Maximization of the energy transfer ratio for time-limited signals over lin
ear channels is considered. The case of linear channels with rational trans
fer function is addressed and a general procedure for the analytic solution
of the maximization problem is outlined. The maximum energy transfer ratio
over a fixed time interval is evaluated in some cases of interest. Two per
formance metrics-the energy transfer ratio and the energy intersymbol inter
ference (ISI) ratio-are evaluated for optimal signals and compared to those
of commonly used rectangular and sinusoidal pulses in order to determine t
he achievable gain.