Modulation order

Modulation order is a measurement of how complex a signal is. The higher the modulation order, the more complex the signal is. The most basic type of signal is called a "first order" modulation, which is a simple signal made up of just two parts - a wave and a constant. The more complex signals, like those used in cell phones, use signals of higher orders. Higher order signals have more complicated patterns of waves and a varying number of "levels" which can be used to send different kinds of information.