Fourier Series

• Any non sinusoidal periodic signal can be represented as an infinite

sum of sinusoidal functions
• If a function, f(t) satisfies; f(t) = f(t+T); T= Time period of the
function
• f(t) can be written as

• Fourier Theorem states that any practical periodic function of

frequency ω0 can be expressed as infinite sum of sine and cosine
functions that are integral multiple of ω0.
• a0 is the dc values or the average values of the signal
 Dirichlet Conditions
• For an infinite series to converge, it needs certain conditions
 f(t) is single valued everywhere
 f(t) has finite number of discontinuities in one period
 f(t) has finite number of maxima and minima in one period
 The integral

• These are called Dirichlet Conditions

• They are not necessary conditions but sufficient conditions for a
Fourier series to exist
Useful Trigonometric Integrals
• Calculating the coefficients (a0, an, bn)is the main task in the Fourier Series
• Calculating a0:
Calculating an: Multiply both sides by cos mω0t and integrate over time
period (T)
Calculating bn: Multiply both sides by sin mω0t and integrate over time
period (T)

By similar method as earlier

An Alternative form: Amplitude-Phase form

Example: Determine Fourier Series of the waveform shown.
Obtain amplitude and phase spectra

To determine the coefficients, we need to first describe the waveform

and also its Time Period
To obtain Amplitude and Phase Spectra:
 Symmetry in FS
• The coefficients can be directly calculated in some cases
• No need for the completing all the integration
• Method is to discover any existence of symmetry in the function
• Three types of Symmetry
 EVEN SYMMETRY
 ODD SYMMETRY
 HALF-WAVE SYMMETRY
 EVEN SYMMETRY

• f(t) has even symmetry if its plot is symmetrical along the vertical
axis

• Eg: t2, t4, cos t

 ODD SYMMETRY

• f(t) has odd symmetry if its plot is antisymmetrical along the

vertical axis

• Eg: t, t3, sin t

 HALF-WAVE SYMMETRY

• f(t) is half-wave symmetry if

• Eg: sin nω0t, cos nω0t; for odd values of n