8/9/2015 Frequency Domain Methods

Time domain worldFrequency domain worldFourier Transform: F Inverse Fourier Transform: F --1 Oscilloscope Spectrum Analyser This transformation coud be made in real time by using hardware or in a post procesing scheme using software

8/9/2015 Time Domain  Frequency Domain time Amplitude frequency Amplitude

8/9/2015 Why go to the Frequency Domain Frequency analysis can show characteristics of oscillator: –Noise processes –Side bands (modulation, parasitic) Spectrum analyzer easy to use to show noise far from the nominal frequency. –Limited by the bandwidth of the measuring system.

8/9/2015 Detection of parasitic signals Parasitic signals simply adds to the signal Parasitic signal modulates the signal In either case, if the signal is far enough from the carrier (greater than the resolution of the spectrum analyser available) it can be resolved.

8/9/2015 Sideband detection frequency S y (f)

8/9/2015 Line width problems frequency S y (f)

8/9/2015 Increase time of measurement frequency S y (f)

8/9/2015 Solution to limited spectrum analyzers Record the data for a very long time using a time measurement system Feed your data to a proper analyzer software. Convert the time data into frequency data. Interpret the results

8/9/2015 Time Domain => Frequency Domain

8/9/2015 Noise in frequency domain Spectral density of the phase fluctuations Spectral density of the frequency fluctuations

8/9/2015 Noise in frequency domain Not very useful to calculate the Allan variance from the spectral density of the noise Very useful to detect anomalies in the noise pattern of a device

8/9/2015 Common types of noise

8/9/2015 Common types of noise

8/9/2015 Types of phase noise frequency Log scale

8/9/2015 Types of frequency noise frequency Log scale

8/9/2015 y()y()  -1 00 Noise type: White phase Flicker phase White freq. Flicker freq. Random walk freq.  -1/2  1/2 Power Law Dependence of  y (  ) As measured by Allan Deviation 1/f noise  -3/2 real noise 

8/9/2015 Frequency Analysis using a spectrum analyser Advantages of frequency analysis –Good detector of modulation/parasitic signals –Easier to look at high frequency noise –Can discriminate between white and flicker phase noise! Disadvantages –Not very good for noise very close to the carrier

8/9/2015 Some examples stressing the differences between time domain and frequency domain analysis

8/9/2015 White vs flicker phase noise

8/9/2015 White vs Flicker phase noise Slope = -1 Slope  -1 ADev(  )   Not very different Time domain

8/9/2015 White versus Flicker phase noise f 0 f -1 S  (f) ff Frequency domain No ambiguity here!

8/9/2015 White and flicker phase noise They are often present over the same time scale and are difficult to separate. ADev is unable to do it. FFT will tell quickly if white phase noise is present, which is very likely for most oscillators on short time interval. This is true generally at high frequency offset from the nominal frequency.

8/9/2015 Hydrogen maser example I Case of a “sick” hydrogen maser It has excess white or flicker phase noise. ADev method of evaluation reveals higher than normal noise at short term. Unable to sort out white from flicker noise. FFT of phase signal sorts out the type of noise

8/9/2015 Hydrogen maser example II f 0 or f -1 Which one?

8/9/2015 Hydrogen maser example III f -3 f -2 f0f0 No f -4 No flicker phase noise f -1 ?? amplitude

8/9/2015 Hydrogen maser example IV Frequency analysis has resolved the type of noise affecting the performance of the maser. Frequency analysis has also revealed the presence of parasitic signals. –Some of it is due to some 4 seconds cycle operation within the phase comparator itself

8/9/2015 Another way of looking at data: the moving FFT Easy to implement Can reveal intermittent problems

8/9/2015 Moving FFT I

8/9/2015 Moving FFT II Moving FFT over sixty days of phase residuals of two hydrogen masers reveals strange parasitic signal. Modulation period = one week Parasitic frequency not stable

8/9/2015 Parasitic signal It turns out that this signal is generated in the path between one maser and the phase comparator. There are three buffer amplifiers and distribution boxes along the path. The one week amplitude modulation tends to point out to interference with normal activities in the building.

8/9/2015 Conclusion Frequency domain methods should be used as well as time domain methods Both methods are complement of each other Never miss the opportunity to look at your data from all angles possible.