The classical theory of Fourier series deals with decomposition of a function into sinusoidal waves. Unlike these continuous waves the Vilenkin (Walsh) functions are rectangular waves. Such waves have already been used frequently in the theory of signal transmission, multiplexing, filtering, image enhancement, code theory, digital signal processing and pattern recognition. The development of the theory of Vilenkin-Fourier series has been strongly influenced by the classical theory of trigonometric series. Because of this it is inevitable to compare results of Vilenkin-Fourier series to those on trigonometric series. There are many similarities between these theories, but there exist differences also. Much of these can be explained by modern abstract harmonic analysis, which studies orthonormal systems from the point of view of the structure of a topological group.

The classical theory of Fourier series deals with decomposition of a function into sinusoidal waves. Unlike these continuous waves the Vilenkin (Walsh) functions are rectangular waves. Such waves have already been used frequently in the theory of signal transmission, multiplexing, filtering, image enhancement, code theory, digital signal processing and pattern recognition. The development of the theory of Vilenkin-Fourier series has been strongly influenced by the classical theory of trigonometric series. Because of this it is inevitable to compare results of Vilenkin-Fourier series to those on trigonometric series. There are many similarities between these theories, but there exist differences also. Much of these can be explained by modern abstract harmonic analysis, which studies orthonormal systems from the point of view of the structure of a topological group.

The classical theory of Fourier series deals with decomposition of a function into sinusoidal waves. Unlike these continuous waves the Vilenkin (Walsh) functions are rectangular waves. Such waves have already been used frequently in the theory of signal transmission, multiplexing, filtering, image enhancement, code theory, digital signal processing and pattern recognition. The development of the theory of Vilenkin-Fourier series has been strongly influenced by the classical theory of trigonometric series. Because of this it is inevitable to compare results of Vilenkin-Fourier series to those on trigonometric series. There are many similarities between these theories, but there exist differences also. Much of these can be explained by modern abstract harmonic analysis, which studies orthonormal systems from the point of view of the structure of a topological group.