Evaluation of Output of an LTI System Using

Convolution
Avishekh Shrestha
072BCT507
Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering
Pulchowk Campus
Lalitpur,Nepal
072bct507.avishekh@pcampus.edu.np

Abstract—This experiment focuses on the Digital Signal
Processing technique, Convolution and its application in the
evaluation of the output of a linear, time-invariant continuous-
time system. The experiment illustrates this signal processing
technique by the convolution of an input signal and an
exponential response signal to give the output signal and
analyses the result by plotting the waveforms of input signal,
impulse response as well as the output signal.
Initially, the characteristics of the two signals were studied by
plotting the waveforms of the two signals. Then the convolution
integral was calculated. The convolution integral was then calculated
for varying time-shifts and the integral evaluated at a particular
instance of time-shift gave the value of system output y(t) at that
time instance. Continuing this for all values of time in the continuous
time interval, we get the values of y(t) at each instance of time and
ultimately obtain the definition of the system output signal.

I. INTRODUCTION IV. CODE

Convolution is the process of combining two signals to form a
resulting third signal. In Linear, time-invariant continuous
system, the output signal y(t) is related to the input signal x(t) tmin=0;
by a convolution integral, which is the integral of the product of tmax=4;
the input signal and the flipped and time-shifted impulse dt=0.01;
response. If the impulse response of an LTI system is known, t= tmin:dt:tmax;
then output for any input signal can be evaluated by finding the
convolution integral. x1 = exp(-0.7*t).*(t >=0 & t<=2);
x2 = exp(0.7*t).*(t >=2 & t<=4);

II. THEORY
x3 = conv(x1,x2);
In an LTI system with input f(t) and impulse response g(t), we
get the output y(t) as follows: n3 = length(x3);
t1= 0:1:n3-1;

subplot(3,1,1);
plot(t,x1);
xlabel('time(t)');
ylabel('x1(t)');
Here, * is the convolution operator. title('signal x1(t)');
An impulse response of an LTI system is the output of the
system when the input is d(t) where d(t) is the unit impulse subplot(3,1,2);
signal also called the delta function. Convolution operation on plot(t,x2);
two signals mainly involves time inversion and time shifting of xlabel('time(t)');
one signal and the continuous-time integral of the product of the ylabel('x2(t)');
flipped and shifted signal with the second signal. title('signal x2(t)');

III. CONVOLUTION OF TWO SIGNALS subplot(3,1,3);

A. Observation plot(t1,x3);
The signals under experimentation in this lab are: xlabel('time(t)');
1. Exponential decay function which is the input ylabel('x3(t)');
signal to the system. title('signal x3(t)');

x1(t) = e-0.7t 0<t<2

2. Exponential increase function which is the
impulse response of the system.

x2(t) = e-0.7t 0<t<2

C. Graph
V. CONCLUSION
In this experiment to study the convolution of signals, it was concluded
that the output of an LTI system can be calculated by convolution
integral if its impulse response is known and an input signal is
provided.

VI. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to express my thankfulness to my respected teacher
Dr. Nanda Bikram Adhikari for providing with the opportunity to
self-study and analyze the signal properties in MATLAB.
Moreover, I would also like to be thankful to my friends for
helping me whenever I got problems during this lab.

VII. REFERENCES
Figure 1: Input Signal
[1] Kreyszig,E., “Advanced Engineering Mathematics” Wiley, New
York, pp. 522-526, Feb 2018
[2]“https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/fft.html”Access
ed on Jan 2018.Online

Figure 2: Input Signal

Figure 3: Output Signal