# Earthworm Module:
Fir Overview

(last revised 12 December, 2008)

The fir module implements a general-purpose FIR filter routine to process wave data (TYPE_TRACEBUF2) coming from the InRing defined in decimate.d. Decimated trace messages are written to the OutRing with their SCNs changed as specified in fir.d. The filtered trace message retains its TYPE_TRACEBUF2 type, but it (normally) has a new SCNL name. This module can be configured as a low-pass, high-pass, multi-band pass or notch filter. By using multiple Band commands in the configuration file any of these filter types can be specified.

This FIR filter causes considerable time delay in the data. Fortunately filter has linear phase so the delay does not change the shape of the wave. This delay is removed by adjusting the timestamp of the output data, resulting in zero phase delay. Note that there will be small precursory artifacts before impulsive wave arrivals. See "Of Poles and Zeros" by Frank Scherbaum for more details. The FIR filter coefficients are determined using the Remez Exchange algorithm. This produces an equi-ripple filter. The coefficients and zeroes of the filter, as well as the effective delay, are logged on startup. (FIR filters have no poles.)

Module Index | Fir Configuration File