Posts

What is Called a ‘System’ in Signal Processing?

Image
A system takes an input signal x , processes it somehow, and produces an output signal y . For instance, if we have a time-domain vibration signal from a sensor, we can apply the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to convert it into a frequency-domain signal. The output signal is a frequency spectrum that reveals the system's vibration characteristics. A system has its own characteristics that define how it processes input signals and produces output signals. What are the most salient characteristics of a system? ·        Linearity : If you scale the input signal, the output signal scales proportionally. It follows the principle of superposition. If you have an input signal x 1  that produces an output signal y 1  and another input signal x 2 that produces an output y 2 , then the combined input signal x 1 +x 2 will produce an output signal y 1 +y 2 . Example: If you pour twice the amount of water into a glass, the glass will...

What is Random Noise?

Image
Random noise is an unwanted disturbance or random signal that interferes with a desired signal, making it harder to process or interpret. For example, in a phone call, your voice is the desired signal, while background noise like traffic or wind is a form of noise that can make the conversation harder to hear. Why is it called random noise? It’s because its values change randomly over time without any deterministic or repeating behavior. Random noise is not typically considered an elemental signal because it is not used to analyze or decompose other signals. Instead, it is usually something that needs to be filtered or minimized. The energy distribution across frequencies determines the " color " of noise. For instance, you may have heard of " white noise ". In white noise, the energy is equally distributed across all frequency bins, meaning it has constant energy at all frequencies. On the other hand, in pink noise , the energy decreases as ...

The Importance of Understanding Elemental Signals

Image
Elemental Signals are fundamental components of complex signals, which are often decomposed into more straightforward signals (like sine waves).  By doing so, the analysis and manipulation of complex signals would be easier. Breaking down these signals into elemental components makes it easier to understand their characteristics, like frequency, amplitude, and phase. By identifying the elemental components of complex signals containing noise, we can easily apply some filtering and filter the noise out of signals. By doing so, we can decompose signals and have a modified version.  By reaching elemental signals, we can follow their frequency patterns, which can help in signal processing. Elemental signals include impulse, step, sinusoid, and Exposure signals.  An impulse signal (delta function) is a non-periodic signal that is zero everywhere except at a single point, where it has an infinite amplitude and zero duration. We have this signal when we have a s...