Harmonics, Interferences, Autocorrelations, FFT

In summary, harmonics are integer multiples of a fundamental frequency, contributing to the richness of sound and signal characteristics. Interferences occur when waves overlap, leading to constructive or destructive patterns that affect signal quality. Autocorrelations measure how a signal correlates with itself over time, helping to identify periodicities and patterns within data. The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is an efficient algorithm used to compute the Fourier transform, enabling the analysis of frequency components in a signal, which is essential in various applications like audio processing and communications.
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Ephant
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Hi I have some questions about the following:

60hz ac fft 2.JPG


1. It is an FFT spectrum analysis output from the Sigview software. First. The large peak at 60Hz is AC interference on air (maybe capacitive coupling) as the amplifier is completely battery operated. How come there are no 120 Hz, 180Hz, 240Hz harmonics? What situations when harmonics can be created and not created?

2. If the purpose of your amplifier is to get FFT, then there are no problems getting interferences as long as it won't saturate the amplifier, because the FFT can separate the frequency and you will still see the frequency even with all the interferences, right? This is the main question I need to know.

3. Is the peak near 300Hz (the 295Hz) considered part of the white noise or do you consider it a signal, in your experience?

4. When I pressed Autocorrelation, the following is the result. So Autocorrelations can't produce anything if it is only single frequency hidden (such as hidden harmonics) in the noise floor and it only look for signal that has reverse phase or something? What does autocorrelations exactly look for?

60hz ac fft 2 autocorrelation.JPG


I'm learning about harmonics, interferences, autocorrelations, FFT at the same time for general knowledge so as not to be ignorant. Thank you.
 
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@Ephant Yet again you are proving that it's not possible for you to learn anything from fiddling about with a simulation package. That package uses Mathematics to produce its results. I am confident that you are not capable of reverse engineering it to reveal the basics of the Maths behind signal analysis.
Avoid that simulation until you have some idea about the basics.
 
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  • #3
sophiecentaur said:
@Ephant Yet again you are proving that it's not possible for you to learn anything from fiddling about with a simulation package. That package uses Mathematics to produce its results. I am confident that you are not capable of reverse engineering it to reveal the basics of the Maths behind signal analysis.
Avoid that simulation until you have some idea about the basics.

It's not a simulation. I'm using a real amplifier with data saved with Audacity wav. Then played the wav later at SigView and running the FFT spectrum analysis of real data.

I was asking if the amplifier was able to get the 60Hz signal on air or via capacitive coupling (as the amplifier is completely battery operated). Why doesn't it show the harmonics. If the harmonics is hidden in the noises. How come FFT didn't produce the harmonics, and neither did the autocorrelation.

But most important is. If the end result is FFT, where you can display all frequency. What is the problem with no shielding against interference as long as it won't saturate the amplifier. You can still acquire any signal amidst the noises using FFT.
 
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Buy and read a text book, dude.
 
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OP is on a 10 day vacation from PF for multiple reasons, so we can all take a break in this thread. :smile:
 
  • #6
Usually harmonics are present only in sound or music. Power from an outlet or an AC line is kind of "dirty" so there is going to be quite a bit of noise.
 
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El hilo está cerrado por moderación.
 
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Lordy. OP is banned for cause.

Ephant said:
Whatever, now I don't have to dive below the noise floor to search for signal. I can simply scout the surface of the noise floor ocean. Now my Dark Lab will be more active and hopefully replicate a Sigmal 5 experiment that if verified can change everything, our view of the universe and more.
 
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FAQ: Harmonics, Interferences, Autocorrelations, FFT

What are harmonics and why are they important in signal analysis?

Harmonics are frequencies that are integer multiples of a fundamental frequency. They are important in signal analysis because they provide insights into the periodicity and structure of signals. Understanding harmonics helps in identifying the quality and characteristics of sound, electrical signals, and other periodic phenomena.

What is interference in the context of waveforms?

Interference refers to the phenomenon that occurs when two or more waves overlap and combine to form a new wave pattern. This can be constructive (where waves add together) or destructive (where waves cancel each other out). Interference is crucial in various applications, including audio engineering, telecommunications, and optics, as it affects signal clarity and quality.

What is autocorrelation and how is it used in signal processing?

Autocorrelation is a mathematical tool used to measure the similarity between a signal and a delayed version of itself over varying time intervals. It is useful in identifying repeating patterns or periodicity in signals, and it can help in noise reduction, feature extraction, and time series analysis in various fields such as audio processing, telecommunications, and statistics.

What is the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and why is it used?

The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is an efficient algorithm for computing the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and its inverse. It transforms a signal from the time domain to the frequency domain, allowing for the analysis of the frequency components of the signal. FFT is widely used in signal processing, image analysis, and data compression because it significantly reduces the computational complexity compared to direct DFT calculations.

How do harmonics and interferences affect audio quality?

Harmonics can enrich audio quality by adding depth and richness to sounds, but excessive harmonics can lead to distortion. Interference can cause phase cancellation or enhancement of certain frequencies, affecting clarity and overall sound quality. Understanding and managing these effects is essential for audio engineers to create high-fidelity recordings and ensure optimal listening experiences.

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