Analysis of Signals and Systems
Classification of Systems
Dr. David Antonio-Torres
Objectives
To introduce the concept of system, identify the models of
basic systems and understand the classification of systems
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Signals and Systems
Contents
Concept of systems
Types of systems
Representation of systems
Interconnection of systems
Properties of systems
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Signals and Systems
Concept of Systems
A system is a an operator or rule that associates an input
signal x(t), or stimulus, to an output signal y(t), or response
Given an input signal, a system yields an output signal
Input Signal
x(t)
System
(H Operator)
Output Signal
y(t)
y(t) = H[ x(t) ]
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Signals and Systems
Types of Systems
Regarding the signals they process
A continuous-time system is a system that accepts a
continuous-time signal at the input and yields a
continuous-time signal at the output
A discrete-time system is a system that accepts a
discrete-time signal at the input and yields a discrete-time
signal at the output
A mixed-signal system handles both types of signals
Regarding the number of signals at the input and at the output
An SISO system is a system with a single signal at the
input and a single signal at the output
An MIMO system is a system with multiple signals at the
input and multiple signals at the output
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Signals and Systems
Representation of Systems
A mathematical expression that characterizes a physical
system is termed the representation or model of the system
The process of assigning a model to a system is called
modeling
y ( t )= A x1 (t )+ B x 2 ( t )
y ( t )= x( t 1)
y ( t )=cos [ x( t ) ]
d
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y (t )+ y ( t )=2 x (t )
dt
Y ( s) s1
=
X ( s) s2 s+1
h( t )=e 2t u (t )
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Signals and Systems
Interconnection of Systems
With the purpose of understanding the behavior of a system
or dealing with its complexity, a system can be represented as
an interconnection of components or sub-systems
Sub-systems can be interconnected
Serially
In parallel
In a feedback loop
In a combination of the previous ones
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Signals and Systems
Interconnection of Systems
Serial connection
Input
System 1
System 2
Output
Parallel connection
System 1
Input
Output
System 2
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Signals and Systems
Interconnection of Systems
Serial-parallel connection
System 2
System 1
Input
System 4
Output
System 3
Connection in a feedback loop
Input
System 1
Output
System 2
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Signals and Systems
Properties of Systems
Systems can be classified according to the following
properties
Memory
Invertibility
Causality
Stability
Time invariance
Linearity
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Signals and Systems
Systems without Memory (Memoryless)
A system is said to be memoryless if its output for each value
of the independent variable at a given time is dependent only
on the input at the same time
y ( t )= x( t )
y ( t )= K x ( t)
y ( t )=cos [ x( t ) ]
y [ n]=x [ n]
2
y [ n]=x [ n] x [ n]
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Signals and Systems
Systems with Memory
A system with memory is a system that retains information
about input values at times other than the current time
y( t )= x( t 1)
t
y( t )= x( ) d
y[ n]=x [ n1 ]
n
y[ n]= x [ k ]
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Signals and Systems
Invertibility
A system is said to be an invertible system if distinct inputs
lead to distinct outputs
An invertible system, when serially connected to its inverse
system, outputs the original input signal
Invertible
System
Inverse
System
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Signals and Systems
Causality
A system is causal if the output at any time depends on
values of the input at the current time and/or in the past; a
system is non-causal if the output depends on values of the
input in the future
Memoryless systems are causal systems
Below are the examples of non-causal systems
y ( t)= x( t +1)
1
y [ n ]= { x[ n+ 1]+ x [ n]+ x [ n1] }
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Signals and Systems
BIBO Stability
A system is said to be stable if, when excited by a boundedamplitude input signal yields a bounded-amplitude output
signal; an example of a stable system is given below
y ( t)= x( t )cos( t )
When excited by a bounded-amplitude input signal, an
unstable system will yield an unbounded-amplitude output
signal; an example of an unstable system is given below
y ( t)=t x( t)
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Signals and Systems
Time Invariance
A system is time invariant if its behavior and characteristics
remain fixed over time
A system is time invariant if a time shift in the input signal
produces results in an identical time shift in the output signal
x(t)
Time-Invariant
System
y(t)
x(t t0)
Time-Invariant
System
y(t t0)
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Signals and Systems
Time Invariance
Below is the example of a time-invariant system
y ( t )= x( t 1)
Examples of time-varying systems are given below
y ( t)=t x( t)
y ( t)= x( 2 t )
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Signals and Systems
Linearity
A linear system is a system that possesses the property of
superposition: if an input signal consists of the weighted
sum of several signals, then the output is the weighted sum of
the responses of the system to each of those signals
Superposition is made up of the properties of additivity and
scaling (or homogeneity); scaling is graphically represented
below
x1(t)
Linear
System
y1(t)
A x1(t)
Linear
System
A y1(t)
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Signals and Systems
Linearity
Additivity is graphically represented next
x1(t)
Linear
System
y1(t)
x2(t)
Linear
System
y2(t)
x1(t) + x2(t)
Linear
System
y1(t) + y2(t)
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Signals and Systems
Linearity
Superposition is graphically represented next
x1(t)
Linear
System
y1(t)
x2(t)
Linear
System
y2(t)
A x1(t) + B x2(t)
Linear
System
A y1(t) + B y2(t)
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Signals and Systems
Linearity
Examples of linear systems are given next
y ( t)=t x( t)
y ( t)= x( t 1)
Examples of non-linear systems are given next
y( t)= [ x (t ) ]
y( t)=cos [ x (t ) ]
As a consequence of superposition, a linear system with an
input signal that is zero for all time produces an output signal
that is also zero for all time
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Signals and Systems
