This tool measures the degree of similarity between a waveform and a time-shifted version of the same waveform. Engineers use it to extract repeating patterns or fundamental frequencies buried in high levels of random noise. It is heavily utilized in radar, sonar, and advanced signal processing.
Heard on the job
Run the noisy sensor data through the autocorrelator to see if there's a hidden periodic vibration.
Related terms
Correlator
A circuit or algorithm that measures the similarity between two signals over time.
Signal processing
The mathematical manipulation of physical data streams to filter, compress, or extract information.
Delay line
A component or circuit trace designed to slow down a signal by a precise amount of time.