Introduction to

Telecommunication

Single Sideband and Vestigial

Sideband Amplitude Modulation

Asst. Prof. Dr. Ertuğrul SAATÇI

Frequency Translation
 The basic operation performed in SSB modulation and
demodulation is in fact a form of frequency translation.
 Therefore, SSB modulation is sometimes referred to as
frequency changing, mixing or heterodyning.

 Suppose that we have a modulated wave s1(t) with carrier

frequency f1, and the requirement is to
 translate it upward or downward in frequency to a new value f2.

 This can be accomplished by using a mixer that consists of a

product modulator followed by a bandpass filter.

local oscillator:

1
 Frequency Translation – cont.
 Used in AM and FM radio (to bring signals from different stations
to the same intermediate frequency f2 for demodulation).

 There are two basic forms of frequency translation:

 Up conversion
• The translated frequency f2 is higher than the incoming
frequency f1.
• The required local oscillator frequency:
f2=f1+flo  flo=f2–f1.
 Down conversion
• The translated frequency f2 is lower than the incoming
frequency f1.
• The required local oscillator frequency:
f2=f1-flo  flo=f1–f2.

Frequency Translation – cont.

 For down conversion local oscillator frequency has two choices:
f lo  f1  f 2 (low-side tuning), flo  f1  f 2 (high-side tuning)
 Assume that the modulated wave is:
s1 (t )  m(t ) cos  2 f1 t 
 Product modulator output:
Up : f lo  f 2  f1 , s(t )  m(t ) cos  2 f1 t  cos  2  f 2  f1  t 

m(t )[cos  2  2 f1  f 2  t   cos  2 f 2 t ]

1

2   
cos(2  f1  flo t ) cos(2  f1  f lo t )

Down : f lo  f1  f 2 , s(t )  m(t ) cos  2 f1 t  cos  2  f1  f 2  t 

m(t )[cos  2 f 2 t   cos  2  2 f1  f 2  t ]

1

2   
cos(2  f1  flo t ) cos(2  f1  f lo t )

2
 Frequency Translation – cont.
Up conversion (flo=f2–f1)
 Original Spectrum

 Mixer output
Image Up-converted Bandpass
signal is Image signal filter
removed signal
by the
bandpass
filter.
f2

Frequency Translation – cont.

Down conversion (flo=f1–f2)
 Original Spectrum

 Mixer output
In this Down-converted Bandpass
case, f2 signal filter Image
has to be signal
larger
than W
(f2>W) to f2
avoid
sideband
overlap.

3
 Frequency Translation – cont.
Choosing the Bandpass Filter
 The purpose of the BPF in the mixer: pass the signal s2(t) and
eleminate the associated image signal.
 This objective is achieved by
• choosing the midband frequency of the filter as f2 and
• assigning it a bandwidth equal to (2W) that of the signal s1(t).
 The transition band of the filter is permitted to occupy the gap from
f1-flo+W to f1+flo-W.
• The permissible width of the transition band is 2(flo-W).
• This requires that the local oscillator frequency flo>W.
f1-flo+W f1+flo-W
2(flo-W)

Frequency Translation – cont.

Example 7.1 – Down conversion
 If f1=1000kHz and f2=455kHz, then find the required local oscillator
frequency and the frequency of the undesired image signal.

s(t )  m(t ) cos  2 f1 t  cos  2  f1  f 2  t   m(t )[cos  2 f 2 t   cos  2  2 f1  f 2  t ]

1
2   
cos(2  f1  f lo t ) cos(2  f1  flo t )

 Since f2<f1, this is a down conversion. Then for down conversion, the
required local oscillator frequency:
flo=f1-f2=1000-455=545kHz
 The undesired image signal is at f1+flo=2f1-f2=2x1000-455=1545kHz.

4
Vestigial Sideband AM
 SSB transmission has serious challenges (bandpass filter and
wideband phase shifter challenges), particularly if the message
signal has energy near DC (low frequency components).

 We need a new method of modulation for two reasons:

1. Typically, the spectra of wideband signals contain significant
low frequencies, which make it impractical to use SSB
modulation.
2. The spectral characteristics of wideband data is suitable for
the use of DSB-SC.
 But DSB-SC requires double the bandwidth of SSB.

 A compromise method of modulation termed Vestigial Sideband

(VSB) provides
 a bandwidth between SSB and DSB-SC but is more
implementable.

Vestigial Sideband AM – cont.

 VSB is different from SSB in two practical respects:
• Instead of completely removing a sideband, a portion or
vestige of that sideband is transmitted (vestigial sideband).
• Instead of transmitting the entire portion of the other
sideband most of the other sideband is transmitted.
 The transmission bandwidth of a VSB modulated signal is given as
• BT=W+fv=W(1+α) where 0<α<1,
• fv is the vestige bandwidth and W is the message bandwidth.

Bandpass filter

5
 Vestigial Sideband AM – cont.
VSB Shaping Filter (Sideband Shaping Filter)
 The key to VSB modulation is the shaping filter.

 Similar to the frequency discrimination method of producing SSB,

 this filter is a bandpass filter (called sideband shaping filter)
which filters out either the upper or lower sideband.

 In contrast to the SSB case, this filter

• does not need to completely eliminate the unwanted band and
• does not perfectly retain the desired band.
 This is the key to making the filter practically realizable.

 However, the key to the filter design is that

• the transmitted vestige must compensate for the spectral
portion missing from the other sideband (distortion caused to
the desired sideband).
 This is maintained by the following filter requirement:

H ( f  f c )  H ( f  f c )  1, for  W  f  W

Vestigial Sideband AM
VSB Shaping Filter – cont.
 The transfer function of the shaping filter H(f) is expressed as:
H ( f )  u ( f  f c )  H v ( f  f c ), for fc  fv  f  fc  W
where Hv(f-fc) denotes the frequncy shifted version of new
lowpass transfer function Hv(f) depicted below.
Hv(f) is completely Note that, Hv(f) satisfies the property
determined by the vestige of odd symmetry about zero frequency.
of the modulated wave s(t).
H v ( f )   H v ( f )
Positive frequency portion
of the VSB shaping filter

6
Vestigial Sideband AM
VSB Shaping Filter – cont.
 Filter requirement: H(f+fc)+H(f-fc)=1 for -W  f  W
• H(f+fc) is positive-frequency portion of the bandpass
transfer function shifted to the left by fc.
• H(f-fc) is negative-frequency portion of the bandpass
transfer function shifted to the right by fc.

 Two properties of the sideband shaping filter:

1. The transfer function of the VSB shaping filter
 exhibits odd symmetry about the carrier frequency fc in
the frequency region of the unwanted sideband.
2. The requirement H(f+fc)+H(f-fc)=1 must hold only for the
frequency interval -W  f  W.
 The filter can have an arbitrary specification outside the
frequency band of the message (for |f| > fc+W).

H(f-fc) H(f+fc)

VSB Shaping Filter

Example

7
Vestigial Sideband AM
Example 7.2 – Sinusoidal VSB
 Consider a sinusoidal VSB modulation produced by a sinusoidal
message signal (sinusoidal modulating wave)
m(t )  Am cos  2 f mt 
and the carrier wave
c(t )  Ac cos  2 f c t 
 We have the following positive portion of the spectrum
assuming that fm< fv.

Vestigial Sideband AM
Example 7.2 – Sinusoidal VSB – cont.
 Let upper side frequency at (fc+fm) and its image at -(fc+fm) be
attenuated by the factor k.
 To satisfy the condition H(f+fc)+H(f-fc)=1, the lower side
frequency at (fc-fm) and its image at -(fc-fm) must be
attenuated by the factor (1-k).

 The product modulator output is given as

Ac Am
v(t )  m(t )c(t )  cos  2 ( f c  f m )t   cos  2 ( f c  f m )t  
2 
 The transmitted VSB spectrum is then
Ac Am
S( f )  k   f  ( f c  f m )     f  ( f c  f m )  
4
AA
 c m 1  k    f  ( f c  f m )     f  ( f c  f m )  
4

8
 Vestigial Sideband AM
Example 7.2 – Sinusoidal VSB – cont.
Ac Am
S( f )  k   f  ( f c  f m )     f  ( f c  f m )  
4
AA
 c m 1  k    f  ( f c  f m )     f  ( f c  f m )  
4
 Taking the inverse Fourier Transform gives us the sinusoidal
VSB modulated wave s(t):

Ac Am AA
s (t )  k e j 2 ( fc  f m )t  e  j 2 ( fc  fm )t   c m 1  k  e j 2 ( fc  f m ) t  e  j 2 ( fc  f m )t 
4 4
Ac Am Ac Am
 k cos  2 ( f c  f m )t   1  k  cos  2 ( fc  f m )t 
2 2

Vestigial Sideband AM
Example 7.2 – Sinusoidal VSB – cont.
Ac Am AA
s (t )  k cos  2 ( f c  f m )t   c m 1  k  cos  2 ( f c  f m )t 
2 2
 After expanding the cosine terms we have

Ac Am
s (t )  k  cos  2 f c t  cos  2 f mt   sin  2 f c t  sin  2 f mt  
2
AA
 c m 1  k   cos  2 f ct  cos  2 f mt   sin  2 f c t  sin  2 f mt  
2
AA AA
s (t )  c m cos  2 f ct  cos  2 f mt   c m 1  2k  sin  2 f c t  sin  2 f mt 
2
  2
 
in phase component of s ( t ) quadrature component of s ( t )

cos      cos   cos     sin   sin   

9
 Vestigial Sideband AM
Example 7.2 – Sinusoidal VSB – cont.

Ac Am AA
s (t )  cos  2 f ct  cos  2 f mt   c m 1  2k  sin  2 f c t  sin  2 f mt 
2
 2
 
in phase component of s ( t ) quadrature component of s ( t )

 Attenuation factor k is defined in the interval (0,1). Note that if

• k=0.5 we have DSB-SC AM
• k=0 we have LSSB AM
• k=1 we have USSB AM
• 0 < k < 0.5 we have VSB where the attenuated upper
sideband defines the lower sideband vestige of s(t).
• 0.5 < k < 1 we have VSB where the attenuated lower
sideband defines the upper sideband vestige of s(t).

Coherent Detection of VSB

 A coherent product detector which was used for DSB-SC and
SSB can also be used for VSB.
• The local oscillator in the receiver must be exactly coherent
or synchronized (in both phase and frequency) to the carrier
wave used in the transmitter.

10
 Coherent Detection of VSB – cont.
 Assume that demodulation carrier does not have a phase error
 (perfect coherence =0), then at the output of the product
demodulator:
1
v(t )  s(t ) Ac cos  2 f c t   V  f   Ac  S  f  f c   S  f  f c  
2 
 Next, the FT of the VSB modulated wave s(t) can be expressed
as 1
S f  Ac  M  f  f c   M  f  f c   H  f 
2 
 
sideband
product modulator output shaping filter
 Shifting the VSB spectrum S(f) to the right and left by fc yields
1
S  f  fc   Ac  M  f  2 f c   M  f   H  f  f c 
2 
1
S  f  f c   Ac  M  f   M  f  2 f c   H  f  f c 
2

Coherent Detection of VSB – cont.

 Hence, the output of the product demodulator can be given as
1 1   M  f  2 f c   M  f   H  f  f c  
Vf  Ac  S  f  f c   S  f  f c    Ac Ac  
2 4    M  f   M  f  2 f c   H  f  f c  
1
 Ac Ac M  f  [ H  f  f c   H  f  f c ]
4   
1

1
 Ac Ac  M  f  2 f c  H  f  f c   M  f  2 f c  H  f  f c  
4
1 1
V  f   Ac Ac M  f   Ac Ac  M  f  2 f c  H  f  f c   M  f  2 f c  H  f  f c  
4 4
 At the output of the lowpass filter
 a scaled version of the
V0  f   LPF V  f  
1
Ac Ac M  f  
4  message spectrum M  f 
The lowpass filter in the coherent detector has a cutoff frequency just
slightly greater than the message bandwidth.

11
Coherent Detection of VSB – cont.
 Now, let us examine coherent detection of VSB by examining
the sideband shaping filter throughout the process.
 Assume perfect coherence (=0)

 Original sideband shaping filter spectrum:

Coherent Detection of VSB – cont.

 After product demodulator (let A’c=1)

 After eliminating high frequency images (after lowpass filter)

12
 Example 7.3 (Demodulation)
Coherent Detection of Sinusoidal VSB
 Returning to our sinusoidal message example, recall that the
sinusoidal VSB modulated signal is defined by

Ac Am AA
s (t )  cos  2 f mt  cos  2 f ct   c m 1  2k  sin  2 f mt  sin  2 f c t 
2 2
 After the product demodulator we have

Ac Ac Am
v(t )  Ac s (t ) cos  2 f c t   cos  2 f mt  cos 2  2 f c t 
2
Ac Ac Am
 1  2k  sin  2 f mt  sin  2 fct  cos  2 fct 
2
A A A
v(t )  c c m cos  2 f mt  1  cos  4 f c t    1  2k  sin  2 f mt  sin  4 f ct  
4

Example 7.3 (Demodulation) – cont.

Coherent Detection of Sinusoidal VSB
 After lowpass filtering we have
vo (t )  LPF v(t )
 Ac Ac Am 
 4 cos  2 f mt  
 LPF  
 Ac Ac Am cos  2 f t  cos  4 f t   1  2k  sin  2 f t  sin  4 f t   
4 
c 
 m c m

A A A
vo (t )  c c m cos  2 f mt 
4
• Which is simply a scaled version of the message signal.
• The second term is a new sinusoidal VSB wave modulated onto
a carrier of frequency 2fc,
 which represents the high frequency component of v(t).

This second term is removed by the lowpass filter, provided that the cutoff
frequency of the filter is just slightly greater than the message frequency fm.

13
Summary
 In this lecture we have examined two techniques to reduce the
bandwidth of Amplitude Modulation:
• Single Sideband (SSB)
• Vestigial Sideband (VSB)

 SSB AM achieves the minimum bandwidth of W (equal to the

message bandwidth).
• The cost is difficult implementation (i.e., high complexity).

 VSB trades reduced complexity for increased bandwidth of

(1+α)W where 0<α<1.

Introduction to
Telecommunication

Baseband representation, the

Superheterodyne Receiver and
AM System Examples

Asst. Prof. Dr. Ertuğrul SAATÇI

14
Overview
 In today’s lecture we wrap up our discussion of Amplitude
Modulation (AM) by
 discussing complex envelope (baseband) representation and
 the superheterodyne receiver and
 going through a couple of common AM examples
• Broadcast radio
• Broadcast television

 We will discuss Signal-to-Noise performance of AM later in the

class.

 Reading
 3.8, 3.9

Baseband Representation of Modulated Waves

 In bandpass modulation schemes, the information is entirely in
the original baseband modulating signal (information bearing
signal).

 As a result, we can represent the bandpass signal in a

baseband form termed the complex envelope (baseband).

 This format allows

• for more convenient analysis in many cases.
• to represent a high frequency bandpass system by a low
frequency baseband system, which is easier for computer
simulation (with reasonable computational complexity).

15
Baseband Representation of Modulated Waves
Complex Envelope (Baseband)
 Any bandpass signal (particularly linearly modulated signals) can
be represented in a format called Inphase and Quadrature form

s (t )  sI (t ) cos  2 f c t   sQ (t ) sin  2 f c t   sI (t ) c(t )  sQ (t )cˆ(t )

where sI(t) is termed the inphase component (or channel) and
sQ(t) is termed the quadrature component (or channel).
• Note that the inphase carrier c(t)=cos(2fct) and quadrature
carrier ĉ(t)=sin(2fct) are orthogonal to each other.
• Note further that in complex numbers the real and imaginary
parts are also orthogonal.
• This representation includes all the members of the
amplitude modulation familiy (see Table 3.1).
 This leads us to define a new signal called the complex envelope
(baseband) of the modulated wave s(t), which is

s (t )  sI (t )  jsQ (t )

Baseband Representation of Modulated Waves

Complex Envelope (Baseband) – cont.
 We may thus write

 
s(t )  Re s (t )c (t )  Re s (t )e j 2 fct , c (t )  c(t )  jcˆ(t )
j 2 f c t
where s (t ) is the complex envelope (baseband) and c (t )  e
is the complex carrier wave.
 Note that the complex envelope is useful because
• we can determine the spectrum of the bandpass signal
from the complex envelope.
• we can analyze the performance by examining the complex
envelope.
• we can simulate the bandpass signal using the complex
envelope
 since the highest frequency of the complex envelope
(limited by the message bandwidth W) is significantly less
than the bandpass signal (as large as fc+W).

Note also that the complex envelope is a fictitious signal.

16
 Baseband Representation of Modulated Waves
Complex Envelope (Baseband) – cont.
 Since s(t) can be written as

s(t )  sI (t ) cos  2 f c t   sQ (t ) sin  2 f c t 

• we can use the analysis circuit to extract sI(t) and sQ(t) from s(t),
• or use synthesis circuit to construct s(t) from sI(t) and sQ(t).
Analysis circuit Synthesis circuit

Baseband Representation of Modulated Waves

Envelope of a Bandpass Signal
 Any bandpass signal s(t) can be represented as
s(t )  sI (t ) cos  2 f c t   sQ (t ) sin  2 f c t 
• A(t) is called the low frequency envelope of the bandpass
signal and given as
 sQ (t ) 
A(t )  sI2 (t )  sQ2 (t ),  (t )  tan 1  
 sI (t ) 
• s(t) can be rewritten as

s(t )  A(t ) cos  2 f c t   (t ) 

 Magnitude of the complex envelope

s (t )  sI (t )  jsQ (t )  s (t )  sI2 (t )  sQ2 (t )  A(t )

17
Baseband Representation of Modulated Waves
Example 7.4 - Complex Envelope of DSB-SC
 Find the complex envelope of the DSB-SC modulated wave
s(t)=m(t)cos(2fct).
 If we compare s(t) with the general form given below
 
s (t )  Re s (t )e j 2 fct  sI (t ) cos  2 f c t   sQ (t ) sin  2 f c t 
s (t )  sI (t )  jsQ (t )
We notice that

sI (t )  m(t ), sQ (t )  0
Using the definition of complex envelope we can write

s (t )  sI (t )  jsQ (t )  m(t )
 The complex envelope of DSB-SC is the baseband message itself.

Baseband Representation of Modulated Waves

Example 7.5 - Complex Envelope of PM
 Find the complex envelope of the phase modulated wave
s(t)=Accos(2fct+(t)).

s (t )  Ac cos  2 f ct  cos   t    sin  2 f ct  sin   t   

 If we compare s(t) with the general form given below

 
s (t )  Re s (t )e j 2 fct  sI (t ) cos  2 f c t   sQ (t ) sin  2 f c t 
s (t )  sI (t )  jsQ (t )
We notice that
sI (t )  Ac cos   t   , sQ (t )  Ac sin   t  
Using the definition of complex envelope we can write
s (t )  sI (t )  jsQ (t )  Ac cos   t    jAc sin   t    Ac e j  t 

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 Baseband Representation of Modulated Waves
Spectrum of Bandpass Signals

  1
   
s (t )e j 2 fc t  s (t )e j 2 fc t 

s (t )  Re s (t )e j 2 fc t 
2  
1 1
 s (t )e j 2 fc t  s * (t )e  j 2 fc t
2 2
1
  1

S ( f )  F s (t )e j 2 fc t  F s* (t )e  j 2 fc t
2 2

 S  f  fc   S    f  fc  
1  1 *
2 2
1 1
S ( f )  S  f  f c   S *   f  f c 
2 2

x *  t   X *   f  , x  t  e j 2 f 0 t  X  f  f 0 

Baseband Representation of Modulated Waves

Complex Envelope for AM Signals (Table 3.1)
Type of sI(t) sQ(t) Comments
Modulation

AM 0 kα sensitivity constant
1  ka m(t ) m(t) is message signal
DSB-SC m (t ) 0
SSB – Upper mˆ (t ) is the Hilbert
sideband tx 1/ 2 m(t ) 1/ 2 mˆ (t ) transform of the message

SSB – Lower
sideband tx
1/ 2 m(t ) 1/ 2 mˆ (t )
VSB – Upper m’(t) is the quadrature
sideband tx 1/ 2 m(t ) 1/ 2 m(t ) portion of the VSB filter
response
VSB – Lower
sideband tx
1/ 2 m(t ) 1/ 2 m(t )

s (t )  sI (t ) cos  2 f c t   sQ (t ) sin  2 f ct   sI (t ) c(t )  sQ (t )cˆ(t )

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 Baseband Representation of Modulated Waves
Comparison of AM Schemes
Type of Bandwidth for Power Comments
Modulation message Efficiency
bandwidth of W
AM 2W Least efficient Least complex

DSB-SC 2W More efficient Requires coherent

than AM demodulator
SSB – Single W Same efficiency Requires coherent
Sideband as DSB-SC demodulator;
Requires complex
transmitter
VSB – Vestigal W(1+α) Same efficiency Requires coherent
Sideband (0<α<1) as DSB-SC demodulator; transmitter
less complex than SSB

Commercial Examples of AM
 AM is used in broadcast services due to
• extremely cheap receivers – important for mass market
• decent bandwidth efficiency (as compared to FM)

 Most common examples

• Broadcast Radio – Large Carrier AM
• Broadcast Television – Video portion transmitted using VSB

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Commercial Examples of AM
Broadcast AM Radio
 Uses Large Carrier AM modulation
 Frequency spectrum from 540 kHz to 1700 kHz
 10 kHz channel spacing
• Allows for 5kHz baseband message.
• Sufficient for voice and low frequency music.
• NOTE: The FCC allows some stations to broadcast a 10kHz
message signal which spills into neighboring channels.
 Transmitted power:
• up to 50 kW, depending on license.
 Radios for AM are very cheap to build, but have very low gain
antennas.
• good propagation conditions and high transmit power allow
reception of AM signals.

Commercial Examples of AM
Broadcast AM Radio – cont.

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Commercial Examples of AM
Example – 1430 AM (1430 kHz)

Commercial Examples of AM
Broadcast Television
1. Video signals have extremely large bandwidth (especially
compared to voice or music).
• Voice signals ~ 3.4kHz
• Music ~ 16kHz
• Video ~ 4.5 MHz
2. We still require a cheap receiver.

 The first point above leads to Vestigial Sideband modulation.

 The second point above leads to the addition of a carrier to

allow envelope detection.

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Commercial Examples of AM
Analog Broadcast Television
 Channel Bandwidth: 6 MHz
 Modulation type: Vestigial Sideband AM
• Carrier frequency is located 1.25 MHz from lowest
frequency in channel.
• Luminance VSB-AM modulates picture carrier.
• Chrominance VSB-QAM modulates color subcarrier.
 Color subcarrier is located 3.58 MHz from bottom of the
channel.
 Audio Modulation
• FM with bandwidth of 500kHz.
• Audio subcarrier is located 4.5 MHz from bottom of
channel.

Commercial Examples of AM
Analog Broadcast Television – cont.

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Commercial Examples of AM
Analog Broadcast Television – cont.

Commercial Examples of AM
Analog Broadcast Television – cont.
 Finally the audio signal is added at 4.5MHz above the picture
carrier.
 This signal is an FM signal with BW of 0.5MHz.

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 Commercial Examples of AM
Example – Analog TV (NTSC) Spectrum

 Power primarily confined to Video and Audio carriers.

 Distinctive double peaked spectrum makes identification by
spectrum profiling relatively easy.
 This slide taken from “Exploring the Feasibility and Benefits of Additional Uses of Unused TV Broadcast
Spectrum”, by Carl R. Stevenson.

Commercial Examples of AM
Example – Digital TV (ATSC) Spectrum

 Power spread over center 5.38 MHz within a TV channel.

 Pilot tone is a distinctive feature and is 11.3 dB below average
power measured in a 6 MHz bandwidth.
 This slide taken from “Exploring the Feasibility and Benefits of Additional Uses of Unused TV Broadcast
Spectrum”, by Carl R. Stevenson.

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Commercial Examples of AM
Example – Digital TV (Channel 18)

Commercial Examples of AM
Example – Analog TV (Channel 7)

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Commercial Examples of AM
Example – Analog TV (Channel 10)

Superheterodyne Receiver
 The receiver for any broadcast system (AM or FM radio or TV) not
only has the task of demodulating the incoming signal, but also it
must
• tune to the proper carrier frequency (to desired channel).
• filter the desired channel to eliminate other channels.
• amplify the received signal (compensates for the loss of signal
power from the transmitter to the receiver).
 Superheterodyne (or superhet) receiver is one of the most
common receiver structures for such systems.
 Overcomes the difficulty of building a tunable highly frequency
selective (i.e., narrow filters) filter at very high frequencies.
 Superhet receiver sections
• A Radio Frequency (RF) section
• A Mixer / Local Oscillator section
• An Intermediate Frequency (IF) section
• Final Demodulator / Detector (determines the message)

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Superheterodyne Receiver – cont.
 RF section has tunable filter with bandwidth much larger than
the desired signal bandwidth (makes it easier to build) and
low-noise amplifier.
 Mixer multiplies the signal by local oscillator and filters image
to translate the signal down to fixed intermediate frequency
(same frequency no matter what channel is being received).
 IF section has a filter with fixed bandwidth and fixed center
frequency.
 Demodulator converts the IF carrier wave back to the original
message signal.

Example AM Radio
 Tuner changes the LO frequency and the front end filter center
frequency at the same time.
 IF section has selection filter with bandwidth of 10kHz.
 RF has bandwidth much greater than 10kHz.

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Example AM Radio – cont.
 Received signal spectrum

 After RF filter tuned to 1270kHz

Example AM Radio – cont.

 After mixing with oscillator tuned to 1725kHz.

 Note: Image at 2995kHz is eliminated by filters in the mixer.

 After 10kHz IF filter tuned to 455kHz.

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Superheterodyne Parameter Examples

Up converting vs. Down converting

 When mixing the incoming signal to an IF range, we can use
either up conversion or down conversion.

 Ex: Typical AM radio RF value is 1410 kHz while IF is 455 kHz.

• LO frequency could be f1-f2=1410-455=955 kHz.
 produces signals at
f1-flo=f2=455 kHz and f1+flo=2f1-f2=2365 kHz.
• LO frequency could also be f1+f2=1410+455=1865 kHz.
 produces signals at
f1-flo=f2=455 kHz and f1+flo=2f1+f2=3275 kHz.
• The first approach would require LO frequencies between
[540-455, 1600-455]=[85, 1145] kHz (13:1 ratio).
• The second approach would require LO frequencies between
[540+455, 1600+455]=[995, 2055] kHz (2:1 ratio).

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Summary
 Today’s lecture finalizes our discussion of AM analog
modulation.
• We will discuss noise performance later in the course.

 We examined two common examples of AM:

• Broadcast radio
• Broadcast TV

 We also examined a common receiver architecture for

broadcast systems – the superheterodyne receiver.

 We will examine FM next.

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