What Happens When Convolving f(t)delta(t) in an LTI System?

AI Thread Summary
In a linear time-invariant (LTI) system, the output y(t) is determined by the convolution of the input x(t) with the impulse response h(t). When h(t) is a delta function, y(t) equals x(t). The discussion centers on the scenario where h(t) is f(t) multiplied by delta(t), leading to confusion about the resulting output y(t). It is clarified that multiplying a function by a delta function results in evaluating the function at the point where the delta function is centered, specifically x(0) in this case. The integration involving delta functions can be approached using properties of convolution and the Laplace transform for further analysis.
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for linear time invariant system,
y(t)=h(t)*x(t) where y(t) is the output , x(t) is the input and h(t) is the impulse response.(* is the convolution)

The definition of convolution is
y(t)=integration from -infinity to +infinity (h(tau)x(t-tau)d(tau)

p/s: i don't know how to use mathematical equation inhere. just joining the group

i know that if h(t) =delta(t) then y(t)=x(t).

now here comes my confusion, if h(t)=f(t)delta(t), then what is y(t)?
can anybody give me any ideas?

thanks for the help.

zai
 
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DefaultName said:
Use the convolution property. If you have functions 1, 2, and 3:

1 * (2 * 3) = (1 * 2) * 3

http://upload.wikimedia.org/math/e/2/5/e2500afa2d6c138445991bbec0666787.png

Thank you for the reply. For this particular property i knew it already. my question is if
f(t)=[x(t).y(t)]*z(t) and y(t) is a delta function. How do i solve this problem?

Zai
 
zai said:
Thank you for the reply. For this particular property i knew it already. my question is if
f(t)=[x(t).y(t)]*z(t) and y(t) is a delta function. How do i solve this problem?

Zai
What happens when you multiply a function by a delta function?

What is x(t)\delta(t) equal to? Thinking about this graphically may help.
 
if delta(t) = 1 for t = 0,1,2,3 and 0 for else
then,
you get x(t) for t = 0,1,2,3 which is also a delta(t) function.
 
FrogPad said:
What happens when you multiply a function by a delta function?

What is x(t)\delta(t) equal to? Thinking about this graphically may help.

Dear Frogpad,
thank you for the reply. As far as i know if x(t)\delta(t), the answer is x(t) at t=0, i.e x(0). isn't it? So, do we need to consider x(0) as a constant convolve with z(t) then? it doesn't seem right to me.

zai
 
Hi Zai,

I'm a bit late with my answer.

"i know that if h(t) =delta(t) then y(t)=x(t)."
Actually it is x(0) because of one of the delta function properties:

integration from -infinity to +infinity (delta(t-tau)f(t)dt) = f(tau).

Convolution of a function f(t) with a delta distribution moves the function to the point (in time) where the delta impulse takes place.

I guess your hole integration becomes:
y(t)=integration from -infinity to +infinity (f(tau)delta(tau)x(t-tau)d(tau)

You could use the product rule of integration and use the convention that the integral over the delta distribution is the Heaviside Step function Theta.

Now you have:
Theta(tau) f(tau) x(t-tau) - int(Theta(tau) [f(tau)x(t-tau)]' d tau
where ' is the derivative. Usually the derivative of f(tau)x(t-tau) should be easily to obtain by product rule again.

You could also use the Laplace transform and your convolution becomes a multiplication. There are tables with often used formulas and possibly you can find one with f(t) delta(t). Afterward you have to transform it back in the time domain again.
 
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