square wave
A waveform that rises quickly to a particular amplitude, remains constant for a time period and drops fast at the end. In digital systems, square waves are the norm, because they represent a binary digit (0 or 1). Square waves can also be generated in musical synthesizers and have a raspy sound. |
| Square Waves |
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| This is the output of a 1 kHz square wave on an oscilloscope. Only the tops and bottoms of the waves are displayed, because the rising and falling is faster than the scope is set for. |
square wave [′skwer ′wāv]
(electricity)
An oscillation the amplitude of which shows periodic discontinuities between two values, remaining constant between jumps.
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