PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) frequency refers to the rate at which a PWM signal switches between its high and low states. This frequency is crucial because it determines how often the duty cycle of the signal can be adjusted, affecting the performance of devices controlled by PWM, such as motors and LEDs. A high PWM frequency allows for finer control over the output power and can reduce visible flicker in lighting applications, while a low frequency may result in audible noise in motors or visible flickering in LEDs.
The relationship between the PWM frequency () and the period () of the signal can be expressed as:
where is the duration of one complete cycle of the PWM signal. Selecting the appropriate PWM frequency is essential for optimizing the efficiency and functionality of the device being controlled.
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