Windows and the Discrete-Time Fourier Transform: Trading Resolution for Dynamic Range

In this lesson you will learn how to use different windows to manage the loss of resolution and limited dynamic range resulting from truncation. The rectangular window leads to relatively good resolution but very poor dynamic range. Windows with less abrupt transitions provide much better dynamic range at the expense of some loss of resolution. Proper selection of a window is a powerful tool for managing the fidelity of the discrete Fourier transform approximation to the Fourier transform.