This topics has been probably discussed few times here.

I am a little confused as to how a linear signal can be represented in circular form.
Take for example a sine waveform represented as linear form. How can this be represented in circular form.
Unless, it is represented using two complex phasors. If this is the case, circular representation is in complex domain.

 

I'm not sure exactly what you're asking but maybe it's this?

A sine wave can be plotted in Cartesian (x-y) coordinates, with the x-coordinate being time, and the y-coordinate being amplitude.

Because the sine wave is repetitive, it could also be plotted in polar coordinates, with theta being time, and rho being the amplitude.

 

A signal is a 3D entity. Its true form is a spring.

When you REPRESENT(or look at) it from the side.........it looks like a sine wave.

When you REPRESENT it from the ends.......it looks like a circle.

 

This topics has been probably discussed few times here.

I am a little confused as to how a linear signal can be represented in circular form.
Take for example a sine waveform represented as linear form. How can this be represented in circular form.
Unless, it is represented using two complex phasors. If this is the case, circular representation is in complex domain.

It's hard to tell just what you are asking about.

Perhaps give a specific example or two so that we can determine exactly what you are trying to get at.

 

Dear all,

I apologize for stating the question in such a confusing manner (my inability to articulate the question is related to my lack of good understanding of the topic itself).

It is mentioned that all periodic signals which we see as time vs amplitude plots can also be represented in circular form.
What I did not understand where the time variable is when it comes to circular representation.

But from the answers above, I know realize that my confusion is because I did not understand that a periodic signal just needs one cycle to
represent it completely which can be done by representing it in circular form. But this is true only if signal is periodic, else, it is not possible to convert a linear representation into circular form.

I am assuming that my above statement is true for the 2 cases,
1) when linear signal is aperiodic
2) when linear signal varies such that in a narrow window, it appears linear but as one extends the window, it is not linear. For example, a sine signal whose period is same for first 5 cycles and then period decreases for next 5 cycles and so on. It is essentially a aperiodic signal.

Kindly let me know if I have got this correct ...

 

When you look at the circular form, the longitudinal motion of the signal, is out of, or into, the origin(paper or screen).

The sine wave form shows you variation with time.

The circular form shows you variation with rotation.

 

Dear all,

I apologize for stating the question in such a confusing manner (my inability to articulate the question is related to my lack of good understanding of the topic itself).

It is mentioned that all periodic signals which we see as time vs amplitude plots can also be represented in circular form.
What I did not understand where the time variable is when it comes to circular representation.

But from the answers above, I know realize that my confusion is because I did not understand that a periodic signal just needs one cycle to
represent it completely which can be done by representing it in circular form. But this is true only if signal is periodic, else, it is not possible to convert a linear representation into circular form.

I am assuming that my above statement is true for the 2 cases,
1) when linear signal is aperiodic
2) when linear signal varies such that in a narrow window, it appears linear but as one extends the window, it is not linear. For example, a sine signal whose period is same for first 5 cycles and then period decreases for next 5 cycles and so on. It is essentially a aperiodic signal.

Kindly let me know if I have got this correct ...

Again, it would really help if you gave a concrete example of what you mean by a "linear representation" and what you mean by a "circular representation".

Let's keep it simple and use a pure sinusoidal signal with an amplitude of 10 V, a frequency of 1 kHz, and a phase angle of 30°. What is the linear representation and what is the circular representation for this signal.

 

The elementary trig' functions are circular, the only relationship you could demonstrate is by means of Pythagoras' theorem.

I feel confident to say the gap between your understanding of linear signals and trig' is through Fourier Analysis.

 

We still do not have a precise definition of the kind of linear signal you are talking about.

I can make a cogent argument that neither the sin(x), nor the cos(x), which might represent certain signals, are linear functions.
sin (x + y) ≠ sin(x) + sin(y) ∀ x, y ∈ℝ
and sin(kx) ≠ ksin(x) ∀ x, k ∈ℝ

Those functions, sin(x) and cos(x), are however possible solutions to certain linear differential equations with constant coefficients.

Is that what you mean?

 

sin(x) is certainly not a linear function, but any function can potentially be the solution to a linear differential equation because linear is referring to the system, not the signal.

 

sin(x) is certainly not a linear function, but any function can potentially be the solution to a linear differential equation because linear is referring to the system, not the signal.

I know that, and you know that, and I know that you know that. What I want is for the TS/OP to find a better way to articulate his question -- and I offered the best hint I could think of. I'm not sure he was talking about linear systems -- it was just a guess. There seems to be some deep meaning in the terms 'linear representation' and 'circular representation' but I can't quite get to the essentials of the concept. It's all just guesswork.

 

Agreed. I've asked him more than once to give a concrete, explicit example of what HE means by both, and he won't.

 

Hello,

I can offer a guess here...

Circular functions are functions that describe points on a circle. For example:
x=r*cos(A)
y=r*sin(A)

for r a constant r=R, x and y are points on a circle with radius R.
There are other 'circular' relationships too because the points are always on the circle and any given point makes a certain angle A from the origin to the point.

But could you say that any function that is represented by sines and cosines (for example) is circular? The function itself may not be circular, but you could say that it could be made up of a sum of circular functions.

 

@MrAl I know what a circular function is, and I know you know, but what is at issue here is the completely ambiguous nature of:

1. Linear signal
2. Linear representation
3. Circular representation

These terms referenced in the TS/OP's original post are completely without precise and meaningful definition. I cannot find a single usage in any of my references. Until or unless we have some clarity on this issue, I recommend that we ignore this thread.

 

Hi,

He he, you have a point there

BTW i am also on a fixed income.