Numerical Fourier transforms: DFT and FFT

Abstract

Frequency analysis is an important issue in the IEEE. Using a computer in a calculation means moving into a non-physical, synthetic environment. Numerically, discrete or fast Fourier transformations (DFTs or FFTs) are used to obtain the frequency content of a time signal, and these are totally different than the mathematical definition of the Fourier transform. This tutorial simply reviews the DFT and FFT, with a few characteristic examples.