Signal Processing

ENGG*3390
Fall Semester 2010

1 Instructor
Dr. Stefano Gregori. THRN 222, 519-824-4120 ext. 56191, sgregori@uoguelph.ca.

2 Teaching assistant
Mr. Anton Semechko. THRN 320, 519-824-4120 ext. 52132, asemechk@uoguelph.ca.

3 Laboratory technician
Mr. Nathaniel Groendyk. THRN 2308, 519-824-4120 ext. 53729, groendyk@uoguelph.ca.

4 Meetings
Lectures. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 13:30 to 14:20, MACK 312.

Laboratories. Mondays, 14:30 to 16:20, THRN 2307.

5 Materials
Textbook. J. H. McClellan, R. W. Schafer, M. A. Yoder, Signal processing first, Pearson
Prentice Hall 2003.

References. The textbook and the books below are available on the library Course Reserve
for consultation.

• S. Haykin, B. Van Veen, Signals and systems, 2nd ed., Wiley 2005.
• B. Daku, Matlab tutor CD: Learning Matlab superfast, Wiley 2006.

Additional references are indexed by library call numbers TK5101 to TK6720.

6 Prerequisites
Topics. Success in this course requires a good understanding of the fundamentals of engi-
neering mathematics (trigonometry, linear algebra, complex numbers, infinite series,
calculus, and differential equations). Knowledge about electric circuits and the physics
of waves is helpful but not required.

Courses. As stated in the Undergraduate Calendar.

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7 Description
This course explores the fundamental analysis and design techniques for signal processing,
which is the study of ways to create, manipulate, record, and transmit electric signals. The
course begins with a discussion of continuous-time sinusoidal signals, spectrum, and Fourier
series. After studying the concept of aliasing and the Shannon sampling theorem, the course
applies linear system notions to FIR filters and derives the concept of frequency response.
Next the z-transform and IIR filters are discussed. Finally the course returns to continuous-
time signals with the introduction of convolution integrals and Fourier transform.

8 Learning objectives
After successfully completing the course you will be able to describe continuous-time and
discrete-time systems using transform methods and to apply the studied concepts to solve en-
gineering problems involving signal processing systems and electronic filters. To this purpose
you will learn to:

• Understand mathematical representations of continuous-time and discrete-time signals.

• Describe the behaviour of linear time-invariant systems and use convolution.

• Analyze analog and digital electronic filters.

• Apply continuous-time and discrete-time signal transforms to engineering problems.

• Use computer-based signal processing tools.

9 Evaluation
The breakdown for grading the whole course is as follows:

Laboratory 1 20%
Laboratory 2 20%
Midterm exam 20%
Final exam 40%

10 Approach
Lecture sessions focus on important points and significant relationships, clarify concepts,
and present examples. I encourage you go through the textbook material and to learn how
to solve the end-of-the-chapter problems as this prepares you best for the midterm and final
exams.
Laboratory sessions help you assimilate and put into practice the subject matter. I
encourage you to attend the sessions and use the software tools in order to get a feeling for
the practical side of signal processing.
To ensure your safety and the safety of others, please conform to the laboratory safety
regulations, which will be explained to you by the laboratory technician.
Laboratory activities are done individually or in groups of two students, who collaborate
in conducting experiments, taking notes, discussing, and writing reports. There are two
laboratory demonstrations and reports. If your group does not give the demonstration of

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the work done or does not hand in the report, you receive a grade of zero for that assignment.
There are no makeup assignments and late submissions are not accepted for marking.
There are two exams used to determine the extent to which the course learning objectives
have been achieved. The final exam is comprehensive. Any student not taking an exam
receives a grade of zero for that exam. In case you have a legitimate reason for missing an
exam session, I may consider an accommodation upon presentation of a written request and
suitable documentation before the date of the exam.

11 Obtaining help
Please contact the instructor or the teaching assistant if you need help or you have fallen
behind in your work. We are willing to put in as much effort to help you as you are willing
to put in to help yourself.
We are happy to work with you on difficult concepts and hear your suggestions for
improving the course. We welcome any questions, comments, or concerns you might have.
Please feel free to stop by during our office hours or to contact us by email or telephone. If
you are busy during our office hours, then email us with some days and times you are free,
and we will set an appointment that works for both you and us.
Help is available in many cases, please be informed about the following services. If you
are ill, call the Student Health Services or a medical doctor. If you have emotional, family, or
living environment problems that affect your ability to study, visit the Counselling Services
or your academic advisor. If you have a disability or a temporary disability, refer to the
Centre for Students with Disabilities and you are welcome to discuss with us your specific
learning needs at the earliest possible time. I have made every effort to avoid conflicts with
religious obligations. If there is a discrepancy, please contact me as soon as possible.

12 Scholastic integrity
The value of an academic degree depends on the integrity of the work done by you to earn
that degree. It is imperative that you keep a high level of honor in your work. The policies
on scholastic dishonesty reported in the Undergraduate Calendar will be enforced.
I invite you to familiarize yourself with your responsibilities outlined in the Undergraduate
Calendar and with the School of Engineering Code of Ethics. I recommend that you review
the tutorial available on http://www.academicintegrity.uoguelph.ca/ and that you discuss
any question you may have with me or the teaching assistant.

13 Communications
Communication is through announcements in class. Some information will be sent to your
University of Guelph email address using the course mailing list. It is your responsibility to
keep yourself informed about the course.

14 Copyright
The instructor reserves the right to all materials made available for this course and all
interpretations presented in class, which may not be reproduced or transmitted to others
without the written consent of the instructor. The electronic recording of classes is only
allowed with prior consent of the instructor. When recordings are permitted, they are solely
for the use of the authorized student and may not be reproduced or transmitted to others
without the written consent of the instructor.

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15 Tentative schedule
Topics schedule will be adjusted throughout the course as needed.

Weeks Topics Dates

Holiday (6 Sep)

6 – 10 Sep Introduction
First class (10 Sep)

13 – 17 Sep Sinusoids and spectrum

20 – 24 Sep Sampling and aliasing

Laboratory 1 (27 Sep)

27 Sep – 1 Oct FIR filters

Open laboratory (4 Oct)

4 – 8 Oct Freq. resp. FIR filters

Holiday (11 Oct)

11 – 15 Oct z-transform
Demo and report due (18 Oct)

18 – 22 Oct z-transform

25 – 29 Oct IIR filters

Midterm exam (29 Oct)

1 – 5 Nov Continuous-time LTIS

Drop date (4 Nov)

Laboratory 2 (8 Nov)

8 – 12 Nov Freq. resp. LTIS

Open laboratory (15 Nov)

15 – 19 Nov Fourier transform

Demo and report due (22 Nov)

22 – 26 Nov Fourier transform

29 Nov – 3 Dec Review

Last class (2 Dec)

Final exam (6 Dec)

6 – 10 Dec Exams

16 Disclaimer
I reserve the right to change any or all of the above in the event of appropriate circumstances,
subject to the University of Guelph academic regulations.