What is one function of a modulator in a radio transmitter?

A modulator is an essential component of a radio transmitter functioning primarily to encode information onto a carrier wave. This process involves altering specific characteristics of the carrier wave—such as its amplitude, frequency, or phase—to incorporate the desired information. The encoded carrier wave can then be transmitted effectively over distances, allowing the received signal to be demodulated back into its original content at the receiver.

This operation is vital because it enables the transmission of audio, video, or data signals over various communication systems, ensuring they can travel efficiently and be accurately decoded on the receiving end. Enhancing audio quality, combining signals, or analyzing incoming signals pertain to different aspects of signal processing and transmission but do not directly relate to the core function of modulation in the context of transmitting information.