ENS3553/ENS6160 Signals and Systems – Sample Exam Questions

QUESTION 1 (12 marks)

A stamping machine applies hammering forces on metal sheets via

a die attached to the plunger. The plunger moves vertically up and
down via a flywheel spinning at a constant set speed.
The constant rotational speed of the flywheel makes the impact
force on the sheet metal, and therefore the supporting base,
intermittent and cyclic.
The heavy base on which the metal sheet is situated has a mass
M = 2000 kg. The base is supported by an elastic pad with an
equivalent spring constant 𝑘 = 2 × 105 N/m that is initially
depressed down by 0.1 m due to the weight of the metal sheet.
The differential equation describing this system is given as:
𝑑2 𝑥(𝑡)
2000 + 2 × 105 𝑥(𝑡) = 𝐹(𝑡)
𝑑𝑡
where 𝑥(𝑡) is the vertical displacement of the top of the elastic base and 𝐹(𝑡) is the driving force
induced by the rotating flywheel.

a) Determine the zero state response of this system

Note: 𝑦0 (𝑡) = 𝑐1 𝑒 𝜆1 𝑡 + 𝑐2 𝑒 𝜆2 𝑡 + ⋯ + 𝑐𝑁 𝑒 𝜆𝑁 𝑡 – distinct real characteristic roots
𝑦0 (𝑡) = (𝑐1 + 𝑐2 𝑡 + ⋯ + 𝑐𝑟 𝑡 𝑟−1 )𝑒 𝜆𝑡 – repeated real characteristic roots
𝑦0 (𝑡) = 𝑐𝑒 𝛼𝑡 cos(𝛽𝑡 + 𝜃) – complex characteristic roots

b) The intended driving force from the flywheel is 𝐹(𝑡) = 2000 sin(10𝑡), is this an
appropriate driving force to use for this system? Justify your answer, and explain your
anticipated response of the system. Would you recommend any adjustments to this system
before it is operated?

SOLUTION:

a) 𝑥0 (𝑡) = 0.1 cos(10𝑡)

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QUESTION 2 (12 marks)

Consider an LTI system with impulse response:

8
ℎ(𝑡) = sinc 2 (2𝑡)
𝜋
a) Determine an expression for the frequency response of this system.
b) Sketch the magnitude of this frequency response and describe what kind of system it is.
c) Based on this sketch determine the response of this system to the input:
−1 ∞
1 1
𝑥(𝑡) = ∑ 𝑒 𝑗𝑘𝑡 + 𝑒 𝑗0𝑡 + ∑ 𝑒 𝑗𝑘𝑡
𝑘 𝑘
𝑘=−∞ 𝑘=1

SOLUTION:

a) 4∆(𝜔/8)
b) Low pass filter with linear roll-off from a gain of 4 at DC to a gain of 0 at 4 rad/s:

𝐻(𝜔)
4

𝜔
–4 4

1 1
c) 𝑦(𝑡) = − 3 𝑒 −𝑗3𝑡 − 𝑒 −𝑗2𝑡 − 3𝑒 −𝑗𝑡 + 4 + 3𝑒 𝑗𝑡 + 𝑒 𝑗2𝑡 + 3 𝑒 𝑗3𝑡

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QUESTION 3 (12 marks)

A unit step applied to an LTI system at rest results in the response

𝑡𝑢(𝑡) (1 − 𝑒 −10𝑡 )𝑢(𝑡)

𝑦(𝑡) = −
2 20

a) Use the Laplace Transform to determine the transfer function of this system.
b) Determine the impulse response of the system.
c) What is the response of the system to x(t) = 2cos(10t)u(t).

SOLUTION:

a.
H s  
5
ss  10

b.
H s   u t   e10t u t 
1 1
2 2

c.
xt    
e  cos10t  sin 10t u t 
1 10t
20

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QUESTION 4 (12 marks)

The signal 𝑥(𝑡) = 𝑒 −4𝑡 𝑢(𝑡) is applied to a low-pass filter with transfer function H(s) = 1/(s+3).

a) What is the energy of 𝑥(𝑡)?

b) What percentage of this input signal energy appears at the output?

SOLUTION:

1
a) 𝐸𝑥 = 8

b) 4.76%

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QUESTION 5 (12 marks)

A 2nd-order DT LTI system is a part of a thickness-control system in a steel rolling mill, and is
characterised by the difference equation:
𝑦[𝑛] + 2𝑦[𝑛 − 1] + 0.2𝑦[𝑛 − 2] = 2𝑥[𝑛] − 𝑥[𝑛 − 1]
a) Determine the transfer function, H(z), of this system.
b) Is the system BIBO stable? Justify your answer.
c) Determine the zero-input response of this system if 𝑦[−1] = 𝑦[−2] = 0.5.

SOLUTION:

2𝑧 2 −𝑧
a) 𝐻(𝑧) = 𝑧 2 +2𝑧+0.2

b) BIBO unstable

c) 𝑦[𝑛] = [0.009(−0.106)𝑛 − 1.109(−1.894)𝑛 ]𝑢[𝑛]

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