Fourier Transform help (bit )

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges faced by a participant in understanding Fourier transforms, particularly in the context of signal processing and pulse trains. The focus is on the mathematical formulation and interpretation of Fourier transforms involving exponential functions and their integration over infinite limits.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in simplifying the integral of an exponential function related to Fourier transforms, specifically questioning the reduction of the expression ∫e^(j2π(n/2T - f)t).dt.
  • Another participant suggests using the anti-derivative of the exponential function, but questions whether the integral is more complicated due to the parameters involved.
  • A participant mentions that integrating over limits from -∞ to +∞ for a pulse train leads to undefined results, raising concerns about the appropriateness of these limits.
  • There is a clarification that the function corresponding to a pulse train differs from that of a sinusoidal function, indicating a potential misunderstanding in the application of Fourier transforms.
  • One participant argues that a pulse train can be represented as an infinite summation of sinusoids and discusses the implications of linearity properties of the Fourier transform.
  • The original question involves finding the Fourier transform of a specific expression that includes a sinc function and exponential terms, but the answer is not provided in the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the treatment of the integral limits and the nature of the functions involved. There is no consensus on the correct approach to the Fourier transform of the pulse train or the validity of the assumptions made regarding the integration.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in understanding the relationship between the pulse train and sinusoidal functions, as well as the implications of integrating over infinite limits. The discussion reflects uncertainty regarding the mathematical steps and the definitions of the functions involved.

benjamince
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Fourier Transform help! (bit urgent)

Hi there,

I'm having a recurring problem with my Fourier transforms that I have tried really hard to figure out but I feel like I'm missing something important. It keeps popping up in my communications and signal processing papers.

I keep getting FTs like:

∫e^(j2π(n/2T - f)t).dt

Does this reduce to anything? I've tried for a few hours to understand it and I'm pretty much stuck. If I had the fundamental frequency then it would make more sense to me, but I don't.

The question involves finding the FT of:

e^(jπn(t/T)


Thanks in advance for any help!

Ben
 
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benjamince said:
Hi there,

I'm having a recurring problem with my Fourier transforms that I have tried really hard to figure out but I feel like I'm missing something important. It keeps popping up in my communications and signal processing papers.

I keep getting FTs like:

∫e^(j2π(n/2T - f)t).dt

Does this reduce to anything? I've tried for a few hours to understand it and I'm pretty much stuck. If I had the fundamental frequency then it would make more sense to me, but I don't.

The question involves finding the FT of:

e^(jπn(t/T)


Thanks in advance for any help!

Ben

Hey benjamince and welcome to the forums.

Assuming all your other parameters are constant or not related to t, You should be able to use the fact that integrating e^(at)dt gives 1/a x e^(at) for the anti-derivative.

Is the above true or is your integral in terms of something more complicated where the a, above is in terms of a function of t?
 


Thanks for the quick reply chiro!

Yeah, I did try that, but because I'm integrating over limits from -∞ to +∞ (the signal is a pulse train) then I get an undefined result:

1/(n/2T - f) * sin(2π*(n/2T - f)*∞)
- that's after converting from exponentials into sine form.

Should I be using these limits? I guess that the frequency content of a periodic signal is the same for each period right?
 


benjamince said:
I'm integrating over limits from -∞ to +∞ (the signal is a pulse train)
The function corresponding to a pulse train is not the same function that a sinusoidal continuous funtion from -infinity to +infinity.The writing of your integral is for the second, not for the first one.
 


JJacquelin said:
The function corresponding to a pulse train is not the same function that a sinusoidal continuous funtion from -infinity to +infinity.The writing of your integral is for the second, not for the first one.

Thanks for the reply.

Sorry I'm misunderstanding a bit. You can represent the pulse train as an infinite summation of sinusoids (hence the n in the equation), but I moved the summation sign outside the integral due to linearity properties of the FT - the pulse is actually a sinc function itself. (I think)

The problem I'm trying to solve doesn't say what the pulse train is doing, but it's likely being used for sampling, in which case I thought it theoretically did go from -infinity to +infinity.

The original question is:

Find the Fourier transform of:

(A/T) Ʃ sinc(πn(tau/T)) * e^(jπn(tau/T)) * e^(jπn(t/T))

T is the period, and tau/T is the mark-to-space ratio.

My answer is:

A Ʃ sinc(πn(tau/T)) * e^(jπn(tau/T)) * sinc(π(n/2T - f)T)

The answer isn't given..

Thanks again for the replies!
 

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