Steven W. Smith

Continuous signal processing is a parallel field to DSP, and most of the techniques are nearly identical. For example, both DSP and continuous signal processing are based on linearity, decomposition, convolution and Fourier analysis. Since continuous signals cannot be directly represented in digital computers, don't expect to find computer programs in this chapter. Continuous signal processing is based on mathematics; signals are represented as equations, and systems change one equation into another. Just as the digital computer is the primary tool used in DSP, calculus is the primary tool used in continuous signal processing. These techniques have been used for centuries, long before computers were developed.