256-QAM

256-QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) is a method used in digital communication to transmit data efficiently. It encodes information by changing both the amplitude (strength) and phase (timing) of a carrier signal, creating 256 unique signal combinations. This allows it to send 8 bits of data at a time (since 2^8 = 256). By using more variations, 256-QAM achieves higher data rates compared to simpler schemes, but it requires a more stable and high-quality signal environment. It's commonly used in advanced wireless networks and cable modems to maximize data throughput.