Learning Objectives and Course Outline

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, the students will be able to:

  1. Describe a physical process in terms of signals and systems and describe the properties of the system.
  2. Calculate the frequency representations of periodic and aperiodic signals.
  3. Compute the steady state outputs of linear time-invariant systems by solving differential equations, by convolution, and by the Fourier transform.
  4. Design frequency selective filters based on the given system's specifications.
  5. Represent continuous-time signals/systems as discrete-time signals/systems and use digital computers to analyze and design the signals/systems.

Course Outline

The course outline is a guideline to topics that will be discussed in the course, and when they will be discussed. The sequence in which topics wil be taught are subject to change. Instructors transparencies, if applicable, will also be made available here.

Week Topics Readings Handouts Assignment/Quiz Lab (tentative)
Sep. 12, 2011 Introduction to Signals Sections 1.1 - 1.4 Handout # 1 - -
Sep. 19, 2011 Introduction to Systems Sections 2.1 - 2.3 Handout # 2 HW 1 distributed Lab 1
Sep. 26, 2011 Convolution Integral Sections 3.1 - 3.7 Handout # 3 HW 1 due (Quiz 1) Lab 2 (Lab 1 due)
Oct. 03, 2011 Laplace Transform Sections 6.1 - 6.9 Handout # 4 HW 2 Lab 3 (Lab 2 due)
Oct. 10, 2011 Co-curricular week (No classes)
Oct. 17, 2011 CT Fourier Series Sections 4.1 - 4.6 Handout # 5 HW 2 due Lab 3
Oct. 24, 2011 CT Fourier Transform Sections 5.1 - 5.7 Handout # 6 HW 3 (Quiz 2) Lab 4 (Lab 3 due)
Oct. 31, 2011 Design of CT Filters Sections 7.1 - 7.4 Handout # 7 HW 3 due Lab 4
Oct. 31, 2011 Mid-term Exam
Nov. 07, 2011 Sampling and Quantization Sections 9.1 - 9.3 Handout # 8 HW 4 (Quiz 3) Lab 5 (Lab 4 due)
Nov. 14, 2011 Convolution Sum Sections 10.1 - 10.5 Handout # 9 HW 4 due Lab 5
Nov. 21, 2011 The Z Transform Sections 13.1 - 13.6 Handout # 10 HW 5 due Lab 6
Nov. 28, 2011 DT Fourier Transform Sections 11.1 - 11.7 Handout # 11 HW 5 (Quiz 4) Lab 6 (Lab 5 due)

Review Notes

  1. Review of Complex Numbers

Animation

This is a nice flash animation explaining how convolution is computed for CT signals. Click on this link to access the animation. You will need a swf player to run this animation.

Addition learning objects designed by the instructor on important concepts in signals and systems can be found at this link.