The z-Transform: Introduction

Why z-Transform?
1. Many of signals (such as x(n)=u(n), x(n) = (0.5)nu(n), x(n) = sin(n) etc. ) do not have a DTFT.
2. Advantages like Fourier transform provided:

Solution process reduces to a simple algebraic procedures

The temporal domain sequence output y(n) = x(n)*h(n) can
be represent as Y(z)= X(z)H(z)
Properties of systems can easily be studied and
characterized in z domain (such as stability..)

Topics:

Definition of z Transform
Properties of z- Transform
Inverse z- Transform

Definition of the z-Transform

1. Definition:The z-transform of a discrete-time signal x(n) is defined by

where z = rejw is a complex variable. The values of z for which the

sum converges define a region in the z-plane referred to as the
region of convergence (ROC).
2. Notationally, if x(n) has a z-transform X(z), we write

3. The z-transform may be viewed as the DTFT or an exponentially

weighted sequence. Specifically, note that with z = rejw, X(z) can be
looked as the DTFT of the sequence r--nx(n) and ROC is determined
by the range of values of r of the following right inequation.

ROC & z-plane

Complex z-plane
z = Re(z)+jIm(z) = rejw

Zeros and poles of X(z)

Many signals have z-transforms that are
rational function of z:

Factorizing it will give:

The roots of the numerator polynomial, k,are
referred to as the zeros (o) and k are referred
to as poles (x). ROC of X(z) will not contain
poles.

ROC properties
ROC is an annulus or disc in the z-plane centred at the
origin. i.e.
A finite-length sequence has a z-transform with a region
of convergence that includes the entire z-plane except,
possibly, z = 0 and z = . The point z = will be included if
x(n) = 0 for n < 0, and the point z = 0 will be included if x(n) = 0
for n > 0.
A right-sided sequence has a z-transform with a region
of convergence that is the exterior of a circle:
ROC: |z|>
A left-sided sequence has a z-transform with a region of
convergence that is the interior of a circle:
ROC: |z|<
The Fourier Transform of x(n) converges absolutely if
and only if ROC of z-transform includes the unit circle

Properties of Z-Transform

Linearity
If x(n) has a z-transform X(z) with a region of convergence Rx,
and if y(n) has a z-transform Y(z) with a region of convergence
Ry,
Z
w(n) ax(n) by(n) W ( z ) aX ( z ) bY ( z )

and the ROC of W(z) will include the intersection of Rx and Ry,
that is, Rw contains .R x R y

Shifting property
Z
If x(n) has a z-transform X(z), x(n n0 )
z n X ( z)
0

Time reversal
If x(n) has a z-transform X(z) with a region of convergence Rx
that is the annulus z , the z-transform of the timereversed sequence x(-n) is x(n) X ( z )
and has a region of convergence1 z 1 , which is denoted by 1 R
Z

Properties of Z-Transform

Multiplication by an exponential

If a sequence x(n) is multiplied by a complex exponential n.

Convolution theorm

Z
n x(n)
X ( 1 z )

If x(n) has a z-transform X(z) with a region of convergence Rx, and if

h(n) has a z-transform H(z) with a region of convergence Rh,
Z
y (n) x(n) h(n)
Y ( z) X ( z)H ( z)

The ROC of Y(z) will include the intersection of Rx and Rh, that is,
Ry contains Rx Rh .
With x(n), y(n), and h(n) denoting the input, output, and unit-sample
response, respectively, and X(z), Y(x), and H(z) their z-transforms.
The z-transform of the unit-sample response is often referred to as
the system function.

Conjugation
If X(z) is the z-transform of x(n), the z-transform of the complex
conjugate of x(n) is
Z
x (n)
X (z )

Properties of Z-Transform

Derivative
If X(z) is the z-transform of x(n), the ztransform of is
dX ( z )
nx(n) z
dz
Z

Initial value theorem

If X(z) is the z-transform of x(n) and x(n) is
equal to zero for n<0, the initial value, x(0),
maybe be found from X(z) as follows:

x(0) lim X ( z)
z