Abstracts Engineering

On output statistics of nonlinear devices : 1) third and higher order information, 2) quadriphase carrier reconstruction, 3) analysis of point processes: Nonlinear devices

by Richard Joseph Sherman

This thesis deals with the output statistics of nonlinear devices. It develops the classical output autocorrelation function in two dimensions and extends the theory to three and four dimensions. Closed form solutions for the output correlation function in two and three dimensions are given for the full- and half-wave rectifier families while a series solution with numerical results is presented in the case of the smooth limiter in four dimensions. A nonlinear device used to provide a coherent reference signal in a digital phase modulation system is analyzed and results presented in terms of average error rate performance degradation. Finally, the problem of determining the average number of times per unit of time that a process consisting of a sinusoidal signal plus Gaussian noise transgresses a fixed level or has summits above or below a fixed level is investigated.