ABSTRACT

This assignments purpose is to use LabVIEW software to show the effect of adding multiple
signals. There are many things that we can learn from this. First is LabVIEW being the most
suitable software for engineering student. It supports the purpose of doing fast Fourier transform
(FFT). We can also study lot of things related to graph and waveform. We also need to do
summation the result before and after the function. After that, we can analyze and compare the
result with the manual calculation. There are lot of things that we can learn other than that, such
as we can understand the relationship between number of samples and sampling rate. We can
also imply the usage of windowing functions in signal processing.

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, there are many engineering tools and software that has been introduced. All of
these help us to enhance skills of analyzing without having lot of trouble. This also help us to
save cost of making analysis. Furthermore, the usage of these tools and software, will save our
time and we can repeat the experiment infinitely up until we are tired of doing that. We have
Solidworks, AutoCAD and Catia for making drawing analysis. We also have Codeblocks for
produce and troubleshoot problem related to programing. We also have LabVIEW to study and
analyze the waveform and signal function.

In LabVIEW we can do lot of things. We can do addition, subtraction, multiplication,

division by using arithmetic & comparison function. We can also use gate logic such as AND,
OR, NAND, NOR by using Boolean algebra function. Comparison such as more than, less than,
equal, greater than zero, less than zero, also can be done by using function comparison. In fact,
there are many things that we can do. However, for engineering student level, which is bounded
by lack of time, we can only learn some small basic thing. We can also analyze the waveform.
We can set the frequency and amplitude the value that we want. We also can do fast Fourier
transform (FFT) to convert the waveform from time-domain to frequency-domain. We also can
apply windowing function or filtering the waveform. Ultimately, we can many great things
related to waveform analysis by using this software. We can say that the software has given
student wonderful opportunity to learn basic things about wave.

 RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS

Questions
a) Perform FFT for signals before and after summation of multiple signals. Compare the FFT
result with manual calculation. Explain the relationship between number samples and
sampling rate.

o Step-by-step for performing FFT signals

Inputting the variables

Firstly, as question stated that user can vary the frequency and amplitude of both of the
graph. So we have to put 2 numeric control (for inserting frequencies) and 2 knob (for setting
the amplitude).
In front panel;

Right Click Numeric Numeric control (for frequency)

Right Click Numeric Dial ( for amplitude)

Both of these step need to be repeated twice to have 2 different inputs. Rename the first
Numeric to Set Frequency 1 and latter to Set Frequency 2. Rename Dial to Set Amplitude 1
and latter to Set Amplitude 2.

Processing the signal

After that, connect four inputs to two different Simulate Signal. Repeat the below step to
have 2 different simulate signal.
In block panel;

Right Click Express Input Simulate Signal

Connect Set Frequency 1 to Frequency-Simulate Signal 1 and Set Amplitude 1 to AmplitudeSimulate Signal 2. Connect Set Frequency 2 to Frequency-Simulate Signal 2 and Set
Amplitude 2 to Amplitude-Simulate Signal 2.

Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) Function

After that still on block panel, get the Spectral to make FFT transformation.
In block panel;

Right Click Express Signal Analysis Spectral

Place anywhere in block panel. Choose None for Window. Click OK.

In front panel, create waveform graph to show the graph after FFT transformation.
In front panel;

Right Click Graph Waveform Graph

Rename waveform graph to Waveform 1 FFT. Change to block panel.

Connect Graph sine 1-Simulate Signal 1 to Signals-Spectral Measurement, FFT-(RMS)Spectral Measurements to Waveform 1 FFT.
Repeat the step to make Spectral Measurement for second inputs. Rename the first Spectral
Measurement to Spectral 1. Rename second one to Spectral 2. Also repeat step to have
waveform icon and instead of Waveform 1 FFT, rename to Waveform 2 FFT.

FFT after combination

For FFT on combination waves. The above steps is also function. Except, we rename it to
Spectral combination.

o Manual Calculation of FFT-Table

By using formula of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT),

o Comparison-Graph and Table

We need to make a comparison between the results obtained from the LabVIEW software
and also from manual calculation that we have done previously.

o Relationship between number of samples and sampling rate

Number of samples is defined as the quantity of samples that we want to analyze. The
sampling rate is a number of samples in a second. By definition, sampling rate is rate of
sampling that we have in a unit second. In other words, sampling rate also can be called
sampling frequency.

Sampling rate ( Hz )=

Number of Samples , N
Second , s

So the relationship between these two are, directly proportional. As the number of samples
increases, the sampling rate also increase.

b) Why and when should the windowing functions be applied in signal processing? Display and
explain the effect of using different windowing functions (flat top, hanning, rectangular) on
-the combined signal. Compare the RMS, peak, and peak-to-peak value of the combined
signal in the time and frequency domain under different windowing functions.
o Step-by-step performing windowing functions

Setup the windowing function for time domain

We need to put windowing function Rectangular, Hanning and Flat top for time domain and
frequency domain. First, is for time domain. For rectangular, the other name is no window. so
we dont need to do anything for that types. For Flat top and Hanning, on front panel
Right Click Signal Processing Windows Flat top
Right Click Signal Processing Windows Hanning
Connect both to respective graph. Rename them with Not FFT Hanning Window and Not
FFT Flat Top Window.

Setup the windowing function for frequency domain

For frequency domain, we dont have to troubled ourselves using the windows function. We
can apply the window in spectral. Spectral is equipped with it. For rectangular, it is the same
with previous graph Combine Graph (FFT-(RMS). It is no window. For Hanning and Flat
Top window;
Right Click Express Signal Analysis Spectral
For Hanning window, on window choose Hanning and for Flat Top window, choose Flat Top.
Connect it to the graph. Rename them as FFT Hanning Window and FFT Flat Top
Window.

o The needs of windowing functions

When we use the function of Fourier, we actually want to convert from time-domain graph to
frequency-domain graph. This Fourier Transform requires the signal to be periodic and long
infinitely. So, when we assign which time frame we want, the signal that we want to analyze
will have to start at zero and also ending at zero. However, in practical situation, this cant be
happening. So, the signal will start to leaks out of line and go to all the other lines. This loss
phenomenon is also known as leakage. Leakage will give of lots of disadvantages. Leakage
increases the overall signal level when averaging is done in the frequency domain. So, to
overcome this leakage, we need to use another well-known function, windowing functions.
Basically, as we have explained earlier, windowing functions is used to reduce or restrict
the leakage that will happen when we apply Fourier Transform. Windowing is a process of
forcing the end points of a time signal to zero. There are many types of windows. The most
common one are Hanning, Flat Top, Exponential and Rectangular (no window). In
LabVIEW, there are lot of more types of windows such as Hamming, Blackman-Harris, Low
Sidelobe.
We compare the most widely used windowing functions. First is Hanning. This type of
windows can give us more accurate reading for frequency due to its narrowband shape, but it
will give less accurate accuracy for amplitude. The maximum error that can we have is 16%.
For flat-top windowing function, it has broader band shape, thus lead to less accurate
frequency reading, however it has higher amplitude accuracy compare with Hanning
window. The error that we can have is 1% maximally.

o Effect of using windowing function on combined signal-Graph

c) Explain the effect of averaging (linear and exponential) of signals and display the signal in
time and frequency domain

o The effect of averaging of signals, linear and exponential

Averaging is one of the signal analysis that we can use in LabVIEW. We can have many
types of analysis in this. The averaging actually is used to increases the strength of a signal
relative to noise that is obscuring it.

o The signal in time and frequency domain-Graph

d) Propose two methods of removing noise in the combined signal. Display these methods in
the front panel and explain the differences.

There are many methods of removing noise the combined signal. The engineers propose this
idea so that the result is more accurate and focused.

By Filtering
We can use filter function. Filter function, is just as its name, it is a function that is used to
filter a frequency. This function is commonly used in industries. There are many types of
filter. There is low pass, high pass, band pass. These are different options. Low pass filter is a
filter that only let the graph that is under cut off frequency to cut through. High pass filter is
filter that let pass through the frequency that is higher than cut off frequency. The hybrid of
two of these is called Band pass. The band pass allows the middle part of the upper and lower
cutoff frequency. We need to fix the upper cut off frequency and lower cut off frequency first.
Then the band pass will generate the region between them. This step will reduce the scope of
waveform and it will be a very big help in analyzing it.

By Averaging
The alternative of removing the noise beside filtering, is averaging. We can use averaging for
this purpose.