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Proposal: Signal, Image & Video Processing

I can't find anywhere that specifies if analog questions are considered on-topic or not. Is this specified anywhere?

I think it would be best to specifically state that analog is not included here. This is because electronics.SE already covers analog signal processing and "analog" image and video processing is much different than digital processing.

Thoughts?

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I disagree. Much of the underlying signal theory (transforms, frequency content, etc.) is identical (or at least has a one-to-one mapping with a continuous-time counterpart, e.g. Z-transform <-> Laplace transform).

This might not be the correct forum for "which type of capacitor should I use to filter my signal?" type questions, but I certainly think "what is the asymptotic roll-off of a 2nd-order RC network?" would be on-topic.

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    Electronics.SE has gotten questions about how to build an analog filter. There is a fine line between these two that will need to be defined well to avoid confusion. For example I pose this question, would it be better for Electronics.SE or this proposal?
    – Kellenjb
    Jul 18, 2011 at 19:03
  • @Kellen: That is indeed a fine line. But no more so than, say, "How do I implement an IIR on a PIC16xxx?". Which site would be the best for that kind of question?
    – Oliver Charlesworth
    Jul 21, 2011 at 14:34
  • We generally try to avoid purely programming questions unless there is some part of the programming that is specific to the microcontroller (like setting up hardware modules and such). Because of that a question about "How do I... on a PIC" would probably fit better on this proposal.
    – Kellenjb
    Jul 21, 2011 at 14:44
  • @Kellen: Ok, perhaps PIC was a bad example. How about e.g. a TI DSP, where the instruction-set, etc. are specifically designed for this kind of operation?
    – Oliver Charlesworth
    Jul 21, 2011 at 14:47
  • As far as TI DSP type stuff, I am not sure the best place for it. I know electronics.se is very lacking in that area so we may not be the best place for it. I am not sure the best place for any of these either, but I figured it was worth a discussion to make sure the sites don't end up migrating questions to each that don't need to be migrated.
    – Kellenjb
    Aug 9, 2011 at 19:47
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Analog signal processing is a tiny field compared to DSP. Signal processing in the analog world is limited to filter theory and radio frequency modulation techniques. I think it's safe to assume that questions about how to best implement frequency shift keying will be welcome here without adding the word "analog" questions to the samples' list. However, electronics questions will be out of scope. The mathematical/theoretical questions should be answered here. IMO, that is.

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  • So where would you place this question: electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/16121/…
    – Kellenjb
    Aug 9, 2011 at 19:42
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    I would leave it on Electronics. It's a question about implementing an already designed filter with components. An analog filter design question would be more subtle to place.
    – Phonon
    Aug 9, 2011 at 20:56
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There's no sharp boundary between the two. Take for instance phase-shift keying; it's right there at the boundary of digital and analog signal processing. I don't think we should be excluding it merely because it has an analog side.

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The aim is for any signal processing question to be askable on the forum. My experience is that there are many, many more discrete-time signal processing questions asked than analog signal processing questions, but that doesn't mean they can't be asked.

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  • What about designing a filter out of capacitors and resistors?
    – Kellenjb
    Aug 9, 2011 at 19:43
  • @Kellenjb: that would depend on the application. If you're trying to make a crystal radio, the perhaps this would be a better place to ask. If you're trying to do signal conditioning, then yes, I think you could ask that sort of question on this proposed site.
    – Peter K.
    Aug 9, 2011 at 23:49
  • In some of the other comments I have linked this as an example: electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/16121/…
    – Kellenjb
    Aug 10, 2011 at 0:58
  • @Kellenj: I could see that sort of question being asked and answered on the proposed site. The fact that it is asked about Matlab is one thing in favor. It would more precisely relevant to the proposed site if the question was regarding design an analog Butterworth anti-aliasing filter.
    – Peter K.
    Aug 10, 2011 at 1:06

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