Signals: Definition and Examples
Dr. J. Aravinth
De nition of a Signal
De nition: A signal is a function.
Recall that a function 𝑥(𝑡) represents the variation of a quantity 𝑥,
called the dependent variable, with respect to one or more
independent variables, 𝑡 .
Recall that a function is de ned as 𝑓 : 𝐴 → 𝐵 , where:
𝐴 represents the domain of the function 𝑓 , which is the set
from which the independent variable 𝑡 takes its values.
The domain usually represents time and
sometimes space.
𝐵 represents the codomain of the function 𝑓 , which is the
set from which the dependent variable 𝑥 takes its values.
The codomain may represent, e.g., voltage,
current, etc.
Remarks:
The domain 𝐴 can be either a discrete or continuous set.
⇒ A signal can be classi ed as either a discrete-time signal
or a continuous-time signal.
The codomain 𝐵 can be either a discrete or continuous set.
⇒ A signal can be classi ed as either a discrete-valued
signal or a continuous-valued signal.
The domain 𝐴 or codomain 𝐵 can be either a one-dimensional or a
multi-dimensional set.
Examples of Signals
Audio Signals: e.g., speech and music signals have the form 𝑥 = 𝑓 (𝑡) .
Images: e.g., (gray-scale) images are of the form 𝑧 = 𝑔(𝑥, 𝑦) .
Video Signals: e.g., a black-and-white video signal can be thought of to be a
function of both space and time, i.e., 𝑣 = 𝑓 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡) .
Video Signals: e.g., a color video signal can be thought of to be a vector of
functions of space and time, i.e.,
(𝑟, 𝑔, 𝑏) = 𝐟(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡) = [𝑓 1 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡), 𝑓 2 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡), 𝑓 3 (𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑡)] .
Weather Forecast: e.g., temperature, humidity, and the speed and direction of
the wind.
These quantities are measured by using appropriate sensors.
Computer Data: transmitted as a sequence of pulses.
For example, using binary pulses with 0V for '0' and +5V for '1'.
Communication: signals are modulated..
Modulation makes a low-frequency signal suitable for transmission in a high
frequency band, e.g., RF or optical.
Biomedical Signals: e.g., EEG/ECG Signals.
Financial: e.g., stock prices and exchange rates.
References:
[1] Simon Haykin and Barry Van Veen, Signals and Systems, Second
Edition, John Wiley and Sons, 2003.
[2] Lecture Notes by Richard Baraniuk.
https://www.di.univr.it/documenti/OccorrenzaIns/matdid/matdid018094.pdf
(https://www.di.univr.it/documenti/OccorrenzaIns/matdid/matdid018094.pdf)
