Transmodulation involves taking an input signal modulated in one format and converting it into a different modulation format without fully decoding it to baseband audio or video. Cable headends frequently use this to convert satellite QPSK signals directly into QAM for distribution over a coaxial network. It preserves the digital payload while adapting the physical layer transmission method.
Heard on the job
The headend rack uses a transmodulation cassette to flip the satellite feed straight into DVB-C for the hotel rooms.