Introduction to

Signals and Systems

M. J. Roberts - All
Rights Reserved. Edited
 Signals and Systems
Defined
• A signal is any physical
phenomenon which conveys
information
• Systems respond to signals and
produce new signals
• Excitation signals are applied
at system inputs and response
signals are produced at system
outputs

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A Communication System
as a System Example
• A communication system has an
information signal plus noise
signals
• This is an example of a system
that consists of an
interconnection of smaller
systems

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Signal Types

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 Conversions Between
Signal Types

Sampling

Quantizing

Encoding

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Message Encoded in
ASCII

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 Noisy Message Encoded
in ASCII

Progressively
noisier
signals

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 Bit Recovery in a
Digital Signal Using
Filtering

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 Image Filtering to Aid
Perception
Original X-Ray Image
Filtered X-Ray Image

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 Discrete-Time Systems
iscrete-time system events occur at points in time
n those points. The most important example is a di
er. Significant events occur at the end of each cl
and nothing of significance (to the computer user)
n those points in time.

te-time systems can be described by difference (not

ential) equations. Let a discrete-time system gene
tion signal y[n] where n is the number of discrete-
als that have elapsed since some beginning time n =
for example a simple discrete-time system might be
bed by

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 Discrete-Time Systems
The equation

words

nal value at any time n is 1.97 times the signal va

time [n -1] minus the signal value at the time bef
”
ow the signal value at any two times, we can comput
all other (discrete) times. This is quite similar
rder differential equation for which knowledge of t
ent initial conditions allows us to find the soluti
the solution methods are very similar.

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 Discrete-Time Systems
could solve this equation by iteration using a comp
yn = 1 ; yn1 = 0 ; Initial Conditions
while 1,
yn2 = yn1 ; yn1 = yn ; yn = 1.97*yn1 - yn2 ;
end

We could also describe the system

with a block diagram.

“ D” means delay one unit in discrete

ime.)

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 Discrete-Time Systems
the initial conditions y[1] = 1 and y[0] = 0 the r

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 Feedback Systems
dback system the response of the system is “ fed ba
ined with the excitation is such a way as to optimi
onse in some desired sense. Examples of feedback
are
rature control in a house using a thermostat
level control in the tank of a flush toilet.
ng a glass of lemonade to the top of the glass with
lowing.
rigerator ice maker that keeps the bin full of ice
oes not make extra ice.
ng a car.

systems can be continuous-time or discrete-time

ture of the two.
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 Feedback Systems
is an example of a discrete-time feedback system.
se y[n] is fed back through two delays and gains b
mbined with the excitation x[n]. Different values
c can create dramatically different responses to th
tion.

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 Feedback Systems
onses to an excitation that changes from 0 to 1 at

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Sound Recording System

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 Recorded Sound as a
Signal Example
• “ s” “ i ” “ gn” “ al”

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