PSfrag replacements

Example 11-4: Transform of Impulse Train

As another example of finding the Fourier transform of a periodic signal, let us consider the periodic impulse train

p(t) =
PSfrag replacements

(t nTs )

(11.41)

n=

where the period is denoted by Ts . This signal, which will be useful in Chapter 12 in deriving the sampling theorem,
is plotted in Fig. 11-10(a). Because x(t) is periodic with period Ts , we can also express (11.41) as a Fourier series
p(t) =

ak e jks t

(11.42)

k=

where s = 2/Ts . To determine the Fourier coefficients {ak }, we must evaluate the Fourier series integral over one
6
Ts

(a)

p(t)
6
Ts

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

c
c

3Ts

(A)
()
()
4
A
Ts

2Ts

Ts

2
Ts

2
Ts

2Ts

Ts
P( j )
 

2
Ts

2
Ts

3Ts

(b)


2
Ts

2
Ts

2
Ts

4
Ts

Figure 11-10: Periodic impulse train: (a) Time-domain signal p(t); (b) Fourier transform P( j). Regular spacing in
the frequency-domain is s = 2/Ts

convenient period; i.e.,

1
ak =
Ts

ZTs /2

(t)e jks t dt

Ts /2

1
=
Ts

ZTs /2

(t)dt =

1
Ts

(11.43)

Ts /2

The Fourier coefficients for the periodic impulse train are all the same size. Now in general, the Fourier transform of
a periodic signal represented by a Fourier series as in (11.42) is of the form
P( j) =

k=

2ak ( ks )

Substituting (11.43) into the general expression for P( j), we obtain



X
2
P( j) =
( ks )
Ts
k=
Therefore, the Fourier transform of a periodic impulse train is also a periodic impulse train.
McClellan, Schafer and Yoder, Signal Processing First, ISBN 0-13-065562-7.
c 2003 Pearson Education, Inc.
Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458.

(11.44)