The bandwidth of a composite signal is the range of frequencies it contains.
A composite signal is made up of multiple simple signals at different frequencies. The bandwidth of such a signal quantifies the spread of these frequencies. Based on the provided information, the bandwidth is defined as:
Definition
The range of frequencies contained in a composite signal is its bandwidth. This means it covers the difference between the highest and lowest frequencies present in the signal.
Calculation
The bandwidth is typically calculated as the difference between the highest frequency and the lowest frequency within the signal.
Bandwidth = Highest Frequency - Lowest Frequency
Example
Let's look at the example provided:
| Description | Lowest Frequency | Highest Frequency | Calculation | Bandwidth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Composite Signal | 1000 | 5000 | 5000 - 1000 | 4000 |
As shown, if a composite signal contains frequencies ranging from 1000 to 5000, its bandwidth is 4000 (5000 minus 1000). This number represents the width of the frequency spectrum occupied by the signal.
Understanding bandwidth is crucial in various fields, such as telecommunications and networking, as it relates to the capacity of a communication channel to carry information. A larger bandwidth generally means more data can be transmitted in a given amount of time.
