ENGR 2410:  Signals and Systems

Spring 2007
About Signals and Systems

Syllabus and Assignments

 Past Announcements

Policies & Grading

Assignment Records

Instructors

Demos


Spring 2005 Site

About the Signals and Systems Course

Signals (functions of one or more independent variables) and Systems (devices that perform operations on signals) presents fundamental concepts that arise in a variety of fields.  The ideas and techniques associated with these concepts inform such diverse disciplines as biomedical engineering, acoustics, communications, aeronautics and astronautics, circuit design, and the arts, humanities, and social sciences.  Topics include transforms (Z, Fourier), frequency analysis, convolution, FIR and IIR systems, stability, generalized functions, modulation (AM and FM), sampling, and digital filtering.

The Signals and Systems course is divided into two areas:

  • Class:  Demonstrates the theoretical modeling of signals and systems. 
  • Lab:  Applies the theory of signals and systems to real applications using Matlab.  Most of the labs focus on applications utilizing sound and image so that students can listen to and observe the effects discussed in class.

Weekly Meeting Times

Section Weekly Meeting Time and Place
Class Tuesday, Friday: 1:00 - 1:50, AC 304
Lab Wednesday: 4:00 - 5:50, AC 304

Required text:  DSP First by McClellan, Schafer, and Yoder (Prentice Hall ISBN 0-13-243171-8)

Topics Covered: 

Complex numbers, sinusoids, complex exponentials and phasors, spectrum representation (Fourier analysis), AM and FM waveforms, sampling and aliasing, FIR and IIR filters, LTI systems, impulse response, convolution, frequency response, linear phase filters, transient and steady-state response, z-transforms, system function, poles and zeros, stability, the z-, n-, and omega-domains.

Course Objectives:

  • Characterize sinusoidal signals and their spectral representation.
  • Convert a continuous time signal into a discrete-time signal (assuming an appropriate sampling rate with a C-D Converter) and re-capture the original continuous-time signal without the effects of aliasing using a D-C converter.
  • Characterize an LTI system by determining its impulse response h[n] and/or its system function H(z) using such analytical methods as convolution, the z-transform, the inverse z-transform, and the input/output difference equation describing the system. 
  • Conceptualize and apply the sampling theorem, filtering, convolution, LTI system definitions, and stability criteria.
  • Determine the transient and steady state system response, and the sinusoidal steady state response.
  • Find the frequency response of a given system, graph its magnitude and phase.
  • Relate frequency response to poles and zeros of the system function.
  • Understand the relationship between time and frequency domain responses.
  • Connect linear, constant coefficient difference equations describing systems in the time domain to the frequency domain via the z-transform.
  • Characterize the response of first and second order LTI systems.
Olin Competencies: 
  • Quantitative analysis (developed and assessed)
  • Qualitative analysis (developed)
  • Diagnosis (developed)

Class Announcements


January 23, 2007
          Your first assignment (HW 1) has been posted on the Syllabus and Assignments page.
          Read the description of Repetitive Grading and remember to turn in problems early and often to get the most out of the grading system.
Before the first signals lab on Wednesday, January 24, please install the DSP First Toolbox for MATLAB.  Follow the instructions on the CD-ROM.  You can also refer to p. 417 in the text.

See recent announcements.