Multifractal analysis of complex signals

This paper presents the foundations of the continuous wavelet-transform-based multifractal analysis theory and the information necessary for its practical application. It explains generalizations of a multifractal concept to irregular functions, better known as the method of wavelet transform modulus maxima; it investigates the benefits and limitations of this technique in the analysis of complex signals; and it discusses the efficiency of the multifractal formalism in the investigation of nonstationary processes and short signals. The paper also considers the effects of the loss of multifractality in the dynamics of various systems.