On the Fast Fourier Transform Inversion of Probability Generating Functions

The fast Fourier transform can be used to invert z transforms(including probability generating functions), but this applicationhas received little attention or use. This correspondence makesa case for the FFT as a standard numerical tool in queuing andother statistical analyses in order to obtain probability densityfunctions quickly and easily. Round-off and aliasing errorsare discussed briefly for the queuing analyst without a signalprocessing background. Several variations are described whichextend the accuracy and the utility of the method.