What aspect of a transmitter does the duty cycle not account for?

The duty cycle refers to the ratio of the time a transmitter is active to the total time over which it operates. It pertains primarily to how often the transmitter is on during a specific time period and influences how power is managed during that time.

The aspect of a transmitter that the duty cycle does not account for is the emission type. The emission type relates to the specific characteristics of the signal being transmitted, such as whether it is voice, data, or a continuous wave. These characteristics dictate how the signal is modulated and the bandwidth it occupies.

In contrast, PEP (Peak Envelope Power) output and average power are directly influenced by the duty cycle because these measures depend on the duration of the transmission and consequently the power delivered over that time. Similarly, thermal effects on components are also impacted by the duty cycle, as prolonged transmission can lead to increased heat generation in components. However, emission type remains independent of the duty cycle since it describes the nature of the signal rather than its transmission characteristics or implications on power management.