Introduction to Fourier Series.

Prez Ruiz Ismael Elizer

Biomedical, Electric & Engineering Electronic Department, Mrida Institute of Technology
Tecnolgico Avenue,4
th
Km. Plan de Ayala, Mrida, Yucatn, Mxico
i.s.m123@hotmail.com


Abstract This document gives a formal description of the
concept of Fourier Series, and its solution by finding the Fourier
coefficients. Finally, is presented the graphics obtained by the
implementation on Fourier series on MatLab.

Keywords Fourier Series, Continuous signal, Fourier
Coefficients.
I. INTRODUCTION
Fourier analysis is the result of the investigation made by
French mathematician Jean-Baptiste Joseph Fourier finding the
solution to a practical problem: the heat conduction in an iron
ring. During the investigation, Fourier developed the idea that
a periodic signal can be discomposed in terms of basic periodic
signals (sine and cosine) which frequencies are multiples of the
original signal. Fourier created a series for a periodic function
with a period of T, also known as signal, defined in an
interval T. The series is defined by:

() =
0
+ (

cos nt +

sinnt)

=1



To obtain the Fourier series and the description of the signal
is necessary to get the Fourier coefficients, given by:

=
2

0
=
2

()
/2
/2

=
2

() cos()
/2
/2

=
2

() sin()
/2
/2


Finding this coefficients is possible to build the Fourier
series replacing the values obtained in the original formula.
With this is possible to obtain an approximation to the signal.
The higher value for the series, a signal will be found closest to
the original.


II. PROCEDURE OF SOLUTION.
For the function defined as

() {
1,

2
< < 0
1, 0 < < /2


The procedure of solution is to apply the formulas given. For
a0=

0
=
2

()
/2
/2
=
2

() = 0
/2
/2


A similar procedure is made to find the other coefficients:

=
2

() cos()

2
=
=
2

cos()
0
/2
+
2

cos()
/2
0


=
2

(
1

()|
/2
0
+
1

()|
0
/2
)

=
2

{
1

[sin 0 sin ] +
1

[sin 0] }

= 0
For the coefficient bn is necessary to use the sine function
instead of cosine:

=
2

() sin()
/2
/2


=
2

sin()
0
/2
+
2

sin()
/2
0

=
2

(
1

()|
/2
0
+
1

()|
0
/2
)
=
2

{
1

[1 cos()]
1

[cos() 1] }
=
2

(1 cos())

But cos() = (1)

, so bn is defined as:

= {
0,
4

,

Substituting in the formula:

() =
4

sin()

=

=
4

(sin +
1
3
sin3 +
1
5
sin5 + )

III. RESULTS
It is possible to ascertain the results obtained by making
graphics on a software, such as MatLab. The procedure is really
simple. First is necessary to define the period T, and create
vectors that allow graphing the function. It is also necessary to
determine the number of elements on the vectors, the frequency
and define a vector that will take the output values. After that a
cycle for is used to plot the original signal, as was shown in past
practices. Also, cycles for are used to plot the different Fourier
components, by replacing the n values on the Fourier series
formula obtained with the procedure previously shown, and
giving the correct values to the variable i of cycle for is
possible to obtain highest values for the Fourier series, and, thus,
a graph closer to the original. Three exercises are proposed to
show the graphics for different Fourier elements.

1.



Fourier Series is defined by

() =
4

sin()

=

=
4

(sin +
1
3
sin 3 +
1
5
sin 5 +)

Plotting the components on MatLab and comparing with the
original, is shown the effect of the Fourier series

2.





Fourier series formula

|
.
|

\
|
+ + + = ......... 5
25
1
3
9
1 8
) (
2
wt Cos wt Cos wt Cos t f
t




3.

< <
< <
=
2 / 0 ,
0 2 / , 0
) (
T t t w Sen A
t T
t f



Fourier series formula:
|
.
|

\
|
+ + + + = ......... 6
35
1
4
15
1
2
3
1 2
2
) ( wt Cos wt Cos wt Cos
A
wt Sen
A A
t f
t t

IV. CONCLUSIONS
Fourier series is an interesting and efficient way to describe
a periodic signal in terms of sine and cosine functions. It is a
powerful tool in processing and treatment of signals because
allows to rebuild signals like electrocardiogram, and many
signals used normally in Electronic Engineering.
REFERENCES
[1] J. G. Proakis and D. G. Manolakis, Digital Signal Processing: Principles,
Algorithms and Applications, 3rd ed., Ed. Prentice Hall, United States: 1998.

) ( ) (
2 / 0 , 1
0 2 / , 1
) ( t f T t f y
T t
t T
t f = +

< <
< <
=
The figures show the result of the Fourier series for n=1, 3, 9 y 101. It
can be observed how the function changes as the value of n gets
higher. The command hold on allows to have both graphics: the original
function and the Fourier series to compare the results obtained.
) ( ) (
2 / 0 ,
4
1
0 2 / ,
4
1
) ( t f T t f y
T t
T
t
t T
T
t
t f = +

< <
< < +
=