ranchi the importance of signals could not be undermined in todays technologydriven world from mobile communication to biomedical diagnostics like ct scan and ecg and from satellite imagery to weather forecast to simulationbased testing of missiles it is signals alone that provide the key to mysteries understanding the importance of signals the department of electronics and communication engineering of birla institute of technology threw open its gates for a shortterm course on signal processing and its applications the course is being taken up by around 24 candidates who include undergrads and researchers as well course coordinator mahesh chandra told toi that the shortterm course is intended to highlight the theoretical and practical aspects of signal processing in recent years signal processing is being taught as a core subject to btech and mtech students of electronics and communication engineering electrical and electronics engineering computer science engineering and information technology the digital signal processors and techniques are extensively used in almost all types of industries many research laboratories of the country are also using the latest dsp tools and processors he said adding that this encouraged the institute to offer theoretical and practical concepts of signal processing while btech and mtech students have enrolled on the weeklong course beginning december 24 to have an experience of the fundamentals of signal processing senior researchers have joined it to look for new wings of research chandra said the research outcome largely depends on correct interpretations of signals and their processing methodology we get signals from satellites in case of satellite imagery and unless they are plotted in the correct perspective and cross matched with the reality they could mislead the researchers he said citing example of vegetation cover which is photographed from the space and then interpreted medical science would be rendered helpless unless the modern diagnostic tools are used and their signals processed in the right way he said the laboratory at bit is equipped to conduct studies on simulation technology which reduces the burden of visiting the field to collect and interpret data