reference frequency

1. A standard fixed frequency from which operational frequencies may be derived or with which they may be compared. (188 ) Note: The reference frequency may be used to specify an assigned frequency or fix a characteristic or carrier frequency. 2. A frequency having a fixed and specific position with respect to the assigned frequency. The displacement of this frequency with respect to the assigned frequency has the same absolute value and sign that the displacement of the characteristic frequency has with respect to the center of the frequency band occupied by the emission. [NTIA] [RR]