Which of the following best describes a pulse modulation system?

A pulse modulation system is characterized by having discrete pulses that represent the signal, often resulting in a significant difference between peak and average power levels. In this context, the peak transmitter power is indeed typically much greater than the average power. This occurs because the system generates short bursts of energy (the pulses) at high levels, while the average power, calculated over time, tends to be much lower since these pulses are not continuous.

For example, in pulse amplitude modulation, the signal is represented with high amplitude pulses, but these pulses are not being transmitted continuously; they occur intermittently, leading to a high peak power during the pulse and much lower average power overall. This property is essential for applications such as radar and communication systems where high peak power can enhance performance without needing continuous transmission.

While the other options might contain elements relevant to various modulation systems, they do not accurately reflect the nature of pulse modulation systems. Therefore, understanding the relationship between peak and average power is key to grasping how pulse modulation functions effectively.