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CAT IV Part 1 Signal Processing slidebook

Autocorrelation

Correlation
Statistics
Processing

The autocorrelation function is used to reveal periodicities in

waveform data.
The FFT is also used to reveal periodicities, but
autocorrelation keeps the data in time waveform format

We will also see that autocorrelation is effective at revealing

signals with low duty cycles

The autocorrelation function can be considered a measure of

the similarity a signal has with a time shifted version of itself*

Autocorrelation can be calculated by performing the inverse

Fourier transform of the power spectrum.

* Noise and vibration analysis Brandt page 71

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Autocorrelation

Correlation
Statistics
Processing

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Correlation
Statistics
Processing

Autocorrelation

The remaining waveform contains the correlated signals.

Uncorrelated (random) data is removed.
Synchronous and non-synchronous periodic data survives,
unlike time synchronous averaged data

It is therefore useful for rolling element bearing analysis and

other applications where the periodic patterns are difficult to see
in the waveform.

It is very useful for identifying faults at a low periodic rate

relative to analysis bandwidth*
For example, faults in the cage of a bearing
Signals with higher periodic rates and higher duty cycles will
be revealed via the FFT

* Autocorrelation as an analysis tool James C. Robinson

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Example

Correlation
Statistics
Processing

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CAT IV Part 1 Signal Processing slidebook

Example

Correlation
Statistics
Processing

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Example

Correlation
Statistics
Processing

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Example

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Correlation
Statistics
Processing

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Example

Correlation
Statistics
Processing

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CAT IV Part 1 Signal Processing slidebook

Example

Correlation
Statistics
Processing

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Example

Correlation
Statistics
Processing

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Example

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Correlation
Statistics
Processing

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Example

Correlation
Statistics
Processing

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CAT IV Part 1 Signal Processing slidebook

Correlation
Statistics
Processing

Example: One side of the roller

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Example: The other side of the roller

Correlation
Statistics
Processing

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Correlation
Statistics
Processing

Example

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That concludes this section

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