Utilizing arbitrary waveform generators to produce noise with imposed spectral characteristics

Authors

  • L. Angrisani University of Naples Federico II
  • M. D'Apuzzo University of Naples Federico II
  • Mauro D'Arco University of Naples Federico II
  • E. Napoli University of Naples Federico II
  • A. Strollo University of Naples Federico II

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21014/acta_imeko.v4i1.155

Abstract

The reliability and performance of many systems mostly depend of their noise rejection capability. The behavior of systems that are prone to noise is therefore investigated since the early production stage, as well as routinely during periodical maintenance actions. Actually, there are very few noise sources available on the market, the majority of which is capable of generating only noise characterized by a uniform power spectral density in a limited bandwidth; generators capable of producing colored noise are instead very rare. In theory, arbitrary waveform generators could be deployed and suitably programmed to serve as noise sources. But, the technicians charged of test and measurement assignments will barely find application notes that support them in stepping from theory to practice.

This work presents tutorial notes related to the simulation of colored noise, and proposes an analog generator that exploits an arbitrary waveform generator as noise source. The proposed generator is capable of producing noise signals characterized by arbitrary power spectral densities.

Author Biography

Mauro D'Arco, University of Naples Federico II

Mauro D'Arco was born in Salerno, Italy, in 1974. He received the Electronic Engineering degree from the University of Salerno, Salerno, in 1999, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from the University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy, in 2003. He is currently an Assistant Professor with the Department of Electric Engineering, University of Naples Federico II. His current research interests include modelling and testing of A/D and D/A converters, electronic equipment troubleshooting and diagnostics, methods for phase-noise measurements, and methods for wireless power transmission.

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Published

2015-02-05

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2015)

Section

Research Papers

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