8.2 Discrete-Time Signals 453
Determine an appropriate sampling periodTsaccording to the Nyquist sampling rate condition,
and obtain the discrete-time signalx[n] corresponding to the largest allowed sampling period.
Solution
To samplex(t)so that no information is lost, the Nyquist sampling rate condition indicates that
the sampling period should be
Ts≤
π
max
=
π
2 π
=0.5
For the largest allowed sampling periodTs=0.5, we obtain
x[n]=3 cos( 2 πt+π/ 4 )|t=0.5n=3 cos(πn+π/ 4 ) −∞<n<∞
which is a function of the integern. n
nExample 8.2
To generate the celebrated Fibonacci sequence of numbers,{x[n]}, we use the recursive equation
x[n]=x[n−1]+x[n−2] n≥ 2
x[0]= 0
x[1]= 1
which is a difference equation with zero input and two initial conditions. The Fibonacci sequence
has been used to model different biological systems.^1 Find the Fibonacci sequence.
Solution
The given equation allows us to compute the Fibonacci sequence recursively. Forn≥2, we find
x[2]= 1 + 0 = 1
x[3]= 1 + 1 = 2
x[4]= 2 + 1 = 3
x[5]= 3 + 2 = 5
..
.
where we are simply adding the previous two numbers in the sequence. The sequence is purely
discrete as it is not related to a continuous-time signal. n
(^1) Leonardo of Pisa (also known as Fibonacci) in his bookLiber Abacidescribed how his sequence could be used to model the
reproduction of rabbits over a number of months assuming bunnies begin breeding when they are a few months old.