Introduction to Signal Processing

Course information

Learning outcomes

After completing this course students

• can explain basic terminology and concepts in digital signal processing (DSP)
• can explain the functioning of basic building blocks of practical DSP systems and design simple systems using them
• can explain basic concepts of Fourier or frequency-domain representation of signals
• understand mathematical and practical aspects within design of digital filters
• can use a computer language (such as Matlab or Python) for solving basic signal processing tasks
• are able to identify real-world signal processing problems

Content

Principles of digital filtering: difference equations and transfer functions; Design of FIR and IIR filters; Spatial filters; Applications of signal processing.

Teacher

Filip Elvander

Study material

Lecture slides and handouts. See course page.

Workload

Lectures, exercises, exams

Prerequisites

Recommended prerequisites: ELEC-A7200 Signals and Systems or equivalent knowledge

Evaluation

Exam, exercises, homework assignments

Teaching time and location

The teaching time and the location of the course can be found at Sisu information system

1. The link leads to Completion methods tab of the course page
2. From the top of the page (Version drop-down menu), check that academic year 2025-2026 is selected  

3. From the blue bar, click Lecture and open the Groups and teaching times tab to see the teaching time and the location of the course. Exam times can be seen by clicking Exam.
    

   Exam instructions at the Open University

The teacher has four (4) weeks to grade the exam submissions starting from the exam date.

Further information

Equivalences to other courses: ELEC-C5230 Digital Signal Processing Basics; T-61.3015 Digitaalinen signaalinkäsittely ja suodatus; T-61.3010 Digitaalinen signaalinkäsittely ja suodatus

Online learning environment for the course  

MyCourses online learning environment is a tool for both students and teachers for communication and managing everyday course work. You need an Aalto User ID to log in to the course's MyCourses workspace and participate in teaching.

Digital workspace of the course:
MyCourses

More details on completing the course will be available at MyCourses closer to the start of the course.

Registration and course fee

Registration for Open University courses is done via the link below: 
Course registration

Registration for this course starts on 26.1.2026 at 9.00  
Registration for this course ends on 23.2.2026 at 23.59

It is not possible to register before the registration period has started or after it has ended.

The number of participants is limited to 5.

This course is organized by the Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering.

The course fee is paid upon registration for each course at a time and it is binding. Familiarize yourself with registration and payment rules as well as other guidelines for students:
Registration, payments and rules

Activating Aalto ID and Multifactor Authentication

You can activate your Aalto User ID the day after the registration and you should activate it no later than the day before the start of the course.
Instructions for activating your Aalto user ID

Once you have activated your Aalto user ID, also enable multifactor authentication. Some of Aalto University's services require multifactor authentication.

Instructions for using Multifactor Authentication