Phase Modulation (PM)
1. Phase Modulation: Phase modulation (PM) is an analog modulation technique in which the amplitude of
modulated signal is kept constant but the phase of modulated signal is varied according to the modulating signal.
2. Principle of Phase Modulation:
o Carrier wave: A high-frequency signal with a constant amplitude and frequency serves as the carrier.
o Message signal: An incoming message signal (e.g., sound, data) is used to modulate the carrier.
o Phase shift: The instantaneous phase of the carrier wave is changed in direct proportion to the
amplitude of the message signal.
o Encoding information: A positive message signal might cause a phase lead, while a negative
message signal could cause a phase lag. As the message signal
changes, the phase of the carrier continuously shifts to represent the
information being sent.
o Constant amplitude: The amplitude of the carrier wave is not changed during this process.
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3. Analogy of PM with FM: Since a changing phase results in a changing frequency, PM is closely related
to FM. A system using PM can also be described as using FM, where the
instantaneous frequency is the time derivative of the phase.
4. Difference between Frequency Modulation (FM) and Phase Modulation (PM):
5. Illustration of Difference between FM and PM Graphically:
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Understand the difference between FM and PM:
In the case of FM:
The frequency changes with the change in modulating signal value.
It remains constant during interval t2 at its maximum value and during interval t5 at its
minimum value.
In the case of PM:
The frequency of PM wave changes and only if the magnitude of modulating signal
changes.
During the intervals t1, t3, t4, t6, the frequency of PM wave changes. But during the
intervals t2 and t5 the frequency of PM remains constant at the carrier frequency value
with some phase shift.
6. Frequency Deviations in FM and PM:
The maximum frequency deviation in FM occurs at the point where the rate of change of modulating signal is
maximum that means the maximum frequency corresponding to peak values of modulating signal.
The maximum frequency deviation in PM occurs at the point deviation occurs near the zero crossing points of
the modulating signal.
(a) Maximum deviations points for FM. (b) Maximum deviations points for PM.
7. Advantages of Phase Modulation:
Phase modulation (PM) is a simple contrasted to Frequency modulation (FM).
It is used to find out the velocity of a target by removing Doppler data. This needs constant carrier which is
achievable during phase modulation however not in FM (frequency modulation).
The main benefit of this modulation is signal modulation because it permits computer for communicating
on high-speed using a telephone system.
When the information is being transmitted without intrusion then the speed rates can be observed.
And one more advantage of PM (phase modulation) is improved immunity toward the noise.
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8. Disadvantages of Phase Modulation:
Phase modulation needs two signals by a phase variation among them. Through this, both the
two patterns are required like a reference as well as a signal.
This type of modulation requires hardware which obtains more complex due to its conversion
technique.
Phase ambiguity arrives if we exceed index pi radian of modulation (1800).
Phase modulation index can be enhanced by employing frequency multiplier.
9. Applications of Phase Modulation:
o It is very useful in radio waves transmission.
o It is an essential element in several digital transmission coding schemes.
o It is an integral element of many digital transmission coding schemes that support an ample range
of wireless technologies such as GSM, Satellite television, and Wi-Fi.
o It is used in digital synthesizers for generating waveform and signal.
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