summary

Simple practical dsp introduction

According to learners, this course provides a largely positive introduction to Digital Signal Processing, focusing on practical applications rather than heavy math or theory. Students frequently praise the instructor's clear explanations and the useful Python examples and demos that illustrate concepts effectively. The course is considered a good starting point for those new to DSP, benefiting from helpful review sections on prerequisite math and programming. While excellent as an introduction, some suggest it may not cover advanced topics in significant depth.
Covers Python and complex numbers basics
"The Python crash course at the beginning was super helpful as I wasn't familiar with it."
"Review of complex numbers was a good refresher and necessary for following along."
"Great that they included sections on Python and complex arithmetic to get everyone on the same page."
Excellent start, might need more for depth
"This is a fantastic starting point for learning DSP, highly recommend for beginners."
"It's a simple introduction, and it does that job very well. Don't expect advanced topics."
"Provides a solid foundation but further study would be needed for more complex DSP work."
Focuses on intuition over heavy math
"Perfect for someone who wants to understand the 'why' and 'how' without getting bogged down in abstract math."
"Exactly what it says - a simple introduction. Doesn't require a deep math background."
"I appreciated that it focused on understanding the concepts and applications rather than rigorous mathematical proofs."
Python labs demonstrate applications well
"The Python examples provided are very practical and show real-world applications of the concepts learned."
"Working through the Python programs solidified my understanding greatly."
"The hands-on demos using Python were probably the most helpful part of the course."
Instructor breaks down concepts effectively
"The instructor explains complex topics in a very simple and easy-to-understand manner."
"His explanations are incredibly clear and make learning DSP much less daunting."
"Really appreciated how the instructor patiently went through each concept."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in A Simple Introduction to Digital Signal Processing with these activities:
Review Complex Numbers and Arithmetic
Strengthen your understanding of complex numbers and arithmetic, which are fundamental to digital signal processing and are reviewed at the beginning of the course.
Browse courses on Complex Numbers
Show steps
  • Review definitions of complex numbers.
  • Practice complex number arithmetic problems.
  • Work through examples of complex exponentials.
Brush up on Python Programming
Practice Python programming to prepare for the practical applications demonstrated in the course, as the course includes a Python crash course and uses Python for examples.
Browse courses on Python Programming
Show steps
  • Review basic Python syntax and data structures.
  • Practice writing simple Python scripts.
  • Familiarize yourself with NumPy and Matplotlib.
Practice Signal Sampling and Aliasing Problems
Reinforce your understanding of signal sampling and aliasing by working through practice problems, as these concepts are crucial for understanding digital signal processing.
Show steps
  • Solve problems involving the Nyquist rate.
  • Simulate aliasing effects with different sampling rates.
  • Analyze the frequency content of sampled signals.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Simple Music Synthesizer
Apply your knowledge of sinusoids and sampling to create a basic music synthesizer using Python, building on the 'Music Generation' application covered in the course.
Show steps
  • Generate sinusoidal waveforms at different frequencies.
  • Implement ADSR (Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release) envelopes.
  • Combine waveforms to create musical notes and chords.
  • Design a simple user interface to control the synthesizer.
Implement a Noise Reduction Filter
Develop a noise reduction filter using the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) to remove noise from audio signals, expanding on the 'Noise Removal from Audio using the DFT' application.
Show steps
  • Record a noisy audio signal.
  • Apply the DFT to the audio signal.
  • Identify and attenuate noise frequencies.
  • Apply the inverse DFT to reconstruct the filtered signal.
Read 'Understanding Digital Signal Processing' by Steven W. Smith
Supplement your learning with a comprehensive textbook on digital signal processing to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying theory and mathematical concepts.
Show steps
  • Read chapters related to topics covered in the course.
  • Work through the examples and exercises in the book.
  • Compare the book's explanations with the course material.
Read 'Digital Signal Processing: Principles, Algorithms, and Applications' by John G. Proakis and Dimitris G. Manolakis
Explore a more advanced textbook on digital signal processing to expand your knowledge and understanding of the subject.
Show steps
  • Read chapters related to advanced topics in the course.
  • Study the mathematical derivations and proofs.
  • Implement some of the algorithms described in the book.

Career center

Learners who complete A Simple Introduction to Digital Signal Processing will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Audio Engineer
An Audio Engineer shapes the sonic landscape of recordings and live performances. This role requires a strong understanding of signal processing techniques to manipulate and refine audio signals. This course, with its practical Python programs for noise removal, helps build a foundation for enhancing audio quality. It also explores frequency domain analysis and filter design, essential skills for an Audio Engineer to master sound manipulation. The projects involving audio files and noise reduction directly translate to real-world scenarios in audio engineering, where clean and polished sound is paramount.
Acoustic Consultant
As an Acoustic Consultant, one assesses, measures, and controls noise and vibration in various environments. This role demands a deep understanding of sound propagation, signal processing techniques, and noise reduction strategies. This course, with its focus on digital signal processing, helps develop the analytical skills required to tackle acoustic challenges. The course's exploration of noise removal from audio and filter design enables tackling real-world acoustic problems, such as mitigating noise pollution or optimizing sound quality in buildings.
Instrumentation Engineer
As an Instrumentation Engineer, one designs, develops, and maintains instruments and control systems. Signal processing becomes essential when dealing with sensor data and measurement analysis. This course, with its crash course in Python and coverage of signals, may be useful for engineers looking to analyze temperature data. The course directly addresses how to analyze temperature data.
Image Processing Engineer
The Image Processing Engineer improves and analyzes digital images using algorithms and software. This career involves tasks such as noise reduction, image enhancement, and feature extraction. This course, with its exploration of digital signal processing techniques and Python programming, may be useful for analyzing and manipulating image data. The course's discussions on convolution and correlation directly apply to image processing tasks, such as edge detection and blurring. The image processing application covered in the course directly helps you understand how to apply these techniques.
Wireless Communications Engineer
The Wireless Communications Engineer designs and optimizes wireless communication systems. Signal processing is fundamental to this role for tasks such as modulation, demodulation, and channel equalization. This course, with its introduction to digital signal processing techniques, may prove useful for analyzing and improving wireless communication signals. The course's coverage of filters and frequency domain analysis prepares you to tackle challenges in wireless system design.
Radar Systems Engineer
A Radar Systems Engineer designs, develops, and tests radar systems, relying heavily on signal processing techniques for target detection and tracking. This role requires a solid foundation in digital signal processing, filter design, and frequency domain analysis. This course, with its applications of noise reduction and practical Python examples, helps develop the analytical skills to excel in radar systems engineering. The course's focus on real-world applications directly translates to the challenges faced in radar system design and implementation.
Biomedical Engineer
A Biomedical Engineer designs and develops medical devices and equipment, often requiring signal processing for analyzing physiological signals. This course, with its introduction to digital signal processing techniques, may prove useful for processing and interpreting biomedical signals such as electrocardiograms or electroencephalograms. The course's coverage of filters and signal analysis helps engineers extract meaningful information from noisy medical data, which can be used for diagnostics and monitoring.
Machine Learning Engineer
A Machine Learning Engineer develops and implements machine learning algorithms. Signal processing techniques can be valuable for feature extraction and data preprocessing, particularly in audio and image recognition tasks. This course, with its introduction to digital signal processing and Python programming, may be useful for developing machine learning models that utilize signal data. The course's coverage of filtering, feature selection, and audio classification helps to train robust machine learning systems.
Embedded Systems Engineer
An Embedded Systems Engineer designs, develops, and tests software and hardware for embedded systems. This role often requires knowledge of signal processing when dealing with sensor data or audio processing. This course, with its focus on digital signal processing and practical Python examples, may be useful for implementing signal processing algorithms on embedded platforms. The course's coverage of filters and signal analysis helps process and interpret data from sensors in real-time.
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst examines and interprets data to identify trends and insights. Signal processing becomes relevant when working with time-series data, audio data, or other types of signals. This course, with its focus on digital signal processing and Python programming, may be useful for improving your ability to analyze complex data sets. This course's practical applications, like analyzing temperature data, may be helpful.
Data Scientist
A Data Scientist extracts insights and knowledge from structured and unstructured data. Signal processing can play a role when working with time series data, audio signals, or sensor data. This course, with its introduction to digital signal processing and Python programming, may be useful for analyzing and interpreting complex data sets. The course's projects on temperature data analysis and audio file classification provide practical experience in applying signal processing techniques to real-world data.
Geophysicist
A Geophysicist studies the physical properties of the Earth. This often involves analyzing seismic data, which requires a strong understanding of signal processing techniques. This course, focusing on digital signal processing, may be useful for interpreting seismic signals and extracting meaningful information about the Earth's subsurface. Knowledge of signal processing helps to filter noise from seismic data and identify important features.
Research Scientist
A Research Scientist performs scientific research, and signal processing may become crucial in areas such as audio processing, image analysis, or data science. An advanced degree is typically required. This course, focusing on digital signal processing and its applications, may be useful for analyzing and interpreting complex data. The applications covered, such as noise removal and temperature data analysis, provides good experience for data processing.
Software Developer
A Software Developer designs, codes, and tests software applications. This role involves a broad range of skills, and signal processing knowledge may be applicable in areas such as audio processing, image processing, or data analysis. This course, with its Python programming crash course and practical signal processing examples, helps build a foundation for developing signal processing applications. The course's focus on algorithms and program design helps you create efficient and effective signal processing software.
Robotics Engineer
The Robotics Engineer designs, builds, and programs robots. Signal processing often plays a role in processing sensor data and controlling robot movements. This course, with its overview of digital signal processing, may be helpful for filtering sensor data and implementing control algorithms. The knowledge gained in this course helps interpret sensor data and write signal processing code.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in A Simple Introduction to Digital Signal Processing.
Classic and comprehensive text on digital signal processing. It covers a wide range of topics, from basic principles to advanced algorithms. It is particularly helpful for students who want to delve deeper into the mathematical foundations of DSP and explore more advanced applications. This book is commonly used as a textbook in graduate-level DSP courses.
Provides a comprehensive overview of digital signal processing concepts and techniques. It is particularly useful for understanding the mathematical foundations of DSP. It valuable reference for students seeking a deeper understanding of the theory behind the applications covered in the course. This book is commonly used as a textbook in DSP courses.

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