suppressed carrier modulation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHighly Technical / Specialised
Quick answer
What does “suppressed carrier modulation” mean?
A method of amplitude modulation where the carrier wave is removed, leaving only the sidebands.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A method of amplitude modulation where the carrier wave is removed, leaving only the sidebands.
In radio communications and signal processing, a technique where the amplitude of a carrier wave is varied by an information signal, but the powerful carrier component itself is eliminated or 'suppressed' from the final transmitted signal. This improves power efficiency and reduces interference, leaving only the upper and lower sidebands.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No lexical differences. Both use identical terminology.
Connotations
Purely technical, identical connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside of electrical engineering and related fields in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “suppressed carrier modulation” in a Sentence
[signal/transmission] uses suppressed carrier modulationto demodulate a suppressed carrier modulation signalthe principle of suppressed carrier modulationVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “suppressed carrier modulation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The design suppresses the carrier to improve efficiency.
- We need to suppress the carrier before transmission.
American English
- The circuit suppresses the carrier to save power.
- Engineers suppress the carrier in this modulation scheme.
adverb
British English
- The signal was transmitted suppressed-carrier.
American English
- The data was sent suppressed-carrier.
adjective
British English
- A suppressed-carrier system is more spectrally efficient.
- They analysed the suppressed-carrier output on the oscilloscope.
American English
- The suppressed-carrier signal required a coherent detector.
- He preferred a suppressed-carrier configuration for the project.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Might appear in highly technical procurement documents for radio equipment.
Academic
Used in advanced university courses and papers in electrical engineering, telecommunications, and signal processing.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Core term in radio engineering, amateur radio, and signal processing design documents and discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “suppressed carrier modulation”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “suppressed carrier modulation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “suppressed carrier modulation”
- Using 'suppressed' as a verb in this context (e.g., 'They suppressed the carrier' is correct, but the term itself is a noun phrase).
- Confusing it with frequency modulation (FM) or phase modulation.
- Omitting 'carrier' and just saying 'suppressed modulation', which is ambiguous.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Standard AM radio broadcasts use full-carrier AM. Suppressed carrier modulation is a more efficient variation used in specialized communications.
The carrier is suppressed at the transmitter to save power. The receiver must then generate its own local carrier signal, synchronized with the original, in order to successfully extract the information.
Single-sideband (SSB) modulation, widely used in amateur (ham) radio and maritime communications, is the most common practical form of suppressed carrier modulation.
Generally no, for modern digital networking. The concept is foundational in analogue radio and telecommunications theory, but the specific term is rarely used in standard IT or Ethernet networking contexts.
A method of amplitude modulation where the carrier wave is removed, leaving only the sidebands.
Suppressed carrier modulation is usually highly technical / specialised in register.
Suppressed carrier modulation: in British English it is pronounced /səˈprɛst ˈkæ.ri.ə(r) ˌmɒd.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /səˈprɛst ˈkæ.ri.ər ˌmɑː.dʒəˈleɪ.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a powerful delivery truck (carrier) that becomes invisible (suppressed) once it's loaded with your packages (the information signal). Only the packages/modulation are sent.
Conceptual Metaphor
A MESSENGER WHO HIDES: The core message (information) is carried, but the identifiable presence of the main messenger (carrier) is concealed to save energy and avoid attention.
Practice
Quiz
What is the main practical benefit of suppressed carrier modulation?