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Introduction to Communication System
The purpose of a communication system is to transmit information-bearing signals
from a source, located at one point, to a user destination, located at another point some
distance away. When the message produced by the source is not electrical in nature,
which is often the case, an input transducer is used to convert it into a time-varying
electrical in nature, which is often the case, an input transducer is used to convert it into a
time-varying electrical signal called message signal. By using another transducer
connected to the output end of the system, a “distorted” version of the message is
re-created in its original form, so that it is suitable for delivery to the user destination. The
distortion mentioned here is due to inherent limitations in the communication system.
Figure 1 A Typical Radio frequency communication system
Figure 1 is a block diagram of a communication system consisting of three basic
components: transmitter, channel, and receiver. The transmitter has the function of
processing the message signal into a form suitable for transmission over the channel;
such an operation is called modulation. The function of the channel is to provide a
physical connection between the transmitter output and the receiver input. The function
of the receiver is to process the received signal so as to produce an “estimate” of the
original message signal; this second operation is called detection or demodulation.
There are two types of channels, namely, point to point channels and broadcast channels.
Examples of point-to-point channels include wire lines, microwave links, and optical
fibers. Wire lines operate by guided electro-magnetic waves; they are used for local
telephone transmission. An optical fibers are used in optical communications. Although
these three channels operate differently, they all provide a physical medium for the
Analog Communications Unit 1
Transmission of signals from one point to another point; hence, the term “point-to-point
channels”. Broadcast channels, on the other hand, provide a capability where many
receiving stations may be reached simultaneously from a single transmitter. An example
of a broadcast channel is a satellite in geostationary orbit, which covers about one third of
the earth’s surface. Thus, three such satellites provide a complete coverage of the earth’s
surface, except for the Polar Regions.
Frequency division multiplexing
Multiplexing is a technique where by a number of independent signals can be combined
into a composite signal suitable for transmission over a common channel. This operation
requires that the signals be kept apart so that they do not interfere with each other, and
thus they can be separated at the receiving end. This is accomplished by separating the
signals either in frequency or in time. The technique of separating the signals in
frequency is referred to as frequency-division multiplexing (FDM), whereas the
technique of separating the signals in time is called time-division multiplexing (TDM).
A block diagram of an FDM system is shown in Fig 1. The incoming message
signals are assumed to be of the low-pass type, but their spectra do not necessarily have
nonzero values all the way down to zero frequency. Following each signal input, we have
shown a low-pass filter, which is designed to remove high-frequency components that do
not contribute significantly to signal representation but are capable of disturbing other
message signals that share the common channel. These low-pass filters may be omitted
only if the input signals are sufficiently band-limited initially. The filtered signals are
applied to modulators that shift the frequency ranges of the signals so as to occupy
mutually exclusive frequency intervals. The necessary carrier frequencies, to perform
these frequency translations, are obtained from a carrier supply. For the modulation, we
may use any one of the processes described in pervious sections of this chapter. However,
Analog Communications Unit 1
Fig 1 Block diagram of Frequency Division Multiplexing system
The most widely used method of modulation in frequency-division multiplexing is
single-sideband modulation, which requires a bandwidth that is approximately equal to
that of the original message signal. The band-pass filters following the modulators are
used to restrict the band of each modulated wave to its prescribed range. The resulting
band-pass filter outputs are next combined in parallel to form the input to the common
channel. At the receiving terminal, a bank of band-pass filters, with their inputs
connected in parallel, is used to separate the message signals on a frequency-occupancy
basis. Finally, the original message signals are recovered by individual demodulators.
Analog Communications Unit 1
Amplitude Modulation
Consider a sinusoidal carrier wave c(t) defined by
c(t ) = Ac cos(2π f c t ) ……….(1)
where the peak value Ac is called the carrier frequency. For convenience, we have
assumed that the phase of the carrier wave is zero in Eq.1. we are justified in making this
assumption since the carrier source is always independent of the message source. Let m(t)
denote the baseband signal that carries specification of the message. Form here on, we
refer to m(t) as the message signal. Amplitude modulation is defined as a process in
which the amplitude of the carrier wave c(t) is varied linearly with the message signal
m(t). This definition is general enough to permit different interpretations of the linearity.
Correspondingly, amplitude modulation may take on different forms, depending on the
frequency content of the modulated wave.
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AM Time domain description
The standard form of an amplitude-modulated (AM) wave is defined by
s(t ) = Ac [1 + k a m(t )]cos(2π f c t )
(1)
where ka is a constant called the amplitude sensitivity of the modulator. The modulated
wave so defined is said to be a “standard” AM wave, because its frequency content is
fully representative of amplitude modulation.
The amplitude of the time function multiplying cos(2π f ct ) in Eq.1 is called the
envelope of the AM waves s(t). Using a(t) to denote this envelope, we may thus write
a(t ) = 1 + k a
Ac m(t ) (2)
Two cases of particular interest arise, depending on the magnitude of ka m(t ) , compared
to unity. For case 1, we have
+ k a
1 m(t ) ≤ 1, for all t (3)
For case 2, on the other hand, we have
for some t (4)
+ k a
1 m(t ) • 1 ,
Under this condition, we must use Eq. 4 for evaluating the envelope of the AM wave.
The maximum absolute value of k a m(t ) multiplied by 100 is referred to as the
percentage modulation. Accordingly, case 1 corresponds to a percentage modulation less
than or equal to 100%, whereas case 2 corresponds to a percentage modulation in excess
of 100%.
The waveforms of Fig. 1 illustrate the amplitude modulation process. Part a of the
figure depicts the waveform of message signal m(t).Part.b of the figure depicts an AM
wave produced by this message signal for a value of ka for which the percentage
modulation is 66.7%(i.e., case 1).Part.c of figure corresponds to a value of kafor which
the percentage modulation is 166.7%
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Fig 1 a) Message signal m(t).
b)AM Wave s(t) for | ka m(t) | < 1.
c)AM Wave s(t) for | ka m(t) | > 1
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AM Frequency Domain Description
To develop the frequency description of AM wave, we take the Fourier
transform of both sides of Eq(1). Let S(f) denote the Fourier transform of s(t), and M(f)
denote the Fourier transform of the message signal m(t); we refer to M(f) as the
message spectrum. Accordingly, using the Fourier transform of the cosine function
Ac cos(2πf c t ) and the frequency-shifting property of the Fourier transform, we may
write. s(t ) = Ac [1 + µ cos(2πf m t )]cos(2πf c t ) ……(1)
Let the message signal m(t) be band-limited to the interval –W ≤ f ≤ W, as in Fig 1
Fig 1 the message signal m(t)
K
a
2 2
The shape of the spectrum shown in this figure is intended for the purpose of
illustration only. We find from Eq 1 that the spectrum S(f) of the AM wave is as shown
in Fig 2 for the case when fc > W. This spectrum consists of two delta functions
weighted by the factor Ac/2 and occurring at ±fc and two versions of the baseband
spectrum translated in frequency by ±fc, and scaled in amplitude by KaAc/2. The
spectrum of Fig 2, may be described as follows.
G. Kiran Kumar, Assistant Professor, ECE@NITs
Analog Communications Unit 1
Fig 2 AM Frequency Domain Description spectrum
1.For positive frequencies, the portion of the spectrum of the modulated wave lying
above the carrier frequency fc is called the upper sideband, whereas the symmetric
portion below fc is called the lower sideband. For negative frequencies, the image of the
upper sideband is represented by the portion of the spectrum below –fc, and the image
of the lower sideband by the portion above –fc. The condition fc > W ensures that the
sidebands do not overlap. Otherwise, the modulated wave exhibits spectral overlap and,
therefore, frequency distortion.
1. For positive frequencies, the highest frequency component of the AM wave is fc
+ W, and the lowest frequency component is fc – W. The difference between these two
frequencies defines the transmission band. Width B for an Am wave, which is
exactly twice the message bandwidth W; that is,
B = 2W
The spectrum of the AM wave as depicted in Fig 2 is full in that the carrier, the upper
sideband, and the lower sideband are all completely represented. It is for this reason
that we treat this form of amplitude modulation as the “standard” against which other
forms of amplitude modulation are compared.
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Single Tone Modulation
Consider a modulating wave m(t) that consists of a single tone of frequency component,
that is,
m(t ) = Am cos(2πf m t )
(1)
Where Am is the amplitude of the modulating wave and fm is its frequency (see Fig 1a).
The sinusoidal carrier wave c(t) has amplitude Ac and frequency fc (see Fig 1b). The
requirement is to evaluate the time-domain and frequency-domain characteristics of the
resulting AM wave.
The AM wave is described by
s(t ) = Ac [1 + µ cos(2πf m t
)]cos(2πf c t )
(2)
(3
Where µ = KaAm )
The dimensionless constant µ is the modulation factor, or
the percentage modulation when it is expressed numerically as a percentage. To avoid
envelop distortion due to overmodulation, the modulation factor µ must be kept below
unity.
Fig 1.3c is a sketch of s(t) for µ less than unity. Let Amax and Amin denote the
maximum and minimum values of the envelope of the modulated wave. Then, from Eq
2 we get
A Ac (1 +
mi
n = µ )
A
mi
That is,
−
A
min
µ A
= max (4)
+
A
ma
A
min
x
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expressing the product of the two cosines in Eq 2 as the sum of two sinusoidal
waves, one having frequency fc + fm and the other having frequency fc – fm, we get
µ A cos[2π µ A cos[2π
c c 2 c 2 c
Fig 1 Single Tone Modulation
The Fourier transform of s(t) is therefore
2 c
[δ ( f ) + δ ( f
−
− f + f + )
+ 1 uA f f ]
c m c m
4 c
4 c
Analog Communications Unit 1
Thus the spectrum of an AM wave, for the special case of sinusoidal modulation, consists
of delta functions at ±fc, fc ± fm and –fc ± fm, as in Fig 1.c
In practice, the AM wave s(t) is a voltage or current wave. In either case, the
average power delivered to a 1-ohm load resistor by s(t) is comprised of there
components.
1
Carrier power = A2
c
1
Upper side-frequency power = u 2 A2
c
1
Lower side-frequency power = u 2 A2
c
The ratio of the total sideband power to the total power in the modulated wave is
therefore equal to µ2/(2 + µ 2 ), which depends only on the modulation factor µ . If µ =
1, than is, 100% modulation is used, the total power in the two side-frequencies of the
resulting AM wave is only one third of the total power in the modulated wave.
Analog Communications Unit 1
Square Law Modulator
Square law modulator:
A square law modulator, requires three features:
i)a means of summing the carrier and modulating waves,
ii) a nonlinear element, and
iii)a band-pass filter for extracting the desired modulation products. These features of the
modulator are illustrated in fig.1 .
Semiconductor diodes and transistors are the most common
nonlinear devices used for implementing square-law modulators. The filtering
requirement is usually satisfied by using a single or double – tuned filter.
When a nonlinear element such as a diode is suitably biased and operated in a
restricted portion of its characteristic curve, that is, the signal applied to the diode is
relatively weak, we find that the transfer characteristic of the diode-load resistor
combination can be represented closely by a square law:
Where a1 and a2 are constants. The input voltage v1 (t ) consists of the carrier wave plus
the modulating wave, that is,
v1 (t ) = Ac cos(2π f c t ) + m(t ) (2)
Therefore, substituting Eq.2 in 1, the resulting voltage developed across the primary
winding of the output transformer is given by
2a2
(t ) = a1 Ac 1 m(t ) cos(2π f c t
v2 + )
a1
1444442444443
AM wave
+ a m(t ) + m ( t ) + a
2
144444424444443
Unwanted terms
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The first term in Eq.3 is the desired AM wave with amplitude sensitivity k a = 2a 2 / a1 .
The remaining three are unwanted terms; they are removed by appropriate filtering.
Fig.1 Square law modulator
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Switching Modulator
Switching modulator:
A switching modulator is shown in Fig 1a, where it is assumed that the
carrier wave c(t) applied to the diode is large in amplitude, so that it swings right across the
characteristic curve of the diode. We assume that the diode acts as an ideal switch; that is, it
presents zero impendence when it is forward-biased [corresponding to c(t) > 0] and infinite
impendence when it is reverse-biased [corresponding to c(t) < 0].
Fig .1(a) Circuit diagram for Switching Modulator
Fig 1.(b)Idealised input output relation for Switching Modulator
The transfer characteristic of the diode-load resistor combination by a piecewise-linear
characteristic, as shown in Fig 1b. Accordingly, for an input voltage v1(t) given by
v1 (t ) = Ac cos(2πf c t )
+ m(
t )
(1)
Where m(t) << Ac, the resulting load voltage v2(t) is
v (t ),
2 (t ) =
v
1 c(t ) • 0 (2)
0, c(t ) • 0
Analog Communications Unit 1
That is, the load voltage v2(t) varies periodically between the values v1(t) and zero at a rate
equal to the carrier frequency fc. In this way, by assuming a modulating wave that is
weak compared with the carrier wave, we have effectively replaced the nonlinear behavior
of the diode by an approximately equivalent linear time-varying operation.
We may express Eq 2 mathematically as
v2 (t ) = [Ac cos(2πf c t ) + m(t )]g p (t )
(3)
Where gp(t) is a periodic pulse train of duty cycle equal to one half and period T0 =
1/fc, as in Fig 2. Representing this gp(t) by its Fourier series, we have
∞ n −1
(t )
g
p
= 1 + 2
∑ (− 1) cos[2πf c t (2n − 1)]
π
n = 1
2 2n − 1
t ) + odd harmonic
cos(2πf components
= 1 + 2
2 π c
c
2
(4)
(5)
4
The first term of Eq 5 is the desired AM wave with amplitude sensitivity K a = πAc .
The unwanted terms are removed from the load voltage v2(t) by means of a
band-pass filter.
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SQUARE LAW DETECTOR
A square law modulator requires a three features:
1.a means of summing of the carrier and modulating waves
2.a nonlinear element and
3.a band pass filter for extracting a desired nonlinear products. Semiconductor
diodes and transistors are the most common nonlinear
devices used for modulation.The filtering is done by using singe or double
tuned filters.
When a nonlinear element such as is biased and operated in a restricted portion of
its characteristics curve,the transfer characteristics of the diode load resistance
combination can be represented by a square law as:
u 2 (t ) = ac v1 (t ) + a2 v12 (t ) ...............(1)
where a1 and a2 are constants.
The input voltage v1(t) consists of carrier wave plus the modulating wave,that is
v1 ( t ) =
Ac [ 1 +
kam( t ) ]cos(2π f c t )
.............(2)
substituting eq.(2) in eq.(1),the resulting voltage developed across the primary
winding of the output transformer is given by:
m( t ) ] cos(2π m 2 ( t )][1 +
c os(4π
v2 (t ) =
a A [ 1 1 / Ac [ 1 +
t ) + 2
m( t ) + t )
+ k a
f c 2a 2 2k a k a
f c ...
1c
............(3) 2
f c
Hence, the capacitor C charges rapidly and thereby follows the applied voltage up to the
positive peak when the diode is conducting. On the other hand, the discharging time
constant R1C must be long enough to ensure that the capacitor discharges slowly through
the load resistor R1 between positives peaks of the carrier wave, but not so long that the
capacitor voltage will not discharge at the maximum rate of change of the modulating
wave, that is,
•• Rl C
1 •• 1 (2)
f c W
Where W is the message bandwidth. The result is that the capacitor voltage or detector
output is very nearly the same as the envelope of the AM wave, as illustrated in Fig 1b
and c. The detector usually has a small ripple at the carrier frequency; this ripple is easily
removed by low-pass filtering.
Double Sided Band Carrier Modulated wave
In the standard form of amplitude modulation, the carrier wave c(t) is
completely independent of the message signal m(t), which means that the transmission of the
carrier wave represents a waste of power. This points to a shortcoming of amplitude modulation;
namely, that only a fraction of the total transmitted power is affected by m(t). To overcome this
short-coming, we may suppress the carrier component from the modulated wave., pressing the
carrier, we obtain a modulated wave that is proportional to the product of the carrier wave and
message signal as shown in figure below.Waveforms for DSBSC both in time domain and
frequency domain are shown in fig.1 and fig.2 respectively.
Waveforms for DSBSC in time domain:
Fig 1(a ) message signal for DSBSC
Fig 1b DSBSC modulated wave s(t)
Waveforms for DSBSC in frequency domain:
Fig 2.a Spectrum of DSBSC message signal
Fig 2.b Spectrum of message signal DSBSC modulated wave
DSB SC Time-Domain Description
To describe a double-sideband suppressed-carrier (DSBSC)
A [M ( f
S ( f ) − f ) + M ( f
= 1 + f )] (2)
c c
2 c
where, as before S(f) is the fourier transform of the modulated wave s(t), and M(f) is the
Fourier transform of the message signal m(t). When the message signal m(t) is limited to the
interval − W ≤ f ≤ W , as in Fig a, we find that the spectrum S(f) is as illustrated in part b of the
figure. Except for a change in scale factor, the modulation process simply translates the spectrum
The transmission bandwidth required by DSBSC modulation is the same as
that for standard amplitude modulation, namely, 2W. However, comparing the spectrum of Fig. b
for DSBSC we see that the carrier is suppressed in the former case, whereas it is present in the
latter case, as exemplified by the existence of the pair of delta functions at ± f c .
Fig.1a Spectrum of message signal
Fig.1b Spectrum of DSBSC modulated wave
Generation of DSBSC waves
A double-sideband suppressed-carrier modulated wave consists simply of the
product of the message signal and the carrier wave, as shown by
s(t ) = c(t )m(t )
= Ac cos(2π f c t )m(t )
A device for achieving this requirement is called a product modulator. There are two forms of a
product modulator – the balanced modulator and the ring modulator.
Balanced Modulator:
A balanced modulator consists of two standard amplitude modulators arranged in
a balanced configuration so as to suppress the carrier wave, as shown in the block diagram of
fig.1. We assume that the two modulators are identical, except for the sign reversal of the
modulating wave applied to the input of one of them. Thus, the outputs of the two modulators
may be expressed as follows:
s1 (t ) = Ac [1 + k a m(t )]cos(2π f c t ).
and
s2 (t ) = Ac [1 − k a m(t )]cos(2π f c t ) .
=
∑
π 2n −
1
n
=1
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Analog Communications Unit 1
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Fig 1a) Circuit diagram for Ring modulator
Fig 1 b)conducting of diode with outer diodes on & inner diodes off in Ring
Fig 1 c)conducting of diode with outer diodes off & inner diodes on in Ring modulator.
Analog Communications Unit 1
Fig.2(a) Modulating wave
2(b) Square wave carrier
2( c ) Modulated wave
Analog Communications Unit 1
Coherent detection of DSBSC
The message signal m(t) is recovered from a DSBSC wave s(t) by first multiplying s(t) with a
locally generated sinusoidal wave and the low-pass filtering the product, as in Fig 1. It is
assumed that the local oscillator output is exactly coherent or synchronized, in both frequency
and phase; with the carrier wave c(t) used in the product modulator to
generate s(t). This method of demodulation is known as coherent detection or synchronous
detection.
It is instructive to derive coherent detection as a special case of the more general
demodulation process using a local oscillator signal of the same frequency but arbitrary phase
difference ϕ , measured with respect to the carrier wave c(t). Thus, denoting the local oscillator
1442443 1444244443
Scaled version Unwanted term
of message
signal