ELECTENG 331 : Signals and Systems

Engineering

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Introduction to continuous-time and discrete-time signals and systems. Spectral analysis and representation of analog and digital signals, and linear, time-invariant systems. Conversion between analog and digital signals. Systems for manipulating and filtering signals in hardware and software.

Course Overview

This foundational course introduces a time- and frequency-based framework for studying both analog and digital signals and systems. These concepts underpin all of modern electrical engineering technology and information systems, and every engineer needs to have a good working knowledge of both the theory and practical implications of these ideas. We will dissect periodic signals with Fourier series, tackle aperiodic signals via Fourier transforms, and investigate unstable systems with Laplace transforms. Real-world applications like audio processing and communication systems will underscore practical implications. For digital systems, we will explore sampling, digital filters, and Z-transforms. Practical examples in digital communication and image processing will emphasize real-world relevance. This course equips you to analyse signals and systems, merging theory with practical applications.

The topics covered in ELECTENG 331 include:

1. Analog Signals
  • Periodic signals: Fourier series
  • Aperiodic signals: Fourier transform
  • Properties of the Fourier transform
  • Moving from the Fourier transform to the Laplace transform
2. Analog Systems
  • Introduction to Linear Time Invariant (LTI) systems
  • Analysis of LTI systems using the Laplace Transform (LT)
  • Stability analysis
  • Impulse response of LTI systems
  • Examples from communication systems
3. Discrete Systems
  • Sampling
  • Digital LTI Systems
  • Z-transforms
4. Frequency domain (discrete)
  • Moving from the ZT to the Discrete-time Fourier Transform (DTFT)
  • Properties of the DTFT
  • Examples from speech processing

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: ELECTENG 202 or 291, or PHYSICS 140 and 244 Restriction: ELECTENG 303

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 7: Collaboration

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand and apply the Fourier series and the Fourier transform to determine signal spectra (Capability 3.1 and 4.1)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of how the Laplace transform is used for system analysis (Capability 3.1, 4.1 and 7.1)
  3. Analyse and evaluate Linear Time Invariant (LTI) systems for processing signals (Capability 3.1, 4.1 and 7.1)
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of stability in LTI systems (Capability 3.1, 4.1 and 7.1)
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of sampling analog signals for the purpose of computer processing (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 7.1)
  6. Analyse and evaluate digital LTI systems for processing sampled signals (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 7.1)
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of Z-transforms for analysing and evaluating digital systems (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 7.1)
  8. Demonstrate an understanding of the discrete time Fourier transform (DTFT) for frequency domain processing of signals (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 7.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 8% Individual Coursework
Tutorials 7% Group Coursework
Laboratories 15% Group Coursework
Tests 20% Individual Test
Examination 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Assignments
Tutorials
Laboratories
Tests
Examination
  • A passing mark is 50% or higher, according to the University policy.
  • Students must sit the exam to pass the course. Otherwise, a DNS (did not sit) result will be returned.
  • No late submission is allowed unless late submission penalties are specified on Canvas.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15-point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15-point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, in a typical week you can expect

  • 3 hours of lectures,
  • a 1-hour tutorial,
  • 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content, and
  • 3 hours of work on a mixture of assignments, and/or laboratories and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

  • Attendance at lectures is expected, although most lectures will be recorded as a back-up.
  • Attendance is required at scheduled activities such as laboratories and tutorials to receive credit for components of the course.
  • Tutorials and laboratories require your collaboration and are not recorded.
  • The course will not include live online events.
  • Attendance on campus is required for the tests and the final examination.
  • The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

This course has no prescribed textbook. All learning materials will be made available digitally on Canvas, this includes lecture notes, resources for tutorials and laboratories, and self-study materials.

Health & Safety

Students will need to undertake an MDLS Health and Safety Induction before undertaking any laboratory work. Students must ensure they are familiar with their Health and Safety responsibilities, as described in the university's Health and Safety policy.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Overall, the comments were very positive about this course. In 2024 we will continue what we were doing but we will put more emphasis on some of the practical implications, namely more focus on sampling and the discrete Fourier Transform.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.