In telecommunications, a third-order intercept point (IP3 or TOI) is a measure for weakly nonlinear systems and devices, for example receivers, linear amplifiers and mixers. It is based on the idea that the device nonlinearity can be modeled using a low-order polynomial, derived by means of Taylor series expansion. The third-order intercept point relates nonlinear products caused by the third-order nonlinear term to the linearly amplified signal, in contrast to the second-order intercept point that uses second order terms.
The intercept point is a purely mathematical concept, and does not correspond to a practically occurring physical power level. In many cases, it lies far beyond the damage threshold of the device.
Read more about Third-order Intercept Point: Definitions, Practical Considerations, Theory
Other related articles:
... The third-order intercept point (TOI) is a property of the device transfer function O (see diagram) ... contains the original waveform, cos(ωt), plus a new harmonic term, cos(3ωt), the third-order ... we find that this happens when which is the Third-Order Intercept Point (TOI) ...
Famous quotes containing the words point and/or intercept:
“There are neither good nor bad subjects. From the point of view of pure Art, you could almost establish it as an axiom that the subject is irrelevant, style itself being an absolute manner of seeing things.”
—Gustave Flaubert (1821–1880)
“Colonel, never go out to meet trouble. If you will just sit still, nine cases out of ten someone will intercept it before it reaches you.”
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933)