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Modulation Index

The modulation index measures how much a signal's amplitude varies during modulation, indicating the strength of the information being transmitted. It's calculated by comparing the difference between the highest and lowest points of the modulated signal to the overall range. A higher modulation index means larger variations, which can improve signal clarity but also risk distortion. Conversely, a lower index results in less variation, making the signal more stable but potentially less informative. Essentially, it balances the amount of information and signal quality in communication systems.