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2. Full Range Fourier Series

The Fourier Series is an infinite series expansion involving trigonometric functions.

A periodic waveform f(t) of period p = 2L has a Fourier Series given by:

where

a_n and b_n are the Fourier coefficients,

and

is the mean value, sometimes referred to as the dc level.

Fourier Coefficients For Full Range Series Over Any Range -L TO L

If f(t) is expanded in the range -L to L (period = 2L) so that the range of integration is 2L, i.e. half the range of integration is L, then the Fourier coefficients are given by

where n = 1, 2, 3 ...

NOTE: Some textbooks use

and then modify the series appropriately. It gives us the same final result.

Dirichlet Conditions

Any periodic waveform of period p = 2L, can be expressed in a Fourier series provided that

(a) it has a finite number of discontinuities within the period 2L;

(b) it has a finite average value in the period 2L;

(c) it has a finite number of positive and negative maxima and minima.

When these conditions, called the Dirichlet conditions, are satisfied, the Fourier series for the function f(t) exists.

Each of the examples in this chapter obey the Dirichlet Conditions and so the Fourier Series exists.

 

Example of a Fourier Series - Square Wave

Sketch the function for 3 cycles:

f(t) = f(t + 8)

Find the Fourier series for the function.

Solution:

First, let's see what we are trying to do by seeing the final answer using a LiveMath animation.

LIVEMath

Now for one possible way to solve it:

Answer

Alternative approach:

Answer

[NOTE: Whichever method we choose, n must take values 1, 2, 3, ... when we are writing out the series using sigma notation.]

What have we done?

We are adding a series of sine terms (with decreasing amplitudes and decreasing periods) together. The combined signal, as we take more and more terms, starts to look like our original square wave:

If we graph many terms, we see that our series is producing the required function. We graph the first 20 terms:

Apart from helping us understand what we are doing, a graph can help us check our calculations...

The following video illustrates what we are doing. The equation is not exactly the same, but the concept is. The tone heard at the end is (close to) a "pure" square wave.

Common Case: Period = 2L= 2π

If a function is defined in the range -π to π (i.e. period 2L = 2π radians), the range of integration is 2π and half the range is L = π.

The Fourier coefficients of the Fourier series f(t) in this case become:

and the formula for the Fourier Series becomes:

where n = 1, 2, 3, ...

 

Example

a) Sketch the waveform of the periodic function defined as:

f(t) = t for -π < t < π

f(t) = f(t + 2π) for all t.

b) Obtain the Fourier series of f(t) and write the first 4 terms of the series.

Answer

What have we found?

Let's see an animation of this example using LiveMath.

LIVEMath

The graph of the first 40 terms is:

---

We can express the Fourier Series in different ways for convenience, depending on the situation.

Fourier Series Expanded In Time t with period T

Let the function f(t) be periodic with period T = 2L where

.

In this case, our lower limit of integration is 0.

Hence the Fourier series is

where

(Note: half the range of integration = π/ω)

 

Fourier Series Expanded in Angular Displacement ω

(Note: ω is measured in radians here)

Let the function f(ω) be periodic with period 2L.

We let θ = ωt. This function can be represented as

where

 

Need a break? Play a math game. Well, they all involve math... No, really!

Chapter Contents

• Fourier Series
• Helpful Revision
• 1. Overview of Fourier Series
• 2. Full Range Fourier Series
• 3. Fourier Series of Even and Odd Functions
• 4. Fourier Series of Half Range Functions
• 5. Harmonic Analysis
• 6. Line Spectrum
• 7. Fast Fourier Transform

Following are the original SNB files (.tex or .rap) used in making this chapter. For more information, go to SNB info.

SNB files

7. Fast Fourier Transform

• Comments, Questions?

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