I am a student taking engineering course and wish to learn more about Fourier Transforms. It seems very useful. Would highly appreciate it if anyone could advise me where to start.
Recommended books/links for Fourier Transform beginners?
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1It would be helpful to mention what kind of engineering course you are taking, since there are books for various engineering specialties, e.g. http://books.google.com/books?id=WoRZyjM6iREC – 2010-11-21
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0I am taking electrical engineering course. I didn't specify because I thought Fourier could be applied on various areas. I even saw a book of Fourier Transform for Finance. =O – 2010-11-21
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1Well, that's because of 1. a lot of things in applications can be couched in terms of Fourier transforms, and 2. there exists a speedy algorithm called the "fast Fourier transform" (FFT), and if you have a sleek-looking hammer, you tend to start looking for nails... – 2010-11-21
4 Answers
I first learned Fourier techniques from Bracewell's The Fourier Transform and Its Applications, but I'm digging the non-conventional treatment in Meikle's A New Twist to Fourier Transforms.
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0wao..the first book is a long one. Is this the best for beginners? – 2010-11-21
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0@learn: Well, there is the assumption that your calculus is solid... and you didn't mention your mathematical background. – 2010-11-21
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0M.: I took calculus module last semester in my uni. that was the first time I learn about line integral, surface integral etc. so I dare not to say I am solid in those... but for basic differentiation and integration I am sure I can handle them. – 2010-11-21
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0I suppose that ought to be okay. In any event, if you're unclear about something, that's what teachers and this site are for... – 2010-11-21
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0I read some good reviews of Bracewell's book, but I can now say after reading some of it that it is much worse than I had anticipated. It is long and full of poorly explained material. It makes many assumptions about the reader's knowledge, and does a poor job of explaining many difficult to grasp concepts. In addition, the flow and structure of the book is quite poor as well. Certainly not a book for anyone wishing to fully understand the Fourier transform in a clear, concise manner in my opinion – 2014-05-02
For a general engineering perspective, Erwin Kreyszig's book "Advanced Engineering Mathematics" would have some chapters on Fourier and other integral transforms.
For a more mathematical approach, but still with applications in mind, Sneddon's book Fourier Transforms is recommended. It has a lot of physics applications.
The book of Taub and Schilling on Principles of Communication Systems is very good from an electrical engineering point of view. I particularly liked this last book.
If you have an interest in engineering optics or linear systems, try Gaskill's book. It's good to start from.
David Kammler's book is also a a good introduction. The first part explains the connections between Fourier Series, Fourier Transform, DTFT, DFT very clearly which other books often gloss over.
This link is really, really good!
Fourier Transform in one day http://www.dspdimension.com/admin/dft-a-pied/