UNIT-1
AMPLITUDE AND ANGLE MODULATION
Pre-requisite: Basic Knowledge of Electronic Devices, Digital System Design, Analog and Digital
Signals & Systems
Communication can be defined as the process of exchange of information through means such as words,
actions, signs, etc., between two or more individuals.
Parts of a Communication System
Any system, which provides communication consists of the three important and basic parts as shown in the
following figure.
Sender is the person who sends a message. It could be a transmitting station from where the signal is
transmitted.
Channel is the medium through which the message signals travel to reach the destination.
Receiver is the person who receives the message. It could be a receiving station where the transmitted
signal is being received.
Types of Signals
Conveying an information by some means such as gestures, sounds, actions, etc., can be termed as signaling.
Hence, a signal can be a source of energy which transmits some information. This signal helps to establish a
communication between the sender and the receiver.
An electrical impulse or an electromagnetic wave which travels a distance to convey a message, can be termed
as a signal in communication systems.
Depending on their characteristics, signals are mainly classified into two types: Analog and Digital. Analog
and Digital signals are further classified, as shown in the following figure.
Analog Signal
A continuous time varying signal, which represents a time varying quantity can be termed as an Analog
Signal. This signal keeps on varying with respect to time, according to the instantaneous values of the
quantity, which represents it.
Example
Let us consider a tap that fills a tank of 100 liters capacity in an hour (6 AM to 7 AM). The portion of filling
the tank is varied by the varying time. Which means, after 15 minutes (6:15 AM) the quarter portion of the tank
gets filled, whereas at 6:45 AM, 3/4th of the tank is filled.
If we try to plot the varying portions of water in the tank according to the varying time, it would look like the
following figure.
As the result shown in this image varies (increases) according to time, this time varying quantity can be
understood as Analog quantity. The signal which represents this condition with an inclined line in the figure, is
an Analog Signal. The communication based on analog signals and analog values is called as Analog
Communication.
Digital Signal
A signal which is discrete in nature or which is non-continuous in form can be termed as a Digital signal. This
signal has individual values, denoted separately, which are not based on the previous values, as if they are
derived at that particular instant of time.
Example
Let us consider a classroom having 20 students. If their attendance in a week is plotted, it would look like the
following figure.
In this figure, the values are stated separately. For instance, the attendance of the class on Wednesday is 20
whereas on Saturday is 15. These values can be considered individually and separately or discretely, hence
they are called as discrete values.
The binary digits which has only 1s and 0s are mostly termed as digital values. Hence, the signals which
represent 1s and 0s are also called as digital signals. The communication based on digital signals and digital
values is called as Digital Communication.
Periodic Signal
Any analog or digital signal, that repeats its pattern over a period of time, is called as a Periodic Signal. This
signal has its pattern continued repeatedly and is easy to be assumed or to be calculated.
Example
If we consider a machinery in an industry, the process that takes place one after the other is a continuous
procedure. For example, procuring and grading the raw material, processing the material in batches, packing
a load of products one after the other, etc., follows a certain procedure repeatedly.
Such a process whether considered analog or digital, can be graphically represented as follows.
Aperiodic Signal
Any analog or digital signal, that doesn’t repeat its pattern over a period of time is called as Aperiodic Signal.
This signal has its pattern continued but the pattern is not repeated. It is also not so easy to be assumed or to
be calculated.
Example
The daily routine of a person, if considered, consists of various types of work which take different time
intervals for different tasks. The time interval or the work doesn’t continuously repeat. For example, a person
will not continuously brush his teeth from morning to night, that too with the same time period.
Such a process whether considered analog or digital, can be graphically represented as follows.
In general, the signals which are used in communication systems are analog in nature, which are transmitted
in analog or converted to digital and then transmitted, depending upon the requirement.
Signal representation:
The signal representation in communication systems is of two types −
Frequency domain representation, and
Time domain representation.
Consider two signals with 1 kHz and 2 kHz frequencies. Both of them are represented in time and frequency
domain as shown in the following figure.
Time domain analysis, gives the signal behavior over a certain time period. In the frequency domain, the
signal is analyzed as a mathematical function with respect to the [Link] domain representation
is needed where the signal processing such as filtering, amplifying and mixing are [Link] instance, if a
signal such as the following is considered, it is understood that noise is present in it.
The frequency of the original signal may be 1 kHz, but the noise of certain frequency, which corrupts this
signal is unknown. However, when the same signal is represented in the frequency domain, using a spectrum
analyzer, it is plotted as shown in the following figure.
Here, we can observe few harmonics, which represent the noise introduced into the original signal. Hence, the
signal representation helps in analyzing the [Link] domain analysis helps in creating the desired
wave patterns. For example, the binary bit patterns in a computer, the Lissajous patterns in a CRO, etc. Time
domain analysis helps to understand such bit patterns.
Modulation Introduction:
For a signal to be transmitted to a distance, without the effect of any external interferences or noise addition
and without getting faded away, it has to undergo a process called as Modulation. It improves the strength of
the signal without disturbing the parameters of the original signal.
What is Modulation?
A message carrying a signal has to get transmitted over a distance and for it to establish a reliable
communication, it needs to take the help of a high frequency signal which should not affect the original
characteristics of the message signal.
The characteristics of the message signal, if changed, the message contained in it also alters. Hence, it is a
must to take care of the message signal. A high frequency signal can travel up to a longer distance, without
getting affected by external disturbances. We take the help of such high frequency signal which is called as
a carrier signal to transmit our message signal. Such a process is simply called as Modulation.
Modulation is the process of changing the parameters of the carrier signal, in accordance with the
instantaneous values of the modulating signal.
Needs for modulation: In order to carry the low frequency message signal to a longer distance,
the high frequency carrier signal is combined with it.
a) Reduction in antennaheight
b) Long distancecommunication
c) Ease ofradiation
d) Multiplexing
e) Improve the quality ofreception
f) Avoid mixing up of othersignals
Frequency modulation: Frequency Modulation is the changing frequency of the carrier signal
with respect to the instantaneous change in message signal.
Phase modulation: Phase Modulation is defined as changing the phase of the carrier
signal with respect to the instantaneous change in message signal.
Deviation ratio:Deviation ratio is the worst case modulation index and is equal to the
maximum peak frequency deviation divided by the maximum modulating signal frequency.
Mathematically the deviation ratio is DR= f (max)/fm(max).
Amplitude modulation: Amplitude Modulation is defined as changing the amplitude of
the carrier signal with respect to the instantaneous change in message signal.
Carson’s rule: Carson‘s rule states that the bandwidth required to
transmit an angle modulated wave as twice the sum of the peak frequency deviation and the
highest modulating signal frequency. Mathematically carson‘s rule is B=2( f +fm) Hz.
Modulation index: It is defined as ratio of amplitude of the message signal to the
amplitude of the carrier signal. m=Em/Ec.
Percentage modulation: It is the percentage change in the amplitude of the output wave
when the carrier is acted on by a modulating signal. M=(Em/Ec)*100
THEORY OF AMPLITUDEMODULATION
Amplitude Modulation
Amplitude Modulation is the changing the amplitude of the carrier signal with respect to
the instantaneous change in message signal.
The amplitude modulated wave form, its envelope and itsfrequencyspectrum and
bandwidth. Fig (a) Sinosoidal modulation signal (b)High frequency carrier (c) AMsignal.
Fig:1.2.3 : Frequency domain Representation of AM Wave
Amplitude Modulation of Power distribution:
AM Power Distribution:
This equation relates total power of AM wave to carrier power, Maximum Value of modulation index, m=1 to
avoid distortion. At this value of modulation index, Ptotal = 1.5 Pc. From the above equation we have
Example Problems: