Wireless transmitters and receivers are all around us, but do you know how they work? Should you start using them?
Without a good understanding of how these devices work, it can be difficult to troubleshoot issues or select the right equipment for your needs.
But don’t worry. Keep reading because this article will help you understand the basics of how wireless transmitters and receivers function. We’ll discuss the components of each device, how they communicate with each other, and some common applications.
How Do Wireless Transmitters and Receivers Work?
To understand how wireless transmitters and receivers work, we must first understand the concept of electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic waves are essentially vibrations of electric and magnetic fields.
These waves can travel through space, as well as through materials like air, water, and metal.
The frequency of an electromagnetic wave is the number of times per second that the wave oscillates. The unit for frequency is hertz (Hz). Low-frequency waves have a long wavelength and high-frequency waves have a short wavelength.
Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic radiation with frequencies that range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz.
Wireless transmitters convert electrical signals into electromagnetic waves, which are then transmitted through the air to receivers. Receivers convert the electromagnetic waves back into electrical signals.
What Are The Most Common Types of Wireless Transmitters?
The most common type of wireless transmitter is a radio transmitter. Radio transmitters use a variety of different modulation techniques to encode information onto an electromagnetic carrier wave.
The three most common types of modulation are amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), and phase modulation (PM).
Amplitude Modulation
Amplitude modulation (AM) is the simplest form of modulation. In AM, the amplitude, or height, of the carrier wave is varied to encode information. The easiest way to visualize this is with a sine wave.
If you were to draw a sine wave on a piece of paper, you could vary the amplitude of the wave by making the peaks higher or lower. The information is encoded in the wave by varying amplitudes.
Frequency Modulation
Frequency modulation (FM) is a slightly more complex form of modulation. In FM, the frequency of the carrier wave is varied to encode information. Just as with AM, the easiest way to visualize this is with a sine wave.
If you were to draw a sine wave on a piece of paper, you could vary the frequency of the wave by making the wavelength shorter or longer. The information is encoded in the wave by varying frequencies.
Phase Modulation
Phase modulation (PM) is the most complex form of modulation. In PM, the phase of the carrier wave is varied to encode information. The phase of a wave is the position of the wave relative to its starting point.
To visualize this, think of a sine wave as a circle. The phase of the wave would be the angle of the wave at any given point. The information is encoded in the wave by the varying phases. You can learn more here.
Ready to Try Wireless Transmitters?
Wireless transmitters and the best receivers are a necessary part of our everyday lives and the construction site. By understanding how they work, we can better appreciate the technology that allows us to stay connected.
Whether you’re curious about how your devices communicate or just want to know more about the nuts and bolts of wireless technology, be sure to check out our blog.
