Consider a linear system where is a linear operator, and such that all the entries of the input and output satisfy , and let the initial conditions be zero. Suppose that is a matrix of functions such that
Then is called the transfer function of the linear system.
Let be a matrix of complex rational functions. Then there exists a MIMO linear system , possibly with feedback, composed of taps, matrix amplifiers, summing junctions, differentiators and integrators such that the transfer function of is .