I know that the equation of armonic motion depends on three parameters: amplitude, frequency, phase. When a radio is receiving a signal from another radio, they’re on the same wavelength, that’s measured by period/frequency; so I guess that’s a “fixed” variable, or at least a variable that doesn’t carry information, but permits to choose which signal to listen to.
So how does a wave transfer information? Is it because the other two parameters change (or at least its amplitude).
In: Engineering
You guessed it. The two main methods of transmitting data through a radio wave are amplitude modulation and frequency modulation (otherwise known as AM and FM radio).
In amplitude modulation the amplitude of the carrier wave (with a very high frequency) is changed in accordance another wave known as the signal wave (this has the frequency that you tune into). This carries a signal.
Arguably better, there is frequency modulation, where the amplitude and phase of the carrier wave remain constant, and instead the frequency of the carrier wave is changed with respect to the phase of the signal wave (for example when the signal wave is at a peak the frequency of the carrier wave is at its highest and when the signal wave is at a trough the frequency is much lower).
Hope this helps 🙂
Latest Answers