Visual Wavelet-Lab: An object-oriented library and a GUI application for the study of the wavelet transform

• Published in: Computer applications in engineering education Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 23 - 32
• Main Authors: Roselló, Emilio G., Dacosta, Jacinto G., Lado, María J., Méndez, Arturo J., Sampedro, José, Cota, Manuel P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.03.2014
• Subjects: computer-assisted education; Education; Matlab applications; usability; wavelets
• ISSN: 1061-3773; 1099-0542
• DOI: 10.1002/cae.20524

In this work, we present Visual Wavelet‐Lab, a software application that offers object‐oriented library and a graphical user interface (GUI) to learn and apply wavelet transforms to one‐ and two‐dimensional signals. The solution described is based on encapsulating and reusing the proprietary environment Matlab and the corresponding Wavelet Toolbox. This will allow for developing custom user applications, with well‐defined and specific characteristics, aimed at learning the wavelet transform and applications. Since functionality is reused, and therefore it has not to be implemented, we gain the possibility to build in powerful and ad hoc tools for teaching and investigating, in a short term and at low costs. The application developed was presented to several users and evaluated in terms of usability. The results obtained are encouraging and indicate that using Visual Wavelet‐Lab can be a useful tool for educational purposes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 22: 23–32, 2014