Basic 2d DFT - interpreting the coefficients

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on understanding the coefficients of a 2D Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) applied to a specific matrix. Participants explore the interpretation of these coefficients, their relationship to frequencies, and whether a function can be approximated from the given data.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks clarification on the meaning of the coefficients in the 2D DFT result, particularly the average represented by the coefficient at (0,0) and the significance of the other coefficients in the top row.
  • Another participant questions how the coefficients relate to frequencies, suggesting that the 1-D DFT involves a dot product with a complex sinusoid that oscillates at variable frequencies.
  • There is mention of eigenvectors associated with the matrix, but their relevance to the discussion remains unclear.
  • A participant notes the absence of a defined sampling rate, proposing that the term (s-1) could be interpreted as frequency in the context of the DFT.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the coefficients and their implications. There is no consensus on the interpretation of the coefficients or their relationship to frequencies, indicating ongoing debate and exploration of the topic.

Contextual Notes

The discussion lacks clarity on certain assumptions, such as the sampling rate and the specific definitions of frequency in this context. The relationship between the coefficients and the original matrix is also not fully resolved.

elegysix
Messages
404
Reaction score
15
Thanks for any help! I'm trying to understand the coefficients of a 2d DFT.

say we've got this matrix, f(a,b)

[itex] \left( \begin{array}{ccc}<br /> 9 & 1 & 9 \\<br /> 9 & 1 & 9 \\<br /> 9 & 1 & 9 \end{array} \right)[/itex]

I used wolfram alpha's function, Fourier{f(a,b)}
and the transform comes back as

[itex] \left( \begin{array}{ccc}<br /> 19 & 4-6.93i & 4+6.93i \\<br /> 0 & 0 & 0 \\<br /> 0 & 0 & 0 \end{array} \right)[/itex]the characteristic polynomial is [itex]19x^{2} - x^{3}[/itex]I know the coeffecient at (0,0) is an average of something, but what?
what are the other two coefficients in the top row?

If I do a matrix with a frequency in both directions, I get coefficients in the first column as well. What do they represent?

Is there enough information here to determine a function z(x,y) that approximates f(a,b)? (like a sum of sines and cosines)

three eigenvectors are given as well, if needed

thanks for your help!
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Would a moderator move this to the calculus section please? 126 views and no responses yet :(

thanks
 
I checked it out, but I don't think it answers my questions. At least not in a way that I comprehend.

How are the coefficients related to frequencies?
 
The 1-D DFT is the dot product of the signal with a vector containing a complex sinusoid which oscillates over the indices at a variable frequency, according to the given formula.

http://reference.wolfram.com/mathematica/ref/Files/Fourier.en/3.gif

If s was 1, we'd get the zero frequency because s-1 = 0 and e^(2∏i0) = 1 (a constant).

We haven't defined a sampling rate. So, I suppose I could call (s-1) the frequency. Since (r-1)/n would be from 0 to (n-1)/n (evenly spaced sampling in the interval 0 to 1), the number of oscillations of the complex sinusoid from r = 1 to n is the oscillations of a sinusoid with frequency (s-1) over a domain of length one.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
2K