DTC5038 ANALOG COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Trimester 3 2008-2009

LECTURE NOTES 4

CHAPTER 4: FREQUENCY MODULATION

Subtopic:
4-1 Introduction to Frequency Modulation
4-2 Frequency Analysis of the FM wave
4-3 Modulation Index
4-4 Bandwidth Requirements for FM

4-1 INTRODUCTION TO FREQUENCY MODULATION

A major problem in AM is its susceptibility to noise superimposed on the modulated carrier

signal. To improve on this, the first frequency modulation (FM) radio communication system
was developed in 1936, which is much more immune to noise than its AM counterpart.

Unlike the AM, FM is difficult to treat mathematically due to the complexity of the sideband
behavior resulting from the modulation process.

4-1-1 Angle Modulation

In AM, the amplitude of the carrier signal varies as a function of the amplitude of the
modulating signal. But when the modulating signal can be conveyed by varying the frequency or
phase of the carrier signal, we have angle modulation. Angle modulation can be subdivided
by frequency modulation (FM) and phase modulation (PM).

In Frequency Modulation, the carrier’s instantaneous frequency deviation from its unmodulated
value varies in proportion to the instantaneous amplitude of the modulating signal In Phase
Modulation, the carrier’s instantaneous phase deviation from its unmodulated value varies as a
function of the instantaneous amplitude of the modulating signal

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Below is the figures illustrates the FM and PM waveforms for sine wave modulation

Figure 4-1: Carrier wave

Figure 4-2: Modulation wave

Figure 4-3: FM wave

Figure 4-4: PM wave

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The equations representing the FM waveforms,

s FM = Ac sin (ω c t + m f sin ω m t )

The equations representing the PM waveforms,

s PM = Ac sin (ω c t + φ m sin ω m t )

where, s FM = instantaneous voltage of the FM wave

s PM = instantaneous voltage of the PM wave

Ac = peak amplitude of the carrier

ω c = angular velocity of the carrier

ω m = angular velocity of modulating signal
ω c t = carrier phase
ω m t = modulation phase
m f = FM modulation index

φ m = PM modulation index

Frequency Modulator

Figure 4-5: Frequency modulation block diagram

4-2 FREQUENCY ANALYSIS OF THE FM WAVE

Recall that in AM, the frequency component consists of a fixed carrier frequency with upper and
lower sidebands equally displayed above and below the carrier frequency. The frequency
spectrum of the FM wave is much more complex, that it will produce an infinite number of
sidebands

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Analysis of the frequency components and their respective amplitudes in FM wave requires use
of a complex mathematical integral known as Bessel function of the first kind of the nth order.
Evaluating this integral for sine wave modulation yields,
S FM = Ac J 0 (m f )sin ω c t +

Ac (J 1 (m f )(sin (ω c + ω m )t − sin (ω c − ω m )t )) +

Ac (J 2 (m f )(sin (ω c + 2ω m )t − sin (ω c − 2ω m )t )) +

Ac (J 3 (m f )(sin (ω c + 3ω m )t − sin (ω c − 3ω m )t )) +

Ac (J 4 (m f )(sin (ω c + 4ω m )t − sin (ω c − 4ω m )t )) +

Ac (J 5 (m f )(sin (ω c + 5ω m )t − sin (ω c − 5ω m )t )) + ... +

Ac (J n (m f )(sin (ω c + nω m )t − sin (ω c − nω m )t ))

where Ac = the peak amplitude of the carrier

J n = solution to the nth Bessel function for a modulation index of m f

m f = FM modulation index

Ac J 0 (m f )sin ω c t = carrier frequency component

Ac (J n (m f )(sin (ω c + nω m )t − sin (ω c − nω m )t )) = the nth-order sideband

From above equation, shows that FM wave contains an infinite number of sideband
component whose individual amplitudes are preceded by J n m f coefficients. ( )

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Below is a Bessel function tabulated to the 16-th order for modulation indices ranging from 0-15.

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Below is the plot of the Bessel functions illustrates the relationship between the carrier and
sideband amplitudes for sine wave modulation as a function of modulation index, m .

Figure 4-6: Spectral components of a carrier of frequency, f c frequency modulated by a sine

wave with modulating frequency, f m

From either one of both figures above, we can obtain the amplitudes of the carrier and sideband
components in relation to the unmodulated carrier.

4-3 MODULATION INDEX

The modulation index for an FM signal is defined as the ratio of the maximum frequency
deviation to the modulating signal frequency,
δ
mf =
fm
where m f = modulation index of FM

δ = maximum frequency deviation of the carrier caused by the amplitude of the

modulating signal

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f m = frequency of the modulating signal

4-4 BANDWIDTH REQUIREMENTS OF FM

In theory, the FM wave contains an infinite number of sidebands, thus suggesting an infinite
bandwidth requirement for transmission or reception. In practice, the bandwidth of the FM is
depending on the modulation index. The higher the modulation index, the greater the required
system bandwidth as shown in the Bessel functions. Figure below shows a graphical illustration
of how the FM system’s bandwidth requirements grow with an increasing modulation index.

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So, the modulation frequency, f m is held constant, whereas the carrier frequency deviation, δ

is increased (and, consequently, m f as well) in proportion to the amplitude of the modulation

signal.

The bandwidth requirements for an FM signal can be computed by

BW = 2(nf m )
where n = the highest of significant sideband components
f m = the highest modulation frequency

In establishing the quality of transmission and reception desired, a limitation must be placed on
the number of significant sidebands that the FM system must pass. This can be implemented by
using Carson’s Rule:
BW = 2(δ + f m )

The Carson’s rule will give results that agree with the bandwidths used in telecommunications
industry. But it is only an approximation used to limit the number of significant sidebands for
minimal distortion.

Reference:
1. James Martin, Telecommunication and the Computer, 2nd Edition, Prentice-Hall, 1976
2. E. Chambi, Bessel Functions, Dover Publication, 1948

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