firkantsignal

Firkantsignal, also known as a square wave, is a type of periodic electronic waveform that alternates rapidly between two fixed voltage levels. These levels are typically the minimum and maximum voltage the electronic system can produce, often referred to as low and high states. The transition between these states is ideally instantaneous, creating the characteristic "square" shape when plotted against time.

The key parameters of a square wave include its frequency, which is the number of cycles per second, and its duty cycle. The duty cycle describes the proportion of one cycle that the signal is in the high state. A symmetrical square wave has a duty cycle of 50%, meaning it spends equal amounts of time in the high and low states.

Square waves are fundamental in digital electronics where they represent binary data, with the high state typically corresponding to a logical '1' and the low state to a logical '0'. They are used in clock signals to synchronize operations within digital circuits, in communication systems for transmitting data, and in various signal generation and testing applications. The generation of square waves can be achieved using electronic oscillators, such as flip-flops or dedicated integrated circuits. Their sharp transitions make them easily detectable and distinguishable by electronic components.