SIGNALS, SYSTEMS AND

SIGNAL PROCESSING
Course Code: CMPE 30244
Course Title: Digital Signal Processing
Instructor: Engr. Jomer Juan
Introduction

• Signal processing emerged soon after World War I in the form of

electrical filtering.
• With the invention of the digital computer and the rapid advances in
VLSI technology during the 1960s, a new way of processing signals
emerged: digital signal processing.
• This and the next two presentations provide a brief historical summary
of the emergence of signal processing and its applications.
• To start with, a classification of the various types of signals encountered
in today’s technological world is provided.
• Then the sampling process described as a means of converting analog
into digital signals.
Signals

• Typically one assumes that a signal is an electrical signal, for example, a

radio, radar, or TV signal.
• However, in DSP a signal is any quantity that depends on one or more
independent variables.
• A radio signal represents the strength of an electromagnetic wave that
depends on one independent variable, namely, time.
Signals

• In our generalized definition of a signal, there may be more than one

independent variable and the independent variables may be any quantity
other than time.
• For example, a digitized image may be thought of as light intensity that
depends on two independent variables, the distances along the x and y
axes; as such a digitized image in effect, a 2-dimensional signal.
• A video signal is made up of a series of images which change with time;
thus a video signal is light intensity that depends on the distances along
the x and y axes and also on the time; in effect, a video signal is a 3-
dimensional signal.
• Some signals arise naturally, others are man-made.
Signals

Natural signals are found, for example, in:

• Acoustics, e.g., speech signals, sounds made by dolphins and whales
• Astronomy, e.g., cosmic signals originating in galaxies and pulsars, astronomical
images
• Biology, e.g., signals produced by the brain and heart
• Seismology, e.g., signals produced by earthquakes and volcanoes
• Physical science, e.g., signals produced by lightnings, the room temperature, the
atmospheric pressure
Signals

Man-made signals are found in:

• Audio systems, e.g., music signals
• Communications, e.g., radio, telephone, TV signals
• Telemetry, e.g., signals originating from weather stations and satellites
• Control systems, e.g., feedback control signals
• Medicine, e.g., electrocardiographs, X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging
• Space technology, e.g., the velocity of a space craft
• Politics, e.g., the popularity ratings of a political party
• Economics, e.g., the price of a stock at the TSX, the TSX index, the gross
national product
Signals

• A signal is a physical quantity, or quality, which conveys information

• The variation of the signal value as a function of the independent
variable is called a waveform
• The independent variable often represents time
• We define a signal as a function of one independent variable that
contains information about the behavior or nature of a phenomenon
• We assume that the independent variable is time even in cases where the
independent variable is a physical quantity other than time
Signals

Two general classes of signals can be identified:

• Continuous-time signals
• Discrete-time signals
Continuous-Time Signals

• A continuous-time signal is a signal that is defined at each and every

instant of time.
• Typical examples are:
• An electromagnetic wave originating from a distant galaxy
• The sound wave produced by a dolphin
• The ambient temperature
• The light intensity along the x and y axes in a photograph
• A continuous-time signal can be represented by a function
Continuous-Time Signals
Discrete-Time Signals

• A discrete-time signal is a signal that is defined at discrete instants of

time.
• Typical examples are:
• The closing price of a particular commodity on the stock exchange
• The daily precipitation
• The daily temperature of a patient as recorded by a nurse
Discrete-Time Signals

• A discrete-time signal can be represented as a function

and T is a constant.
• The quantity x(nT) can represent a voltage or current level or any other
quantity.
• In DSP, x(nT) always represents a series of numbers
• Constant T usually represents time but it could be any other physical
quantity depending on the application.
Discrete-Time Signals
Discrete-Time Signals
Discrete-Time Signals
Discrete-Time Signals

Note:
The signal in the previous two slides are discrete-time signals since a
mutual fund or the TSX index has only one closing value per day.

They are plotted as if they were continuous-time signals for the sake of
convenience.
Systems

• A system is an entity that processes one or more input signals in order

to produce one or more output signals.
Classification of Systems
• Number of inputs:
• A system with one input is said to be single input (SI).
• A system with more than one input is said to be multiple input (MI).

• Number of outputs:
• A system with one output is said to be single output (SO).
• A system with more than one output is said to be multiple output (MO).

• Types of signals processed:

• A system can be classified in terms of the types of signals that it processes.
• Consequently, terms such as the following (which describe signals) can also be used to describe
systems:
• one-dimensional and multi-dimensional,
• continuous-time (CT) and discrete-time (DT), and
• analog and digital.
• For example, a continuous-time (CT) system processes CT signals and a discrete-time (DT) system
processes DT signals.
Signal Processing

• Signal processing is the science of analyzing, synthesizing, sampling, encoding,

transforming, decoding, enhancing, transporting, archiving, and generally
manipulating signals in some way or another.

• These presentations are concerned primarily with the branch of signal processing
that entails the manipulation of the spectral characteristics of signals.

• If the processing of a signal involves modifying, reshaping, or transforming the

spectrum of the signal in some way, then the processing involved is usually referred
to as filtering.

• If the filtering is carried out by digital means, then it is referred to as digital

filtering.
Signal Processing Systems
Communication Systems
Control Systems
Advantages of Digital Signal Processing over Analog Signal Processing

• A digital programmable system allows flexibility in reconfiguring the digital signal

processing operations simply by changing the program. Reconfiguration of an analog
system usually implies a redesign of the hardware followed by testing and verification.

• Tolerances in analog circuit components and power supply make it extremely difficult to
control the accuracy of analog signal processor. A digital signal processor provides better
control of accuracy requirements in terms of word length, floating – point versus fixed –
point arithmetic, and similar factors.

• Digital signals are easily stored on magnetic tapes and disks without deterioration or loss
of signal fidelity beyond that introduced in A/D conversion. So, the signals become
transportable and can be processed offline.

• Digital signal processing is cheaper than its analog counterpart.

Advantages of Digital Signal Processing over Analog Signal Processing

• Digital circuits are amenable for full integration. This is not possible for analog circuits
because inductances of respectable value (μH or mH) require large space to generate flux.

• The same digital signal processor can be used to perform two operations by time
multiplexing, since digital signals are defined only at finite number of time instants.

• Different parts of digital signal processor can work at different sampling rates.

• It is very difficult to perform precise mathematical operations on signals in analog form

but these operations can be routinely implemented on a digital computer using software.

• Several filters need several boards in analog signal processing, whereas in digital signal
processing, same DSP processor is used for many filters.
Disadvantages of Digital Signal Processing over Analog Signal Processing

• Digital signal processors have increased complexity.

• Signals having extremely wide bandwidths require fast – sampling – rate

ADCs. Hence the frequency range of operation of DSPs is limited by the
speed of ADC.

• In analog signal processor, passive elements are used, which dissipate

very less power. In digital signal processor, active elements like
transistors are used, which dissipate more power.
Why Study Signals and Systems?

• Engineers build systems that process/manipulate signals.

• We need a formal mathematical framework for the study of such systems.

• Such a framework is necessary in order to ensure that a system will meet the
required specifications (e.g., performance and safety).

• If a system fails to meet the required specifications or fails to work

altogether, negative consequences usually ensue.

• When a system fails to operate as expected, the consequences can sometimes

be catastrophic.
Classification of
Signals
Classification of Signals

• Number of independent variables (i.e., dimensionality):

• A signal with one independent variable is said to be one dimensional (e.g., audio).
• A signal with more than one independent variable is said to be multi-dimensional (e.g., image).

• Continuous or discrete independent variables:

• A signal with continuous independent variables is said to be continuous time (CT) (e.g., voltage
waveform).
• A signal with discrete independent variables is said to be discrete time (DT) (e.g., stock market index).

• Continuous or discrete dependent variable:

• A signal with a continuous dependent variable is said to be continuous valued (e.g., voltage waveform).
• A signal with a discrete dependent variable is said to be discrete valued (e.g., digital image).

• A continuous-valued CT signal is said to be analog (e.g., voltage waveform).

• A discrete-valued DT signal is said to be digital (e.g., digital audio).

Single channel and Multi-channel signals

• If signal is generated from single sensor or source it is called as single

channel signal.
• Examples: Record of room temperature with respect to time, the audio output of
a mono speaker, etc.

• If the signals are generated from multiple sensors or multiple sources or

multiple signals are generated from same source called as multi-channel
signal.
• Example: ECG (Electrocardiogram)are often used 3-channel and 12-channel.
Multi-channel signal will be the vector sum of signals generated from multiple
sources.
Continuous time and Discrete time signals.

Continuous Time (CTS) Discrete Time (DTS)

This signal can be defined only at certain
This signal can be defined at any time
specific values of time. These time
instance and they can take all values in the
instance need not be equidistant but in
continuous interval(a,b) where a can be -∞
practice they are usually takes all equally
and b can be ∞
spaced intervals.
These are described by differential These are described by difference
equations. equation.
These signals are denoted by x(n) or
This signal is denoted by x(t).
notation x(nT) can also be used.
The speed control of a dc motor using a
Microprocessors and computer-based
tacho generator feedback or Sine or
systems uses discrete time signals.
exponential waveforms.
Continuous valued and Discrete Valued signals.

Continuous Valued Discrete Valued

If a signal takes on all possible

If signal takes values from a finite
values on a finite or infinite range,
set of possible values, it is said to
it is said to be continuous valued
be discrete valued signal.
signal.

Continuous Valued and continuous Discrete time signal with set of

time signals are basically analog discrete amplitude are called digital
signals. signal.
Analog and Digital Signal

Analog Signal Digital Signal

These are basically discrete time

signals and discrete amplitude
These are basically continuous time
signals. These signals are basically
and continuous amplitude signals.
obtained by sampling and
quantization process.

ECG signals, Speech signal,

All signal representation in
television signal, etc. All the signals
computers and digital signal
generated from various sources in
processors are digital.
nature are analog
Analog and Digital Signal

• Note: Digital signals (DISCRETE TIME & DISCRETE AMPLITUDE)

are obtained by sampling the ANALOG signal at discrete instants of
time, obtaining DISCRETE TIME signals and then by quantizing its
values to a set of discrete values & thus generating DISCRETE
AMPLITUDE signals.

• Sampling process takes place on x axis at regular intervals &

quantization process takes place along y axis. Quantization process is
also called as rounding or truncating or approximation process.
Deterministic and Random signals

Deterministic signals Random signals

Deterministic signals can be represented or Random signals that cannot be represented or
described by a mathematical equation or described by a mathematical equation or
lookup table. lookup table.

Deterministic signals are preferable because Not Preferable. The random signals can be
for analysis and processing of signals we can described with the help of their statistical
use mathematical model of the signal. properties.

The value of the deterministic signal can be

The value of the random signal cannot be
evaluated at time (past, present or future)
evaluated at any instant of time.
without certainty.

Example Sine or exponential waveforms. Example Noise signal or Speech signal

Periodic signal and Non-Periodic signal
• A function x is said to be periodic with period T (or T-periodic) if, for some strictly-
positive real constant T, the following condition holds:
x(t) = x(t +T) for all t.

• A T-periodic function x is said to have frequency 1/T and angular frequency 2π/T .

• A sequence x is said to be periodic with period N (or N-periodic) if, for some strictly-
positive integer constant N, the following condition holds:
x(n) = x(n+N) for all n.

• An N-periodic sequence x is said to have frequency 1/N and angular frequency 2π/N .

• A function/sequence that is not periodic is said to be aperiodic.

Periodic signal and Non-Periodic signal

• Some examples of periodic signals are shown below.

Periodic signal and Non-Periodic signal

• The period of a periodic signal is not unique. That is, a signal that is periodic with
period T is also periodic with period kT, for every (strictly) positive integer k.

• The smallest period with which a signal is periodic is called the fundamental
period and its corresponding frequency is called the fundamental frequency.
Periodic signal and Non-Periodic signal

• Example: Determine whether or not each of the following signals is

periodic. If a signal is periodic, determine its fundamental period.
Symmetrical (Even) and Anti-Symmetrical (odd) signal

• A function x is said to be even if it satisfies

x(t) = x(−t) for all t.

• A sequence x is said to be even if it satisfies

x(n) = x(−n) for all n.

• Geometrically, the graph of an even signal is symmetric about the origin.

• Some examples of even signals are shown below.

Symmetrical (Even) and Anti-Symmetrical (odd) signal

• A function x is said to be odd if it satisfies

x(t) = -x(−t) for all t.

• A sequence x is said to be odd if it satisfies

x(n) = -x(−n) for all n.

• Geometrically, the graph of an odd signal is antisymmetric about the origin.

• An odd signal x must be such that x(0) = 0.

• Some examples of even signals are shown below.

Energy signal and Power signal

• The energy E contained in the signal x is given by

• A signal with finite energy is said to be an energy signal.

• The average power P contained in the signal x is given by

• A signal with (nonzero) finite average power is said to be a power signal.

Thank you for
your attention.