Discrete Fourier transform of a finite length signal which saturates at non-zero value I am performing spectral analysis of a finite length signal that saturates to a non-zero value. The signal ($s(t)$) can, practically, be write as
$s(t) = f(t) \big(1-H(t-t_0)\big) $, where $t_0$ is the time at which the signal ends and $H(t)$ is the Heaviside step function. The sudden step from a non-zero value to zero at $t = t_0$ induces artifacts in the analysis.
I am looking for advice/literature on how to deal with signals of this type.
Question: How does one deal with artifacts cause by signals terminating at a non-zero value when
performing spectral analysis.
You can &amp; should window your signal. Choice of window depends on the specific requirements of your application. Wikipedia has a really good overview on properties and trade-offs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_function
Keep in mind that you already ARE windowing: your finite length window is simply an infinite length signal multiplied with a rectangular window.