Output of a discrete-time LTI system different form than input?

This question is related to this one. I'm going through old exams for a 2nd year systems and transforms course, and came across this question. I'm posting this question just in case my other question doesn't actually represent this issue properly...

The question states:

Suppose that we are given the following information about an LTI system: if the input to the system is $x_1[n]=(1/6)^n u[n]$, then the output is $y_1[n]=[a(1/2)^n +10(1/3)^n]u[n]$. If $x_2[n]=(-1)^n$, then the output is $y_2[n]=(7/4)(-1)^n$ where $a$ is a real number. Determine the transfer function of this system and the value of the number $a$.

The solution proceeds by determining the z-transform of $x_1$ and $y_1$ and stating the transfer function as $H(z)=Y_1(z)/X_1(z)$.

However, it seems to me that it's impossible for this system to generate an output of $(1/2)^n+(1/3)^n$ if the input is $(1/6)^n$,and hence the question is somewhat contrived if not outright bogus - see the discussion pertaining to my other question.

What am I missing here?

Answer

If you compute the $\mathcal{Z}$-transforms of $x_1[n]$ and of $y_1[n]$ you get (as already shown in Brian's answer)

$$X_1(z)=\frac{1}{1-\frac16z^{-1}}\\ Y_1(z)=\frac{a}{1-\frac12z^{-1}}+\frac{10}{1-\frac13z^{-1}}=(a+10)\frac{1-\frac{a+15}{3(a+10)}z^{-1}}{(1-\frac12z^{-1})(1-\frac13z^{-1})}$$

The system's transfer function must be

$$H(z)=\frac{Y_1(z)}{X_1(z)}=(a+10)\frac{\left(1-\frac{a+15}{3(a+10)}z^{-1}\right)(1-\frac16z^{-1})}{(1-\frac12z^{-1})(1-\frac13z^{-1})}\tag{1}$$

From the relation between $x_2[n]$ and $y_2[n]$ we know that $H(-1)=7/4$, because for an input signal $b^n$, the output signal of a discrete-time LTI system with transfer function $H(z)$ is $H(b)\cdot b^n$ (see also this answer). If you plug that into $(1)$ you indeed get $a=-9$. With this value for $a$, the transfer function becomes

$$H(z)=\frac{(1-2z^{-1})(1-\frac16z^{-1})}{(1-\frac12z^{-1})(1-\frac13z^{-1})}\tag{2}$$

Note that the output signal $y_1[n]$ only reflects the system's poles, i.e. the transient response, because the steady state response is zero due to the system's zero at $z=1/6$. Note that the system's reaction to the input signal $x_3[n]=(\frac16)^n$ (without the step function!) is $y_3[n]=H(\frac16)\cdot(\frac16)^n=0$. Since your input signal is switched on at $n=0$ (due to the step function) you see a decaying transient response (because the system is stable), but no other contribution from the input signal.

It is important to realize that you can't determine a transfer function from the relation between $x_2[n]$ and $y_2[n]$ (this was the mistake in Brian's answer, see also my comment there). That relation only determines the transfer function for one value of $z$, namely $z=-1$. Note that the sequence $x_2[n]=(-1)^n$ has no $\mathcal{Z}$-transform. The function $1/(1+z^{-1})$ is the $\mathcal{Z}$-transform of $(-1)^n\cdot u[n]$!

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EDIT: (answering the questions in the comments)

1. 
   

   The output of an LTI system just has the same form as the input for the eigenfunctions $a^n$ (without the step function!), not for other functions. As mentioned before, the corresponding output is $H(a)\cdot a^n$, where $H(z)$ is the system's transfer function.

   
   


2. 
   

   A sinusoidal input signal only excites the system at one single frequency, so from the output signal you can only determine the system's response at that single frequency. The signal $(-1)^n$ is such a (discrete-time) sinusoidal signal. So from the corresponding output, only the value $H(-1)$ can be determined, nothing else.

   
   


3. 
   

   If the input signal contains all frequencies, which is the case for a signal that is switched on at a certain time (i.e., multiplied by a step function), the system's transfer function can be determined from the output signal and the given input signal. This is the case for the input $x_1[n]$, where you can simply determine $H(z)$ from $X(z)$ and $Y(z)$. Since the step function contains all frequencies, all signals multiplied by it also contain all frequencies. If you excite a system with such a signal, you can determine the system's response at all frequencies. In general, a system's response can be determined only at those frequencies that are present in the input signal. If the input signal contains a single frequency (a sinusoid), you only get information about that single frequency. In order to determine the complete transfer function, you need an input signal containing all frequencies, such as an impulse or a step (or any signal multiplied by a step).