Pulse width

Pulse Width

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Illustration of a pulse wave with varying pulse width.

Pulse width is a critical parameter in the field of electronics and signal processing. It refers to the duration of time that a pulse is at a high level in a pulse wave. Pulse width is typically measured in seconds or milliseconds, depending on the frequency of the pulse wave.

Definition

Pulse width is defined as the time interval between the leading edge and the trailing edge of a pulse, during which the pulse is at its maximum amplitude. In a digital signal, this corresponds to the time the signal is at a logical "1" level.

Importance in Electronics

In electronics, pulse width is a fundamental concept used in various applications such as pulse width modulation (PWM), which is a technique used to encode information or control the power delivered to a load. PWM is widely used in motor control, LED dimming, and audio signal processing.

Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)

Pulse width modulation is a method of reducing the average power delivered by an electrical signal by effectively chopping it up into discrete parts. The average value of voltage (and current) fed to the load is controlled by turning the switch between supply and load on and off at a fast pace. The longer the switch is on compared to the off periods, the higher the total power supplied to the load.

Applications

Pulse width is a key parameter in various applications:

• Communication systems: Pulse width is used in pulse code modulation (PCM) and other digital communication techniques.
• Radar and Sonar: Pulse width determines the resolution and range of radar and sonar systems.
• Medical devices: In medical imaging and therapeutic devices, pulse width is crucial for the timing and delivery of energy.

Measurement

Pulse width can be measured using an oscilloscope, which displays the waveform of the pulse and allows for precise measurement of the time interval between the leading and trailing edges.

Related Concepts

• Duty cycle: The ratio of the pulse width to the total period of the waveform.
• Frequency: The number of times a pulse occurs in one second.
• Amplitude: The height of the pulse, representing the maximum value of the signal.

Related Pages

• Pulse width modulation
• Duty cycle
• Oscilloscope
• Signal processing