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Glite Dictionary
frequency modulation

frequency modulation

4.7
A way of sending sound by changing how fast a radio wave vibrates
  • noun
  • /ˈfriːkwənsi ˌmɒdʒʊˈleɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : modulación de frecuencia
  • After the war, as work on the 184-inch resumed, the new concept of frequency modulation was put forward by V. I. Veksler and by Edwin McMillan, the latter in an article in the Physical Review.
  • auditory frequency modulation
  • frequency modulation sensitivity

Examples

  • The observed signal must exhibit amplitude modulation and Doppler frequency modulation consistent with the effects of the Earth's rotation and revolution around the Sun.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Another responsibility of the laser driver is to supply a high-frequency modulation (HFM) current to the laser.

    Academic text (1996)

  • One is the new model with the neo-pulse frequency modulation system.

    Heartbeeps (1981)

  • And we won't really be going into issues of frequency modulation in any more detail in this demonstration, right?

  • The mixing resembles the frequency modulation done by commercial radio stations.

    Academic text (1996)

  • No data on the auditory frequency modulation sensitivity of children or adults who are blind was found.

    Academic text (2010)

  • True enough... a standalone delta-sigma uses pulse frequency modulation instead of pulse width modulation.

    Blog text (18)

  • Many radio stations use frequency modulation to improve sound quality during broadcasts.

  • The technique of frequency modulation helps transmit clearer signals over long distances.

  • Engineers often discuss frequency modulation as a key method in modern telecommunications.

Synonyms

FM
vsfrequency modulation
  • Specialized
45 3.4

A way of sending radio broadcasts by changing the wave's frequency

is the general method for sending information using carrier wave rate changes

Surface Forms

frequency modulation singular
frequency modulations plural

Morphology

frequency + modulation

The meaning is directly compositional: 'frequency' (the rate or pitch characteristic) combined with 'modulation' (the act of changing a signal parameter) yields the idea of altering frequency to transmit information. Although technical, this straightforward combination follows predictable technical naming patterns and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

Frequency modulation comes from the simple image of changing the pitch of a steady radio wave, where frequency means the wave's pitch and modulation means changing that pitch. That's why frequency modulation means 'transmitting information by changing a wave's frequency'.