As a general and rigid mathematical tool, wavelet theory has found many applications and is constantly developing. This article reviews the development history of wavelet theory, from the construction method to the discussion of wavelet properties. Then it focuses on the design and expansion of wavelet transform. The main models and algorithms of wavelet transform are discussed. The construction of rational wavelet transform (RWT) is provided by examples emphasizing the advantages of RWT over traditional wavelet transform through a review of the literature. The combination of wavelet theory and neural networks is one of the key points of the review. The review covers the evolution of Wavelet Neural Network (WNN), the system architecture and...