Yesterday MenuetOS released a kernel update that includes Fourier
transform, sinc and resampling. Fourier transform is significant in that it
allow for more efficient computation and is essential for high speed
computing.Fourier transform is used in a myriad of fields, from engineering,
telecommunications to electronics and other. Some real world examples
include radiation (cat scan) and audio (analogue to digital) processing.
A Rudimentary explanation what Fourier transform is that it takes an complex
signal like sound or radiation (for example cat scan) and breaks the complex
function of the real variable into another time stamped variable that is
easier to process and analyse by a computer.
Earlier updates of MenuetOS also include a media player, digital TV and
multi-processor support.
What a definition of a Fourier transform…
For simplicity, let’s say it’s a way to look at signal in a different way. We normally look at it as a function of time: a song plays as time pass by. But you could look at it in the “frequency domain”, meaning you look how much of each frequency is present in all of the signal/music. A Fourier transform let you go from one perspective to the other.
I love this little OS, glad to see it’s still going with new features.
… as opposed to the vast field of slow speed computing?
Edited 2010-10-04 23:47 UTC
Many kernel developers assign syscall numbers sequentially in the order that they implement the corresponding features. Hence Linux and Syllable kernel’s syscall #0 is “read()” followed by #1 “write()” – basic console IO. MenuetOS syscall #0 is “Define and draw window”. Shows their priorities right from the outset!
Other MenuetOS syscalls include “Drag’n’drop”, “Window skinning” and “3D api”.
MenuetOS syscall list: http://www.menuetos.net/syscall.txt
I wish I had not seen that file.
Talk about building a house by buying the furniture first. Ugh…
I don’t think the author has any clue what a Fourier transform is.
Interesting they put this in the kernel. So frankly, what’s it doing there? fourier transforms are nice utilities for signal analysis, but in the OS? Or this just means they added fourier transforms to their standard library?
AFAICT Menuet doesn’t have standard libraries in the traditional sense; everything, including GUI code, is ‘in the kernel’ and accessed through the same syscall interface. Another way of putting it would be that the standard library is accessed through the same interface as traditional low-level kernel functions, so from an app’s POV there is no difference.
Edited 2010-10-05 07:53 UTC
That is a horrible, horrible idea. IMHO.
As opposed to writing the whole os in ASM?
That compounds it even further.
I understand it is a hobby OS, and as such more power to the people doing it. But they already had put a nail in the coffin with those decisions.
People who don’t learn from history… yadda yadda. Alas, it is their time, so they can do with it as they wish. And from a technical stand point I am sure they’re gaining some nice experience and insights. Which to me is the most important aspects of these type of projects.
Correction to your premises: FFT is available _also_ as a system call. And as a system call, you have a very nice and easy to access tool available for signal processing applications.
Edited 2010-10-07 12:40 UTC
Dont think the commentor has any idea what “rudimentary” means. If you’re looking for white papers look elsewhere.