The Fourier series represents periodic, continuous-time signals as a weighted sum of continuous-time sinusoids. It is widely used to analyze and synthesize periodic signals. This lesson shows you how to compute the Fourier series coefficients, or weights, from the signal. It also introduces you to the conditions that must be met for a signal to […]
Fourier Series and Transforms
Square Wave Fourier Series and the Sinc Function
The square wave Fourier series provides fundamental insight into the nature of Fourier series expansions. You will learn the relationship between the width or duty cycle of a square wave and the concentration of the Fourier series coefficients. You will also be introduced to the sinc function, a function that has widespread significance in all […]
Fourier Series Properties
Fourier series properties provide insight and simplify working with Fourier series expansions. This lesson introduces you to the most important and commonly used Fourier series properties and gives you examples of their use. These properties are direct consequence of the nature of sinusoids. Similar properties exist for the other Fourier representations, so understanding the properties of […]
The Fourier Transform: Linking Time and Frequency Domains
The Fourier transform is the primary tool for analyzing signals and signal-processing systems in the frequency domain, especially when signals are sampled or converted from discrete time to continuous time. In this lesson you will learn the definition of the Fourier transform and how to evaluate the corresponding integrals for several common signals. You will also […]
Properties of the Fourier Transform
In this lesson you will learn several of the most important Fourier transform properties and how to apply them. Understanding the properties of the Fourier transform will help you develop your insight regarding the relationships between time- and frequency-domain representations of signals. You will gain insight how specific manipulations of a signal in either the […]
The Discrete-Time Fourier Transform
The discrete-time Fourier transform (DTFT) is the tool of choice for frequency domain analysis of discrete-time signals and signal-processing systems. In this lesson you will learn the definition of the DTFT and how to evaluate the DTFT of several common signals. You will also build your intuition for the relationships between time and frequency domain […]