Understanding Analytic Signal and Hilbert Transform

Key focus of this article: Understand the relationship between analytic signal, Hilbert transform and FFT. Hands-on demonstration using Python and Matlab. Introduction Fourier Transform of a real-valued signal is complex-symmetric. It implies that the content at negative frequencies are redundant with respect to the positive frequencies. In their works, Gabor [1] and Ville [2], aimed … Read more

Choosing FIR or IIR ? Understand design perspective

“What is the best filter that I should use? FIR or IIR ?” is often the question asked by many. There exists two different types of Linear Time Invariant (LTI) filters from transfer function standpoint : FIR (Finite Impulse Response) and IIR (Infinite Impulse Response) filters and myriad design techniques for designing them.  The mere fact … Read more

Model a Frequency Selective Multipath Fading channel

A brief intro to modeling a frequency selective fading channel using tapped delay line (TDL) filters. Rayleigh & Rician frequency-selective fading channel models explained. Tapped delay line filters Tapped-delay line filters (FIR filters) are best to simulate multiple echoes originating from same source. Hence they can be used to model multipath scenarios. Tapped-Delay-Line (TDL) filters with … Read more

Cyclic Prefix in OFDM: hands-on demo in Matlab

Synopsis: Cyclic prefix in OFDM, tricks a natural channel to perform circular convolution. This simplifies equalizer design at the receiver. Hands-on demo in Matlab. Cyclic Prefix-ed OFDM A cyclic-prefixed OFDM (CP-OFDM) transceiver architecture is typically implemented using inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) and discrete Fourier transform (DFT) blocks (refer Figure 13.3). In an OFDM transmitter, … Read more

Interpret FFT results – obtaining magnitude and phase information

In the previous post, Interpretation of frequency bins, frequency axis arrangement (fftshift/ifftshift) for complex DFT were discussed. In this post, I intend to show you how to interpret FFT results and obtain magnitude and phase information. Outline For the discussion here, lets take an arbitrary cosine function of the form \(x(t)= A cos \left(2 \pi … Read more

Interpret FFT, complex DFT, frequency bins & FFTShift

Key focus: Interpret FFT results, complex DFT, frequency bins, fftshift and ifftshift. Know how to use them in analysis using Matlab and Python. Four types of Fourier Transforms: Often, one is confronted with the problem of converting a time domain signal to frequency domain and vice-versa. Fourier Transform is an excellent tool to achieve this … Read more

Significance of RMS (Root Mean Square) value

Root Mean Square (RMS) value is the most important parameter that signifies the size of a signal. Defining the term “size”: In signal processing, a signal is viewed as a function of time. The term “size of a signal” is used to represent “strength of the signal”. It is crucial to know the “size” of … Read more

Physical Telepresence : The future of communication.

We live in the age of smart phones that can be loaded with numerous applications to communicate with each other. What’s next ? Where do we go from here ? Students at MIT Media Labs has answered the call with a novel approach of “Physical Telepresence” that provides the ability to remotely render shapes of … Read more

Simulate additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel

In this article, the relationship between SNR-per-bit (Eb/N0) and SNR-per-symbol (Es/N0) are defined with respect to M-ary signaling schemes. Then the complex baseband model for an AWGN channel is discussed, followed by the theoretical error rates of various modulations over the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. Finally, the complex baseband models for digital modulators … Read more

Gold code generator using LFSRs

Focus of this article is to discuss the details of Gold code generator using preferred pair m-sequences, implemented using linear feedback shift registers (LFSR). Finally we plot and investigate correlation properties of the generated Gold codes. Introduction In a multi-user environment (like spread spectrum, CDMA ) large number of codes with good correlation properties, is … Read more