Linear system analysis

Article By:

Eldeib, Hany K. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.

Ziemer, Rodger E. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Last reviewed:January 2020

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.384300

The study of properties and behavior of a system using a body of mathematical techniques based on linear system theory. A system can be defined as a set or arrangement of things related in such a way as to form a whole. Linear system analysis is concerned with the study of equilibrium and change in dynamical systems, that is, in systems that contain variables that may change with time. These variables include system inputs (external causes of change or excitation), outputs (measurable results or effects of the behavior, response, or dynamics of the system), as well as variables describing internal states of the system. To perform the analysis, relationships between these variables are described by a set of equations known as the model. In order for linear system analysis to be applicable, the model must possess the linearity property: it must be a linear model. Linearity simplifies the analysis of systems significantly, and hence there is a large body of mathematical techniques and results, referred to as linear system theory, that can be used to study linear systems. See also: Linearity; Systems engineering

The content above is only an excerpt.