Title: A Friendly Guide to Wavelets Author(s): Gerald Kaiser Pages: 324 Publisher: Birkhauser Boston; 1 edition Publication date: 1994 Language: English Format: DJVU ISBN-10: 0817637117 ISBN-13: Description: This volume is designed as a textbook for an introductory course on wavelet analysis and time-frequency analysis aimed at graduate students or advanced undergraduates in science and engineering. It can also be used as a self-study or reference book by practicing researchers in signal analysis and related areas. Since the expected audience is not presumed to have a high level of mathematical background, much of the needed analytical machinery is developed from the beginning. The only prerequisites for the first eight chapters are matrix theory, Fourier series, and Fourier integral transforms. Each of these chapters ends with a set of straightforward exercises designed to drive home the concepts just covered, and the many graphics should further facilitate absorption.
Reviews
Summary: Very thorough treatment, but *not* a beginner's text.
Rating: 4
A classic text *but* look at the graph on the cover very carefully because it is the only one you'll get until you reach the last chapters of the book. In terms of the presentation of the basic theorems and equations, the text is excellent ... BUT ... there is precious little to guide a student to an intuitive and practical understanding of the theory. In practice, one looks at the graphical representations of wavelets quite often -- just like the ones used for Fourier analysis (can you imagine your first Fourier analysis class with no graphs of convolution, impulses, etc? Wavelets *are* Fourier analysis taken a step further in order to handle time varying systems. Graphs are essential to the uninitiated.) In fact, it is helpful to think of wavelets (i.e., wavelet packet decompositions) as a Fourier spectrum with an additional time axis added so you can see how the spectrum changes over time. The "wavelet" method simply optimizes the resolution used at different frequencies. True, it is a little more complicated than that, but it is easy to lose sight of the simple elegance of the topic when so many equations are flung at you without intuitive context. The topic could be presented MUCH better, so don't worry that it takes a long time to get through this material. Read other basic wavelet texts first and then *definitely* come back to this one. You will appreciate its otherwise *excellent* presentation much more and the principles will be easier to put into actual practice rather than mere academic conjecture.
Summary: A clear introduction to the notation and theory of wavelets
Rating: 3
Some reviewers have commented that this is not such a "friendly" guide if you are not friends with upper division or graduate level mathematics. There is some truth to this. Unlike the pragmatic approach taken in "Ripples in Mathematics" this is a mathematical coverage of wavelets.
For me the value in this book is that it provides a clear introduction to the notation and theory behind wavelets. This book provides the tools you need to understand the wavelet literature better. If you are a software engineer searching for a quick guide to wavelet algorithms, this book may disappoint.
Summary: Reader friendly.
Rating: 5
I really did find this lovely book reader friendly! The author has succeeded in communicating the exciting subject of wavelets, and their many applications, to students and more advanced readers alike. He realized that different communities, math, computer science, engineering, and physics,--
that they have variations in their emphasis, their terminology,
and their thinking. When authors speak to the various user groups, and do it well,-- like in this case, the result is a cucess. This friendly book is!
Summary: Good theory but lacking applications
Rating: 3
It is not a friendly guide to Wavelets. However, chapters 1 one to six are excelent. Chapter 7, Multiresolution Analysis, the heart of the matter is hard to understand. So, you get the flavor of Wavelets but not learn to use it.
Summary: Outstanding! Written for broad audience of potential users!
Rating: 5
I bought this book when I was particularly interested in continuous wavelet transforms. I found myself flying through the exposition. I felt confident about the knowledge I was acquiring and I was quickly able to apply it. Although I come at this book as a mathematician, I think that it is ideal for engineers and physical scientists who usually have far better grounding in signal processing and related issues in Fourier analysis than do mathematicians. I have recommended this book to students, friends and colleagues with high praise.
Title: A Friendly Guide to Wavelets