What is Modulation?

Different Types of Modulation Techniques

Communication is the basic attraction of mankind as it gives the knowledge of what is going
on around us. In our daily life, we communicate with many people and use the entertainment
media like television, radio, internet and newspaper to get ourselves involved. These
entertainment media act as a source of communication. Electronic communication comprises
TV, radio, internet, etc. When we want to transmit a signal from one location to another, we
have to strengthen the signal. After undergoing strenghthening process the signal travels to a
long distance. This is called as modulation, and this article gives an overview of the modulation
and types of modulation techniques.

Types of Modulation

Communication is nothing but, the process of exchanging (two way communication) or passing
(one way communication) information from one person to another. The basic electronic
communication system consists of these components: transmitter, receiver and
communication channel.
 Communication System
A transmitter is a group of electronic circuits designed to convert the information into a signal
for transmission over a given communication medium.

A receiver is a group of electronic circuits designed to convert the signal back to the original
information.

The communication channel is the medium which is designed to transmit the electronic
signal from one place to another.

What is Modulation?
Modulation is nothing but, a carrier signal that varies in accordance with the message signal.
Modulation technique is used to change the signal characteristics. Basically, the modulation
is of following two types:

Modulation Techniques
  Analog Modulation
 Digital Modulation

Analog Modulation
In analog modulation, analog signal (sinusoidal signal) is used as a carrier signal that
modulates the message signal or data signal. The general function Sinusoidal wave’s is shown
in the figure below, in which, three parameters can be altered to get modulation – they are
amplitude, frequency and phase; so, the types of analog modulation are:

Analog Modulation

 Amplitude Modulation (AM)

 Frequency Modulation (FM)
 Phase Modulation (PM)

Amplitude Modulation
Amplitude modulation was developed in the beginning of the 20th century. It was the earliest
modulation technique used to transmit voice by radio. This type of modulation technique is
used in electronic communication. In this modulation, the amplitude of the carrier signal varies
in accordance with the message signal, and other factors like phase and frequency remain
constant.

The modulated signal is shown in the below figure, and its spectrum consists of the lower
frequency band, upper frequency band and carrier frequency components. This type of
modulation requires more power and greater bandwidth; filtering is very difficult. Amplitude
modulation is used in computer modems, VHF aircraft radio, and in portable two-way radio
Frequency Modulation
In this type of modulation, the frequency of the carrier signal varies in accordance with the
message signal, and other parameters like amplitude and phase remain constant. Frequency
modulation is used in different applications like radar, radio and telemetry, seismic prospecting
and monitoring newborns for seizures via EEG, etc.

This type of modulation is commonly used for broadcasting music and speech, magnetic tape
recording systems, two way radio systems and video transmission systems. When noise
occurs naturally in radio systems, frequency modulation with sufficient bandwidth provides an
advantage in cancelling the noise.
Phase Modulation
In this type of modulation, the phase of the carrier signal varies in accordance with the
message signal. When the phase of the signal is changed, then it affects the frequency. So,
for this reason, this modulation is also comes under the frequency modulation.

Generally, phase modulation is used for transmitting waves. It is an essential part of many
digital transmission coding schemes that underlie a wide range of technologies like GSM,
WiFi, and satellite television. This type of modulation is used for signal generation in al
synthesizers, such as the Yamaha DX7 to implement FM synthesis.

Types of Analog Modulation

Therefore, Analog modulation includes AM, FM and PM and these are more sensitive to noise.
If noise enters into a system, it persists and gets carried up to the end receiver. So, this
drawback can be overcome by the digital modulation technique.
Digital Modulation
For a better quality and efficient communication, digital modulation technique is employed.
The main advantages of the digital modulation over analog modulation include available
bandwidth , high noise immunity and permissible power. In digital modulation, a message
signal is converted from analog to digital message, and then modulated by using a carrier
wave.

Digital Modulation

The carrier wave is switched on and off to create pulses such that the signal is modulated.
Similar to the analog, in this system, the type of the digital modulation is decided by the
variation of the carrier wave parameters like amplitude, phase and frequency.

The most important digital modulation techniques are based on keying such as :
Amplitude Shift Keying,
Frequency Shift Keying,
Phase Shift Keying,
Differential Phase Shift Keying,
Quadrature Phase Shift Keying,
Minimum Shift Keying,
Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying,
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, etc., as shown in the figure.
In an Amplitude shift keying, the amplitude of the carrier wave changes based on the message
signal or on the base-band signal, which is in digital format. It is sensitive to noise and used
for low-band requirements.

In frequency shift keying, the frequency of the carrier wave is varied for each symbol in the
digital data. It needs larger bandwidths as shown in the figure. Similarly, the phase shift keying
changes the phase of the carrier for each symbol and it is less sensitive to noise.

Communication Based Project Ideas

Communication based projects mainly covers a wide range of areas such as GSM, GPS,
Bluetooth, RFID, DTMF, Mobile, Ethernet, RF, XBEE, Networking, Data Acquisition and Smart
Card. The following is a list of communication based projects for engineering students:
 Communication Based Project
 Cell Phone Based DTMF Controlled Garage Door Opening System
 Zigbee Technology Based Industrial Automation
 Display of Dialed Telephone Numbers on Seven Segment Displays
 Automatic Dialing to any Telephone Using I2C Protocol on Detecting Burglary
 DTMF Based Load Control System
 Cell Phone Controlled Robotic Vehicle
 GSM Based Energy Meter Reading with Load Control
 Railway Track Security System
 GSM Based Wireless Electronic Notice Board
 RFID Technology Based Device Control and Authentication system using PIC Microcontroller
 Theft Intimation of Vehicle Over SMS to Owner
 GSM Based Energy Meter Reading With Load Control Using PIC Microcontroller
 RF Controlled Robotic Vehicle With Laser Beam Arrangement
 Automatic Bus Location Announcement System using Microcontroller and GPS
 Pick N Place Robot With Soft Catching Gripper
 Fire Fighting Robotic Vehicle
 War Field Spying Robot with Night Vision Wireless Camera
 Wireless Power Transfer
 Speed Synchronization of Multiple Motors in Industries
 RF based Unique Office Communication System
 Touch Screen Based Home Automation System
 RFID Security Access Control System
 RFID Based Attendance System
 RFID Based Passport Details
 Device Control and Authentication using RFID
 Wireless Message Communication between Two Computers
 XBEE Based Remote Monitoring of 3 Parameters on Transformer / Generator Health
 XBEE Based Remote Monitoring of 3 Parameters on Transformer / Generator Health with
Voice Announcement and Wireless PC Interface
 Remote AC Power Control by Android Application with LCD Display
 Advanced Embedded System Based Remote Robot using RF
 War Field Spying Robot with Night Vision Wireless Camera by Android Applications
 Remote Induction Motor Control by Android Application with 7 Segment Display
 Remote Operated Domestic Appliances Control by Android Application
 Remote Password Operated Load Control by Android Applications
 Density Based Auto Traffic Signal Control with Android Based Remote Override
 Four Quadrant Operation of DC Motor Remotely Controlled by Android Applications.
 Wireless Data Communication Project on Data Encryption and Decryption Using
Zigbee

GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) is a standard developed by the

European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) to describe the protocols for
second-generation digital cellular networks used by mobile devices such as tablets. It was first
deployed in Finland in December 1991.As of 2014, it has become the global standard for
mobile communications – with over 90% market share, operating in over 193 countries and
territories. GSM is a second-generation (2G) standard employing time-division multiple-
Access (TDMA) spectrum-sharing, issued by the European Telecommunications Standards
Institute (ETSI).
What is the difference between 1g 2g 3g and 4g?
G in 2G, 3G and 4G stands for the “Generation” of the mobile network. Today, mobile
operators have started offering 4G services in the country. A higher number before the 'G'
means more power to send out and receive more information and therefore the ability to
achieve a higher efficiency through the wireless network.

W-CDMA or WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), along with UMTS-FDD,
UTRA-FDD, or IMT-2000 CDMA Direct Spread is an air interface standard found in 3G mobile
telecommunications networks.

The Global Positioning System (GPS), originally Navstar GPS,is a satellite-based

radionavigation system owned by the United States government and operated by the United
States Air Force. The GPS does not require the user to transmit any data, and it operates
independently of any telephonic or internet reception, though these technologies can enhance
the usefulness of the GPS positioning information.

Bluetooth technology enables mobile devices to exchange data wirelessly, and it comes on
every computer, smartphone and tablet today, with this symbol:
Gaussian FSK modulation (GFSK) data is encoded in the form of variations of frequency in
a carrier in a similar manner to FSK. Therefore, the modulator used can be the same that is
used for FSK modulation. However, the impulses pass through a Gaussian
filter before entering the pulse modulator to decrease the spectral width of the
same.The Gaussian filter is a kind of pulse formatter used to smooth the transition between
the values of the impulses.

Gaussian Filter:

GFSK modulation is used in Bluetooth systems, since it provides a better spectral

efficiency compared to FSK.

What is RFID?
Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) is the use of radio waves to read and capture
information stored on a tag attached to an object. A tag can be read from up to several feet
away and does not need to be within direct line-of-sight of the reader to be tracked.

DTMF (dual tone multi frequency)

DTMF (dual tone multi frequency) is the signal to the phone company that you generate when
you press an ordinary telephone's touch keys. In the United States and perhaps elsewhere,
it's known as "Touchtone" phone (formerly a registered trademark of AT&T). DTMF has
generally replaced loop disconnect ("pulse") dialling. With DTMF, each key you press on your
phone generates two tones of specific frequencies. So that a voice can't imitate the tones, one
tone is generated from a high-frequency group of tones and the other from a low frequency
group.

Ethernet is the most widely installed local area network (LAN) technology. Ethernet is a link
layer protocol in the TCP/IP stack, describing how networked devices can format data for
transmission to other network devices on the same network segment, and how to put that data
out on the network connection. It touches both Layer 1 (the physical layer) and Layer 2 (the
data link layer) on the OSI network protocol model. Ethernet defines two units of transmission,
packet and frame. The frame includes not just the "payload" of data being transmitted but also
addressing information identifying the physical "Media Access Control" (MAC) addresses of
both sender and receiver, VLAN tagging and quality of service information, and error-
correction information to detect problems in transmission. Each frame is wrapped in a packet,
which affixes several bytes of information used in establishing the connection and marking
where the frame starts.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)

TCP/IP, or the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, is a suite of communication
protocols used to interconnect network devices on the internet. TCP/IP can also be used as a
communications protocol in a private network (an intranet or an extranet).

protocol
In information technology, a protocol is the special set of rules that end points in a
telecommunication connection use when they communicate. Protocols specify interactions
between the communicating entities.

computer network
In information technology, a computer network, also called a data network, is a series of points,
or nodes, interconnected by communication paths for the purpose of transmitting, receiving
and exchanging data, voice and video traffic.

intranet
An intranet is a private network that is contained within an enterprise. It may consist of many
interlinked local area networks and also use leased lines in the wide area network. Typically,
an intranet includes connections through one or more gateway computers to the outside
Internet. The main purpose of an intranet is to share company information and computing
resources among employees. An intranet can also be used to facilitate working in groups and
for teleconferences.

extranet
An extranet is a private network that uses Internet technology and the public
telecommunication system to securely share part of a business's information or operations
with suppliers, vendors, partners, customers, or other businesses. An extranet can be viewed
as part of a company's intranet that is extended to users outside the company. It has also
been described as a "state of mind" in which the Internet is perceived as a way to do business
with other companies as well as to sell products to customers.

Internet
The Internet, sometimes called simply "the Net," is a worldwide system of computer networks
- a network of networks in which users at any one computer can, if they have permission, get
information from any other computer (and sometimes talk directly to users at other computers).
It was conceived by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) of the U.S. government
in 1969 and was first known as the ARPANet. The original aim was to create a network that
would allow users of a research computer at one university to "talk to" research computers at
other universities. A side benefit of ARPANet's design was that, because messages could be
routed or rerouted in more than one direction, the network could continue to function even if
parts of it were destroyed in the event of a military attack or other disaster.

What are Xbee Modules?

Wi-Fi, as we know it, is a form of wireless communication based on the 802.11 standards as
outlined by the IEEE (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). If you're paying
attention to it, you'll notice an appendage to this standard that is a single letter suffix (a, b, g,
n). These letters correlate to internationally reserved frequency ranges of the radio spectrum
for wireless communication, usually in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. Phones, tablets,
Personal Computers and the rest all rely on this standard of wireless communication to access
local area networks and establish a connection to the internet; these devices connect to a
network via a wireless hotspot that provides internet access (known as a star network
topology).
XBee and Zigbee

There are some differences between the similar looking names to be aware of. First off, Xbee
refers to a family of devices from Digi that share form factor, host interface and a group of
protocols you can select from (Zigbee being one of these). Zigbee, on the other hand, is a
mesh networking protocol built upon the 802.15.4 IEEE standard. So Zigbee protocol dictates
how devices can communicate wirelessly and are one of the supported protocols of the Xbee
products. Zigbee also has their line of goods too; however, they only support Zigbee
communication protocols.
Zigbee is specially designed for low cost, low data rate and low-power consumption wireless
personal area networks (WPANs). Its mesh topology of network makes this network best
suited for industrial automation as well for factory floor automation.

Comparison of Different Wireless Communications

Data acquisition (DAQ) is the process of measuring an electrical or physical phenomenon

such as voltage, current, temperature, pressure, or sound with a computer. A DAQ system
consists of sensors, DAQ measurement hardware, and a computer with programmable
software. Compared to traditional measurement systems, PC-based DAQ systems exploit the
processing power, productivity, display, and connectivity capabilities of industry-standard
computers providing a more powerful, flexible, and cost-effective measurement solution.

A smart card is a security token that has an embedded chip. Smart cards are typically the
same size as a driver's license and can be made out of metal or plastic. They connect to a
reader either by direct physical contact (also known as chip and dip) or through a short-range
wireless connectivity standard such as Near Field Communication (NFC).
Analog & digital Modulation
We convey our messages to someone and outside world through voice, facial expressions,
gestures. This is the communication method between human beings. However in
technological point of view these messages can be base-band audio, video and even digital
bits from computer. Telecommunication is the core subject for sending messages from one
place to another place. Here we are discussing various types of modulations which are the
core mechanisms for any telecommunication devices. Before we start this subject let us go
back in the history of telecommunication. Telephone was the first device to send analog audio
signals over long distance through copper wire. Telegraph was on the other way to send
messages in the forms of dash-dots. Telephone and telegraph remains the base of all modern
day's communication. Present days we send audio, video, bitstreams from computes through
copper wires, co-axial cable, even through wireless radio waves, microwaves, infrared, and in
the form visual lights through optical fibre. Baseband signals can be sent to some distance
through copper wire but sending those to a long distance has many challenges. Letus discuss
these problems and how modulation came in to picture.
Modulation needs

Electronic devices produce messages like analog baseband signals in the form of audio, video
or even messages can be in the form of digital bits from computer. To send these messages
we must have some communication channel like wires, co-axial cable, even wireless radio
waves, microwaves or infrared. We can easily transmit messages through wires or cables.
Voice, Video, bit streams from computer are having lower frequency band and can travel few
distance with wires but cannot be sent through wireless media. Voice signal has lower
Bandwidth therefore it will not propagate through space and will be attenuated. To transmit
voice signal a large size antenna is required as antenna length is proportional to half of
wavelength. The size of the antenna will be more than the distance between transmitter and
receiver. Again when more than one transmitter is involved all station will overlap in one
frequency band. For those above reasons we choose a carrier, which is a high frequency radio
wave, can travel long distance without attenuation and as the frequency is high smaller
antenna is required. Selecting different carrier frequency for different transmitting stations can
eliminate overlapping of frequency band.
Problem:
1. Voice, Video, bit streams from computer are having lower frequency band
2. They can travel few distance with wires but cannot propagate through space
3. Antenna size is half of wavelength thus antenna length for Voice, Video, bit streams would
be impractical
4. Assume we transmit Voice, Video, bit streams over an imaginary antenna but being in the
same frequency range all channels will overlap

Solution:
1. carrier signal is used to carry signal to long distance
2. Modulation is used with a selected carrier frequency signal to mix baseband with carrier
3. carrier frequency is in higher frequency radio wave length and thus antenna size would be
smaller
4. Radio waves can travel longer distance with very less att
5. Radio wave has a wide range of frequencies to select individual non-overlapping channels

Modulation:
Now we have to develop some way to send the information of message signal via this carrier
signal. The carrier signal is a high frequency sinusoidal signal represented by amplitude,
frequency and phase. We can vary one of this parameter accordingly with the message
information.

Definition: Operation of varying amplitude, frequency or phase of carrier signal accordingly

with the instantaneous amplitude of the message signal is called modulation.

Here baseband signals comes from a audio/video or computer. Baseband signals are also
called modulating signal as it modulates carrir signal. career signals are high frequecy radio
waves it generally comes from a radio frequency oscillators. These two signls are combined
in modulator. Modulator takes the instantenious amplitute of baseband signal and varies
amplitute/frequency/phase of career signal. Resultant signal is a modulated signal. It goes to
an RF-amplifier for signal power boosting and then feed to antenna or a co-axial cable.
There are two types of modulation analog and digital. Analog modulation delas with the voice,
video and regular waves of base band signals. Where as digital modulations are with bit
streams or symbols from computing vevices as base band signals.

DeModulation:
Demodulation is the opposite process of modulation. Modulator is a part of signal transmitter
where as demodulator is the receiving side. In broadcast system radio tranmitting station does
to modulation part. A radio receiver acts as a demodulator. A modem receives signals and
also transmits signals thus it does modulation and demodulation at the same time. Thus the
name modem has been given. A radio antenna receives low power signal. A co-axial cable
end point can also taken as an signal input. An RF amplifier boosts the signal amplitude. Then
the signal goes to a demodulator. demodulator does the reverse of modulation and extracts
the backband signal from career. Then the base band signal is amplified to feed a audio
speaker or video monitor or TTL/CMOS signal levels to match computer inputs.

AM demodulation includes
 AM demodulation overview
 Diode detector
 Synchronous demodulation
The process of separating or extracting the modulation from a signal is called demodulation
or detection.
For amplitude modulation, the process of demodulation or detection can be accomplished very
simply using a diode, or it may be achieved in other ways that provide more effective
demodulation of the waveform.

As amplitude modulation is still widely used as a result of its simplicity, receivers incorporating
AM demodulators are manufactured in quantities of many millions each year. Within these
radios a simple AM detector consisting of a diode is used.
AM demodulation or detection process

In order to look at the amplitude demodulation process it is necessary to first look at the format
of an AM signal.

An AM signal consists of a carrier which acts as the reference. Any modulation that is applied
then appears as sidebands which stretch out either side of the signal - each sideband is a
mirror image of the other.

Spectrum of an amplitude modulated, AM signal

Within the overall AM signal the carrier possess the majority of the power - a fully modulated,
i.e. 100% modulation - AM signal has sidebands which have 25% that of the main carrier.
Note on Amplitude Modulation:
As the name implies, Amplitude Modulation, AM, is a form of modulation in which the
amplitude or intensity of the waveform is varied in line with the waveform of the modulating
signal. As part of the modulation process, sidebands are created that extend out either side of
the carrier..
When demodulating a signal, two basic steps may be considered:
 Create baseband signal: The main element of AM demodulation is to create the
baseband signal. This can be achieved in a number of ways - one of the easiest is
to use a simple diode and rectify the signal. This leaves elements of the original RF
signal. When other forms of demodulation are used, they too leave some elements
of an RF signal.
 Filter: The filtering removes any unwanted high frequency elements from the
demodulation process. The audio can then be presented to further stages for audio
amplification, etc.

The AM demodulation process is outlined in the diagram below. This particular example
applies particularly to a diode detector.

Basics of AM demodulation / detection

Types of AM demodulator
There are a number of ways in which an AM signal can be demodulated. There is a balance
that needs to be made of the performance of the circuit that is required against the complexity,
and hence the cost that can be tolerated.

The major types of AM demodulator are:

Diode AM detector: This is by far the simplest form of AM demodulator or detector,
requiring just a semiconductor (or other form) of diode along with a capacitor to remove the
high frequency components. It suffers from a number of disadvantages, but its performance
is more than adequate for most applications including broadcast receivers where cost is a
significant driver.
Synchronous AM detector: This form of AM detector offers a higher level of performance,
but at the cost of considerably the use of considerably more components. This means that it
is only used in receivers where the levels of performance are paramount and can justify the
additional component costs.
Both types of detector are widely used, although the diode detector is far more common in
view of its simplicity and the fact that it is quite adequate for broadcast applications where
performance is not normally an issue.

Analog Modulation:
Baseband signal is always analog for this modulation. There are three properties of a carrier
signal amplitute, frequency and phase thus there are three basic types of analog modulations.
 Amplitude Modulation (AM)
 Frequency Modulation (FM)
 Phase modulation (PM)
Amplitute Modulation
Amplitude modulation or AM is the process of varying the instantaneous amplitude of carrier
signal accordingly with instantaneous amplitude of message signal. Thus, if m(t) is the
message signal and c(t)=Acoswct then AM signal F(t) is written as
 F(t)= Acoswct+m(t) coswct
 F(t)=[A+m(t)] coswct

AM Advantage
AM is the simplest type of modulation. Hardware design of both transmitter and receiver is
very simple and less cost effective.

AM Disadvange:
AM is very susceptible to noise.
Application:
1) AM radio broad cast is an example
Frequency modulation
FM:-FM or Frequency modulation is the process of varying the in instantaneous frequency of
Carrier signal accordingly with instantaneous amplitude of message signal. Thus, if m(t) is the
message signal and c(t)=Acoswct then FM signal will be
F(t)= Acos(wc t+kf ∫m(α)dα)

FM Advantage
Modulation and demodulation does not catch any channel noise.
FM Disadvange:
Circuit needed for FM modulation and demodulation is bit complicated than AM

Application:
1) FM radio broad cast is an example

Phase modulation (PM)

PM or Phase modulation is the process of varying the instantaneous phase of Carrier signal
accordingly with instantaneous amplitude of message signal. Thus if m(t) is the message
signal and c(t)=Acoswct then PM signal will be
F(t)= Acos(wct+kpm(t))
PM Advantage
Modulation and demodulation does not catch any channel noise.
PM Disadvange:

Circuit needed for PM modulation and demodulation is bit complicated than AM and FM

Application:
1) Satellite communication.

Digital modulation:
Digital modulation in somewhat similar to the analog modulation except base band signal is of
discrete amplitude level. For binary signal it has only two level, either high or logic 1 or low or
logic 0. The modulation scheme is mainly three types.

 ASK or Amplitude shift Key

 FSK or Frequency shift key
 PSK or Phase shift key

ASK or Amplitude shift Key:

When the carrier amplitude is varied in proportion to message signal m(t). We have the
modulated carrier m(t)coswct where coswct is the carrier signal. As the information is an on-
off signal the output is also an on-off signal where the carrier is present when information is 1
and carrier is absent when information is 0. Thus this modulation scheme is known as on-off
keying (OOK) or amplitude shift key.
Application:
Many modems used FSK in telemetry systems

PSK or Phase shift key:

The phase of the carrier is shifted for this modulation. If the base band signal m(t) =1 carrier
in phase is transmitted. If m(t)=0 carrier with out of phase is transmitted i.e. cos(wct+П). If
phase shift is done in 4 different quadrants then 2bit of information can be sent at a time. This
scheme is a special case of PSK modulation known as QPSK or Quadrature Phase Shift Key.

Application:
 Used in our ADSL broadband modem
 Used in satellite communication
 Used in our mobile phones