Signals and Systems, Texas A&M University

Texas A&M University ELEN 314-501: Signals and Systems, Fall'10

Class time and location: MWF: 10:20 -- 11:10 AM; ZACH 223D

Coordinator: Zixiang Xiong, WERC 244C, zx@ece.tamu.edu, 862-8683

Office hours: MWF: 11:10 AM -- noon

TA: Neeharika Marukala, neeha@neo.tamu.edu
Office hours: M: 3 - 4 PM
Recitation hours: Tuesday 8.00 - 9.00 AM

Description: This course will introduce students to mathematical descriptions of signals & systems, and mathematical tools for analyzing and designing systems that can operate on signals to achieve a desired effect. The focus of the class will be on the class of systems called linear time invariant systems. Significant emphasis will be place both on time domain analysis of systems through the operation of convolution and on frequency domain analysis of systems using the Fourier and Laplace transforms. Both continuous-time and discrete-time signals will be considered. Several examples from engineering practice will be used throughout the course.

Textbook: S. Haykin and B. van Veen, Signals and Systems, JustAsk! Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2005.

Assignments:

Exam dates:

Test 1: October 4.
Test 2: November 8.
Final: December 14, 8:00-10:00 AM.

Major goals:

Describe signals mathematically and understand how to perform mathematical operations on signals. Be familiar with commonly used signals such as the unit step, ramp, impulse function, sinusoidal signals and complex exponentials.
Classification of signals (continuous-time vs. discrete-time, periodic vs. non-periodic, energy signal vs. power signal, odd vs. even).
Be able to describe systems either using linear constant coefficient differential equations or using their impulse response. Be able to find a state space representation of system from a block diagram and vice versa.
Understand various system properties such as linearity, time invariance, presence or absence of memory, causality, bounded-input bounded-output stability and invertibility. Be able to identify whether a given system exhibits these properties and its implication for practical systems.
Understand the process of convolution between signals and its implication for analysis of linear time invariant systems. Understand the notion of an impulse response.
Be able to solve a linear constant coefficient differential equation using Laplace transform techniques.
Understand the intuitive meaning of frequency domain and the importance of analyzing and processing signals in the frequency domain.
Be able to compute the Fourier series or Fourier transform of a set of well-defined signals from first principles. Further, be able to use the properties of the Fourier transform to compute the Fourier transform (and its inverse) for a broader class of signals.
Understand the application of Fourier analysis to ideal filtering, amplitude modulation and sampling.
Be able to process continuous-time signals by first sampling and then processing the sampled signal in discrete-time.
Develop basic problem solving skills and become familiar with formulating a mathematical problem from a general problem statement.
Use basic mathematics including calculus, complex variables and algebra for the analysis and design of linear time invariant systems used in engineering.
Develop a facility with MATLAB programming to solve linear systems and signal problems.

Topics:

Mathematical concepts, signals and systems (4.5 lectures)
Linear systems, linearity, time-invariance, causality, signal properties (7.5 lectures)
Impulse response, convolution (4.5 lectures)
Fourier series and the Fourier transform (7.5 lectures)
Frequency-domain analysis of systems (6 lectures)
Differential equations and Laplace transforms (4.5 lectures)
The sampling theorem, discrete time systems (4.5 lectures)
Application to Communications (1.5 lectures)
Review of course (1.5 lectures)

Grading:

10% Matlab projects
10% Homeworks
20% Periodic quizzes
30% Two exams (15% each)
30% Final exam

No late submission of assigned projects will be accepted unless arrangements are made and approved in advance.

Final grade:

A: >89%
B: 80-89%
C: 70-79%
D: 60-69%
F: <60%

Class policy:

Homework will not be collected but solutions will be discussed at recitation time.
If questions regarding grading arise, please raise them within 48 hours of when the graded assignment is returned. Inquiries made later than 48 hours may not be considered.
In course assignments, please hand in your own work and remember: "An aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do."

Study tips:

Read and review the lecture notes
Locate and read the relevant sections in the textbook (including examples presented)
Work on the assigned homework (if you have trouble solving it, go back to 1 and repeat the process)
Attend the recitations!

Americans with disabilities act (ADA) policy statement

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities, in Cain Hall or call 845-1637.

Academic integrity statements

AGGIE HONOR CODE: "An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do."

Upon accepting admission to Texas A&M University, a student immediately assumes a commitment to uphold the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for learning, and to follow the philosophy and rules of the Honor System. Students will be required to state their commitment on examinations, research papers, and other academic work. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the TAMU community from the requirements or the processes of the Honor System.