From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
A continuous wave or continuous waveform (CW) is an electromagnetic wave of constant amplitude and frequency; and in mathematical analysis, of infinite duration. Continuous wave is also the name given to an early method of radio transmission, in which a carrier wave is switched on and off. Information is carried in the varying duration of the on and off periods of the signal. In radio transmission, CW waves are also known as "undamped waves", to distinguish this method from damped wave transmission.
[edit] RadioVery early radio transmitters used a spark gap to produce radio-frequency oscillations in the transmitting antenna; the signals produced by these spark-gap transmitters had a characteristic rapidly damped amplitude during each pulse of radiated energy. When alternators and later electronic oscillators became available, the signal strength remained constant during each code element, leading to the description of this technique as "continuous" waves. An unmodulated carrier has no bandwidth and conveys no information; the act of keying the carrier on and off produces a finite bandwidth relating to the transmission rate. Strictly speaking, a keyed carrier may be referred to as "ICW" for "Interrupted continuous wave" but the necessity of keying is usually understood. 
Early radio transmitters were incapable of handling the complexity of actual audio and therefore CW was the only form of communication available. CW still remained a viable form of radio communication for many years after voice transmission was perfected, because simple transmitters could be used. The low bandwidth of the code signal, due in part to low information transmission rate, allowed very selective filters to be used in the receiver which blocked out much of the atmospheric noise that would otherwise reduce the intelligibility of the signal. Continuous-wave radio was called radiotelegraphy because like the telegraph, it worked by means of a simple switch to transmit Morse code. However, instead of controlling the electricity in a cross-country wire, the switch controlled the power sent to a radio transmitter. This mode is still in common use by amateur radio operators. A continuous-wave radar system is one where a continuous wave is transmitted by one aerial while a second aerial receives the reflected radio energy. In military communications and amateur radio, the terms "CW" and "Morse code" are often used interchangeably, despite the distinctions between the two. Morse code may be sent using direct current in wires, sound, or light, for example. A carrier wave is keyed on and off to represent the dots and dashes of the code elements. The carrier's amplitude and frequency remains constant during each code element. At the receiver, the received signal is mixed with a heterodyne signal from a BFO (Beat Frequency Oscillator) to change the radio freqeuncy impulses to sound. Though most commercial traffic has now ceased operation using that mode, it is still popular with amateur radio operatorts. Older Non-Directional Beacons used in air navigation use CW to transmit their identifier. [edit] Key clicksIn any form of on-off carrier keying, if the carrier wave is turned on or off abruptly, the bandwidth will be large; if the carrier turns on and off more gradually, the bandwidth will be smaller. What is transmitted in the extra bandwidth used by a transmitter that turns on/off more abruptly is known as key clicks. Certain types of power amplifiers used in transmission may increase the effect of key clicks. [edit] Laser physicsIn laser physics and engineering the term "continuous wave" or "CW" refers to a laser which produces a continuous output beam, sometimes referred to as 'free-running'. This is as opposed to a q-switched, gain-switched or modelocked laser, which produces pulses of light. [edit] See also[edit] References
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