Wavelet Toolbox

Fourier Analysis

Signal analysts already have at their disposal an impressive arsenal of tools. Perhaps the most well known of these is Fourier analysis, which breaks down a signal into constituent sinusoids of different frequencies. Another way to think of Fourier analysis is as a mathematical technique for transforming our view of the signal from time-based to frequency-based.

For many signals, Fourier analysis is extremely useful because the signal's frequency content is of great importance. So why do we need other techniques, like wavelet analysis?

Fourier analysis has a serious drawback. In transforming to the frequency domain, time information is lost. When looking at a Fourier transform of a signal, it is impossible to tell when a particular event took place.

If the signal properties do not change much over time -- that is, if it is what is called a stationary signal -- this drawback isn't very important. However, most interesting signals contain numerous nonstationary or transitory characteristics: drift, trends, abrupt changes, and beginnings and ends of events. These characteristics are often the most important part of the signal, and Fourier analysis is not suited to detecting them.

Wavelet Applications

Short-Time Fourier Analysis