Editing Frequency deviation

'''Frequency deviation''' (<math>f_{\Delta}</math>) is used in [[Frequency modulation|FM radio]] to describe the difference between the minimum or maximum extent of a frequency modulated signal, and the nominal center or [[carrier frequency]]. The term is sometimes mistakenly used as synonymous with [[frequency drift]], which is an unintended offset of an oscillator from its nominal frequency.

The frequency deviation of a radio is of particular importance in relation to [[Bandwidth (signal processing)|bandwidth]], because less deviation means that more channels can fit into the same amount of [[frequency spectrum]]. The [[FM broadcasting]] range between 87.5 and 108&nbsp;MHz uses a typical channel spacing of 100 or 200&nbsp;kHz, with a maximum frequency deviation of +/-75&nbsp;kHz, in some cases leaving a buffer above the highest and below the lowest frequency to reduce interaction with other channels.<ref>[http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/audio/radio.html Radio Broadcast Signals<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

The most common FM transmitting applications use peak deviations of +/-75&nbsp;kHz (100 or 200&nbsp;kHz spacing), +/-5&nbsp;kHz (15–25&nbsp;kHz spacing), +/-2.5&nbsp;kHz (3.75-12.5&nbsp;kHz spacing), and +/-2&nbsp;kHz (8.33&nbsp;kHz spacing, 7.5&nbsp;kHz spacing, 6.25&nbsp;kHz spacing or 5&nbsp;kHz spacing).

== See also ==
* [[Frequency modulation]]
* [[Carson bandwidth rule]]

== References ==
*{{FS1037C MS188}}
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Radio modulation modes]]
[[Category:Frequency-domain analysis]]