Engineering in EEE 303: Signals and Linear Systems

The Fourier Transform

Let x(t ) be a nonperiodic signal of finite duration, i.e.,

x(t ) 0

t T1

Let us form a periodic signal by extending x(t ) to xT0 (t ) as,

lim xT0 (t ) x (t ) ,

[i.e., the period is infinity]

T0

xT0 (t )
Then,

1
ck
T0
ck

Or,

1
T0

ce

T0 / 2

T0 / 2

T0 / 2

T0 / 2

jk0t

xT0 (t )e

jk0t

ck

(01)

dt

x(t )e jk0t dt

Let us now define X ( ) as, X ( )

Thus,

2
T0

1
T0

x (t )e jk0t dt

x(t )e jt dt

1
X (k0 ) .
T0

Substituting this in equation (01) we get,

xT0 (t )

X (k0 ) jk0t
1
e

T0
2

X (k0 ) jk0t
e 0
T0

As T0 , 0 0 . Let us assume 0 .
Thus,

1
X ( k )e jk0t x(t )

T0
0 2
k
1
X ( )e jt d
Or, x(t )

2
lim xT0 (t ) lim

(02)
x(t ) in equation (02) is called the Fourier Integral. Thus a finite duration signal is represented
by Fourier integral instead of Fourier series.
The function X ( ) is called the Fourier transform of x(t ) .

Symbolically these two pairs are represented as,

X ( ) F {x(t )} x(t )e jt dt

x(t ) F 1{ X ( )}

And

x(t )
F .T .

Alternatively,

1
X ( )e jt d
2
X ( ) .

Fourier Spectra
The Fourier transform X ( ) is, in general, complex, and it can be expressed as,

X ( ) X ( ) e j ( )

X ( ) x(t )e jt dt X * ( )

If x(t ) is real,

X ( ) e

Thus,

j ( )

X ( ) e j ( )

Therefore, we can conclude that for real signal, the amplitude spectrum X ( ) is an even
function and the phase spectrum ( ) is an odd function of .
The condition for the convergence of Fourier transform is the same as the Fourier series.
Example
1. Find the Fourier transform of e at u (t )

a 0.

X ( ) e at u (t )e jt dt e ( a j )t dt

1
.
a j

2. Find the Fourier transform of (t ) .

F { (t )} (t )e jt dt 1

3. Find the inverse Fourier transform of ( ) .

F 1{ ( )}

1
2

F .T .
2

Thus,

( )e jt d

( ) or,

1
.
2

1
F .T . 2 ( ) .

4. Find the inverse Fourier transform of ( 0 ) .

1
1 j0t
( 0 )e jt d
e

2
2
e j t
F .T . 2 ( 0 )

F 1{ ( 0 )}
Thus,

We know, cos 0t

1 j0t
e e j0t ;
2

Thus,

cos 0t
F .T .

( 0 ) ( 0 )

5. Find the Fourier transform of the rectangular pulse x(t ) shown in Figure.
T

X ( ) e jt dt 2
T

2T sin c

sin T
sin T
2T

The

magnitude

spectrum

is,

X ( ) 2

sin T
,

and

the

phase

spectrum

sin(T )
0

.
sin(T )
,
0

0,

arg X ( )

6. Find the inverse Fourier transform of the rectangular spectrum shown below.

x(t )

1
2

e jt d

1
W
Wt
sin(Wt ) sinc . The plot is shown in Figure above.
t

Some Properties of Fourier Transform

1. Symmetry property: If f (t ) F ( ) then F (t ) 2 f ( ) . (duality property)

Example: Apply symmetry property to show that (t t0 ) (t t0 ) 2 cos t0 .

2. Scaling Property: If f (t ) F ( )

then

f (at )

1
F ( / a) .
a

is,

3. Time-shifting Property: If f (t ) F ( )

then

4. Frequency-shifting Property: If f (t ) F ( )

f (t t0 ) e jt0 F ( ) .
then

f (t )e j0t F ( 0 ) .

Example: Find the Fourier transform of the gate pulse shown in Figure below.

We get the Fourier transform by applying time-delay property to the F.T. of rectangular pulse
(symmetrical).

j / 2
.
e
2

F ( ) sinc

Thus,

Example: Sketch the Fourier transform of f (t ) cos10t using frequency shifting property.

1 j10t 1 j10 t
e e . Therefore,
2
2

[property 4] f (t ) cos10t f (t )

f (t ) cos10t

f (t ) 4sin c

1
F ( 10) F ( 10) . The sketch is shown in Figure below. Here,
2
2
.

5. Time and Frequency convolution:

f1 (t ) f 2 (t ) F1 ( ) F2 ( ) and f1 (t ) f 2 (t )

1
F1 ( ) F2 ( ) .
2

6. Time differentiation and time integration:

F ( )
F (0) ( ) .
j
1
df (t )
1
f (t )
F ( )e jt d
j F ( )e jt d j f (t )
(a)

2
dt
2
df (t )
df (t )
j F ( ) .
Therefore, F
or,
= j F f (t ) ,
dt
dt

df (t )
j F ( );
dt

f ( )d

f (t ) u (t )

(b)

f ( )u (t ) d

Using convolution property, F

Therefore,

f ( )d

f ( ) d

( )
j

f ( )d F ( )

F ( )
F (0) ( ) .
j

Example: Using the time-differentiation property, find the F.T. of the triangle illustrated in
figure below.

d 2 f (t ) 2
(t / 2) (t / 2) 2 (t )
dt 2

(t ) 1 (t / 2) e j / 2
Performing F.T. of the first equation,

2 j / 2 j / 2
e
e
2

8 2

2 F ( ) cos
1 sin

( j ) 2 F ( )

F ( )

F ( )

sin

8
8

sin 2
2
2

2
4

sin 2

sinc 2

2
4

Fourier transform of periodic signal

Let,

f (t )

ce

jk0 t

(periodic). Performing L.T. we get,

F ( )

2 ( k0 ) .

Therefore, the Fourier transform of a periodic signal is a train of impulses occurring at

harmonically related frequencies where the impulse strength is, 2 ck .
For example, consider the Fourier series and Fourier transform of the signal cos 0t .

Energy of aperiodic signal

Energy of aperiodic signal, E

1
2

x (t ) dt x(t ) x* (t )dt

X ( )e jt d x* (t )dt

1
1
X ( ) x* (t )e jt dt d
X ( ) X *( )d

2
2
1
2
X ( ) d . This relation is called the Parsivals relation for aperiodic signal.
i.e., E

2
2
The term X ( ) is called the energy spectral density of the signal. If it is integrated over all
the frequencies and multiplied by 1/ 2 we get the energy of the aperiodic signal.

Or, E

Example: The signals shown in Figure below are modulated signal with carrier cos10t . Find
the Fourier transform of these signals.

(a) Here a triangular pulse of width 2 is modulated with a carrier cos10t .

Now
the
Fourier
transform
of
triangular

2

F1 ( ) sinc 2
sinc 2
sinc 2 .
2
4
4
2
And the F.T. of carrier cos10t is, F2 ( ) ( 10) ( 10)

pulse

is,

1 2
1
10
2 10

sinc2
F1 ( ) F2 ( )
sinc

2
2
2
2

10
2 10

F ( ) sinc 2
Or,
[ans]
sinc

2
2
2

(b) This is the time-shifted version of (a). Here the time-shift is 2 . Time shift corresponds to
phase shift of e j 2 in frequency domain. The
result
is,

10
2 10
j 2
F ( ) sinc 2
.
sinc
e
2
2
2

(c) Here cosine wave is multiplied by a rectangular pulse of width 2 with a time-shift of 2 .
Therefore, F ( )

Here

the

F.T.

of

rectangular

pulse

is

(symmetric

w.r.t.

y-axis),

2 sinc( ) . F2 ( ) is the same as in (a).
2
1
1
F1 ( ) F2 ( )
2 2 sinc( 10)+sinc( 10) sinc( 10)+sinc( 10)
Thus, F3 ( )
2
2
j 2
Hence, F ( ) sinc( 10)+sinc( 10) e
. [ans]

F1 ( ) sinc

Signal transmission through LTI system

We know, y (t ) x(t ) h(t ) . Using convolution property, Y ( ) X ( ) H ( ) .

1
X ( ) H ( ) e jt d .

2
Remember that, H ( ) is called the frequency response of a system. In order to find the
response of a system using F.T. we have to get Y ( ) first. Then we will get y (t ) using inverse
Fourier transform of Y ( ) .
Therefore, y (t )

Example
Find the response of a system shown below when an input of the system is Ae t u (t ) .

i (t ) R y (t ) x(t ); i (t ) C

dy (t )
dt

Performing F.T. on both side,

Y ( )

dy (t )
y (t ) x(t )
dt
RC jY ( ) Y ( ) X ( )
RC

1
A
X ( ) . But, X ( )
1 j RC
j

A
A
1
1

A
(1 j RC )( j ) RC 1 1/ RC j

j
A
e t / RC e t u (t )
Performing inverse Fourier transform, y (t )
[ans]
RC 1
If 1/ RC , then the characteristic mode of input and output are the same and resonance will
occur. If we put the condition in y (t ) , it will become indeterminate. We can find y (t ) using
Y ( )

LHospital rule.

A
A t
e t / RC e t u (t )
te u (t ) .
1/ RC RC 1
RC

y (t ) lim

Hence,

System response to periodic input

Let, x(t )

cn e jn0t . Performing F.T. we get, X ( )

Now, Y ( ) X ( ) H ( )

2 c ( n ) .
n

2 c H ( ) ( n ) 2 c H (n ) ( n ) .

Performing inverse F.T. we get, y (t )

1 jn0t
2

c
H
(
n

cn H (n0 )e jn0t

n
0
2

n
n

Therefore, the output will be also periodic. The amplitude of the nth harmonic components will
be, cn H (n0 ) .

Some More Examples

e j10t t
1. Determine the Fourier transform of the complex sinusoidal pulse, z (t )
.
0 otherwise
1
t
.
0 otherwise

The function z(t) may be expressed as, z (t ) e j10t x(t ) where, x(t )

In Fourier transformed domain, Z ( ) X ( 10) . [frequency shifting property]

sin / 2 2
2
sin / 2 . Here 2 . Thus, X ( ) sin .
/ 2

2
sin[( 10) ]
Hence, Z ( )
[Ans]
10
Now, X ( )

2. Show that the differentiation in frequency corresponds to multiplication in time by -jt.

dX ( )
{ jtx(t )}e jt dt

d
dX ( )
jtx (t )
F .T .
d

X ( ) x(t )e jt dt

Therefore,

Hence the statement.

3. Use the frequency differentiation property to find the F.T. of te at u (t ) .

1
a j
d
1
jte at u (t )
F .T .
Therefore,

d a j
1
1
at
F .T .

j;
Or, te u (t )
or,
j (a j ) 2
We know,

e at u (t )
F .T .

1
[Ans]
(a j ) 2
4. Let the input to a system with impulse response h(t ) 2e 2t u (t ) be x(t ) 3e t u (t ) . Find the
output of the system y (t ) .
3
2
y (t ) x(t ) h(t )

Y ( ) X ( ) H ( ) . Now X ( )
and H ( )
.
1 j
2 j
3
2
6
6
Y ( )

.
1 j 2 j 1 j 2 j
Performing inverse Fourier transform, y (t ) 6e t u (t ) 6e 2t u (t )
[Ans]
te at u (t )
F .T .

Windowing operation
The process of truncating a function is called windowing. It is represented mathematically by
multiplying the signal, x(t ) by a window function, w(t ) . If y (t ) is the windowed signal,
y (t ) x(t ) w(t ) .
In frequency domain it can be viewed as, Y ( )

1
X ( ) W ( ) . The windowing operation
2

and its effect in frequency domain is shown in figure below.

The general effect of window is to smooth detail in X ( ) and introduce oscillation near

2
(for
T
rectangular window) while the oscillations are due to the oscillations in the side lobes of W ( )
discontinuities in X ( ) . The smoothing is the consequence of the main lobe of width
.

Fourier Transform of u (t ) and sgn(t )

1. F u (t ) F

( )d ; We know that, F

F (t ) 1

x(t )dt

X ( )
X (0) ( ) and
j

1
( ) .
j
2. sgn(t ) 2u (t ) 1
Thus, F u (t )

Therefore, F sgn(t ) 2 F u (t ) F 1

[Ans]

2
2
2 ( ) 2 ( )
j
j

[Ans]

Example
The output of a system in response to an input x(t ) e 2 t u (t ) is y (t ) e t u (t ) . Find the frequency
response and the impulse response of the system.

1
2 j
1
1
X ( ) H ( ) . H ( )
1 j
1 j
1 j
t
Performing inverse F.T. we get, h(t ) (t ) e u (t ) .
[Ans]
X ( )

1
,
2 j

Y ( )

Find the frequency response and the impulse response of the system
y (t ) 3 y(t ) 2 y (t ) 2 x(t ) x(t ) .

Signal distortion during transmission

For distortionless transmission through an LTI system we require that the exact input signal
shape be reproduced at the output although its amplitude may be different and it may be
delayed in time. Therefore,
y (t ) K x(t td )
Y ( ) Ke jtd X ( ) .
Thus for distortionless transmission the system must have, H ( ) Ke jtd .

H ( ) K and H ( ) jtd .
i.e., the amplitude of H ( ) must be constant over the entire frequency range and the phase of
H ( ) must be linear with frequency.
A system may have flat amplitude response, but it will be distorted if system td is not
constant.

Application of Fourier transform

1. Modulation and demodulation
o
To allow different frequency band for different channel
o For effective radiation of signal antenna size must be of the order of the wavelength of
the signal to be radiated. Shifting the signal to the higher frequency by modulation
solves the problem.
o
Figure left shows the process of amplitude
modulation with a sinusoidal carrier. We
choose c 0 for convenience.

1
y (t ) x(t ) e jc t e jc t
2
1
Y ( ) X ( c ) X ( c )
2

The original signal can be recovered by modulating y (t ) with the same sinusoidal carrier and
applying low-pass filter to the result.

w(t ) y (t ) cos c t x(t ) cos 2 ct

1
w(t ) x(t ) 1 cos 2c t
Or,
2
X ( ) 1
W ( )
X ( 2c ) X ( 2c )
2
4
If modulator and demodulator are not synchronized,

w(t ) x(t ) cos(c t c ) cos(ct c )

In this case, c c

1
x(t ) cos( c c ) cos(2c t c c ) .
2

, the output will be zero. For maximum output signal the oscillators
2

must be in phase. This requires careful synchronization between modulator and demodulator.