Connexions module: m10057

Signal Classifications and Properties

Melissa Selik Richard Baraniuk Michael Haag

This work is produced by The Connexions Project and licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License

Abstract
Describes various classications of signals.

1 Introduction
This module will lay out some of the fundamentals of signal classication. This is basically a list of denitions and properties that are fundamental to the discussion of signals and systems. It should be noted that some discussions like energy signals vs. power signals have been designated their own module for a more complete discussion, and will not be included here.
1

2 Classications of Signals
Along with the classication of signals below, it is also important to understand the Classication of Systems .
2

2.1 Continuous-Time vs. Discrete-Time

As the names suggest, this classication is determined by whether or not the time axis (x-axis) is discrete (countable) or continuous (Figure 1). A continuous-time signal will contain a value for all real numbers along the time axis. In contrast to this, a discrete-time signal is often created by using the sampling theorem to sample a continuous signal, so it will only have values at equally spaced intervals along the time axis.
3 4

Version

1 "Signal Energy vs. Signal Power" <http://cnx.org/content/m10055/latest/> 2 "System Classications and Properties" <http://cnx.org/content/m10084/latest/> 3 "Discrete-Time Signals" <http://cnx.org/content/m0009/latest/> 4 "The Sampling Theorem" <http://cnx.org/content/m0050/latest/>

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/1.0

2.18: Sep 28, 2009 3:32 pm GMT-5

http://cnx.org/content/m10057/2.18/

Connexions module: m10057

Figure 1

2.2 Analog vs. Digital The dierence between analog and digital is similar to the dierence between continuous-time and discrete-

time. In this case, however, the dierence is with respect to the value of the function (y-axis) (Figure 2). Analog corresponds to a continuous y-axis, while digital corresponds to a discrete y-axis. An easy example of a digital signal is a binary sequence, where the values of the function can only be one or zero.

Figure 2

2.3 Periodic vs. Aperiodic

Periodic signals repeat with some periodT , while aperiodic, or nonperiodic, signals do not (Figure 3). We can dene a periodic function through the following mathematical expression, where t can be any number and T is a positive constant: f (t) = f (T + t) (1)
5

5 "Periodic

Signals" <http://cnx.org/content/m10744/latest/>

http://cnx.org/content/m10057/2.18/

Connexions module: m10057

The fundamental period of our function, f (t), is the smallest value of T that the still allows (1) to be true.

(a)

(b)

Figure 3: (a) A periodic signal with period T0 (b) An aperiodic signal

2.4 Causal vs. Anticausal vs. Noncausal Causal signals are signals that are zero for all negative time, while anticausal are signals that are zero for all positive time. Noncausal signals are signals that have nonzero values in both positive and negative time
(Figure 4).

http://cnx.org/content/m10057/2.18/

Connexions module: m10057

(a)

(b)

(c)

Figure 4: (a) A causal signal (b) An anticausal signal (c) A noncausal signal

2.5 Even vs. Odd An even signal is any signal f such that f (t) = f (t). Even signals can be easily spotted as they are symmetric around the vertical axis. An odd signal, on the other hand, is a signal f such that
f (t) = (f (t)) (Figure 5).

http://cnx.org/content/m10057/2.18/

Connexions module: m10057

(a)

(b)

Figure 5: (a) An even signal (b) An odd signal

Using the denitions of even and odd signals, we can show that any signal can be written as a combination of an even and odd signal. That is, every signal has an odd-even decomposition. To demonstrate this, we have to look no further than a single equation.
f (t) = 1 1 (f (t) + f (t)) + (f (t) f (t)) 2 2

(2)

f (t) + f (t) fullls the requirement of an even function, while f (t) f (t) fullls the requirement of an

By multiplying and adding this expression out, it can be shown to be true. Also, it can be shown that

odd function (Figure 6).

Example 1

http://cnx.org/content/m10057/2.18/

Connexions module: m10057

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)
http://cnx.org/content/m10057/2.18/

Figure 6:
1 2

(f (t) + f (t)) (c) Odd part: o (t) =

(a) The signal we will decompose using odd-even decomposition (b) Even part: e (t) = 1 (f (t) f (t)) (d) Check: e (t) + o (t) = f (t) 2

Connexions module: m10057

mathematical expression, rule, or table. Because of this the future values of the signal can be calculated from past values with complete condence. On the other hand, a random signal has a lot of uncertainty about its behavior. The future values of a random signal cannot be accurately predicted and can usually only be guessed based on the averages of sets of signals (Figure 7).
6 7

2.6 Deterministic vs. Random A deterministic signal is a signal in which each value of the signal is xed and can be determined by a

(a)

(b)

Figure 7: (a) Deterministic Signal (b) Random Signal

2.7 Right-Handed vs. Left-Handed A right-handed signal and left-handed signal are those signals whose value is zero between a given variable

and positive or negative innity. Mathematically speaking, a right-handed signal is dened as any signal where f (t) = 0 for t < t1 < , and a left-handed signal is dened as any signal where f (t) = 0 for t > t1 > . See (Figure 8) for an example. Both gures "begin" at t1 and then extends to positive or negative innity with mainly nonzero values.
6 "Introduction to Random Signals and Processes" <http://cnx.org/content/m10649/latest/> 7 "Random Processes: Mean and Variance" <http://cnx.org/content/m10656/latest/>

http://cnx.org/content/m10057/2.18/

Connexions module: m10057

(a)

(b)

Figure 8: (a) Right-handed signal (b) Left-handed signal

2.8 Finite vs. Innite Length

As the name applies, signals can be characterized as to whether they have a nite or innite length set of values. Most nite length signals are used when dealing with discrete-time signals or a given sequence of values. Mathematically speaking, f (t) is a nite-length signal if it is nonzero over a nite interval
t1 < f (t) < t2

where t1 > and t2 < . An example can be seen in Figure 9. Similarly, an innite-length signal, f (t), is dened as nonzero over all real numbers:
f (t)

http://cnx.org/content/m10057/2.18/

Connexions module: m10057

Figure 9: Finite-Length Signal. Note that it only has nonzero values on a set, nite interval.

http://cnx.org/content/m10057/2.18/