Calculating Harmonics from FFT of sin(x) Function

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating harmonics from the Fourier Cosine Transform of the function cos(x) defined over a finite interval and the implications for extracting harmonics from its amplitude spectrum. Participants explore the nature of harmonics in periodic versus non-periodic functions, particularly in the context of amplitude modulation signals and their Fourier transforms.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants present the Fourier Cosine Transform of cos(x) for a finite interval and inquire about extracting harmonics from the resulting amplitude spectrum.
  • One participant asserts that the function would have only one harmonic if defined over the entire real line, but questions arise regarding the number of harmonics in the finite interval case.
  • Another participant suggests that the function is non-periodic, indicating that its spectrum does not contain discrete harmonics but rather forms a continuous function.
  • There is a discussion about determining the number of harmonics in more complex functions, such as amplitude modulation signals, when performing a Fourier transform.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the existence and nature of harmonics in the context of the given function. There is no consensus on how to extract harmonics or the implications of periodicity versus non-periodicity on the harmonic content.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations regarding the definitions of periodicity and the assumptions made about the function's behavior over different intervals, which may affect the interpretation of the harmonic content.

bugatti79
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Hi Folks,

The Fourier Cosine Transform of cos(x) for 0<x<a and 0 everywhere else is given as

F(\omega)=\displaystyle\frac{1}{\sqrt{2 \pi}}[\frac{\sin a (1-\omega)}{1-\omega}+\frac{\sin a (1+\omega)}{1+\omega}]

I can plot this and we get a continuous amlitude spectrum of F(\omega) against (\omega)

but how do I extract/obtain the harmonic of this function which we know has just one harmonic. How do i extract this mathematically and/or from the graph say?

Thanks
 
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bugatti79 said:
Hi Folks,

The Fourier Cosine Transform of cos(x) for 0<x<a and 0 everywhere else is given as

F(\omega)=\displaystyle\frac{1}{\sqrt{2 \pi}}[\frac{\sin a (1-\omega)}{1-\omega}+\frac{\sin a (1+\omega)}{1+\omega}]

I can plot this and we get a continuous amlitude spectrum of F(\omega) against (\omega)

but how do I extract/obtain the harmonic of this function which we know has just one harmonic. How do i extract this mathematically and/or from the graph say?

Thanks

The function would have only one harmonic if it were defined as $\cos x$ for $- \infty< x < + \infty$ ... but it is not so ...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
chisigma said:
The function would have only one harmonic if it were defined as $\cos x$ for $- \infty< x < + \infty$ ... but it is not so ...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$

Is there not one harmonic over 1 period?

In either case, is it possible to determine how many harmonics there are? The reason I ask is because i want to find the harmonics of a more complicated function like an amplitude modulation signal when i do the fft

$$A_c[1+A_1\cos(\omega_1 t+\phi_1)]\cos(\omega_c+\phi_c)$$

thanks
 
bugatti79 said:
Is there not one harmonic over 1 period?

In either case, is it possible to determine how many harmonics there are? The reason I ask is because i want to find the harmonics of a more complicated function like an amplitude modulation signal when i do the fft

$$A_c[1+A_1\cos(\omega_1 t+\phi_1)]\cos(\omega_c+\phi_c)$$

thanks

... there is a little detail... the function is non periodic... and that means that its spectrum doesn't contain 'harmonics' but is a continuos function...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 

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