Description: Harmonic distortion occurs when the output signal differs from the input signal due to nonlinearities in a system. This phenomenon is common in electronic circuits and audio systems, where signals can be altered by components that do not respond linearly to variations in voltage or current. Harmonic distortion is typically measured in percentage terms and refers to the presence of harmonics, which are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency of the signal. For example, if an audio signal has a fundamental frequency of 100 Hz, the harmonics would be 200 Hz, 300 Hz, etc. Harmonic distortion can be both desired and undesired, depending on the context. In various applications, some distortion effects may be sought to enrich sound quality, while in measurement and control applications, unwanted distortion can affect the accuracy and quality of the signal. In control systems and signal processing, harmonic distortion can indicate problems in the system, such as saturation or component failures. Therefore, understanding and measuring harmonic distortion is crucial for designing and maintaining efficient and high-quality electronic systems.
