This module includes a table of common discrete fourier transforms.
Introduction
Once one has obtained a solid understanding of the fundamentals of
Fourier series
analysis and the
General Derivation of the Fourier Coefficients , it is useful to have an understanding of the common signals used in Fourier Series Signal Approximation.
Deriving the coefficients
Consider a square wave f(x) of length 1. Over the range [0,1), this can be written as
Fourier series approximation of a square wave
Fourier series approximation to
.
The number of terms in the Fourier sum is indicated in eachplot, and the square wave is shown as a dashed line over two
periods.
Real even signals
Given that the square wave is a real and even signal,
EVEN
*
REAL
therefore,
EVEN
* REAL
Deriving the coefficients for other signals
The Square wave is the standard example, but other important signals are also useful to analyze, and these are included here.
Constant waveform
This signal is relatively self-explanatory: the time-varying portion of the Fourier Coefficient is taken out, and we are left simply with a constant function over all time.
Fourier series approximation of a constant wave
Sinusoid waveform
With this signal, only a specific frequency of time-varying Coefficient is chosen (given that the Fourier Series equation includes a sine wave, this is intuitive), and all others are filtered out, and this single time-varying coefficient will exactly match the desired signal.
Fourier series approximation of a sinusoid wave
Triangle waveform
This is a more complex form of signal approximation to the square wave. Because of the
Symmetry Properties of the Fourier Series, the triangle wave is a real and odd signal, as opposed to the real and even square wave signal. This means that
ODD
*
REAL
therefore,
* IMAGINARY
Fourier series approximation of a triangle wave
Sawtooth waveform
Because of the
Symmetry Properties of the Fourier Series, the sawtooth wave can be defined as a real and odd signal, as opposed to the real and even square wave signal. This has important implications for the Fourier Coefficients.
Fourier series approximation of a sawtooth wave
Dft signal approximation
Interact (when online) with a Mathematica CDF demonstrating the common Discrete Fourier Series. To download, right-click and save as .cdf.
Conclusion
To summarize, a great deal of variety exists among the common Fourier Transforms. A summary table is provided here with the essential information.