Introduction to Fourier Series - GATE

Study Material in PDF

The previous GATE study material dealt with Linear Time Invariant Systems. In
these free GATE Notes, we will start with an introduction to Fourier Series‼ These
study material covers everything that is necessary for GATE EC and GATE EE as
well as other exams like ISRO, IES, BARC, BSNL, DRDO etc. These notes can also be
downloaded in PDF so that your exam preparation is made easy and you ace your
exam.

In these notes, we will learn what a Fourier Series is, the conditions for the existence
of a Fourier Series (also known as Dirichlet’s Conditions) as well as the different
types of Fourier Series (Trigonometric, Polar and Exponential). We will also take a
look at the Magnitude Spectrum, the Phase Spectrum and the Power Spectrum of a
Fourier Series. Then we will look at some examples.

You should probably go through the basics covered in previous articles, before
starting off with this module.

Recommended Reading –

Laplace Transforms
Limits, Continuity & Differentiability
Mean Value Theorems
Differentiation
Partial Differentiation
Maxima and Minima
Methods of Integration & Standard Integrals
1|Page
 Vector Calculus
Vector Integration
Time Signals & Signal Transformation
Standard Time Signals
Signal Classification
Types of Time Systems
Introduction to Linear Time Invariant Systems
Properties of LTI Systems

What is a Fourier Series?

The concept of vectors can directly be extended to signals due to the analogy between
signals and vectors. A Fourier Series is an expansion of a periodic function f(x) in
terms of an infinite sum of sines and cosines. Fourier series makes use of
the orthogonality relationships of the sine and cosine functions.

Since infinite cosine functions and infinite sine functions are mutually orthogonal /
exclusive. So it is possible to represent any function as the sum of infinite sine and
cosine functions (or linear combination of sine and cosine functions which is known
as Fourier series representation.)

It is possible to represent a given signal in Fourier series for one period which
implies that the Fourier series is applicable for periodic signals only.

Let x(t) be a periodic signal with fundamental period T then x(t) can be represented
in Fourier Series form as -
x(t) = ∑∞
n=0[a n cos(nω0 t) + bn sin(nω0 t)]

2|Page
an and bn are Fourier series coefficients.

Conditions for Existence of Fourier Series

The conditions for existence of Fourier series includes both necessary and sufficient
conditions. These are known as Dirichlet’s Conditions. These have been given as
below

(i) Signal should be absolutely integrable over one period

∫T |x(t)| dt < ∞
(ii) Signal must have finite number of maximas and minimas in one period.
(iii) Signal must have finite number of discontinuities in one period.
First one is the necessary condition while the remaining two are the sufficient
conditions

Forms of Fourier Series

Fourier series can be expressed into three different forms. These are been given as
follows -

A. Trigonometric Fourier series (TFS)

B. Compact Form / Polar Form Fourier series
C. Exponential Fourier series

A. Trigonometric Fourier Series

A periodic signal x(t) can be represented in the form of trigonometric Fourier series
containing sine and cosine terms –
x(t) = a0 + a1 cos ω0 t + a2 cos 2ω0 t + … . … . . + b1 sin ω0 t + b2 sin 2ω0 t

3|Page
x(t) = ∑∞
n=0[a n cos(nω0 t) + bn sin(nω0 t)] ; t 0 ≤ t ≤ t 0 + T

Or
x(t) = a0 + ∑∞
n=1(a n cos(nω0 t) + bn sin(nω0 t)) ; t 0 ≤ t ≤ t 0 + T
2π
Where ω0 = and a0 , an , bn are coefficients of Trigonometric Fourier Series. ω0 is
T

fundamental frequency and 2ω0, 3ω0…. are called the harmonics of ω0.

a0 is known as DC term and its value is given by -

1
a0 = T ∫T x(t)dt

It is clear from above equation that a0 is the average value or DC component of x(t)
over one period. Now, the coefficients an and bn are being calculated as follows

2
an = T ∫T x(t) cos(nω0 t) dt

2
bn = T ∫T x(t) sin(nω0 t) dt

a0, an and bn represent the similarity of the signal x(t) associated with DC, cosine and
sine function respectively.

Example 1:
Find harmonics and TFS coefficients of the following signals.
1. x1(t) = cos(πt + 30°) + sin(2t)
4
𝟐. x2 (t) = 10 cos2 ( 5 t − 450 )
4
𝟑. x3 (t) = cos(7t) − 2 sin(2t + 20°) + 5 cos (7 t + 10°) − sin(0.2t)

4. x4(t) = –4 sin(0.8πt) + 2 cos(2πt+30°)

Solution:
1. x1(t) = cos(πt+30°) + sin2t
ω1 = π, ω2 = 2
ω1 π
= = irrational
ω2 2

⇒ x1(t) is non-periodic
⇒ Fourier series does not exist for x1(t)
4|Page
 8
4 (1+cos( t−90°))
𝟐. x2 (t) = 10 cos2 (5 t − 45°) = 10 5
2
8
x2 (t) = 5 + 5 cos (5 t − 90°)
8
x2 (t) = 5 + 5 sin (5 t)

TFS –
8 8
x2 (t) = a0 + ∑∞
n=1 (a n cos (5 nt) + bn sin (5 nt))

8 16 8 16
= a0 + a1 cos (5 t) + a2 cos ( 5 t) +. . + b1 sin (5 t) b2 sin ( 5 t) +. .

By comparing, a0 = 5, a1 = 5
4
𝟑. x3 (t) = cos(7t) − 2 sin(2t + 20°) + 5 cos (7 t + 10°) − sin(0.2t)
4 1
ω1 = 7, ω2 = 2, ω3 = 7 , ω4 = 0.2 = 5
ω1 7 ω 2×7 ω 4
= 2 = rational, ω2 = = rational, ω3 = 7×0.2 = rational
ω2 3 4 4

Since all the ratios are rational therefore, x3(t) is periodic with period
GCD(7,2,4,1) 1
ω0 = LCM(1,1,7,5) = 35
4
x3 (t) = cos(35 × 7ω0 t) − 2 sin(35 × 2ω0 t + 20°) + 5 cos (35 × 7 ω0 t + 10°) −

sin(35 × 0.2ω0 t)
x3 (t) = cos(245ω0 t) − 2 sin(70ω0 t + 20°) + 5 cos(20ω0 t + 10°) − sin(7ω0 t)
x3 (t) = − sin(7ω0 t) + 5 cos 10° cos(20ω0 t) − 2 sin 20° cos(70ω0 t) + cos(245ω0 t) −
5 sin 10° sin(20ω0 t) − 2cos 20° sin(70ω0 t)
By comparison with equation of TFS
a20 = 5 cos 10° ; a70 = −2 sin 20° , a245 = 1
b7 = −1; b20 = −5 Sin10° ; b70 = −2 cos 20°
4. x4(t) = –4 sin(0.8πt) + 2 cos(2πt+30°)
4π
ω1 = 0.8π = , ω2 = 2π
5
ω1 0.8π
= = 0.4 = rational
ω2 2π

⇒ x4(t) is a periodic signal with period ω0

GCD(4π,2π) 2π
ω0 = =
LCM(5,1) 5

5|Page
 5 5
x4 (t) = −4 sin (2π × 0.8π × ω0 t) + 2 cos (2π × 2π × ω0 t + 30°)

= −4 sin(2ω0 t) + 2 cos(5ω0 t + 30°)

= −4 sin(2ω0 t) + 2 cos 30° cos(5ω0 t) − 2 sin 30° sin(5ω0 t)
√3 1
= −4 sin(2ω0 t) + 2 × cos(5ω0 t) − 2 × 2 sin(5ω0 t)
2

x4 (t) = −4 sin(2ω0 t) + √3 cos(5ω0 t) − sin(5ω0 t)

By comparing it with TFS equation
b2 = −4, a5 = √3, b5 = −1

B. Polar Fourier Series

This is another form of Fourier Series. It is also known as Compact form / Alternate
form / Phasor form Fourier series. Polar form is used to find the spectrums.
We know that sinθ = cos(θ - 90°) and cosθ = sin(θ - 90°)
In Polar form, all functions are represented in terms of cosθ. This form is used to find
the magnitude and phase of various frequency components.
Trigonometric Fourier series of x(t) was given as -
x(t) = a0 + ∑∞
n=1(a n cos(nω0 t) + bn sin(nω0 t))

This can also be written in polar form as below

x(t) = s0 + ∑∞
n=1 sn cos(nω0 t + θn )

Expanding the above equation, we get

x(t) = s0 + ∑∞
n=1(sn cos θn cos(nω0 t) − sn sin θn sin(nω0 t))

On comparing the trigonometric and polar form, we get

a0 = s0 , an = sn cos θn , bn = −sn sin θn
b
Or s0 = a0 , sn = √a2n + bn2 , θn = −tan−1 (an )
n

Spectrum of Trigonometric Fourier Series

x(t) = s0 + ∑∞
n=1 sn cos(nω0 t + θn )

= s0 + s1 cos(ω0 t + θ1 ) + s2 cos(2ω0 t + θ2 ) + s3 cos(3ω0 t + θ3 ) + ⋯

6|Page
x(t) = s0 + s1 ∠θ1 and ω = ω0 + s2 ∠θ2 and ω = 2ω0 + s3 ∠θ3 and ω = 3ω0

Spectrum of TFS is one sided line spectrum or one sided discrete spectrum which is
defined at 0, ω0, 2ω0, 3ω0, ……………..

(i) Magnitude Spectrum

Magnitude spectrum of the signal is being constructed using the following terms
|s0 | → Magnitude associated with DC term. (ω=0)
|s1| → Magnitude associated with frequency ω0
|s2| → Magnitude associated with frequency 2ω0
The magnitude spectrum can be drawn as follows with the values calculated from
trigonometric Fourier series coefficients based on the formula given below.

s0 = a0 , sn = √a2n + bn2

(ii) Phase Spectrum

The phase spectrum of the Fourier series consists of the following values
ϕ0 → Phase associated with DC
ϕ1 → Phase associated with ω0
ϕn → Phase associated with nω0
The phase spectrum is drawn as below with the values calculated from the formula
given previously.

7|Page
 0° ; for + ve DC
ϕ0 = {
180° ; for − ve DC
−b
ϕn = tan−1 ( a n )
n

(iii) Power Spectrum

We have the signal as x(t) = s0 + ∑∞
n=1 sn cos(nω0 t + θn ).

The power spectrum can be calculated from the formulae given below and can be
drawn as following -

Ptotal = P0 + ∑∞
n=1 Pn
s20 s2n a2n +b2n
P0 = , Pn = = ;n ≠ 0
2 2 2

8|Page
C. Exponential Fourier Series
The exponential Fourier series (EFS) is simpler and more compact. Hence this is
most widely used. Trigonometric Fourier series of x(t) is given as follows –
x(t) = a0 + ∑∞
n=1(a n cos(nω0 t) + bn sin(nω0 t))

This can also be written in exponential form as below -

ejnw0 t +e−jnw0 t ejnw0 t −e−jnw0 t
x(t) = a0 + ∑∞
n=1 (a n + bn )
2 2j

an −jbn an +jbn
= a 0 + ∑∞
n=1 ( ) ejnw0t + ( ) e−jnw0 t
2 2

= C0 + ∑∞
n=1 Cn e
jnw0 t
+ C−n e−jnw0t
x(t) = ∑∞
n=−∞ Cn e
jnw0 t
→ EFS and Cn are exponential Fourier series coefficients.
Where, C0 = a0;
an −jbn an +jbn
Cn = and C−n =
2 2

x(t) = ∑∞
n=−∞ Cn e
jnw0 t

1
Where C0 = T ∫T x(t)dt ; for n = 0
1
Cn = T ∫T x(t)e−jnw0t dt ; for n ≠ 0.

The relation of coefficients of trigonometric and exponential Fourier

series are being given as follows-
c0 = a0
a −jb a 0 = c0
cn = n 2 n | an = cn + c−n
c = n n bn = (jcn − c−n )
a +jb
−n 2
∗
cn = c−n

Since cn and c-n are complex. Hence exponential Fourier series is also known as
complex Fourier series (CFS) and coefficients are known as complex coefficients and
spectrum is complex spectrum.

9|Page
Spectrum of Exponential Fourier Series

For EFS, the signal has been represented as follows

x(t) = ∑∞
n=−∞ cn e
jnw0 t
= c0 + c1 ejnw0 t + c2 ejnw0 t +. . +c−1 e−jw0 t + c−2 e−j2w0t +..

Thus for Exponential Fourier series, spectrum of EFS is two sided line spectrum or
two sided discrete spectrum, which is defined at -
ω = 0, ±ω0 , ±2ω0 , ±3ω0 , ….
There are three components to represent the spectrum. These are magnitude, phase
and power spectrum.

(i) Magnitude Spectrum

1 sn
For magnitude spectrum, we have |c0 | = |a0 |, |cn | = 2 √a2n + bn2 = |c−n | = 2

Hence it can be drawn as

Therefore, magnitude spectrum is even function of ω.

(ii) Phase Spectrum

The Phase spectrum for this series is drawn from the following formulae
0° ; for + ve DC
θ0 = {
180° ; for − ve DC
an −jbn −b b
cn = ⇒ θn = tan−1 ( a n ) = − tan−1 (an )
2 n n

10 | P a g e
 an +jbn b
c−n = ⇒ θ−n = tan−1 (an )
2 n

θn = −θ−n
A phase spectrum will generally look like the one below

Phase spectrum of EFS is odd function of ω, i.e. anti-symmetric about ω = 0.

(iii) Power Spectrum

The power spectrum will be drawn through the following formulae
p0 = |c0 |2
1 s2n 1 s2n
pn = |cn |2 = 4 (a2n + b2n ) = , p−n = |c−n |2 = 4 (a2n + b2n ) =
4 4

pn = p−n
A typical Power Spectrum will be looking like the one below

Power spectrum is even function of ω. i. e. symmetric about ω = 0.

11 | P a g e
Example 2:
Find the Fourier series of the following signal –

Solution:
x1(t) represents the periodic train of impulses with period T. Strength A and centered
about t=0.
Aδ(t); for t = 0
x1 (t) = { T T
0 ; for − 2 < t < 2 and t ≠ 0
2π
and periodic with period T = ω
0

x1 (t) = ∑∞
n=−∞ cn e
jnω0 t

1 1 T⁄ A
c0 = T ∫T x1 (t) dt = T ∫−T⁄2 Aδ(t) = T
2

1 1 T⁄
cn = T ∫T x1 (t)e−jnω0 t dt = T ∫−T⁄2 Aδ(t) e−jnω0 t dt
2

A −jnω 0 T⁄2 A
= .e 0 ∫
T⁄ δ(t)dt =T
T 2
A
cn = T
2π
A A j nt
x1 (t) = T ∑∞
n=−∞ e
jnω0 nt
= T ∑∞
n=−∞ e T → Periodic train of impulses

Example 3:
Find the Fourier series of the following signal –

12 | P a g e
Solution:
x2 (t)represents periodic train of pulses with period T, height A, width τ and centered
about t = 0.
A ; − τ⁄2 < t < τ⁄2
(t)
x2 = {
0 ; − T⁄2 < t < − τ⁄2 and τ⁄2 < t < T⁄2
2π
and periodic with period, T = ω
0

x2 (t) = ∑∞
n=−∞ cn e
jnω0 t

1 1 τ⁄ Aτ
c0 = T ∫T x2 (t)dt = T ∫−τ⁄2 A dt =
2 T

1 1 τ⁄
cn = T ∫T x2 (t)e−jnω0 t dt = ∫ 2 Ae−jnω0 t dt
T −τ⁄ 2
τ⁄
A 1 2
= T . −jnω e−jnω0 t |
0 −τ⁄
2
A 1 τ⁄ τ⁄
cn = T . −jnω (e−jnω0 2 − ejnω0 2)
0
τ τ
e−jnω0 ⁄2 −ejnω0 ⁄2
= T . nω . sin(nω0 τ⁄2)
A 2 A 2
= T −nω
0 2j 0
τ 2π 𝜏 nπτ
sin(nω0 ) sin(n× × ) sin( )
.2 × τ⁄2 .
A 2 Aτ T 2 Aτ T
=T τ = . 2π τ = . nπτ
nω0 T n× × T
2 T 2 T

Aτ nτ
cn = . sinc ( T )
T
Aτ nτ
x2 (t) = ∑∞
n=−∞ . sinc ( T ) . ejnω0 t → Periodic train of pulses
T

13 | P a g e
We will continue with the properties of Fourier series in the next article. Did you
like this article on Introduction to Fourier Series? Let us know in the comments. You
may also enjoy –
Properties of Fourier Series

Symmetry Conditions in Fourier Series

Fourier Transform

14 | P a g e