CHAPTER 1

1.0

: INTRODUCTION TO SIGNALS

Introduction
A signal may be considered to be a function of time that represents a physical

variable, carries information and associated with a system.

V (t)
(voltage in volts)
10

t
0

(time in seconds)

Figure 1.0

A voltage signal

Example: Oscilloscope is an instrument used to screening signals. The signals can be

displayed in different forms as:

Sinusoidal

Rectangular

Triangle

The signals displayed in oscilloscope are generated by function generator or frequency

generator. These signals can be in terms of voltage, current or frequency.

1.1

Classification of Signals

1.1.1 Deterministic or Random

A Deterministic Signal is a signal that can be represented by known mathematical
equations and its future values can be predicted. As an example are the following
signals with its mathematical equation:

B cos t

A sin t

A Random Signal cannot be represented by mathematical equations and its future

values cannot be predicted. Notice that Deterministic and Random is exactly opposite
of each other. As an example is the following signal that has no mathematical equation.

1.1.2 Continuous time or Discrete time

A Continuous Signal is defined for all instant of time. The following example is a
signal that is continuously propagate with time, t.

A sin t

A Discrete Signal is defined for specific instant of time only. The following example is
a signal that is specifically propagate at time, t. This signal is called frequency spectrum
and this is how cellular phone signal is transmitted.

1.1.3 Periodic or Aperiodic (Non periodic)

A Periodic Signal is a signal that repeats itself within a specific time. Any continuous
time signal x(t) that satisfies the condition:

x(t ) = x(t + nT )
Where n = 1,2,3,.....

T = constant known as the Fundamental period or period in one cycle signal

An Aperiodic signal does not repeat itself and therefore does not have a period.

The sum of two periodic signals is periodic only if the ratio of their respective periods
can be expressed as a rational number. A real-valued sinusoidal signal can be
expressed mathematically by a time varying function of the form:

x(t ) = A sin( 0 t + )
Where A = amplitude

0 = radian frequency in rad/sec

= phase angle in rad

This sinusoidal signal is periodic with fundamental period, T =

(note that 0 =

2
).
T

for all values of 0

Example: Determine whether the following signals are periodic or aperiodic. Justify
your answers.
a)
b)
c)

x1 (t ) = cos 5t
x 2 (t ) = sin 13t
x3 (t ) = sin 4t

e)

x 4 (t ) = x1 (t ) + 3 x 2 (t )
x5 (t ) = x1 (t ) 2 x3 (t )

f)

x6 (t ) = x1 (t ) 2 x3 (t ) + 5 x3 (t )

d)

Ans: a) Since 0 = 5 =

2
2
, x1 (t ) is periodic with T1 = .
T
5

b) Since 0 = 13 =

2
2
, x 2 (t ) is periodic with T2 =
.
T
13

c) Since 0 = 4 =

2
1
, x3 (t ) is periodic with T3 = .
T
2

d) Check whether the ratio of the respective periods can be expressed as rational
number.

2
T1
= 5 not a rational number therefore x 4 (t ) is aperiodic signal.
T2 2
13
e)

2
T1
4
= 5 = a rational number, therefore x5 (t ) is a periodic signal with new
5
T3 1
2
period and new frequency, T5 = 5T1 = 4T3 = 2 sec and f = 0.5 Hz.

f)

2
T1
4
= 5 = a rational number, therefore x13 (t ) is a periodic signal with new
1
5
T3
2
period and new frequency, T13 = 5T1 = 4T3 = 2 sec and f = 0.5 Hz.
Then, check for

T13
2
=
= 4 , a rational number, therefore x6 (t ) is a periodic
1
T3
2

signal with new period and new frequency, T6 = T13 = 4T3 = 2 sec and

f = 0.5 Hz.
Note: You must determine the period of a signal to justify that the signal is periodic. If
you have to find the frequency, f, use formula f =

0 1
= .
2 T