The key application areas of signal processing are telecommunications and digital media. Development is rapid on all levels – in the theory of audio, video and multimedia as well as on the concept and application levels. For example, the use of stereo or holographic images opens up new possibilities for multimedia.
Signal processing also plays a significant role in medical and biological imaging. Signal processing methods can introduce many new aspects to the modelling and analysis of cell- and genome-level phenomena in biological systems.
The Department of Signal Processing studies the theory of signal processing, audio and video processing, wireless multimedia, virtual reality and the modelling of biological signals and systems. The methods developed for the needs of such seemingly different fields often have their roots in the basics of information theory. The research fields also share methods for improving the quality of multimedia services through the real-time analysis of subjective video quality.
Practical examples of research include the analysis of cell-level phenomena, particularly modelling and simulation technologies for complex biological phenomena. Other applications are the possibility to search for images, audio and video from databases based on content, signal processing in telecommunications transmitters and receivers, automated music notation and analysis, and the identification of sound spaces.
The Department of Signal Processing conducts world-class research and offers education in the theory of signal processing. The department also develops new applications in several areas of modern signal processing. The department is headed by Professor Ari Visa. The largest of the department’s research groups is the Signal Processing Algorithm Group (SPAG) led by Professor Jaakko Astola. SPAG has been appointed as a Centre of Excellence in Research by the Academy of Finland (2000-2011).