University of Sulaymaniyah Communications I Lab
College of Engineering Second Stage
Electrical Engineering Department 2025-2026
Experiment Number One
Fourier Series and Spectrum Analyzer
Prepared by
Rahel Hamasew Shakan Salam
Prepared for
Dr. Aras Ms. Lanya Ms.
April Group
nd
20 R e v I e w e r ’s C o m m e n t
------------------------------------------------------------------------
12
26 30 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------
Fourier and Spectrum
Apparatus
PC Scope, Function Generator.
Objective
Understand and study the frequency components of periodic signals.
Theory
In communication systems, electrical signals carry information. These signals can be analyzed in two ways: the time
domain, which shows how the signal changes over time, and the frequency domain, which reveals the different frequency
components that make up the signal.
The time domain alone does not provide enough information about a signal’s frequency content. To fully understand a
signal, we analyze its spectrum, which consists of all its frequency components. This is done using the Fourier series
for periodic signals and the Fourier transform for non-periodic signals.
A signal can be periodic, meaning it repeats over time, or non-periodic, meaning it does not repeat. Each type has a
different frequency spectrum. Periodic signals have a fundamental frequency along with harmonics, which are integer
multiples of the fundamental frequency. Their spectrum appears as distinct lines at specific frequencies. Non-periodic
signals have a continuous spectrum, meaning their frequencies spread over a range.
For example, a sine wave consists of only one frequency component, so its spectrum contains a single peak. A square
wave, however, consists of multiple frequency components, appearing as several harmonic peaks in its spectrum.
To observe and analyze the frequency components of signals, a device called a spectrum analyzer is used. This
instrument helps identify key frequency components in signals, aiding in the design of communication systems and
filters, while also providing insights into signal behavior.
This experiment helps us understand how signals are composed of different frequencies and how their spectra can be
analyzed. By breaking down complex signals into their fundamental components using the Fourier series, we gain a
deeper understanding of how signals behave in communication systems.
Page | 2
Fourier and Spectrum
Procedure
1. Set the function generator to sine wave with 𝑉𝑝 = 1𝑣 and 𝑓 = 2 𝑘𝐻𝑧.
2. Measure and record the spectrum of the sine wave (up to 7th harmonic) in Table 1.
n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Frequency
(kHz)
Amplitude
(dBv)
Amplitude
(volt)
Table 1
3. Set the function generator to sine wave with 𝑉𝑝 = 3𝑣 and 𝑓 = 2 𝑘𝐻𝑧.
4. Measure and record the spectrum of the sine wave in Table 2.
n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Frequency
(kHz)
Amplitude
(dBv)
Amplitude
(volt)
Table 2
5. Compare the amplitude of the spectrum in volts between Table 1 and Table 2. What is the effect of changing
the peak of the sinewave on the amplitude of the spectrum? Is there a relationship between them?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Now, set the function generator to sine wave with 𝑉𝑝 = 3𝑣 and 𝑓 = 2 𝑘𝐻𝑧.
7. Measure and record the spectrum of the sine wave in Table 3.
n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Frequency
(kHz)
Amplitude
(dBv)
Amplitude
(volt)
Table 3
Page | 3
Fourier and Spectrum
8. Compare the amplitude of the spectrum in volts between Table 2 and Table 3. What is the effect of changing
the fundamental frequency on the amplitude of the spectrum?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Now, set the function generator to square wave with 𝑉𝑝 = 3𝑣 and 𝑓 = 4 𝑘𝐻𝑧.
10. Measure and record the spectrum of the square wave in Table 4.
n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Frequency
(kHz)
Amplitude
(dBv)
Amplitude
(volt)
Table 4
11. Now, set the function generator to triangle wave with 𝑉𝑝 = 3𝑣 and 𝑓 = 4 𝑘𝐻𝑧.
12. Measure and record the spectrum of the triangle wave in Table 5.
n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Frequency
(kHz)
Amplitude
(dBv)
Amplitude
(volt)
Table 5
13. Compare the measured spectrum of the three waveforms in Tables 3,4,5. Which waveforms has more and
higher amplitudes of harmonics? Which one has the least harmonics?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page | 4