Detection, Distortion, and Channel Characterization

Detection is the measurement of specific signal components including DC, tones, and noise. Detection and distortion measurements quantify linear and non-linear components of a signal. Channel characterization measurements quantify the quality of the signal path, or the channel. Channel characterization often compares detected signal components with a reference, such as a known excitation amplitude, full scale, or the same signal components on a reference signal or channel.

The following table shows different measurements in detection, distortion, and channel characterization:

Table 12. Common Detection, Distortion, and Channel Characterization Measurements
Detection Distortion Channel Characterization
  • DC level
  • AC level
  • Tone frequencies
  • Tone amplitudes
  • Tone phases
  • Noise floor
  • Power in band
  • Total harmonic distortion
  • Total harmonic distortion plus noise
  • Signal in noise and distortion
  • Signal-to-noise ratio
  • Intermodulation distortion
  • Idle-channel noise
  • Gain and phase
  • Crosstalk
  • Spurious free dynamic range
  • Dynamic range
  • Group delay
  • Phase linearity