March 2020

Linear time-invariant (LTI) systems play a fundamental role in signal processing. Continuity is an important property of LTI systems, without which many conclusions about LTI systems, such as convolution formula and commutative law, are not true in general. However, this concept does not receive as much attention as it should in the literature of signal processing.

The Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) is an International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) working group that develops media coding standards. These standards include a set of ontologies for the codification of intellectual property rights (IPR) information related to media.

Cache-aided communications have shown potential for substantial improvement in network performance, which goes far beyond that of traditional caching. Traditional caching (i.e., the bringing and storing of data closer to the end users) is only efficient when a significant portion of the popular files can be locally stored.

A new generation of exponentially more intelligent and capable robots is on the way, helped along by talented and imaginative engineers and heavy doses of signal processing. In fields spanning almost every aspect of human professional and personal life, robots are ready to perform tasks faster, better, and more efficiently than their human counterparts. Even major sports organizations are now looking into the possibility of replacing human referees and umpires with robot arbiters.

After more than two years, my term as editor-in-chief (EIC) of IEEE Signal Processing Magazine (SPM) is coming to an end in December 2020. I am looking forward to finishing out this year with a bang. Soon, the search will start for my replacement. In this editorial, I will provide a summary of the EIC’s job from my perspective, in case you are interested in applying.