X ( t ) = sin ⁡ ( ϕ ( t ) ) Generation Ī chirp signal can be generated with analog circuitry via a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), and a linearly or exponentially ramping control voltage. The basic definitions here translate as the common physics quantities location (phase), speed (angular velocity), acceleration (chirpyness). The name is a reference to the chirping sound made by birds see bird vocalization. In optics, ultrashort laser pulses also exhibit chirp, which, in optical transmission systems, interacts with the dispersion properties of the materials, increasing or decreasing total pulse dispersion as the signal propagates. In spread-spectrum usage, surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices are often used to generate and demodulate the chirped signals.

For automotive radar applications, it is usually called linear frequency modulated waveform (LFMW). Since it was used in radar and space, it has been adopted also for communication standards. Depending on the specific performance measure, however, there are better techniques both for radar and communication. It is usually compensated for by using a matched filter, which can be part of the propagation channel. This signal type is biologically inspired and occurs as a phenomenon due to dispersion (a non-linear dependence between frequency and the propagation speed of the wave components). It is commonly applied to sonar, radar, and laser systems, and to other applications, such as in spread-spectrum communications (see chirp spread spectrum). In some sources, the term chirp is used interchangeably with sweep signal. JSTOR ( August 2010) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)Ī chirp is a signal in which the frequency increases ( up-chirp) or decreases ( down-chirp) with time.Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. This article needs additional citations for verification.

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