ECE 452/552
Chapter 1
R. TYMERSKI
SIGNALS
A continuous-time signal is a signal defined over a continuous range of
time. The amplitude may assume a continuous range of values or may as-
sume a finite number of distinct or quantized values. An analog signal is one
where both the amplitude and time are continuous.
A discrete-time signal is a signal define only at discrete instants of time
i.e. t is quantized. If the amplitude can assume a continuous range of values,
then the signal is called a sampled-data signal, as it can be generated by sam-
pling an analog signal. A digital signal is discrete-time signal with quantized
amplitude. Such a signal can be represented by a sequence of numbers.
SYSTEMS
Discrete-time control systems are control systems in which one or more
variables can change only at discrete instants of time. These instants will be
denoted by kT or tk (k = 0, 1, 2, . . .)
We will be dealing mainly with linear, time-invariant discrete-time systems,
which can be described by linear difference equations.
The general form of an nth-order linear difference equation is:
x(k) = αn e(k)+αn−1 e(k−1)+· · ·+α0 e(k−n)−βn−1 x(k−1)−· · ·−β0 x(k−n)
The solution of difference equations may be approached by using the z-
transform.
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DIGITAL CONTROL SYSTEMS
Advantages over analog control:
1. Data processing is straightforward.
2. Control programs (controller characteristics) can be easily changed.
3. Less problems due to internal noise and drift effects.
Disadvantages:
1. The sampling and quantizing process tend to result in more errors,
which degrade system performance.
2. Designing to compensate for such degradation is more complex.
A more detailed block diagram of a digital control system:
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Types of Sampling
1. Periodic. tk = kT (k = 0, 1, 2, · · ·), gives equally spaced samples.
2. Multi-order sampling. The pattern of the tk s is repeated periodically.
3. Multi-rate. Different sampling rates used throughout the system.
4. Random. tk is a random variable.
• Generally, periodic sampling will be used.
Selection of sampling rate
Sampling theorem: if a continuous-time signal is bandlimited or contains
no frequency components higher than wc , then theoretically the original sig-
nal can be reconstructed without distortion if it is sampled at a rate of at
least 2wc .
In practice, the sampling frequency is chosen to be much higher the 2wc ,
usually 8-10 times wc .
Note: the sampling frequency affects the stability of a closed-loop digital
control system.