Filter generating function ($A(z)={\sum }_{j\in \mathbb{Z}}{a}_j{z}^j$)

For absolutely summable linear-filter coefficients, the generating function is the displayed Laurent series, absolutely convergent on the unit circle. If the filter is one-sided, it is a power series analytic inside the unit disk. A two-sided filter need not have a nonempty larger annulus of convergence. Substituting the backshift operator gives the formal notation $Y=A(B)X$.

The transfer function is the filter generating function evaluated on the unit circle, with a sign convention matching the Fourier representation. Filtering a sinusoid of angular frequency $\lambda$ multiplies its complex amplitude by $H_A(\lambda )$. Its modulus is the filter gain; filtering a weakly stationary process multiplies its time-series spectral density by $|H_A(\lambda ){|}^2$. Using the opposite Fourier sign conjugates the response for real coefficients and leaves that squared modulus unchanged.