Laboratory One: Fourier Analysis: ENEL312-11A

LABORATORY ONE:
Fourier Analysis
ENEL312-11A
el27
1.0 Objective:
The purpose of this laboratory was to introduce Fourier analysis, Spectrum analysis and to get familiar
with the spectrum analyzer to take the measurements in the frequency spectrum.
2.0 Background:
In the laboratory manual, it is discussed that any physical function varies with time
with a frequency f can be ex-pressed as a superposition of sinusoidal components of
frequencies f, 2f, 3f, 4f, etc.
A physical function that is periodic with period 2π, of the real variable x can be
represented in the interval [-π, π] by the infinite sum:
3.0 Experimental Set-up:

The function generator was connected to the computer via a USB connection. The function generators
output was then connected to either the oscilloscope or the spectrum analyzer depending on which was
being used. This was to ensure only one unit was connected a one time as having both the oscilloscope
and the spectrum analyzer connected in parallel would cause issues.
4.0 Results and discussion:
4.1 Analysis of a square wave
The first task of the laboratory was to demonstrate a summation of several sine waves to produce a
square wave. Due to the limitations of software only five harmonics of the infinite sum were able to be
used.
Therefore the following formula was input to the TekVISA Software
1 1 1 1
f ( x )=sin ( ω ) + sin ( 3 ω ) + sin ( 5 ω )+ sin (7 ω ) + sin ( 9 ω )
3 5 7 9
Since only five harmonics were able to be represented using this software the square wave which was
implemented was not very tidy.
Figure 1: Practical Square wave frequency plot, trying to illustrate amplitude and frequency of five harmonics.
Figure 2: Theoretical Square wave frequency plot
When comparing the practical and theoretical square wave frequency plots it is apparent that unwanted
even order frequencies are present. This is seen in the practical frequency plot as slightly smaller spikes
between the higher spikes and in the theoretical as small spikes between the higher odd harmonics.
Also something to mention it seems on the practical square wave frequency plot that only the first four
harmonics are present. The reason for this could be our filtering or the signal has been mixed with noise
and we cannot see it.
4.2 Analysis of a triangle wave

The second task was to produce and view on the spectrum analyzer a triangle waveform. This is
essentially the same procedure as creating the square waveform. The triangle waveform is also just a
summation of sine waves but instead it uses the Fourier series for the triangle wave. This formula was
presented in the appendix of the laboratory manual.
∞ ( n−1) /2
8 (−1) nπx
f ( x )= 2 ∑ sin ⁡( )
π n=1,3,5 … n2 L
For the same reasons as the square wave only the first four odd harmonics were input into the software
as more exceeded the maximum character allowance. This practical result can be viewed in Figure 3:
Practical triangle wave frequency plot. If the theoretical result and the practical result are compared it is
apparent that something is not quite right. The triangle waveform is suppose to be constructed from
only odd harmonics yet in both the theoretical and practical results the 2 nd harmonic and even the 4th
harmonic are present. This could be explained by interference from other machines nearby transmitting
the frequencies.
Figure 3: Practical triangle wave frequency plot
Figure 4: theoretical triangle wave frequency plot
If a comparison between the calculated square waveform and the calculated triangle waveform is
carried out there is a noticeable difference in the waveform amplitudes. The square wave harmonics
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
have amplitudes of , , , respectively and the triangle wave has harmonic amplitudes of , , ,
1 3 5 9 1 9 25
1
.
49
4.3 Investigation of AM modulation
For this task, a single cosine wave was used to modulate an amplitude modulated signal, and analyze it
on a spectrum analyser at different modulation depths. The formula entered into the TekVISA Software
was.
V AM (t )=V o [ 1+ Mcos ( ω m ) ] sin ⁡(ωc )
Where M is the modulation index, a value of 0.5 was used. ω m is the modulation frequency and ω c is the
carrier frequency which must be chosen to be much larger than the modulation frequency.
0% Modulation Depth
As expected the frequency plot displays a peak at the modulation frequency this is because at 0%
modulation no sidebands should be present.
Figure 5: AM modulation carrier at 0% modulation depth
40% Modulation Depth

Again displayed on the frequency plot is a peak at the modulation frequency, this time however there is
a lower and upper sideband present either side of the center peak.
Figure 6: AM modulation at 40% modulation depth

The frequency plot for the 100% modulation depth also displays a peak at the modulation frequency and
once again there are lower and upper sidebands either side of this frequency. If were compare the 40%
modulation depth and the 100% modulation depth however it is possible to see that the lower and
upper sidebands amplitudes has increased for the 100% modulation depth.

Once again the frequency plot is centered at the modulation frequency with upper and lower sidebands
either side of the center. When there is a 100% and 120% modulation depth the upper and lower
sidebands are similar amplitudes to the modulation frequency this raisers issues, if this signal was
demodulated distortion would occur due to over modulation.

Laboratory One: Fourier Analysis: ENEL312-11A

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Laboratory One: Fourier Analysis: ENEL312-11A

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Laboratory One: Fourier Analysis: ENEL312-11A

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

LABORATORY ONE:

3.0 Experimental Set-up:

Therefore the following formula was input to the TekVISA Software

4.2 Analysis of a triangle wave

Figure 4: theoretical triangle wave frequency plot

V AM (t )=V o [ 1+ Mcos ( ω m ) ] sin ⁡(ωc )

Figure 5: AM modulation carrier at 0% modulation depth

40% Modulation Depth

100% Modulation Depth

Figure 7: AM modulation at 100% modulation depth

120% Modulation Depth

You might also like