Phase Characteristic
Phase Characteristic
in linear circuits, a graphic curve expressing the dependence of the phase shift between the harmonic oscillations at the input and output terminals on the frequency of the harmonic oscillations at the input. The phase characteristic is mostly used as a means of evaluating phase distortions of complex signals, such as video signals. Such distortions may be caused by unequal time delays of individual harmonic components traveling through the circuit. The requirements that must be met by the phase characteristic are particularly stringent for circuits in radio-engineering systems that provide phase processing of signals, in multichannel communication systems, and in measuring devices. In the great majority of circuits, there is a one-to-one relationship between the phase characteristic and the amplitude characteristic.