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Hitherto communication theory was based on two alternative methods of signal analysis. One is the description function of time; the other is Fourier analysis. Both are idealizations, as the first method operates with sharply d time, the second with infinite wave-trains of rigorously defined frequencies. But our everyday experiences-esp sensations-insist on a description in terms of both time and frequency. In the present paper this point of view i quantitative language. Signals are represented in two dimensions, with time and frequency as coordinates. Such representations can be called "information diagrams," as areas in them are proportional to the number of indep they can convey. This is a consequence of the fact that the frequency of a signal which is not of infinite duration with a certain inaccuracy, which is inversely proportional to the duration, and vice versa. This "uncertainty relat method of description, intermediate between the two extremes of time analysis and spectral analysis. There are signals" which occupy the smallest possible area in the information diagram. They are harmonic oscillations mo "probability pulse." Each elementary signal can be considered as conveying exactly one datum, or one "quantum Theory of communication. Part 1: The analysis of information References (15) Cited By (163) Supplementary material (0) Keywords Related C Article

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tIn the original paper the factor was V2n instead of 2Vn, so that l appears in equation 1 instead of nnity. The present choice Ia more advantageous for a direct comparison with quantum theory.

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