A time invariant system is a system for which when a signal passes through a system and then is time shifted, it is equal to when the signal is time shifted and then passed through the system.


Example of Time Invariant

System --> sqrt[of signal] = Time invariant

In other words,

X(t) is input signal

X(t) --> system --> y(t) = sqrt[X(t)] --> delay --> z(t) = sqrt[X(t - t0)]

is equivalent to

X(t) --> delay --> Y(t) = X(t - t0) --> system --> z(t) = sqrt[X(t - t0)]

Therefore it is Time invariant.


-Note: if i am wrong about this example, let me know. Thanks.


Example of not Time Invariant

x(t) --> system --> x(2t)

X(t) --> system --> y(t) = x(2t) --> delay --> z(t) = x(2t - t0)

X(t) --> delay --> y(t) = x(t - t0) --> system --> z(t) = x(2*(t-t0)) = x(2t - 2t0)

These two outputs are not equal, so it is not a time invariant system.

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Mu Qiao