What is the mathematical equation for calculating the arg function?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mathematical calculation of the arg function, particularly in the context of digital signal processing (DSP) and transfer functions. Participants explore the relationship between the arg function and the phase of signals, as well as how to derive it from given transfer functions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about calculating the arg function and requests a mathematical equation, noting its relation to arctan.
  • Another participant describes a geometric approach to finding the argument of a complex number using the complex plane and trigonometric relationships, suggesting that tan(theta) = b/a.
  • A later reply suggests converting e^{jw} to cos(w) + j*sin(w) to relate it to the previous explanation and encourages using trigonometry to find other expressions for the lengths of the sides.
  • One participant mentions their focus on filter design in the Z-domain and indicates they have figured out how the formula was derived from earlier posts.
  • Discussion includes a comparison between continuous and discrete time systems, with explanations on how to evaluate frequency responses using different variables (s and z).
  • Another participant notes the practical focus of their current class on discrete finite transforms, contrasting it with previous exposure to continuous time transforms.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a singular method for calculating the arg function, and multiple approaches and perspectives are presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference specific conditions and assumptions related to the transfer functions and the context of their studies, which may not be universally applicable. There are also mentions of different interpretations of the variables involved in the calculations.

pyro_dragun
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Alright, after seeing it for a few time in my courses, I am still confused on how to actually calculate this function. I know that the arg function describes the phase of a signal, and that's all fine and dandy, but I would like some sort of mathematical equation to calculate it. I know it has something to do with an arctan.

For example, in my DSP book, these transfer functions are given:

H1(z) = (z+b)/(z+a) 0<|a|<1
H2(z) = (bz+1)/(z+a) 0<|b|<1

It then goes on to calculate the arg without showing any steps:

arg[H1(e^jw)] = arctan(sin w/(b+cos w)) - arctan(sin w/(a+cos w))

and

arg[H2(e^jw)] = arctan(b*sin w/(1+b*cos w)) - arctan(sin w/(a+cos w))



Could anyone explain to me how this is calculated?

Thanks.
 
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Draw a complex plane. Find an arbitrary point (a,b), which represents the value a+bi. Draw a line that connects point (a,b) to the origin. Then draw a line from (a,b) to (a,0), then another from (a,0) to the origin. The angle subtended from the origin to the point (a,b) is the argument of the number a+bi. As it can be seen, the length of the segment that connects (a,b) and (0,0) is the modulus of the number, or [itex]\sqrt{a^2+b^2}[/itex].

One can easily see that the line connecting (a,0) and (a,b) has length of b, and line connecting the origin to (a,0) has a length of a.

Simple Trig shows us that [itex]\tan \theta = b/a[/tex]. <br /> <br /> I hope that answers your question.<br /> <br /> Edit: Note there are also more complex ways to calculate the argument, such as [itex]\arcsin (b/\sqrt{a^2+b^2})[/itex], but that just makes things harder for us.[/itex]
 
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Ahh I just read your post properly and I just realized I didn't address it too well. All I can say is convert the [itex]e^{jw}[/itex] to [itex]\cos w + j\sin w[/itex] and try to see what that relates to what I told you. Use trig to find other expressions for the lengths of the sides.

Edit: Just asking, your studying this from a physics perspective yes? the use of j instead of i gives it away :)
 
Gib Z said:
Ahh I just read your post properly and I just realized I didn't address it too well. All I can say is convert the [itex]e^{jw}[/itex] to [itex]\cos w + j\sin w[/itex] and try to see what that relates to what I told you. Use trig to find other expressions for the lengths of the sides.

Edit: Just asking, your studying this from a physics perspective yes? the use of j instead of i gives it away :)

Studying it from an EE perspective ;). I'm learning about filter design modeled by simple transfer functions in the Z-domain right now. I think I managed to figure out how the formula was derived from the your first post though, so thanks. Pretty sure that [itex]z = e^{jw}[/itex] in that example from the book.
 
pyro_dragun said:
Studying it from an EE perspective ;). I'm learning about filter design modeled by simple transfer functions in the Z-domain right now. I think I managed to figure out how the formula was derived from the your first post though, so thanks. Pretty sure that [itex]z = e^{jw}[/itex] in that example from the book.

Hi Pyro, Have you looked at the frequency response of (linear) continuous time systems yet, or did you jump straight into discrete time systems first?

Continous time systems are the easiest to deal with in regard to frequency response. Here you only need to substitute [tex]s = j\omega[/tex] into the transfer function to evaluate the frequency response (magnitude and phase). In other words, the "s" variable of the continuous time system transfer function corresponds directly to the complex frequency variable.

For discete time systems it's a little different, as you have already obvserved. The variable "z" of the discrete time transfer function actually corresponds to a forward time shift of one sample period "T". You can show that a time shift of "T" has the effect of multplying the Fourier Transform by [tex]e^{j \omega T}[/tex]. So the frequency response of the discrete time system is found by evaluating the "z" transfer function at,

[tex]z=e^{j \omega T}[/tex].

Note that,

[tex]T = \frac{2 \pi }{\omega_S} = \frac{\pi}{\omega_N}[/tex],

where [tex]\omega_S[/tex] is the sample frequency in radians/sec and [tex]\omega_N[/tex] is the Nyquist frequency in rad/sec.

So evaluating the TF at [tex]z=e^{j \omega T}[/tex] is the same as using [tex]z=e^{j \pi \frac{\omega}{\omega_N}}[/tex].

Thus if you simple substitute [tex]z=e^{j v}[/tex] then "digital frequency" variable [tex]v[/tex] has the interpretation that it is a linearly scaled frequency variable that ranges from zero to [tex]\pi[/tex] while the actual system frequency it represents ranges from zero to [tex]\omega_N[/tex].
 
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uart said:
Hi Pyro, Have you looked at the frequency response of (linear) continuous time systems yet, or did you jump straight into discrete time systems first?

Continous time systems are the easiest to deal with in regard to frequency response. Here you only need to substitute [tex]s = j\omega[/tex] into the transfer function to evaluate the frequency response (magnitude and phase). In other words, the "s" variable of the continuous time system transfer function corresponds directly to the complex frequency variable.

For discete time systems it's a little different, as you have already obvserved. The variable "z" of the discrete time transfer function actually corresponds to a forward time shift of one sample period "T". You can show that a time shift of "T" has the effect of multplying the Fourier Transform by [tex]e^{j \omega T}[/tex]. So the frequency response of the discrete time system is found by evaluating the "z" transfer function at,

[tex]z=e^{j \omega T}[/tex].

Note that,

[tex]T = \frac{2 \pi }{\omega_S} = \frac{\pi}{\omega_N}[/tex],

where [tex]\omega_S[/tex] is the sample frequency in radians/sec and [tex]\omega_N[/tex] is the Nyquist frequency in rad/sec.

So evaluating the TF at [tex]z=e^{j \omega T}[/tex] is the same as using [tex]z=e^{j \pi \frac{\omega}{\omega_N}}[/tex].

Thus if you simple substitute [tex]z=e^{j v}[/tex] then "digital frequency" variable [tex]v[/tex] has the interpretation that it is a linearly scaled frequency variable that ranges from zero to [tex]\pi[/tex] while the actual system frequency it represents ranges from zero to [tex]\omega_N[/tex].
I've seen continuous time transforms before quite a few times, but they were in past classes. This class focuses more on discrete finite transforms, because those are used most often in practical applications.

Also, thanks for the explanation of the variable "z."
 

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