ECE 4330
Linear
Systems and Signals
(Professor-In-Charge: Mohamad Hassoun)
Fall 2026
Section: 13468
M & W:
2:30-4:10 pm
Room: 2216 State
Hall
First Lecture: Monday, August 31
Monday, September 7
Fall Break:
Monday, October 12 – October 13
Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday, November 25-Nov. 28
Study day: Wednesday, December 16
Tutor:
Gonnie Ben-Tal, gonnie.ben-tal@wayne.edu. Office
hours: TBA
Help with
Assignment Problems:
Danny Heyn, daniel.heyn@wayne.edu. Office hours: TBA
WSU Catalog
Description:
Prereq: ECE 3330; Prereq. or coreq: ECE
3040. Open only to students enrolled in professional engineering programs. Continuous-time and discrete-time linear systems and
signals. Properties of linear systems. Classical analysis methods and
convolution. System analysis method for zero-state and zero-input response.
Laplace transform and its application to linear system analysis. Fourier series expansion of periodic
signals and application to ac steady-state analysis. Fourier transform and its
applications. Analog filters, control and communication systems applications.
Solution of linear difference equations. Z-transform and its application to
discrete-time linear system analysis.
Sampling theory. Discrete-time Fourier transform and its application to digital
filter design. (T)
Goals: To develop and understanding of the theory and competence in the methods of analysis of linear systems and signals in the frequency domain.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Calculate the Convolution Integral
2. Determine the Fourier Series for periodic signals
3. Determine the Fourier Transform and Inverse Fourier Transform for aperiodic signals
4. Determine the Laplace Transform and Inverse Laplace Transform for linear systems and signals
5. Determine the Z-Transform and Inverse Z-Transform for discrete linear systems and signals
Outcome Coverage:
ABET 1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
The homework, exams and project require direct
application of mathematical, scientific and engineering knowledge. Students
must be able to
identify
the type of engineering problem and to apply the appropriate frequency domain
technique
ABET
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet
specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as
well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
The design in the project must be checked against real
world operating condition and limits.
ABET 6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
The homework and project require the student to
design, conduct simulations using MATLAB and to analyze simulation data.
ABET 7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using
appropriate learning strategies.
Textbook: B. P. Lathi, Signal Processing and Linear Systems. Oxford University Press, 2000. ISBN 0-19-521917-1. (Buy it used from Amazon for a reasonable price)
Prerequisites by
Topic:
(1) Circuit analysis and Kirchhoff’s laws
(2) Transient and steady-state analysis of first and second-order networks
(3) An introduction to complex frequency concepts
(4) Knowledge of Matlab and Mathcad
(5) Knowledge of numerical methods for optimization and solution of differential equations.
Topics:
1. Categorization and definition of signals and systems
2. Review of time-domain analysis of linear differential equations
3. Definition and calculation of the Convolution Integral
4. Fourier Series analysis of periodic signals
5. Fourier Transform analysis of aperiodic signals
6. Laplace Transform analysis of linear systems and signals
7. Sampling
8. Discrete-Time Signals and Systems
9. Z-Transform analysis of discrete-time systems and signals
Computer &
Software Resources:
Matlab and Multisim are required,
and you should already have bought and downloaded them to their laptops.
Mathcad software: Download it free (The software key is: MN100011UC0151). Note: Other (more recent) versions of Mathcad are not compatible with the Mathcad worksheets provided in class. So, make sure you install this particular version (2001 Professional) of Mathcad on your computer.
Attendance: Attendance is required for all lectures. A student will lose 1 percent (out of the total final score) for every unexcused absence from a lecture. Arriving more than 2 minutes late for a lecture, leaving the lecture for more than 2 minutes or leaving the lecture early will be counted as absence. The student is expected to sign the attendance sheet upon arrival at the classroom. The attendance sheet will be withdrawn 2 minutes after the start of the lecture. It is the students’ responsibility to arrive early and make sure to look for that attendance sheet and sign it. MAKE SURE TO LOOK FOR AND SIGN THE ATTENDANCE SHEET. NO SIGNATURE = ABSENCE.
Smart phones and smart watches are
strictly forbidden in Prof. Hassoun’s classes. Tablets and laptops are only to
be used for course related activities. Also counted as a distraction is the
work on assignments or other activities that are not immediately associated
with the lecture for that session. Penalty for the
violation of those rules: for each incidence, one point will be deducted from
the student’s final average.
Instructor Information:
Name: Mohamad H. Hassoun, Professor
Office: 3127 Engineering Building
Office Phone: (313) 577-3966
Email: hassoun@wayne.edu
WWW: http://neuron.eng.wayne.edu/
Office Hours (Room 3127 Engineering):
Mondays and
Wednesdays (in-person): 12:00 – 2:00 pm. Also,
by appointment.
Distribution of
Points:
Three Exams: 70%
Final: 30%
Grading Scale: A: 90-100, A-: 85-89.9, B+: 80-84.9, B: 75-79.9, B-: 70-74.9, C+: 65-69.9, C: 60-64.9, C-: 55-59.9, D: 45-54.9, F: 0-44.9
A grade of I will be available
only if the student needs to complete at most the final exam.
Makeup Exam and Makeup Policy: Makeup exams will only be allowed in the event of a documented emergency or a physician certified illness. In all such cases, you must contact your Prof. Hassoun ASAP.
Dropping & Withdrawal
Policy
In the first two weeks of the (full) term, students can drop this class and receive 100% tuition and course fee cancellation. After the end of the second week, there is no tuition or fee cancellation. Students who wish to withdraw from the class can initiate a withdrawal request in Academica by: consulting with the ECE advisor. You will receive a transcript notation of WP (passing), WF (failing), or WN (no graded work) at the time of withdrawal. No withdrawals can be initiated after the end of the tenth week. Students enrolled in the 10th week and beyond will receive a grade. Because withdrawing from courses may have negative academic and financial consequences, students considering course withdrawal should make sure they fully understand all the consequences before taking this step. More information on this can be found at: https://wayne.edu/students/register/dropping.
Very Important: Your Professor is known to be very strict when it comes to attendance and deadlines. He expects you to conduct yourself as a professional. Here are few examples:
- When taking a test if he announces the end of the test and that you need to turn in your work, but you continue to write then he will not accept your work and you will receive a zero.
- In case of an emergency, you must email him about your absence before class and you must bring with you legitimate documentation for your absence (e.g., doctor’s note, court note, etc.)
During exams: NO student will be allowed to leave the classroom (or the online exam
session) for the duration of the exam (so, plan accordingly). Cell phones and
smart watches must be powered off and placed in your back bag. The backpacks
are to be placed at the front of the classroom under the whiteboard. You will have no access to your backpack once
the exam starts.
Students with Disability:
If you have a documented disability that requires accommodation, you will
need to register with Student Disability Services for coordination of your
academic accommodations. The Student Disability Services (SDS) office is
located at 1600 David Adamany Undergraduate Library in the Student Academic
Success Services department. SDS telephone number is 313-577-1851 or
313-577-3365 (TDD only). Once you have your accommodation in place, I
will be glad to meet with you privately during my office hours to discuss your
special needs. Student Disability Services’ mission is to assist the
university in creating an accessible community where students with disabilities
have an equal opportunity to fully participate in their educational experience
at Wayne State University.
Academic Misconduct: What every student should know
Cheating and Penalty for Cheating: Cheating is defined by the University as “intentionally using or attempting to use, or intentionally providing or attempting to provide, unauthorized materials, information, or assistance in any academic exercise.” This includes any group efforts on assignments or exams unless specifically approved by the professor for that assignment or exam. Evidence of fabrication or plagiarism, as defined by the University in its brochure “Academic Integrity,” will also result in downgrading for the course. Students who cheat on any assignment or during any examination will be assigned a failing grade for the course.
Prof. Hassoun’s policy on cheating:
- All work submitted for grading must be 100% individual effort.
-
All work you submit for grading (exams and bonus
problems) must be 100% your own effort. You understand that once you submit
your work for grading then you are automatically certifying that the work is
100% yours. Upon grading your work, if cheating is
detected (no matter how small) on an Exam then you will FAIL The COURSE.