What Is A Frequency Response Function

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A SIMPLE FREQUENCY
RESPONSE FUNCTION
James Wren | October 19, 2009 | signal processing, Top Ten Articles
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of 2012, Top Ten Articles of 2013 | 47 Comments
The following article will attempt to explain the basic theory of

the frequency response function. This basic theory will then be
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used to calculate the frequency response function between two
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points on a structure using an accelerometer to measure the

response and a force gauge hammer to measure the excitation.
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Fundamentally a frequency response function is a mathematical

representation of the relationship between the input and the
output of a system.
So for example the frequency response function between two
points on a structure. It would be possible to attach an
accelerometer at a particular point and excite the structure at
another point with a force gauge instrumented hammer. Then by
measuring the excitation force and the response acceleration the
resulting frequency response function would describe as a
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function of frequency the relationship between those two points

on the structure.
http://blog.prosig.com/2009/10/19/a-simple-frequency-response-function/
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The basic formula for a frequency response function is

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H (f ) =
Y (f )
X(f )
Where H (f ) is the frequency response function.
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And Y (f ) is the output of the system in the frequency domain.

And where X(f ) is the input to the system in the frequency
domain.
Frequency response functions are most commonly used for
single input and single output analysis, normally for the
calculation of the H 1(f ) or H 2(f ) frequency response
functions. These are used extensively for hammer impact
analysis or resonance analysis.
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The H 1(f ) frequency response function is used in situations

where the output to the system is expected to be noisy when
compared to the input.
The H 2(f ) frequency response function is used in situations
where the input to the system is expected to be noisy when
compared to the output.
Additionally there are other possibilities, but they are outside of
the scope of this article.
H 1(f )
or H 2(f ) can be used for resonance analysis or hammer
impact analysis. H 2(f ) is most commonly used with random

excitation.
The breakdown of H 1(f ) is as follows,
H 1(f ) =
S xy (f )
S xx (f )
Where H 1(f ) is the frequency response function.

And Sxy (f ) is the Cross Spectral Density in the frequency
domain of X(t) and Y (t)
And where Sxx (f ) is the Auto Spectral Density in the frequency
domain of X(t) .
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In very basic terms the frequency response function can be

described as
H 1(f ) =
C ross Spectral Density of the I nput and Output

Auto Spectral Density of the I nput
The breakdown of H 2(f ) therefore is as follows,
H 2(f ) =
S yy (f )
S yx (f )
Where H 2(f ) is the frequency response function.

And Syx (f ) is the Cross Spectral Density in the frequency
domain of Y (t)and X(t)
And where Syy (f ) is the Auto Spectral Density in the frequency
domain of Y (t)
In very basic terms the frequency response function can be
described as
H 2(f ) =
Auto Spectral Density of the Output

C ross Spectral Density of the I nput and Output
In the following example we will discuss and show the

calculation of the H 1(f ) frequency response function.
The excitation or input would be the force gauge instrumented
hammer, as shown in Figure 1 as a time history.
Figure 1: X(t)
In this case the response or output would be the accelerometer,
as shown in Figure 2.
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Figure 2: Y(t)
However as discussed earlier the frequency response function is
a frequency domain analysis, therefore the input and the output
to the system must also be frequency spectra. So the force and
acceleration must be first converted into spectra.
The first part of the analysis requires the Cross Spectral Density
of the input and output, this is Sxy (f ) . This is calculated using
the response as the first input and the excitation as the second
input to the Cross Spectral Density Analysis in DATS the result is
shown in Figure 3. Were Ssy (f ) being calculated for use with
H 2(f )
for example, then the excitation would be the first input
and the response the second input to the Cross Spectral Density
Analysis in DATS.
Figure 3: Sxy(f)
Next the Auto Spectral Density of the input, or excitation signal is
required. This is calculated using the Auto Spectral Density
Analysis in DATS, this analysis is sometimes known as Auto
Power, the result of which is shown in Figure 4, this is Sxx (f ) .
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Figure 4: Sxx(f)
The Cross Spectrum is then divided by the Auto Spectrum and
the resulting frequency response function is shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5: H1(f)
The response function would normally be shown in modulus &
phase form as shown in Figure 6.
Figure 6: H1(f) shown as modulus & phase

The entire analysis as used in DATS.toolbox is shown in Figure 7,
the data flow from the original input and output, force and
response, can be seen through to the frequency response
function. The DATS software does, of course, provide a single
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step transfer function analysis. We have deliberately used the

long-hand form below to illustrate the steps in this article.
Figure 7: Complete DATS worksheet (Click to expand)

It is necessary to understand that for the purposes of
understanding and clarity in this article some important steps
have been glossed over, windowing of the input for example, to
allow the basic understanding of what makes up the frequency
response function.
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Bio
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JAMES WREN
Application Engineer & Sales Manager at Prosig
James Wren is an Application Engineer and

the Sales Manager for Prosig Limited. James
graduated from Portsmouth University in
2001, with a Masters degree in Electronic
Engineering. He is a member of the
Institution of Engineering and Technology.
He has been involved with motorsport from a
very early age with special interest in data
acquisition. James is a founder member of
the Dalmeny Racing team.
47 COMMENTS
Ken
March 18, 2010
Reply
Hello,
Normally people don't expect to see an Autospectrum, or
Power Spectral Density on a linear scale, and it looks so
noisy, that I suspect the impact was recorded using a
Hanning weighting - a common mistake.
The end result, - the transfer function is also odd, to my
eyes.
I would have expected a bode plot.
I am aware that linear display is useful for fatigue and stress
purposes, but the frequency range is too high for this to be
the application.
James Wren
March 22, 2010
Reply
Hi Ken,
Thanks for posting on our blog.
I'd like to respond to your points if I may.
I understand your point of view, the Power Spectral Density
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is normally shown on a logarithmic scale (Y axis) as you

suggest.
However for the purposes of this article it is not, we have
shown it as linear. Here in this article we are trying to explain
and discuss the basics in a straight forward simple fashion.
With regards to your points about noise and windowing, we
apply a window to the force signal. We also apply a window
to the response if it is very noisy, but we prefer not to do
this.
The window is an exponential window, like a transient
window for example. It is not a hanning window or similar.
The structure in question is a very simple structure, if a little
noisy, and youre correct it's not being used for fatigue
analysis.
With regards to the final output, our DATS software can
quickly switch between Modulus & Phase and Real &
Imaginary. So it is possible show in the Bode format you
mention.
Eapen
April 20, 2010
Reply
what can be infered from figure 5,please explain..
James Wren
April 20, 2010
Reply
Hello Eapen,
I'm not sure anything can be inferred from Figure 5, it simply
shows the Frequency Response Function for this particular
test.
kiran
April 20, 2010
Reply
how can v obtain auto spectral density of velocity from auto

spectral density of the displacement
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James Wren
April 26, 2010
Reply
Hi Kiran,
Thanks for asking a question on our blog.
This conversion is one of the fundamental laws of Newtons
physics.
It is possible to convert from Acceleration to Velocity to
Displacement using calculus, specifically integration.
Our Prosig software performs this conversion in an
advanced fashion to take account of the constant and
remove this error from the results.
You should keep in mind that the original time series is
required for this conversion.
If you would like to discuss this feature further please feel
free to contact us directly.
Paul
April 26, 2010
Reply
Hi
Just say you have several accelerometers on a complex
vibrating structure. Each accelerometer has a slightly
different frequency spectrum. Lets also pretend that you
have a mic at some distance from this vibrating structure,
and that you are trying to locate the particular component or
part of the structure that is responsible for a radiating a
particular tonal frequency. Would the cross spectrum be
valuable in identifying which accelerometer is the culprit of
this offending sound?
Many thanks
James Wren
April 27, 2010
Reply
Hello Paul,
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We can see that you have a good understanding of what you
are trying to do.
In our opinion the Cross Spectrum is a step in the correct
direction, but you should go one step further and calculate
the Coherence between each vibration source and the
microphone response, you can do this very easily with a
software package like DATS.
To actually rank each vibration with respect to the
microphone you should consider something like the Source
Contribution Package, again as part of DATS.
The Source Contribution Analysis uses a method called
Singular Value Decomposition. The Singular Value
Decomposition computation produces an eigenvector
matrix, this matrix is used to derive the cross spectra
between the vibration references and the measured sound
response. These cross spectra are then used to calculate the
Reference Related Auto spectra at the response position.
Each Reference Related Auto spectrum is related to the
coherent contributions from the particular references and
source input.
If you would like to discuss this further please feel free to
contact us directly.
Andy
June 24, 2010
Reply
Going back to Paul's hypothetical situation. Suppose that the

accellerometers are measuring the start of an event that will
be producing the noise that is being measured, but that
there is no real reason to expect there to be any frequency
correlation between them, would any conventional analysis
work then?
For example, if you have 5 drums and a lightbeam sensor for
each drum that triggered just before the drumstick hit each
one, and that the drums are being hit in a regular sequence.
How might one analyse the data (one mic channel and 5
drumstick sensors) to determine which drum was
loudest/highest-pitch etc?
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James Wren
June 24, 2010
Reply
Hi Andy,
I think there is some difference between your question and
Pauls.
In Pauls case the vibration responses are all related.
In your case they are not.
Therefore the same analysis would not apply.
I think you are trying to find which drum gives a certain
frequency response when hit. The easiest thing to do would
be to use a microphone, mounted about the drums and hit
each drum in sequence. Starting and stopping a data capture
for each drum. Then simply frequency analyse each of these
data captures. You might need to do it several times to build
up an average for each drum as you may hit it differently
each time.
This will give you the full frequency spectrum for each drum.
You wouldn't need any accelerometers at all.
Andy
June 24, 2010
Reply
Sorry, perhaps I took my analagous situation too far. This is

actually exactly the same question as Paul's, but we have a
slightly different conception of the nature of the data. I
should perhaps have chosen a better analogy, as the trigger
pulses occur at 20-150Hz which would be a pretty inhuman
rate of drumstick operation.
James Wren
June 24, 2010
Reply
Hi Andy,
Thanks for the additional information, but I still don't
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understand your application and can't comment on it unless

you can explain what your trying to do. Perhaps you could
contact us directly to discuss?
Ashujc
Reply
May 4, 2011
I am looking for the information about the engine order,

used for frequency response analysis.
We are working on frequency response Analysis for the
exhaust systems, there we use different engine orders, i.e.
1st, 1.5, 2nd, 2.5 etc orders. Kindly let me know what is the
actual meaning of this engine order. All I know is, its the
disturbances created per rotation of the crank shaft. I need
information.
- Ashujc
James Wren
May 5, 2011
Reply
Hello Ashujc,
An engine order is really two separate words,
'engine' and 'order'
Engine is obvious but 'order' not so.
You could have an order of anything that rotates,
not just an engine. For example wind mill blades
have their own orders.
An order is the speed that something happens at.
So if a shaft is rotating at 100 times per second
you would have a fundamental frequency of
100Hz. If there were two blades on opposite sides
of the shaft somewhere long it's length, this shaft
they would be causing an excitation or noise at
200Hz because there is two of them. You could
say the noise from the blades is a 2nd order noise
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of the main shaft.

The same goes for any other number. An order is
the relationship to the main fundamental
frequency that occurs in multiples of the
fundamental.
Ya Huang
June 14, 2011
Reply
James,
Thanks for a clear example.
Would be more useful if you could publish the parameters
used by DATS.
e.g.
Sampling rate:
Anti-aliasing filter:
Number data in each FFT:
Windowing:
Ya
James Wren
June 15, 2011
Reply
Hello Ya Huang,
Thank you for your feedback.
We wanted to keep the article as simple as possible, so we
have kept away from any specific numbers and data, just the
main principles.
If you would like to discuss in further detail, please feel free
to contact us directly.
Steve
August 21, 2011
Reply
Hi James,
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Your example is very instructive. However as a new comer in

FRF, I could not figure out how you obtain the phase for FRF
from the steps mentioned in figure 6. Obviously the division
can only give a real number, which is the amplitude of FRF.
Thanks.
James Wren
August 22, 2011
Reply
Hello Steve,
Thank you for asking a question on our blog.
You have closely studied figure-6, which is good to read.
In figure-6 the CSD (Cross Spectral Density) is divided by the
ASD (Auto Spectral Density). The CSD is a complex number,
the ASD in a real number.
Any mathematics that involve a complex number will result
in a complex answer, so the answer will have both a real and
imaginary part or expressed differently a modulus and
phase.
For example.
Where the CSD is represented by A+ iB, where A is the real
part and iB the imaginary part.
And where the ASD is represented by C, where C is real.
The formula in figure-6 would be,
(A+iB) / C
Which is exactly equal to
A/C + i(B/C)
If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask.
Stuart
December 3, 2011
Reply
I'm reading this because I've just been sent a newsletter that
points to the page.
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Are you sure you should really be advising use of H1 and H2

on single tap test recordings?
You see I agree with your first equation H(f)=Y(f)/X(f) but the
subsequent equations are unhelpful if you end up using
segment averaging (inherent in the calculation of the power
and cross spectral densities) on a single tap. The windowed
data for the force time history segments will all be zero
except for the one window that contains the actual impact.
Moreover the response in the subequent windows has
nothing to do with the corresponding force window leading
to potentially significant bias errors in the transfer function.
If you must use segment averaging to obtain transfer
functions for tap test data then I think you need to make it
very clear that this is for multiple taps and that the window
length used must exactly correspond to each tap and
response time history (i.e. there must be no segmentation
within each time history pair) and the window length must
be sufficient to capture the full decay of the vibration
following the tap. Your readers should also know that the
highlighted inappropriateness of segment avergaing for tap
test data cannot be overcome by multiple taps at random
intervals - that only compounds the errors introducing
rippling in the estimated transfer functions because of the
[Fourier transform properties of the] inherent similarity
between one tap and the next.
James Wren
December 5, 2011
Reply
Hello Stuart,
Thank you once again for your comments.
First of all I can only comment on the software we produce
at Prosig and the methods we would recommend.
This article is intended to give a basic understanding of the
concept of what we call Hammer Impact tests or you refer to
as Tap tests.
For Hammer Impact Analysis we do not use or suggest
overlapping segments, we would indeed suggest this is an
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incorrect method.
So I agree with your points, it is just you have assumed we
use a method we do not use or recommend.
Our Hammer Impact software uses a Wizard to set-up the
sample rates and durations to match exactly. The data is
then processed as one entire block, including a pre-trigger. A
force block and response block, having had force and
response windows applied.
Thanks again for your comments.
Umar Butt
April 13, 2012
Reply
Hi,
I have done FFT analysis on mild steel beam of 1 meter
length and I was looking frequecy of mild steel on first three
modes. After performing the test I have got auto spectrum
input response graph and frequency
response(response,force)input (magnitude) working graph.
which graph is best to consider for the frequency?
Umar.
James Wren
April 13, 2012
Reply
Hello Umar,
You question is quite straight forward.
You should have a frequency response curve from each of
your accelerometers, these should give you a basic idea of
how the structure is behaving.
If you want to understand further then I would recommend
the output over input method as detailed in the article.
If you have further questions, please ask.
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Umar Butt
April 13, 2012
Reply
Hi,
Thanx for the reply, I just want to ask that what is the
difference between Autospectrum response graph and
Frequency response graph because they are giving same
results.. and how can i find the length/breadth ratio against
frequency plot, of a rectangular beam with the length= 1m
and breadth= 0.039m.
Umar.
James Wren
April 16, 2012
Reply
Hello Again Umar,

You might be asking questions that are too specific for us to
do able to answer directly without more details of your
project.
With regards to your question on the difference between an
Auto-spectrum Response and a Frequency Response
Function, I'll try to explain step by step.
The Frequency Response Function is a measurement of
motion per unit area. It is a Complex quantity and
importantly has phase. The main point for the FRF is that it is
related to the input force that is exciting the structure.
The Auto-spectrum Response is a measurement of the
motion only, there is no phase component. Additionally the
Auto-spectrum Response is not related to the input force
that is exciting the structure, but only to the response of the
structure.
krishna
June 10, 2012
Reply
Hi,
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Is there any way to estimate frf only from output data. Say, I
have accelerometer output for vibration of a bridge under
traffic etc over a period of time. Can I generate frf without
knowing force.
Thanks a million,
Krishna
James Wren
June 11, 2012
Reply
Hello Krishna,
A frequency response function is a measure of an output of
a system in response to a given input.
So in short no, you can not use only responses to create an
FRF as detailed above. You can however calculate the
Transmissibility between several accelerometers if you
define one of them as a reference.
But it depends on your objectives and w hat your trying to
achieve.
Nikk
July 6, 2012
Reply
Hi James,
Let's say I plan to perform a modal test on a quite complex
test article. For this test, I will have 20 accelerometers
scattering around the test article. Now, if I selected one
location to hit with an instrumented hammer to excite the
modes. Based on your explanation about the FRF, in this
example, I would have 20 FRFs generated by DAT (each FRF
represents the response relationship between the impact
point with respect to one of 20 response points where the
accelerometers are located). Now, my question is: "Can the
resonance frequencies of the test article be identified by
examining the modulus & phase plots of the FRFs?". If yes,
then how to identify those resonance frequencies?. Thanks.
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James Wren
July 9, 2012
Reply
Hi Nikk,
Thank you for asking a question on our blog, it is
always good to talk to people who are performing
tests, 'at the coal face' we say.
Yes your correct, if your using uni-axis
accelerometers and you do as described you will
have 20 frequency response functions. I would
suggest that the impact point be near or on one
of the accelerometers, but you do not have to do
this.
Yes, your right from the Modulus and Phase plots
of the FRF's you will be able to identify the
frequencies of the resonances.
As a rough rule a resonance will show itself as a
peak in the Modulus plot and as a flip of the angle
in the Phase plot.
Nikk
July 10, 2012
Reply
James,
Thanks for the response. I have 2 more
questions for you:
1) You said: "as a rough rule, a
resonance will show itself as a peak in
the Modulus plot and as a flip of the
angle in the Phase plot". According to
this sentence and after looking at the
sample Modulus/Phase Angle plots in
Figure 6 posted on your blog above, the
Modulus plot has many peaks and the
Phase Angle plot has many flipped
points (0 to 180 degrees), so how do I
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know which peak in the Modulus plot

associated with a flip of the what angle
in the Phase plot is a correct resonant
frequency?
2) Looking at Figures 3 and 5 posted on
your blog above, there were 2 different
colored curves (red and blue), and I
wonder what did red and blue curve
represent?
James Wren
July 11,
2012
Reply
Hello again Nikk,

I'll address your questions one
by one,
1,
There is no right or wrong
answer, life is never that simple.
But the resonance will normally
be shown by the largest peak in
amplitude. Find that peak and
then check the phase if the
phase has inverted at this point
then you have probably found
the resonant frequency.
Often your better off to view the
data in a log form, like that
shown here.
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Then you can clearly see a

resonance and the
corresponding change in phase.
Do be aware there is no magic or
easy way to do this, you have to
understand the structure your
testing and have some ideas
yourself before you even do any
testing, testing should validate
your ideas not the other way
round.
2,
Figures 5 & 6 show the same
data.
Figure 5 shows the data in
complex form, sometimes
known as real and imaginary
form. By default in our DATS
software the real part is shown
as blue and the imaginary part is
shown in red.
Figure 6 shows the same data in
modulus and phase form.
The signals are exactly the same
just shown in different ways.
As an engineer you should
consider the modulus and phase
form.
rummy
October 22, 2012
Reply
Hi James:
This is great! I actually need to calculate the FRF for an
experiment. I have the excitation acceleration signal and an
acceleration response singnal in time domain. I am new to
signal processing and would like to know in detail about the
meaning and numerical computation of auto and cross
spectrum in order to compute the FRF. I hope you could
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guide me to something useful for understanding the

underlying concepts. Any insights into computing the FRF for
my case would be great!
Thanks.
Rummy
James Wren
October 23, 2012
Reply
Hello Rummy,
To compute the FRF (Frequency Response
Function) in your case is quite simple,
Step 1
You convert your time series signals to the
frequency domain using an FFT algorithm
Step 2
You divide the response signal by the excitation
signal
You then have your resultant FRF
You mention Auto Spectra and Cross Spectra, you
could use the following method,
Step 1
Calculate the Cross Spectra of the Excitation and
Response
Step 2
Calculate the Auto Spectra of the Excitation
Step 3
Divide the Cross Spectra by the Auto Spectra
You then have your resultant FRF
In our Prosig DATS software we have a simple
function that takes a time series or a frequency
spectra excitation and response and produces the
FRF for you.
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rummy
Reply
October 31, 2012
hey thanks James. I think I have some good initial idea now
to build upon. Cheers!
David Van Aelst
December 10, 2012
Reply
I am new to signal processing and french speaking; so I hope

that these two drawbacks will not make my questions
become too stupid.
My problem is about structures on which kind of wind
tunnel test has been made. In the case were a single
excitation point is used, say A, then at each frequency w, a
transfer function from the input towards an output quantity
B exists, Hab(w) .
Then the power spectral density of the ouput quantity B is
said to be Sb(w)=|Hab(w)|.Sa(w)
(Sa being the power spectral density of the input quantity A)
Now what if the input is divided in four points ?
If Saiaj(w) is a cross spectral density of
input j versus input i, can I consider |Sa1a1(w) Sa2a1(w) |
an input cross spestral matrix, being that : [SIN]=|Sa1a2(w)
Sa2a2(w) |
and then how can I use it | a4a4 |
to obtain the output responses ? And How ?
Thank's a lot to explain me these basic things,
David
Adrian Lincoln
December 13, 2012 Reply
Hi David,
First of all can I ask if you are measuring forces or
just responses? Also do you know if the input
signals(forces) are independent from one
another? (If they are independent then the
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coherence spectrum between any pair of signals

will be approximately zero.) If the input forces are
indeed independent then the output will be a
simple summation of the responses to the
individual inputs. However, if the inputs are not
completely independent then the predicted
response is not so easy to calculate as it requires
the computation of the partial coherences
between the inputs. If you can tell me a little
more about your test situation then I can give you
more appropriate advice.
Adrian
dva2tlse
December 14, 2012
Reply
Hi Adrian,
thank's a lot for having spent some time with my question.
As an answer to your first question, please take in account
that I am stress analyst, thus the data I'm interested in is
neither forces nor displacement responses, but stresses. But
our stress analysis software knows how to convert
displacement responses towards stresses.
Secondly, the sources acting on my structure are not
completely independent; they are aerodynamic noises on
different parts of a same structure. It is an aircraft
component which size is slightly smaller than a meter, and
six micros have been fixed on it during the wind tunnel tests,
in order to measure the input PSD's.
If I call Sa(w) the input PSD (in Pa/Hz since it is that of an
acoustic pressure),
and Sj(w) the output PSD, (in MPa/Hz since it is that of a
mechanical stress),
and Hja(w) the transfer function from the pressure towards
the stress at rotating frequency w :
Then for each w, Sj(w)=|Hja(w)|.Sa(w)
And I am interested in the RMS value of that stress over a
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certain frequency band of the aerodynamic noise.

Now let's see what happens when there are, say just two
input zones, a and b.
There is an input direct PSD over zone a, say Saa(w),
there is another input direct PSD over zone b, say Sbb(w),
there are two input cross PSD's, say Sab(w) and Sba(w) which
should be its complex conjugate. (Tell me please if it is true)
Then for each w, the output PSD is Sout(w)= ?j=a,b ?i=a,b (
hi(w).hj(w)*.Sij(w) )
And I am still interested in the RMS value of that stress over
a certain frequency band of the aerodynamic noise.
Now let's see what happens when there is only one input
zone, but two distinct PSD's acting on it. For simplicity I input
within the stress analysis program that I use, that the cross
PSD's are almost zero, say 1.E-12 or 1.E-18 times the product
of the two input direct PSD's.
That is the point that I want to know; is it possible to "add"
two PSD's acting on the same area, with almost zero cross
PSD's.
It seems to me that I could.
I am very glad to be able to write such a text as above, as I
feel a bit more "clever" about signal processing. Please
continue telling me if what I wrote above is plenty of sense
or not, and feel free to ask anything if you feel that some
questions or answers may make me progress in that domain.
Thank's again,
David
JayW
March 21, 2013
Reply
My structure (steel) in question is small, thin and light. I

cannot physically attach any accelerometers, as the mass
and cable tensions would alter the frequency response. So I
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3/9/2014
use non-contact displacement measurements (like Laser or

Capacitance Probe or EC probe). Also - I cannot use the
typical impact hammer as well - I might brake the structure. I
can may be drop a small steel ball on the structure to
provide excitation.
Two questions.
1. Since direct excitation measurement (impact hammer) is
not possible, can I measure the impact force by dropping the
same ball on top of the accelerometer or load cell on a
separate run?
2. If Q1 is possible, then I'd have input data in accelleration,
and output data in displacement. What should I do from
here?
Thank you very much for your time.
James Wren
April 2, 2013
Reply
Hi Jay,
Thanks for asking a question on our blog, it
sounds like you have an interesting application.
We understand the restraints your working too,
things in life are never simple and never have
easy to follow guidelines.
1,
Yes, you could drop the steel ball on to the
accelerometer, but I thought you said you could
not attach an accelerometer to the structure? I
would have thought if you could attach an
accelerometer and drop a ball on it, you could
use a very small and light force hammer. But the
accelerometer method is fine if that is all you can
do, maybe there is some practical restrictions
that mean you can't perform the test exactly how
you would like to.
2,
There is no issue with the type of data, however
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3/9/2014
acceleration as an input and displacement as an

output would be a Transmissibility function, not a
transfer function, transfer functions should have
force in some way. In short, it is not really an
issue.
Please feel free to pose further questions if you
desire.
JayW
Reply
April 3, 2013
James thank you for reply.

Sorry for the confusion. What I meant by
"dropping a ball on the accelerometer"
was, to setup an accelerometer on a flat
table (not on the thin structure in
question), and drop a ball on it to see
how much impact the "ball dropping"
can deliver.
Originally, I was thinking of shooting the
ball using a BB air gun to deliver the
impact. If I shoot the ball on an
accelerometer (provided distance and
airpressure would be consistent), I
would know how much impact there is,
and assume that the same amount of
impact will occur when I shoot it to my
thin structure in question.
I hope this makes sense.
James Wren
2013
April 3,
Reply
Hi Jay,
Thank you for coming back to us
and asking another question.
I understand, thank you for the
27/34
3/9/2014
clarification.
In short no, you can not do that.
You have to measure the
excitation into the structure, not
the input into another structure.
For example if you put the
accelerometer on a solid rock
and dropped the ball bearing on
it, then put the same
accelerometer on a fluffy pillow
and dropped the same ball over
the same distance on the
accelerometer, you would not
see the same duration or
magnitude response on the
accelerometer. In short the input
into the structure would be
different.
I would suggest the best solution
for you might be OMA or
Operational Modal Analysis.
Often when people are
discussing hammer impact
testing they incorrectly refer to
hammer impact tests as modal
analysis, it is not.
In any case you could place the
structure on a shaker table and
then use that shaker control
signal as your input, then use the
selected sensor to measure the
displacement as a number of
points on the structure.
Please let us know if you have
further questions at all.
rummy
September 22, 2013
Reply
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3/9/2014
Hi James:
I have a question related to FRF computation for transient
input-output signals. Would it be OK to compute the FRF of a
system by only considering a certain transient region,
instead of the entire time-history (i.e, before the signals die
out) ?
Thanks and regards
James Wren
September 30, 2013
Reply
Hi Rummy,
Thanks for asking another question on our blog.
The short answer is No it would not be OK to only
consider the transient region.
The long answer is that you should not do this
because the definition of a transfer function is
that your measuring the input and output to a
mechanical system. There will be a phase delay in
that system. Thus if you end the time series too
early, you may miss part or all of the response,
and thus the frequency response function would
be based on partial and incomplete data.
This is not the only reason that you should
analyse the entire time series, but it is the main
reason.
From a signal processing point of view the time
series signals should be zero at the start and zero
at the end. If they are not you will get noise at
every frequency of the frequency response
function. To get around this windowing is often
used to attenuate the responses down to zero by
the end of the time series if they are not there
already.
I hope this helps and is clear.
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3/9/2014
Prasad
Reply
February 8, 2014
Hi James,
I,m new to signal processing. I would like to know how you
calculate the dynamic stiffness,Kd from this curve. How
would you calculate the Kd at any random point on this
curve other than peak responses.
Suppose I'm plotting an FRF graph taking magnitude(0120db) on Y-axis and frequency(0-600Hz) on X-axis. I would
like to calculate dynamic stiffness,Kd using this graph using
least square method, rms method, average method.
Also how it differs if it is undamped,underdamped,critical
damped,overdamped structure. How to change the
spring/bush stiffness values using damping values.
It will be of much help if you can explain this in a simple way
with the formula used for calculating the above.
Thanks and regards
Prasad
February 8, 2014
Reply
Hi James,
I have forget to say that I'm interested in acceleration as
output response and accelerance(acceleration/force) as the
magnitude on the Y-axis.
James Wren
February 12, 2014
Reply
Hello Prasad,
Thank you asking some questions on our blog.
You certainly are asking a lot on quite a broad
subject. I think your requests might well be
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3/9/2014
outside the scope of the original article which

doesn't cover dynamic stiffness or indeed
stiffness at all.
I'm not sure you would calculate a dynamic
stiffness curve from a transfer function like that
detailed in the article. Indeed the dynamic
stiffness would itself be a transfer function.
I think for dynamic stiffness you have to consider
a few basic principles. The input into a system is
going to be a F (Force) and the output R (Motion)
which is measured as a displacement. The
dynamic stiffness of the system is the
relationship, or transfer function between the two
parameters listed above.
I would suggest that it may be best to research
further in the field of structural dynamics for
further information.
Please feel free to post back what you find.
Mohammed
August 20, 2014
Reply
Thank you James for answering my question earlier today , I

hope I am not taking lots of your time .
First of all I would like to congratulate your company to have
an outstanding intelligent person like yourself . From the
nature of your answer I can see that given the fact I am
student at Aberdeen university ,
You will note that some of the facts I studied in the past I
only understood it from theoretical point of view with no
physical understanding , I am finding your comments are
EXTREMELY useful .
It would be greatly appreciated if you could possibly make
useful comment or answering the questions in simple way .
In the embedded figure you attached Nik , I can see that
there are three peaks , two of them are for the Zeros of the
systems and one of them for the Pole where is the resonant
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3/9/2014
peak occur .In your answer to the question I found in

determining the peak ,, the phase will be inverted .
Question 1) To what extend the phase shift is required for
peak resonant is occurred , is it necessarily to -180 or
depend on the order of the system , for example the phase
inverted by -90 ? Also would the sign make difference if it is
+180 or +90.
Question 2) Looking at the zero peaks in my system they are
below 0 decibel different than the one on the figure . Do you
have any physical comment about those peaks occurring in
the frequency response for the zeros ? I can also see phase
shift inversion at those peak ?
Question 3 ) In my system The Bode diagram shows a 180
phase lag at every resonant frequency and a 180 phase lead
at every anti-resonant frequency. This is a characteristic of
collocated systems.? I do not understand this clearly as you
have excellent skills in showing the material in more physical
understanding .
Question four )
The in-bandwidth zeros of the system are highly dependent
on the out-of-bandwidth poles ? what does that mean if you
have more clarity it would be greatly appreciated
question five )
if I want modify system from containing resonant poles
followed by interlaced zeros, to zeros followed by interlaced
poles ? in terms of stability what does that mean , can you
please clarify things for me clearly.
James Wren
August 20, 2014
Reply
Hello Mohammed,
Thank you for posting some questions on our
blog.
We will try to answer your questions as best we
can.
1,
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3/9/2014
The sign doesn't make a difference and it doesn't

matter where you start, the inversion will be just
that, 180 degrees.
2,
There are resonances and anti-resonances, it
sounds like you have found some antiresonances.
3,
I'm not sure I understand your question, it seems
more like a statement. Your using a Bode plot and
have noted a phase change along with amplitude
peaks. You would appear to have found
resonances.
For your final questions I would refer you to a
sister article,
http://blog.prosig.com/2014/04/10/how-do-wedesign-or-modify-a-system-to-avoid-resonance/
This should give you some basic design pointers.
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What Is A Frequency Response Function

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of 2012, Top Ten Articles of 2013 | 47 Comments

The following article will attempt to explain the basic theory of

used to calculate the frequency response function between two

points on a structure using an accelerometer to measure the

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Fundamentally a frequency response function is a mathematical

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function of frequency the relationship between those two points

The basic formula for a frequency response function is

Where H (f ) is the frequency response function.

And Y (f ) is the output of the system in the frequency domain.

OUR OTHER SITES

The H 1(f ) frequency response function is used in situations

or H 2(f ) can be used for resonance analysis or hammer

impact analysis. H 2(f ) is most commonly used with random

Where H 1(f ) is the frequency response function.

In very basic terms the frequency response function can be

C ross Spectral Density of the I nput and Output

The breakdown of H 2(f ) therefore is as follows,

Where H 2(f ) is the frequency response function.

Auto Spectral Density of the Output

In the following example we will discuss and show the

for example, then the excitation would be the first input

Figure 6: H1(f) shown as modulus & phase

step transfer function analysis. We have deliberately used the

Figure 7: Complete DATS worksheet (Click to expand)

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what can be infered from figure 5,please explain..

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how can v obtain auto spectral density of velocity from auto

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Thanks for asking a question on our blog.

June 24, 2010

Going back to Paul's hypothetical situation. Suppose that the

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Sorry, perhaps I took my analagous situation too far. This is

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understand your application and can't comment on it unless

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Your example is very instructive. However as a new comer in

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Are you sure you should really be advising use of H1 and H2

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