Difference Equations for FIR

Filters and IIR Filters

Prepared by: Karren Mendez
OVERVIEW
Two categories of discrete-time filters:

 Finite Impulse Response (FIR)

 Infinite Impulse Response (IIR)

Linear Time-Invariant Systems Characterized by
Constant-Coefficient Difference Equations

 focused on a family of linear time-invariant

systems described by an input-output relation
called a difference equation with constant
coefficients.
 Fig 1. Block diagram
realization of a simple
recursive system.

Suppose that we have a recursive system with an input-

output equation
(1)
Now, suppose that we apply an input signal x(n) to the
system for n ≥ 0. We make no assumptions about the input
signal for n < 0, but we do assume the existence of the
initial condition y(-1). Since eq. 1 describes the system
output implicitly, we must solve this equation to obtain an
explicit expression for the system output. Suppose that we
compute successive values of y(n) for n ≥ 0, beginning
with y(0). Thus
(2)
The response y(n) of the system as given by the right-hand side
of eq. 2 consists of two parts. The first part, which contains the
term y(-1), is a result of the initial condition y(-1) of the system.
The second part is the response of the system to the input signal
x(n).
If the system is initially relaxed at time n = 0, then its memory
(i.e., the output of the delay) should be zero. Hence, y(-1) = 0.
Thus a recursive system is relaxed if it starts with zero initial
conditions. Because the memory of the system describes, in
some sense, its “state.” we say that the system is at zero state
and its corresponding output is called the zero-state response
or forced response, and is denoted by y (n).
The zero-state response or forced response of the system (eq.
1) is given by
(3)

It is interesting to note that eq. 3 is a convolution summation

involving the input signal convolved with the impulse response.
(4)
Now supposed that the system described at eq 1 is
initially nonrelaxed i.e. y(-1) ≠ 0, and the input x(n) = 0
for all n. The output of the system with zero input is
called the zero-input response or natural response and
is denoted by yzi(n).
From eq 1 with a n=0 for -ꝏ < n < ꝏ, we obtain

(5)
 zero-input response – if input is zero, making it independent
of the input.
aka, natural or free response – depends on the
nature of the system and the initial condition.
 zero-state response – depends on the nature of the
system and the input signal.
forced-response – since the output is a response
forced by the input signal.
 In general the total response of the system can be
expressed as,

The general equation for linear constant-

coefficient difference equations is

where: a0 ≡ 1
A system is linear if it satisfies the following three
requirements:

1. The total response is equal to the sum of the zero-input

and zero-state responses.

2. The principle of superposition applies to the zero-state

response (zero-state linear).
3. The principle of superposition applies to the zero-input
response (zero-input linear).
Principle of linear superposition:
 requires that the response of the system due to
several inputs is equal to the sum of the
responses of each input acting alone, when all
initial conditions in the system are zero.
Example:

 Determine if the recursive system defined by the

difference equation

is linear.
Solution:
By combining (eq. 3) and (eq. 5), we obtain (eq. 2), which can be
expressed as

Thus the first requirement for linearity is satisfied.

To check for the second requirement, let us assume that
Then (eq. 3) gives

Hence yzs(n) satisfies the principle of superposition and thus the system is
zero-state linear.
Let us assume that y(-1) = c1y1 (-1) + c2y2(-1)
From (eq.4) we obtain

Hence the system is zero-input linear.

Since the system satisfies all three conditions for
linearity, it is linear.