What is Matched Filter?

Matched filter definition is: if a filter generates an output to maximize the

output peak power ratio to mean noise power within its frequency response
then it is called a matched filter. In telecommunications, it is the optimal
linear filter used to increase the SNR or signal-to-noise ratio in the
existence of additive stochastic noise.

These types of filters are generally used in radar, where a known signal is
transmitted out & the reflected signal can be compared with the transmitted
signal. The best example of the matched filter is pulse compression
because the impulse response can be matched with input pulse signals. In
image processing, two dimensional matched filters are used to enhance the
X-Ray or SNR observations

Characteristics

The characteristics of matched filter include the following.

 The Signal to noise ratio maximization is possible even for non-Gaussian noise.

 The output generated by this filter is like signal energy in the nonexistence of noise.

 They are applicable for the detection of signals.

Matched Filter Block Diagram

The block diagram of the matched filter is shown below. Consider the following diagram where g(t) is
the input signal & w(t) is the white noise. These two signals are fed to the h(t) filter, which
maximizes the signal-to-noise ratio(SNR) of the y(t) output.

Matched Filtewhichock Diagram

The input of filter ‘x(t)’ includes a pulse signal ‘g(t) that is corrupted through additive channel noise
‘w(t)’ which is shown in the following.

X(t) = g(t) + w(t)

Where ‘t’ is an arbitrary observation interval. g(t) is the pulse signal that may signify a with a binary
symbol like 0 or 1 within a digital communication system. The ‘w(t)’ is the sample function of a white
noise procedure of zero mean & power spectral density is No/2. The source of uncertainty mainly
lies in the noise.

The receiver shown in the diagram should be able to receive the pulse signal g(t) with a good SNR,
so the output can be given as y(t) that is sampled at t =T.

So this requirement can be satisfied by optimizing the filter design to reduce the noise effects at the
output of the filter in some numerical sense, and thus improve the pulse detection of the signal g(t).
Since this filter is linear, then the output ‘y(t)’ may be simply expressed as

y(t) = g0(t) + n(t)

From the above equation, go(t) is the linear output corresponding to the pulse signal g(t) & n(t) is
filtered noise. Both the go(t) and n(t) are generated by the signal & the noise components of the
input x(t) correspondingly. The purpose of the matched filter is to maximise the output signal-to-
noise ratio.

Here, the matched filter is a type of linear filter having an impulse response h(t) in the time domain,
and in frequency response, is denoted by H(f) and when signal go(t) sampled at t= T >> the average
power of the filter noise. Then the maximum signal to noise ratio denoted by ‘Ƞ’ would be

Ƞ = |go(T) |2 / E[n^2 (t)]

Where,

|go(T) |2 is instantaneous power in the output signal.

E is the statistical expectation operator.

E[n^2 (t)] is the average output noise power.

Matched Filter Working

The working of a matched filter in signal processing is done by comparing a recognized template or
delayed signal with an unidentified signal to notice the existence of the template within the
unknown signal. So this is analogous to convolving the unidentified signal throughout a conjugated
time-reversed template version.

Matched Filter Equation Derivation

The derivations of matched filter mainly include frequency response and an impulse response which
are discussed below.

Frequency Response of Matched Filter

The Matched filter’s frequency response is proportional to the complexity of the spectrum of input
signals. So the expression for matched filer frequency response can be mathematically written as

H(f) = GaS* (f) e^-j2πft1

Where,

‘Ga’ is the filter’s maximum gain.

S(f) = Input signal’s fourier transform

S*(f) = Complex conjugate of S(f)

‘t1’ is the instant time where the observed signal is maximum.

Generally, the value of ‘Ga’ is considered as ‘1’, so the equation will become as

H(f) = S* (f) e^-j2πft1

The matched filter frequency response equation will have the magnitude of S∗(f) & phase angle of
e^-j2πft1, which changes through frequency consistently.

Matched Filter Detector

The main purpose of a matched-filter detector is to identify the occurrence of an MPSK signal in
white Gaussian noise. The matched filter’s detection of false alarms and detection probabilities are
estimated through Craig’s method.

This detector can be evaluated with the optimal Bayesian detector because the Bayesian detector’s
performance is simply an upper bound for the performance of detection. So, the matched filter’s
detection rules, as well as the optimal detector, are not similar, but their performances are the
same.

It is also revealed that the conventional energy detector is significantly suboptimal for the MPSK
signal’s activity detection. An energy detector that is modified can be proposed depending on both
the performances of the Bayesian detectors & matched filter’s decision regions.

So, the performance of matched filter detector is very close to the optimal detector, although its
implementation needs very low computational complexity.

Different Types of Matched Filter

Matched filters are classified into two types two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D)
matched filters

Bandwidth

We all know that most signals are transmitted in terms of electromagnetic or radio waves. As we
have come across in the discussions on the topics of Amplitude Modulation and
Frequency Modulation, the original signal is superimposed on a carrier signal or changes
its frequency to carry the information from the sender to the receiver where it is demodulated and
converted back into the original signal.

Every signal is composed of a large number of wavelengths of different frequencies and this signal is
unique in terms of its composition. This brings us to the methods employed in the process of
identification of the signal. This is where the concept of Bandwidth comes into the picture. So, what
is Bandwidth of a signal?

Bandwidth of Signals
The bandwidth of a signal is defined as the difference between the upper and lower frequencies of a
signal generated. As seen from the above representation, Bandwidth (B) of the signal is equal to the
difference between the higher or upper-frequency (fH) and the lower frequency (fL). It is measured
in terms of Hertz(Hz) i.e. the unit of frequency.

Let’s understand this better with the help of an example. Whenever you tune into a radio you find
various stations at varying particular frequencies. The bandwidth of FM radio is 200 KHz from 88.1
MHz to 101.1 MHz for most places. As you tune, the radio you find various stations at various
frequencies.

Neither do all the channel occupy all the frequencies nor is there no channel at every frequency, but
every channel has its own unique frequency like an ID.

Given above is a diagram representing various bandwidths of electromagnetic waves and it goes a
long way in helping identify the type of wave on basis of its frequency and thus determining its
applications. Thus we see that bandwidths exist for all kinds of waves in both the visual and audio
spectrums and well beyond them as well.

The audible bandwidth of human ear ranges from 20 Hz to 20,000Hz. Sounds below 20Hz are known
as Infrasonic and sounds above 20000Hz are known as ultrasonic. Dogs can hear ultrasonic sounds.
Whereas Blue whales can produce infrasonic sounds. So let us now study some applications of
various signals in various bandwidths.

Video on Communication System

Applications of Signal Bandwidth

Ultrasound

Medical uses of sound signals with a frequency of more than 20000Hz is done to determine
the health and condition of internal organs or during a pregnancy to determine the growth of a
foetus.

Radar

An acronym for “Radio Detection And Ranging”; RADAR uses sounds of very high frequencies
typically of the order of 1 to 3 MHz and is used in applications related to space, defense,
engineering, metal studies etc.
Thus we have studied the concept of Bandwidth of a signal and determined its applications and
limitations. Sound knowledge of the concepts discussed here will help the reader in understanding
the various complexities and operational requirements of the real-life systems.

Solved Example for You

Question: A given signal has frequencies of 3125 MHz, 635 MHz, 2000MHz and 7000Mhz. Determine
the bandwidth of the signal?

Answer: The bandwidth of a signal is the difference between the highest and the lowest frequencies.
For the given system the bandwidth is 7000 – 635 = 6365MHz. Therefore the bandwidth of the signal
is 6365MHz

Bit Error Rate (BER)

Bit error rate refers to the number of bit errors in per unit time. It is the ratio of total number of
error bit to the total number of transmitted bit. It is very important way to determine the quality of
transmission. It is often expressed as a percentage

As an example, let the transmitted bit sequence:

0101000110

And the following received bit sequence:

0111010011

In this case the number of bit errors is 4

(Underlined symbol). BER= × 100% =40% error E.

Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)

Signal to noise ratio means the ratio between the power of carrier signals to the power of noise
signal in a wave. It is a measure used to compares the level of a desired signal to the level of
background noise.

It is expressed in logarithmic scale (dB).

SNR also expressed by µ0/2µ.

SNR = Signal power/ Noise Power