5/20/2021 Frequency Modulation : Modulation Index, Bandwidth & Applications

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Frequency Modulation and Its Application

The FM or Frequency modulation has been available approximately since A
Modulation) although it has only some issues. FM itself didn’t have a problem apart fro
recognize the FM transmitter potential. In the earlier time of wireless communication, it
that the required bandwidth of this was narrower, and necessary to decrease noi
interference. Under such a measure, frequency modulation was suffered whereas AM i
that, an American Engineer- “Edwin Armstrong” finished the conscious attempt to discov
of FM transmitters. Edwin initiated the design of using FM intended for transmitting which w
of the trend at that moment in time.

What is a Frequency Modulation?

The frequency modulation can be defined as; the frequency of the carrier signal is varied
(in accordance with) the Amplitude of the input modulating signal. The input is a single t
The carrier and the FM waveforms also are shown in the following figure.

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5/20/2021 Frequency Modulation : Modulation Index, Bandwidth & Applications

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Frequency Modulation Generation

The frequency of a carrier (fc) will increase as the amplitude of modulating (input) signal
carrier frequency will be maximum (fc max) when the input signal is at its peak. The c
maximum from its normal value. The frequency of a carrier will decrease as the am
modulating (input) signal decreases.

The carrier frequency will be minimum (fc min) when the input signal is at its lowest. The
minimum from its normal value. The frequency of the carrier will be at its normal value (
when the input signal value is 0V. There is no deviation in the carrier. The figure shows th
the FM wave when the input is at its max, 0V, and at its min.

The frequency modulation block diagram is shown below. The message signal holds the
whereas the next signal has no data known as the carrier signal.

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5/20/2021 Frequency Modulation : Modulation Index, Bandwidth & Applications

The modulation of these signals will result in an FM modulated signal. This signal is more e
because the frequency of this signal will flow up & down depending on the amplitude of the
frequency change can be represented in kHz (kilohertz). For instance, once the frequency v
kHz up & down, then it is signified like ±3 kHz.

FM History
At the time of radio, the static was the main problem &the way everybody attempted to decr
effects was to decrease the bandwidth. So in this method, less noise was received through
Edwin Armstrong was an American engineer, so he examining this problem & whether FM,
might give a benefit.

In 1928, he simply started to expand the idea with the help of FM & he increased the BW in
decreasing it. But, for different reasons, his ideas don’t accept by others. Immediately, he ap
Radio Corporation of America or RCA, they were impressed by his ideas, but RCA was sim
TV, so they don’t want to redirect any resource to a new type of broadcasting.

After many troubles, he launched a radio station in the year 1939 to exhibit the efficiency of
this & other stations following a band of frequencies among 42 MHz & 50 MHz frequencies.
war, the FCC within the USA modified the assigned frequency band between 88 MHz and 1
Even though, there was some basic pain as thousands of radios had been sold and the ban

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5/20/2021 Frequency Modulation : Modulation Index, Bandwidth & Applications

accepted worldwide that is VHF FM band at present. In addition to this, a kind of narrowban
famous for UHF & VHF mobile communications.

Frequency Deviation
The amount of change in the carrier frequency produced, by the amplitude of the input mod
is called frequency deviation.
The Carrier frequency swings between fmax and fmin as the input varies in its amplitude.
The difference between fmax and fc is known as frequency deviation. fd = fmax – fc
Similarly, the difference between fc and fmin also is known as frequency deviation. fd = fc –
It is denoted by Δf. Therefore Δf = fmax – fc = fc – fmin
Therefore fd = fmax – fc = fc – fmin
Modulating Signal Amplitude Frequency of Carrier Deviati

0V 100 MHz Nil (Center fre

+2 V 105 MHz + 5 MH

─2V 95 MHz – 5 MH

Freq deviation = 105 -100 = 5 MHz (or) Freq deviation = 95-100 = -5 MHz

Frequency Modulation Equation

The FM equation include the following

v = A sin [ wct + (Δf / fm) sin wmt ]

= A sin [ wct + mf sin wmt ]

A = Amplitude of the FM signal. Δf = Frequency deviation

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5/20/2021 Frequency Modulation : Modulation Index, Bandwidth & Applications

mf = Modulation Index of FM

mf = ∆f/fm

mf is called the modulation index of frequency modulation.

wm = 2π fm wc = 2π fc

What is the Modulation Index of Frequency Modulation?

The modulation index of FM is defined as the ratio of the frequency deviation of the
frequency of the modulating signal

mf = Modulation Index of FM = ∆f/fm

Frequency Modulation in Communication Systems

In telecommunications, there are two types of frequency modulation techniques used like an
frequency modulation & digital frequency modulation.

In analog frequency modulation, the data signal can be modulated through a continuously c
carrier signal. This carrier signal includes different properties like frequency, amplitude & ph
mainly used for creating AM & PM.

The digital frequency modulation can be categorized as either FSK (Frequency Shift Key), A
Shift Key), or PSK (Phase Shift Key) which works like analog. Analog modulation technique
used for AM, FM & short-wave broadcasting whereas digital modulation technique used to t
signals like 0 & 1.

The techniques used in FM are the varactor diode oscillator and phase-locked loop. In the v
oscillator technique, the diode is arranged in the circuit to change the frequency. So this tec
provides simply narrowband transmissions. In the PLL technique, it provides an outstanding
technique, phases are constrained in the loop to change the frequency.

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FM in Vibration Analysis

The process of measuring as well as analyzing the vibration signals levels, patterns otherwi
frequency for noticing irregular vibration actions & estimate the complete machine’s strength
their components. This kind of analysis is particularly very helpful by revolving machinery, w
devices that may reason for amplitude & frequency modulation deviations.

The demodulation method directly detects these modulation frequencies, so it is used for re
data from the modulated carrier signal.

The Bandwidth of Frequency Modulation Signal

Bandwidth is one of the main elements of FM signal. In FM signal, the sidebands will extend
which will extend to infinity; however, the strength of them drops away. Auspiciously, it is the
restrict the BW of an FM signal without changing its value excessively.

Recall, the bandwidth of a complex signal like FM is the difference between its high
frequency components, and is expressed in Hertz (Hz). Bandwidth deals with only freque
only two sidebands (USB and LSB) and the bandwidth was found to be 2 fm.

In FM it is not so simple. FM signal spectrum is quite complex and will have an infi
sidebands as shown in the figure. This figure gives an idea, how the spectrum expands as
index increases. Sidebands are separated from the carrier by fc ± fm, fc ± 2fm, fc ± 3fm, and

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The bandwidth of FM Signal

Only the first few sidebands will contain the major share of the power (98% of the to
therefore only these few bands are considered to be significant sidebands.

As a rule of thumb, often termed as Carson’s Rule, 98% of the signal power in FM is con
bandwidth equal to the deviation frequency, plus the modulation frequency-doubled.

Carson’s rule: Bandwidth of FM BWFM = 2 [ Δf + fm ].

= 2 fm [ mf + 1 ]

FM is known as Constant Bandwidth System. Why?

The frequency modulation is known as a constant bandwidth system and an example o

given below.

Δf = 75 KHz fm = 500 Hz BWFM = 2 [75 + (500/1000)] KHz = 151.0 KHz

Δf = 75 KHz fm = 5000 Hz BWFM = 2 [75 + (5000/1000)] KHz = 160.0 KHz
Δf = 75 KHz fm = 10000 Hz BWFM = 2 [75 + (10000/1000)] KHz = 170.0 KHz
Although modulating frequency increased 20 times (50 Hz to 5000 Hz), deviation
marginally (151 KHz to 170 KHz). Hence FM is known as a constant bandwidth system.
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Commercial FM (Carson’s Rule.)

Max freq deviation = 75 KHz
Max Modulating freq = 15 KHz
BWFM = 2 [ 75 + 15 ] = 180.0 KHz
Difference between Amplitude Modulation and Frequency Modulation
The Amplitude Modulation Vs Frequency Modulation is discussed below.

Amplitude Modulation Frequency Modulation

In Amplitude modulation, the amplitude of a carrier In frequency modulation, the carrier w
signal changed based on the data signal. AM radio can be changed based on the signal th
broadcast signals utilize low-carrier frequencies to The radio signals include high BW as
travel long distances. Sometimes, amplitude AM radio signals. These signals assis
modulation signals are capable of bouncing off the good sound quality. FM also allows se
ionosphere. As compared to FM, the distance signals.
traveled through the AM is high.
In the mid-1870s, the first audio transmission was Fm was developed in the year 1930 in
developed Edwin Armstrong.
In AM, the radio signal is known as a carrier signal & In FM, the radio signal is known as a c
both the phase & frequency remain the same however, the amplitude, as well as pha
same
More liable to noise Less liable to noise
The sound clarity of AM is poor, however, can FM has high BW including good sound
transmit long distances
The AM frequency ranges from 535 kHz – 1705 kHz The FM frequency ranges from 88 MH
in the higher spectrum
The modulation index of AM ranges from 0 to 1 The modulation index of FM is higher
It includes simply two sidebands It includes a number of sidebands
It has an easy circuit It has a difficult circuit
In AM, the carrier signal’s amplitude can be changed In FM, the carrier signal’s frequency c
to transmit the information. to transmit the information

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It has less bandwidth like 10 kHz. It has high bandwidth like 200 kHz
AM operates in the MF (medium frequency) & HF( FM works with very high frequency
high frequency).

The key differences between AM and FM include the following.

Equation for FM: V= A sin [ wct +Δf / fm sin wmt ] = A sin [ wct + mf sin wmt ]
Equation for AM = Vc ( 1 + m sin ωmt ) sin ωct where m is given by m = Vm / Vc
In FM, the Modulation Index can have any value greater than 1 or less than one
In AM, the Modulation Index will be between 0 and 1
In FM, carrier amplitude is constant.
Therefore transmitted power is constant.
Transmitted power does not depend on the modulation index
Transmitted power depends on the modulation index
PTotal = Pc [ 1+ (m2/2) ]
The number of significant sidebands in FM is large.
Only two sidebands in AM
A bandwidth of FM depends on the modulation index of FM
Bandwidth does not depend on the modulation index of AM. Always 2 sidebands. BW of AM
FM has better noise immunity.FM is rugged/robust against noise. The quality of FM will b
the presence of noise.
In AM, quality is affected seriously by noise
The bandwidth required by FM is quite high.FM bandwidth = 2 [Δf + fm].
The bandwidth required by AM is less (2 fm)
Circuits for FM transmitter and receiver are very complex and very expensive.
Circuits for AM transmitter and receiver are simple and less expensive
Advantages of Frequency Modulation
The advantages of frequency modulation include the following.

Less noise and interference

Service areas are well defined for specified transmitter power.
As compared to amplitude modulation, FM includes low power consumption.
The radiated power is less.
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