Frequency spectrum

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A frequency spectrum describes the distribution of a signal's amplitude, energy, or power across frequency. It may consist of discrete lines, continuous bands, or a combination of both.

Periodic signals usually contain a fundamental frequency and harmonics at integer multiples of that frequency. Non-periodic signals, pulses, and noise often produce broader continuous spectra.

A spectrum can be obtained mathematically with a Fourier transform or measured using instruments such as spectrum analysers and spectrometers. The displayed quantity may be amplitude, power, power spectral density, or phase.

Frequency spectra are used to identify oscillations, resonances, modulation, interference, noise, and material composition in sound, radio, light, mechanical vibration, and scientific data.

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• Source / publisher: Wikipedia
• URL type: WWW
• Credits: Wikipedia
• URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency_spectrum