EE 373

Title: SIGNALS AND SYSTEMS

Credits: 4

Catalog Description: Time and frequency domain analysis of signals and systems. Periodic signals. Fourier transforms. DFT. Convolution integral. Filters. Transmission of information by orthogonal functions. Modulation theory. Analysis of discrete time signals and systems.

Prerequisites: MATH 202, EE 201

Coordinator: Yorgo Istefanopulos, Professor of Electrical Engineering

Goals: The course is designed to familiarize junior students with the techniques for analyzing and synthesizing continuous-time as well as discrete-time systems. Time domain and frequency domain signal analysis tools are studied, and the subjects of filtering and modulation are introduced as signal processing techniques both in continuous-time and discrete-time. Design concepts are emphasized with respect to filtering and modulation.

Learning Objectives:

1. At the end of this course, students will be able to:
2. Analyze continuous time and discrete time signals and systems.
3. Perform time domain signal processing operations on both continuous time and discrete time signals.
4. Analyze singals and systems in the frequency domain.
5. Design in the frequency domain various types of filters.
6. Design digital filters using z-transform techniques.
7. Analyze and design basic modulating systems.

Textbook: A. V. Oppenheim, A. S. Willsky, with S. H. Nawab, Signals and Systems, Prentice Hall, 2^nd Edition, 1997.

Prerequisites by Topic:

• Differential and Integral Calculus
• Experience with complex numbers
• Differential Equations
• Familiarity with Laplace Transforms
• Circuit Analysis

Topics:

1. Basics of continuous-time and discrete-time signals and systems. (2 class hours)
2. Linear  time-invariant systems; Convolution. (6 class hours)
3. Fourier Series representation of continuous-time and discrete-time Periodic signals; properties of Fourier series; filtering concepts. (6 class hours)
4. The continuous time Fourier transform and its properties: The Fourier transform for periodic signals. (6 class hours)
5. Sampling and discretization of continuous-time signals. (5 class hours)
6. The z-transform and its properties: Analysis of discrete-time systems using z-transform (6 class hours)
7. The discrete-time Fourier transform and its properties (6 class hours)
8. Time and frequency characteristics of signals and systems; polar plots; Log magnitude and Bode plots (5 class hours)
9. Communication systems and modulation (6 class hours)
10. Two midterm exams (4 class hours)

Course Structure: The class meets for two lectures a week, each consisting of two 50-minute sessions and a Problem Session of 50-minute duration. 5-6 sets of homework problems are assigned per semester. Homework is not collected but similar problems are asked in announced quizzes.  There are two in-class mid-term exams and a final exam.

Computer Resources: Students are encouraged to use MATLAB to solve their homework problems, and do their term project.

Laboratory Resources: None.

Grading:

1. Quizzes (10%)
2. Midterm 1 (20%)
3. Midterm 2 (25%)
4. Final exam (35%)
5. Project (10%).

Outcome Coverage:

• Apply math, science and engineering knowledge.  This course deals with continuous time dynamic systems described by ordinary differential equations and discrete time systems described by ARMA type difference equations. Different tools from mathematics like differential equations, complex variables, and Laplace or z-transforms are used in the presentation of the lectures, and are applied in the homework sets.

• Design a system, component or process to meet desired needs. Emphasis is placed on design issues both in the time domain and complex frequency domain for the realization of systems meeting given specifications. In particular, frequency domain design of continuous time filters and z-domain design of discrete time filters was covered, and was elaborated in homework exercises.Similarly, design of ideal sinusoidal amplitude modulation systems was part of the assignments.

• Identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems. These topics are extensively covered through the truly rich problems listed at the end of each chapter of the text used in the course.

• Communicate effectively. Students were assigned a term project, which they presented at the end of the semester in front of the entire class using Power Point presentation. The term project was graded by the clarity of the Power Point slides and the effectiveness of the presentation of the student.

• Recognize the need for, and have the ability to engage in life-long learning. This basic course will provide ability for life-long training and education. In the field of signal and system analysis as well as signal processing, the need for such life-long and continuous search of the related literature was clearly and openly communicated to the students.

• Use of modern engineering students. The analysis and design of tools taught in this course can be readily used by the students in their engineering practice.Modern engineering tools like MATLAB, which they used for homework and term projects, will also be employed in their future engineering practice.

Prepared By: Yorgo Istefanopulos

Last Revised: May 1, 2003