Definition

Noun: A method of transmitting information by varying a characteristic of a series of pulses. In pulse modulation, a signal is encoded onto a train of pulses by altering a specific property of those pulses.

Usage

Pulse modulation is a technical term used in telecommunications and signal processing. It describes a class of modulation techniques where a pulsed (non-continuous) carrier is used.

Examples

• The engineer explained how pulse modulation improves the efficiency of the radar system.
• Digital communication systems often rely on some form of pulse modulation.
• The key advantage of pulse modulation is its resistance to certain types of signal degradation.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: The term is frequently used as a noun adjunct to specify a type of system or technique.
  • Pulse modulation techniques are fundamental to modern electronics.
  • The device uses a pulse modulation scheme for data encoding.

Variants and Related Words

• Pulse-Amplitude Modulation (PAM): A type of pulse modulation where the amplitude of the pulses is varied.
• Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM): A type of pulse modulation where the width (duration) of the pulses is varied.
• Pulse-Position Modulation (PPM): A type of pulse modulation where the position of the pulses in time is varied.
• Pulse-Code Modulation (PCM): A digital scheme where the modulated signal is represented by a series of coded pulses.

Synonyms

• Pulse encoding
• Pulsed modulation

Related Concepts

• Modulation: The broader process of varying a carrier signal to transmit information.
• Carrier wave: The waveform (in this case, a pulse train) that is modulated.
• Demodulation: The process of extracting the original signal from the modulated pulse train.

Noun

1. modulation that imposes a signal on a train of pulses