1 Modulation of Sinusoidal Message Signal using

Frequency Modulation
Aim: To demonstrate the general properties of frequency-modulated (FM) signals.

Objective:: The objective of our experiment is to design a FM transmitter that

transmits signals using frequency modulation.

Apparatus:
• Power Supply
• Connecting Wires
• ACT-10 Frequency modulation transmission and receiving kit
• Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO)
• Spectrum Analyser

Circuit Diagram: In the Fig 1, we have showed the connections made using ACT-
10 kit.

Figure 1: Circuit Connections on ACT-10 Kit

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Theory: Amplitude modulation was the first modulation type to be considered in
analog communication systems. Amplitude modulation has the obvious advantage
of being simple and relatively bandwidth efficient. The disadvantages of amplitude
modulation are:
1. Since the message is embedded in the amplitude of the carrier signal, the cost,
performance, and the size of the linear amplifiers are difficult to accomplish
for obtaining fair performance in AM systems.
2. When the message goes through a quiet period in Double Side Band (DSB)
or Single Side Band (SSB) systems, very small carrier signals are transmitted.
The absence of the signal tends to accentuate the noise.
3. The passband bandwidth is small compared to the other modulation schemes,
i.e. FM, cellular, Wi-Fi etc.
Frequency modulation (FM) is the standard technique for high-fidelity communica-
tions as is evident in the received signals of the FM band (88-108 MHz) vs. the
AM band (450-1650 KHz). The main reason for the improved fidelity is that FM
detectors, when properly designed, are not sensitive to random amplitude varia-
tions which are the dominant part of electrical noise (heard as static on the AM
radio). Frequency modulation is not only used in commercial radio broadcasts, but
also in police and hospital communications, emergency channels, TV sound, wireless
(cellular) telephone systems, and radio amateur bands above 30 MHz.

Figure 2: Block Diagram of Frequency Modulation

The varactor diode is a semiconductor that is designed to behave as a voltage con-

trolled diode. When a semiconductor diode is reverse biased, no current flows and

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it consists of two conducting regions separated by non-conducting regions. This is
very similar to the construction of a capacitor. By increasing the reverse biased
voltage, the width of the insulating region can be increased and hence the capacitor
value decreases.

Figure 3: Varactor Diode Modulator

The variations in the capacitance form part of the tuned circuit that is used to
generate the FM signal to be transmitted. Refer to Fig. 3.

Procedure: This experiment investigates how ACT-10’s varactor modulator circuit

performs frequency modulation. This circuit modulate the frequency of a carrier sine
wave according to the audio signal applied to modulating input.
1. Ensure that the following initial conditions exist on the ACT-10 board
a. Amplitude potentiometer P5 (in mixer amplifier block) in fully clockwise
position.
2. Make the connections as shown in figure 1.
3. Switch On the power.
4. Turn the Sine Generator block’s amplitude potentiometer to its fully clock-
wise position, and examine the block’s output SINE OUT on an Oscilloscope.
This 1s the audio frequency sine wave, which will be used as our modulating
signal. Note that the sine wave’s frequency can be adjusted from about 300
Hz to approximately 3.4 KHz. by adjusting the Sine Generator’s frequency
potentiometer.
Note also that the amplitude of this modulating signal is adjusted by Sine
Generator amplitude potentiometer. Leave the amplitude potentiometer in
minimum position.
5. Connect the output socket of the Sine Generator block to the input socket IN
of Varactor modulator circuit’s block.

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 6. Connect the OUT of Varactor Modulator to the IN of the Mixer’ Amplifier
block
7. The output signal from the Varactor Modulator block appears at OUT before
being buffered and amplified by the mixer/amplifier block. any capacitive
loading (e.g. due to Oscilloscope probe) may slightly affect the modulators
output frequency. In order to avoid this problem we monitor the buffered FM
output signal the mixer / amplifier block at OUT.
8. Put the varactor modulator’s carrier frequency potentiometer in its midway
position, and then examine OUT of mixer amplifier block at OUT. Note that
it is a sine wave of approximately 1.2 Vpp, centered on OV.
9. The amplitude of the FM carrier (OUT of mixer amplifier block) is adjustable
by means of the mixer/amplifier block’s amplitude potentiometer, from zero to
its potentiometer level. Try turnings this potentiometer slowly anticlockwise,
and note that the amplitude of the F/M signal can be reduced to zero, Return
the amplitude potentiometer to its fully clockwise position.
10. Try varying the carrier frequency potentiometer and observe the effects.
11. Also, see the effects of varying the amplitude and frequency potentiometer in
the Sine Generator block.
12. Turn the carrier frequency potentiometer in the varactor modulator block
slowly clockwise and note that in addition to the carrier frequency increas-
ing, there is a decrease in the amount of frequency deviation that is present.
13. Return the carrier frequency potentiometer to its midway position, and mon-
itor the audio input (at IN of Varactor Modulator block) and the FM output
(OUT of mixer / amplifier block) triggering the Oscilloscope on the audio
input signal.

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Output: The output of our observations were observed on CRO, DSO and spec-
trum analyser. Below are the outputs of CRO:

Figure 4: Observed Frequency Modulation

Figure 5: Observations on CRO

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Discussion and Observation: The purpose of this simulation is to demonstrate
the characteristics and operation of frequency modulation using ACT-10 Kit. In
frequency modulation (FM), variations in the frequency of the modulated wave
are observed with changes in the message signal. Amplitude modulation is easily
affected by noises in the atmosphere as well as any other interference from sources
of close proximity that generate frequencies in the range of the modulating signal.
These spurious frequencies ride upon the modulated signal even after demodulation
and appear as static. Noise also amplitude modulates FM signals but since the
modulating relationship results in frequency variations, not amplitude variations,
the interference has virtually no affect and is easily removed in the demodulation
process.

Conclusion: Thus, we have successfully performed the experiment and accom-

plished our objective. We have been able to successfully modulate the message
signal using frequency modulation.