Signals and Systems

What is Signals and Systems?

In electrical engineering, signals are like messages that change over time, and systems are tools that do something with these messages. Imagine signals as the language of electronics, like music or speech, and systems as the translators or processors that make sense of these signals. Engineers use these concepts to design things like phones, computers, and other electronic devices. They also use special tools to analyze and understand how signals change and how systems work. It's like figuring out how to make sure your phone gets a clear signal or how to make a music player sound just right. It's a basic but crucial part of making all sorts of electronic gadgets work properly.

Why study Signals and Systems?

Studying signals and systems is essential for electrical engineers because it forms the backbone of understanding how information is conveyed and processed in electronic devices and systems. It provides the tools and concepts necessary for designing and optimizing communication systems, control systems, and various electronic applications. By delving into signals, engineers can grasp how data is represented and manipulated over time, while systems analysis enables them to design circuits and devices that effectively process and respond to these signals. The knowledge gained from studying signals and systems is not only foundational but also instrumental in addressing real-world challenges, making it an indispensable aspect of an electrical engineer's skill set.

Pre-requisites for Signals and Systems

Current knowledge of differential and integral calculus, ordinary differential equations, and introductory complex variables required. 

Books Required

The main aim is to find complex topics with the easiest explanations and you probably won't be able to find that in one book only. Look for simple explanations in as many different books as possible. These are the books that I used to grasp the understanding of complicated topics covered throughout the syllabus. 

1. Signals and Systems by Alan V. Oppenheim

2. An Imaginary Tale: The Story of √-1 by Paul Nahin

3. Linear Systems and Signals 2nd Edition by B.P. Lathi

4. Dr. Euler's fabulous formula by Paul J. Nahin