Causal System Definition

A causal system is one whose output at some current time $ t_0 $ only depends on some input, $ x(t) $, at the current $ t_0 $ or a $ t $ in the past, never from $ x(t) $ at a future $ t $.

Non-Causal System Definition

A non-causal system is one whose output at some time $ t_0 $ depends on future inputs as well as possibly past or current inputs.

EDIT: Added $ t_0 $ per discussion suggestions.

Alumni Liaison

Ph.D. 2007, working on developing cool imaging technologies for digital cameras, camera phones, and video surveillance cameras.

Buyue Zhang