Contents

Fourier
transforms
1. The Fourier transform
2. Properties of the Fourier Transform
3. Some Special Fourier Transform Pairs

Learning
outcomes
needs doing

Time
allocation

You are expected to spend approximately thirteen hours of independent study on the
material presented in this workbook. However, depending upon your ability to concentrate
and on your previous experience with certain mathematical topics this time may vary
considerably.

The Fourier Transform

24.1

Introduction

Prerequisites

Before starting this Section you should . . .

Learning Outcomes
After completing this Section you should be
able to . . .

1. The Fourier Transform

The Fourier Transform is a mathematical technique that has extensive applications in Science
and Engineering, for example in Physical Optics, Chemistry (e.g. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance),
Communications Theory and Linear Systems Theory.
Unlike Fourier series which, as we have seen in the previous two units, is mainly useful for
periodic functions, the Fourier Transform (FT for short) permits alternative representations of,
mostly, non-periodic functions.
We shall rstly derive the Fourier Transform from the complex exponential form of the Fourier
Series and then study various properties of the FT.

2. Informal Derivation of the Fourier Transform

Recall that if f (t) is a period T function, which we will temporarily re-write as fT (t) for emphasis,
then we can expand it in a complex Fourier Series,
fT (t) =

cn ein0 t

(1)

n=

where 0 = 2
. In words, harmonics of frequency n0 = n 2
T
T
the series and these frequencies are separated by
n0 (n 1)0 = 0 =

n = 0, 1, 2, . . . are present in

2
.
T

Hence, as T increases the frequency separation becomes smaller and can be conveniently written
as . This suggests that as T , corresponding to a non-periodic function then 0
and the frequency representation contains all frequency harmonics.
To see this in a little more detail, we recall (Workbook 23: Fourier Series) that the complex
Fourier coecients cn are given by
 T
2
1
cn =
fT (t)ein0 t dt.
(2)
T T2
Putting

1
T

as

0
2

and then substituting (2) in (1) we get


  T

2
0
fT (t)ein0 t dt ein0 t .
fT (t) =
T
2 2
n=

In view of the discussion above, as T , we can put 0 as and replace the sum over
the discrete frequencies n0 by an integral over all frequencies. We replace n0 by a general
frequency variable . We then obtain the double integral representation

  
1
it
f (t) =
f (t)e
dt eit d.
(3)
2

The inner integral (over all t) will give a function dependent only on which we write as F ().
Then (3) can be written

1
F ()eit d.
(4)
f (t) =
2
3

HELM (VERSION 1: March 18, 2004): Workbook Level 2

24.1: The Fourier Transform

where

F () =

f (t)eit dt.

(5)

The representation (4) of f (t) which involves all frequencies can be considered as the equivalent
for a non-periodic function of the complex Fourier Series representation (1) of a periodic function.
The expression (5) for F () is analogous to the relation (2) for the Fourier coecients cn .
The function F () is called the Fourier Transform of the function f (t). Symbolically we can
write
F () = F{f (t)}.
Equation (4) enables us, in principle, to write f (t) in terms of F (). f (t) is often called the
inverse Fourier Transform of F () and we can denote this by writing
f (t) = F 1 {F ()}.
Looking at the basic relation (3) it is clear that the position of the factor
arbitrary in (4) and (5). If instead of (5) we dene

1
F () =
f (t)eit dt.
2
then (4) must be written

f (t) =

1
2

is somewhat

F ()eit d.

A third, and more symmetric, alternative is to write


1
F () =
f (t)eit dt
2
and, consequently,

1
F ()eit d.
f (t) =
2
We shall use (4) and (5) throughout this section but you should be aware of these other possibilities which might be used in other texts.
Engineers often refer to F () (whichever precise denition is used!) as the frequency domain
representation of a function or signal and f (t) as the time domain representation. In what
follows we shall use this language where appropriate. However, (5) is really a mathematical
transformation for obtaining one function from another and (4) is then the inverse transformation
for recovering the initial function. In some applications of Fourier Transforms (which we shall not
study) the time/frequency interpretations are not relevant. However, in engineering applications,
such as communications theory, the frequency representation is often used very literally.
As can be seen above, notationally we will use capital letters to denote Fourier Transforms: thus
a function f (t) has a Fourier transform denoted by F (), g(t) a Fourier transform written G()
and so on. The notation F (i), G(i) is used in some texts because occurs in (5) only in the
term eit .

3. Existence of the Fourier Transform

We will discuss this question in a little detail at a later stage when we will also take up briey
the relation between the Fourier Transform and the Laplace Transform (Workbook 20) which
you have met earlier.
For now we will use (5) to obtain the Fourier Transforms of some important functions.
HELM (VERSION 1: March 18, 2004): Workbook Level 2
24.1: The Fourier Transform

Example Find the Fourier Transform of the one-sided exponential function


f (t) =

t<0
t>0

where is a positive constant.

f (t)

Note that if u(t) is used to denote the Heaviside unit step function viz.

0
t<0
u(t) =
1
t>0
then we can write

f (t) = et u(t).

(We shall frequently use this concise notation for one-sided functions.)

Solution
Using (5) then by straightforward integration

et eit dt
F () =

(since f (t) = 0 for t < 0)

=

=
=

e(+it) dt

e(+i)t
( + i)


0

1
+ i

since et 0 as t for > 0.

This important Fourier Transform is written in the Key Point

HELM (VERSION 1: March 18, 2004): Workbook Level 2

24.1: The Fourier Transform

Key Point
F{et u(t)} =

1
,
+ i

> 0.

Note that this real function has a complex Fourier Transform.

Write down the Fourier Transforms of

t
(i) et u(t)
(ii) e3t u(t)
(iii) e 2 u(t)

Your solution

(iii) =

1
2

(ii) = 3

so F{e 2 u(t)} =

1
+i
2

1
so F{et u(t)} = 1+i
so F{e3t u(t)} = 1
3+i
1
t

We have using the general result just proved:

(i) = 1
Obtain, using the integral denition (5), the Fourier Transform of the rectangular pulse

1
a < t < a
p(t) =
.
0
otherwise
Note that the pulse width is 2a.
p(t)

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24.1: The Fourier Transform

First write down using (5) the integral from which the transform will be calculated.
Your solution

We have P () F{p(t)} =

(1)eit dt using the denition of p(t)

Now evaluate this integral and write down the nal Fourier Transform in trigonometric, rather
than complex exponential form.
Your solution

i.e.
2 sin a
P () = F{p(t)} =

Note that in this case the Fourier Transform is wholly real.

2i sin a
(cos a i sin a) (cos a + i sin a)
=
(i)
i
a

P () =

We have

(1)eit dt =


eit
(i)

=
a

eia e+ia
(i)
sin x
x

(6)
Engineers often call the function
(6) of the rectangular pulse as

the sinc function. Consequently if we write, the transform

P () = 2a

sin a
,
a

we can say
P () = 2asinc(a).
Using the result (6) in (4) we have the Fourier Integral representation of the rectangular
pulse.

1
sin a it
p(t) =
2
e d.
2

As we have already mentioned, this corresponds to a Fourier series representation for a periodic
function.

HELM (VERSION 1: March 18, 2004): Workbook Level 2

24.1: The Fourier Transform

Key Point

If pa (t) =

The Fourier Transform of a Rectangular Pulse

1
0

a < t < a
otherwise

then:
F{pa (t)} = 2a

sin a
= 2asinc(a)
a

Clearly, if the rectangular pulse has width 2, corresponding to a = 1 we have:

P1 () F{p1 (t)} = 2

sin
.

As 0, then 2 sin 2. Also, the function 2 sin is an even function being the product of
two odd functions 2 sin and 1 . The graph of P1 () is as follows:
P1 ()
2

Obtain the Fourier Transform of the two sided exponential function

 t
t<0
e
f (t) =
t
e
t>0
where is a positive constant.
f (t)

t
HELM (VERSION 1: March 18, 2004): Workbook Level 2
24.1: The Fourier Transform

Your solution

1
2
1
+
= 2
.
i + i
+ 2

=


e(i)t
( i)

+
0

F () =
0

e(+i)t
( + i)

et eit dt +

et eit dt =

e(i)t dt +
0

e(+i)t dt

We must separate the range of the integrand into [, 0] and [0, ] since the function f (t) is
dened separately in these two regions: then




Note that, as in the case of the rectangular pulse, we have here a real even function of t giving
a Fourier Transform which is wholly real. Also, in both cases, the Fourier Transform is an even
(as well as real) function of .
Note also that it follows from the above calculation that
1
F{et u(t)} =
+ i
(as we have already found) and
F{et u(t)} =


where
t

e u(t) =

et
0

1
i
t<0
.
t>0

4. Properties of the Fourier Transform

1. Real and Imaginary Parts of a Fourier Transform
Using the denition (5) we have,

F () =

f (t)eit dt.

If we write eit = cos t i sin t



F () =
f (t) cos t dt i

f (t) sin t dt

HELM (VERSION 1: March 18, 2004): Workbook Level 2

24.1: The Fourier Transform

where both integrals are real, assuming that f (t) is real.

Hence the real and imaginary parts of the Fourier transform are:


Im (F ()) =

f (t) cos tdt

Re (F ()) =

f (t) sin tdt.

Recalling that if h(t) is even and g(t) is odd then

h(t)dt = 2
a
 a
g(t)dt = 0, deduce Re(F ()) and Im(F ()) if

h(t)dt and
0

(i) f (t) is a real even function

(ii) f (t) is a real odd function

Your solution
for (i)

the Fourier Transform in this case will be a real even function.

cos(()t) = cos(t) = cos t
(because the integrand is odd).
Thus, any real even function f (t) has a wholly real Fourier Transform. Also since
I() Im F () =

f (t) sin tdt = 0



(because the integrand is even)

0

R() Re F () = 2
If f (t) is real and even

f (t) cos tdt



HELM (VERSION 1: March 18, 2004): Workbook Level 2

24.1: The Fourier Transform

10

Your solution
for (ii)

Also since sin(()t) = sin t, the Fourier Transform in this case is an odd function of .
(because the integrand is (odd)(odd)=(even)).
0

= 2

f (t) sin tdt



Im F () =

f (t) sin tdt



and

(odd)(even)dt =

=


Re F () =
Now

(odd)dt = 0

f (t) cos tdt



These results are summarised in the following Key Point:

Key Point
f (t)
real and even
real and odd
neither even nor odd

11

F () = F{f (t)}
real and even
purely imaginary and odd
complex, F () = R() + iI()

HELM (VERSION 1: March 18, 2004): Workbook Level 2

24.1: The Fourier Transform

2. Polar Form of a Fourier Transform

Example We have shown that the one-sided exponential function,
f (t) = et u(t)
has Fourier Transform
F () =

1
.
+ i

Find the real and imaginary parts of F () for this case.

Your solution

R() = Re F () = 2
+ 2

2 + 2
I() = Im F () =

(odd function of )

We have
i
1
= 2
F () =
+ i
+ 2
(after rationalising i.e. multiplying numerator and denominator by i)
Hence
(even function of )
We can rewrite F (), like any other complex quantity, in polar form by calculating the magnitude and the argument (or phase):

R2 () + I 2 ()
|F ()| =

and

2 + 2
1
=
2
2
2
2
( + )
+ 2

arg F () = tan

HELM (VERSION 1: March 18, 2004): Workbook Level 2

24.1: The Fourier Transform

I()
= tan1
R()


.
12

|F ()|

argF ()

/2

/2

In general, a Fourier Transform whose Cartesian form is

F () = R() + iI()
has a polar form
F () = |F ()|ei()
where () arg F ().
Graphs, such as those shown, of |F ()| and arg F () plotted against are often referred to as
magnitude and phase spectra, respectively.

13

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24.1: The Fourier Transform