{"id":7414,"date":"2023-05-12T10:34:04","date_gmt":"2023-05-12T08:34:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.delphin.de\/?post_type=glossar&p=7414"},"modified":"2026-07-07T14:58:56","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T12:58:56","slug":"duty-cycle-duty-cycle-2","status":"publish","type":"glossar","link":"https:\/\/www.delphin.de\/en\/glossar\/tastgrad-tastverhaeltnis\/","title":{"rendered":"Duty cycle \/ duty factor"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Tactility<\/strong> or that Duty cycle<\/strong> describes the ratio between a signal's on-time and its total period. This parameter is primarily used for periodic square-wave signals and indicates how long a signal is active (\u201ehigh\u201c) within a cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The duty cycle is an important parameter in measurement, control, and automation technology, as well as in digital switching signals, PWM (pulse-width modulation) signals, and frequency measurements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How is the degree of freedom calculated?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The duty cycle is calculated as the ratio of the pulse duration to the full period duration:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duty cycle = pulse width \/ period \u00d7 100 %<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following applies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Pulse duration (on time)<\/strong> = Duration of the active signal<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Period Duration<\/strong> = Duration of a complete signal cycle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    The result is usually expressed as a percentage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Example<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    A square-wave signal has:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Turn-on time: 2 ms<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Period duration: 10 ms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Calculation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Pulse ratio = (2 ms \/ 10 ms) \u00d7 100 % = 20 %<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The signal is therefore active for 20 % of the time and inactive for 80 % of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Typical tactile levels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      Tactility<\/th>Meaning<\/th><\/tr>
      10 %<\/td>Short bursts, long breaks<\/td><\/tr>
      25 %<\/td>The signal is active for one-quarter of the period<\/td><\/tr>
      50 %<\/td>Symmetrical rectangular waveform<\/td><\/tr>
      75 %<\/td>The signal is mostly active<\/td><\/tr>
      90 %<\/td>Very long operating time<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      A duty cycle of 50 % means that the on and off times are equal in length.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Significance in Measurement Technology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Measuring the duty cycle provides important information about the condition and behavior of systems, sensors, and control systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Typical applications are<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Rotational Speed Measurements<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Frequency Analyses<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Impulse generator<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Flow Sensors<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Switch Status Monitoring<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Digital Sensor Signals<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Performance Management<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Pulse width modulation (PWM)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Particularly in the case of digital signals, the duty cycle can provide valuable insights into process conditions or control variables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Duty Cycle for PWM Signals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        In the Pulse width modulation (PWM)<\/strong> It is not the voltage level that is changed, but rather the duration of the on-time within a period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        • 20 % Duty Cycle \u2192 Low Output Power<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • 50 % Duty Cycle \u2192 Average Output Power<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • 80 % Modulation ratio \u2192 high output power<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          PWM signals are frequently used in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          • Engine Control Systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Heating Controls<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Valve Control Systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • LED Dimming<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Power Electronics<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Duty Cycle in Delphin Measurement Systems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

            The measurement data acquisition solutions from Delphin Technology<\/strong> support the acquisition and analysis of a wide variety of signal types, including frequency, pulse, and digital switching signals. This allows time-dependent signal parameters such as frequency, period, pulse width, or duty cycle to be reliably acquired and evaluated. The acquired data can then be visualized, stored, and used for process analysis or condition monitoring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            By combining high-performance measurement hardware with intelligent measurement software, users can analyze digital signals in detail and derive key process parameters directly from the measurement data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Advantages of T-Ratio Measurement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            • Precise Analysis of Digital Signals<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Monitoring of Control and Switching Operations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Diagnosis of Sensors and Actuators<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Detection of Process Deviations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Optimization of Control Processes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Condition Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              Measuring the duty cycle is therefore an important part of modern measurement, testing, and automation applications.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-7414","glossar","type-glossar","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.delphin.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/glossar\/7414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.delphin.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/glossar"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.delphin.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/glossar"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.delphin.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}