Supplementary book for intro signal processing class

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding supplementary textbooks for an introductory signal processing class, specifically focusing on the need for more practice problems to aid understanding of the concepts presented in the required textbook "Signal Processing First" by James McClellan. The conversation includes references to various books in the field of signal processing, including digital signal processing (DSP) and analog signal processing.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster (OP) appreciates McClellan's book but feels it lacks sufficient practice problems.
  • Some participants suggest that the OP may be referring to digital signal processing (DSP) rather than statistical or adaptive signal processing.
  • One participant mentions learning from "DSP" by Oppenheim and Schafer, noting it is advanced and not suitable for beginners.
  • Another participant recommends Schaum's Outline of Signals and Systems as a good reference for analog signal processing and mentions its extensive problem set.
  • The OP expresses a desire for a book similar to Oppenheim's that includes more practice problems, indicating a preference for books that facilitate understanding through problem-solving.
  • There is a discussion about the different reading strategies for technical books, with the OP sharing their approach to working through problems before fully engaging with the content.
  • One participant agrees that Schaum's Outline is a suitable recommendation, highlighting its solved problems as beneficial for learners.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for additional practice problems in signal processing textbooks. However, there are multiple competing views regarding which supplementary books are most appropriate, and no consensus is reached on a single recommendation.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of familiarity with different textbooks, and there is an acknowledgment of the differences in style and approach between various authors, which may affect how students engage with the material.

Who May Find This Useful

Students in introductory signal processing courses, educators seeking supplementary materials, and individuals interested in exploring different approaches to learning signal processing concepts.

aesoph13442
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The required textbook for my intro signal processing class is "Signal Processing First"
by James McClellan. So far I like the book quite a lot because the author does a good job to explain the concepts clearly. However I feel like the book doesn't provide enough practice problems. I just want to know if any EE major have recommendations for my need. Thanks.
 
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By sig proc I assume you mean DSP (not statistical/adaptive signal processing). I'm not personally familiar with any intro level books, and maybe no one else here is either. I learned from "DSP" by Oppenheim and Schafer, which is advanced and one I wouldn't recommend to a beginner. Stearns coauthored a nice book on adaptive filtering with Bernie Widrow; his DSP book gets good reader reviews on Amazon, so you might check that one out.
 
The OP could also mean, or mean to include, analog signal processing and theory of continuous time systems and signals. In that case Schaum's Outline of Signals and Systems is a good book for reference and to work through.
 
I actually got the book https://www.amazon.com/dp/0138147574/?tag=pfamazon01-20 by Oppenheim. I am not so sure if marcusl means the same book. Many people say he is an authority in that area and his books are really good but I personally found the one I got pretty dry. In contrast, the book by McClellan makes the concepts easier to digest. So far I have gone through the first 4 chapters and I am learning "sampling and aliasing" right now. (hopefully that can help you understand what my level is) What I am really asking is that I want to find a book like https://www.amazon.com/dp/0070459363/?tag=pfamazon01-20 for an intro "Signal and System" class. I want to have more practice problems to help me understand the concepts. Most of the problems provided by McClellan's book are just manipulations of trig and exponential eqs, which don't really help me to understand the concepts. I took a look at the book mentioned by bill. I think it is the closest to what I want. Finally, I want to ask marcusl about how he(or she?) read technical books like Oppenheim. I feel like I should read Oppenheim's book like chemistry. Its style is so much different than all the math and basic circuit books I used. I could just work through the problems first and then go back to the content. Working the problems helps me to understand those "processes" introduced in the books without reading the content. But for books like Oppenheim, I feel like I need to rephrase and memorize the content before actually working through the problems. Any opinion is welcome!
 
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aesoph13442 said:
What I am really asking is that I want to find a book like https://www.amazon.com/dp/0070459363/?tag=pfamazon01-20 for an intro "Signal and System" class.

In that case, the Schaum's Outline I mentioned above is the closest thing I know. Looking at the table of contents of Oppenheim, the material the Schaum's guide covers is closer than I thought to what you're looking for. It only has 571 fully solved problems, but that's 571 more than any other signals and systems textbook I've seen. The rest of the book is typical Schaum's guide style explanation of concepts and methods.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071829466/?tag=pfamazon01-20
 
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