Signal Representations

Intended Learning Outcome

Sketch the frequency domain equivalent of a given time domain wave
using Fourier Series

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 Signal Representations

1. Time-Domain representation:
❏ graph: time vs (voltage or power)
❏ oscilloscope displays signals in time-domain

2. Frequency Domain Representation:

❏ graph: frequency vs (voltage or power)
❏ spectrum analyzer displays signals in time-
domain
 Example
Sketch the given in frequency domain

Solution:
amplitude = 2V
frequency = 440Hz
 Why transform to frequency domain?

.For communication engineers, the primary interest is what portion of the

frequency spectrum does the signal occupy and how strong is the signal
(magnitude);

Part of the benefit of a frequency domain representation is that certain signal attributes,
like bandwidth is visualized.

Bandwidth (BW) is that portion of the electromagnetic spectrum occupied by a signal.

It
 Important to Note
Working Example:

1. phase offset (if present) is not part of the frequency plot,,

2. a sine or cosine with the same amplitude (positive or negative) and any phase offset
have the same frequency plot.
 Fourier Theory
❏ In the real world, not all information signals are sinusoidal.
❏ Information signals can take on an infinite number of shapes, including rectangular waves
(i.e., digital pulses), triangular waves, sawtooth waves, and other nonsinusoidal forms.
❏ Any well-behaved periodic waveform can be represented as a series of sine and/or cosine
waves at multiples of its fundamental frequency plus (sometimes) a dc offset. This is known
as a Fourier series.
 Example
Find the Fourier series for the signal in Figure and sketch its
frequency domain equivalent to the fifth harmonics

Solution: The given is sawtooth positive going (slide number 11)

V = 5; T (period) = 1 ms;
fo= 1/T = 1kHz
Some waveforms have no dc components