BeginnerTopic 26 of 101Signals, Control & Comms

Discrete-time Fourier transform

Frequency analysis of discrete sequences.

In depth

DTFT X(e^{jω})=Σx[n]e^{-jωn} gives a continuous, 2π-periodic spectrum of a discrete sequence. Used for theory and filter design; practical computation uses the DFT, which samples the DTFT. Properties mirror continuous Fourier transform.

Key points

  • Periodic in ω
  • Frequency response of digital filters
  • Discrete convolution↔multiplication
Example

The DTFT of a moving-average filter is a sinc-like low-pass response.

Why it matters

The discrete-time Fourier transform analyses sampled sequences, which is needed for understanding digital filters and sampled data spectra.

Where this is used

  • Finding the frequency response of a digital filter from its coefficients.
  • Describing the spectrum of a sampled audio signal.
  • Explaining why the spectrum of a sampled signal repeats every sampling frequency.

Frequently asked questions

What is Discrete-time Fourier transform?

Frequency analysis of discrete sequences.

Why is it important to understand discrete-time Fourier transform?

The discrete-time Fourier transform analyses sampled sequences, which is needed for understanding digital filters and sampled data spectra.

Why is the DTFT periodic?

Sampling makes the spectrum repeat every sampling frequency, so the useful range is one period, usually from minus to plus half the sampling rate.

How does it differ from the DFT?

The DTFT is continuous in frequency and infinite in time, while the DFT is discrete in frequency and works on a finite block of samples.

How is Discrete-time Fourier transform used in practice?

Typical applications include finding the frequency response of a digital filter from its coefficients, describing the spectrum of a sampled audio signal and explaining why the spectrum of a sampled signal repeats every sampling frequency.

What should I learn before Discrete-time Fourier transform?

Study "Quantisation" first (topic 25 of 101 in Signals, Control & Comms). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.

What are the key points of Discrete-time Fourier transform?

Periodic in ω. Frequency response of digital filters. Discrete convolution↔multiplication.

Can you give an example of Discrete-time Fourier transform?

The DTFT of a moving-average filter is a sinc-like low-pass response.

What comes after Discrete-time Fourier transform?

The next topic is "Discrete Fourier transform", which builds directly on this one.

How difficult is Discrete-time Fourier transform?

It is classed as Beginner in Signals, Control & Comms (topic 26 of 101). It is an entry-level topic. It relies only on basic school mathematics and the ideas introduced earlier in this discipline.

Learning path

Want to practise? Open the interactive course for quick checks, quizzes, simulations and progress tracking.

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