Customer Reviews

Understanding FFT Applications, Second Edition

5 star:		(3)
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3 star:		(1)
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I own both the Understanding the FFT volume and its companion, Understanding FFT Applications. They have their place on my technical bookshelf. If you are new to the FFT, or just so-so with undergrad level engineering math, then this series of volumes on the FFT is likely to prove a gold mine. If you eventually tire of being taught by example at a sometimes slow and tedious pace after you are exposed to the basics, look elsewhere.

The complete titles of the books say it all. They are tutorials for laymen, students, technicians and working engineers. They are NOT sophisticated. If you are seeking enough understanding to grasp some fundamentals by example they can be highly recommended as a place to start.

Unfortunately, despite its strengths, the series feeds into the "this is all you have to know if you are a practical person" mentality frequently expressed by many I've met in the technical areas. The ideas of "practical and useful" should always be qualified by the terms "for what and to whom". It all depends on who you are and what you are trying to do.

It is true that sometimes it is better to cut to the heart of the matter with simplistic approaches, but challenging problems are not all reducible to these kinds of "seat of the pants" approaches. The trick is knowing when to "hold or fold". Sometimes it is actually more "practical" to acquire a more sohpisticated approach to a subject, as it saves huge amounts of time and effort later on, and can provide insights that are not initially obvious.

Fourier transforms are a sophisticated mathematical tool with broad applications frequently found in areas where analysis of complex data sets is important. They are not just "tools for the working engineer". If you are serious about mastering them, you must spend the time and effort.

This series is a good place to start, it is hardly the final definitive text, even for the working technical person who wants a powerful understanding of the subject. If you want some good powerful intros to the subject at a more advance level, just look at the Bibliography of Understanding the FFT.

I bought this book and its companion "Understanding the FFT" to add to my basic knowledge of Fourier transforms. I need to know how to implement FTs and so far these books have been a better reference for this than any of the others I've read. Aquiring this practical understanding has been made much easier. Thanks, Andy!

Hi
I've bought this book for having a deeper inside into algorithms and techniques for doing fft with micro's and little circuits for RF and audio purposes. I think, it's a very good source for working with - it's straightforward for those, who will do their own processes with every type of micro or pc. I rate this book with all stars.

I am working in surface phenomena and I needed to interpret data of ocillating drops. This book has allowed me to understand not only the fundamentals but also the appications of FFT. Highly recommended.