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Classification and Characteristics of Signals: Objectives

This document discusses the classification and characteristics of signals in digital signal processing. It defines several key classifications of signals including continuous-time vs discrete-time, analog vs digital, periodic vs aperiodic, finite vs infinite length, causal vs anticausal vs noncausal, even vs odd, and deterministic vs random. The document uses examples and diagrams to illustrate these different signal types and their defining properties.

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Aldon Jimenez
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182 views7 pages

Classification and Characteristics of Signals: Objectives

This document discusses the classification and characteristics of signals in digital signal processing. It defines several key classifications of signals including continuous-time vs discrete-time, analog vs digital, periodic vs aperiodic, finite vs infinite length, causal vs anticausal vs noncausal, even vs odd, and deterministic vs random. The document uses examples and diagrams to illustrate these different signal types and their defining properties.

Uploaded by

Aldon Jimenez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING

Classification and
CHAPTER 1
Characteristics of
Signals

Objectives
After completing this chapter, you will be able to:
▪ Know the fundamentals of signal classification

▪ Know definitions and properties that are


fundamental to the discussion of signals and
systems

Classification of Signals

This module will begin our study of signals and systems by laying out some of
the fundamentals of signal classification. It is essentially an introduction to the important
definitions and properties that are fundamental to the discussion of signals and
systems, with a brief discussion of each.

Continuous-Time vs. Discrete-Time

As the names suggest, this classification is determined by whether or not the


time axis is discrete (countable) or continuous (Figure 1). A continuous-time signal will
contain a value for all real numbers along the time axis. In contrast to this, a discrete-
time signal, often created by sampling a continuous signal, will only have values at
equally spaced intervals along the time axis.

1
DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING

Analog vs. Digital

The difference between analog and digital is similar to the difference between
continuous-time and discrete-time. However, in this case the difference involves the
values of the function. Analog corresponds to a continuous set of possible function
values, while digital corresponds to a discrete set of possible function values. An
common example of a digital signal is a binary sequence, where the values of the
function can only be one or zero.

Periodic vs. Aperiodic

Periodic signals repeat with some period T, while aperiodic, or nonperiodic,


signals do not (Figure 3). We can define a periodic function through the following
mathematical expression, where t can be any number and T is a positive constant:

The fundamental period of our function, f(t), is the smallest value of T that the still
allows Equation 1 to be true.

2
DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING

Finite vs. Infinite Length

As the name implies, signals can be characterized as to whether they have a finite
or infinite length set of values. Most finite length signals are used when dealing with
discrete-time signals or a given sequence of values. Mathematically speaking, f(t) is
a finite-length signal if it is nonzero over a finite interval.

where t1>−∞ and t2<∞. An example can be seen in Figure 4. Similarly, an infinite-length
signal, f(t), is defined as nonzero over all real numbers:

3
DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING

Causal vs. Anticausal vs. Noncausal

Causal signals are signals that are zero for all negative time, while anticausal are
signals that are zero for all positive time. Noncausal signals are signals that have
nonzero values in both positive and negative time (Figure 5).

Even vs. Odd

An even signal is any signal f such that f(t)=f(−t). Even signals can be easily
spotted as they are symmetric around the vertical axis. An odd signal, on the other
hand, is a signal f such that f(t)=−f(−t) (Figure 6).

4
DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING

Using the definitions of even and odd signals, we can show that any signal can be
written as a combination of an even and odd signal. That is, every signal has an odd-
even decomposition. To demonstrate this, we have to look no further than a single
equation.

By multiplying and adding this expression out, it can be shown to be true. Also, it can be
shown that f(t)+f(−t) fulfills the requirement of an even function, while f(t)−f(−t) fulfills the
requirement of an odd function (Figure 7).

5
DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING

Deterministic vs. Random

A deterministic signal is a signal in which each value of the signal is fixed and
can be determined by a mathematical expression, rule, or table. Because of this the
future values of the signal can be calculated from past values with complete confidence.
On the other hand, a random signal has a lot of uncertainty about its behavior. The
future values of a random signal cannot be accurately predicted and can usually only be
guessed based on the averages of sets of signals (Figure 8).

6
DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING

Consider the signal defined for all real t described by

This signal is continuous time, analog, aperiodic, infinite length, causal, neither even nor
odd, and, by definition, deterministic.

Reference:
▪ http://pilot.cnxproject.org/content/collection/col10064/latest/module/m1
0057/latest
Video Tutorial Link:
Classification of Signals Explained
▪ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4E1GftPD1M
Characteristics of Signals
▪ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALLSsIDhFdU

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