carrier wave

Definition

A wave that can be modulated, either in amplitude, frequency, or phase, to carry or transmit images, music, speech, or other signals.

Etymology

From carrier + wave. Sense 2 (“soliton”) was coined by the Scottish civil engineer, naval architect, and shipbuilder John Scott Russell (1808–1882): see the quotations.

Example Sentences

• "This invention relates to carrier wave signaling systems and more particularly to systems of multiplex telephony employing carrier waves wherein such carrier waves of distinctive frequencies are normally impressed upon the transmission medium. Such medium may comprise any of the natural media employed in radio transmission or a conductive transmission line of any kind."
• "I have a waterproof basket arranged on my operating table, and when the static waves come over it, they fall in. There is no trouble in receiving music, however, for the audio frequency voice waves are superimposed on a carrier wave. This carrier wave carries the music over the basket, without falling, into the set."
• "Means for continuously obtaining information sufficient to determine the instantaneous position of an airplane with respect to three ground points located at the vertices of a triangle, said means comprising a control station located at the first of said ground points, said control station comprising a local oscillator and means for radiating a first carrier wave modulated by the frequency of said local oscillator, [...]"