continuous wave

American  

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

noun

Telecommunications.

1. 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

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adjective

1. 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

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

"You'll see continuous wave action along the outer coast and then you can see the wavefront propagate down the Strait of Juan De Fuca and it splits at around Port Townsend and heads north into Bellingham and the San Juan Islands and then it heads south down the Hood Canal into Seattle, Tacoma and down into Olympia," she warned.

From Fox News