Identification of multiple characteristic components with high accuracy and resolution using the zoom interpolated discrete Fourier transform

Complex systems can significantly benefit from condition monitoring and diagnosis to optimize operational availability and safety. However, for most complex systems, multi-fault diagnosis is a challenging issue, as fault-related components are often too close in the frequency domain to be easily identified. In this paper, the interpolated discrete Fourier transform (IpDFT) with maximum sidelobe decay windows is investigated for machinery fault feature identification. A novel identification method called the zoom IpDFT is proposed, which combines the idea of local frequency band zooming-in with the IpDFT and demonstrates high accuracy and frequency resolution in signal parameter estimation when different characteristic frequencies are very close. Simulation and a case study on rolling element bearing vibration data indicate that the proposed zoom IpDFT based on multiple modulations has better capability to identify characteristic components than do traditional methods, including fast Fourier transform (FFT) and zoom FFT. © 2011 IOP Publishing Ltd.