Question about Spectral Estimation using AR Models

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on spectral estimation using auto-regressive (AR) models, specifically the AR(p) model. It is established that an AR(p) model can yield a power spectral density (PSD) with p/2 peaks due to the symmetry of the roots of the characteristic polynomial in the z-transform. The mathematical formulation provided demonstrates how the frequency response is derived and how the peaks relate to the model's order. The inquiry highlights the relationship between the AR model's parameters and the resulting spectral characteristics.

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  • Understanding of auto-regressive (AR) models, specifically AR(p) formulation.
  • Familiarity with z-transforms and their application in signal processing.
  • Knowledge of power spectral density (PSD) and its significance in analyzing signals.
  • Basic concepts of Fourier transforms and their relationship to frequency response.
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  • Study the derivation of the power spectral density for AR models in detail.
  • Learn about the properties of the z-transform and its application in signal analysis.
  • Explore the implications of model order (p) on spectral characteristics in AR models.
  • Investigate the differences between AR models and other spectral estimation techniques, such as the FFT.
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Master1022
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TL;DR
Why can an autoregressive AR(p) model provide a spectrum estimate with ##p/2## peaks?
Hi,

I was recently reading about spectral estimation with parametric methods, and specifically auto-regressive models. I came across the statement: "An AR(p) model can provide spectral estimates with p/2 peaks" and I was wondering why this was the case. I do apologize if this is the wrong forum - should I be posting signal processing questions in the 'Electrical Engineering' forum, although I think it falls under information engineering?

Here is the context for the statement:
An AR(p) model predicts the next value in a time series using a linear combination of the ## p ## previous values. This can be written in the following form:
x_t = - \sum_{k = 1}^{p} a_{k} x_{t - k} + e_t
Then, by taking the z-transform, this leads to:
X(z) \left( 1 + \sum_{i = k}^{p} a_{k} z^{-k} \right) = E(z) \rightarrow G(z) = \frac{X(z)}{E(z)} = 1/\left( 1 + \sum_{i = k}^{p} a_{k} z^{-k} \right)
Taking ##z = e^{j\omega T_s} ## where ## \omega ## is the angular frequency and ## T_s ## is the sampling period, we can obtain the frequency response of the discrete system associated with the AR model. Then if we want to find the PSD spectrum of the signal:
P_{xx}(\omega) = |G(\omega)|^2 P_{ee}(\omega)
if the error is assumed to be gaussian with a variance ## \sigma_e ^ 2 ##, then we get:
P_{xx}(\omega) = \frac{\sigma_e ^ 2}{|1 + \sum_{i = k}^{p} a_{k} e^{-j\omega k T_s}|^2}
at which point it just states, without explanation, that it can produce a spectrum with ## p/2 ## peaks. My question is: why this is the case?

Attempt to understand:

From the denominator, it looks as if we have a +1 shifted 'circular-type' shape (with varying coefficients) from the origin. My only guess is that the ## p ## points will be will be symmetric about the real axis, and thus this will equate to ## p/2 ## peaks. Any help or guidance around this would be greatly appreciated.
 
Last edited:
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I'm not as well-versed in z-tranforms as Fourier transforms, but I'm inclined to agree with your guess.

The FFT produces a two-sided power spectrum, symmetric about a DC value - with half of the energy in either side of this symmetry.
 
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