What is In-phase quadrature data (I/Q data)?

The in-phase and quadrature components of a signal used in many types of digital communication. RF recordings are digitalized using a digital signature, which becomes I/Q data. In-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components are used to represent the two-dimensional amplitude and phase information of a signal, such as a radio frequency (RF) signal. The I component represents the signal amplitude in phase with a reference signal. In contrast, the Q component represents the signal amplitude in quadrature (90 degrees out of phase) with the reference signal. I/Q data is used in many signal-processing applications, including software-defined radio (SDR), radar systems, and image processing.