An effective blend of carefully explained theory and practical applications, this text imparts the fundamentals
of both information theory and data compression. Although the two topics are related, this unique text allows either
topic to be presented independently, and it was specifically designed so that the data compression section requires
no prior knowledge of information theory.
The treatment of information theory, while theoretical and abstract, is quite elementary, making this text less
daunting than many others. After presenting the fundamental definitions and results of the theory, the authors
then apply the theory to memoryless, discrete channels with zeroth-order, one-state sources.
The chapters on data compression acquaint students with a myriad of lossless compression methods and then introduce
two lossy compression methods. Students emerge from this study competent in a wide range of techniques. The authors'
presentation is highly practical but includes some important proofs, either in the text or in the exercises, so
instructors can, if they choose, place more emphasis on the mathematics.
Introduction to Information Theory and Data Compression, Second Edition is ideally suited for an upper-level or
graduate course for students in mathematics, engineering, and computer science.
Features:
Expanded discussion of the historical and theoretical basis of information theory that builds a firm, intuitive
grasp of the subject
Reorganization of theoretical results along with new exercises, ranging from the routine to the more difficult,
that reinforce students' ability to apply the definitions and results in specific situations.
Simplified treatment of the algorithm(s) of Gallager and Knuth
Discussion of the information rate of a code and the trade-off between error correction and information rate
Treatment of probabilistic finite state source automata, including basic results, examples, references, and
exercises
Octave and MATLAB image compression codes included in an appendix for use with the exercises and projects involving
transform methods
Supplementary materials, including software, available for download from the authors' Web site at www.dms.auburn.edu/compression