What is the Difference Between Bandwidth and Spectrum?

The key difference between bandwidth and spectrum lies in their definitions and applications. Here are the main differences:

• Spectrum: The spectrum of a signal refers to the range of frequencies contained in the signal. In wireless communications, spectrum refers to the entire range of frequencies allocated for a specific application, such as FM radio or Wi-Fi. Spectrum is often divided into different bands, such as ISM (Industrial Scientific Medical) band and optical frequency bands.
• Bandwidth: Bandwidth is the difference between the lowest and highest frequency in the spectrum. It is a measure of the information-carrying capacity of a signal and is often used to describe the maximum rate of data transfer within a certain period of time. Bandwidth is regarded as a portion of the entire spectrum and is a sub-section of it.

In summary, bandwidth refers to the capacity of a communication channel to transmit data, while spectrum refers to the range of frequencies used for communication. Spectrum is the entire range of frequencies allocated for a specific application, while bandwidth is a portion of that spectrum used for data transmission.

Comparative Table: Bandwidth vs Spectrum

Here is a table comparing the differences between bandwidth and spectrum:

Bandwidth refers to the maximum amount of data that a medium can transmit in a unit time, and it is typically measured in bits per second (bps), kilobits per second (Kbps), or megabits per second (Mbps). On the other hand, the spectrum is a collection of waves with particular frequencies arranged in order, and it helps to identify the wavelengths and frequencies of electromagnetic waves.