heterodyne

[ het-er-uh-dahyn ]

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to a method of changing the frequency of an incoming radio signal by adding it to a signal generated within the receiver to produce fluctuations or beats of a frequency equal to the difference between the two signals.

verb (used without object)

, het·er·o·dyned, het·er·o·dyn·ing.

1. to produce a heterodyne effect.

verb (used with object)

, het·er·o·dyned, het·er·o·dyn·ing.

1. to mix (a frequency) with a different frequency so as to achieve a heterodyne effect.

heterodyne

/ ˈhɛtərəʊˌdaɪn /

verb

1. electronics to combine by intermodulation (two alternating signals, esp radio signals) to produce two signals having frequencies corresponding to the sum and the difference of the original frequencies See also superheterodyne receiver

adjective

1. produced by, operating by, or involved in heterodyning two signals

Word History and Origins

Origin of heterodyne¹

1905–10; hetero- + -dyne < Greek dýnamis power

Example Sentences

With two modes, Traditional and Modern, it enables thereminists to switch between heterodyne analog and digital oscillators.

From The Verge

This is done by heterodyning, a process which combines the light in the coupler with a minute laser beam, strengthening the signal at the desired wavelength.

From Economist

Or how about how astronomers use heterodyne arrays with superconducting mixers to observe the birth of stars?

From Science Magazine

When you have completed this experiment in heterodyne receiving, using a local oscillator, you are ready to try the regenerative circuit.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a heterodyning of one frequency upon another at a predetermined distance.

From Project Gutenberg