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Convolution Notes

The convolution integral is used to compute the forced response of an LTI system. It involves integrating the product of one function shifted and flipped over the other. To evaluate the convolution integral, the key is determining the correct integration limits by sketching the graphs of the functions and seeing their overlap at different values of t. Examples are worked through step-by-step to demonstrate finding the integration limits and evaluating the convolution for both continuous and discontinuous functions.

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96 views6 pages

Convolution Notes

The convolution integral is used to compute the forced response of an LTI system. It involves integrating the product of one function shifted and flipped over the other. To evaluate the convolution integral, the key is determining the correct integration limits by sketching the graphs of the functions and seeing their overlap at different values of t. Examples are worked through step-by-step to demonstrate finding the integration limits and evaluating the convolution for both continuous and discontinuous functions.

Uploaded by

MaMa Baloch
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Convolution Integral

Reading and Watching:


Convolution animation short video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1N55M1VD2o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma0YONjMZLI
The convolution integral is a well-known mathematical operation. In this course, we use it to
compute the forced response of an LTI system, but in this lecture note we will talk about the
convolution in general.
When we say y(t) is the convolution of x(t) and z(t) we write it with an asterisk notation as
follow:

First, we should note that:

𝑦 𝑡 𝑥 𝜆 𝑧 𝑡 𝜆 𝑑𝜆 𝑧 𝜆 𝑥 𝑡 𝜆 𝑑𝜆

If x(t) is the input and h(t) is the system impulse response, then the forced response is:

Note that the integration limits go from ∞ 𝑡𝑜 ∞. Of course the limits change based on the
two functions being convolved. For instant, if the system is “causal”, its impulse response, h(t)
is zero for negative time and we frequently see the limits of the convolution starts at zero (not
negative infinity).
When evaluating the convolution integral, we frequently find that the main difficulty is in
finding the correct integration limits (rather than the integration itself).
Example (1)
consider the following convolution example:

The two waveforms are shown below:


Let us write y(t) as follow:

It’s important to note that, while performing the above integration, “t” is constant, and we are
integrating over . Also note that u(t) is either “1” or “0”, so the integration is trivial, however,
just looking at the integration expression, one needs to know the limits of the integration, and
you should also note that the integration limits will change based on the value of “t”.
To obtain the integration limits correctly, you are highly advised to sketch the function and use
the graph to determine the limits for different ranges of “t” as shown below.

In this problem there are three regions:


- For 𝑡 0 there is no overlap between x() and z(t-), then the output y(t)=0
- For 0 𝑡 2 The overlap interval is between =0 and =t. Then:
- For 𝑡 2 The overlap interval is between =0 and =2. Then:

Therefore, the convolution result y(t) can be written as:

While solving this problem, we went through the following steps:


- Choose one of the two function, x(t) or z(t) (we chose x(t)), express it in terms of  
x() and fix it.
- Take the second function (z(t)), express it in terms of   z() then: flip it around the y-
axis  z(-) and slide it by “t”  z(t-)
- Multiply x() and z(t-)
- Integrate the product.
- Repeat for different range of “t”
The number of time intervals depends on the two convolving functions. Finding the integration
limits is easy when the two functions are continuous, but discontinued functions must be handled
with patience.
Example (2):
Convolve 𝑥 𝑡 𝛿 𝑡 and ℎ 𝑡 10 𝑒 u(t)
This problem is simple; we do not need to graph it.
𝑦 𝑡 𝑥 𝑡 ∗ℎ 𝑡 ℎ 𝜆 𝑥 𝑡 𝜆 𝑑𝜆

𝑦 𝑡 10 𝑒 𝛿 𝑡 𝜆 𝑑𝜆

𝑦 𝑡 10 𝑒 𝑢 𝑡 ℎ 𝑡
As expected. One of the two signals is the delta function, then the output is the second function
(recall that the forced output of an LTI system is the input convolved with the system impulse
response. If the input is the delta function the output is the impulse response).
Example 3:
Convolve the following two functions: 𝑥 𝑡 𝑢 𝑡 and ℎ 𝑡 10 𝑒 u(t)

Example 4:
Convolve x(t) and h(t) defined as follows:
Let us write the convolution as follow:

We chose to keep h fixed while flipping and sliding x


There are 5 regions: [ 𝑡 2, 2 𝑡 4, 4 𝑡 5, 5 𝑡 7, 𝑡 7]
Carry out the integration in each region. The convolution result is y(t) as follow

More convolution examples and background explanation can be found in: E. Kamen and B.
Heck, Fundamentals of Signals and Systems using the Web and MATLAB, 3rd Ed., Pearson
Prentice Hall, 2007. The relevant section is copied and is included in a separate file as a reading
material. Please note that in SYSC3600 we only focus on continuous time signals so you may
ignore the discrete examples in Kamen.

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