Fourier transform of PSD

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of the Fourier transform on Power Spectral Density (PSD) in electrical engineering (EE). Participants explore theoretical implications, potential applications, and mathematical considerations related to this topic.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that PSD is the Fourier transform of the autocorrelation function and question its applications in EE.
  • One participant suggests that the Fourier transform can help understand harmonic content and mentions applications like searching for echoes.
  • Another participant raises a question about the feasibility of transforming a function of frequencies into another function of frequencies using the Fourier transform.
  • A mathematical approach is presented, involving the autocorrelation function and the calculation of a second Fourier transform, although the participant expresses uncertainty about its practical applications.
  • References to Parseval's Theorem and its relevance to electrical engineering are mentioned as a potential area of exploration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the applications of the Fourier transform on PSD in EE. Multiple viewpoints and questions remain regarding the theoretical implications and practical uses.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved mathematical steps regarding the transformation of functions of frequencies and the implications of such operations. The discussion also reflects a mix of nostalgia and current academic pursuits in EE.

mad mathematician
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So PSD is the Fourier transform of the Autocorrelation function.
Is there any application of the Fourier transform on PSD in EE?
Or it's like in Newtonian dynamics a second derivative wrt time is as far as we can get (more than that it's called a Jerk...).
 
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mad mathematician said:
Is there any application of the Fourier transform on PSD in EE?
If you think it will help you to understand the harmonic content, then there is an application.

Each application of the FT, folds the signal between the time and the frequency domains. Inverse transforms return things in time sequence, while two sequential forward transforms, does not seem to make much sense, but can be useful if you are computing the spatial frequencies of 2D images.

Most of the useful transforms evaluate the power spectrum, maybe take the log, then fold the frequency domain back into the time domain using the IFT. Searching for echos is one application.

There is plenty of Fourier space to explore, and a whole inverted vocabulary.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cepstrum
 
mad mathematician said:
So PSD is the Fourier transform of the Autocorrelation function.
Is there any application of the Fourier transform on PSD in EE?
Or it's like in Newtonian dynamics a second derivative wrt time is as far as we can get (more than that it's called a Jerk...).
You might take a look at Parseval's Theorem and it's application in electrical engineering.
 
mad mathematician said:
So PSD is the Fourier transform of the Autocorrelation function.
Is there any application of the Fourier transform on PSD in EE?
The Fourier Transform transforms a function of time into a function of frequencies. How can you then transform that function of frequencies into another function of frequencies using a Fourier Transform?
 
berkeman said:
The Fourier Transform transforms a function of time into a function of frequencies. How can you then transform that function of frequencies into another function of frequencies using a Fourier Transform?
Well, mathematically what I had in mind is as follows:
Given the autocorrelation function ##R(\tau)##, then the PSD is ##S(f)=\int R(t)\exp(-ift)dt##, another fourier transform: ##W(\omega)=\int S(f)\exp(-if\omega)df=\int\int R(t)\exp(-if(\omega+t))dfdt##; one can change variables in the integration as follows: ##u=ft ,v=f\omega##, and then to calculate the Jacobian determinant w.r.t u and v.

I don't know of any applications to this "bizzare" operation, just something that I thought about.
In the introduction to Harmonic Analysis course that I took more than 10 years ago there was some theorem
of Thorin which seems relevant to my idea of repeating the Fourier transform.

So I guess it's part nostalgia part concerning me nowadays in my EE studies.
 

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