The bandwidth of a composite signal is the range of frequencies contained within that signal.
Understanding Bandwidth
In signal processing and telecommunications, a composite signal is made up of multiple simple signals, each with its own frequency. Unlike a simple signal which might have a single frequency, a composite signal occupies a range of frequencies.
According to the provided reference, the range of frequencies contained in a composite signal is its bandwidth. This bandwidth is a measure of the 'width' of the frequency spectrum the signal occupies.
How to Calculate Bandwidth
The bandwidth of a composite signal is typically calculated as the difference between the highest and lowest frequencies present in the signal.
- Bandwidth = Highest Frequency - Lowest Frequency
Example from Reference:
The reference states: "For example, if a composite signal contains frequencies between 1000 and 5000, its bandwidth is 5000 - 1000, or 4000."
This can be visualized as:
| Frequency Range | Lowest Frequency | Highest Frequency | Bandwidth Calculation | Bandwidth Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 to 5000 | 1000 | 5000 | 5000 - 1000 | 4000 |
This concept is fundamental in various fields, including:
- Data Communication: Determining how much data can be transmitted over a channel.
- Networking: Understanding network capacity.
- Radio Broadcasting: Allocating frequency spectrum.
In simple terms, a wider bandwidth means the signal can potentially carry more information or has a richer composition of frequencies.
