Step, Impulse, & Ramp Functions [MATLAB]

Step Function

A signal that switches from zero to one at a specific time.

u = [zeroes(1, N), ones(1, N)]

Discrete-Time Unit Step (MATLAB)

Discrete-Time Impulse

A signal that is zero everywhere except at one time index.

delta = [zeroes(1, N), 1, zeroes(1, N)]

Discrete-Time Unit Impulse (MATLAB)

Ramp Signal

A signal that increases linearly with time.

ramp = 0:1:N

Ramp Signal (MATLAB)

Rectangular Pulse

A finite-duration signal formed by subtracting two step functions.

M-File

A file containing MATLAB commands saved for reuse.

Script File

An M-file that runs commands sequentially without input/output arguments.

Function File

An M-file that accepts inputs and returns outputs.

Function Definition

The first line of a function M-file defining its name and arguments.

size Function

Returns the dimensions of a matrix or vector.

find Function

Returns indices of elements that satisfy a logical condition.

User-Defined Rectangular Pulse Function

A custom MATLAB function that generates a rectangular pulse using logical conditions.