Properties of Fourier Series - GATE Study

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In the previous article, we learnt the Basics of Fourier Series, the different types and
all about the different Fourier Series spectrums. Now, let us take the discussion
further and learn about the Properties of Fourier Series. Using these Properties of
Fourier Series, we can learn to manipulate Fourier Series, which is what we will learn
in these GATE 2018 notes.

These GATE Notes are useful for GATE EE, GATE EC, GATE ME, and GATE CE. They
are also useful for other exams like BARC, BSNL, IES, DRDO, ISRO etc. You can get
these GATE study material downloaded in PDF so that your exam preparation is made
easy and you ace your paper. Before you get started though, you should ensure that
you are caught up with the basics of Engineering Mathematics.

Laplace Transforms

Limits, Continuity & Differentiability

Mean Value Theorems

Differentiation

Partial Differentiation

Maxima and Minima

Methods of Integration & Standard Integrals

Vector Calculus

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 Vector Integration

Time Signals & Signal Transformation

Standard Time Signals

Signal Classification

Types of Time Systems

Introduction to Linear Time Invariant Systems

Properties of LTI Systems

Introduction to Fourier Series

Properties of Continuous Time Fourier Series (CTFS)

The various properties of Fourier series have been listed explained below. Before going
into them, let us get familiar with the representation convention.
∞

Let x(t) = ∑ cn ejnω0 t

n=−∞
∞

and y(t) = ∑ Dn ejnω0 t

n=−∞

CTFS
Then x(t) ↔ cn
CTFS
and y(t) ↔ Dn
Here CTFS stands for Continuous time Fourier series and cn and Dn are Fourier series
coefficients. Now we will look into the properties of Fourier transform.

The properties we will discuss are:

1. Linearity

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2. Time Shifting
3. Frequency Shifting
4. Time Scaling
5. Time Inversion
6. Differentiation in Time
7. Integration in Time
8. Convolution
9. Multiplication
10. Symmetry property

Let us look at these properties in detail now.

1) Linearity
CTFS CTFS
If x(t) ↔ cn and y(t) ↔ Dn
CTFS
Then, ax(t) + by(t) ↔ acn + bDn
i.e. Fourier Series is a linear operation.

2) Time Shifting
CTFS
If x(t) ↔ cn
Then according to time shifting property,
CTFS
x(t − t 0 ) ↔ e−jnω0 t0 cn
CTFS
x(t + t 0 ) ↔ ejnω0t0 cn
i.e. Magnitude of Fourier Series coefficients remains unchanged when the signal is
shifted in time.

3) Frequency Shifting
CTFS
If x(t) ↔ cn
Then according to frequency shifting property,

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 CTFS
ejn0 ω0 t x(t) ↔ c(n−n0 )
CTFS
e−jn0 ω0 t x(t) ↔ c(n+n0)

4) Time Scaling
If x(t) is periodic with period T then x(at) will be periodic with period T/a ; a>0
CTFS
If x(t) ↔ cn
Then
CTFS
x(at) ↔ cn
Thus, after time scaling FS coefficients are the same. But, the spacing between the
1 a
frequency components changes from ω0 to aω0 or from to
T T

5) Time Inversion
Time inversion property states that
CTFS
If x(t) ↔ cn
Then
CTFS
x(−t) ↔ c∗n

6) Differentiation in Time
CTFS
According to this property, if x(t) ↔ cn
Then
d CTFS j2πn
x(t) ↔ (jnω0 )cn = ( ) cn
dt T

7) Integration
CTFS
If x(t) ↔ cn
CTFS 1
Then ∫ x(t)dt ↔ c + c0
jnω0 n

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8) Convolution
CTFS CTFS
If x(t) ↔ cn and y(t) ↔ Dn
Then
CTFS
x(t) ∗ y(t) ↔ T cn Dn
Hence, the convolution in time domain leads to multiplication of Fourier series
coefficients in Fourier series domain.

9) Multiplication in Time Domain

If signals are multiplied in the time domain, then the following phenomenon happens
CTFS CTFS
For x(t) ↔ cn and y(t) ↔ Dn
We have
CTFS
x(t)y(t) ↔ T. cn ∗ Dn
Multiplication in time domain leads to convolution in Fourier series domain.

10) Symmetry
Symmetry properties state that
∗
If x(t) is real then → cn = c−n
∗
If x(t) is imaginary then → cn = −c−n

Example 1:
Find the Fourier series of following signal -

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Solution:
A
x1 (t) = ∑ T ejnω0t0

2π π
A = 5, T = 4, and ω0 = =
4 2
π
5 j nt
x1 (t) = ∑∞
n=−∞ 4 e 2

Example 2:
Find the Fourier series of following signal -

Solution:
x2 = x1 (t − 1)
CTFS 5
x1 (t) ↔ 4
CTFS 5 π
5 −jnπ⁄
x2 (t) = x1 (t − 1) ↔ e−jn 2 ×1 = 4 e 2
4
5 −jnπ⁄ jnπt⁄
∞
x2 (t) = Σn=−∞ (e 2 )e 2
4

Example 3:
Find the Fourier series of following signal -

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Solution:
Recall,
Aτ nτ
EFS of periodic train of pulses → sinc ( T )
T

Here, A = 5, τ = 4 , T = 6
2π
Aτ nτ 5×4 n×4
x3 (t) = ∑∞
n=−∞ sinc ( T ) ejnω0t = ∑∞
n=−∞ sinc ( ) ejn 6 t
T 6 6
π
10 2n jn t
x3 (t) = ∑∞
n=−∞ sinc ( 3 ) e 3
3

Example 4:

Solution:
x4 (t) = x3 (t + 1)
CTFS 10 2
x3 (t) ↔ sinc (3 n)
3
CTFS 10 2π
2
x4 (t) = x3 (t + 1) ↔ sinc (3 n) . ejn 6 ×1 [FSC]
3
π
10 2
= sinc (3 n) . ejn 3
3
jnπ jnπ
10 2 t
x4 (t) = ∑∞
n=−∞ sinc (3 n) e 3 .e 3
3

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 jnπ(t+1)
10 2
x4 (t) = ∑∞
n=−∞ sinc (3 n) e 3
3

Note:
Amplitudes of Fourier coefficients depend on the derivatives of the signal.
1. If the 1st derivative of the signal tends to infinite (i.e. 1st derivative of the signal is an
impulse) then Fourier coefficients are proportional to 1/n.
2. If the 2nd derivative of the signal tends to infinite (i.e. 2nd derivative is an impulse)
1
then Fourier coefficients are proportional to n2
1
𝟑. If mth derivative is a impulse then Fourier coefficient are proportional to
nm

Example 5:
Find TFS of the given periodic signals.

Solution:
2A T
.t ;0 < t <
T 2
x(t) = { t T
2A (1 − T) ; <t<T
2

Since, x(t) is an even function

Therefore, bn = 0

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 d2 x(t)
= f(δ(t))
dt2
d2 x(t)
i. e →∞
dt2
1
{⇒ Fourier coefficients ∝ n2
1 1 2A 1 T t
a0 = T ∫T x(t)d(t) = T ∫0 t dt + T ∫T⁄ 2A (1 − T) dt
T 2
T⁄ T
2A t2 2 2A t2
= [ ] + [t − 2 ]
T2 2 0 T T T⁄
2
2A T2 2A T 1 T2
a0 = × + [(T − 2 ) − 2T (T 2 − )]
T2 8 T 4
A 2A T 1 3
=4+ [2 − 2T × 4 T 2 ]
T
A 2A T A
a0 = + × =
4 T 8 2

2 2 T⁄ 2A 2 T
an = T ∫T x(t) cos(nω0 t)dt = T ∫0 2 t cos(nω0 t)dt + T ∫T⁄ 2A(1 − t⁄T) cos(nω0 t)dt
T 2

4A T⁄2 4A T 4A T
= ∫ t cos(nω0 t)dt + ∫T⁄ cos(nω0 t)dt − T2 ∫T⁄ t cos(nω0 t)dt
T2 0 T 2 2
T⁄
2
4A 1 4A sin(nω0 t) T
= [ [cos(nω0 t) + nω0 t sin(nω0 t)]] + |
T2 (nω0 )2 T nω0 T⁄
0 2

4A 1 T
− T2 [(nω (cos(nω0 t) + nω0 t. sin(nω0 t))]
0 )2 T⁄
2
4A 1 nω0 T
an = [ {cos(nω0 T⁄2) − cos 0° + sin(nω0 T⁄2)}]
T2 (nω0 )2 2
4A 1 nω0 T
− T2 [(nω )2
{cos(nω0 T) − cos(nω0 T⁄2) + sin(nω0 T⁄2) − nω0 T sin(nω0 T)}]
0 2

ω0 T = 2π
4A 1
an = [ {cos(nπ) − 1 + nπ sin(nπ)}
T2 (nω0 )2
−4A 1
{cos(2nπ) − cos(nπ) + nπ sin nπ − 2nπ sin 2nπ}
T2 (nω0 )2
4A 1 4A 1
= [ (cosnπ −1)] − T2 [(nω (1 − cos nπ)]
T2 (nω0 )2 0)
2

4A
⇒ an = (nω 2
(2 cos nπ − 2)
0 T)

ω0 T = 2π
4A
= 4π2 n2 × 2(cos nπ − 1)
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 2 2
(cos(nπ) − 1) = {− (πn) A ; for odd value of n
2A
an = π2 n2
0 ; for even value of n
1 2A
x(t) = 2 + ∑∞
n=1 π2 nπ (cos(nπ) − 1)(cos nω0 t)

We will continue with the Symmetry Conditions ins Fourier series in the next article.
Did you like this article on Properties of Fourier Series? Let us know in the comments.
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