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Today, we'll begin by reviewing Continuous-Time Fourier Series, or CTFS. How do you think we represent periodic signals mathematically?
I believe they are represented as sums of complex exponentials?
Exactly! We use the synthesis equation: x(t) equals the sum of Ck times e raised to j k omega0 t. Can anyone tell me what Ck represents?
Ck are the Fourier coefficients, right?
Yes! These coefficients tell us the amplitude and phase of the frequency components. Now, how do we find these coefficients?
By using the analysis equation to integrate over one period.
Spot on! The analysis equation helps us extract these coefficients from the time domain. Let's remember: *Coefficients capture the essence of harmonic contributions to the signal*. Any questions?
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Now that we've reviewed periodic signals, letβs talk about aperiodic signals. Why is it challenging to apply Fourier Series here?
Because they don't repeat, so we can't define a period, right?
Great observation! To address this, we can stretch the period T0 toward infinity. What do you think happens to omega0 in this case?
It approaches zero, resulting in more closely spaced frequencies.
Precisely! This leads to a continuous spectrum as we redefine Ck into a new spectral function X(jΟ) with continuous frequencies. This concept is crucial for representing signals like transients or pulses.
So the energy is distributed across a continuous range of frequencies?
Exactly! Remember, *the continuous spectrum arises when the discrete lines merge as T0 approaches infinity*. Thatβs a vital takeaway!
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Letβs summarize our transition from the sums in Fourier Series to integrals in the Fourier Transform definition. What do we need to recognize in this transition?
The summation of harmonics becomes an integral of continuous frequencies, right?
"Correct! The transition shows how we define the Fourier Transform integral for any aperiodic signal as:
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The section outlines the transition from Fourier Series, used for periodic signals, to the Continuous-Time Fourier Transform (CTFT) for aperiodic signals, detailing key concepts such as spectral density, limiting processes, and the derivation of the Fourier Transform from the Fourier Series.
This section serves as a crucial bridge, detailing the generalization of frequency domain analysis from periodic (repeating) signals using Fourier Series (CTFS) to all continuous-time signals, particularly aperiodic signals.
$x(t) = \sum_{k=-\infty}^{\infty} C_k e^{j k \omega_0 t}$
where $C_k$ are the Fourier coefficients, obtained through the analysis equation:
$C_k = \frac{1}{T_0} \int_{T_0} x(t)e^{-j k \omega_0 t} dt$
$T_0 C_k \approx \int_{-\infty}^{+\infty} x(t)e^{-j k \omega_0 t} dt$
transitioning to the Fourier Transform definition.
This derivation is significant as it enables the analysis of all kinds of signals, laying the groundwork for Fourier analysis applied in various fields such as electronics, audio processing, and communications.
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This section serves as a crucial conceptual bridge, illustrating how the powerful framework of frequency domain analysis, initially developed for repeating (periodic) signals, can be generalized to encompass all types of signals, including those that do not repeat (aperiodic signals).
The Fourier Series (FS) is a mathematical tool used to analyze periodic signals by expressing them as the sum of sinusoidal components (sine and cosine functions). This section highlights the importance of the Fourier Series as a stepping stone to the Fourier Transform (FT). Essentially, while the FS is tailored for repeating signals, the process can be expanded to cover non-repeating signals like impulses or transients, leading to the creation of a continuous representation of frequencies, known as the Fourier Transform.
Think of the Fourier Series as a recipe that tells you how to mix different musical notes (frequencies) to produce a song (signal). Just as you can create new songs by adjusting the notes or harmonics in different ways, the Fourier Transform allows us to create and analyze any kind of sound, even those that aren't repeated, like a single musical note played once.
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We begin by recalling the foundational idea of the Continuous-Time Fourier Series (CTFS). This mathematical tool asserts that any well-behaved continuous-time periodic signal, denoted as x(t), with a fundamental period T0 can be represented as an infinite sum of harmonically related complex exponential functions.
The Continuous-Time Fourier Series (CTFS) represents periodic signals as an infinite sum of complex exponentials. Each exponential represents a specific frequency component, and the coefficients (Ck) determine how strong each frequency is in the original signal. The synthesis equation for CTFS helps us reconstruct the original signal from its individual frequency components, showcasing the importance of frequency in understanding signals.
Think of each complex exponential as a different instrument in an orchestra. The CTFS allows us to hear how each instrument contributes to the overall piece of music. By knowing how much each instrument plays (the coefficients Ck), we can recreate the entire orchestral sound from just the individual parts.
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The Fourier Series is fundamentally designed for periodic signals. How can we apply frequency analysis to signals that never repeat, like a single pulse, a transient response, or a speech segment? The Conceptual Leap: Imagine an aperiodic signal x(t) as a single, isolated "cycle" of a periodic signal where the fundamental period T0 is stretched out to infinity.
Expanding the Fourier Series to aperiodic signals involves considering the limit as the fundamental period T0 approaches infinity. As T0 becomes very large, the frequency components in the signal become densely packed, transforming discrete harmonic frequencies into a continuous spectrum. This shift allows us to represent signals that do not repeat in a coherent mathematical framework. The forward Fourier Transform integral is then defined for these cases, linking the time domain with frequency domain in a new, powerful way.
Imagine stretching a rubber band. As you pull, the rubber band becomes longer and thinner, just like the period of a signal stretches to infinity. This process allows us to capture every detail, no matter how small, and represent it smoothly as a continuous line, similar to how a perfectly straight line can represent any shape as it gets infinitely longer.
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[As T0 approaches infinity], the fundamental angular frequency omega0 approaches zero. This means the spacing between adjacent harmonic frequencies becomes infinitesimally small. Dense Spectral Lines: The discrete spectral lines in the Fourier Series become so closely spaced that they effectively merge into a continuous spectrum.
As we transition from a periodic to an aperiodic signal, the spacing between the individual harmonic frequencies becomes smaller, allowing us to visualize frequency contributions not as distinct spikes but as a continuous flow. This indicates that rather than just identifying specific frequencies, we now acknowledge a range of frequencies that continuously contribute to the signal. This is a fundamental concept in signal analysis, showcasing how diverse frequencies combine seamlessly.
Consider a rainbow formed by different colors blending into each other. The discrete colors represent distinct frequencies in periodic signals, while the gradual transition between colors symbolizes the continuous spectrum of frequencies in aperiodic signals. Just as every shade creates the beauty of the rainbow, every frequency contributes to the richness of the signal.
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Defining a New Spectral Function: We define a new function, let's call it X(jomega), which will represent this continuous spectrum. We can show that as T0 -> infinity and komega0 -> omega, the term (Ck * T0) approaches X(jomega).
The function X(jomega) is introduced to represent the continuous spectrum resulting from the limiting process. By replacing the sum in the spectral analysis with an integral, the connection between discrete harmonic components becomes clear as a continuous function over frequencies. This reformulation leads directly to the definition of the Fourier Transform, which applies to all continuous-time functions, extending the analysis to non-periodic signals.
Consider the process of mapping out a city. When your view is narrowed to just a few streets (like discrete harmonics), you only see part of the city. However, as you zoom out (approaching the limit), you start to see the entire city layout at once, which provides a clearer understanding of how different areas connect. This scaling from specific streets to an entire network illustrates how we can analyze signals across a continuous spectrum.
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Similarly, as omega0 approaches d(omega) and the summation over discrete harmonics becomes an integral over a continuous range of frequencies, the factor (1/T0) becomes (omega0 / (2pi)).
In this step, we express the transition from summing discrete components to integrating over a continuous frequency. The normalization factor (1/T0) adjusts as we reach the limit of infinite period, emphasizing how the system generalizes from specific frequencies to a continuous spectrum. This is crucial for defining the Fourier transform correctly and ensuring that it captures all relevant frequency information.
Think of making a smoothie. Starting with small pieces of fruit (discrete components), you gradually blend them into a smooth mixture (continuous function) that captures the flavor of every fruit combined. The change from separate pieces to a single mixture illustrates how we move from analyzing distinct frequencies to understanding a continuous spectrum of frequency contributions.
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This limiting process (T0 -> infinity) transforms the discrete sum of complex exponentials into a continuous integral of complex exponentials, leading directly to the definition of the Fourier Transform.
The conclusion summarizes the significance of the limiting process in establishing the Fourier Transform as a powerful and versatile tool for signal analysis. By transitioning from a sum of discrete harmonics to a continuous integral, we unify frequency domain analysis of both periodic and aperiodic signals, thereby augmenting our ability to study a wide variety of real-world signals.
Just as an evolving library expands from reading individual books (periodic signals) to consulting an entire database of knowledge (continuous signals), the Fourier Transform encompasses and analyzes all sorts of signals together, making it an essential tool for deeper understanding in engineering, physics, and beyond.
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Key Concepts
Review of Continuous-Time Fourier Series (CTFS): This begins with the definition of CTFS, which expresses a periodic signal x(t) with a fundamental period T_0 as a sum of harmonics of complex exponentials. The synthesis equation is given as:
$x(t) = \sum_{k=-\infty}^{\infty} C_k e^{j k \omega_0 t}$
where $C_k$ are the Fourier coefficients, obtained through the analysis equation:
$C_k = \frac{1}{T_0} \int_{T_0} x(t)e^{-j k \omega_0 t} dt$
Extending to Aperiodic Signals: A challenge arises when trying to use Fourier Series for aperiodic signals. By allowing the fundamental period T_0 to approach infinity, the fundamental frequency tends towards zero, causing the discrete spectral lines to merge into a continuous spectrum. As such, we define a new spectral function, $X(j\omega)$, which transitions from a discrete to continuous representation:
In the limiting process, the coefficients can be represented as:
$T_0 C_k \approx \int_{-\infty}^{+\infty} x(t)e^{-j k \omega_0 t} dt$
transitioning to the Fourier Transform definition.
From Summation to Integral: As the series sums become integrals, the conceptual outcomes demonstrate how Fourier Transform formulates from harmonic components to a continuous frequency domain representation.
This derivation is significant as it enables the analysis of all kinds of signals, laying the groundwork for Fourier analysis applied in various fields such as electronics, audio processing, and communications.
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A square wave can be analyzed using Fourier Series as a sum of sine and cosine terms, while its Fourier Transform depicts its continuous frequency representation.
A transient signal like a pulse can be viewed as a single cycle stretched infinitely, emphasizing the use of Fourier Transform for non-repeating signals.
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Fourier's series, round and neat, Periodic waves, rhythmically beat.
Imagine a musician playing a single note in an endless concert. Each note represents a Fourier series harmonic, but stretch the note forever, and it becomes a continuous song, representing Fourier Transform.
Remember Ck as 'Coefficients Keep energy' accessible from periodic waves!
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Review the Definitions for terms.
Term: ContinuousTime Fourier Series (CTFS)
Definition:
A mathematical tool for representing periodic signals as sums of harmonically related complex exponentials.
Term: Fourier Coefficients (Ck)
Definition:
Complex numbers that represent the amplitude and phase of each harmonic component in a periodic signal.
Term: Spectral Function (X(jΟ))
Definition:
The function that represents the continuous spectrum of a signal in the frequency domain.
Term: Fundamental Period (T0)
Definition:
The duration over which a periodic signal repeats itself.
Term: Fundamental Frequency (Ο0)
Definition:
The minimum frequency of a periodic signal, calculated as Ο0 = 2Ο/T0.