Methods and systems are disclosed for signal processing. A method includes receiving a plurality of digitized coefficients determining a best-fit distribution of a general family of distributions for the plurality of digitized coefficients, and providing a characterization of the digitized coefficients based upon the determined best-fit distribution. The system includes a memory for storing computer program instructions and a processor in communication with the memory. The processor is operable to execute the computer program instructions to receive a plurality of digitized coefficients, determine a best-fit distribution of a general family of distributions for the plurality of digitized coefficients, and provide a characterization of the digitized coefficients based upon the determined best-fit distribution.