Flutter (electronics and communication)
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In structural terms, flutter refers to an aeroelastic phenomenon where aerodynamic forces couple with a structure's natural mode of vibration to produce rapid periodic motion. Aeroelastic Flutter is self-starting with positive feedback between the structure's free vibration and the aerodynamic forces, this results in large amplitudes and can lead to rapid failure. Because of this, structures exposed to aerodynamic forces - such as aerofoils, chimneys and bridges - are normally carefully designed to avoid aeroelastic flutter.
In the field of electronics and communication, flutter is the rapid variation of signal parameters, such as amplitude, phase, and frequency.
Examples of electronic flutter are:
- Rapid variations in received signal levels, such as variations that may be caused by atmospheric disturbances, antenna movements in a high wind, or interaction with other signals.
- In radio propagation, a phenomenon in which nearly all radio signals that are usually reflected by ionospheric layers in or above the E-region experience partial or complete absorption.
- In radio transmission, rapidly changing signal levels, together with variable multipath time delays, caused by reflection and possible partial absorption of the signal by aircraft flying through the radio beam or common scatter volume.
- The variation in the transmission characteristics of a loaded telephone circuit caused by the action of telegraph direct currents on the loading coils.
- In recording and reproducing equipment, the deviation of frequency caused by irregular mechanical motion, e.g., that of capstan angular velocity in a tape transport mechanism, during operation.
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References
This article incorporates public domain material from Federal Standard 1037C. General Services Administration. Archived from the original on 2022-01-22. (in support of MIL-STD-188).