Introduction to Signals and Systems

The field of telecommunication deals with the transfer or movement of information from one point to another by electronic or electromagnetic means. This chapter begins with understanding what constitutes a signal in telecommunications, the various forms in which signals may exist or are produced, how signals are classified both subjectively and objectively, and the mathematical specification of several special waveforms that serve as building blocks or analysis tools for general or arbitrary signals. It provides information on the subject of logarithmic units, establishing its concepts and highlighting short cuts and common pitfalls, to give the readers complete mastery of the fundamental engineering tool. Basic systems properties are also introduced with examples drawn from both continuous‐time and discrete‐time operations. A complete understanding of sinusoidal signals and their manipulations is essential in mastering the foundational concepts of communication engineering. The chapter provides an introduction to sinusoidal signals followed by a detailed treatment of various sinusoidal signal operations.