What is the term for the frequency of a carrier wave that is modulated to transmit signals?

The term for the frequency of a carrier wave that is modulated to transmit signals is referred to as the carrier frequency. In communication systems, the carrier frequency plays a crucial role as it provides the base signal that carries the information, be it audio, video, or data.

When information is transmitted, it is modulated onto the carrier frequency, resulting in changes to various characteristics of the carrier wave, such as its amplitude, frequency, or phase. This modulation allows the information to be sent over long distances, as the carrier frequency can be chosen to be outside the ranges that would cause interference in various communication environments.

The other terms listed do not accurately describe the concept of the carrier wave frequency. The base frequency typically refers to the original, unmodulated signal before any modulation occurs. The modulating frequency indicates the frequency of the information signal being transmitted, whereas the signal frequency does not specifically denote the modulation aspect but could potentially refer to the modulated output. Thus, carrier frequency is the precise term that encapsulates the function of the wave frequency used in modulation.