1. What is Duty Cycle?

Duty cycle is the fraction of time a system is in an "active" state in relation to the total period of the signal. It's commonly expressed as a percentage and is a key parameter in electronics, signal processing, and power systems.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the duty cycle formula:

Where:

• \( DC \) — Duty cycle (percentage)
• \( t_{on} \) — On time (seconds)
• \( T \) — Total period (seconds)

Explanation: The formula calculates what percentage of the total period the signal is in the "on" state.

3. Importance of Duty Cycle Calculation

Details: Duty cycle is critical in PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) applications, motor control, power electronics, and determining average power in periodic signals.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the on time and period in seconds. Both values must be positive numbers, and the on time cannot exceed the period.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical duty cycle range?
A: Duty cycle ranges from 0% (always off) to 100% (always on). Common PWM applications use 0-100%.

Q2: How does duty cycle relate to power?
A: For a constant amplitude signal, average power is directly proportional to duty cycle.

Q3: What's the difference between duty cycle and frequency?
A: Frequency determines how often the signal repeats, while duty cycle determines what portion of that period is active.

Q4: Can duty cycle exceed 100%?
A: No, by definition duty cycle cannot exceed 100% as on time cannot exceed the total period.

Q5: How is duty cycle used in motor control?
A: In PWM motor control, duty cycle determines the average voltage applied to the motor, controlling its speed.