FFT tutor: A matlab-based instructional tool for FFT parameter exploration

Authors

  • Arvind Singh Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2332 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
  • Tom DeRybel Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2332 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
  • José R. Marti Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2332 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada

Keywords:

Fourier transforms, MATLAB, Time domain analysis, FFT analyses, Fft spectrums, Frequency domains, Harmonic signals, Instructional tools, Parameter explorations, Practical, Significant factors, Spectral leakages, Visual comparisons

Abstract

An overview of the way various fast Fourier Transforms (FFT) parameters relate and can be selected in a practical way, is presented. Significant factors associated with spectral leakage, windowing, and zero-padding are also discussed. A MetaLab-based tool is introduced to help in visualizing these concepts. The tool allows the user, to graphically evaluate the influence of the analysis parameters on harmonic signals and a custom dataset, such as a sound recording. It also allows the user the user to experiment with and optimize the FFT analysis parameters, to enhance the resulting FFT spectrum, while enabling visual comparison of the inverse of the spectrum produced with the original time-domain signal. The parameters governing the time and the frequency domain windows also need to be better selected, to use the FFT effectively.

Additional Files

Published

2008-09-01

How to Cite

1.
Singh A, DeRybel T, Marti JR. FFT tutor: A matlab-based instructional tool for FFT parameter exploration. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 2008 Sep. 1 [cited 2026 May 15];36(3):82-3. Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/2048

Issue

Vol. 36 No. 3 (2008)

Section

Proceedings of the Acoustics Week in Canada

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