Engineering and the Environment

ISVR6045 Digital Signals and Systems

Knowledge and understanding
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

  • The theory and uses of the z-transform.
  • A range of digital filter design methods.
  • High resolution spectral analysis methods.
  • The concept of non stationary and time frequency analysis.

Cognitive (thinking) skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:

  • Read, understand and interpret the literature relating to a broader range of DSP techniques.
  • Better appreciate the breadth of DSP algorithms available.

Practical, subject specific skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:

  • To be able to predict the performance of a digital system and understand how modifications are likely to affect their performance.
  • To use digital filter design tools, appreciating the limitations of the methods used.
  • To be able to implement and appropriately use non-parametric spectral estimations.

Key transferable skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:

  • Comprehend the power and limitations of DSP so that you appreciate where it can be used to enhance system performance.

Module Details

Title: Digital Signals and Systems
Code: ISVR6045
Year: MSc Sound and Vibration Studies
Semester: Semester 1

CATS points: 10 CAT points (= 100 hours) ECTS 5 ECTS points: NaN
Level: PostGradute taught
Co-ordinator(s): , Professor Paul White

Pre-requisites and / or co-requisites

None

The aims of this module are to:

  • Provide the rationale and conceptual bases of some advanced signal processing topics.

  • To introduce the student to the analytical and computational methods required for advanced analysis.
  • To relate the analysis to applications and interpretation of the results.
  • To ensure the student is equipped to understand and use current literature on advanced digital signal processing (DSP).

Digital Systems

  • Auto-regressive (AR) modelling (through population models)
  • Moving average (MA) systems
  • ARMA processes

The Z-Transform

  • Definition
  • Representing the z-plane
  • Poles and zeros
  • Regions of convergence
  • Inversion using, power series, partial fractions and contour integration

FIR Filter Design

  • General filter design issues
  • The windowing design method
  • Frequency sampling

IIR Filter Design

  • General comments on how to map analogue to digital systems
  • Analogue filter designs
  • Method of mapping differentials
  • Impulse variance
  • Bilinear transforms

High Resolution Spectral Estimation

  • Time series models and the contrast between parametric and non-parametric estimation
  • Auto-regressive moving-average models and parameter estimation
  • Auto-regressive models and the Yule-Walker equations; maximum entropy methods; model order determination
  • Capon's method
  • Eigen-based methods; the MUSIC algorithm

Study time allocation

Contact hours: 24 hours lectures (2 h/wk); laboratory classes (2) up to 8 hours
Private study hours: 36 hours minimum, up to 76 hours
Total study time: NaN hours

Teaching and learning methods

2 lectures/week and two 2-hour laboratory classes.

Examples are provided to students in order to practice their analytical skills and these are backed up with interactive tutorial/laboratory sessions. Students are encouraged to read supporting texts and a booklist is provided.

Resources and reading list

Secondary text

Digital Signal Processing, 1975, A V Oppenheim
R W Schafer, 0132146355
Prentice-Hall: Englewood Cliffs, N J

Theory and Application of Digital Signal Processing,1975, L R Rabiner
B Gold, Prentice Hall
013914014

Modern Spectral Estimation, 1987, S M Kay, Prentice Hall
013598582X

Signals and Systems
1st Edition, 1983
2nd Edition, 1996, A V Oppenheim
A S Willsky
S Hamid Nawab, Prentice Hall
0138097313
136511759

Assessment methods

Assessment method Number% contribution to final mark
Written exam180
Assessed Laboratories220