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1.0
: INTRODUCTION TO SIGNALS
Introduction
A signal may be considered to be a function of time that represents a physical
V (t)
(voltage in volts)
10
t
0
(time in seconds)
Figure 1.0
A voltage signal
Sinusoidal
Rectangular
Triangle
1.1
Classification of Signals
B cos t
A sin t
A sin t
A Discrete Signal is defined for specific instant of time only. The following example is
a signal that is specifically propagate at time, t. This signal is called frequency spectrum
and this is how cellular phone signal is transmitted.
x(t ) = x(t + nT )
Where n = 1,2,3,.....
The sum of two periodic signals is periodic only if the ratio of their respective periods
can be expressed as a rational number. A real-valued sinusoidal signal can be
expressed mathematically by a time varying function of the form:
x(t ) = A sin( 0 t + )
Where A = amplitude
2
).
T
Example: Determine whether the following signals are periodic or aperiodic. Justify
your answers.
a)
b)
c)
x1 (t ) = cos 5t
x 2 (t ) = sin 13t
x3 (t ) = sin 4t
e)
x 4 (t ) = x1 (t ) + 3 x 2 (t )
x5 (t ) = x1 (t ) 2 x3 (t )
f)
x6 (t ) = x1 (t ) 2 x3 (t ) + 5 x3 (t )
d)
Ans: a) Since 0 = 5 =
2
2
, x1 (t ) is periodic with T1 = .
T
5
b) Since 0 = 13 =
2
2
, x 2 (t ) is periodic with T2 =
.
T
13
c) Since 0 = 4 =
2
1
, x3 (t ) is periodic with T3 = .
T
2
d) Check whether the ratio of the respective periods can be expressed as rational
number.
2
T1
= 5 not a rational number therefore x 4 (t ) is aperiodic signal.
T2 2
13
e)
2
T1
4
= 5 = a rational number, therefore x5 (t ) is a periodic signal with new
5
T3 1
2
period and new frequency, T5 = 5T1 = 4T3 = 2 sec and f = 0.5 Hz.
f)
2
T1
4
= 5 = a rational number, therefore x13 (t ) is a periodic signal with new
1
5
T3
2
period and new frequency, T13 = 5T1 = 4T3 = 2 sec and f = 0.5 Hz.
Then, check for
T13
2
=
= 4 , a rational number, therefore x6 (t ) is a periodic
1
T3
2
signal with new period and new frequency, T6 = T13 = 4T3 = 2 sec and
f = 0.5 Hz.
Note: You must determine the period of a signal to justify that the signal is periodic. If
you have to find the frequency, f, use formula f =
0 1
= .
2 T