Harmonic Analysis Examples

Example 1 : 

Determine the existence of odd or even harmonics for the following functions.

Answer :

math expression

We can see from the graph that f(t+π)=−f(t).

For example, we notice that f(2)=0.4, approximately. If we now move π units to the right (or about 2+3.14=5.14), we see that the function value is

f(5.14)=−0.4.

That is, f(t+π)=−f(t).

This same behaviour will occur for any value of t that we choose.

So the Fourier Series will have odd harmonics.

This means that in our Fourier expansion we will only see terms like the following:

f(t)=a02+(a1 cos t+b1 sin t) + (a3 cos 3t+b3 sin 3t) + (a5 cos 5t+b5 sin 5t)+…

{Note: Don’t be confused with odd functions and odd harmonics. In this example, we have an even function (since it is symmetrical about the y-axis), but because the function has the property that f(t+π)=−f(t), then we know it has odd harmonics only.

The fact that it is an even function does not affect the nature of the harmonics and can be ignored.}

Answer:

math expression

The function is periodic with period π.

So, we conclude that the Fourier series will have even harmonics, and will be of the form: