week 12

“Waveform Analyzing Instructions”

a) Distortion Meter
b) Spectrum Analyzers
c) Digital Spectrum Analyzers
d) Waveform Analyzing Instruments
e) Review

What is Distortion Meter?

What is a distortion meter used for? Now distortion meter is such a device which measures
detects the frequencies which are responsible for producing harmonic distortion in our signal. So
the first question that needs to be answered is that what is harmonic distortion?

Harmonic distortion

Harmonic distortion is the distortion in our signal that is produced by the additional frequencies
generated in the signal. These frequencies are nothing but multiples of the original frequency of
our signal. Harmonic distortion occurs not only in sound waves, as that is the most commonly
used example.

It also occurs in electrical signals, that is, when a current is passing through a circuit, it can
induce vibrations in the circuit and the vibrations produced would obviously be some multiple of
the current signal frequency. Hence these vibrations can cause distortion in our original signal.
This distortion in current can lead to many problems like voltage fluctuation etc.

The thing that needs to be noted here is that harmonic potential is not always an undesirable
phenomenon. Often in techniques of artificial reverberations we utilize it to create useful effects.

How to use a distortion meter?

Now that we are familiar with the basics of harmonic distortion, and also the fact that a distortion
meter is used for the detection and measurement of such frequencies, what lies next?

So once the frequencies are detected, the distortion meter now acts such that it works to eliminate
the effect of such frequencies. For this purpose it has the option to set certain predefined
parameters, so that any frequencies which lie outside these set of parameters are eliminated and
not allowed to pass along with the original signal. The original signal can then be produced at the
output in whatever way it is required.

So in short a distortion meter not only detects and measures the distortion in our signal
frequencies but also works to overcome or eliminate them.

A typical distortion meter looks something like this:

What is Distortion Meter 1

Applications of Distortion Meter

Distortion meters are being widely used now a days especially in music industry. To make the
sound more pleasing and musical, many frequencies are eliminated and some are enhanced as
well. For eliminating the unwanted frequencies we use a distortion meter.

What is Distortion Meter 2

Distortion meters also find extensive uses in electrical circuits now a days. As mentioned earlier
they are used to eliminate the distortions in the currents and voltages which can also prove fatal
in some cases.

Many advance electrical machines use distortion meters to compensate for the current distortions
so that the expensive appliance can be saved from damage due to these distortions.

(B)

What do spectrum analyzers measure?

A spectrum analyzer displays a spectrum of signal amplitudes on different frequencies. It enables

analysis that determines whether signals fall within required limits. It displays spurious signals,
complex waveforms, rare short-duration events and noise. Spectrum analyzers can also analyze
transient signals, capture burst transmissions and glitches, and show if stronger signals are
masking weaker ones.

These devices are frequently used to examine the dynamic frequency spectrum of modern RF and
audio signals that change over time. They display the individual elements of signals and the
performance of the circuits producing them. Organizations also use them to determine what
modifications may be needed to reduce interference and so improve the performance of Wi-Fi
systems and wireless routers.

How spectrum analyzers work

With most spectrum analyzers, users can set a start and stop frequency, as well as a center
frequency halfway. These are also the axis for the frequency used to determine the span, aka
passband -- for example, the range between the start and stop frequencies. The spectrum analyzer
measures the radio noise floor and analyzes how close two signals can be while still being
resolved into two separate peaks.

It uses a linear scale for signal frequency and a logarithmic or decibel scale for amplitude. The
latter enables the device to see and display signals with large amplitude differences on the same
screen.

A spectrum analyzer's interface can be connected to a wireless receiver or personal computer to

enable visual detection and analysis of electromagnetic signals over a defined band of
frequencies. Called panoramic reception, this can help determine the frequencies of interference
sources to wireless networking equipment, like Wi-Fi and wireless routers.
Applications of spectrum analyzers

On the display of a spectrum analyzer, output signals at frequencies other than the intended
communications frequency appear as vertical lines (pips). This makes them useful to determine
whether a wireless transmitter is working according to government-defined standards for
emissions purity, i.e., whether the transmitter is staying within its allocated frequency band and
not causing interference in other bands.

In addition to RF design and testing, spectrum analyzers are also useful for electronic circuit
design and electronics manufacturing and repair.

A real-time spectrum analyzer is particularly helpful for the following

Wi-Fi testing

voice and data communications, e.g., cellular radio

digital video

radar test analysis

interference hunting

signal spectrum management

Spectrum analyzers: Advantages and disadvantages

With swept-tuned analyzers, there is a tradeoff between how rapidly the display can update a full
frequency span and resolution. With weak signals, a pre-amplifier is needed before analysis.

FFT analyzers can strain the capabilities of analog-to-digital converters. They also require
significant processing power, limiting the possible frequency range that can be analyzed.

Real-time FFT analyzers offer good resolution and reduce sampling gaps,