[sdiy] Harmonic effect of rectification

[Tom Wiltshire]

Hi all,

What's the harmonic effect of rectification? Has this been studied anywhere?

In some situations, it doubles the frequency, and that of the harmonics - think of a triangle wave. In other situations, it doubles the frequency, but alters the harmonic spectrum by changing the shape - think of a sine wave. That goes from having no harmonics to having lots with those sharp spikes.
In other situations, it replaces the signal altogether - a perfect square wave would give a DC output.

Can this varied behaviour be characterised somehow?

We've got "x = abs(x)" in the time domain, but what's the frequency domain result of that?

Thanks,
Tom

(No particular reason - it just struck me)