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Z-transforms

Computation of the Z-transform for discrete-time signals:

Enables analysis of the signal in the frequency domain.
Z - Transform takes the form of a polynomial.
Enables interpretation of the signal in terms of the roots of the
polynomial.
z 1 corresponds to a delay of one unit in the signal.
The Z - Transform of a discrete time signal x[n] is defined as

X(z) =

+
X

x[n].z n

(1)

n=

where z = r.ej
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The discrete-time Fourier Transform (DTFT) is obtained by

evaluating Z-Transform at z = ej .
or
The DTFT is obtained by evaluating the Z-transform on the unit
circle in the z-plane.
The Z-transform converges if the sum in equation 1 converges

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Region of Convergence(RoC)

Region of Convergence for a discrete time signal x[n] is defined as a

continuous region in z plane where the Z-Transform converges.
In order to determine RoC, it is convenient to represent the
Z-Transform as:a
P (z)
X(z) =
Q(z)
The roots of the equation P (z) = 0 correspond to the zeros of
X(z)
The roots of the equation Q(z) = 0 correspond to the poles of
X(z)
The RoC of the Z-transform depends on the convergence of the
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a Here

we assume that the Z-transform is rational

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polynomials P (z) and Q(z),

Right-handed Z-Transform
Let x[n] be causal signal given by
x[n] = an u[n]
The Z - Transform of x[n] is given by

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X(z) =

+
X

$
x[n]z n

n=

+
X

an u[n]z n

n=

+
X

an z n

n=0

+
X

(az 1 )n

n=0

=
=

1
1 az 1
z
za

The ROC is defined by |az 1 | < 1 or |z| > |a|.

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The RoC for x[n] is the entire region outside the circle
z = aej as shown in Figure 1.

RoC |z| > |a|

zplane

Figure 1: RoC(green region) for a causal signal

Left-handed Z-Transform
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Let x[n] be an anti-causal signal given by

y[n] = bn u[n 1]
The Z - Transform of y[n] is given by

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Y (z) =

+
X

$
y[n]z n

n=

+
X

bn u[n 1]z n

n=

1
X

bn z n

n=

+
X

(b1 z)n + 1

n=0

=
=
&

1
1

z
b

+1

z
zb

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Y (z) converges when |b1 z < 1 or |z| < |b|.

The RoC for y[n] is the entire region inside the circle
z = bej as shown in Figure 2
RoC |z| < |a|

zplane

Figure 2: RoC(green region) for an anti-causal signal

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Two-sided Z-Transform
Let y[n] be a two sided signal given by

y[n] = an u[n] bn u[n 1]

where, b > a
The Z - Transform of y[n] is given by

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Y (z) =

+
X

$
y[n]z n

n=

+
X

(an u[n] bn u[n 1])z n

n=

+
X

an z n

(az1)n

n=0

=
=
&

+
X

(b1 z)n

n=1

.
1 az 1 1
z

bn z n

n=

n=0
+
X

1
X

z
b

+1

.
za zb

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Y (z) converges for |b1 z| < 1 and |az 1 | < 1 or |z| < |b| and
|z| > |a| . Hence, for the signal

The ROC for y[n] is the intersection of the circle z = bej

and the circle z = aej as shown in Figure 3
RoC |a| < |z| < |b|

zplane

Figure 3: RoC(pink region) for a two sided Z Transform

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Transfer function H(z)

Consider the system shown in Figure 4.
y[n] = x[n]*y[n]

x[n]
h[n]

Y(z) = X(z)H(z)

X(z)
H(z)

Figure 4: signal - system representation

x[n] is the input and y[n] is the output
h[n] is the impulse response of the system. Mathematically,
this signal-system interaction can be represented as follows

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y[n] = x[n] h[n]

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In frequency domain this relation can be written as

Y (z) = X(z).H(z)
or

H(z) =

Y (z)
X(z)

H(z) is called Transfer function of the given system.

In the time domain if x[n] = [n] then y[n] = h[n],
h[n] is called the impulse response of the system.
Hence, we can say that
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h[n] H(z)

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Some Examples: Z-transforms

Delta function
Z([n]) = 1
Z([n n0 ]) = z n0
Unit Step function
x[n]

= 1, n 0

= 0, otherwise
1
, |z| > 1
X(z) =
1
1z
x[n]

The Z-transform has a real pole at the z = 1.

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Finite length sequence
x[n]

= 1, 0 n N

x[n]

= 0, otherwise

1 z N
X(z) =
1 z 1
N
N 1 z 1
, |z| > 1
= z
z1
The roots of the numerator polynomial are given by:
z = 0, N zeros at the origin
and the nth roots of unity:
z=e
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j2k
N

, k = 0, 1, 2, , N 1

(2)
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Causal sequences
1 n
1 n
x[n] = ( ) u[n] ( ) u[n 1]
3
2
1
1
1
1

z
,
|z|
>
X(z) =
3
1 13 z 1
1 12 z 1
The Discrete time Fourier transform can be obtained by setting
z = ej Figure 5 shows the Discrete Fourier transform for the
rectangular function.

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1
1

N
2

+N
2

4
+1

2 2
+1 +1

4
+1

Figure 5: Discrete Fourier transform for the rectangular function

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Some Problems
Find the Z-transform (assume causal sequences):
2

a a
1. 1, 1!
, 2! , a3! ,

2.

a3
a5
a7
0, a, 0, 3! , 0, 5! , 0, 7! ,

3.

a2
a4
a6
0, a, 0, 2! , 0, 4! , 0, 6! ,

Hint: Observe that the series is similar to that of the exponential

series.

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