In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to transform acquired data into transformed data using at least one transform selected from a plurality of transforms according to an optimization metric calculation that operates on single, fixed-length packets of the transformed data, and a preselected quality criterion threshold. Further activity may include transmitting an amplified version of an electrical signal in a geological formation, the electrical signal including the transformed data. The amplified version may be received, and further activity may include transforming the transformed data into an estimate of acquired data, the transforming using at least one transform selected from a plurality of transforms according to an optimization metric calculation that operates on single, fixed-length packets of the transformed data and/or the estimate, and a preselected quality criterion threshold. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.