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Overshoot (signal)

Overshoot (signal) is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Overshoot (signal) rather than just read about it. In short: In signal processing, control theory, electronics, and mathematics, overshoot is the occurrence of a signal or function exceeding its target. Undershoot is the same phenomenon in the opposite direction.

Overshoot (signal) — main illustration
Overshoot (signal) — illustration

Key takeaways

  • Overshoot (signal) belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Overshoot (signal) to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Overshoot (signal) from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In signal processing, control theory, electronics, and mathematics, overshoot is the occurrence of a signal or function exceeding its target. Undershoot is the same phenomenon in the opposite direction. It arises especially in the step response of bandlimited systems such as low-pass filters. It is often followed by ringing, and at times conflated with the latter.

Definition Maximum overshoot is defined in Katsuhiko Ogata's Discrete-time control systems as "the maximum peak value of the response curve measured from the desired response of the system."

Control theory In control theory, overshoot refers to an output exceeding its final, steady-state value. For example, in a temperature control system, overshoot occurs when residual heat in the heater causes the temperature to continue to rise after the desired temperature has been reached and the thermostat has turned off the heater. For a step input, the percentage overshoot (PO) is the maximum value minus the step value divided by the step value. In the case of the unit step, the overshoot is just the maximum value of the step response minus one. Also see the definition of overshoot in an electronics context. For second-order systems, the percentage overshoot is a function of the damping ratio ζ and is given by

P O = 100 exp ⁡ ( − ζ π 1 − ζ 2 ) {\displaystyle \mathrm {PO} =100\exp \left({\frac {-\zeta \pi }{\sqrt {1-\zeta ^{2}}}}\right)}

The damping ratio can also be found by

ζ = − ln ⁡ ( P O 100 ) π 2 + ln 2 ⁡ ( P O 100 ) {\displaystyle \zeta ={\frac {-\ln \left({\frac {\rm {PO}}{100}}\right)}{\sqrt {\pi ^{2}+\ln ^{2}\left({\frac {\rm {PO}}{100}}\right)}}}}

Electronics

In electronics, overshoot refers to the transitory values of any parameter that exceeds its final (steady state) value during its transition from one value to another. An important application of the term is to the output signal of an amplifier. Usage: Overshoot occurs when the transitory values exceed final value. When they are lower than the final value, the phenomenon is called "undershoot". A circuit is designed to minimize rise time while containing distortion of the signal within acceptable limits.

Overshoot represents a distortion of the signal. In circuit design, the goals of minimizing overshoot and of decreasing circuit rise time can conflict. The magnitude of overshoot depends on time through a phenomenon called "damping." See illustration under step response. Overshoot often is associated with settling time, how long it takes for the output to reach steady state; see step response. Also see the definition of overshoot in a control theory context.

Gibbs phenomenon

In the approximation of functions, overshoot is one term describing quality of approximation. When a function such as a square wave is represented by a summation of terms, for example, a Fourier series or an expansion in orthogonal polynomials, the approximation of the function by a truncated number of terms in the series can exhibit overshoot, undershoot and ringing. The more terms retained in the series, the less pronounced the departure of the approximation from the function it represents. However, though the period of the oscillations decreases, their amplitude does not; this is known as the Gibbs phenomenon. For the Fourier transform, this can be modeled by approximating a step function by the integral up to a certain frequency, which yields the sine integral. This can be interpreted as convolution with the sinc function; in signal processing terms, this is a low-pass filter.

Signal processing

In signal processing, overshoot is when the output of a filter has a higher maximum value than the input, specifically for the step response, and frequently yields the related phenomenon of ringing artifacts. This occurs for instance in using the sinc filter as an ideal (brick-wall) low-pass filter. The step response can be interpreted as the convolution with the impulse response, which is a sinc function. The overshoot and undershoot can be understood in this way: kernels are generally normalized to have integral 1, so they send constant functions to constant functions – otherwise they have gain. The value of a convolution at a point is a linear combination of the input signal, with coefficients (weights) the values of the kernel. If a kernel is non-negative, such as for a Gaussian kernel, then the value of the filtered signal will be a convex combination of the input values (the coefficients (the kernel) integrate to 1, and are non-negative), and will thus fall between the minimum and maximum of the input signal – it will not undershoot or overshoot. If, on the other hand, the kernel assumes negative values, such as the sinc function, then the value of the filtered signal will instead be an affine combination of the input values, and may fall outside of the minimum and maximum of the input signal, resulting in undershoot and overshoot. Overshoot is often undesirable, particularly if it causes clipping, but is sometimes desirable in image sharpening, due to increasing acutance (perceived sharpness).

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Illustrations

Overshoot (signal): An illustration of overshoot, followed by ringing and settle time. Δh is absolute value of overshoot.
An illustration of overshoot, followed by ringing and settle time. Δh is absolute value of overshoot.
Overshoot (signal): Overshoot and undershoot in electronic signal
Overshoot and undershoot in electronic signal
Overshoot (signal): The sine integral, demonstrating overshoot
The sine integral, demonstrating overshoot
Overshoot (signal): Overshoot (bottom of image), caused by using unsharp masking to sharpen an image
Overshoot (bottom of image), caused by using unsharp masking to sharpen an image
Overshoot (signal): The sinc function, which is the impulse response of an ideal low-pass filter
The sinc function, which is the impulse response of an ideal low-pass filter

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Overshoot (signal)

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Overshoot (signal) claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Overshoot (signal) before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Overshoot (signal) ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Overshoot (signal)

In research
Overshoot (signal) appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Overshoot (signal) in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Overshoot (signal) is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Classical control theory, Transient response characteristics, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Overshoot (signal) outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.
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How to study Overshoot (signal) in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Overshoot (signal) means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Overshoot (signal) out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Overshoot (signal) in simple terms?

In signal processing, control theory, electronics, and mathematics, overshoot is the occurrence of a signal or function exceeding its target. Undershoot is the same phenomenon in the opposite direction.

Why does Overshoot (signal) matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Overshoot (signal)?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Overshoot (signal).

Tags

  • Classical control theory
  • Transient response characteristics

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