Lecture 1

ELE 301: Signals and Systems

Prof. Paul Cuff

Princeton University

Fall 2011-12

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 1 / 45

Course Overview

Time-Series Representation of Signals

Typically think of a signal as a “time series”, or a sequence of values
in time
f(t)

Useful for saying what is happening at a particular time

Not so useful for capturing the overall characteristics of the signal.

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 2 / 45

Idea 1: Frequency Domain Representation of Signals

Represent signal as a combination of sinusoids

1

Amplitude
0.1 sin(ω1t)
0

!1
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Time, t
1
0.7 sin(ω2t)
Amplitude

!1
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Time, t
1
0.2 sin(ω3t)
Amplitude

!1
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Time, t
1
Amplitude

!1
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Time, t

f (t) = 0.1 sin(ω1t) + 0.7 sin(ω2t) + 0.2 sin(ω3t)

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 3 / 45

This example is mostly a sinusoid at frequency ω2 , with small
contributions from sinusoids at frequencies ω1 and ω3 .
I Very simple representation (for this case).
I Not immediately obvious what the value is at any particular time.

Why use frequency domain representation?

I Simpler for many types of signals (AM radio signal, for example)
I Many systems are easier to analyze from this perspective (Linear
Systems).
I Reveals the fundamental characteristics of a system.

Rapidly becomes an alternate way of thinking about the world.

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 4 / 45

Demonstration: Piano Chord
You are already a high sophisticated system for performing spectral
analysis!

Listen to the piano chord. You hear several notes being struck, and
fading away. This is waveform is plotted below:
0.3

0.2

0.1
Amplitude

−0.1

−0.2

−0.3

−0.4
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
Time, seconds

0.2

0.1
Amplitude

−0.1

−0.2
0.7 0.71 0.72 0.73 0.74 0.75 0.76 0.77 0.78 0.79 0.8
Time, seconds

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 5 / 45

The time series plot shows the time the chord starts, and its decay,
but it is difficult tell what the notes are from the waveform.

If we represent the waveform as a sum of sinusoids at different

frequencies, and plot the amplitude at each frequency, the plot is
much simpler to understand.
40

30
Magnitude

20

10

0
−5000 −4000 −3000 −2000 −1000 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
Frequency, Hz

40

30
Magnitude

20

10

0
0 500 1000 1500
Frequency, Hz

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 6 / 45

Idea 2: Linear Systems are Easy to Analyze for Sinusoids

Example: We want to predict what will happen when we drive a car over a
curb. The curb can be modelled as a “step” input. The dynamics of the
car are governed by a set of differential equations, which are hard to solve
for an arbitrary input (this is a linear system).

Input: Curb Car Dynamics Output

Differential ?
Equations

Hard to Solve Directly

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 7 / 45

After transforming the input and the differential equations into the
frequency domain,

Input: Curb Car Dynamics Output

Differential
Equations

Frequency Frequency
Transfer
Domain Function Domain
Input Output
Easy to Solve,
Multiplication Frequency
Domain

Solving for the frequency domain output is easy. The time domain output
is found by the inverse transform. We can predict what happens to the
system.
Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 8 / 45
Idea 3: Frequency Domain Lets You Control Linear
Systems

Often we want a system to do something in particular automatically

I Airplane to fly level
I Car to go at constant speed
I Room to remain at a constant temperature

This is not as trivial as you might think!

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 9 / 45

Example: Controlling a car’s speed. Applying more gas causes the car to
speed up

gas speed
Car

Normally you “close the loop”

gas speed
Car

You

How can you do this automatically?

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 10 / 45
Use feedback by comparing the measured speed to the requested speed:

requested
speed error gas speed
+ + k Car
-

This can easily do something you don’t want or expect, and oscillate out
of control.
Frequency domain analysis explains why, and tells you how to design the
system to do what you want.

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 11 / 45

Course Outline

It is useful to represent signals as sums of sinusoids (the frequency

domain)

This is the “correct” domain to analyze linear time-invariant systems

Linear feedback control, sampling, modulation, etc.

What sort of signals and systems are we talking about?

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 12 / 45

Signals

Typical think of signals in terms of communication and information

I radio signal
I broadcast or cable TV
I audio
I electric voltage or current in a circuit

More generally, any physical or abstract quantity that can be

measured, or influences one that can be measured, can be thought of
as a signal.
I tension on bike brake cable
I roll rate of a spacecraft
I concentration of an enzyme in a cell
I the price of dollars in euros
I the federal deficit
Very general concept.

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 13 / 45

Systems

Typical systems take a signal and convert it into another signal,

I radio receiver
I audio amplifier
I modem
I microphone
I cell telephone
I cellular metabolism
I national and global economies

Internally, a system may contain many different types of signals.

The systems perspective allows you to consider all of these together.

In general, a system transforms input signals into output signals.

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 14 / 45

Continuous and Discrete Time Signals
Most of the signals we will talk about are functions of time.

There are many ways to classify signals. This class is organized

according to whether the signals are continuous in time, or discrete.

A continuous-time signal has values for all points in time in some

(possibly infinite) interval.

A discrete time signal has values for only discrete points in time.
f(t) f [n]

-4 -2 0 2 4
t n

Signals can also be a function of space (images) or of space and time

(video), and may be continuous or discrete in each dimension.
Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 15 / 45
Types of Systems

Systems are classified according to the types of input and output signals
Continuous-time system has continuous-time inputs and outputs.
I AM or FM radio
I Conventional (all mechanical) car

Discrete-time system has discrete-time inputs and outputs.

I PC computer game
I Matlab
I Your mortgage

Hybrid systems are also very important (A/D, D/A converters).

I You playing a game on a PC
I Modern cars with ECU (electronic control units)
I Most commercial and military aircraft

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 16 / 45

Continuous Time Signals
Function of a time variable, something like t, τ , t1 .

The entire signal is denoted as v , v (.), or v (t), where t is a dummy

variable.

The value of the signal at a particular time is v (1.2), or v (t), t = 2.

p(t), Pa
1

0
1 2 3 t, us

-1 Ultrasound Pulse

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 17 / 45

Discrete Time Signals
Fundamentally, a discrete-time signal is sequence of samples, written
x[n]
where n is an integer over some (possibly infinite) interval.

Often, at least conceptually, samples of a continuous time signal

x[n] = x(nT )
where n is an integer, and T is the sampling period.
x[n]

-4 -2 0 2 4
n

Discrete time signals may not represent uniform time samples (NYSE
closes, for example)

There may1) not be an underlying

Cuff (Lecture continuous
ELE 301: Signals and Systems time signal (NYSE
Fall 2011-12 closes,
18 / 45
Summary
A signal is a collection of data

Systems act on signals (inputs and outputs)

Mathematically, they are similar. A signal can be represented by a

function. A system can be represented by a function (the domain is
the space of input signals).

We focus on 1-dimensional signals.

Our systems are not random.

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 19 / 45
Signal Characteristics and Models
Operations on the time dependence of a signal
I Time scaling
I Time reversal
I Time shift
I Combinations

Signal characteristics

Periodic signals

Complex signals

Signals sizes

Signal Energy and Power

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 20 / 45

Amplitude Scaling

The scaled signal ax(t) is x(t) multiplied by the constant a

2 2

1 1 2x(t)
x(t)
-2 -1 0 1 2 -2 -1 0 1 2
t

The scaled signal ax[n] is x[n] multiplied by the constant a

2 x[n] 2 2x[n]
1 1

-2 -1 0 1 2 n -2 -1 0 1 2 n

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 21 / 45

Time Scaling, Continuous Time

A signal x(t) is scaled in time by multiplying the time variable by a

positive constant b, to produce x(bt). A positive factor of b either
expands (0 < b < 1) or compresses (b > 1) the signal in time.

2 2
b=1 b=2
1
x(t) 1 x(2t)
b = 1/2 2

1 x(t/2)
-2 -1 0 1 2 -2 -1 0 1 2
t t -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 t

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 22 / 45

Time Scaling, Discrete Time

The discrete-time sequence x[n] is compressed in time by multiplying the

index n by an integer k, to produce the time-scaled sequence x[nk].

This extracts every k th sample of x[n].

Intermediate samples are lost.
The sequence is shorter.

x[n] y[n] = x[2n]

-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 -2 -1 0 1 2
n n

Called downsampling, or decimation.

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 23 / 45

The discrete-time sequence x[n] is expanded in time by dividing the index
n by an integer m, to produce the time-scaled sequence x[n/m].

This specifies every mth sample.

The intermediate samples must be synthesized (set to zero, or
interpolated).
The sequence is longer.

x[n] y[n] = x[n/2]

-2 -1 0 1 2 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
n n

Called upsampling, or interpolation.

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 24 / 45

Time Reversal

Continuous time: replace t with −t, time reversed signal is x(−t)

x(t) x(−t)

t t

Discrete time: replace n with −n, time reversed signal is x[−n].

x[n] x[−n]

-4 -2 0 2 4 t
t -4 -2 0 2 4

Same as time scaling, but with b = −1.

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 25 / 45

Time Shift

For a continuous-time signal x(t), and a time t1 > 0,

Replacing t with t − t1 gives a delayed signal x(t − t1 )

Replacing t with t + t1 gives an advanced signal x(t + t1 )

2 2 2
x(t + 1) x(t) x(t − 1)
1 1 1

-2 -1 0 1 2 -2 -1 0 1 2 -2 -1 0 1 2
t t t

May seem counterintuitive. Think about where t − t1 is zero.

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 26 / 45

For a discrete time signal x[n], and an integer n1 > 0

x[n − n1 ] is a delayed signal.

x[n + n1 ] is an advanced signal.

The delay or advance is an integer number of sample times.

2 x[n + 1] 2
x[n] 2
x[n − 1]
1 1 1

-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 t -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 t -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 t

Again, where is n − n1 zero?

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 27 / 45

Combinations of Operations

Time scaling, shifting, and reversal can all be combined.

Operation can be performed in any order, but care is required.
This will cause confusion.
Example: x(2(t − 1))

Scale first, then shift

Compress by 2, shift by 1

2 2 2
x(2(t − 1))
1 x(t) x(2t) 1 1

-2 -1 0 1 2 -2 -1 0 1 2 -2 -1 0 1 2
t t t

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 28 / 45

Example x(2(t − 1)), continued
Shift first, then scale
Shift by 1, compress by 2 Incorrect

2 2 2

1 x(t) x(t − 1) 1 x(2(t − 1)) 1

-2 -1 0 1 2 -2 -1 0 1 2 -2 -1 0 1 2
t t t

Shift first, then scale

Rewrite x(2(t − 1)) = x(2t − 2)
Shift by 2, scale by 2 Correct

2 2 2

1 x(t) x(t − 2) 1 x(2t − 2) 1

-2 -1 0 1 2 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 -2 -1 0 1 2
t t t

Where is 2(t − 1) equal to zero?

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 29 / 45
Try these yourselves ....

1
x(t)

-4 -2 0 2 4
t

1 x(2(t + 2)) 1
x(−t/2)

-4 -2 0 2 4 -4 -2 0 2 4
t t

x(−t + 1) 1

-4 -2 0 2 4
t

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 30 / 45

Even and Odd Symmetry

An even signal is symmetric about the origin

x(t) = x(−t)

An odd signal is antisymmetric about the origin

x(t) = −x(−t)

2 2
Even Odd
x(t) = x(−t) 1 x(t) = −x(−t) 1

-2 -1 0 1 2 -2 -1 0 1 2
t t

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 31 / 45

Any signal can be decomposed into even and odd components
1
xe (t) = [x(t) + x(−t)]
2
1
xo (t) = [x(t) − x(−t)] .
2
Check that

xe (t) = xe (−t),
xo (t) = −xo (−t),

and that
xe (t) + xo (t) = x(t).

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 32 / 45

Example

2 2
x(t) x(−t)
1 1

-1 0 1 t -1 0 1 t

2 2

1 1

-1 0 1 t -1 0 1 t
1 1
xe(t) = [x(t) + x(−t)] xo(t) = [x(t) − x(−t)]
2 2

Same type of decomposition applies for discrete-time signals.

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 33 / 45
The decomposition into even and odd components depends on the
location of the origin. Shifting the signal changes the decomposition.
Plot the even and odd components of the previous example, after shifting
x(t) by 1/2 to the right.

2 2
x(t) x(−t)
1 1

-1 0 1 t -1 0 1 t

2 2

1 1

-1 0 1 t -1 0 1 t

1 1
xe(t) = [x(t) + x(−t)] xo(t) = [x(t) − x(−t)]
2 2

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 34 / 45

Discrete Amplitude Signals

Discrete amplitude signals take on only a countable set of values.

Example: Quantized signal (binary, fixed point, floating point).

A digital signal is a quantized discrete-time signal.

Requires treatment as random process, not part of this course.

4 x(t) 4 x[n]
2 2

-2 -1 0 1 2 0 t
-2 -1 1 2
-2 t -2

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 35 / 45

Periodic Signals
Very important in this class.

Continuous time signal is periodic if and only if there exists a T0 > 0

such that
x(t + T0 ) = x(t) for all t
T0 is the period of x(t) in time.

A discrete-time signal is periodic if and only if there exists an integer

N0 > 0 such that

x[n + N0 ] = x[n] for all n

N0 is the period of x[n] in sample spacings.

The smallest T0 or N0 is the fundamental period of the periodic

signal.
Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 36 / 45
Example:

2
x(t)
1

-2 -1 0 1 2 t

2 x(t − 1)
1

-2 -1 0 1 2 t

Shifting x(t) by 1 time unit results in the same signal.

Common periodic signals are sines and cosines

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 37 / 45
Periodic Extension
Periodic signals can be generated by periodic extension by any
segment of length one period T0 (or a multiple of the period).

2
One Period
x1(t)
1

-2 -1 0 1 2 t
2
Periodic Extension
x(t)
1

-2 -1 0 1 2 t

We will often take a signal that is defined only over an interval T0

and use periodic extension to make a periodic signal.
Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 38 / 45
Causal Signals
Causal signals are non-zero only for t ≥ 0 (starts at t = 0, or later)
2

Causal 1

-2 -1 0 1 2
t

Noncausal signals are non-zero for some t < 0 (starts before t = 0)

Noncausal
1

-2 -1 0 1 2
t

Anticausal signals are non-zero only for t ≤ 0 (goes backward in time

from t = 0)
2
Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 39 / 45
Complex Signals

So far, we have only considered real (or integer) valued signals.

Signals can also be complex

z(t) = x(t) + jy (t)

√
where x(t) and y (t) are each real valued signals, and j = −1.

Arises naturally in many problems

I Convenient representation for sinusoids
I Communications
I Radar, sonar, ultrasound

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 40 / 45

Review of Complex Numbers

Complex number in Cartesian form: z = x + jy

x = <z, the real part of z
y = =z, the imaginary part of z
x and y are also often called the in-phase and quadrature components
of z.
√
j = −1 (engineering notation)
√
i = −1 (physics, chemistry, mathematics)

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 41 / 45

Complex number in polar form: z = re jφ
r is the modulus or magnitude of z
φ is the angle or phase of z
exp(jφ) = cos φ + j sin φ
Im Im
z = x + jy z = re jφ
r
φ

Re Re
complex exponential of z = x + jy :
e z = e x+jy = e x e jy = e x (cos y + j sin y )
Know how to add, multiply, and divide complex numbers, and be able to
go between representations easily.
Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 42 / 45
Signal Energy and Power
If i(t) is the current through a resistor, then the energy dissipated in the
resistor is Z T
ER = lim i 2 (t) R dt
T →∞ −T
This is energy in Joules.
The signal energy for i(t) is defined as the energy dissipated in a 1 Ω
resistor Z T
Ei = lim i 2 (t)dt
T →∞ −T

The signal energy for a (possibly complex) signal x(t) is

Z T
Ex = lim |x(t)|2 dt.
T →∞ −T

In most applications, this is not an actual energy (most signals aren’t

actually applied to 1Ω resistor).
The average of the signal energy over time is the signal power
Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: SignalsZand
TSystems Fall 2011-12 43 / 45
Properties of Energy and Power Signals
An energy signal x(t) has zero power
Z T
1
Px = lim |x(t)|2 dt
T →∞ 2T
| −T {z }
→Ex <∞
= 0

A power signal has infinite energy

Z T
Ex = lim |x(t)|2 dt
T →∞ −T
Z T
1
= lim 2T |x(t)|2 dt = ∞.
T →∞ 2T −T
| {z }
→Px >0

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 44 / 45

Classify these signals as power or energy signals

2
1 2 t
1
e−t 1
-2 -1 0 1 2
t −2 −1 0 1 2 t −2 −1 0 1 2 t

cos(2π f t)
e−t sin(2π f t)

-2T -T 0 T 2T t t

A bounded periodic signal.

A bounded finite duration signal.

Cuff (Lecture 1) ELE 301: Signals and Systems Fall 2011-12 45 / 45