What characteristic of waves is noted in signal analysis?

In signal analysis, waves are typically characterized by their frequency and wavelength, which are defined by the oscillations they make over time. When considering real-world signals, especially in the context of RADAR and LIDAR, these signals usually consist of many cycles. This is important because the presence of multiple cycles allows for a more accurate representation and analysis of the signal's characteristics, such as phase, amplitude, and frequency.

Having many cycles helps in noise reduction and signal clarity, providing a more reliable means of detecting objects and measuring distances in various applications. These multiple cycles facilitate the extraction of meaningful information from the wave, such as its speed and direction. In the context of RADAR and LIDAR systems, the use of continuous waveforms enhances the ability to differentiate between signals and better interpret the data being gathered, leading to improved functionality in detecting and ranging targets.