SPICE traditionally provides only simple total harmonic distortion calculations, using the .four command. Novel usage of the .four command can make it more powerful, but other available methods can be superior. The various alternative methods for spectrum analysis of time-voltage data from SPICE are described, including Fourier postprocessing, as offered by some SPICE vendors. Common causes of error are reviewed, and a guide is provided for foolproof distortion analysis by means of spectrum analysis. A well-tested general-purpose easy-to-use program for Fourier and distortion analysis is presented. Examples of its use with SPICE output, and with data from a digital sampling oscilloscope and a modern high-performance digitizer are given.

Authors: Scott, Jonathan; Parker, Anthony
Affiliations: Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia ; Department of Electronics, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia(See document for exact affiliation information.)
JAES Volume 43 Issue 12 pp. 1029-1040; December 1995
Publication Date: December 1, 1995

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