You are on page 1of 81

The Fourier Series

Linear System
Minarni

Disadur dari : R. M. Taufika R. Ismail


FKEE, UMP

Introduction
A Fourier series is an expansion of a
periodic function f (t) in terms of an infinite sum
of cosines and sines
a0
f (t ) (an cos nt bn sin nt )
2 n 1

In other words, any periodic function can be


resolved as a summation of
constant value and cosine and sine functions:
a0
f (t ) (an cos nt bn sin nt )
2 n 1
a0 (a cos t b sin t )

1
1
2
(a2 cos 2t b2 sin 2t )

(a3 cos 3t b3 sin 3t )

The computation and study of Fourier series is


known as harmonic analysis and is extremely
useful as a way to break up an arbitrary periodic
function into a set of simple terms that can be
plugged in, solved individually, and then
recombined to obtain the solution to the original
problem or an approximation to it to whatever
accuracy is desired or practical.

f(t)

a0
2

Periodic Function

=
t

a1 cos t

b1 sin t

+
b2 sin 2t

a2 cos 2t

a0
f (t ) (an cos nt bn sin nt )
2 n 1
2
Fundemental frequency
where
T
T
2
a0 f (t )dt
T 0
T

2
an f (t ) cos ntdt
T 0

2
bn f (t ) sin ntdt
T 0
T /2

*we can also use the integrals limit

T / 2

Example 1
Determine the Fourier series representation of the
following waveform.

Solution
First, determine the period & describe the one period
of the function:

T=2

1, 0 t 1
f (t )
0, 1 t 2

f (t 2) f (t )

Then, obtain the coefficients a0, an and bn:


T

2
2
a0 f (t )dt f (t )dt 1dt 0dt 1 0 1
T 0
20
0
1
b

Or, since f (t )dt is the total area below graph


a
y = f(t) over the interval [a,b], hence

2
2 Area below graph 2
(11) 1
a0 f (t )dt
over [0, T ]
T 0
T
2
T

2
an f (t ) cos ntdt
T 0
sin nt
1 cos ntdt 0dt

0
1
1

sin n

Notice that n is integer which leads sin n 0 ,


since sin sin 2 sin 3 0
Therefore, an 0.

2
bn f (t ) sin ntdt
T 0
cos nt
1sin ntdt 0dt

0
1
1

1 cos n

Notice that cos cos 3 cos 5 1


cos 2 cos 4 cos 6 1
or

cos n (1) n

1 (1) n 2 / n

Therefore, bn
n
0

, n odd
, n even

Finally,

a0
f (t ) (an cos nt bn sin nt )
2 n 1
n

1
1 (1)

sin nt
2 n 1
n

1 2
2
2
sin t
sin 3t
sin 5t
2
3
5

Some helpful identities


sin( x) sin x

cos( x) cos x

For n integers,
sin n 0

cos n (1) n

sin 2n 0

cos 2n 1

[Supplementary]

The sum of the Fourier series terms can


evolve (progress) into the original
waveform

From Example 1, we obtain


1 2
2
2
f (t ) sin t
sin 3t
sin 5t
2
3
5

It can be demonstrated that the sum will


lead to the square wave:

(a)

(b)
2
sin t

(c)

2
2
2
sin t
sin 3t
sin 5t

3
5

2
2
sin t
sin 3t

(d)

2
2
2
2
sin t
sin 3t
sin 5t
sin 7t

3
5
7

(e)

2
2
2
2
2
sin t
sin 3t
sin 5t
sin 7t
sin 9t

3
5
7
9

(f)

1 2
2
2
sin t
sin 3t
sin 23t
2
3
23

Example 2
Given f (t ) t ,

1 t 1

f (t 2) f (t )

Sketch the graph of f (t) such that 3 t 3.


Then compute the Fourier series expansion of f (t).

Solution
The function is described by the following graph:

T=2

We find that
T

Then we compute the coefficients:


1

2
a0 f (t )dt
T 1
t
2
tdt
2 1
2
1

11

0
2
1

2
an f (t ) cos ntdt t cos ntdt
T 1
1
t sin nt

sin nt

dt
n
1
1
1

sin n [ sin( n )] cos nt

2 2
n
n

cos n cos(n )
0
n 2 2
cos n cos n
cos( x) cos x
since

0
n 2 2

2
bn f (t ) sin ntdt t sin ntdt
T 1
1
t cos nt

n

cos nt

dt
n
1
1
1

cos n [ cos( n )] sin nt

2 2
n
n
2 cos n sin n sin( n )

n
n 2 2
2 cos n
2(1) n 2(1) n 1

n
n
n

Finally,

a0
f (t ) (an cos nt bn sin nt )
2 n 1
2(1) n 1

sin nt
n
n 1
2
2
2
sin t
sin 2t
sin 3t

2
3

Example 3
2t , 0 t 2
Given v(t )
, 2t 4
0
v(t 4) v(t )

Sketch the graph of v (t) such that 0 t 12.


Then compute the Fourier series expansion of v (t).

Solution
The function is described by the following graph:
v (t)
2
0

T=4

We find that
T
2

10

12

Then we compute the coefficients:


4

2
a0 v(t )dt
T 0

(2 t )dt 0dt

1
1
t
(2 t )dt 2t
20
2
2
2

1
0

2
1
an v(t ) cos ntdt (2 t ) cos ntdt 0
T 0
20
2
1 (2 t ) sin nt

2
n

1 cos nt
0 2 2
2
n

1 sin nt

dt
2 0 n
0
2

1 cos 2n 2(1 cos n ) 2[1 (1) ]

2 2
2 2
2 2
2n
n
n
n

2
1
bn v(t ) sin ntdt (2 t ) sin ntdt 0
T 0
20
2
1 (2 t ) cos nt

2
n

1 1 sin nt

2 2
n 2 n

1 cos nt

dt
2 0 n
0
2

1 sin 2n
1
2

2 2
n 2n
n n
since sin 2n sin n 0

Finally,

a0
v(t ) (an cos nt bn sin nt )
2 n 1
1 2[1 (1) n ] nt
2
nt

cos
sin


2 2
2 n 1
n
2 n
2

Symmetry Considerations

Symmetry functions:
(i) even symmetry
(ii) odd symmetry

Even symmetry

Any function f (t) is even if its plot is


symmetrical about the vertical axis, i.e.
f (t ) f (t )

Even symmetry (cont.)

The examples of even functions are:


f (t ) | t |

f (t ) t 2

t
f (t ) cos t

Even symmetry (cont.)

The integral of an even function from A


to +A is twice the integral from 0 to +A
f even (t )
A

t
A

+A

even

(t )dt 2 f even (t )dt


0

Odd symmetry

Any function f (t) is odd if its plot is


antisymmetrical about the vertical axis, i.e.
f (t ) f (t )

Odd symmetry (cont.)

The examples of odd functions are:


f (t ) t 3

f (t ) t

t
f (t ) sin t

Odd symmetry (cont.)

The integral of an odd function from A to


+A is zero
f odd (t )

+A

odd

(t )dt 0

Even and odd functions


The product properties of even and odd
functions are:
(even) (even) = (even)
(odd) (odd) = (even)
(even) (odd) = (odd)
(odd) (even) = (odd)

Symmetry consideration
From the properties of even and odd
functions, we can show that:

for even periodic function;


4
an
T

T /2

f (t ) cos ntdt

bn 0

for odd periodic function;


a0 a n 0

4
bn
T

T /2

f (t ) sin ntdt
0

How?? [Even function]


f (t )

2
T /2

2
4
an
f (t ) cos ntdt

T T / 2
T

T /2

T
2

T /2

2
f (t ) sin ntdt 0
f (t ) cos ntdt bn

T T / 2

(even) (even)

(even) (odd)

||

||

(even)

(odd)

How?? [Odd function]


f (t )

2
T /2

2
a0
f (t )dt 0

T T / 2
(odd)
T /2

2
an
f (t ) cos ntdt 0

T T / 2
(odd) (even)
||

(odd)

T
2
T /2

2
4
bn
f (t ) sin ntdt

T T / 2
T
(odd) (odd)
||

(even)

T /2

f (t ) sin ntdt
0

Example 4
Given

1 , 2 t 1

f (t ) t , 1 t 1
1 ,
1 t 2

f (t 4) f (t )

Sketch the graph of f (t) such that 6 t 6.


Then compute the Fourier series expansion of f (t).

Solution
The function is described by the following graph:
f (t)
1
6

T=4

We find that
T
2

Then we compute the coefficients. Since f (t) is


an odd function, then
2

2
a0 f (t )dt 0
T 2
and
2

2
an f (t ) cos ntdt 0
T 2

2
4
bn f (t ) sin ntdt f (t ) sin ntdt
T 2
T 0
4

t sin ntdt 1sin ntdt

t cos nt

cos nt
cos nt

dt

0
0
1

cos n sin nt
cos 2n cos n

2 2
n
n
n 0
cos 2n sin n
2 cos n

2 2
n
n
n
since sin 2n sin n 0

Finally,

a0
f (t ) (an cos nt bn sin nt )
2 n 1
2 cos n
nt

sin
n
2
n 1

(1) n 1
nt
2
sin
n
2
n 1

Example 5
Compute the Fourier series expansion of f (t).

Solution
The function is described by

f (t )

1 , 0 t 1
2 , 1 t 2

T=3

1 , 2t 3

f (t 3) f (t )

and

2 2

T
3

T=3

Then we compute the coefficients.


2
2
2
8
a0 f (t )dt 1dt 2dt 1dt (1 0) 2(2 1) (3 2)
T 0
3 0
3
1
2
3
3

Or, since f (t) is an even function, then


3

2
4
a0 f (t )dt
T 0
T

3/ 2

4
4
3 8
f (t )dt 1dt 2dt (1 0) 2 1
3 0
2 3
1
3
1

3/ 2

Or, simply
3
2
2 Total area below graph 2
8
4
a0 f (t )dt
in a period
T 0
T
3
3

2
4
an f (t ) cos ntdt
T 0
T

3/ 2

f (t ) cos ntdt
0

4
1 cos ntdt 2 cos ntdt
3 0
1

4 sin nt

3 n

3/ 2

4 2 sin nt

3
n

3/ 2

4
3n

sin n 2 sin
sin n

3n
2

4
3n

sin n
2 sin
3
3n
2

2
2n
2
2n

sin
2 sin n sin

n
3
n
3

and bn 0

since f (t) is an even function.

Finally,
a0
f (t ) (an cos nt bn sin nt )
2 n 1
4
2
2n
2nt

sin
cos
3 n 1 n
3
3
4 2 1
2 n
2nt
sin
cos
3 n 1 n
3
3

Function defines over a finite interval

y=2
y=1
t

Fourier series only support periodic functions


In real application, many functions are nonperiodic
The non-periodic functions are often can be
defined over finite intervals, e.g.

y=

y=1
y=

t2

Therefore, any non-periodic function must be extended to a


periodic function first, before computing its Fourier series
representation
Normally, we prefer symmetry (even or odd) periodic extension
instead of normal periodic extension, since symmetry function will
provide zero coefficient of either an or bn
This can provide a simpler Fourier series expansion

Non-periodic
function

Periodic extension
f (t ) y (t ) , 0 t l
f (t l ) f (t )

y (t )

3l 2l l 0

T l
0

f (t )

Even periodic extension

y (t ) , 0 t l
f (t )
y (t ) , l t 0

f (t 2l ) f (t )

f (t )

y (t )

2l

3l

f odd (t )

0t l

y (t ) , l t 0
f (t 2l ) f (t )
T 2l

3l

Odd periodic extension

2l

f even (t )

3l 2l l 0

T 2l

3l 2l l

0
T

2l

3l

Half-range Fourier series expansion


The Fourier series of the even or odd
periodic extension of a non-periodic
function is called as the half-range Fourier
series
This is due to the non-periodic function is
considered as the half-range before it is
extended as an even or an odd function

If the function is extended as an even


function, then the coefficient bn= 0, hence
a0
f (t ) an cos nt
2 n 1

which only contains the cosine harmonics.


Therefore, this approach is called as the
half-range Fourier cosine series

If the function is extended as an odd


function, then the coefficient an= 0, hence

f (t ) bn sin nt
n 1

which only contains the sine harmonics.


Therefore, this approach is called as the
half-range Fourier sine series

Example 6
Compute the half-range Fourier sine series expansion
of f (t), where
f (t ) 1 , 0 t

Solution
Since we want to seek the half-range sine series,
the function to is extended to be an odd function:
f (t)

f (t)

1
0

1
T = 2

1
T

Hence, the coefficients are

a0 a n 0
and

4
bn
T

T /2

4
f (t ) sin ntdt
1sin ntdt

2 0

2 cos nt

n
Therefore,

4 / n
2

(1 cos n )
n
0

2
f (t )
(1 cos n ) sin nt
n 1 n

n odd

, n even

4
sin nt

n 1 n

n odd

Example 7
Determine the half-range cosine series expansion
of the function
f (t ) 2t 1 , 0 t 1

Sketch the graphs of both f (t) and the periodic


function represented by the series expansion for
3 < t < 3.

Solution
Since we want to seek the half-range cosine series,
the function to is extended to be an even function:
f (t)

f (t)

1
1

1
1
2

2
1

1
1
T=2

Hence, the coefficients are


T /2
1
1
4
4
2
a0 f (t )dt (2t 1)dt 2 t t 0 0
T 0
20

4
an
T

T /2

4
f (t ) cos ntdt (2t 1) cos ntdt
20

(2t 1) sin nt
2

sin nt
2
2dt
n
0
0

2 sin n
cos nt

4 2 2
n
n

4(cos n 1) 8 / n 2 2

2 2
n
0

, n odd
, n even

bn 0
Therefore,

f (t ) a0 an cos nt
n 1

8
8
0 2 2 cos nt 2
n

n 1
n odd

1
cos nt

2
n 1 n

n odd

Parsevals Theorem

Parservals theorem states that the


average power in a periodic signal is equal
to the sum of the average power in its DC
component and the average powers in its
harmonics

f(t)

Pdc

Pavg

a0
2

=
Pa1

Pb1

a1 cos t

b1 sin t

+
Pa2

b2 2t
b2 sin

a2 cos 2t

For sinusoidal (cosine or sine) signal,


Vpeak
2
rms

V
P

2
R

2
V
1 peak

2 R

For simplicity, we often assume R = 1,


which yields
1 2
P Vpeak
2

For sinusoidal (cosine or sine) signal,


Pavg Pdc Pa1 Pb1 Pa2 Pb2
2

1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
a0

a1 b1 a2 b2
2
2
2
2
2

Pavg

1 2 1 2
2
a0 (an bn )
4
2 n 1

Exponential Fourier series

Recall that, from the Eulers identity,


e jx cos x j sin x

yields
e e
cos x
2
jx

jx

and

e jx e jx
sin x
j2

Then the Fourier series representation becomes


a0
f (t ) (an cos nt bn sin nt )
2 n 1
a0 e jnt e jnt
an
2 n 1
2

a0 e jnt e jnt
an
2 n 1
2

a0

2 n 1

e jnt e jnt
bn
j2

e jnt e jnt
jbn
2

an jbn jnt an jbn jnt

e
e

2
2

a0 an jbn jnt an jbn jnt



e
e
2 n 1
2
2
n 1

an jbn
cn
2

Here, let we name


a0
and c0 . Hence,

an jbn
c n
2

a0 an jbn jnt an jbn jnt


f (t )
e
e
2 n 1
2
2
n 1

c0

cn

cn

n 1

n 1

n 1

n 1

c0 cn e jnt c n e jnt
c0 cn e jnt cn e jnt

n 1

jnt
jnt
c
e

c
e
n
n
0

jnt
c
e
n

Then, the coefficient cn can be derived from


an jbn
cn
2
T
T
12
j 2

f (t ) cos ntdt
f (t ) sin ntdt

2T 0
2T 0
1

T

f (t ) cos ntdt j f (t ) sin ntdt

f (t )[cos nt j sin nt ]dt


0

f (t )e jnt dt

In fact, in many cases, the complex


Fourier series is easier to obtain rather
than the trigonometrical Fourier series
In summary, the relationship between the
complex and trigonometrical Fourier series
are:

a0 1
c0

2 T

f (t )dt

an jbn
cn
2
an jbn
c n
2

or

1
cn
T

c n cn

f (t )e jnt dt

Example 8
Obtain the complex Fourier series of the following
function
f (t )

1
4

f(

t) =

e 2

Solution
Since T 2 , 1 . Hence

1
c0
T

f (t )dt
0

e dt
t

1 t

e
2

2
0

e 2 1

1
cn
T

f (t )e jnt dt

jn

e e

t jnt

(1 jn ) t

1
dt
2

(1 jn ) t

dt

e 2 (1 jn ) 1 e 2 e j 2 n 1
e 2 1

2 (1 jn)
2 (1 jn)
2 (1 jn)
since e j 2 n cos 2n j sin 2n 1 0 1

cn

n 0

e 1
e 1

c0
2 (1 jn) n 0
2

Therefore, the complex Fourier series of f (t) is

f (t )

c e

jnt

e 1 jnt

e
n 2 (1 jn )

*Notes: Even though c0 can be found by substituting


cn with n = 0, sometimes it doesnt works (as shown
in the next example). Therefore, it is always better to
calculate c0 alone.

cn is a complex term, and it depends on n.


Therefore, we may plot a graph of |cn| vs n.

cn

2 1 n 2

In other words, we have transformed the function


f (t) in the time domain (t), to the function cn in the
frequency domain (n).

Example 9
Obtain the complex Fourier series of the function in
Example 1.

Solution


T
1
1
1
1
c0 f (t )dt 1dt
T 0
20
2

1
cn
T

f (t )e

jnt

1 e

2 jn
jnt

1
dt 1e jnt dt 0
20
1

j
jn

(e
1)
2 n

But

e jn cos n j sin n cos n (1) n

j
jn
Thus, cn
(e
1)
2n
j / n
j
n

[(1) 1]
0
2 n

n odd

, n even

*Here notice that cn n 0 c0 .


Therefore,

f (t )

c e

jnt

1 j jnt

e

2 n n
n0
n odd

The plot of |cn| vs n is shown below

1
c0
2

, n odd
cn n
0, n even
0.5

You might also like