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Regressive discrete Fourier series

Regressive discrete Fourier series is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Regressive discrete Fourier series rather than just read about it. In short: In applied mathematics, the regressive discrete Fourier series (RDFS) is a generalization of the discrete Fourier transform where the Fourier series coefficients are computed in a least squares sense and the period is arbitrary, i.e., not necessarily equal to the length of the data. It was first proposed by Arruda (1992a, 1992b).

Key takeaways

  • Regressive discrete Fourier series belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Regressive discrete Fourier series to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Regressive discrete Fourier series from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In applied mathematics, the regressive discrete Fourier series (RDFS) is a generalization of the discrete Fourier transform where the Fourier series coefficients are computed in a least squares sense and the period is arbitrary, i.e., not necessarily equal to the length of the data. It was first proposed by Arruda (1992a, 1992b). It can be used to smooth data in one or more dimensions and to compute derivatives from the smoothed curve, surface, or hypersurface.

Technique

One-dimensional regressive discrete Fourier series The one-dimensional RDFS proposed by Arruda (1992a) can be formulated in a very straightforward way. Given a sampled data vector (signal) x n = x ( t n ) {\displaystyle x_{n}=x(t_{n})} , one can write the algebraic expression:

x n = ∑ k = − q q X k e − i 2 π k t n T + ε n , t n arbitrary , n = 1 , … , N . {\displaystyle x_{n}=\sum _{k=-q}^{q}X_{k}e^{\frac {-i2\pi kt_{n}}{T}}+\varepsilon _{n},t_{n}{\text{ arbitrary }},\quad n=1,\dots ,N.\,}

Typically t n = n Δ t {\displaystyle t_{n}=n\,\Delta t} , but this is not necessary. The above equation can be written in matrix form as

W X = x + ε . {\displaystyle WX=x+\varepsilon .\,}

The least squares solution of the above linear system of equations can be written as:

X ^ = ( W H W ) − 1 W H x {\displaystyle {\hat {X}}=(W^{H}W)^{-1}W^{H}x\,}

where X H {\displaystyle X^{H}} is the conjugate transpose of X {\displaystyle X} , and the smoothed signal is obtained from:

x ^ = W X ^ {\displaystyle {\hat {x}}=W{\hat {X}}\,}

The first derivative of the smoothed signal x ^ {\displaystyle {\hat {x}}} can be obtained from:

d x d t ( t n ) = ∑ k = − q q − i 2 π k T X k e − i 2 π k t n T , n = 1 , … , N . {\displaystyle {\frac {dx}{dt}}(t_{n})=\sum _{k=-q}^{q}{\frac {-i2\pi k}{T}}X_{k}e^{\frac {-i2\pi kt_{n}}{T}},\quad n=1,\dots ,N.\,}

Two-dimensional regressive discrete Fourier series (RDFS) The two-dimensional, or bidimensional RDFS proposed by Arruda (1992b) can also be formulated in a straightforward way. Here the equally spaced data case will be treated for the sake of simplicity. The general non-equally-spaced and arbitrary grid cases are given in the reference (Arruda, 1992b). Given a sampled data matrix (bi dimensional signal) x m n = x ( ξ m , ν n ) , m = 1 , … , M ; n = 1 , … , N ; {\displaystyle x_{mn}=x(\xi _{m},\nu _{n}),m=1,\dots ,M;\ n=1,\dots ,N;} one can write the algebraic expression:

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Regressive discrete Fourier series

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Regressive discrete Fourier series claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Regressive discrete Fourier series before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Regressive discrete Fourier series ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Regressive discrete Fourier series

In research
Regressive discrete Fourier series appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Regressive discrete Fourier series in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Regressive discrete Fourier series is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Fourier analysis, Signal processing, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Regressive discrete Fourier series outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.
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How to study Regressive discrete Fourier series in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Regressive discrete Fourier series means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Regressive discrete Fourier series out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Regressive discrete Fourier series in simple terms?

In applied mathematics, the regressive discrete Fourier series (RDFS) is a generalization of the discrete Fourier transform where the Fourier series coefficients are computed in a least squares sense and the period is arbitrary, i.e., not necessarily equal to the length of the data. It was first pr…

Why does Regressive discrete Fourier series matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Regressive discrete Fourier series?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Regressive discrete Fourier series.

Tags

  • Fourier analysis
  • Signal processing

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