|
CommunicationsHow does NASA communicate with spacecraft? |
Bandwidth is the total range of frequency required to pass a specific signal that has been modulated to carry data without distortion or loss of data. The ideal bandwidth allows the signal to pass under conditions of maximum AM or FM adjustment. (Too narrow a bandwidth will result in loss of data. Too wide a bandwidth will pass excessive noise.)
Transmitters and receivers have bandwidths. The "wider" the receiver's bandwidth is, the more information it can receive on different frequencies.
The term bandwidth is used metaphorically for the carrying ability of Internet carriers. For example, if you can receive information from the Internet over a slow modem, you get less information per second than if you were connected to a fast modem. Thus, you have "low bandwidth" and the Internet appears slower to you.
How is data put on radio waves (What is modulation)?
