Description: The signal processing of geophysical measurements is fraught with sources of pitfalls and error that can ultimately compromise the value of the analysis that we are attempting. We always start by trying to represent an analogue signal in a digital form. Various forms of filtering are then attempted on the now digitised signal; often to separate the desired signal from either unwanted signal or noise. The course will deal with the chain of processes associated with signal processing from a basic understanding of the physics of the analogue signal that we are measuring, through digital sampling theory and into digital signal processing. One dimensional through to multi-dimensional filtering will be described. The course will span ten sessions and will include lectures, discussions and practical exercises. Each session will last two hours and will begin with a lecture followed by a practical exercise. Homework will be set and attendees will present their results at the beginning of the next session. MATLAB will be used to illustrate and test the concepts presented in the course, and for the practical exercises. Attendees should come to each session with MATLAB installed on their PC/Mac.

Objectives: The principal objective of the course is to provide attendees with an understanding of how to measure and manipulate digital forms of geophysical analogue signals appropriately; from understanding the physics of the analogue signal, through the impact of the measurement device and recording instrument on the signal and into its digital form. Methods of further digital manipulation will be taught, in particular filtering of various types and the appropriate choice of parameters. Attendees should leave the course being more aware of how digital sampling and processing of signals can affect their data. They should be more capable of avoiding pitfalls and errors, and become more able to deliver accurate analyses and interpretations of their data.