Smalbånds

Smalbånds is a Norwegian technical term used to describe something that operates within a narrow frequency or wavelength range. In practice, it functions as an attributive form in compounds such as smallbåndsfilter (narrow-band filter), smallbåndssignal (narrow-band signal), or smallbåndsmodul (narrow-band module). The base elements are smal, meaning narrow, and bånd, meaning band, with the possessive or attributive form smalbånds common in technical Norwegian.

The term appears across fields such as telecommunications, radio engineering, signal processing and spectroscopy, where it is contrasted with bredbånd (broadband) to highlight a limited spectral span. In English-language contexts, the equivalent is typically “narrowband.” While spelling and usage can vary slightly between Scandinavian languages, the core concept remains the same: a characteristic of systems, signals or components designed for a restricted portion of the spectrum.

Usage and implications: describing filters, channels, or equipment optimized for a specific, narrow frequency range; in practice, narrow-band solutions often emphasize selectivity, lower interference from adjacent frequencies, or specific regulatory requirements. The precise bandwidth considered “narrow” depends on the application and era, ranging from a few kilohertz in radio communications to narrower bands in modern sensing or signaling contexts.

See also: Narrowband, Broadband, Bandwidth, Signal processing, Radio engineering.