Description

Digital signal processing is nowadays a feature of most everyday communications and entertainment devices. The aim of this course is to equip students with a mathematical grounding in general signal and systems analysis. In subsequent course subjects, this knowledge will be applied to specific applications of signals and systems, including audio, image, video and voice signals.

Objectives cover the following areas:
• Managing signals and systems mathematically and visually, including learning and applying their properties.
• Studying the different domains for signal and systems analysis: time domain, frequency domain and Z domain.
• Learning how to transfer a problem in one domain to a domain in which it is easier to solve.
• Mastering the concept of filter frequency response and learning to interpret the system function.
• Understanding the relationship between the poles and zeros of the system function and the frequency response.
• Acquiring basic notions of filter design in the Z domain.
• Managing specific digital signal processing software.
• Applying the above knowledge to simple and practical laboratory examples.

English Friendly subject: International students may request from the teachers:
a) resources and bibliographic references in English,
b) tutoring sessions in English,
c) exams and assessments in English.

Requirements

Subjects recommended to have taken before:

• Physics: Analysis of Linear Circuits (V05G301V01108)
• Mathematics: Linear Algebra (V05G301V01102)
• Mathematics: Calculus 1 (V05G301V01101)
• Mathematics: Calculus 2 (V05G301V01106)

Instructors

• Márquez Flórez, Óscar Willian
• Rodríguez Banga, Eduardo
• Rodríguez Lois, Elena
• Rubiños López, José Óscar

Contents

Subject 1. Introduction

• Concept of signal and system
• Mathematical representation

Subject 2. Sinusoids

• Sinusoidal signals: frequency, amplitude, and phase
• Complex exponentials and phasors
• Phasor addition rule

Subject 3. Spectrum representation

• Spectrum of a sum of sinusoids
• Mathematical expression and graphical representation
• Fourier Series analysis of periodic signals

Subject 4. Introduction to Sampling and Aliasing

• Sampling and digital frequency
• Analog frequency vs discrete frequency
• Aliasing
• Sampling theorem

Subject 5. FIR Filters

• Introduction to discrete-time systems
• Difference equation
• Filter coefficients
• Block diagrams
• Causality, linearity, and time-invariance
• LTI systems and convolution
• FIR frequency response
• Cascaded LTI systems

Subject 6. Frequency response of FIR filters

• Sinusoidal response of FIR systems
• Frequency response
• Properties
• Graphical representation

Subject 7. Z Transform

• Definition and properties
• Linear-phase filters

Subject 8. IIR Filters

• Difference equation
• Filter coefficients
• Block diagrams
• Impulse response
• Relationship between poles/zeros and frequency response

Subject 9. Continuous-Time Signals and Systems

• Introduction to continuous-time systems
• Unit impulse
• Unit step
• Time delay
• Linearity and time-invariance
• Convolution

Subject 10. Continuous-Time Fourier Transform

• Definition
• Basic pairs
• Properties

Subject 11. Sampling and Reconstruction in the Frequency Domain

• Sampling theorem in the frequency domain

Project 1. A/D and D/A Conversion

• Digitalisation of continuous-time signals
• Aliasing

Project 2. Digital Filters

• Digital filters in time domain
• Digital filters in frequency domain

Learning Outcomes

B3

• CG3: Knowledge of basic subjects and technologies that enables the student to:
  • Learn new methods and technologies
  • Adapt to new situations with versatility

B4

• CG4: Ability to:
  • Solve problems with initiative
  • Make creative decisions
  • Communicate and transmit knowledge and skills
  • Understand ethical and professional responsibility in Telecommunication Engineering

C48

• CE48 / T16: Knowledge of appropriate techniques to:
  • Develop signal processing subsystems
  • Exploit signal processing subsystems

C49

• CE49 / T17: Ability to:
  • Analyze digital signal processing schemes

D2

• CT2: Understanding Engineering within a framework of sustainable development

D3

• CT3: Awareness of:
  • Lifelong learning and continuous quality improvement
  • Flexible, open, and ethical attitude
  • Respect for diversity and non-discrimination (sex, race, religion)
  • Respect for fundamental rights and accessibility

Planned Activities

Introductory activities

• Course presentation including:
  • Programme
  • Reading materials
  • Teaching methodology
  • Assessment system

Lecturing

• Instructor presents the main concepts of each subject
• Includes:
  • A 5-minute student summary of the previous session
  • Student participation through questions and exercises
  • Independent student work after class to deepen understanding
  • Expansion of content using provided guidelines
  • Identification of doubts for personalized tutorials
• Competencies developed:
  • C48, B3, D3

Laboratory practical

• Application of MATLAB functions and commands for digital signal processing
• Focus on solving practical exercises
• Identification of doubts for personalized tutorials
• Software used: MATLAB
• Competencies developed:
  • C49, B4, D2

Problem solving

• Exercises aligned with lecture content and subject guidelines
• Students:
  • Solve problems before class
  • Present solutions on the board
• Identification of doubts for personalized tutorials
• Competencies developed:
  • C49, B4, D2

Discussion Forum

• Course website hosted on the MooVi platform (https://moovi.uvigo.gal/)
• Requirements:
  • Mandatory subscription
  • Profile with photograph
• Platform functions:
  • Provides course information
  • Publishes continuous assessment grades
  • Hosts discussion forums for idea exchange and doubt resolution
• Competencies developed:
  • C48, C49, B3, B4, D2, D3

Assessment Methods and Criteria

Evaluation Activities

Objective questions exam

• Description:
  These tests are a requirement to pass the subject. See details in the "Other comments and second call" section
• Qualification: 0
• Training and Learning Results:
  • B3
  • C48
  • C49
  • D3

Problem and/or exercise solving

• Description:
  These tests are a requirement to pass the subject. See details in the "Other comments and second call" section
• Qualification: 100
• Training and Learning Results:
  • B3
  • B4
  • C48
  • C49
  • D2
  • D3

Other Comments on the Evaluation

ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE

A. Overview

• Skills are assessed through two parts:
  • Lab assessment
  • Problems assessment
• To pass the course:
  • Both parts must be passed
• Each part:
  • Has one or more tests
  • Receives an independent grade
• Tests exist for both:
  • Continuous assessment
  • Global assessment
• Passing a part:
  • Is valid for the entire academic year
• Lab grade:
  • Range: 0–10
  • Pass: ≥ 5
  • If continuous lab grade > 7 → can increase final course mark
• Problems grade:
  • Range: 0–10

Course mark calculation

• If both parts are passed and Lab ≤ 7:
  • Course mark = Problems grade
• If both parts are passed and Lab > 7:
  • Course mark = min [10, Problems grade + (Lab − 7)/3]
• If any part is not passed:
  • Course mark = min [Problems grade, Lab grade]
• If multiple marks exist for a part:
  • Highest mark is used

Important notes

• Course can be passed entirely through continuous assessment
• If a student fails one part:
  • Only that part must be retaken in final exam
• Any participation in Problems tests:
  • Produces a recorded grade

B. Details of the assessment procedure

B1. Lab assessment

• Objective:
  • Evaluate laboratory skills
  • Emphasis on MATLAB for DSP
• Content:
  • Lab manuals
  • Related theory
• Test type:
  • Multiple-choice + short questions
  • Allowed:
    • MATLAB
    • Lab manuals with notes
    • Textbook
  • Not allowed:
    • Calculator
• Grading:
  • Scale: 0–10
  • Pass: ≥ 5
  • If continuous lab grade > 7 → boosts final grade

Assessment methods

• Continuous assessment:
  • Two lab tests
  • Evaluates current + previous practices
  • Weighted average:
    • Practice 1 → 40%
    • Practice 2 → 60%
  • Must take both tests
  • Pass if ≥ 5
• Global assessment:
  • Final exam
  • Pass mark: 5
• Extraordinary / End-of-program:
  • Final exam
  • Pass mark: 5
• Remark:
  • Lab grade valid for entire academic year

B2. Problems assessment

• Objective:
  • Evaluate ability to apply knowledge to solve problems
• Content:
  • Defined in course guidelines
  • MATLAB is not evaluated
• Test type:
  • Problem-solving exam
  • Not allowed:
    • Books
    • Notes
  • Calculator:
    • Allowed depending on exam
• Grading:
  • Scale: 0–10
  • Pass: ≥ 5

Assessment methods

• Continuous assessment:
  • Three tests
  • All mandatory
  • Weights:
    • w1 = 0.25
    • w2 = 0.35 (only if Test2 ≥ 3, else 0)
    • w3 = 0.40 (only if Test3 ≥ 3, else 0)
• Test coverage:
  • Test1 → Units 1–4
  • Test2 → Units 1–7
  • Test3 → Units 1–11
• Schedule approved by CAG and published
• Global assessment:
  • Final exam
  • Pass mark: 5
• Extraordinary / End-of-program:
  • Final exam
  • Pass mark: 5

Remarks

• Problems grade valid for entire academic year
• Students who passed via continuous assessment:
  • May retake final exam to improve grade
• Students who passed in ordinary exam:
  • Cannot retake Problems part in extraordinary exam

C. Other comments

• Only one final grade is recorded
• After ordinary exam:
  • If ≥ 5 → final grade
• If failed:
  • Extraordinary exam may replace grade if higher
• Continuous assessment tests:
  • Cannot be rescheduled
• Lab and Problems grades:
  • Valid only for current academic year

Exam rules

• Not allowed:
  • Books
  • Notes
  • Phones or electronic devices
• Phones must be:
  • Turned off
  • Out of reach
• Calculators:
  • Only simple scientific calculators allowed
  • Not allowed:
    • Programmable calculators
    • Devices with stored formulas or advanced functions

Plagiarism policy

• Considered serious misconduct
• Consequences:
  • Final grade = FAIL (0)
  • Report to academic authorities

Additional bonus

• During lectures:
  • Activities may grant up to +1 point
• Bonus added to final grade

English Friendly subject

• Students may request:
  • Materials in English
  • Tutoring in English
  • Exams in English