How Define Delta Function

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Kutlu Yigitturk
Kutlu Yigitturk on 24 Mar 2021
Answered: Carlos M. Velez S. on 24 Jul 2025
I have a problem about calculating with Delta Function. I am trying write matlab code for these function.
I wrote the following code for this function.
n = -5:1:7;
x = delta(n+1) - delta(n) + unit(n+1) - unit(n-2);
stem(n,x,'fill');
axis([-6 8 -1.5 1.5])
xlabel('n')
ylabel('x[n]')
grid
But I am getting the following error.
I don't now how can ı write the delta function in this way ,
function y = unit(x);
y = zeros(size(x));
y(x>0) = 1;
end
Can you help me write the delta function as the 'unit' function you see above? Thank you for your helping.

Accepted Answer

Star Strider
Star Strider on 24 Mar 2021
If you have the Symbolic Math Toolbox, use the dirac function. It can be used with non-symbolic arguments as well.
  4 Comments
Walter Roberson
Walter Roberson on 24 Mar 2021
That is not a true Dirac δ function.
delta = @(x) x==0;
unit = @(x) x>=0;
n = -5:1:7;
x = delta(n+1) - delta(n) + unit(n+1) - unit(n-2);
stem(n,x,'fill');
axis([-6 8 -1.5 2])
xlabel('n')
ylabel('x[n]')
grid
Kutlu Yigitturk
Kutlu Yigitturk on 24 Mar 2021
Thank you for your help Mr. Roberson. I got the result I wanted.

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More Answers (1)

Carlos M. Velez S.
Carlos M. Velez S. on 24 Jul 2025
The examples above refer to the Kronecker delta function for discrete signals. If you want to apply the Dirac delta function in simulation to continuous-time systems, the following code is enough:
function y = delta_dirac(u)
[n,m] = size(u);
if max(n,m) ==1
dt = 1e-6; % Define a small time increment for the delta function
else
dt = u(2) - u(1);
end
y = zeros(n,m);
for i=1:max(m,n)
if u(i) == 0
y(i) = 1/dt;
else
y(i) = 0;
end
end

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