Linear Distortions of Periodic Signals
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Applet description
This applet illustrates the effects of linear distortions (attenuation distortions and phase distortions) with
- the input signal $x(t)$ ⇒ power $P_x$:
- $$x(t) = x_1(t) + x_2(t) = A_1\cdot \cos\left(2\pi f_1\cdot t- \varphi_1\right)+A_2\cdot \cos\left(2\pi f_2\cdot t- \varphi_2\right), $$
- the output signal $y(t)$ ⇒ power $P_y$:
- $$y(t) = \alpha_1 \cdot x_1(t-\tau_1) + \alpha_2 \cdot x_2(t-\tau_2),$$
- the matching output signal $z(t)$ ⇒ power $P_z$:
- $$z(t) = k_{\rm M} \cdot y(t-\tau_{\rm M}) + \alpha_2 \cdot x_2(t-\tau_2),$$
- the difference signal $\varepsilon(t) = z(t) - x(t)$ ⇒ power $P_\varepsilon$.
The next block in the above model is Matching: The output signal $y(t)$ is adjusted in amplitude and phase with uniform quantities $k_{\rm M}$ and $\tau_{\rm M}$ for all frequencies which means that this is not a frequency-dependent distortion. Using the signal $z(t)$, a differentiation can be made between:
- attenuation distortion and frequency–independant attenuation, as well as
- phase distortion and pure frequency–independant delay.
The Distortion Power $P_{\rm D}$ is used to measure the strength of the linear distortion and is defined as:
- $$P_{\rm D} = \min_{k_{\rm M}, \ \tau_{\rm M}} P_\varepsilon.$$
Theoretical background
Distortions refer to generally unwanted alterations of a message signal through a transmission system. Together with the strong stochastic effects (noise, crosstalk, etc.), they are a crucial limitation for the quality and rate of transmission.
Just as the intensity of noise can be assessed through
- the Noise Power $P_{\rm N}$ and
- the Signal–to–Noise Ratio (SNR) $\rho_{\rm N}$,
distortions can be quantified through
- the Distortion Power $P_{\rm D}$ and
- the Signal–to–Distortion Ratio (SDR)
- $$\rho_{\rm D}=\frac{\rm Signal \ Power}{\rm Distortion \ Power} = \frac{P_x}{P_{\rm D} }.$$
Linear and nonlinear distortions
A distinction is made between linear and nonlinear distortions:
- Nonlinear distortions occur, if at all times $t$ the nonlinear correlation $y = g(x) \ne {\rm const.} \cdot x$ exists between the signal values $x = x(t)$ at the input and $y = y(t)$ at the output, whereby $y = g(x)$ is defined as the system's nonlinear characteristic. By creating a cosine signal at the input with frequency $f_0$ the output signal includes $f_0$ as well as multiple harmonic waves. We conclude that new frequencies arise through nonlinear distortion.
- Linear distortions occur, if the transmission channel is characterized by a frequency response $H(f) \ne \rm const.$ Various frequencies are attenuated and delayed differently. Characteristic of this is that although frequencies can disappear (for example, through a low–pass, a high–pass, or a band–pass), no new frequencies can arise.
In this applet only linear distortions are considered.
Description forms for the frequency response
The generally complex valued frequency response can be represented as follows:
- $$H(f) = |H(f)| \cdot {\rm e}^{-{\rm j} \hspace{0.05cm} \cdot \hspace{0.05cm} b(f)} = {\rm e}^{-a(f)}\cdot {\rm e}^{-{\rm j} \hspace{0.05cm} \cdot \hspace{0.05cm} b(f)}.$$
This results in the following description variables:
- The absolute value $|H(f)|$ is called amplitude response and in logarithmic form attenuation function:
- $$a(f) = - \ln |H(f)|\hspace{0.2cm}{\rm in \hspace{0.1cm}Neper \hspace{0.1cm}(Np) } = - 20 \cdot \lg |H(f)|\hspace{0.2cm}{\rm in \hspace{0.1cm}Decibel \hspace{0.1cm}(dB) }.$$
- The phase function $b(f)$ indicates the negative frequency–dependent angle of $H(f)$ in the complex plane based on the real axis:
- $$b(f) = - {\rm arc} \hspace{0.1cm}H(f) \hspace{0.2cm}{\rm in \hspace{0.1cm}Radian \hspace{0.1cm}(rad)}.$$
Low–pass of order N
The frequency response of a realizable low–pass (LP) of order $N$ is:
- $$H(f) = \left [\frac{1}{1 + {\rm j}\cdot f/f_0 }\right ]^N\hspace{0.05cm}.$$
For example the RC low–pass is a first order low–pass. Consequently we can obtain
- the attenuation function:
- $$a(f) =N/2 \cdot \ln [1+( f/f_0)^2] \hspace{0.05cm},$$
- the phase function:
- $$b(f) =N \cdot \arctan( f/f_0) \hspace{0.05cm},$$
- the attenuation factor for the frequency $f=f_i$:
- $$\alpha_i =|H(f = f_i)| = [1+( f_i/f_0)^2]^{-N/2}$$
- $$\Rightarrow \hspace{0.3cm} x(t)= A_i\cdot \cos(2\pi f_i t) \hspace{0.1cm}\rightarrow \hspace{0.1cm} y(t)= \alpha_i \cdot A_i\cdot \cos(2\pi f_i t)\hspace{0.05cm},$$
- the phase delay for the frequency $f=f_i$:
- $$\tau_i =\frac{b(f_i)}{2 \pi f_i} = \frac{N \cdot \arctan( f_i/f_0)}{2 \pi f_i}$$
- $$\Rightarrow \hspace{0.3cm} x(t)= A_i\cdot \cos(2\pi f_i t) \hspace{0.1cm}\rightarrow \hspace{0.1cm} y(t)=A_i\cdot \cos(2\pi f_i (t- \tau_i))\hspace{0.05cm}.$$
High–pass of order N
The frequency response of a realizable high–pass (HP) of order $N$ is:
- $$H(f) = \left [\frac{ {\rm j}\cdot f/f_0 }{1 + {\rm j}\cdot f/f_0 }\right ]^N\hspace{0.05cm}.$$
For example the LC high pass is a first grade high pass. Consequently we can obtain
- the attenuation function:
- $$a(f) =N/2 \cdot \ln [1+( f_0/f)^2] \hspace{0.05cm},$$
- the phase function:
- $$b(f) =-N \cdot \arctan( f_0/f) \hspace{0.05cm},$$
- the attenuation factor for the frequency $f=f_i$:
- $$\alpha_i =|H(f = f_i)| = [1+( f_0/f_i)^2]^{-N/2}$$
- $$\Rightarrow \hspace{0.3cm} x(t)= A_i\cdot \cos(2\pi f_i t) \hspace{0.1cm}\rightarrow \hspace{0.1cm} y(t)= \alpha_i \cdot A_i\cdot \cos(2\pi f_i t)\hspace{0.05cm},$$
- the phase delay for the frequency $f=f_i$:
- $$\tau_i =\frac{b(f_i)}{2\pi f_i} = \frac{-N \cdot \arctan( f_0/f_i)}{2\pi f_i}$$
- $$\Rightarrow \hspace{0.3cm} x(t)= A_i\cdot \cos(2\pi f_i t) \hspace{0.1cm}\rightarrow \hspace{0.1cm} y(t)=A_i\cdot \cos(2\pi f_i (t- \tau_i))\hspace{0.05cm}.$$
$\text{Example:}$ This graphic shows the phase function $b(f)$ with the cut–off frequency $f_0 = 1\ \rm kHz$ and order $N=1$
- of a low–pass (green curve),
- of a high–pass (violet curve).
The input signal is sinusoidal with frequency $f_{\rm S} = 1.25\ {\rm kHz}$ whereby this signal is only turned on at $t=0$:
- $$x(t) = \left\{ \begin{array}{l} \hspace{0.75cm}0 \\ \sin(2\pi \cdot f_{\rm S} \cdot t ) \\ \end{array} \right.\quad\begin{array}{l} (t < 0), \\ (t>0). \\ \end{array}$$
The left graphic shows the signal $x(t)$. The dashed line marks the first zero at $t = T_0 = 0.8\ {\rm ms}$. The other two graphics show the output signals $y_{\rm LP}(t)$ und $y_{\rm HP}(t)$ of low–pass and high–pass, whereby the change in amplitude was balanced in both cases.
- The first zero of the signal $y_{\rm LP}(t)$ after the low–pass is delayed by $\tau_{\rm LP} = 0.9/(2\pi) \cdot T_0 \approx 0.115 \ {\rm ms}$ compared to the first zero of $x(t)$ ⇒ marked with green arrow, whereby $b_{\rm LP}(f/f_{\rm S} = 0.9 \ {\rm rad})$ was considered.
- In contrast, the phase delay of the high–pass is negative: $\tau_{\rm HP} = -0.67/(2\pi) \cdot T_0 \approx -0.085 \ {\rm ms}$ and therefore the first zero of $y_{\rm HP}(t)$ occurs before the dashed line.
- Following this transient response, in both cases the zero crossings again come in the raster of the period duration $T_0 = 0.8 \ {\rm ms}.$
Annotation: The shown signals were created using the interactive applet Causal systems – Laplace transform.
Attenuation distortions and phase distortions
The adjacent figure shows
- the even attenuation function $a(f)$ ⇒ $a(-f) = a(f)$, and
- the uneven function curve $b(f)$ ⇒ $b(-f) = -b(- f)$
of a non–distorting channel. One notices:
- In a distortion–free system the attenuation function $a(f)$ must be constant between$f_{\rm U}$ and $f_{\rm O}$ around the carrier frequency $f_{\rm T}$, where the input signal exist ⇒ $x(t) \ne 0$.
- From the specified constant attenuation value $6 \ \rm dB$ follows for the amplitude response $|H(f)| = 0.5$ ⇒ the signal values of all frequencies are thus halved by the system ⇒ no attenuation distortions.
- In addition, in such a system, the phase function $b(f)$ between $f_{\rm U}$ and $f_{\rm O}$ must increase linearly with the frequency. As a result, all frequency components are delayed by the same phase delay $τ$ ⇒ no phase delay.
- The delay $τ$ is fixed by the slope of $b(f)$. The phase function $b(f) \equiv 0$ would result in a delay–less system ⇒ $τ = 0$.
The following summary considers that in this applet the input signal is always the sum of two harmonic oscillations,
- $$x(t) = x_1(t) + x_2(t) = A_1\cdot \cos\left(2\pi f_1\cdot t- \varphi_1\right)+A_2\cdot \cos\left(2\pi f_2\cdot t- \varphi_2\right), $$
and therefor the channel influence is fully described by the attenuation factors $\alpha_1$ and $\alpha_2$ as well as the phase delays $\tau_1$ and $\tau_2$:
- $$y(t) = \alpha_1 \cdot x_1(t-\tau_1) + \alpha_2 \cdot x_2(t-\tau_2).$$
$\text{Summary:}$
- A signal $y(t)$ is only distortion–free compared to $x(t)$ if $\alpha_1 = \alpha_2= \alpha$ and $\tau_1 = \tau_2= \tau$ ⇒ $y(t) = \alpha \cdot x(t-\tau)$.
- Attenuation distortions occur when $\alpha_1 \ne \alpha_2$. If $\alpha_1 \ne \alpha_2$ and $\tau_1 = \tau_2$, then there are exclusively attenuation distortions.
- Phase distortions occur when $\tau_1 \ne \tau_2$. If $\tau_1 \ne \tau_2$ and $\alpha_1 = \alpha_2$, then there are exclusively phase distortions.
Exercises
BlaBla
(1) We set the parameters for the input signal $x(t)$ to $A_1 = 0.8\ {\rm V}, \ A_2 = 0.6\ {\rm V}, \ f_1 = 0.5\ {\rm kHz}, \ f_2 = 1.5\ {\rm kHz}, \ \varphi_1 = 90^\circ, \ \varphi_2 = 30^\circ$.
- Calculate the signal's cycle duration $T_0$ and power $P_x$. Can you read the value for $P_x$ off the applet?
$\hspace{1.0cm}\Rightarrow\hspace{0.3cm}T_0 = \big [\hspace{-0.1cm}\text{ greatest common divisor }(0.5 \ {\rm kHz}, \ 1.5 \ {\rm kHz})\big ]^{-1}\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{ = 2.0 \ {\rm ms}};$
$\hspace{1.85cm} P_x = A_1^2/2 + A_2^2/2 \hspace{0.15cm}\underline{= 0.5 \ {\rm V^2}} = P_\varepsilon\text{, if }\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{k_{\rm M} = 0} \ \Rightarrow \ z(t) \equiv 0$.
(2) Vary $\varphi_2$ between $\pm 180^\circ$ while assuming the other parameters from Exercise (1). How does the value of $T_0$ and $P_x$ change?
$\hspace{1.0cm}\Rightarrow\hspace{0.3cm}\text{No changes:}\hspace{0.2cm}\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{ T_0 = 2.0 \ {\rm ms}; \hspace{0.2cm} P_x = 0.5 \ {\rm V^2}}$.
(3) Vary $f_2$ between $0 \le f_2 \le 10\ {\rm kHz}$ while assuming the other parameters from Exercise (1). How does the value of $P_x$ change?
$\hspace{1.0cm}\Rightarrow\hspace{0.3cm}\text{No changes if }f_2 \ne 0\text{ or } f_2 \ne f_1\text{:}\hspace{0.3cm} \hspace{0.15cm}\underline{P_x = 0.5 \ {\rm V^2}}\text{.} \hspace{0.2cm} T_0 \text{ changes if }f_2\text{is not a multiple of }f_1$.
$\hspace{1.85cm}\text{If }f_2 = 0\text{:}\hspace{0.2cm} P_x = A_1^2/2 + A_2^2\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{ = 0.68 \ {\rm V^2}}$. $\hspace{3cm}$
$\hspace{1.85cm}\text{If }f_2 = f_1\text{:}\hspace{0.2cm} P_x = [A_1\cos(\varphi_1) + A_2\cos(\varphi_2)]^2/2 + [A_1\sin(\varphi_1) + A_2\sin(\varphi_2)]^2/2 \text{.} $
$\hspace{1.85cm}\text{Mit } \varphi_1 = 90^\circ, \ \varphi_2 = 30^\circ\text{:}\hspace{0.3cm}\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{ P_x = 0.74 \ {\rm V^2}}\text{.} $
(4) Going by the previous input signal $x(t)$ we set following parameters to: $\alpha_1 = \alpha_2 = 0.5, \ \tau_1 = \tau_2 = 0.5\ {\rm ms}$, $k_{\rm M} = 1 \text{ and } \tau_{\rm M} = 0$ .
- Are there linear distortions? Calculate the reception power $P_y$ and the power $P_\varepsilon$ of the differential signal $\varepsilon(t) = z(t) - x(t)$.
$\hspace{1.0cm}\Rightarrow \hspace{0.3cm}\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{ y(t) = 0.5 \cdot x(t- 1\ {\rm ms})}\text{ is only attenuated and delayed, but not distorted.}$
$\hspace{1.85cm}\text{Reception power:}\hspace{0.2cm} P_y = (A_1/2)^2/2 + (A_2/2)^2/2\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{ = 0.125 \ {\rm V^2}}\text{. } P_\varepsilon \text{ is significantly greater:} \hspace{0.1cm} \hspace{0.15cm}\underline{P_\varepsilon = 0.625 \ {\rm V^2}}.$
(5) With otherwise the same settings as in Exercise (4), vary the matching parameters $k_{\rm M} \text{ and } \tau_{\rm M}$. How big is the distortion power $P_{\rm D}$?
$\hspace{1.0cm}\Rightarrow \hspace{0.3cm} P_{\rm D}\text{is equal to }P_\varepsilon \text{ when using the ideal matching parameters:} \hspace{0.2cm}k_{\rm M} = 2 \text{ und } \tau_{\rm M}=T_0 - 0.5\ {\rm ms} = 1.5\ {\rm ms}$
$\hspace{1.0cm}\Rightarrow \hspace{0.3cm}z(t) = x(t)\hspace{0.3cm}\Rightarrow \hspace{0.3cm}\varepsilon(t) = 0\hspace{0.3cm}\Rightarrow \hspace{0.3cm}P_{\rm D}\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{ = P_\varepsilon = 0} \hspace{0.3cm}\Rightarrow \hspace{0.3cm}\text{Neither attenuation nor phase distortion.}$
(6) The channel parameters are now set to: $\alpha_1 = 0.5, \hspace{0.15cm}\underline{\alpha_2 = 0.2}, \ \tau_1 = \tau_2 = 0.5\ {\rm ms}$. Calculate the distortion power $P_{\rm D}$ and the Signal-to-Distortion ratio $(\rm SDR) \ \rho_{\rm D}$.
$\hspace{1.0cm}\Rightarrow \hspace{0.3cm} P_{\rm D} = P_\varepsilon \text{ when using the best matching parameters:} \hspace{0.2cm}\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{k_{\rm M} = 2.24} \text{ und } \hspace{0.15cm}\underline{\tau_{\rm M} = 1.5\ {\rm ms} }\text{:} \hspace{0.2cm}\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{P_{\rm D} = 0.059 \ {\rm V^2}}$.
$\hspace{1.85cm}\text{Attenuation distortions only.} \hspace{0.3cm}\text{Signal-to-Distortion-Ratio}\ \hspace{0.15cm}\underline{\rho_{\rm D} = P_x/P_\varepsilon \approx 8.5}$.
(7) The channel parameters are now set to: $\alpha_1 = \alpha_2 = 0.5, \ \tau_1 \hspace{0.15cm}\underline{= 2\ {\rm ms} }, \ \tau_2 = 0.5\ {\rm ms}$. Calculate the distortion power $P_{\rm D}$ and the the Signal-to-Distortion ratio $\rho_{\rm D}$?
$\hspace{1.0cm}\Rightarrow \hspace{0.3cm} P_{\rm D} = P_\varepsilon \text{when using the best matching parameters:} \hspace{0.2cm}\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{k_{\rm M} = 1.84} \text{ and } \tau_{\rm M}\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{ = 0.15\ {\rm ms} }\text{:} \hspace{0.2cm}\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{P_{\rm D} = 0.071 \ {\rm V^2}}$.
$\hspace{1.85cm}\text{Phase distortions only.} \hspace{0.3cm}\text{Signal-to-Distortion-Ratio}\ \hspace{0.15cm}\underline{\rho_{\rm D} = P_x/P_\varepsilon \approx 7}$.
(8) The channel parameters are now set to: $\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{\alpha_1 = 0.5} , \hspace{0.15cm}\underline{\alpha_2 = 0.2} , \ \hspace{0.15cm}\underline{\tau_1= 0.5\ {\rm ms} }, \ \hspace{0.15cm}\underline{\tau_2 = 0.3\ {\rm ms} }$. Are there attenuation distortions? Are there phase distortions? How can $y(t)$ be approximated? How can $y(t)$ be approximated? Annotation: $\cos(3x) = 4 \cdot \cos(x)^3 - 3\cdot \cos(x).$
$\hspace{1.0cm}\Rightarrow\hspace{0.3cm} \text{Both attenuation and phase distortions, because }\alpha_1 \ne \alpha_2\text{ and }\tau_1 \ne \tau_2$.
$\hspace{1.85cm}y(t) = y_1(t) + y_2(t)\ \Rightarrow \ y_1(t) = A_1 \cdot \alpha_1 \cdot \sin[2\pi f_1\ (t- 0.5\ \rm ms)] = -0.4 \ {\rm V} \cdot \cos(2\pi f_1 t)$
$\hspace{1.85cm} y_2(t) = \alpha_2 \cdot x_2(t- \tau_2) \text{ mit }x_2(t) = A_2 \cdot \cos[2\pi f_2\ (t- 30^\circ)] \approx A_2 \cdot \cos[2\pi f_2\ (t- 1/36 \ \rm ms)]$
$\hspace{1.85cm} \Rightarrow \ y_2(t) = 0.12 \ {\rm V} \cdot \cos[2\pi f_2\ (t- 0.328 \ {\rm ms})] \approx -0.12 \ { \rm V} \cdot \cos[2\pi f_2t] $.
$\hspace{1.85cm} \Rightarrow \ y(t) = y_1(t) + y_2(t) \approx -0.4 \ {\rm V} \cdot [\cos(2\pi \cdot f_1\cdot t) + 1/3 \cdot \cos(2\pi \cdot 3 f_1 \cdot t) = -0.533 \ {\rm V} \cdot \cos^3(2\pi f_1 t)$.
(9) Assuming the parameters from Exercize (8). Calculate the distortion power $P_{\rm D}$ and the the Signal-to-Distortion ratio $\rho_{\rm D}$?
$\hspace{1.0cm}\text{Best possible adaptation:} \hspace{0.2cm}\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{k_{\rm M} = 1.96} \text{, } \hspace{0.15cm}\underline{\tau_{\rm M} = 1.65\ {\rm ms} }\text{:} \hspace{0.2cm}\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{P_{\rm D} = 0.15 \ {\rm V^2} },\hspace{0.1cm}\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{\rho_{\rm D} = 0.500/0.156 \approx 3.3}$.
(10) Now we set $A_2 = 0$ and $A_1 = 1\ {\rm V}, \ f_1 = 1\ {\rm kHz}, \ \varphi_1 = 0^\circ$. The channel is a Low-pass of order 1 $\underline{(f_0 = 1\ {\rm kHz})}$.
Are there any attenuation or phase distortions? Calculate the channel coefficients $\alpha_1$ and $\tau_1$
$\hspace{1.0cm}\text{At only one frequency there are neither attenuation nor phase distortions.}$
$\hspace{1.0cm}\text{Attenuation factor for }f_1=f_0\text{ and }N=1\text{: }\alpha_1 =|H(f = f_1)| = [1+( f_1/f_0)^2]^{-N/2} = 2^{-1/2}= 1/\sqrt{2}\hspace{0.15cm}\underline{=0.707},$
$\hspace{1.0cm}\text{Phase factor for }f_1=f_0\text{ and }N=1\text{: }\tau_1 = N \cdot \arctan( f_1/f_0)/(2 \pi f_i)=\arctan( 1)/(2 \pi f_i) =1/(8f_1) \hspace{0.15cm}\underline{=0.125 \ \rm ms}.$
Zur Handhabung des Applets
(A) Parametereingabe per Slider
(B) Bereich der graphischen Darstellung
(C) Variationsmöglichkeit für die graphische Darstellung
(D) Abspeichern und Zurückholen von Parametersätzen
(E) Numerikausgabe des Hauptergebnisses $T_0$; graphische Verdeutlichung durch rote Linie
(F) Ausgabe von $x_{\rm max}$ und der Signalwerte $x(t_*) = x(t_* + T_0)= x(t_* + 2T_0)$
(G) Darstellung der Signalwerte $x(t_*) = x(t_* + T_0)= x(t_* + 2T_0)$ durch grüne Punkte
(H) Einstellung der Zeit $t_*$ für die Signalwerte $x(t_*) = x(t_* + T_0)= x(t_* + 2T_0)$
Details zum obigen Punkt (C)
(*) Zoom–Funktionen „$+$” (Vergrößern), „$-$” (Verkleinern) und $\rm o$ (Zurücksetzen)
(*) Verschieben mit „$\leftarrow$” (Ausschnitt nach links, Ordinate nach rechts), „$\uparrow$” „$\downarrow$” und „$\rightarrow$”
Andere Möglichkeiten:
(*) Gedrückte Shifttaste und Scrollen: Zoomen im Koordinatensystem,
(*) Gedrückte Shifttaste und linke Maustaste: Verschieben des Koordinatensystems.
Über die Autoren
Dieses interaktive Berechnungstool wurde am Lehrstuhl für Nachrichtentechnik der Technischen Universität München konzipiert und realisiert.
- Die erste Version wurde 2005 von Bettina Hirner im Rahmen ihrer Diplomarbeit mit „FlashMX–Actionscript” erstellt (Betreuer: Günter Söder ).
- 2018 wurde dieses Programm von Jimmy He im Rahmen seiner Bachelorarbeit (Betreuer: Tasnád Kernetzky) auf „HTML5” umgesetzt und neu gestaltet.
