Final answer:
PAM in the context of binary transmission over an AWGN channel stands for Pulse Amplitude Modulation. It involves changing the amplitude of a carrier wave to represent binary data, similar to AM in radio transmission but specifically for digital signals.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of a binary PAM communication system used for transmitting data over an AWGN channel, PAM stands for Pulse Amplitude Modulation. This method of modulation involves varying the amplitude of the pulses that represent the data being transmitted. It is one of the ways to place information on electromagnetic waves, similar to how amplitude modulation (AM) operates for AM radio. In AM, the amplitude of a carrier wave is modulated by an audio signal, maintaining a constant frequency but with a varying amplitude to encode the information.
The carrier wave in PAM similarly has its amplitude shifted to represent binary data. This process does not affect the wave's frequency or phase, making option i. Pulse Amplitude Modulation the correct answer to what PAM stands for in this scenario.
Binary PAM systems use two distinct amplitude levels to represent the two binary digits, 0 and 1. The presence of the AWGN, or Additive White Gaussian Noise, indicates that the channel introduces some level of noise that the modulation must account for to maintain effective communication.