Book excerpt: Using a visual data analysis approach, wavelet concepts are explained in a way that is intuitive and easy to understand. Furthermore, in addition to wavelets, a whole range of related signal processing techniques such as wavelet packets, local cosine analysis, and matching pursuits are covered, and applications of wavelet analysis are illustrated -including nonparametric function estimation, digital image compression, and time-frequency signal analysis. This book and software package is intended for a broad range of data analysts, scientists, and engineers. While most textbooks on the subject presuppose advanced training in mathematics, this book merely requires that readers be familiar with calculus and linear algebra at the undergraduate level.