Hüllkurvenverzerrung

Hüllkurvenverzerrung describes a phenomenon in signal processing where the amplitude envelope of a modulated signal is distorted as it passes through a system. This distortion is not related to the frequency response of the system but specifically affects the way the amplitude of the signal changes over time. It can occur in various electronic components and transmission media, particularly those that exhibit non-linear behavior or frequency-dependent phase shifts within the bandwidth of the modulating signal.

The effect of Hüllkurvenverzerrung is that the shape of the original amplitude modulation is altered. This can lead to a degradation of signal quality, especially in communication systems. For instance, in amplitude modulation (AM) radio, this distortion can make the transmitted audio sound unnatural or muffled. In digital communications, it can interfere with the correct interpretation of data symbols, leading to increased error rates.

Causes of Hüllkurvenverzerrung include non-linear amplifiers, filters with insufficient bandwidth for the modulating signal, and transmission lines with dispersive characteristics. Unlike linear distortion, which alters the frequency components of a signal, Hüllkurvenverzerrung impacts the overall amplitude variation. Mitigation strategies often involve designing systems with wider bandwidths, employing linear components, or using advanced signal processing techniques to compensate for the distortion.