HOMEWORK 1

1. The I/P to a system is

qi = sin(2t) + 0.3sin(20t) (1)
The I/P is given to a first order system of time constant 0.2 s. Plot the steady state
O/P. Now say the time constant is 0.002 seconds, and then what would the steady
state O/P be ? Which of the O/Ps is close to the I/P and why ?

2. Interest in Amplitude Modulated (AM) signals stems mainly from two considerattions.

• Physical data that are to be measured and interpreted sometimes are amplitude
modulated.
• Certain type of measurement system intentionally introduce amplitude modula-
tion for one or more benefits. Consider the case below.

• If a signal m(t) has spectrum M(f) what is the spectrum of the amplitude modu-
lated signal s(t) = m(t)cos(ωc t)
• To measure easily and record very small voltages from strain gauges requires a
high gain amplifier. A high gain amplifier is easier to build at high frequencies than
at DC. However the strain is static, and your amplifier has a center frequency of
3000 Hz. How would you use amplitude modulation to your benefit here ? Design
the entire system, with filters etc.

3. A first-order pressure sensor must meet the following dynamic response specifications.

• At least 95 % accuracy within 0.05 s after a step I/P.

• Steady-state error of no more than 2 psi for a ramp I/P of 100 psi/s.
• Amplitude accuracy no worse than 90 % for a sine wave I/P of frequency 20 Hz.

Find the largest allowable time constant.