Heterodyne Detection

Heterodyne detection is a technique used in signal processing to measure or analyze high-frequency signals, like radio waves or laser light. It works by mixing the incoming signal with a stable reference signal (local oscillator) at a nearby frequency. This mixing produces a new signal at a lower, more manageable frequency called the intermediate frequency. By analyzing this lower-frequency signal, scientists can accurately determine properties of the original high-frequency signal, such as its amplitude, phase, or frequency, enabling precise communication, measurement, or imaging.