Signals - Integration of Heavyside Step & Dirac Delta Functions

The second integral evaluates to [e^{-t}]_{t=1} which is equal to 1/e. Adding these two together gives the final answer of 1/e.In summary, the integral \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{u(t)e^{-t}(\delta(t+1)+\delta(t-1))dt can be split into two integrals, with the upper limit of t=∞ becoming the upper limit of t=1 for the second integral. The first integral evaluates to 0 due to the properties of the delta function, and the second integral evaluates to 1/e. Therefore, the final answer is 1/e.
  • #1
SpaceDomain
58
0

Homework Statement



[tex]
\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{u(t)e^{-t}(\delta(t+1)+\delta(t-1))dt
[/tex]

Homework Equations



[tex]
\int_{-\infty}^{t}{u(t)dt = \left\{\begin{array}{cc}0,&\mbox{ if }
t< 0\\t, & \mbox{ if } t>0\end{array}\right.
[/tex][tex]
\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{f(t)\delta(t-a)dt} = f(a)
[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



[tex]
\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{u(t)e^{-t}(\delta(t+1)+\delta(t-1))dt
[/tex]

[tex]
= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{u(t)e^{-t}{\delta(t+1)dt}
+ \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{u(t)e^{-t}{\delta(t-1)dt}
[/tex]

I obviously could use the second relevant equation if the u(t) term was not in these integrals.

I am stuck. Could someone point me in the right direction?
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
[tex]
= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{u(t)e^{-t}{\delta(t+1)dt}
+ \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{u(t)e^{-t}{\delta(t-1)dt}
[/tex]

[tex]
= \int_{0}^{\infty}{e^{-t}{\delta(t+1)dt}
+ \int_{0}^{\infty}{e^{-t}{\delta(t-1)dt}
[/tex]

Is that correct?
 
  • #3
SpaceDomain said:

Homework Statement



[tex]
\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{u(t)e^{-t}(\delta(t+1)+\delta(t-1))dt
[/tex]


Homework Equations



[tex]
\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{u(t)dt = \left\{\begin{array}{cc}0,&\mbox{ if }
t< 0\\t, & \mbox{ if } t>0\end{array}\right.
[/tex]
The upper limit of the integral should be t, not ∞.
[tex]
\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{f(t)\delta(t-a)dt} = f(a)
[/tex]


The Attempt at a Solution



[tex]
\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{u(t)e^{-t}(\delta(t+1)+\delta(t-1))dt
[/tex]

[tex]
= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{u(t)e^{-t}{\delta(t+1)dt}
+ \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{u(t)e^{-t}{\delta(t-1)dt}
[/tex]

I obviously could use the second relevant equation if the u(t) term was not in these integrals.

I am stuck. Could someone point me in the right direction?
Why does the presence of u(t) stop you? What's the definition of the Heaviside step function?
 
  • #4
SpaceDomain said:
[tex]
= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{u(t)e^{-t}{\delta(t+1)dt}
+ \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}{u(t)e^{-t}{\delta(t-1)dt}
[/tex]

[tex]
= \int_{0}^{\infty}{e^{-t}{\delta(t+1)dt}
+ \int_{0}^{\infty}{e^{-t}{\delta(t-1)dt}
[/tex]

Is that correct?
Yes.
 
  • #5
[tex]

= \int_{0}^{\infty}{e^{-t}{\delta(t+1)dt}
+ \int_{0}^{\infty}{e^{-t}{\delta(t-1)dt}

[/tex]

[tex]

= [e^{-t}]_{t=-1}
+ [e^{-t}]_{t=1}

[/tex]
[tex] [e^{-t}]_{t=-1} = 0 [/tex] because [tex] t=-1 [/tex] is out of the limits of integration.
[tex] [e^{-t}]_{t=-1}
+ [e^{-t}]_{t=1}
= \frac{1}{e}
[/tex]


Does that look right?
 
  • #6
SpaceDomain said:
[tex]

= \int_{0}^{\infty}{e^{-t}{\delta(t+1)dt}
+ \int_{0}^{\infty}{e^{-t}{\delta(t-1)dt}

[/tex]

[tex]

= [e^{-t}]_{t=-1}
+ [e^{-t}]_{t=1}

[/tex]



[tex] [e^{-t}]_{t=-1} = 0 [/tex] because [tex] t=-1 [/tex] is out of the limits of integration.



[tex] [e^{-t}]_{t=-1}
+ [e^{-t}]_{t=1}
= \frac{1}{e}
[/tex]


Does that look right?
Yes and no. You figured out the answer correctly, but what you wrote isn't correct. For one thing, the first integral isn't equal to [itex][e^{-t}]_{t=-1}[/itex] since [itex][e^{-t}]_{t=-1}=e[/itex]. Second, [itex][e^{-t}]_{t=-1}[/itex] is always equal to e; it's never equal to 0. What you should have written is simply that the first integral is equal to 0 because the delta function is zero over the interval of integration.
 

1. What are Heaviside step and Dirac delta functions?

Heaviside step and Dirac delta functions are mathematical functions commonly used in signal processing to model and analyze signals. The Heaviside step function, also known as the unit step function, is defined as 0 for negative values and 1 for positive values. The Dirac delta function, also known as the impulse function, is defined as infinity at 0 and 0 everywhere else.

2. How are Heaviside step and Dirac delta functions related?

The Heaviside step function can be used to represent the integral of the Dirac delta function. In other words, the Dirac delta function is the derivative of the Heaviside step function. This relationship is useful in solving equations involving these functions.

3. Why are Heaviside step and Dirac delta functions important in signal processing?

These functions are essential in signal processing because they allow us to model and analyze signals with abrupt changes, such as sudden increases or decreases in amplitude. They also make it easier to solve differential equations involving signals.

4. How are Heaviside step and Dirac delta functions integrated in signal processing?

In signal processing, Heaviside step and Dirac delta functions are integrated using the convolution operation. This operation involves multiplying the two functions and then integrating the product over a range of values. The result is a new function that represents the integrated signal.

5. What are some real-world applications of Heaviside step and Dirac delta functions?

Heaviside step and Dirac delta functions are used in a variety of fields, including electrical engineering, physics, and economics. They are commonly used to model and analyze signals in systems or processes with sudden changes, such as in electrical circuits, earthquake vibrations, and economic shocks. They are also used in computer programming for numerical simulations and data analysis.

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