In telecommunications, a carrier wave or carrier is a waveform (usually sinusoidal) that is modulated (modified) with an input signal for the purpose of conveying information. This carrier wave is usually a much higher frequency than the input signal. The purpose of the carrier is usually either to transmit the information through space as an electromagnetic wave (as in radio communication), or to allow several carriers at different frequencies to share a common physical transmission medium by frequency division multiplexing (as, for example, a cable television system).
Frequency modulation (FM) and amplitude modulation (AM) are common modes of modulating the carrier. In the case of single-sideband modulation (SSB), the carrier is suppressed (and in some forms of SSB, eliminated). The carrier must be reintroduced at the receiver by a beat frequency oscillator (BFO). The frequency of a radio or television station is actually the carrier wave's center frequency.
Read more about Carrier Wave: Definition, Carrierless Modulation Systems, Carrier Leakage
Famous quotes containing the words carrier and/or wave:
“Because language is the carrier of ideas, it is easy to believe that it should be very little else than such a carrier.”
—Louise Bogan (1897–1970)
““Speaking of contraries, see how the brook
In that white wave runs counter to itself.
It is from that in water we were from
Long, long before we were from any creature.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)