Limitations of Lumped Element Digitization

Model discretization by the FDA (§7.3.1) and bilinear transform (§7.3.2) methods are order preserving. As a result, they suffer from significant approximation error, especially at high frequencies relative to half the sampling rate. By allowing a larger order in the digital model, we may obtain arbitrarily accurate transfer-function models of LTI subsystems, as discussed in Chapter 8. Of course, in higher-order approximations, the state variables of the simulation no longer have a direct physical intepretation, and this can have implications, particularly when trying to extend to the nonlinear case. The benefits of a physical interpretation should not be given up lightly. For example, one may consider oversampling in place of going to higher-order element approximations.

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About the Author: Julius Orion Smith III
Julius Smith's background is in electrical engineering (BS Rice 1975, PhD Stanford 1983). He is presently Professor of Music and Associate Professor (by courtesy) of Electrical Engineering at Stanford's Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA), teaching courses and pursuing research related to signal processing applied to music and audio systems. See http://ccrma.stanford.edu/~jos/ for details.