frequency deviation
Quick Summary
Frequency deviation refers to the extent to which the frequency of a carrier wave is varied in frequency modulation (FM). In FM, the amplitude of the carrier wave remains constant, while its frequency changes in response to the amplitude of the information signal. This variation in frequency is known as frequency deviation. For instance, in very-high-frequency broadcasting, the frequency deviation can reach up to ±75 kilohertz. A larger frequency deviation allows for greater modulation but requires a wider transmission channel, which increases costs and limits the number of transmitters that can operate within a given frequency band.1
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