Computer and Information Technology Tools in Signals & Systems

Signals and Systems is an upper division course offered in engineering programs including Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering. There are several excellent textbooks available for the subject matter but students still have difficulty in grasping many seemingly abstract concepts like various transform methods (Fourier, Laplace and z), modeling of signals & systems in time/frequency domains, discrete power spectrum, energy spectral density, bandwidth, filter input/output relations, Parseval’s theorem, convolution, signal-to-noise ratio, and transfer (system) function. Software packages like MATLAB, MATHCAD and WFilter are useful computer IT tools so problems, examples can be presented in the class and simulations discussed after analytical results are obtained for a given problem. Our experience has shown that use of these tools will enhance student learning and is an effective way of teaching the subject.