With the z-transform, the s-plane represents a set of signals (complex exponentials). For
any given LTI system,
some of these signals may cause the output of the system to
converge, while others cause the output to diverge ("blow up").
The set of signals that cause the system's output to converge
lie in the region of convergence (ROC). This
module will discuss how to find this region of convergence for
any discrete-time, LTI system.
The region of convergence, known as the ROC, is
important to understand because it defines the region where
the
z-transform
exists. The z-transform of a sequence is defined as
Xz=∑
n
=−∞∞xnz−n
Xz
n
x
n
z
n
(1)
The ROC for a given
xn
x
n
, is defined as the range of
z
z
for which the z-transform converges. Since the z-transform is
a
power series, it converges when
xnz−n
x
n
z
n
is absolutely summable. Stated differently,
∑
n
=−∞∞|xnz−n|<∞
n
x
n
z
n
(2)
must be satisfied for convergence.
The Region of Convergence has a number of properties that are
dependent on the characteristics of the signal,
xn
x
n
.
-
The ROC cannot contain any poles.
By definition a pole is a where
Xz
X
z
is infinite.
Since
Xz
X
z
must be finite for all zz for
convergence, there cannot be a pole in the ROC.
-
If
xn
x
n
is a finite-duration sequence, then the ROC is the
entire z-plane, except possibly
z=0
z
0
or
|z|=∞
z
.
A finite-duration sequence is a sequence that
is nonzero in a finite interval
n
1
≤n≤
n
2
n
1
n
n
2
.
As long as each value of
xn
x
n
is finite then the sequence will be absolutely summable.
When
n
2
>0
n
2
0
there will be a
z-1
z
term and thus the ROC will not include
z=0
z
0
.
When
n
1
<0
n
1
0
then the sum will be infinite and thus the ROC will not
include
|z|=∞
z
.
On the other hand, when
n
2
≤0
n
2
0
then the ROC will include
z=0
z
0
,
and when
n
1
≥0
n
1
0
the ROC will include
|z|=∞
z
.
With these constraints, the only signal, then, whose ROC
is the entire z-plane is
xn=cδn
x
n
c
δ
n
.
The next properties apply to infinite duration sequences. As
noted above, the z-transform converges when
|Xz|<∞
X
z
.
So we can write
|Xz|=|∑
n
=−∞∞xnz−n|≤∑
n
=−∞∞|xnz−n|=∑
n
=−∞∞|xn||z|−n
X
z
n
x
n
z
n
n
x
n
z
n
n
x
n
z
n
(3)
We can then split the infinite sum into positive-time and
negative-time portions. So
|Xz|≤Nz+Pz
X
z
N
z
P
z
(4)
where
Nz=∑
n
=−∞-1|xn||z|−n
N
z
n
-1
x
n
z
n
(5)
and
Pz=∑
n
=0∞|xn||z|−n
P
z
n
0
x
n
z
n
(6)
In order for
|Xz|
X
z
to be finite,
|xn|
x
n
must be bounded. Let us then set
|xn|≤
C
1
r
1
n
x
n
C
1
r
1
n
(7)
for
n<0
n
0
and
|xn|≤
C
2
r
2
n
x
n
C
2
r
2
n
(8)
for
n≥0
n
0
From this some further properties can be derived:
-
If
xn
x
n
is a two-sided sequence, the ROC will be a ring in the
z-plane that is bounded on the interior and exterior by
a pole.
A two-sided sequence is an sequence with
infinite duration in the positive and negative
directions. From the derivation of the above two
properties, it follows that if
-r
2
<|z|<
r
2
-r
2
z
r
2
converges, then both the positive-time and negative-time
portions converge and thus
Xz
X
z
converges as well. Therefore the ROC of a two-sided
sequence is of the form
-r
2
<|z|<
r
2
-r
2
z
r
2
.
Lets take
x
1
n=12nun+14nun
x
1
n
1
2
n
u
n
1
4
n
u
n
(11)
The z-transform of
12nun
1
2
n
u
n
is
zz−12
z
z
1
2
with an ROC at
|z|>12
z
1
2
.
The z-transform of
-14nun
-1
4
n
u
n
is
zz+14
z
z
1
4
with an ROC at
|z|>-14
z
-1
4
.
Due to linearity,
X
1
z=zz−12+zz+14=2z(z−18)(z−12)(z+14)
X
1
z
z
z
1
2
z
z
1
4
2
z
z
1
8
z
1
2
z
1
4
(12)
By observation it is clear that there are two zeros, at
0
0
and
18
1
8
,
and two poles, at
12
1
2
,
and
-14
-1
4
.
Following the obove properties, the ROC is
|z|>12
z
1
2
.
Now take
x
2
n=-14nun−12nu(−n)−1
x
2
n
-1
4
n
u
n
1
2
n
u
n
1
(13)
The z-transform and ROC of
-14nun
-1
4
n
u
n
was shown in the
example above.
The z-transorm of
(−12n)u(−n)−1
1
2
n
u
n
1
is
zz−12
z
z
1
2
with an ROC at
|z|>12
z
1
2
.
Once again, by linearity,
X
2
z=zz+14+zz−12=z(2z−18)(z+14)(z−12)
X
2
z
z
z
1
4
z
z
1
2
z
2
z
1
8
z
1
4
z
1
2
(14)
By observation it is again clear that there are two zeros, at
0
0
and
116
1
16
,
and two poles, at
12
1
2
,
and
-14
-1
4
.
in ths case though, the ROC is
|z|<12
z
1
2
.
Using the demonstration, learn about the region of convergence for the Laplace Transform.
Clearly, in order to craft a system that is actually useful by virtue of being causal and BIBO stable, we must ensure that it is within the Region of Convergence, which can be ascertained by looking at the pole zero plot. The Region of Convergence is the area in the pole/zero plot of the transfer function in which the function exists. For purposes of useful filter design, we prefer to work with rational functions, which can be described by two polynomials, one each for determining the poles and the zeros, respectively.
"My introduction to signal processing course at Rice University."