STUDY GUIDE

MODULE 6 – Frequency Modulation Theory and Calculations

Angle Modulation
• Angle modulation results whenever the phase angle (θ) of a sinusoidal wave is varied
with respect to time.

Where:
m(t) = angle-modulated wave
Vc = peak carrier amplitude (volts)
ωc = carrier radian frequency (2πfc, radians per second)
θ(t) = instantaneous phase deviation (radians)
• Frequency deviation (fd) is the amount of change in carrier frequency produced by the
modulating signal.
• The frequency deviation rate is how many times per second the carrier frequency deviates
above or below its center frequency.

FM Parameters
Modulation Index

Where:
fd = frequency deviation (Hz)
fm = modulating frequency (Hz)

Deviation Ratio
• Deviation ratio is the worst-case modulation index
FM Frequency Deviation

At peak values,

FM Percent Modulation

Narrowband FM
• Narrowband FM (NBFM) is any FM system in which the modulation index is
less than π/2 = 1.57, or
mf < π /2

FM Signal Bandwidth
• BW = 2fmN
Carson’s Rule
• BW = 2 [fd(max) + fm(max)]

Carrier Swing (CS)

• CS = 2ẟ

FM Stereo

Noise and Phase Shift

φ = sin-1(N/S)
Where:
N = Noise Phasor
S = Signal Phasor

δ = φ(fm)
Where:
δ = frequency deviation produced by noise
φ = phase shift, rad
fm = frequency of modulating signal
Preemphasis
• Pre-emphasis provides more amplification of only high-frequency components.
• A simple high-pass filter can serve as a transmitter’s pre-emphasis circuit.

Deemphasis
• A simple low-pass filter can operate as a deemphasis circuit in a receiver.
• A deemphasis circuit returns the frequency response to its normal flat level.