EMI221 - Harmonic Distortion Analyzer

Electronic Measurements & Instrumentation (EMI) Unit-2 : Signal Generators & Wave Analyzers Harmonic Distortion Analyzer  DISTORTION ANALYZERS The extent to which the output waveform of an- amplifier differs from the waveform at the input is a measure of the distortion intro­duced by the inherent nonlinear characteristics of active devices such as bipolar or field-effect transistors or by passive circuit components. The amount of distortion can be measured with a distortion analyzer. 1. Fundamental Suppression Type A distortion analyzer measures the total harmonic power present in the test wave rather than the distortion caused by each component. The simplest method is to suppress the fundamental frequency by means of a high pass filter whose cut off frequency is a little above the fundamental frequency. This high pass allows only the harmonics to pass and the total harmonic distortion can then be measured. Other types of harmonic distortion analyzers based on fundamental suppression are as follows. The bridge is balanced for the fundamental frequency(i.e. L and C are tuned to the fundamental frequency). The bridge is unbalanced for the harmonics, i.e. only harmonic power will be available at the output terminal and can be measured. If the fundamental frequency is changed, the bridge must be balanced again. If L and C are fixed components, then this method is suitable only when the test wave has a fixed frequency. This Indicators can be thermocouples or square law VTVM ( Vacuum-Tube Volt Meter)s. This indicates the rms value of all harmonics. When a continuous adjustment of the fundamental frequency is desired, a Wien bridge arrangement is used Wien’s bridge method Harmonic Distortion Analyzer 2. Wien’s Bridge Method The bridge is balanced for the fundamental frequency. The fundamental energy is dissipated in the bridge circuit elements. Only the harmonic components reach the output terminals. The harmonic distortion output can then be measured with a meter. For balance at the fundamental frequency, C1=C2=C, R1=R2=R, R3=2R4 3. Bridged T-Network Method In the above fig., L and C’s are tuned to the fundamental frequency, and R is adjusted to bypass fundamental frequency. The tank circuit being tuned to the fundamental frequency, the fundamental energy will circulate in the tank and is bypassed by the resistance. Only harmonic components will reach the output terminals and the distorted output can be measured by the meter. The Q of the resonant circuit must be at least 3–5. The switch S is first connected to point A so that the attenuator is excluded and the bridge T-network is adjusted for full suppression of the fundamental frequency, i.e. minimum output. Minimum output indicates that the bridged T-network is tuned to the fundamental frequency and that the fundamental frequency is fully suppressed. The switch is next connected to terminal B, i.e. the bridged T-network is excluded. Attenuation is adjusted until the same reading is obtained on the meter. The attenuator reading indicates the total rms distortion. Distortion measurement can also be obtained by means of a wave analyzer, knowing the amplitude and the frequency of each component, the harmonic distortion can be calculated. However, distortion meters based on fundamental suppression are simpler to design and less expensive than wave analyzers. The disadvantage is that they give only the total distortion and not the amplitude of individual distortion components.