Linear Time Invariant Systems - GATE

Study Material in PDF

In the previous articles, we discussed the basics and types of time systems. In these
free GATE 2018 Notes, we will discuss one particular type of system in detail –
Linear Time Invariant Systems. Linearity and Time Invariance play very
important role in analysing the system. The details of these two properties have been
discussed in the previous article. We will now deal with the mathematical
representation and the properties of these systems.

These study material covers everything useful you will need for GATE EC and
GATE EE as well as other exams like ISRO, IES, BARC, BSNL, DRDO etc. These
notes can also be downloaded in PDF so that your exam preparation is made easy
and you ace your exam.

You should probably go through the basics covered in previous articles, before
starting off with this module.

Recommended Reading –

Laplace Transforms
Limits, Continuity & Differentiability
Mean Value Theorems
Differentiation
Partial Differentiation
Maxima and Minima
Methods of Integration & Standard Integrals
Vector Calculus
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 Vector Integration
Time Signals & Signal Transformation
Standard Time Signals
Signal Classification
Types of Time Systems

A discrete time LTI system can be represented in form of sum of scaled and shifted
impulses.
x[n0 ] ; n = n0
x[n] δ[n − n0 ] = {
0 ; n ≠ n0

= x[n0 ] δ[n − n0 ]

x[0] ; n=0
i. e. x[0] δ[n] = {
0 ; otherwise

x[1] ; n=0
x[1] δ[n − 1] = {
0 ; otherwise

x[−1] ; n = −1
x[−1] δ[n + 1] = {
0 ; otherwise

Therefore, we can write x[n] as the sum of scaled and shifted impulses.

x[n] = … … … + x[−4]δ [n + 4] + x[−3]δ [n + 3] + x[−2]δ [n + 2] + x[−1]δ [n + 1] +

x[0]δ [n] + x[1]δ [n − 1] + x[2]δ [n − 2] + x[3]δ [n − 3] + … ….

We can write this sum as

x[n] = ∑∞
k=−∞ x[k] δ[n − k]

Now if we apply the input to as LTI system.

It can also be segregated to

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The output can be written as

y[n] = … … + x[−2]h−2 [n] + x[−1]h−1 [n] + x[0]h0 [n] + x[1]h1 [n] + x[2]h2 [n] +
⋯……

Where h-2[n] → response of LTI system having system response h[n] to the shifted
impulse δ[n+2]

Similarly, h+1[n] → response of LTI system to the δ[n-1]

y(n) can also be written as -

y[n] = ∑∞
k=−∞ x[k]hk [n]

Where hk[n]is the response of LTI system having system response h[n]to the shifted
impulse δ[n-k]

Since the system is time invariant and their response hk[n] to time shifted unit
impulses are time shifted version of each other.

y[n] = ∑∞
k=−∞ x[k]h[n − k]

This result is known as the ‘’convolution sum’’ or ‘’superposition sum’’. Symbolically

convolution is represented as –

y[n] = x[n] * h[n]

Similar procedure can be followed in continuous time systems, for which

∞
y(t) = ∫−∞ x(τ)h(t − τ)dt

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This corresponds to convolution integral or superposition integral.

Symbolically convolution is represented as

y(t) = x(t) * h(t)

Now we will proceed with an example to understand the LTI systems better.

Example 1:

Obtain convolution sum of the following signals

(1) x[n] = (a)n u[n], h[n] = u[n]; o<a<1

(2) x(t) = u(t) + δ(t), h(t) = e-3t u(t)

Solution:
1) y[n] = x[n]* h[n]

= ∑∞
−∞ x(k) h (n − k)

= ∑∞ k
−∞ a u(k). u (n − k)

1 ;k ≥ 0
= ∑∞ k
0 a . 1. u (n − k) (since u(k) = {
0 ;k < 0
1 ;k ≤ n
and u[n − k] = {
0 ;k > n

Case (i): n > 0

y[n] = ∑nk=0 ak . 1.1. = ∑nk=0 ak

1−an+1
y[n] = 1−a
;a < 1

Case (ii): n < 0

u[n − k] = 0 ; for k > 0

⇒ y[n] = 0 ; for n < 0

0 ; n<0
⇒ y[n] = x[n] ∗ h[n] = { 1−an+1
;n ≥ 0
1−a

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𝟐) x(t) = u(t) + δ(t)

h(t) = e−3t u(t)

∞ ∞
y(t) = x(t) ∗ h(t) = ∫−∞ x(τ) h(t − τ)dτ = ∫−∞(u(τ) + δ(τ)). e−3 (t−τ) u(t − τ)dτ
∞ ∞
= ∫−∞ u(τ). e−3 (t−τ) u(t − τ)dτ + ∫−∞ δ(τ). e−3 (t−τ) u(t − τ)dτ

1 ;τ ≥ 0
u(t) = {
0 ;τ < 0

1 ;τ ≤ t
u(t − τ) = {
0 ;τ > t

Case (i): t > 0

t t
y(t) = ∫0 e−3(t−τ) dτ + ∫0 e−3(t−τ) δ(τ)dτ

t
Since ∫0 x(t)δ(τ)dτ = x(0)

Therefore,

t 1 t 1
y(t) = e−3t ∫0 e3(τ) dt + e−3(t−0) = e−3t . 3 e3τ | + e−3t = e−3t . 3 [e3t − 1] + e−3t
0

1 1
= e−3t . 3 [e3t − 1] + e−3t = 3 [1 − e−3t ] + e−3t

1 2
y(t) = 3 + 3 e−3t

Case (i): t < 0

y(t) = 0
1
Therefore y(t) = (1 + 2e−3t ) u(t)
3

This concludes the introduction to the LTI systems. In next article, we will discuss
the properties of these systems.

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Properties of LTI Systems

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