---
title: "DTFT properties; convolution property"
subject: "Signals and Systems"
chapter: 3
key: "semester_4/signals_and_systems:dtft-properties-convolution"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_4/signals_and_systems/dtft-properties-convolution
site: BCT Engineering
---

# DTFT properties; convolution property

Signals and Systems · Chapter 3: Fourier Transform

- Asked in: 2082 Kartik, 6 marks; 2082 Bhadra (new course), 3+3 marks (asked 2 times)
- Video: [Properties of Discrete Time Fourier Transform | Convolution Property | Signals and Systems](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBl-oUYg760) — Ekeeda
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_4/signals_and_systems/dtft-properties-convolution
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_4/signals_and_systems/chapter-3

## Question

List out (explain) the properties of Discrete Time Fourier Transform. State and prove the convolution property of Discrete Time Fourier Transform.

## Short answer

Convolution in time corresponds to multiplication in frequency: y[n] = x[n]*h[n] <-> Y(e^{jw}) = X(e^{jw})H(e^{jw}). Proof: Y(e^{jw}) = sum_n (sum_k x[k]h[n-k]) e^{-jw n} = sum_k x[k] e^{-jw k} H(e^{jw}) = X(e^{jw})H(e^{jw}).

## Answer

#### Properties of the DTFT
Let $x[n] \leftrightarrow X(e^{j\omega})$ and $y[n] \leftrightarrow Y(e^{j\omega})$.

| Property | Time domain | Frequency domain |
|---|---|---|
| Periodicity | $x[n]$ | $X(e^{j(\omega+2\pi)}) = X(e^{j\omega})$ |
| Linearity | $ax[n] + by[n]$ | $aX(e^{j\omega}) + bY(e^{j\omega})$ |
| Time shift | $x[n - n_0]$ | $e^{-j\omega n_0}X(e^{j\omega})$ |
| Frequency shift | $e^{j\omega_0 n}x[n]$ | $X(e^{j(\omega-\omega_0)})$ |
| Conjugation | $x^*[n]$ | $X^*(e^{-j\omega})$ |
| Time reversal | $x[-n]$ | $X(e^{-j\omega})$ |
| Differencing | $x[n] - x[n-1]$ | $(1 - e^{-j\omega})X(e^{j\omega})$ |
| Differentiation in freq. | $nx[n]$ | $j\frac{dX(e^{j\omega})}{d\omega}$ |
| Convolution | $x[n]*y[n]$ | $X(e^{j\omega})Y(e^{j\omega})$ |
| Multiplication | $x[n]y[n]$ | $\frac{1}{2\pi}\int_{2\pi}X(e^{j\theta})Y(e^{j(\omega-\theta)})d\theta$ |
| Parseval | $\sum\lvert x[n]\rvert^2$ | $\frac{1}{2\pi}\int_{2\pi}\lvert X(e^{j\omega})\rvert^2d\omega$ |

Also, for real $x[n]$ the DTFT is conjugate symmetric: $X(e^{-j\omega}) = X^*(e^{j\omega})$, so the magnitude is even and the phase is odd.

#### Convolution property: statement
$$
y[n] = x[n]*h[n] = \sum_{k=-\infty}^{\infty}x[k]h[n-k] \;\xleftrightarrow{DTFT}\; Y(e^{j\omega}) = X(e^{j\omega})H(e^{j\omega})
$$

#### Proof
$$
Y(e^{j\omega}) = \sum_{n=-\infty}^{\infty}\sum_{k=-\infty}^{\infty}x[k]h[n-k]e^{-j\omega n} = \sum_{k}x[k]\sum_{n}h[n-k]e^{-j\omega n}
$$
Put $m = n - k$ in the inner sum:
$$
\sum_{m=-\infty}^{\infty}h[m]e^{-j\omega(m+k)} = e^{-j\omega k}H(e^{j\omega})
$$
So
$$
Y(e^{j\omega}) = H(e^{j\omega})\sum_{k}x[k]e^{-j\omega k} = X(e^{j\omega})H(e^{j\omega})
$$
**Use:** an LTI system's output spectrum is its input spectrum multiplied by the frequency response $H(e^{j\omega})$.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. The DTFT of x[n - n0] is:
   A. e^{jωn0} X(e^{jω})
   B. e^{-jωn0} X(e^{jω})
   C. X(e^{j(ω-n0)})
   D. n0 X(e^{jω})
   Answer: B. A delay adds a linear phase -ωn0. (Key point: Time shift)

2. The DTFT of e^{jω0 n} x[n] is:
   A. X(e^{j(ω-ω0)})
   B. X(e^{j(ω+ω0)})
   C. e^{jω0} X(e^{jω})
   D. X(e^{jω}) e^{-jω0 n}
   Answer: A. Multiplying by a complex exponential shifts the spectrum by ω0. (Key point: Frequency shift)

3. What does the substitution m = n - k give in the proof?
   A. Inner sum = e^{-jωk} H(e^{jω})
   B. Inner sum = H(e^{jωk})
   C. Inner sum = h[k]
   D. Inner sum = X(e^{jω})
   Answer: A. Then Σ h[m]e^{-jω(m+k)} = e^{-jωk}H(e^{jω}), and summing against x[k] gives X H. (Key point: Convolution proof)

4. The output spectrum of a DT LTI system is:
   A. The input spectrum multiplied by H(e^{jω})
   B. The input spectrum convolved with H(e^{jω})
   C. The input spectrum plus H(e^{jω})
   D. Independent of the input
   Answer: A. Y = X H, so the output spectrum is the input spectrum shaped by the frequency response. (Key point: Use of the property)

## Related in Signals and Systems

- [DTFT convolution property](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsignals_and_systems%3Adtft-convolution-property) — Signals and Systems, chapter 3, asked 12×
- [Fourier series vs transform; DTFT of aⁿ](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsignals_and_systems%3Afs-vs-ft-dtft-geometric) — Signals and Systems, chapter 3
- [CTFT convolution property](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsignals_and_systems%3Actft-convolution-property) — Signals and Systems, chapter 3, asked 12×
- [Derive the discrete-time Fourier series](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsignals_and_systems%3Adtfs-derivation) — Signals and Systems, chapter 2, asked 15×
- [CTFT convolution; DTFT of 2ⁿu[n]](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsignals_and_systems%3Actft-convolution-dtft-2n) — Signals and Systems, chapter 3
- [Convolution property of CTFS](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fsignals_and_systems%3Actfs-convolution-property) — Signals and Systems, chapter 2

## Related in other subjects

- [Fourier transform property: Convolution](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fcommunication_systems%3Aft-property-convolution) — Communication Systems, chapter 1
- [Fourier transform property: Time shifting](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fcommunication_systems%3Aft-property-time-shifting) — Communication Systems, chapter 1
- [State and prove Fourier convolution theorem](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_4%2Fapplied_mathematics%3Aconvolution-theorem-fourier-prove) — Applied Mathematics, chapter 4, asked 3×
- [State and prove circular convolution property](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fdigital_signal_analysis_and_processing%3Acircular-conv-property-prove) — Digital Signal Analysis and Processing, chapter 7
