Genetic algorithm-based method for synthesis of low peak amplitude signals

The maximum amplitude of a waveform corresponding to a particular harmonic spectrum depends on the phases of its harmonic components. A waveform with a low peak-to-rms ratio is desirable in situations requiring a maximum signal-to-noise ratio. This paper introduces a genetic algorithm-based method for selecting the phases that produces better results than previously described methods. Results for four different amplitude spectra are given. For the case of a flat spectrum with up to 40 harmonics, the genetic algorithm finds peak factors (peak/root 2rms) ranging from 0.98 to 1.24. (C) 1996 Acoustical Society of America.