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Development of Fourier Series Theory using Exponential Representation

Introduction Complex Spectra/a>

Complex Fourier Series Non Period Functions
Examples Fourier Transforms options

Introduction

The very high percentage of the science of physics involves vibrations and waves. Mechanical engineering, electrical
engineering, fluid mechanics , sound and vision engineering etc all involve vibration and waves. The detailed analysis of
vibrations and waves generally involves the use of fourier transforms. A fourier transform at is most basic level involves
transforming a complex waveform into a form which is easily assessed. A most convenient analogy is the transformation of a
chord played by a musical instrument into a formal discription of its component notes. Another useful analogy is when light
passes through a prism and is broken down into its component primary colours.

The fourier transform is used to transform one complex valued real variable to another function. The resulting function, often
called the frequency domain representation (or the spectral density) of the original function, describes which frequencies are
present in the original function.

The notes on fourier series ref Fourier Series deals primarily with functions of periods of T = 2. The notes also show that the
theory can be applied to functions with periodic values other than 2. The fourier transform is the generalisation of the fourier
series with periods aproaching infinity. Effectively fourier series relate to periodic functions whilst fourier transforms are more
generalised including non-periodic function and periodic function. Fourier series are actually a subset of fourier transforms.

These notes do not provide detailed information of fourier transforms. They provide a very basic introduction for mechanical
engineers relating fourier transforms to the, much simpler, fourier series.

Complex exponentials representation of Fourier Series

The following identities show exponential - trigonometric relationship

The fourier series shown below was developed in the notes on webpage Fourier Series.

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It is clear form from scrutiny of the above equations that a =a ( even function ) and also that that b =-b ( odd
n -n n -n
function ).. ( these feature are referenced below )

Equation A can be expressed in exponential form as

This can be re-arranged as ..

Now it is shown above that a = a and it can also be proved that b = - b .

n -n n -n
Using this feature the above equation can be re-arranged as ..

The following solution also can be used.

The Kronecker delta function is often used for these equation . = 1 if k = n and = 0 otherwise
kn kn

Therefore

And finally

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A fourier series with a period T which is not 2 is represented it in terms of a function f( t )... [ t = T.x /2 ] as follows

The relevant formulas for determining a , a and b are as follows

0 n n

This can be expressed in exponential form as

Example: Complex exponential based Fourier Series for function as shown below

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Note: The expression sin(x) / x which occurs frequenty in Fourier Transforms is given the special name sinc(x).
sinc(x) As limit sinc(x)
for x -> 0 = 1 then it is accepted that sinc (0) = 1. The above equation can therefore be rewritten as

It is pointed out that the coeffiicient c for this even function is a real number.
n

Note: The values shown for c are discrete values this is not a continuous function
n

Example: Complex exponential based Fourier Series for function, as above offset by retarded
retarded by a/2 as shown below

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Note: As the expression sinc(0) = 1. The above equation can therefore be rewritten as

It is pointed out that the coeffiicient c for this function is a complex number.
n

Complex Spectra.

The coefficient c is generally a complex number and is in the form

n

j
c = | c |e where, for the example above
n n
Phase = = -na/T

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| c | = a/T .sinc (na/T)

n

Note: The values shown are discrete values the functions shown are not a continuous .

The Phase spectra = -na/T indicates the phase of each harmonic relative to the fundamental harmonic frequency
= 1/T = f = /2
0 0
In the first example, which is an even function, the phase spectrum is zero for all values of n . This indicates that each harmonic is
in phase with f (the fundamental harmonic). The second example indicates that the nth harmonic is out of phase by -naf
0 0

Non periodic functions - fourier Transforms Introduction

Fourier series are generally applicable only to periodic functions but non-periodic functions can also be transformed into fourier
components - this process is called a Fourier Transform.

If T becomes very large ( tends to infinity ) then the function will tend to an isolated, non periodic, function. This limiting process
is used to develop the equations for the Fourier Transform from the Fourier Series.

Consider a function which has a width which is very very small relative to the period T. If T approaches infinity than the function is
effectively non periodic.

This expressed in exponential form results in

If the product ( n / T ) in the exponent is replaced by a variable k then the the equation becomes
n

It is clear that for large T then the the summation contains a large number of waves each with wavelength difference.

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The discrete summation tends to a continuous integration with k replaced by a variable k and c becoming a function of k .
n n
That is the equation evolves as shown below

In these equations F( k ) is the Fourier transform of f( t ). The variables , for this example of t and k are called conjugate
variables. When conjugate variables are multiplied the product should be unitless. If the variables are t= time(say seconds) and
k = frequency say cycles per second then the equations shown are appropriate.

Notes:
f( t ) is also the Fourier transform of F( k ).
Only one of the of the integrals must have a minus sign in the exponent. It is not important which one in terms of application of
the transform. The rule selected at the onset of the analysis must be not be broken.

Considering the example as shown above

As T increases towards infinity and the distance between adjacent harmonics reduces towards zero i.e. the spectrum becomes a
continuous function and n/T -> k.

Note: The above function is a continuous function.

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Alternative Representation of Fourier Transforms

Other methods of identifying the fourier transforms include

or to preserve symmetry

Useful Related Links

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1. Fourier Series ...Very clear cand comprehensive Notes Introduction

2. Fourier Series Applet .. Applet Illustrating fourier series for different waveforms.
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Last Updated 01/05/2010

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