Autocorrelation and ESD/PSD

In summary, the W-K theorem states that the power spectral density (PSD) is the Fourier transform of the autocorrelation function.
  • #1
dionysian
53
1
Does anyone here have a good explanation of why the Fourier transform of the autocorrelation function equals the ESD of the the original signal. It kind of make sense intutively because functions that have a autocorrelation that drops of quickly are high frenquency and the Fourier transform of that resulting function will obviuosly have a wide bandwidth but it seems like there should but a analytic derivation of this.
 
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  • #2
dionysian said:
Does anyone here have a good explanation of why the Fourier transform of the autocorrelation function equals the ESD of the the original signal. It kind of make sense intutively because functions that have a autocorrelation that drops of quickly are high frenquency and the Fourier transform of that resulting function will obviuosly have a wide bandwidth but it seems like there should but a analytic derivation of this.
Please be careful: ESD and PSD (energy and power spectral density) are not interchangeable.
You are inquiring about the Wiener-Khinchin theorem, which states that the PSD is the Fourier Transform (FT) of the autocorrelation function (and vice versa). Here is an online mathematical derivation:
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Wiener-KhinchinTheorem.html"
The W-K is intuitively reasonable. It predicts, for instance, that a sharply peaked autocorrelation function R transforms to a broad power density spectrum. Think about a random noise signal for which R is a delta function; the FT of a delta is a uniform spectrum, and indeed random noise has a white spectrum. Other examples are also easily imagined.
I recommend that you check out the discussion in a textbook for more details. The W-K theorem is discussed in every text on Fourier transforms, signal processing, and if you are a physicist, statistical mechanics (because of the interest in characterizing random fluctuations).
 
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  • #3
Ahhh haa... I just found that in one of my books. Thanks. I just needed someone to point me in the right direction.
 

What is autocorrelation and how is it related to ESD/PSD?

Autocorrelation is a statistical measure that determines the correlation between a data point and its previous data points in a time series. ESD (Empirical Spectral Density) and PSD (Power Spectral Density) are both methods used to analyze the frequency components of a time series, with ESD focusing on the distribution of power and PSD focusing on the distribution of energy. Autocorrelation is used in these methods to identify any repeating patterns or signals in the data that may affect the frequency analysis.

What is the significance of autocorrelation in data analysis?

Autocorrelation is important in data analysis because it helps identify any patterns or signals that may be present in the data. This can be useful in detecting trends and making predictions. It also allows for the detection of any potential biases or errors in the data.

How is autocorrelation calculated?

Autocorrelation is calculated by finding the correlation coefficient between a data point and its previous data points in a time series. This can be done using statistical software or by hand using mathematical formulas. The resulting value ranges from -1 to 1, with a value of 0 indicating no correlation, a value of 1 indicating a perfect positive correlation, and a value of -1 indicating a perfect negative correlation.

What is the difference between autocorrelation and cross-correlation?

Autocorrelation measures the correlation between a data point and its previous data points in the same time series, while cross-correlation measures the correlation between two different time series. Autocorrelation is useful in detecting patterns and signals within a single time series, while cross-correlation is useful in comparing two different time series to see if they are related or influenced by each other.

How is ESD/PSD used in science and engineering?

ESD/PSD are commonly used in fields such as signal processing, communication systems, and vibration analysis. They are used to analyze the frequency components of a time series, which can help identify any underlying patterns or signals that may be relevant to the field. They are also used in quality control and fault detection, as well as in the design and optimization of systems and processes.

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