continuous wave

American

[kuhn-tin-yoo-uhs weyv] / kənˈtɪn yu əs ˈweɪv /

noun

Telecommunications.

an electromagnetic wave of constant amplitude and frequency: used to carry information by being modulated, as in radio or television, or by being interrupted as in radiotelegraphy. CW

adjective

Also continuous-wave noting a machine or device that functions through a constant and controlled output of waves, as of light from a laser, sound from an ultrasound, or radio energy from radar. CW

Etymology

Origin of continuous wave

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Aeva’s lidar is a little different from others, using “frequency modulated continuous wave” technology, which means it’s more immune to glare and sunlight and easier to use to calculate the velocity of objects.

From Barron's

These machines take the math exercise that is a digital signal and turn it into the continuous wave that is analog.

From Washington Post

Aeva’s sensor works on a principle called frequency modulated continuous wave, or FMCW, which is different from rivals such as Velodyne Lidar and Luminar Technologies.

From Reuters

But for 2025, Mobileye is developing its own lidar sensor that works on a principle called frequency modulated continuous wave, or FMCW, which is different from Luminar’s technology.

From Reuters

Aeva’s sensor uses frequency modulated continuous wave, or FMCW, technology which can also detect the speed of distant objects, differentiating between stationary ones like trees from moving objects like bikes.

From Reuters

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023