Modulation is a change of some parameter of a signal, typically to encode information. In the context of communications and signal processing, modulation often refers to the alteration of a carrier wave's properties, such as its amplitude, frequency, or phase, to transmit data. There are several types of modulation, including:
- Amplitude Modulation (AM): The amplitude of the carrier wave is varied in proportion to the data signal.
- Frequency Modulation (FM): The frequency of the carrier wave is varied in accordance with the data signal.
- Phase Modulation (PM): The phase of the carrier wave is changed based on the information being sent.
In addition to these, there are complex digital modulation techniques such as Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) and Phase Shift Keying (PSK), which combine various aspects of modulation techniques to enhance data transmission capabilities. Modulation is critical in radio communications, television broadcasting, and data transmission over various media.