Practical Signals Theory with MATLAB Applications — A Complete Overview

Why this book stands out

Practical Signals Theory with MATLAB Applications delivers a hands-on, intuitive, and mathematically solid introduction to signals and systems. Written by Richard J. Tervo, the book focuses on bridging theoretical concepts with real engineering applications. Instead of presenting signals and systems as abstract math, it shows how these ideas appear in real-world electronics, filters, and communication systems.

Key topics covered

The book offers a comprehensive journey through the foundations and applications of signal theory. Major areas include:

1. Signals in Time and Frequency Domains

A clear introduction to continuous-time and discrete-time signals, emphasizing how to represent, visualize, and analyze them across domains.

2. Linear Systems & Convolution

You learn how systems modify signals through concepts like impulse response, convolution, causality, and linearity — core building blocks for understanding signal processing.

3. Transform Methods

The book explains the most important transforms used in engineering:

Fourier Transform
Laplace Transform
z-Transform

You learn how each one works, when to use it, and how to interpret results.

4. Practical Fourier Applications

This section moves from theory to reality — filtering, smoothing, modulation, and noise analysis — supported by MATLAB examples.

5. Digital & Discrete-Time Systems

You explore sampling, aliasing, digital filters (FIR & IIR), and how discrete-time transforms form the basis of digital signal processing.

6. Communication System Concepts

The book closes with applications in communications, including:

Amplitude modulation
Digital communications
Spread-spectrum

This helps readers see how signal theory powers modern communication technologies.

7. MATLAB-Based Learning

Each chapter includes:

Worked examples
Exercises
MATLAB code

This allows readers to simulate concepts and develop intuition through hands-on experimentation.

Who this book is for

This book is a great choice for:

Engineering students studying signals, systems, communications, or electronics.
Researchers and professionals seeking a practical yet rigorous reference.
Learners who prefer hands-on understanding, not just theoretical formulas.

If you want to apply signal processing concepts directly using MATLAB, this book is especially valuable.

Why you’ll benefit from it

✔ A unified, intuitive view of signals

The book connects analog ↔ digital, continuous ↔ discrete, and time ↔ frequency domains.

✔ Practical learning through MATLAB

You see how filtering, modulation, and transforms behave in real-world scenarios.

✔ Strong foundation for advanced work

Whether you’re designing filters, studying communication systems, or working on DSP algorithms, this book serves as a reliable reference.

Kindle: Practical Signals Theory with MATLAB Applications

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Conclusion

Practical Signals Theory with MATLAB Applications is a powerhouse resource for understanding and applying signal theory. It strikes the perfect balance between mathematical depth and practical usability. Whether you're a student, an engineer, or a researcher, this book helps build both intuition and technical confidence.