No, PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) cannot be negative.
Understanding PWM
PWM is a technique used to control the average power delivered to a load by varying the width of a pulse train. The pulse train is a series of on-off signals, where the duty cycle determines the proportion of time the signal is 'on'.
- Duty cycle is expressed as a percentage, ranging from 0% to 100%.
- 0% duty cycle means the signal is always off, resulting in no power delivered to the load.
- 100% duty cycle means the signal is always on, delivering maximum power to the load.
Why PWM Cannot be Negative
The concept of a negative duty cycle doesn't exist. A duty cycle represents the proportion of time a signal is 'on', which can't be less than 0%.
Practical Implications
- Microcontrollers: Microcontrollers often use PWM to control motors, LEDs, and other devices.
- Analog-to-Digital Conversion: PWM is used in analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) to represent analog signals as digital values.
Conclusion
PWM cannot be negative because it represents a proportion of time, which cannot be less than zero. The duty cycle of a PWM signal ranges from 0% to 100%, controlling the average power delivered to a load.
