Multistage adaptive filters for in-phase processing of line-frequency signals

The authors describe two adaptive multistage digital filters for 50/60-Hz line-frequency signal processing in zero-crossing detectors and synchronous power systems. These filters combine a median filter with adaptive predictors, either finite-impulse response (FIR)- or infinite-impulse response (IIR)-based, thus making it possible to extract the sinusoidal signals from noise and strong disturbances without phase shifting the primary frequency signal. The median filter is used as a prefilter because it can remove deep commutation notches from the waveform. Adaptation allows the filters to track the exact instantaneous line frequency and avoids the selectivity problem encountered with a fixed filter.