What type of wave does a continuous wave (CW) transmitter produce?

A continuous wave (CW) transmitter produces an unmodulated carrier wave. This type of wave is characterized by its constant amplitude and frequency without any variations introduced by modulation. The primary purpose of a CW transmitter is to emit a steady signal, which is often utilized in communication systems for specific applications such as Morse code transmission.

In contrast, other types of waves would involve some form of modulation or digital encoding. An analog wave might involve continuous variations in amplitude or frequency, whereas a digital signal involves discrete states representing information, which a CW transmitter does not produce. A modulated wave implies that the original signal has been superimposed onto a carrier wave, altering its amplitude, frequency, or phase. However, in the case of CW operation, no such modulation takes place, solidifying that the output is indeed an unmodulated carrier wave.