Signal distortion refers to any undesired changes that occur during the transmission or amplification of a signal. These changes can alter the quality, meaning, or usability of the signal, making it difficult to maintain fidelity.
Distortion can occur in various forms, such as harmonic distortion, where new frequencies are introduced, or amplitude distortion, where different parts of the signal are amplified unevenly.
Common sources of distortion include poor quality components, overloading of the amplification system, or interferences.
- Distortion affects the purity of the reproduced sound.
- It results in the loss of important signal characteristics.
- Minimizing distortion is crucial for maintaining high fidelity.
In radio receivers, low distortion is vital for ensuring that the sound is as close as possible to the original broadcast, providing a satisfying listening experience.