Exercise 1.2: Signal Classification

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predetermined characteristics

Three signal curves are shown on the right:

• The blue signal  $x_1(t)$  is switched on at time  $t = 0$  and has the value  $1\,\text{V}\,$ for  $t > 0$ .
• The blue signal  $x_2(t)$  equals zero for  $t < 0$  and jumps to  $1\,\text{V}$  at  $t = 0$ . It then decreases with the time constant  $1\,\text{ms}$ . For  $t > 0$  the following applies:

$$x_2(t) = 1\,\text{V} \cdot {\rm e}^{- {t}/(1\,\text{ms})}.$$

• Correspondingly, the following applies to the green signal  $x_3(t)$  for all  $t$:

$$x_3(t) = 1\,\text{V} \cdot {\rm e}^{- {|\hspace{0.05cm}t\hspace{0.05cm}|}/(1\,\text{ms})}.$$

You should now classify these three signals according to the following criteria:

• deterministic or stochastic,
• causal or acausal,
• energy limited or power limited,
• value-continuous or value-discrete,
• time-continuous or time-discrete.

Notes:

• This exercise belongs to the chapter  Signal Classification.

Questions

1

Which of the following statements are true?

	All signals considered here are deterministic.
	All signals considered here are of stochastic nature.
	The signals are always continuous in time.
	The signals are always continuous in value.

2

Which signals are causal according to the definition in the theory part?

	$x_1(t)$,
	$x_2(t)$,
	$x_3(t)$.

3

Calculate the energy  $R = 1\ Ω$  related to the unit resistance  $E_2$  of the signal  $x_2(t)$.
What is the power  $P_2$  of this signal?

$E_2 \ = \ $ $\ \cdot 10^{-3}\,\text{V}^2\text{s}$

$P_2 \ = \ $ $\ \cdot \text{Vs}$

4

Which of the signals have a finite energy?

	$x_1(t)$,
	$x_2(t)$,
	$x_3(t)$.

Solution

Solution

(1)  The solutions 1 and 3 are applicable:

• All signals can be described completely in analytical form; therefore they are also deterministic.
• All signals are also clearly defined for all times  $t$  not only at certain times. Therefore, they are always time-continuous signals.
• The signal amplitudes of  $x_2(t)$  and  $x_3(t)$  can take any values between  $0$  and  $1\,\text{V}$  they are therefore continuous in value.
• On the other hand, with the signal  $x_1(t)$  only the two signal values  $0$  and  $1\,\text{V}$  are possible; a discrete-valued signal is present.

(2)  Correct are the solutions 1 and 2:

• A signal is called causal if for times  $t < 0$  it does not exist or is identically zero. This applies to the signals  $x_1(t)$  and  $x_2(t)$.
• In contrast,  $x_3(t)$  belongs to the class of non-causal signals.

(3)  According to the general definition:

$$E_2=\lim_{T_{\rm M}\to\infty}\int^{T_{\rm M}/2}_{-T_{\rm M}/2}x^2_2(t)\,\hspace{0.1cm}{\rm d}t.$$

In this case, the lower integration limit is zero and the upper integration limit  $+\infty$. You get:

$$E_2=\int^\infty_0 (1{\rm V})^2\cdot{\rm e}^{-2t/(1\rm ms)}\,\hspace{0.1cm}{\rm d}t = 5 \cdot 10^{-4}\hspace{0.1cm} \rm V^2s \hspace{0.15cm}\underline{= 0.5 \cdot 10^{-3}\hspace{0.1cm} \rm V^2s}.$$

With finite energy, the associated power is always negligible. From this follows  $P_2\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{ = 0}$.

(4)  Correct are the solutions 2 and 3:

• As already calculated in the last subtask,  $x_2(t)$  has a finite energy: 

$$E_2= 0.5 \cdot 10^{-3}\hspace{0.1cm} {\rm V^2s}.$$

• The energy of the signal  $x_3(t)$  is twice as large, since now the time domain  $t < 0$  makes the same contribution as the time domain  $t > 0$. So

$$E_3= 10^{-3}\hspace{0.1cm} {\rm V^2s}.$$

• At signal  $x_1(t)$  the energy integral diverges:  $E_1 \rightarrow \infty$. This signal has a finite power   ⇒   $P_1= 0.5 \hspace{0.1cm} {\rm V}^2$.
• The result also takes into account that the signal  $x_1(t)$  in half the time  $(t < 0)$  is identical to zero.
• The signal  $x_1(t)$  is accordingly  power limited.