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Understanding Radio Wave Modulation

Modulation is the process of adding information to radio waves for transmission purposes such as audio or data. There are five main forms of modulation used in aviation: 1) Keyed Modulation which interrupts the carrier wave, 2) Amplitude Modulation (AM) which varies the radio amplitude based on the audio amplitude, 3) Frequency Modulation (FM) which varies the radio frequency based on the audio amplitude, 4) Phase Modulation which varies the carrier phase, and 5) Pulse Modulation which is used for radar and data exchange systems.

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2 views9 pages

Understanding Radio Wave Modulation

Modulation is the process of adding information to radio waves for transmission purposes such as audio or data. There are five main forms of modulation used in aviation: 1) Keyed Modulation which interrupts the carrier wave, 2) Amplitude Modulation (AM) which varies the radio amplitude based on the audio amplitude, 3) Frequency Modulation (FM) which varies the radio frequency based on the audio amplitude, 4) Phase Modulation which varies the carrier phase, and 5) Pulse Modulation which is used for radar and data exchange systems.

Uploaded by

Shane Vince
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Modulation

ATRN 214
Modulation
Modulation is the name given to
the process of adding information
to a radio wave or the formatting
of radio waves for other purposes.

The modulation of a radio


frequency is generally associated
with the transmission of audio
information, although the
transmission of data, including that
in satellite navigation systems, and
the determination of bearing in VOR,
for example, require modulation for
other purposes.
Of the main forms of modulation, five have application in aviation:

1. Keyed Modulation
2. Amplitude Modulation (AM)
3. Frequency Modulation (FM)
4. Phase Modulation
5. Pulse Modulation
Keyed Modulation

The simplest way to put information onto a carrier wave is to quite simply interrupt the
wave to give short and long bursts of energy.
Amplitude Modulation (AM)

In AM the amplitude of the audio frequency (AF) modifies the amplitude of the radio
frequency (RF)
Amplitude Modulation (AM)

As can be seen from the diagram above, positive amplitude in the AF gives an increase in
amplitude in the RF and negative amplitude in the AF gives a decrease in amplitude in the
RF.

The process of combining a radio frequency with a current at audio frequencies is


known as heterodyning.
Frequency Modulation
(FM)
In FM the amplitude of the AF
modifies the frequency of the RF.
The frequency deviation is
primarily dependent on the
amplitude of the AF; the greater
the amplitude the greater the
frequency deviation.
The frequency of the AF
determines the rate of change of
frequency within the modulated
RF.
Phase Modulation
In phase modulation the phase of the
carrier wave is modified by the input
signal.
Pulse Modulation

Pulse modulation is used extensively in radar systems and for data exchange in
communications systems.

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