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1. Why Modulate?...................................................................................................................... 2
2. Amplitude Modulation........................................................................................................3
2.1 Time domain..................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Derivation......................................................................................................................... 4
2.3 Modulation Index (or Modulation Factor or Depth of Modulation).................................7
2.4 Power in an AM waveform................................................................................................9
2.5 Peak Instantaneous Power...............................................................................................9
3. Suppressed Carrier Signals and Single Sideband......................................................10
4. AM Demodulators.............................................................................................................. 11
4.1 Diode Detector................................................................................................................ 11
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COMM 1208 Unit 3 AM
1. Why Modulate?
All audio signals occupy the same frequency band i.e. between 0 and 20 kHz. Before being
broadcast an audio signal (speech or music) must be moved, or frequency translated to a
specific frequency range in order to use the available frequency spectrum. To do this the audio
signal (or modulating signal) modulates a much higher radio frequency (the carrier
frequency). Each audio signal is assigned a carrier - defining a channel - so that it is possible
for the receiver to discriminate between all the streams of signals coming in.
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COMM 1208 Unit 3 AM
2. Amplitude Modulation
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COMM 1208 Unit 3 AM
2.2 Derivation
A carrier is described by
v = Vc Sin ( c t + )
To amplitude modulate the carrier its amplitude is changed in accordance with the level of
the audio signal, which is described by
v = Vm Sin ( m t )
The amplitude of the carrier varies sinusoidally about a mean of Vc. When the carrier is
modulated its amplitude is varied with the instantaneous value of the modulating signal. The
amplitude of the variation of the carrier amplitude is Vm and the angular frequency of the rate
at which the amplitude varies is m. The amplitude of the carrier is then:
Carrier amplitude = Vc + Vm Sin ( m t )
and the instantaneous value (value at any instant in time) is
v = {Vc + Vm Sin ( m t )} * Sin ( c t ) Eqn. 1
= Vc Sin ( c t ) + Vm Sin ( m t ) * Sin ( c t )
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COMM 1208 Unit 3 AM
Page 5 of 13
COMM 1208 Unit 3 AM
Exercise: Draw a diagram showing these frequency bands for the above examples.
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COMM 1208 Unit 3 AM
In AM, this quantity, also called modulation depth, indicates by how much the modulated
signal varies around its 'original' level. For AM, it relates to the variations in the carrier
amplitude.
So if m = 0.5, the carrier amplitude varies by 50% above and below its unmodulated level, and
for m = 1.0 it varies by 100%. Modulation depth greater than 100% is generally to be avoided
as it creates distortion.
17
25
33
41
49
57
65
17
33
41
49
57
25
65
-0.5
-0.5
-1
in practice, because the distorted envelope
-1 -1.5
will result in a distorted output sound signal
1
Modulating Signal
2
100% modulation in the radio receiver. The effect of over-
0.5
1.5
1
modulation can be examined in the
0
0.5
0
laboratory.
1
17
49
65
25
33
41
57
17
25
41
49
33
57
65
-0.5
-0.5 -1
-1.5
-1 -2
150% Modulation
3
2
1
0
1
41
49
17
25
33
57
65
-1
-2
-3
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COMM 1208 Unit 3 AM
Page 8 of 13
COMM 1208 Unit 3 AM
Variations of modulated signal with percentage modulation are shown below. In each image,
the maximum amplitude is higher than in the previous image. Note that the scale changes
from one image to the next.
Page 9 of 13
COMM 1208 Unit 3 AM
Example: A transmitter puts out a total power of 25 Watts of 30% AM signal. How
much power is contained in the carrier and each of the sidebands?
Answer: Total power = 25 = Pc ( 1 + ) = Pc ( 1 + ) = Pc * 1.045
Therefore the carrier power is Pc = 25/ 1.045 = 23.92 Watts
The total power in the 2 sidebands is 25 - 23.92 = 1.08 W
The power in each sideband is 1.08/2 = .54 W
The fraction of the power in the carrier is 23.92/25 = 0.957, or 95.7%
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COMM 1208 Unit 3 AM
Because most of the output power from an amplitude modulator is contained in the carrier
there will be major power savings if the carrier can be suppressed. The carrier amplitude and
frequency do not change and so it does not contain any signal information. The suppression of
the carrier will not cause any of the information in the signal to be lost.
Each sideband is the image of the other and one of them may be suppressed without the loss of
any information.
All of the information is conveyed through the use of a single sideband with no carrier.
When the carrier and both side bands are transmitted it is called Full Wave transmission.
If only the carrier is suppressed we have Double Side Band Suppressed Carrier
transmission or DSBSC for short .
If the carrier and one side band are suppressed we have Single Side Band transmission or
SSB.
Radio receivers for receiving Full Wave signals are cheap to produce but the transmitter must
be capable of transmitting a lot of power. It is used for broadcast radio stations in the Medium
Wave band because there will be only one transmitter for a country the size of Ireland but
millions of receivers so that the aim is to keep the receivers as cheap as possible.
Radio receivers for SSB or Carrier Suppressed signals are expensive to produce, but the
transmitter need not be capable of outputting a high power level. It is used for ship to shore
communications (e.g. between a fishing boat and the harbour master) or for other one-to-one
communications. In this case there are as many transmitters as receivers, one per boat, so
that there are no major cost savings if the receiver is made a little cheaper, but there will be
major gains if the transmitter can be made cheaper. In addition the power on the boat (or
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COMM 1208 Unit 3 AM
plane, or other vehicle) may be limited and will be needed for lighting and other functions, so
that it is desirable that as little of it as possible is needed for communications.
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COMM 1208 Unit 3 AM
4. AM Demodulators
C2 R2 It has limitations.
DC LPF
AM Block Audio
R1 C1 C3
in Out
Envelope
Detector
If the time constant R1 *C1 in the envelope detector is too long relative to the period of the
highest frequency modulating signal it will not be it will not be able to follow the peaks and
troughs of the envelope giving rise to diagonal clipping. It is required that
R1*C1 < [(1 -m2)1/2] / (mm) where m is the highest frequency component of the modulating
signal and m is the modulation index. This is derived below.
If R1*C1 is too short than there will excessive RF ripple and the output power will be
reduced.
Because the diode is a non linear device there will be some distortion in the demodulated
signal.
In general R1 C1 must be a lot longer than the period of the carrier and a lot shorter than the
period of the modulating signal.
R1 must be a lot larger than the forward resistance of the diode to maintain detector efficiency.
It must also provide matching to the next (audio) stage.
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