625.260.81 - Introduction to Signals and Systems

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules. Each module contains several sets of lecture slides and accompanying videos, and an assignment.

Course Topics

• Signals: continuous-time and discrete-time signals, sketching signals, power and energy, SNR, decibels.
• Systems: linearity, time-invariance, causality, stability; convolution; characterizing LTI systems.
• Sinewaves and phasors. Sampling, analog and digital frequency domains, A/D and D/A conversion.
• Algebraic approach to Laplace and z-transforms, transfer functions, block diagrams, feedback. Realization of digital FIR and IIR filters.
• Analog impulse function. Topics from complex analysis: region of convergence (ROC), poles and zeros. Inverse Laplace and z-transforms via partial fractions.
• Fourier transforms: DTFT, CTFT, Fourier series, DFT. Properties of Fourier transform. Frequency response graphs.
• MATLAB: basics of coding in MATLAB, functions (M-files), plotting. Applications to studying signals and systems in the time, frequency and transform domains.
• Time domain modal decomposition: time constants and frequency of oscillation. Natural and forced responses. Initial conditions, steady-state. Damping factor, characterizing unit step responses. Examples with feedback.

Course Goals

You should be able to describe and analyze signals and systems using time, frequency and transform domain tools. You should also be able to write code in MATLAB to perform scientific computation, as applied to signals and systems.

Textbooks

H. Shu, Schaum's Outline: Signals and Systems, McGraw-Hill, 4th edition.  (not required)
978-1-260-45424-6

Required Software

MATLAB:  You will need access to a recent version of MATLAB with the Signal Processing Toolbox.The MATLAB Total Academic Headcount (TAH) license is now in effect. This license is provided at no cost to you. Send an email to software@jhu.edu to request your license file/code. Please indicate that you need a standalone file/code. You will need to provide your first and last name, as well as your Hopkins email address. You will receive an email from Mathworks with instructions to create a Mathworks account. The MATLAB software will be available for download from the Mathworks site.

Student Coursework Requirements

There are 8 modules, each with an assignment. They modules are weighted according to the number of weeks it should take you to complete the module:
Modules 1 and 2 are each one week; modules 3 through 8 are each two weeks.

Module 7 assignment involves writing code in MATLAB. For the others, all work should be done by hand. Each assignment is graded on a scale of 1-100.

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.