Communication Systems

1.10.3. Frequency Translation in Modulation Process

The baseband signal or modulating signal is a low frequency signal. For example, the audio signal is present in the
frequency range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. But due to modulation, the same signal now gets translated to a higher frequency
range.
1.10.4. Multiplexing
Multiplexing may be defined as the process of combining several message signals together and send them over the
same communication channel. Three commonly used methods of multiplexing are as under:
(i) Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM).
(ii) Time Division Multiplexing (TDM).
(iii) Code Division Multiplexing (CDM).

1.11. NEED OF MODULATION

1. Basic Aspect
A question may be asked as, when the baseband signals can be transmitted directly why to use the modulation?
The answer is that the baseband transmission has many limitations which can be overcome using modulation. It
may be explained below.
In the process of modulation, the baseband signal is translated i.e., shifted from low frequency to high frequency.
This frequency shift is proportional to the frequency of carrier.
2. Advantages of Modulation
(i) Reduction in the height of antenna
(ii) Avoids mixing of signals
(iii) Increases the range of communication
(iv) Multiplexing is possible
(v) Improves quality of reception.
3. Reduction in Height of Antenna
For the transmission of radio signals, the antenna height must be multiple of (l/4). Here l is the wavelength. l = c/
f where c is velocity of light and f is the frequency of the signal to be transmitted. The minimum antenna height
required to transmit a baseband signal of f = 10 kHz is calculated as follows:
λ c 3 × 108
Minimum antenna height = = = = 7500 meters i.e., 7.5 km
4 4f 4 × 10 × 103
The antenna of this height is practically impossible to install.
Now, let us consider a modulated signal at f = 1 MHz. The minimum antenna height is given by,
λ c 3 × 10 8
Minimum antenna height = = = = 75 meter
4 4f 4 × 1 × 10 6
This antenna can be easily installed practically. Thus, modulation reduces the height of the antenna.

4. Avoids Mixing of Signals

If the baseband sound signals are transmitted without using the modulation by more than one transmitter, then all
the signals will be in the same frequency range i.e., 0 to 20 kHz. Therefore, all the signals get mixed together and a
receiver cannot separated them from each other.
Hence, if each baseband sound signal is used to modulate a different carrier then they will occupy different slots in
the frequency domain (different channels). This has been shown in figure 1.23. Thus, modulation avoids mixing of
signals.
5. Increases the Range of Communication
The frequency of baseband signals is low, and the low frequency signals can not travel a long distance when they
are transmitted. They get heavily attenuated (suppressed). The attenuation reduces with increase in frequency of the
transmitted signals, and they travel longer distance. The modulation process increases the frequency of the signal to be
transmitted. Therefore, it increases the range of communication. In addition to the advantages discussed till now, the
modulation process has some more advantages.
Introduction to Communication Systems

6. Multiplexing is possible
Multiplexing is a process in which two or more signals can be transmitted over the same communication channel
simultaneously. This is possible only with modulation. The multiplexing allows the same channel to be used by many
signals. Hence, many TV channels can use the same frequency range, without getting mixed with each other or different
frequency signals can be transmitted at the same time.

Fig. 1.23. Modulation avoids mixing of signals

7. Improves quality of reception

With frequency modulation (FM), and the digital communication techniques like PCM, the effect of noise is reduced
to a great extent. This improves quality of reception.

1.12. DIFFERENT TYPES OF MODULATION SYSTEMS

Various types of practically used modulation systems are as under:

Fig. 1.24. Classification of modulation systems

1.12.1. Amplitude Modulation (AM)

In amplitude modulation method, the carrier is a sinewave with frequency fc. The carrier frequency is much higher
than the frequency of the modulating signal (fm). The amplitude of the carrier varies in proportion to the amplitude of
the modulating signal as shown in figure 1.25. The amplitude modulated (AM) signal is transmitted by a transmitter.
The information is contained in its amplitude variation. The frequency of the carrier remains constant. AM is used in
radio and TV broadcasting applications.
 Communication Systems

Fig. 1.25. Amplitude modulated signal

1.12.2. Frequency Modulation (FM)

In frequency modulation method, the frequency of the carrier is changed in proportion with the amplitude of the
modulating signal. Thus, the frequency compression and expansion will take place as shown in figure 1.26. The FM
signal is transmitted by the transmitter and it carries the information in the frequency variation. The amplitude of the
carrier remains constant. Also, FM is used for TV, sound and radio broadcasting and police wireless transmission.

Fig. 1.26. Frequency modulated signal

1.12.3. Phase Modulation (PM)

In PM the phase shift of the carrier signal is varied in proportional with the amplitude of the modulating signal.
The amplitude of carrier remains constant. Thus, the information is carried in the phase variations of the modulated
signal. The phase modulated signal is shown in figure 1.27. Phase modulation is very similar to the frequency modulation.
The only difference is that the phase of the carrier is varied instead of varying the frequency. The amplitude of the
carrier remains constant. Also, PM is used for generation of FM.
Introduction to Communication Systems

Fig. 1.27. Phase modulated signal

1.12.4. Pulse Analog Modulation (PAM, PWM and PPM)

For the AM, FM and PM discussed in the previous articles, the carrier is a sinusoidal signal. However, in the pulse
modulation, the carrier is in the form of pulses instead of being a sinewave. In PAM (pulse amplitude modulation), the
amplitude of the pulsed carrier is varied in accordance with the amplitude of modulating signal. In PWM (pulse width
modulation), width of the pulses and in PPM (Pulse position modulation), the position of pulses is varied in accordance
with the modulating signal. The PAM and PWM signals are shown in figure 1.28.

Fig. 1.28. PAM, PWM signals (pulse analog modulation)

1.12.5. Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) and Delta Modulation (DM)

These are the digital pulse modulation systems. Here, a train of digital pulses is transmitted by the transmitter. All
the pulses are of constant amplitude, width and position. The information is contained in combination of the pulses.
The digital communication has higher noise immunity than the analog communication system.

1.13. DEMODULATION OR DETECTION

The modulated signals are transmitted by the transmitter via air medium or wire medium. These signals then reach
the receivers by travelling over the communication medium. At the receiver, the original information signal is separated
 Communication Systems

from the carrier. This process is called as demodulation or detection. Detection is exactly the opposite process of
modulation.

1.14. MULTIPLEXING
Multiplexing is the process of simultaneously transmitting two or more individual signals over a single communication
channel. Due to multiplexing, it is possible to increase the number of communication channels so that more information
can be transmitted. The typical applications of multiplexing are in telemetry and telephony or in the satellite
communication.

1.14.1. Concept of Multiplexing

The concept of a simple multiplexer is illustrated in figure
1.29. The multiplexer receives a large number of different
input signals. Multiplexer has only one output which is
connected to the single communication channel. The
multiplexer combines all input signals into a single composite
signal and transmits it over the communication medium.
Sometimes, the composite signal is used to modulate a carrier
before transmission. At the receiving end of communication
link, a demultiplexer is used to sort out the signals into their Fig. 1.29. Concept of multiplexing
original form.

1.14.2. Types of Multiplexing

There are three basic types of multiplexing. They are as under:
(i) Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM).
(ii) Time Division Multiplexing (TDM).
(iii) Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM).

1.14.3. Classification of Multiplexing

The multiplexing techniques can be broadly classified into two
categories namely analog and digital. Analog multiplexing can be
either FDM or WDM and digital multiplexing is TDM. Figure 1.30
shows the classification of multiplexing techniques. Generally, the
FDM and WDM systems are used to deal with the analog information
wheareas the TDM systems are used to handle the digital information.
In FDM, many signals are transmitted simultaneously where each
signal occupies a different frequency slot within a common bandwidth.
Fig. 1.30. Classification of multiplexing techniques
In TDM, the signals are not transmitted at a time, instead they are
transmitted in different time slots.

1.15. BASIC MODES OF COMMUNICATION

There are following two basic modes of communication:
1. Broadcasting
2. Point-to-point communication

1.15.1. Broadcasting
In broadcasting, a single powerful transmitter is used which transmits information in all the directions. There are
several inexpensive receivers which receive this information. In broadcasting mode, the flow of information is always
from the transmitter to receivers i.e., one way as shown in figure 1.31. Examples of broadcasting are radio transmission,
TV transmission etc.

1.15.2. Point-to-Point Communication

Here, the communication takes place over a link between only one transmitter and one receiver as shown in figure
1.32. The flow of information is generally bidirectional. To facilitate this, transmitters and receivers are used on both
the ends. Example of point-to-point communication is the communication between two telephone subscribers.