Waveform

What Does Waveform Mean?

A waveform is a graphical representation of a signal in the form of a wave. It can be both sinusoidal as well as square shaped, depending on the type of wave generating input. The waveform depends on the properties that define the size and shape of the wave.

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Techopedia Explains Waveform

The input used to create a waveform determines its shape. Square shaped waves represent digital information in the form of a 0 or 1. However, a sinusoidal wave usually shows the exact variation that occurs in the input.

Waveforms follow a mathematical function that defines how they are represented and allowed to be interpreted by the reader. For example, a sinusoidal waveform follows a trigonometric function that allows it to take its current shape. The square waveform follows a harmonic function.

Waveforms are used to represent different things in various fields of science, including math, cosmology, medicine and biochemistry.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…