Amplitude Modulation (AM) Transmitter

Engineering and Technology Division

Cor Jesu College

In Partial Fulfilment for the Requirements in

Principles of Communications

Proponents:

Langgahin, Cyrill Jay B.

Magdadaro, Justine C.
Sarno, Audrey Claire B.
Via, Andy Michael A.

October 2013
 Introduction

Information signals are transported between a transmitter and a receiver

over some form of transmission medium. However, the original information

signals are seldom in a form that is suitable for transmission. Therefore, they

must be transformed from their original form into a form that is more suitable for

transmission.

Amplitude modulation (AM) is the process of changing the amplitude of a

relatively high frequency carrier signal in accordance with the amplitude of the

modulating signal (information). Amplitude modulation is a relatively inexpensive,

low-quality form of modulation.

Basically, there are two types of AM transmitters according to modulation;

these are Low-Level Transmitters and High-Level Transmitters.

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 The above figure shows a Low-Level Transmitter which is commonly used

for voice or music transmission, the source of the modulating signal is generally

an acoustical transducer, such as a microphone, a magnetic tape, a CD disk, or

a phonograph record.

The figure above is a High-Level Transmitter where the modulating signal

is processed in the same manner as in the low-level transmitter except for the

addition of a power amplifier. With high-level transmitters, the power of the

modulating signal must be considerably higher than is necessary with low-level

transmitters. This is because the carrier is at full power at the point in the

transmitter where modulation occurs and, consequently, requires a high-

amplitude modulating signal to produce 100% modulation.

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 The Transmitter

AM is a modulation technique where the amplitude of carrier varies

according to the input message signal. AM has been a widely used modulation

technique due to its longer range but has the disadvantage of lesser noise

immunity. It is commonly used in walkie talkie applications.

The main components of the transmitter circuit are the following: a 555

Timer, A 2SC645 NPN Transistor, Resistors (10k , 1k , and 2.2k ), a

5k potentiometer, Capacitors (.001uF, 2 x 0.01) and a Mini-Antenna.

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Transmitter Operation

The carrier signal for AM modulation is generated by a 555 timer

operating in astable multivibrator mode with the oscillation frequency set

to AM range. The message signal is applied to the reset terminal (4th pin

of multivibrator). If the amplitude of input message signal is increased,

555 starts to turn ON as it’s connected to the 4th pin. (Since 4th terminal

connected to VCC causes it to turn ON because it is active low logic

pin). If the amplitude is decreased, it starts to turn OFF. (As 4th terminal

connect to ground or 0V causes the 555 to turn OFF.)

The output (3rd pin) is connected to the base of a BF194 transistor

as it can operate at high frequencies. The emitter terminal of the transistor

is connected to an antenna for better transmission.

The 2SC645 NPN transistor is widely used in military radio

transmitter, here, it generates radio frequency of AM range, and can

receive the transmitted signal in the radio receiver.

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 AM vs. FM Transmission

AM FM
AM method of audio
FM radio was developed in the
transmission was first
Origin: United states mainly by Edwin
successfully carried out in the
Armstrong in the 1930s.
mid-1870s.
In AM, a radio wave known as In FM, a radio wave known as the
Modulating the "carrier" or "carrier wave" is "carrier" or "carrier wave" is
differences: modulated in amplitude by the modulated in frequency by the signal
signal that is to be transmitted. that is to be transmitted.
It is used in both analog and
It is used in both analog and digital
Importance: digital communication and
communication and telemetry.
telemetry.
AM has poorer sound quality
compared to FM, but is
FM is less prone to interference than
cheaper and can be
AM. However, FM signals are
transmitted over long
Pros and cons: impacted by physical barriers. FM
distances. It has a smaller
has greater sound quality due to
bandwidth so it can have more
higher bandwidth.
stations available in any
frequency range.
AM stands for Amplitude
Stands for: FM stands for Frequency Modulation
Modulation
AM radio ranges from 535 to FM radio ranges in a higher
Range: 1705 kilohertz (OR) Up to 1200 spectrum from 88 to 108 megahertz.
Bits per second (OR) 1200 to 2400 bits per second
Twice the highest modulating
Twice the sum of the modulating
frequency. In AM radio
signal frequency and the frequency
broadcasting, the modulating
Bandwidth deviation. If the frequency deviation
signal has bandwidth of 15kHz,
Requirements: is 75kHz and the modulating signal
and hence the bandwidth of an
frequency is 15kHz, the bandwidth
amplitude-modulated signal is
required is 180kHz
30kHz
Zero crossing in
modulated Equidistant not equidistant
signal:

transmitter and receiver are transmitter and receiver are more

Complexity: simple but in case of SSBSC complex as variation of modulating

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AM carrier synchronization is
needed
AM is more susceptible to
noise because noise affects
Noise: amplitude, which is where
information is "stored" in an AM
signal.
signal has to converted and detected
from corresponding variation in
frequencies.(i.e. voltage to
frequency and frequency to voltage
conversion has to be done) which
are quite complex
FM is less susceptible to noise
because information in an FM signal
is transmitted through varying the
frequency, and not the amplitude.

AM Simulation

The representation of the AM transmission is shown above

by the carrier wave that undergone amplitude modulation by the signal to

be transmitted.

Conclusion

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 AM transmission is an essential process of conveying signal

information from a source to a receiver. In Amplitude Modulation,

amplitude of the carrier signal varies with the changing amplitude of

input/modulating signal; frequency and phase remain unchanged.

In this transmission, we consider the operation of the major

components of the circuitry. The 555 timer which functions as an oscillator

is used as a free running multi-vibrator with the frequency pulled down to

500 - 600 KHz.

Lastly, understanding the utility of AM transmission can help

us further on how signals are being transmitted over medium to medium.

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References:

1. AM Transmission.pdf (Dr. Šarūnas Paulikas. Telekomunikacijų

inžinerijos katedra. Elektronikos fakultetas, VGTU)

2. How AM/FM Radio Works. Radio Seems Like Magic, But is Easy to

Understand. Gary Altunian. 2013. ©2013 About.com.

3. "Lee De Forest as Early Radio Broadcaster". De Forest.com

website excerpted from Adams, Mike (1996). "The Race for the

Radiotelephone: 1900-1920". AWA Review (Antique Wireless

Association) 10: 78–119.

4. "Fessenden, Reginald". Sterling, Christopher H.; Cary O'Dell,

Michael C. Keith, Ed. (2011). The Biographical Encyclopedia of

American Radio. Routledge. pp. 136–139. ISBN 0415995493.

5. Simple 555 Timer AM Transmitter Schematic for Science Fair

Project. Jaseem. © 2011 CircuitsGallery