rectangular pulse train in python

Question

I\'m trying to implement a rectangular pulse train in python.

I searched scipy and there is no signal that implements. http://docs.scipy.org/doc/scipy/reference/sign

Answer 1

If you're looking for just periodic pulse trains, like the example you gave - here's a pulse train that is on for 5 cycles then off for five cycles:

N = 100 # sample count
P = 10  # period
D = 5   # width of pulse
sig = np.arange(N) % P < D

Giving

plot(sig)

You can replace np.arange(N) with your linspace here. Note this is not equivalent to your code, as the pulses are not centered.

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And here's a fully configurable pulse train:

def rect(T):
    """create a centered rectangular pulse of width $T"""
    return lambda t: (-T/2 <= t) & (t < T/2)

def pulse_train(t, at, shape):
    """create a train of pulses over $t at times $at and shape $shape"""
    return np.sum(shape(t - at[:,np.newaxis]), axis=0)

sig = pulse_train(
    t=np.arange(100),              # time domain
    at=np.array([0, 10, 40, 80]),  # times of pulses
    shape=rect(10)                 # shape of pulse
)

Giving:

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I think this is one of those cases where matlab's pulsetran function is more confusing than the one-line implementation of it in python, which is possibly why scipy does not provide it.