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Lab Am PDF
Lab Am PDF
Amplitude Modulation
Objective
To study the operation of an AM Modulator and of two types of detectors – an envelope
detector and a synchronous demodulator.
Background Knowledge
(1) Amplitude Modulation Basics
A simple form of information transfer is Morse code, where the signal at the frequency
selected for transmission is switched off and on in dots and dashes. The transmission
frequency is mainly selected by consideration of the transmission medium and has
nothing to do with the information it has to carry.
In order to carry any information, some characteristics of the carrier must be changed, or
modulated with that information, hence the term modulating signal. In the Morse code
example where the carrier is switched off and on, it is the amplitude of the carrier that is
carrying the information. This is very crude form of Amplitude Modulation (AM)
because there are only two states: zero amplitude and full amplitude. In order to carry
more complex information such as speech or television, the amplitude is varied linearly
so that the instantaneous carrier amplitude is proportional to the amplitude of the
modulation signal. When the modulating signal is varying the carrier from zero to twice
its amplitude, the carrier is said to be fully, or 100%, modulated. Modulation depth, or
modulation index, is calculated from the formula:
m = (vmax-vmin) / (vmax+vmin)
where vmax is the maximum instantaneous carrier amplitude and vmin is the minimum one.
The resulting fraction is often expressed as a percentage. If the fraction exceeds 1
(modulation depth greater than 100%), then the carrier is said to be over-modulated.
100% modulation 2V
The maximum voltage vmax is 2V and
the minimum voltage vmin is 0V.
∴the modulation index = (2 – 0) / (2 + 0) 0V
= 1.0
50% modulation 3V
The maximum voltage vmax is 3V and
the minimum voltage vmin is 1V. 1V
∴ the modulation index = (3 – 1) / (3 + 1)
= 0.5
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The Hong Kong Polytechnic University CM070A,070B,070C
The amplitude of the carrier is independent of the modulation, while the amplitude of the
side frequencies depends entirely on modulation depth. In the practical, the modulation
source is a sine wave, containing only one frequency, and therefore is represented by a
narrow line in the frequency spectrum. In practice, where the modulating signal is more
complex, there would be a range, or band, of side frequencies above the carrier frequency
and a band below it. They extend either side of the carrier to an extent equal to the
maximum modulating frequency.
Note: The instrumentation is triggered from the modulating signal. It will not work if that
signal is reduced to zero. So, to observe the effect of low signal levels, reduce the
modulating signal slowly and not too far.
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The time constant of the RC network is very important because if it is too short, the
output will contain a large component at carrier frequency. However if it is too long it
will filter out a significant amount of the required demodulated output.
In this practical, the output of the AM generator that you used previously is fed to an
envelope detector. You can monitor the output and compare it with the original
modulation source. The time constant of the filter following the detector can be adjusted.
This filter is often called a post-detection filter. It also introduces a phase shift between
the original signal and the output.
It is not often used for AM but is the only type of detector that will demodulate the
suppressed carrier amplitude modulations that are investigated in the next assignment. It
is important to appreciate that a product detector will demodulate all forms of AM.
If the AM signal is mixed with (i.e. modulated by) a frequency equal to that of its carrier,
the two sidebands are mixed down to the original modulating frequency and the carrier
appears as a d.c. level. The mathematics of the process show that this will only happen if
the mixing frequency is equal not only in frequency to that of the carrier, but also in
phase, i.e. the two signals are synchronous. This is why a product detector when used for
AM is sometimes called a synchronous detector. For AM the effect is very similar to a
full-wave rectifier rather than the half-wave of the envelope detector.
The output still needs a post-detection filter to remove the residual ripple, but this time
the ripple is at twice the carrier frequency and is therefore further away from the
modulation and hence easier removed.
In general terms the product detector gives less distortion, partly because it uses both
positive and negative peaks of the carrier.
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The Hong Kong Polytechnic University CM070A,070B,070C
Reference
1. Ferrel G. Stremler, Introduction to Communication Systems 3rd, Addison Wesley
2. Amplitude Modulation
http://www.educatorscorner.com/experiments/spectral/SpecAn5.shtml
3. Single-side-band Demodulation
http://www.educatorscorner.com/experiments/spectral/SpecAn6.shtml
4. The Envelope Detector
http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scots_Guide/RadCom/part9/page2.html
Equipment
1. PC Interface Box (RAT 53-100)
2. AM Board 53-130
3. Oscilloscope (optional)
4. Feedback Power Supply 01-100
5. PC with Discovery Software
Preliminary Preparation
1. Connect the equipment as the following Figure 2 and DO NOT turn on any power at
this moment.
Monitor Oscilloscope
Interface
RAT 53-100
Computer Power
AM Board 53-130 Supply
Keyboard
Figure 2: Setting.
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Question 1: What happens to the positive and negative envelopes when over-modulation
occurs?
Question 2: How would you recognise over-modulation on the spectrum analyser display
when comparing with full modulation?
Question 3: Calculated the modulation depth from the data obtained above. Comment
on the calculated modulation depth with the theoretical value.
9. Change to observe the signal by the <spactrum analyser> and measure the sidebands.
Question 4: What is the amplitude of the two sidebands relative to the carrier expressed
in dB for 50% modulation?
10. Adjust the <carrier level> with a fixed <modulation level> and then use spectrum
analyser to observe the changes in signals at point <5> and <6>.
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The Hong Kong Polytechnic University CM070A,070B,070C
Question 5: What happens to the waveform of the detected output when the time constant
is increasing? Explain the observation with the aid of diagrams.
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The Hong Kong Polytechnic University CM070A,070B,070C
6. Use the <spectrum analyser> to compare the output of the detector with the carrier in
terms of the frequency of the ripple, which is at twice the carrier frequency.
7. Use the <oscilloscope> to examine the output of the filter <14> and then compare it
with the modulation source <4>.
8. Examine the filtered output <14>, using the <spectrum analyser> at large size, with
the BFO synchronised. The trace should show three points where the level is above
the background ripple.
9. Again examine the filtered output <14>, using the <spectrum analyser> at large size.
10. Decrease the amplitude of the modulation signal as far as possible without the
instrument trigger failing.
11. Vary the <BFO Frequency> control.
Question 13: How wide is the available range of the beat frequency approximately?