Amplitude Modulation (AM) Transmitter

Engineering and Technology Division

Cor Jesu College


In Partial Fulfilment for the Requirements in
Principles of Communications

Proponents:
Langgahin, Cyrill Jay B.
Magdadaro, Justine C.
Sarno, Audrey Claire B.
Via, Andy Michael A.




October 2013
2

Introduction

Information signals are transported between a transmitter and a receiver
over some form of transmission medium. However, the original information
signals are seldom in a form that is suitable for transmission. Therefore, they
must be transformed from their original form into a form that is more suitable for
transmission.
Amplitude modulation (AM) is the process of changing the amplitude of a
relatively high frequency carrier signal in accordance with the amplitude of the
modulating signal (information). Amplitude modulation is a relatively inexpensive,
low-quality form of modulation.
Basically, there are two types of AM transmitters according to modulation;
these are Low-Level Transmitters and High-Level Transmitters.
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The above figure shows a Low-Level Transmitter which is commonly used
for voice or music transmission, the source of the modulating signal is generally
an acoustical transducer, such as a microphone, a magnetic tape, a CD disk, or
a phonograph record.











The figure above is a High-Level Transmitter where the modulating signal
is processed in the same manner as in the low-level transmitter except for the
addition of a power amplifier. With high-level transmitters, the power of the
modulating signal must be considerably higher than is necessary with low-level
transmitters. This is because the carrier is at full power at the point in the
transmitter where modulation occurs and, consequently, requires a high-
amplitude modulating signal to produce 100% modulation.


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The Transmitter











AM is a modulation technique where the amplitude of carrier varies
according to the input message signal. AM has been a widely used modulation
technique due to its longer range but has the disadvantage of lesser noise
immunity. It is commonly used in walkie talkie applications.
The main components of the transmitter circuit are the following: a 555
Timer, A 2SC645 NPN Transistor, Resistors (10k, 1k, and 2.2k), a
5k potentiometer, Capacitors (.001uF, 2 x 0.01) and a Mini-Antenna.
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Transmitter Operation

The carrier signal for AM modulation is generated by a 555 timer
operating in astable multivibrator mode with the oscillation frequency set
to AM range. The message signal is applied to the reset terminal (4th pin
of multivibrator). If the amplitude of input message signal is increased,
555 starts to turn ON as its connected to the 4th pin. (Since 4th terminal
connected to VCC causes it to turn ON because it is active low logic
pin). If the amplitude is decreased, it starts to turn OFF. (As 4th terminal
connect to ground or 0V causes the 555 to turn OFF.)
The output (3rd pin) is connected to the base of a BF194 transistor
as it can operate at high frequencies. The emitter terminal of the transistor
is connected to an antenna for better transmission.
The 2SC645 NPN transistor is widely used in military radio
transmitter, here, it generates radio frequency of AM range, and can
receive the transmitted signal in the radio receiver.





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AM vs. FM Transmission


Origin:
AM method of audio
transmission was first
successfully carried out in the
mid-1870s.

FM radio was developed in the
United states mainly by Edwin
Armstrong in the 1930s.
Modulating
differences:
In AM, a radio wave known as
the "carrier" or "carrier wave" is
modulated in amplitude by the
signal that is to be transmitted.
In FM, a radio wave known as the
"carrier" or "carrier wave" is
modulated in frequency by the signal
that is to be transmitted.
Importance:
It is used in both analog and
digital communication and
telemetry.

It is used in both analog and digital
communication and telemetry.
Pros and cons:
AM has poorer sound quality
compared to FM, but is
cheaper and can be
transmitted over long
distances. It has a smaller
bandwidth so it can have more
stations available in any
frequency range.

FM is less prone to interference than
AM. However, FM signals are
impacted by physical barriers. FM
has greater sound quality due to
higher bandwidth.
Stands for:
AM stands for Amplitude
Modulation

FM stands for Frequency Modulation
Range:
AM radio ranges from 535 to
1705 kilohertz (OR) Up to 1200
Bits per second
FM radio ranges in a higher
spectrum from 88 to 108 megahertz.
(OR) 1200 to 2400 bits per second
Bandwidth
Requirements:
Twice the highest modulating
frequency. In AM radio
broadcasting, the modulating
signal has bandwidth of 15kHz,
and hence the bandwidth of an
amplitude-modulated signal is
30kHz

Twice the sum of the modulating
signal frequency and the frequency
deviation. If the frequency deviation
is 75kHz and the modulating signal
frequency is 15kHz, the bandwidth
required is 180kHz
Zero crossing in
modulated
signal:
Equidistant

not equidistant


Complexity:

transmitter and receiver are
simple but in case of SSBSC

transmitter and receiver are more
complex as variation of modulating
AM FM
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AM carrier synchronization is
needed
signal has to converted and detected
from corresponding variation in
frequencies.(i.e. voltage to
frequency and frequency to voltage
conversion has to be done) which
are quite complex
Noise:
AM is more susceptible to
noise because noise affects
amplitude, which is where
information is "stored" in an AM
signal.

FM is less susceptible to noise
because information in an FM signal
is transmitted through varying the
frequency, and not the amplitude.

AM Simulation

The representation of the AM transmission is shown above
by the carrier wave that undergone amplitude modulation by the signal to
be transmitted.
Conclusion
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AM transmission is an essential process of conveying signal
information from a source to a receiver. In Amplitude Modulation,
amplitude of the carrier signal varies with the changing amplitude of
input/modulating signal; frequency and phase remain unchanged.
In this transmission, we consider the operation of the major
components of the circuitry. The 555 timer which functions as an oscillator
is used as a free running multi-vibrator with the frequency pulled down to
500 - 600 KHz.
Lastly, understanding the utility of AM transmission can help
us further on how signals are being transmitted over medium to medium.









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References:
1. AM Transmission.pdf (Dr. arnas Paulikas. Telekomunikacij
ininerijos katedra. Elektronikos fakultetas, VGTU)

2. How AM/FM Radio Works. Radio Seems Like Magic, But is Easy to
Understand. Gary Altunian. 2013. 2013 About.com.


3. "Lee De Forest as Early Radio Broadcaster". De Forest.com
website excerpted from Adams, Mike (1996). "The Race for the
Radiotelephone: 1900-1920". AWA Review (Antique Wireless
Association) 10: 78119.

4. "Fessenden, Reginald". Sterling, Christopher H.; Cary O'Dell,
Michael C. Keith, Ed. (2011). The Biographical Encyclopedia of
American Radio. Routledge. pp. 136139. ISBN 0415995493.



5. Simple 555 Timer AM Transmitter Schematic for Science Fair
Project. Jaseem. 2011 CircuitsGallery