Linear Systems

ECE 301-003

Fall 2026

NC State University

Instructor. Dror Baron; e-mail: barondror AT ncsu DOT edu; office hour: Wednesdays, 14:45–15:45, Room 2097 EB2 (after class).
Class. Monday and Wednesday, 13:30–14:45, Room 2236 EB3.
Teaching assistant. Xiaowen Tian; e-mail: xtian8 AT ncsu DOT edu; office hour: Fridays 14:00–15:00, EB2 2077.

Useful Links

• Moodle – homework submission, lecture slides, and grades (NCSU login required).
• Panopto – lecture recordings (NCSU login required).
• Syllabus.
• Course materials for ECE 421 (signal processing), ECE 514 (probability and random processes), ECE 512 (data science from a signal processing perspective), ECE/CSC/MA 467/567 (introduction to quantum algorithms).

About this Course

Description

This course provides a rigorous introduction to linear systems theory in both continuous-time (CT) and discrete-time (DT). We develop the mathematical tools—convolution, Fourier series and transforms, the Laplace and z-transforms, and sampling—that underpin signal processing and communications. The course closes with applications to communications systems and an introduction to machine learning.

Prerequisites

C− or better in ECE 220, and either ECE 211 or MUT 303.

Followup Courses

ECE 301 provides the foundation for many subsequent courses, including: ECE 421 (signal processing), ECE 514 (probability and random processes), ECE 512 (data science from a signal processing perspective), ECE 402 (communications), ECE 407 & 470 (computer networking), ECE 308 & 436 (controls), ECE 411 (machine learning), and ECE/CSC/MA 467/567 (introduction to quantum algorithms).

Topics

Below is a list of topics to be covered. The schedule is tentative and may be updated.

• Signals and systems: CT and DT signals, energy and power, complex exponentials, impulse and step functions.
• System properties: linearity, time-invariance, causality, stability, memory, invertibility.
• LTI systems: impulse response, CT and DT convolution, system properties via convolution.
• Fourier analysis: CT Fourier series, CT Fourier transform, properties and tables.
• Filtering and modulation.
• DT Fourier series, DT Fourier transform, DFT and FFT.
• Sampling theorem and aliasing.
• Laplace transform (bilateral).
• z-transform (bilateral).
• Application: 2G cellular communications system design.
• Introduction to machine learning.

Problem Session

A weekly problem session is organized jointly with Prof. Greg Bottomley's section of ECE 301 and is open to all students.

• When: Tuesdays, 15:00–16:00.
• Where: FWH 2115.
• Zoom: https://ncsu.zoom.us/s/91477812783.
• Sessions are recorded; Panopto link to be posted.

Course Materials

Textbook

A. V. Oppenheim and A. S. Willsky, Signals and Systems, Prentice Hall, 2nd edition.

Other

Visual illustration of aliasing; and another video showing "stationary" helicopter blades.

MATLAB

We will use MATLAB for some homework problems. NC State students can download MATLAB here. Here are some resources:

• MATLAB tutorial.
• Python tutorial (optional alternative).

Assignments and Grading

Grading

Grade weights are to be determined; an announcement will be made shortly.

See the syllabus for all course policies.

Homework

Homework is submitted electronically on Moodle by 23:59 on the due date. Attempt problems independently before seeking help. The two lowest homework grades are dropped. Bonus problems are included—there is no cap on the total homework score.

• HW1 is due on Sep. 4.
• HW2 is due on Sep. 18. (Link posted on Moodle when open.)
• HW3 is due on Oct. 2.
• HW4 is due on Oct. 16.
• HW5 is due on Oct. 30.
• HW6 is due on Nov. 13.
• HW7 is due on Nov. 25.

Key Dates

Tests

Past tests will be posted here as they become available.

Feedback

Students are encouraged to send feedback to Prof. Baron, barondror dot {gmail dot com, ncsu dot edu}.