Time-limited and band-limited environment: Signals and systems (Q1366468)

The interest for (approximating) time-limited and band-limited signals has been constant to circuit and system theorists. This was one of the ways leading to wavelet theory and prolate function representation. Here a circuit theoretic approach is chosen and a fine theory is built. Two cornerstone properties are used: a) the Gauss-shaped impulse is invariant under the Fourier transform and b) the raised cosine [defined as \(\cos^mf\), if \(|f|\leq 0.5\) and 0 elsewhere] approaches the Gaussian shape as \(m\) increases. Various filters (low-pass, band-pass) are derived starting from the standard raised cosine one. Next, the passage of signals through Gaussian filters is considered taking into account the frequency compression (as it occurs in fact in radar transmission systems). Finally, some procedures for the synthesis of circuits providing time-limited outputs are presented. Among them, the so-called incomplete delay lines are discussed. We think the paper represents an ingenious construction providing some interesting answers to the ever fascinating question: Although time-limited and band-limited signals do not really exist, how to get realistically and approximately models for them?