What is Modulation?

• Transmission of information by communication systems over large

distances is quite a feat of human ingenuity. We can talk, video chat
and text anyone on this planet! The communication system uses a
very clever technique called Modulation to increase the reach of the
signals. Two signals are involved in this process.
What is Modulation?
• Message signals also known as baseband signals are the band of
frequencies representing the original signal. This is the signal to be
transmitted to the receiver. Frequency of such a signal is usually low.
The other signal involved with this is a high-frequency sinusoidal
wave. This signal is called the carrier signal. The frequency of carrier
signals is almost always higher than that of the baseband signal. The
amplitude of the baseband signal is transferred to the high-frequency
carrier. Such a higher frequency carrier is able to travel much farther
than the baseband signal.
What is the need for modulation?
We live in a digitally advanced era where the need for wires is no
longer a necessity to be connected to everyone. Messages, information
and signals are sent from one part of the world to another within
minutes. The process of modulation plays a major role in the fast
transmission of signals. Below, we have mentioned a few of its
importance in the communication system:
1. Size of the Antennae
When the transmission occurs over free space, the antennae radiate
the signal out and the receiver receives it. In order to operate
efficiently, antennae need to be in the order of the magnitude of the
wavelength of the transmitted signal.
Size of the Antennae
Speech frequencies range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Suppose this is a
frequency of 20 kHz and it is radiated out to a receiver through a
channel of free space.

It is impossible to build an antenna this big. Instead, say we give

modulation a chance and use a 1000 kHz carrier wave to carry the
signal. Length of the antennae now would be;

This is much more doable and this example clearly shows us how
hugely the process of modulation is enabling communication systems.
Wireless Communication
By using modulation to transmit the signals through space to long
distances, we have removed the need for wires in communication
systems. The technique of modulation helped humans to become
wireless. Telephones no longer had to be plugged to a wall. Using a
mobile phone went from a dream to the next big thing.
Interference from other signals
This is a point from the practical side of things. Suppose you are
transmitting the baseband signal to a receiver, say your friends’ phone.
Just like you, there will be thousands of people in the city using their
mobile phones. There is no way to tell such signals apart and they will
interfere with each other leading to a lot of noise in the system and a
very bad output. By using a carrier wave of high frequencies and
allotting a band of frequencies to each message, there is no mixing up
of signals and the received signals are absolutely perfect.