Carrier wave - definition
Carrier wave - definition
A Carrier Wave is a harmonic signal at a fixed frequency used as a medium for carrying information in analogue and digital transmission systems. Its primary function is to enable modulation of a useful signal, the direct transmission of which would be impossible or inefficient due to bandwidth limitations, attenuation, interference or the inability to separate signals within a frequency band.
From a mathematical point of view, a carrier wave has the form of a sinusoidal function of time and is characterised by three main parameters: amplitude, frequency and phase. The modulation process consists in changing one of these characteristics - respectively in amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM) or phase modulation (PM) - according to the waveform of the information signal. In the case of digital systems, complex modulations are also used in which the carrier wave undergoes discrete modifications, e.g. QAM, PSK or FSK.
The carrier wave itself does not contain information until it is modified by modulation. On the receiving side, it is necessary to use a demodulator that recovers the information signal from changes in the parameters of the carrier wave. In radio systems, the carrier wave allows signals to be transmitted over considerable distances, increasing resistance to interference and enabling multiplexing of multiple channels in different frequency bands.
In communication technology, the carrier wave is used in radio transmission, analogue and digital television, mobile telephony, radars, navigation systems, as well as in optical systems where the carrier function is performed by a light wave. In sensor and measurement systems, carrier signals are also used for precise frequency and phase indication, which enables distance measurement, speed and motion detection.
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