In the context of wireless communication, what is modulation?

Modulation is fundamentally defined as the technique of varying a carrier signal to convey information. In wireless communication, data such as voice, video, or other types of information cannot be transmitted directly through an electronic medium without modification. By altering the carrier signal—whether in its amplitude, frequency, or phase—information can be effectively encoded and then transmitted over the medium.

This process is crucial because different modulation techniques can determine how well the signal can travel over distances, how it can be processed by receiving devices, and how resistant it is to noise and interference. Techniques like amplitude modulation (AM) and frequency modulation (FM) demonstrate how a basic signal can be manipulated to carry complex information seamlessly.

The other options do not accurately reflect the concept of modulation in wireless communication. Enhancing signal strength, storing transmitted data, and decoding received signals are separate processes that serve different purposes within the broader field of wireless communication.