BIRZEIT UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
ENEE3102

Engineering Simulation’s laboratory

Amplitude Modulation & Demodulation in LabVIEW
_______________________________________________________________

Shehadeh, J 1180519

Supervised by:
Dr. Seyam, J
T.A: Eng. Rahhal, R

Dec,13th 2022
Abstract

The paper aims to explore the behavior of amplitude modulation signals via LabVIEW tools. The
paper will conduct the details of building and simulating signals on LabVIEW and discuss
copious properties of the amplitude modulation process. The paper doesn’t ambit to provide no
factual reconfirmation on any concepts regarding communication systems engineering and only
aims to further explore the basic properties of the LabVIEW tool. The regarded apparatus only
employs the simulation lab manual and the LabVIEW standard license agreement.
Contents
Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Theory ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
Modulation and amplitude modulation ................................................................................................... 4
Normal Amplitude Demodulation ............................................................................................................ 4
Procedure, Data & Analysis........................................................................................................................... 5
Modulation ............................................................................................................................................... 5
Demodulation ........................................................................................................................................... 5
Analysis ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
Sources & Citations ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Theory
LabVIEW contraptions are called virtual instruments or Vis as their operation mirrors physical
apparatus. The program holds a large set of comprehensive aids to build interfaces and analyze,
generate and store data. Constructing operations via LabVIEW involves two main frameworks:
backend connections where the connections of the process are specified and frontend
connections where an interface to handle the operation is constructed.

Modulation and amplitude modulation

Modulation is the process in which some characteristics of the carrier 𝐶(𝑡) = 𝐴𝑐 cos(2𝜋𝑓𝑐𝑡 + 𝜑)
is varied in accordance with the message signal m(t) (Haykin, 2010). Modulation is crucial in
communication systems engineering as it helps to transmit signals over long distances and from
various sources simultaneously over one common channel (Proakis & Salehi, 2013).

Normal AM signals are defined as: 𝑠(𝑡) = 𝐴𝑐(1 + 𝐾𝑎 ∗ 𝑚(𝑡)) cos(2𝜋𝑓𝑐𝑡), where Ka is the
sensitivity of the modulator, Fc is the carrier frequency, A(t) is the envelope of the AM signal
(Proakis & Salehi, 2013). The distinguishing characteristic of AM modulation is the linear
variance of the amplitude of the carrier with the message signal (no phase shifts).
The modulation index of Normal AM modulation is defined as (Proakis & Salehi, 2013):
𝐴(𝑡) max − 𝐴(𝑡)𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝜇=
𝐴(𝑡) max + 𝐴(𝑡)𝑚𝑖𝑛

The value of modulation index is directly proportional to the power efficiency of the modulated
signal. However once the value of the modulation index exceeds 1 we start noticing some forms
of distortion in the demodulated message.

Normal Amplitude Demodulation

Demodulation of Normal AM signals can be performed via two main methods: envelope
detection and synchronous demodulation. This experiment only touches on synchronous
demodulation. Synchronous detection has no restrictions on the value of the modulation index.
Synchronous Normal AM modulation usually requires an exact replica of the frequency and
phase of the carrier. This is done via a PLL – Phase Locked Loop- circuit
Procedure, Data & Analysis
Modulation
The frontend and backend implemented panels are portrayed below. The panels were
implemented through following the precise instructions provided in the lab manual:

Figure 1: AM Modulation VI Front Panel & Block Diagram

The sinusoidal signal was simulated using the tool at 2000 samples per second the signal block
was duplicated and made constant in order to be paired with the carrier signal: the carrier
amplitude parameter was wired to its modulated signal counterpart while the carrier frequency
parameter was wired to the frequency input. The duplicated signal was paired with the output
signal following the previous steps. Both the original (input signal) and the modulated signal
were displayed on the VI and results were as follows:

Figure 2: VI signal amplitude modulation simulation results

Demodulation
A rectification device was used (in this case a diode) along with a low-pass filter and a DC signal
remover. Operating on LV machine, all three blocks were already build and represented as
Absolute Value VI, Filter VI and AC-DC estimator VI respectively. The demodulation process
was implemented and results were captured accordingly:
 Figure 3: AM Modulation Demodulation Block Diagram

Figure 4: VI signal amplitude demodulation simulation results

Analysis
As the acquired results suggests, the inputted signal was successfully modulated and
demodulated in accordance with the set parameters. As shown the signal was mounted on the
carrier and passed through a low-pass filter after eliminating the carrier frequency and preserving
the signal back to its original shape.
Conclusion
The paper inspected the scope of LabVIEW basic tools regarding building and running
simulation models to frame the amplitude modulation and demodulation process. The experiment
went smoothly with no major complications. Running the LabVIEW machine simulators was
smooth and undemanding. The scope of the tools of interest was explored to a fair extent and the
expected results were achieved.

Sources & Citations

1) Haykin, S. S., & Moher, M. (2010). Communication systems. John Wiley.
2) Proakis, J. G., & Masoud Salehi. (2014). Fundamentals of communication systems.
Pearson.
3) Lathi, B. P., & Ding, Z. (2019). Modern digital and analog communication systems.
Oxford University Press.
4) Ha Hoang Nguyen, & Shwedyk, E. (2009). A first course in digital communications.
Cambridge University Press.
5) ENEE Department. (2022). Engineering Simulation Laboratory Manual ENEE4104.
Birzeit University