Hard-limiting of two signals in random noise

Two sinusoidal signals and Gaussian noise lying in a narrow band are passed through an ideal band-pass limiter that confines the output spectrum to the vicinity of the input frequencies. The output spectrum, consisting of both discrete and continuous components, is studied in terms of its corresponding autocorrelation function. The discrete output components are identified with the output signals and intermodulation products due to interference between the two input signals. The continuous part of the spectrum is associated with the output noise. The effects of limiting are expressed by ratios among the average powers of the output spectral components. Performance curves are given that show signal suppression, the ratio of output to input SNR's, and the relative strength of the intermodulation terms.