I NTRODUCTION TO I NTEGRAL T RANSFORMS

In the decimal number system, how do you represent the number 365.2 ?




This weighted sum system of representation was a great discovery that occurred in India during the Buddhist period.

I NTRODUCTION TO I NTEGRAL T RANSFORMS

In general, R Base

takes integer values, negatives allowed. , the radix, is a (discrete) function of .

I NTRODUCTION TO I NTEGRAL T RANSFORMS

10 is the base giving it the name decimal system.

The function

looks like:

R(n)

The decimal number system is a transform number

I NTRODUCTION TO I NTEGRAL T RANSFORMS

The choice of the base of 10 is incidental. Any other number could have been used. Indeed, for representing some numbers, other bases are convenient. Example: The number 1/3 In base 10: In base 3:
  

I NTRODUCTION TO I NTEGRAL T RANSFORMS

T RANSFORM OF

BASE


Generalization: Stage 1: Use other integer bases Stage 2: Can the index be a continuous variable, i.e., continuous function?

Stage 3: Can the base be a fraction? If so, which one is most convenient?

T RANSFORM OF

B ASE

  

 

 

S TAGE 1
Integers in powers of 2 have been found convenient binary: Base=2
 



octal: Base=8 hexadecimal: Base=16

S TAGE 1 6

S TAGE 2
Continuous index and continuous function

f(t)

t
Transform of Base


The index can be any function of , negative to make the integral convergent.

S TAGE 2

S TAGE 3
There is no reason to conne the base to integers. A natural choice is , making

an exponentially decaying function.

S TAGE 3

If in the

we put a real number , we get

which yields a function of .

Transformation

Transform of

S TAGE 3

As a further generalization, the exponent could be an imaginary number:

Transform of This yields transformation

Called the Fourier Transform.

S TAGE 3

10

f(t)

Fourier Transform

f()

S TAGE 3

11

When the exponent is a complex number,

Transform of This yields transformation variable).

(function of a complex

This transform yields great simplication in the solution of linear differential equations.

Called the Laplace Transform.

S TAGE 3

12

The base could also be a complex number. For example, if the original signal is a discrete signal

f(n) n

Transform of where

is a complex number.

Called the z-transform.

S TAGE 3

13