Digital Signal Processing (DSP) is the process of taking any kind of analog signal (such as voice) and converting it into digital form so that it can be sent over a telephone line, the Internet, a wireless network, or other communication vehicle. Understanding Digital Signal Processing presents both the theory and application of DSP in an approachable manner.
One of the best textbooks I've read. The author's tone is fantastic. Here's an example: "Unfortunately, many authors make a statement like 'and we know that,' and drop [equations] on the unsuspecting reader who's expected to accept these expressions on faith. Assuming you don't have a Ph.D. in mathematics, you may wonder what arithmetic sleight of hand allows us to arrive at [these equations]."
The book is very well balanced. When it explores key equations or identities in detail, it provides intuitive, comprehensive explanations. When it omits proofs, it does so in order to maintain a brisk, interesting pace (also providing references to literature with more information). I imagine one would be hard-pressed to find a better introduction to the subject.
Lots of books are titled, "Understanding..." but this one actually works. I have read what I needed from chapters 1-5, 8 and the layout and explanations are exceptional to the point where a nincompoop like me can understand what is going on.
Anybody interested in DFTs, complex numbers, the imaginary plane, and quadrature need no longer wonder what the hell is going on. This book explained imaginary numbers and phasors better than any of the math books I currently own.
A great text book and interesting for engineers and math nerds.
A friendly and easy introduction to the subject. As a cosmologist, I know well what Fourier transforms are but damned if I ever had to actually compute a DFT in an applied setting, worrying about windowing, aliasing, and Nyquist frequencies. Lyons takes you by the hand and whispers, calmly but assuredly, "it will be all right, child." Overall, a gentle and useful guide to the concepts underlying DSP.
This is the best book on DSP for practicing engineers. If you need to implement a solution to a DSP problem or use the FFT, this book provides all the information you need to know. It has a very practical focus, which is a relief compared to most DSP resources.