The
MODULATION ENVELOPE is the waveform observed
when the CARRIER, UPPER SIDEBAND, and LOWER
SIDEBAND are combined in a single impedance and observed
as time versus amplitude.
The BANDWIDTH of an rf signal is the amount of space in
the frequency spectrum used by the signal.
PERCENT OF MODULATION is a measure of the relative
magnitudes of the rf carrier and the af modulating signal.
HIGH-LEVEL MODULATION is modulation produced in
the plate circuit of the last radio stage of the system.
LOW-LEVEL MODULATION is modulation produced in
an earlier stage than the final power amplifier.
The PLATE MODULATOR is a high-level modulator. The
modulator tube must be capable of varying the plate-supply
voltage of the final power amplifier. It must vary the plate
voltage so that the plate current pulses will vary between 0 and
nearly twice their unmodulated value to achieve 100-percent
modulation.
A COLLECTOR-INJECTION MODULATOR is a
transistorized version of the plate modulator.
It is classified as a high-level modulator, although present
state-of-the-art transistors limit them to medium-power
applications.
A CONTROL-GRID MODULATOR is a low-level
modulator that is used where a minimum of af modulator
power is desired. It is less efficient than a plate modulator and
produces more distortion.
A BASE-INJECTION MODULATOR is used to produce
low-level modulation in equipment operating at very low
power levels. It is often used in small portable equipment and
test equipment.
The CATHODE MODULATOR is a low-level modulator
employed where the audio power is limited and the inherent
distortion of the grid modulator cannot be tolerated.
The EMITTER-INJECTION MODULATOR is an
extremely low-level modulator that is useful in portable
equipment.
The primary disadvantages of AM modulation are
susceptibility to NOISE INTERFERENCE and the
INEFFICIENCY of the transmitter.
ANGLE AND PULSE MODULATION
FREQUENCY-SHIFT KEYING (fsk) is similar to cw
keying
in
MODULATION INDEX is the ratio of the maximum
frequency difference between the modulated and the
unmodulated carrier, or between the deviation frequency and
the modulation frequency.
The number of SIGNIFICANT SIDEBANDS and the
modulating frequency will determine the bandwidth of the fm
wave. The number of significant sidebands can be determined
from the modulation index.
The REACTANCE-TUBE MODULATOR is frequency
modulated by using a reactance tube in shunt with the tank
circuit.

The SEMICONDUCTOR-REACTANCE MODULATOR

is used to frequency modulate low-power semiconductor
transmitters.

The MULTIVIBRATOR MODULATOR uses an astable

multivibrator with a modulating voltage inserted in series with
the base return of the multivibrator transistors.

The VARACTOR FM MODULATOR uses a VARACTOR.

This is a specially designed diode that has a certain amount of
capacitance between the junctions that can be controlled by
reverse biasing.

In PHASE MODULATION the carrier’s phase is caused to

shift at the rate of the modulating audio.
The amount of phase shift is controlled by the amplitude of the
modulating wave.
amplitude modulation
and is a form of angle A BASIC PHASE MODULATOR may be a single tube in
modulation. The carrier series with a capacitor to form a phase-shift network. As the
frequency is changed impedance of the tube changes, the phase of the output shifts.
between two discrete
values by the opening PHASE-SHIFT KEYING (psk) is similar to cw and fsk. It
and closing of a key. consists of phase reversals of the carrier frequency as
modulating signal data elements open and close the modulator
key.

PULSE MODULATION is modulation in which we allow

oscillations to occur for a given period of time only during
selected intervals.

PULSE-REPETITION TIME (prt) is the specific time

period between each group of rf pulses.

PULSE-REPETITION FREQUENCY (prf) is found by

dividing the pulse repetition time into 1.
This defines how often the groups of pulses occur.
PULSE WIDTH (pw) or PULSE DURATION (pd) is the
time that a pulse is occurring.

REST TIME (rt) is the time referred to as nonpulse time.

PEAK POWER is the maximum power during a pulse.

In FREQUENCY MODULATION (fm) the instantaneous
frequency of the radio-frequency wave is varied in accordance
with the modulating signal; the amplitude of the radio-
frequency wave is kept constant.
AVERAGE POWER equals the peak power averaged over
one complete cycle.
DUTY CYCLE is the ratio of working time to total time, or
the ratio of actual transmit time to transmit time plus rest time,
for intermittently operated devices.
The SPARK-GAP MODULATOR consists of a circuit for
storing energy, a circuit for rapidly discharging the storage
circuit, a pulse transformer, and a power source.

The THYRATRON MODULATOR is an electronic switch

which requires a positive trigger of only 150 volts. The trigger
must rise at the rate of 100 volts per microsecond to fire or
cause the modulator to conduct.

In communications PULSE-MODULATION SYSTEMS,

the modulating wave must be
SAMPLED at 2.5 times the highest modulating frequency to
ensure accuracy.

PULSE-AMPLITUDE MODULATION (pam) is
modulation in which the amplitude of each pulse is controlled
by the instantaneous amplitude of the modulation signal at the
time of each pulse.
The GATED-BEAM DETECTOR uses a specially-designed
tube to limit, detect, and amplify the received fm signal.
PHASE DEMODULATION may be accomplished using a
frequency discriminator or a quadrature detector.

PULSE-DURATION MODULATION (pdm) or PULSE-
WIDTH MODULATION (pwm) are both designations for a
type of modulation. The width of each pulse in a train is made
proportional to the instantaneous value of the modulating
signal at the instant of the pulse.
PULSE-POSITION MODULATION (ppm) has the
advantage of requiring constant transmitter power. The
amplitude and width of the pulses are kept constant. At the
same time, the position of each pulse, in relation to the
position of a recurrent reference pulse, is varied by each
instantaneous sampled value of the modulating wave.
PEAK DETECTION uses the amplitude, or duration, of a
pulse to charge a holding capacitor and restore the modulating
waveform.
A LOW-PASS FILTER is used to demodulate pdm by
averaging the pulse amplitude over the entire period between
pulses.
PULSE CONVERSION is used to convert ppm, pdm, or pcm
to pdm or pam for demodulation.

PULSE-FREQUENCY MODULATION (pfm) is a method

of pulse modulation in which the modulating wave is used to
frequency modulate a pulse-generating circuit.
PULSE-CODE MODULATION (pcm) refers to a system in
which the standard value of a quantized wave is indicated by a
series of coded pulses that give the modulating wave’s value at
the instant of the sample.

DEMODULATION

DEMODULATION, also called DETECTION, is the process

of re-creating original modulating frequencies (intelligence)
from radio frequencies.
The DEMODULATOR, or DETECTOR, is the circuit in
which the original modulating frequencies are restored.
A CW DEMODULATOR is a circuit that is capable of
detecting the presence of rf energy.

HETERODYNE DETECTION uses a locally generated

frequency to beat with the cw carrier frequency to provide an
audio output.

The REGENERATIVE DETECTOR produces its own

oscillations, heterodynes them with an incoming signal, and
detects them.

The SERIES- (VOLTAGE-) DIODE DETECTOR has a

rectifier diode that is in series with the input voltage and the
load impedance.

SHUNT- (CURRENT-) DIODE DETECTOR is

characterized by a rectifier diode in parallel with the input and
load impedance.

The COMMON-EMITTER DETECTOR is usually used in

receivers to supply a detected and amplified output.

The COMMON-BASE DETECTOR is an amplifying

detector that is used in portable receivers.

The SLOPE DETECTOR is the simplest form of frequency

detector. It is essentially a tank circuit tuned slightly away
from the desired fm carrier.
The FOSTER-SEELEY DISCRIMINATOR uses a double
tuned rf transformer to convert frequency changes of the
received fm signal into amplitude variations of the rf wave.

The RATIO DETECTOR uses a double-tuned transformer

connected so that the instantaneous frequency variations of the
fm input signal are converted into instantaneous amplitude
variations.