STUDY GUIDE

MODULE 8 – Basic Transmitter Theory

AM Modulator Circuits
• Low-level
• Diode Modulator
• Transistor Modulator
• Differential Amplifier
• High-level
• Collector Modulator
• Series Modulator

Amplitude Modulators
• Low-level modulators generate AM with small signals and must be amplified before
transmission.
• High-level modulators produce AM at high power levels, usually in the final amplifier
stage of a transmitter.

Balanced Modulator
• A balanced modulator is a circuit that generates a DSB signal, suppressing the carrier and
leaving only the sum and difference frequencies at the output.

Filter Method
• The filter method is the simplest and most widely used method of generating SSB
signals.
• The modulating signal is applied to the audio amplifier.
• The amplifier’s output is fed to one input of a balanced modulator.
Phasing Method
• The phasing method of SSB generation uses a phase-shift technique that causes
one of the sidebands to be canceled out.
 • The phasing method uses two balanced modulators which eliminate the carrier.
• The carrier oscillator is applied to the upper balanced modulator along with the
modulating signal.
Weaver Method
• The third method of generating SSB was developed by Weaver
• It has the ability to generate SSB at any frequency and use low audio frequencies,
retaining the advantages of the phase-shift method
• This method is in direct competition with the filter method but very complex

Frequency Modulators
• A frequency modulator is a circuit that varies carrier frequency in accordance with the
modulating signal.
• The carrier is generated by LC or crystal oscillator circuits.
• Varactor Modulator
• Crystal Oscillator
• Voltage-Controlled Oscillator
• Reactance Modulator