0
$\begingroup$

I was just trying to refresh my systems theory known from long ago, and I realized that I had forgetten the name of the basic functions. Specifically, what are the names of these functions respectively:

$$H(\Omega),~ H(\omega),~ H(s),~ H(z),~ |H(\Omega)|,~ |H(\omega)|,~ |H(s)|,~ |H(z)|$$

I'm assuming that $\Omega$ is the continuous frequency in radians, and $\omega$ is defined as the discrete frequency in radians.

I'm guessing that $H(\Omega)$ is the frequency response, and that $H(s)$ is the transfer function... but i'm not sure about the other names.

Improve this question
$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2
$\begingroup$

$\Omega$ and $\omega$ are frequencies (in radians). Usually, $\omega$ is used, but if you need to deal with continuous-time as well as discrete-time systems, it's common to use one for discrete time and one for continuous time in order to distinguish the two. There is no real standard as to which one is which. I've seen $\Omega$ used for continuous time as well as for discrete time. Having said that, the standard text book Discrete-Time Signal Processing by Oppenheim and Schafer uses $\Omega$ for continuous-time systems and $\omega$ for the normalized frequency of discrete-time systems.

$H(\Omega)$ and $H(\omega)$ are (continuous-time and discrete-time) frequency responses. Note that in discrete time it's also common to use $e^{j\omega}$ (instead of $\omega$) as the argument of the frequency response. This is discussed in the answers to this question. $H(s)$ is the transfer function in continuous time, and $H(z)$ is the transfer function in discrete time. $H(s)$ is the Laplace transform of the continuous-time impulse response $h(t)$, and $H(z)$ is the $\mathcal{Z}$-transform of the discrete-time impulse response $h[n]$. So with transfer functions it's always clear that the variable $s$ (or $p$ in some older texts) is used in continuous time and $z$ is used in discrete time.

The magnitudes $|H(\Omega)|$ and $|H(\omega)|$ are simply called what they are: magnitudes of frequency responses, or sometimes magnitude responses.

The magnitudes $|H(s)|$ and $|H(z)|$ don't have any special names as far as I know, and they are also rarely used with general complex arguments.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @pipen you can simply accept the answer. $\endgroup$
    – AlexTP
    Jun 24, 2020 at 17:20

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.