Signals and Systems

What the course covers

6.003 gives a grounding in signal and system analysis. It moves between discrete-time and continuous-time signals, working through singularity functions, complex exponentials, Fourier representations, Laplace and Z transforms, and sampling.

Systems and their responses

On the systems side, the course represents linear, time-invariant systems through difference and differential equations, block diagrams and system functions. The analysis tools include pole-zero reasoning, convolution, and both impulse and step responses.

Where it is applied

Its examples come mostly from engineering and physics, with feedback and control, communications and signal processing as the main application areas. It suits students in electrical engineering, computing and related fields who need the mathematics that underpins those applications.

• Fourier, Laplace and Z transforms as analysis tools.
• Poles, zeros and frequency response.
• Feedback, communications and signal processing use cases.