Nonlinear distortions and multisine signals. I. Measuring the best linear approximation

This paper examines the effects of nonlinearities on frequency response function measurements using periodic multifrequency signals. A class of broadband pilot test signals is proposed, termed sparse odd multisines, which can be used to establish the system bandwidth and detect nonlinearities. Signals are then defined within this class which allow the measurement of the best linear approximation of a nonlinear system. A comparison is made with related work in this area.