The Advanced z-Transform and Analysis of Sampled-Data Systems

The z-transform method is a basic mathematical tool in analyzing and designing sampled-data control systems. However, since the z-transform method relates only the sampling-instants signals, another mathematical tool is necessary to describe the continous signals between the sampling instants. For this purpose the delayed and the modi fled z-transform methods were developed. The definition of the modi fled z-transform includes a sample in the interval [-T,0] of the original signal in its series expression, where the signal value is always zero for any physical system. From this reason one step skew of the time index always appears in its application formulas. This introduces an unnecessary operation and a gap in linking the mathematical formula and its physical interpretation. Considering the conceptual difficulty and application inconvenience, a method of using the advanced z-transform in analysis of sampled-data control systems is developed as a replacement of the modi fled z-transform. With one formulation of the advanced z-transform, now it is possible to relate both the signals of the sampling instants and those in between without any complication and conceptual difficulty.