Pulsewidth
𐑐𐑳𐑤𐑕𐑢𐑦𐑛𐑔
A pulsewidth, or duty cycle, is simply the width of a pulse wave, as in the amount of time it spends high versus low. This is expressed as a ratio, often as a percentage.
It can be automatically changed back and forth, known as pulsewidth modulation. This is usually accomplished with an LFO.
A pulse wave with a pulsewidth of 50% is more specifically a square wave.
The principle of making the first half of each cycle longer or shorter than the second half can also be applied to other periodic waveforms, but it usually isn't, in order to simplify the design of the oscillator.
The VCS3 and Transcendent 2000's oscillators can seamlessly transition between sawtooth and triangle waves in this manner, as can the LFOs on the MS-10, MS-20, and the A-100's A-146 LFO module.
In the digital realm, it's the basis of PD synthesis, Casio's short-lived rival to Yamaha's FM synthesis. This is exemplified in the CZ-101.
Periodic waveforms: Pulsewidth | Sawtooth wave
