EXPERIMENT NO: 01

NAME OF THE EXPERIEMENT: Study of Amplitude Modulation (AM)

Objective:
1. To understand the basic theory of amplitude modulation (AM).
2. To understand the waveform and frequency spectrum of AM modulation, also calculate the
percentage of modulation.
3. To design and implement the AM modulator by using transistor.

Basic theory:
In an amplitude modulation (AM) communications system, speech and music are converted
into an electrical signal using a device such as a microphone. This electrical signal is called
the message or baseband signal. The message signal id then used to electrically vary the
amplitude of a pure sine wave called the carrier. The carrier usually has a frequency that is
much higher than the message’s frequency.

Figure I below show a simple message signal and an unmodulated carrier. It also shows the
result of amplitude modulating the carrier with the message. Notice that the modulated
carrier’s amplitude varies above and below its unmodulated amplitude.
 E max −Emin
Modulation index= ×100 % ...................................(i)
Emax + E min
Where, Emax =Maximum Amplitude of trough of the envelope
Emin =minimum amplitude of crest of the envelope

Required Equipment:
1. Power supply (ETEK – 2002 module)
2. Signal Generator (ETEK – 2002 module)
3. Oscilloscope
4. ETEK acs-3000-02 module

Circuit Diagram:

Working Procedure:
1. Refer to the circuit diagram in Figure 1 or Figure ACS3-2 on ETEK ACS-3000-02
module.
2. At audio signal input port (Audio I/P), input 100mV amplitude, 1 kHz sine wave
frequency; at carrier signal input port (Carrier I/P), input 300mV amplitude, 500 kHz
sine wave frequency.
3. By using oscilloscope, observe on output signal waveforms of AM output port (AM
0/P). Adjust VRI so that the modulated AM is maximum without distortion. Then
record/draw the measured results in Table 1-1.
4. Substitute the measured results into equation (i), find the modulation and record in
Table 1-1.
5. According to the input signals in Table 1-1, repeat step 3 and record the measured
results in Table 1-1.
6. According to the input signals in Table 1-2, repeat step 2 and record the measured
results in Table 1-2.
Measured Results
Table 1-1: Observe on the variation of amplitude modulation by changing the amplitude of
audio signal. (fm = 1kHz, Fc = 500kHz, Vc = 300mV)

Output signal Ports Audio signal amplitudes

100mV 150mV
AM O/P
AM output signal
spectrum (draw
manually)
Modulation Index Emax = Emax =
Emin = Emin =
m= m=

Table 1-12: Observe on the variation of amplitude modulation by changing the frequency of
audio signal. (Vm = 100mV, Fc = 500kHz, Vc = 300mV)

Output signal Ports Audio signal amplitudes

100Hz 400Hz
AM O/P
AM output signal
spectrum (draw
manually)
Modulation Index Emax = Emax =
Emin = Emin =
m= m=

Some technical questions:

1. What will be the problem when AM is over modulated?

2. What do you think is a carrier’s maximum modulation index without over-modulated?

Report Format
Report should be written by following below steps:

1. Objective
2. Basic theory
3. Equipment/Apparatus
4. Connection diagram or Block diagram
5. Input, Output
6. Discussion
7. Answer to the given questions