Definition

Noun: A continuous electromagnetic wave of constant amplitude and frequency that is used as a basis for transmitting information. A carrier wave itself carries no information until it is modified (modulated) by an input signal.

Usage

The term "carrier wave" is used primarily in telecommunications, radio, and electronics. It refers to the fundamental wave that is altered to embed data for transmission. It is the "carrier" of the signal.

Examples

• The amplitude of the carrier wave is varied to transmit the audio signal in AM radio.
• A stable carrier wave is essential for clear signal transmission.
• The information is encoded onto the carrier wave through a process called modulation.

Advanced Usage

• To ride on a carrier wave: An informal way to describe a signal being transmitted via modulation of a carrier wave.
  • The digital data rides on a high-frequency carrier wave.

Variants and Related Words

• Carrier (noun): Often used as a shortened form in technical contexts (e.g., carrier frequency, carrier signal).
• Subcarrier (noun): A secondary carrier wave modulated onto a main carrier wave to carry additional information.

Synonyms

• Carrier signal
• Radio carrier

Related Technical Terms

• Modulation: The process of varying a property (amplitude, frequency, or phase) of the carrier wave to impose a signal.
• Demodulation: The process of extracting the original signal from the modulated carrier wave at the receiver.

Noun

1. a radio wave that can be modulated in order to transmit a signal