Information for Authors-SPM

Information for Authors - SPM

SPM is the Signal Processing Society (SPS) magazine received by every society member bimonthly. Different from other publications that focus on new research results, SPM publishes tutorial articles with comprehensive surveys of important theories, algorithms, tools, and applications related to signal processing. Each issue includes articles from three main categories -- special issue articles, feature articles, and columns/forums articles. Papers in a special issue are focused on a central theme in a mature, critical area that is interesting to a broad audience. Feature articles address relevant subjects related to general signal processing fields of interest. Papers in columns and forums focus on a wide range of topics in digital signal processing and are divided in categories with different objectives and dynamics.

Due to its specific focus, IEEE Signal Processing Magazine submission process is very different in contrast to most other journals. Please strictly follow the guidelines for the different paper categories detailed below. To avoid direct rejection without review and for choosing the right category, especially inside Columns and Forums, we encourage authors to first contact the area editors (visit the Editorial page) to discuss their proposals.

ORCID IDs

All IEEE journals require an Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) for all authors. ORCID is a persistent unique identifier for researchers and functions similarly to an article’s Digital Object Identifier (DOI). The author will need a registered ORCID in order to submit a manuscript or review a proof in this journal.

Sections of this page

1. SPM Paper Categories - briefly presents the SPM different paper format.
2. Submission Guidelines - provides details for each categories, especially on the contents of feature article white paper and special issue proposals.
3. Full Paper Page Specifications - provides rules for page, figure and reference numbers, of the full papers in each category.
4. Additionnal Ressources - provides links to guidelines (in pdf) and a few templates (LateX and Word).

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1. SPM Paper Categories

1.1. What is a tutorial article?

A tutorial paper should present a systematic introduction of fundamental theories, common practices, and applications in a well defined, reasonably matured, or emerging area, preferably an area that is of interest to readers from multiple fields in signal processing.

The tutorial article, either as a feature article or as an article in a special issue of SPM, should cover the history, the state of the art, and the future directions, and include a limited and relevant selection of references - instead to an exhaustive list. Prospective authors should avoid making a common mistake in covering only their own work or presenting a narrow and biased view. They should also avoid confusing tutorial papers with transactions-style papers, the latter of which usually present new research results or a focused overview specialized in one single technical field. A tutorial paper should be understandable by a non-expert across different fields in signal processing. Therefore, the authors are advised to minimize the use of complicated equations if possible, and instead use layman's terms and illustrations.

1.2. What is a special issue?

A special issue comprises multiple, interrelated tutorials that provide a comprehensive coverage of a specific topic of interest to the signal processing community. It is proposed and managed - if the proposal is accepted - by a team of Guest Editors.

1.3. What is a feature article?

A feature article is a tutorial paper submitted by prospective authors without responding to any call for papers for special issues. Accepted feature articles are published whenever the review process is completed and the magazine has adequate page capacity, without using a fixed special issue structure.

1.4. What is a column paper?

A column is an article, either technical or non-technical (depending on the column's profile) that addresses a specific topic of special interests to the general SPS reader. There are several columns in the magazine, and a column paper should be submitted to the column where the paper fits best.

1.5. What is a forum paper?

A forum paper is the result of an open discussion with several experts. The structure of a forum paper is different from that of the papers mentioned above, as it consists of comments and responses of the participants on several aspects within the topic of discussion.

2. Submission Guidelines

Please note, this is a summary of the submission guidelines. Detailed guidelines can be found in the documents available under “Additional Ressources” at the bottom of this page.

To submit a special issue or a feature article proposal or idea, prospective guest editors or authors are encouraged to contact the corresponding Area Editors or the Associate Editors, (refer to the Editorial page) and to strictly follow to the guidelines. The submission process consists of 2 steps, as noted below.

Step 1

• A proposal of up to 10 single column double-spaced pages, 11 point font size, for specials issues (A link to template is available in Section 4 - Additional Ressources);
• A white paper of up to 5 single column double-spaced pages, 11 point font size, for feature articles (A link to template is available in Section 4 - Additional Ressources);
• A first exchange by email with the area editors for Columns and Forums, especially for choosing the right category (For Lecture Notes and Tips and Tricks categories, a link to templates is available in Section 4 - Additional Ressources).

Step 2

• The second step is the submission of the full paper, after acceptance of the proposal, of the white paper, or after agreement with Area Editors for Columns and Forums.

2.1. Special Issues

Submission of a proposal. Individuals interested in organizing a special issue as guest editors must submit the proposal in ScholarOne. Before submitting, they are encouraged to contact the Area Editor of Special Issues (refer to the Editorial page) and explain their idea. The proposal (up to 10 double-spaced single column pages, 11 point font size) should include sufficient information and clear evidence addressing the following (a link to a template is available in "Section 4 - Additional Ressources", at the bottom of the page):

• Motivation, timeliness, and importance of the topic (e.g., recent activities in conferences, research projects, and funding programs);
• Qualification, track records, and broad representation of the proposed guest editors (GEs). Include short bios of each proposing GE and a selection of publications related to the proposal;
• A tentative list of potential authors;
• A tentative list of topics covered in the special issue;
• Relation to any recent special issues published or planned for publication in SPM or other journals/transactions/magazines;
• A tentative schedule of submission and review, with date of final manuscript;
• A tentative Call For Papers (1 page), including a short description of the special issue, the main topics of interest, the guest editors, and the tentative schedule;
• References.

Proposers are encouraged to include a team of 3-5 GEs with a broad representation from different organizations and countries. Proposals with overlap with any topic covered recently or in the near future in SPM or other publications are discouraged. The list of recent topics covered by SPM is available on the SPS website Special Issues page. View all other previous issues. Sample proposals for special issues are available upon request. Recent examples of Call For Papers, especially useful for the tentative schedule, can be found on the web.

The proposal must be submitted through Scholar One. It will be reviewed by the SPM Editorial board, and the decision is usually based on 8 to 10 reviews.

After the Special Issue proposal has been accepted, the first step is an open call for papers. Review of papers submitted to a special issue (SI) involves two stages -- white papers and full manuscripts. A SI white paper is strictly no more than five (5) pages long, including the following components (a template is available in "Section 4 - Additional Ressources"):

• Name of the special issue
• Title
• The author list, contact information, and short bio for each author
• Motivation, and significance of the topic
• An outline of the proposed paper
• References

Each white paper for a Special Issue will be reviewed by the Guest Editors and some members of the SPM Editorial Board. Upon white paper approval, the authors will be invited to write a full manuscript (see page specifications in Section 3 and template in Section 4). Positive reviews of the white paper and invitation for submitting a full manuscript should not be interpreted as acceptance of the full manuscript.

The review of submitted papers (at most 3 in a SI) co-authored by members of the GE team  is managed by a Senior Member of the SPM Editorial Board for avoiding conflict of interest.

2.2. Feature Articles

Individuals interested in submitting a survey/tutorial article (not part of a Special Issue) must submit a white paper outlining the content of the proposed article to the Area Editor for Feature Articles (refer to the Editorial page) via the ScholarOne Manuscripts web submission system. A white paper is strictly no more than five (5) pages long, including the following components (a template is available in "Section 4 - Additional Ressources"):

• Title
• The author list, contact information, and short bio for each author
• History, motivation, and significance of the topic
• An outline of the proposed paper
• References
• A tentative timetable

Each white paper will be reviewed by the editorial board, and the decision is usually based on 8 to 10 reviews. Upon white paper approval, the authors will prepare a full manuscript (see page specifications in Section 3), which will undergo a peer review process determining acceptance or rejection of the manuscript. Positive reviews of the white paper and invitation for submitting a full manuscript should not be interpreted as acceptance of the full manuscript. It is very important that prospective authors adopt a systematic approach to comprehensive and balanced coverage of all important issues, rather than only focusing on their own work.

2.3. Columns and Forums

For selecting the right category in Columns, authors are invited to first contact the Area Editors for Columns and Forum (refer to the Editorial page). Then, to submit an article for any column of the magazine, please upload the manuscript to the ScholarOne Manuscripts Web submission system. During submission, please include a short letter to the Area Editor for Columns and Forums indicating the name of the column for the submission.

To organize and moderate a forum, please follow these steps:

1. Email the associate editor(s) responsible of forums, informing of your submission.
2. Alternatively or concurrently, email the Area Editor of Columns and Forums (refer to the Editorial page). In your email, specify:
   • the title of the forum
   • issues to be discussed and/or debated
   • the panelists to be invited
   • the proposed format for the forum (on-line/off-line, open to public input/limited to invited panelists).

For some categories of Columns and Forums papers, templates are available in Section 4.

3. Full Paper Page Specifications

After acceptance of your white paper, you will be authorized to submit the full paper, following specifications depending of each category.

• Special issue article: For each paper in the special issue, up to 20 single column double-spaced pages, 11 point font size, including figures, tables and references. The total number of figures and tables may be up to 10 (sub-figures in (a), (b), (c), etc. counted separately). The total number of references may be up to 30. There should be at least 1.25" margin on left and right sides, and 1" margin from top and bottom. The figures and tables should be placed in the center of the column, and not tightly embedded into the text column. For some special issues, the page limit may be even less if more papers are included. In any event, check with the guest editors before writing the full manuscript.

• Feature article: Up to 40 double-spaced pages, 11 point font size, including figures, tables and references. The total number of figures up to 15 (sub-figures in (a), (b), (c), etc. counted separately) and the total number of references up to 50. There should be at least 1.25" margin on left and right sides, and 1" margin from top and bottom. The figures and tables should be placed in the center of the column, and not tightly embedded into the text column.

• Column paper: For most columns, up to 10 pages with 1.5 pt spacing, 12 point font size, including up to 4 figures, up to 12 references and (for some columns) the short bios of the authors. For columns in the News category, up to 2000 words including 1 or 2 figures and up to 5 references. For most columns in the Resources category, up to 2200 words.

• Forum paper: Up to 12 pages, 1.5 pt spacing, 12 pt font size, including the short bios of the forums participants.

Formatting for Biographies (less than 150 words)

//Author Name// //(email address)// received his/her //highest degree// in //area// from //institution//. [Do not need to list the year but can use it if it is provided. OK to list location if provided but not required.] He/she is a //role// at //institution, city/state/postal code/country//. //Last name// serves as a //role// on //related publication or Society//. [List 2-3 major awards.] //His/her// research interests include //3-5//. //Last name// is a //IEEE membership level// (if applicable).

Sample bio:
Author Name (author email address) received his B.S. degree from the Insert College Name and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from University Name. He was a postdoctoral researcher at the Company Name and is now a job position at University/Company Name, University/Company City, State, Postal Code, Country. He is a recipient of the Insert Your Award Name Prize. His research focuses on the design, analysis, and implementation of algorithms for large-scale nonlinear optimization problems. He is a Member of IEEE.

4. Additional Resources

4.1. Guidelines

The following guidelines provide more details about the procedures for submitting different publications in IEEE Signal Processing Magazine.

• Guidelines for Special Issue Guest Editors
• Guidelines for Manuscript Submission Feature and Special Issue Articles
• SPM Columns and Forums Descriptions

4.2. Instructions & Templates

• Special Issue Proposal - (LaTeX document)
• White paper for feature articles (LaTeX document)
• White paper for Special Issue (LaTeX document)

"Tips & Tricks" Column Articles

• Instructions on submitting "Tips & Tricks" column articles
• Tips and Tricks Articles - LaTeX Templates (zip file)
• Tips and Tricks Articles - Word Templates (zip file)

"Lecture Notes" Column Articles

• Instructions on submitting "Lecture Notes" column articles
• Lecture Notes Articles - LaTeX Templates (zip file)
• Lecture Notes Articles - Word Templates (zip file)