The fast Fourier transform applied to estimate wave energy spectral density in random sea state

Abstract

This paper deals with an important area of real life problems. It is concerned with the application of the fast Fourier transform to estimate wave energy spectral density in a random sea state. Graphical illustrations are manifested in a clear and distinct manner. The fast Fourier transform is a mathematical procedure which can be thought of as transforming a function from the time domain to the frequency domain. The application of a Fourier transform is analogous to the splitting up of a light beam by a prism to form the optical spectrum of the light source. An optical spectrum consists of lines or beams of colors corresponding to the various wavelengths and hence different frequencies of light wave emitted by the source. The spectrum of a signal in digital signal processing refers to the way energy in the signal is distributed over its various frequency components. © 2011 WIT Press.