What is an intermodulation product?
The intermodulation products are spurious frequency components generated when two or more signals pass through a non-linear device. The intermodulation products can be of different orders, such as second-order or third-order, depending on the non-linearity, number, and frequency of signals present in the system.
How the intermodulation distortion happens?
Intermodulation Distortion can occur when two or more signals are mixed through a non-linear amplifier device. Each of the tones interacts with each other, producing altered (or modulated) amplitudes. This results in the formation of frequencies (often referred to as “sidebands”) not present in the original signal.
How can intermodulation distortion be prevented?
How to prevent Intermodulation
- Use high quality components and avoid non-linear active components in design of devices.
- Operate power amplifiers in linear range to avoid intermodulation components.
- Avoid low quality mechanical switches and poor contact signal adaptors.
Why are intermodulation products almost always intermittent?
IM products are almost always intermittent because the transmitted signals, which combine to produce the IM, are not transmitting continuously. When the amplitude of the IM product is sufficiently large, it can degrade or overtake the desired received signal by the receiving equipment.
Why does intermodulation produce spurious frequency components?
Intermodulation noise is due to the presence of the products of intermodulation. If a number of signals are passed through a non-linear device the result will be intermodulation products that are spurious frequency components.
Why does intermodulation noise occur in non linear devices?
Intermodulation noise is due to the presence of the products of intermodulation. If a number of signals are passed through a non-linear device the result will be intermodulation products that are spurious frequency components. These components may be inside or outside the frequency band of interest for the device.
How is an intermod generated from a transmitter?
Transmitter generated intermod The transmitted signal from one or more transmitters is received at the output of another transmitter generally via this transmitter’s antenna. This received signal must be of sufficient strength to mix with the transmitter’s own carrier in the non-linear final amplifier.