What is digital modulation?

Digital modulation refers to the technique of encoding data into a digital signal by varying certain properties of a carrier signal. In the context of optical networks, this involves manipulating the light waves to represent information in a binary format. The correct choice describes this process accurately, as digital modulation involves the interruption of light waves in a coded sequence, allowing information to be transmitted effectively over fiber optic cables.

This method is crucial in telecommunications, as it allows for the efficient transfer of data by binary coding—where light signals can be turned on and off (representing '1's and '0's) or adjusted in other ways to encode complex information. By using a coded sequence, digital modulation ensures that the data remains robust against various types of interferences and that it can be accurately deciphered by the receiving end.

The other options do not accurately represent the concept of digital modulation. For instance, converting light waves into sound waves or altering light amplitude continuously refers to different processes in signal transfer and processing. Integrating multiple light wavelengths pertains to wavelength division multiplexing, which is a separate concept from modulation itself. Understanding the precise definition of digital modulation is essential for grasping how data is transmitted in fiber optic systems.