Combination of discrete/continuous signals

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The discussion centers on the exploration of literature regarding signals that are both discrete and continuous, exemplified by the function x[n,t) = t/n. It notes that traditional texts on signals and systems, such as those by Oppenheimer, may not adequately cover this topic. The conversation highlights methods for processing these signals, including using linear time-invariant systems and transforming to the frequency domain through a combination of Fourier transforms. An alternative approach is suggested, treating the signal as a 2D continuous signal for analysis. The inquiry concludes with a request for existing research on combined signals, indicating a broader interest in the topic.
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I am looking for literature in theoretical engineering that covers a topic of a signal which is both discrete and continuous.

For example ##x[n,t) = t/n## where ##t## ranges over ##[0,\infty)\cap \mathbb{R}## and ##n## is discrete, i.e takes values in ##\mathbb{Z}##.

I believe that this isn't covered in the usual books of Oppenhiemer, but I may be wrong.
Thanks in advance!
 
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It isn't covered in the typical signals and systems books I am familiar with, but most things you would want to do with such a signal should be pretty straightforward to write down. For example, if ##x## is an input to a linear time-invariant system with impulse response ##h[n,t)##, then the output would be
$$
y[n,t) = \int_{-\infty}^\infty \sum_{m=-\infty}^{\infty} h[m,\tau) x[n-m,t-\tau) \, d\tau
$$
Likewise, to get into the frequency domain you can do a combination of a 1D continuous Fourier transform and a 1D discrete time Fourier transform. etc.

If you are not comfortable with that, one direct approach is to treat it like a 2D continuous signal defined by
$$
x_c(v,t) = \sum_{n=-\infty}^\infty x[n,t) \delta(v-n).
$$
Then if you have a continuous linear time-invariant system with impulse response ##h_c(v,t)##, the output is
$$
\begin{eqnarray*}
y(v,t) & = & \int_{-\infty}^\infty \int_{-\infty}^\infty h_c(\nu,\tau) x_c(v-\nu,t-\tau) \, d\tau \, d\nu \\
& = & \int_{-\infty}^\infty \int_{-\infty}^\infty h_c(\nu,\tau) \sum_{m=-\infty}^\infty x[m,t-\tau) \delta(v-\nu-m) \, d\tau \, d\nu \\
& = & \int_{-\infty}^\infty h_c(v-m,\tau) \sum_{m=-\infty}^\infty x[m,t-\tau) \, d\tau \\
& = & \int_{-\infty}^\infty \sum_{m=-\infty}^{\infty} h_c(m,\tau) x[v-m,t-\tau) \, d\tau ,
\end{eqnarray*}
$$
which is of course only defined when ##v## is an integer. You can of course take 2D continuous Fourier transforms of ##x_c## as well. etc.

Is there some particular application or messy situation you are looking at?

jason
 
Last edited:
@jasonRF not anything in particular.
I just wonder what has already been done in this topic of combined signals.
 
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