UNIT I – AMPLITUDE AND FREQUENCY MODULATION

Need for modulation, Amplitude modulation: Principle, Spectrum, Modulation index,

DSB-FC, DSB-SC and SSB generation, AM reception- Super heterodyne receiver,
Frequency modulation: Principle, Spectrum, Modulation index, FM generation.

BLOCK DIAGRAM OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEM:

Fig 1.1: Block Diagram of the Basic Communication System

The block diagram of the simplest possible communication system is shown in figure 1.1.
The elements of basic communication system are as follows
 Information or input signal
 Input Transducer
 Transmitter
 Communication channel or medium
 Noise
 Receiver
 Output Transducer
1. Information or input signal
 The communication systems have been developed for communicating useful
information from one place to other
 The information can be in the form of sound signal like speech or music or it can be
in the form of pictures.
2. Input Transducer
 The information in the form of sound, picture or data signals cannot the transmitted
as it is.
 First it has to be converted into a suitable electrical signal.
 The input transducers commonly used in the communication systems are
microphones, TV etc.
3. Transmitter
 The function of the transmitter block is to convert the electrical equivalent of the
information to a suitable form.
 It increases the power level of the signal. The power level should be increased in
order to cover a large range.
 The transmitter consists of the electronics circuits such as amplifier, mixer, oscillator,
and power amplifier.
4. Communication channel or medium
 The communication channel is the medium used for the transmission of electronic
signals from one place to another.

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  The communication medium can be conducting wires, cables, optical fibres or free
space. Depending upon the type of the communication medium, two types of the
communication system will exist
a. Wire communication or line communication
 It uses the communication mediums like the simple wires or cables or
optical fibers.
 The examples of such systems are telegraph and telephone systems,
cable TV etc
 Due to physical connection from one point to the other, these
systems cannot be used for the communication over long distances.
b. Wireless communication or radio communication.
 It uses the free space as their communication medium. They do not
need the wires or cables or optical fibers for sending the information
from one place to other.
 The radio or TV broadcasting, satellite communication are the
examples of the wireless communication. These systems transmit the
signal using a transmitting antenna in the free space.
 The transmitted signal is in the form of electromagnetic waves. A
receiving antenna will pickup this signal and feed it to the receiver.
 Radio communication can be used for the long distance
communication such as from one country to other or even from one
planet to other.
5. Noise
 Noise is an unwanted electrical signal which gets added to the transmitted signal
when it is travelling towards receiver.
 Due to noise, the quality of the transmitted information will degrade. One added the
noise cannot be separated out from the information
 Hence noise is a big problem in the communication systems.
 Noise can be either natural or manmade. (Natural: Ligthining or radiation from sun;
Manmade: Ignition of automobiles, welding machines, electric motors)
 Noises cannot be completely eliminated, its effect can be reduced by using various
techniques.
6. Receiver
 The reception is exactly the opposite process of transmission. The received signal is
amplified and demodulated and converted in a suitable form
 The receiver consists of the electronic circuits like mixer, oscillator, detector and
amplifier.
7. Output Transducer
 It consists of the electrical signal at the output of the receiver back to the original
form i.e. sound or TV pictures.
 The typical example of the output transducers are loud speakers, picture tubes etc.

CLASSIFICATION OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION SYSTEM:

 The electronic communication systems may be classified into various cataeories as
shown in figure 1.2

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 Fig 1.2: Classification of electronic communication system

 It shows that the electronic communication system may be basically categorised into
three groups based on :
1. Whether the system is unidirectional or bidirectional
2. Whether it uses as analog or digital signal
3. Whether the system uses baseband transmission or uses some kind of
modulation

Classification Based on Direction of Communication

 Based on whether the system communicates only in one direction or otherwise, the
communication systems are classified as under:
1. Simplex System
2. Half duplex System
3. Full duplex System
 Figure 1.3 shows this classification.

Fig 1.3 Classification based on direction of communication

Simplex System
o In these systems, the information is communicated in only one direction.
o For example, the radio or TV broadcasting system can only transmit, they
cannot receive.
o Another example of simplex communication is the information transmitted
by the telemetry system of a satellite to earth.
o The telemetry system transmits information about the physical status of the
satellite such as its position or temperature.

Half duplex System

o These systems are bidirectional, i.e. they can transmit as well as receive but
not simultaneously.
o At a time, these systems can either transmit or receive, for example, a
transceiver or walky talky set.

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 o The direction of communication alternates. The radio communications such
as those in military, fire fighting, citizen band (CB) and amateur radio are half
duplex system.

Full duplex System

o These are truly bidirectional systems as they allow the communication to
take place in both the directions simultaneously.
o These systems can transmit as well as receive simultaneously. For example,
the telephone systems.
o However, the bulk of electronic communications is two -way.
o The best example of full duplex communication system is telephone system.

Classification Based On the Nature of Information Signal

 Another way to categorize electronic communication is by the types of signals
transmitted.
 The information signal used in a communication system can be either analog or
digital.
 Analog signals are the signals which vary continuously with time.
 The examples of analog signals are voice signals, picture signals, music etc.
 The digital signals have only two distinct levels, HIGH (1) or LOW (0). The digital
signals can be obtained from a computer.
Classification Based On Technique of Transmission
 Based on the technique used for the signal transmission it can be categorized as:
1. Baseband Transmission system
2. Communication systems using Modulation

Baseband Signals and Baseband Transmission:

 The electrical equivalent of the original information is known as the baseband signal.
 In some baseband transmission systems, the baseband signals are directly
transmitted.
 Example of these type of systems are telephone networks where the sound signal
converted into the electrical signal is placed directly on the telephone lines for
transmission .
 Another example of baseband transmission is computer data transmission over the
coaxial cables in the computer networks.
 Thus, the baseband transmission is the transmission of the original information
signal as it is.
 Limitation of Baseband Transmission
 The baseband transmission cannot be used with certain mediums e.g., it cannot
be used for the radio transmission where the medium is free space.
 This is because the voice signal cannot travel long distance in air.
 It gets suppressed after a short distance. Therefore, for the radio communication
of baseband signals, a technique called modulation is used.

Communication Systems Using Modulation:

 In the modulation process, two signals are used namely the modulating signal and
the carrier.

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  The modulating signal is nothing but the baseband signal or information signal while
the carrier is a high frequency sinusoidal signal. The carrier signal will carry the
modulating signal to the destination.
 The modulation can be digital or analog modulation.
 In the modulation process, some parameter of the carrier wave (such as amplitude,
frequency or phase) is varied in accordance with the modulating signal. This
modulated signal is then transmitted by the transmitter.
 The receiver demodultes the received modulated signal and gets the original
information signal back.
 Thus, demodulation is exactly opposite to modulation.
 In the process of modulation the carrier wave actually acts as carrier which carries
the information signal from the transmitter to receiver.

ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM:
 The information signal should be converted into an electromagnetic signal before
transmission because the wireless transmission takes place using the
electromagnetic (EM) waves.
 The electromagnetic waves consist of both electric and magnetic fields. The
electromagnetic waves can travel a long distance through space. These signals are
also called as radio frequency (RF) waves.
 The EM waves oscillate, they are sinusoidal and their frequency is measured in Hz.
 The frequency of EM signal can be very low or it can be extremely high. This entire
range of frequencies of EM waves is called as Electromagnetic Spectrum.
 The Electromagnetic Spectrum consists of signals such as 50Hz line frequency and
voice signals at the lower end.
 The RF which are used for the two way communication reside at the centre of the
EM spectrum. These frequencies are used for the applications such as radio or TV
broadcasting.
 The IR and visible light are at the upper end of the EM spectrum. The following figure
1.4 shows the entire Electromagnetic Spectrum/.

Fig 1.4 Complete Electromagnetic Spectrum

 The short forms used in the EM spectrum of figure 1.4 have the following meanings.

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 Table 1.1 Segments of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

EM Spectrum and Communication Application

 In the radio communication system, the frequencies ranging from a few kilohertz to
many gigahertz all are being used for various purposes.
 Let us discuss the applications of various frequency bands.
 The frequencies most commonly used in early days were from about 300 kHz to 3
MHz and were called as medium frequencies (MF).
 The frequencies in the range 30 kHz to 300 kHz are known as the low frequencies
(LF).
 The frequencies in the range 3 kHz to 30 kHz are called as very low frequencies
(VLF).
 On the higher frequency side, high frequencies (HF) will cover the frequency range
from 3 MHz to 30 MHz.
 Then very high frequency (VHF) from 30 MHz TO 300 MHz and so on.
 Table 1.2 presents the details of entire usable frequency spectrum and its
applications.

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 Table 1.2 : The radio frequency (RF) spectrum

MODULATION:
 A message signal (baseband signal) cannot travel a long distance because of its low
signal strength. In addition to this, physical surroundings, the addition of external
noise and travel distance will further reduce the signal strength of a message signal.
 So in order to send the message signal to a long distance, we need to increase the
signal strength of a message signal. This can be achieved by using a high frequency
or high energy signal called carrier signal. A high energy signal can travel to a larger
distance without getting affected by external disturbances.
 The low energy message signal is mixed with the high energy or high frequency
carrier signal to produce a new high energy signal which carries information to a
larger distance.
 The question arises how the message signal should be added to the carrier signal.
The solution lies in changing some characteristics (amplitude, frequency or phase) of
a carrier signal in accordance with the amplitude of the message signal. This process
is called modulation. Modulation means to “change”.
 The Message signal contains information whereas the carrier signal contains no
information. Carrier signal is used just to transmit the information to a long distance.
At the destination, the message signal is consumed whereas the carrier signal is
wasted. So the Carrier signal is called as empty signal.
 In modulation process, the characteristics of the carrier signal are changed but the
message signal characteristics will not be changed. The carrier signal does not
contain any information so even if we change the characteristics of the carrier signal,
the information contained in it will not be changed. However, the message signal
contains information so if we change the characteristics of the message signal, the
information contained in it will also changes. Therefore, we always changes the
characteristics of the carrier signal but not the message signal.

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  Modulation allows the transmission to occur at high frequency while it
simultaneously allows the carrying of the message signal.

Definition
 Modulation is the process of mixing a low energy message signal with the high
energy carrier signal to produce a new high energy signal which carries information
to a long distance.
or
 Modulation is the process of changing the characteristics (amplitude, frequency or
phase) of the carrier signal, in accordance with the amplitude of the message
signal.
 A device that performs modulation is called modulator.
 Example:
 The modulation process can be understood with a simple example. The below figure
1.5 shows the amplitude modulation.

Fig 1.5

 The first figure shows the modulating signal or message signal which contains
information, the second figure shows the high frequency carrier signal which
contains no information and the last figure shows the resultant amplitude
modulated signal.
 From the above three figures, it can be observed that the amplitude of the carrier
signal is varied in accordance with the instant amplitude of the message signal.

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TYPES OF MODULATION:
 Various types of practically used modulation systems are as follows:

Fig 1.6: Classification of modulation systems

Amplitude Modulation[AM]:
 In AM method, the carrier is a sinewave with frequency “f c”. The carrier frequency is
much higher than the frequency of the modulating signal “fm”.
 The amplitude of the carrier varies in proportion to the amplitude of the modulating
signal as shown in figure 1.7.
 The AM signal is transmitted by a transmitter. The information is contained in its
amplitude version.
 The frequency of the carrier remains constant. AM is used in radio and TV
broadcasting applications.

Fig 1.7: Amplitude Modulated Signal

Frequency Modulation[FM]:

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  In this method, the frequency of the carrier is changed in proportion with the
amplitude of the modulating signal.
 Thus the frequency compression and expansion will take place as shown in figure
1.8.

Fig 1.8: Frequency Modulated Signal

 The FM signal is transmitted by the transmitter and it carries the information in the
frequency variation.
 The amplitude of the carrier remains constant. FM is used for TV sound and radio
broadcasting and police wireless transmission.
Phase Modulation [PM]:
 In PM the phase shift of the carrier signal is varied in proportion with the amplitude
of the modulating signal.
 The amplitude of carrier remains constant. Thus the information is carried in the
phase variations of the modulated signal. The phase modulated signal is shown in
figure 1.9.
 PM is very similar to the frequency modulation. The only difference is that the phase
of the carrier is varied instead of varying the frequency.
 The amplitude of the carrier remains constant. PM is used for generation of FM.
Pulse Analog Modulation [PAM, PWM and PPM]:
 For the AM, FM and PM discussed in the previous sections, the carrier is a sinusoidal
signal. However in the pulse modulation, the carrier is in the form of pulses instead
of being a sinewave.
 In PAM (Pulse Amplitude Modulation) the amplitude of the pulsed carrier is varied in
accordance with the amplitude of modulating signal.
 In PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) the width of the pulses and in PPM (Pulse Position
Modulation) the position of pulses is varied in accordance with the modulating
signal. The PAM and PWM signals are shown in figure 1.10.

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 Fig 1.9: Phase Modulated Signal

Fig 1.10: PAM, PWM Signals

Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) and Delta Modulation (DM):
 These are the digital pulse modulation systems. Here a train of digital pulses is
transmitted by the transmitter.
 All the pulses are of constant amplitude, width and position. The information is
contained in combination of the pulses.
 The digital communication has higher noise immunity than the analog
communication systems.
Demodulation:

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  The modulated signals are transmitted by the transmitter via air medium or wire
medium. These signals then reach the receivers by travelling over the
communication medium.
 At the receiver, the original information signal is separated from the carrier. This
process is called as demodulation or detector. Detection is exactly the opposite of
modulation.

NEED FOR MODULATION:

 Modulation is extremely necessary in communication system because of the
following reasons:
1. Reduces height of antenna
2. Avoids mixing of signals
3. Increase the range of communication
4. Multiplexing is possible
5. Improves Quality of Reception
1) Reduces height of antenna
 For transmission of radio signals. The antenna height must be multiple of ( ⁄ ).
⁄
Where,
‘λ’ is the wavelength;
‘C’ is the velocity of light
‘f’ is the frequency of the signal to be transmitted
 The minimum antenna height required to transmit a baseband signal of f = 10 kHz is
calculated as follows :

 The antenna of this height is practically impossible to install.

 Now, let us consider a modulated signal at f = 1 MHz . The minimum antenna height
is given by,

 This antenna can be easily installed practically. Thus, modulation reduces the height
of the antenna.
 Frequency Narrow Banding:
o If we design a communication system, for the transmission problem. If we
design according to the low frequency signal, the antenna so designed may
be too large for the high frequency signal, whereas the antenna designed for
high frequency signals to be too short for the low frequency. This problem is
known as narrow banding.
2) Avoids mixing of signals
 If the baseband sound signals are transmitted without using the modulation by more
than one transmitter, then all the signals will be in the same frequency range i.e. 0 to
20 kHz.
 Therefore, all the signals get mixed together and a receiver cannot separate them
from each other.

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  Hence, if each baseband sound signal is used to modulate a different carrier then
they will occupy different slots in the frequency domain (different channels). Thus,
modulation avoids mixing of signals.
 This is shown in figure 1.11. Thus modulation avoids mixing of signals.
3) Increase the range of communication
 The frequency of baseband signal is low, and the low frequency signals cannot travel
long distance when they are transmitted. They get heavily attenuated.
 The attenuation reduces with increase in frequency of the transmitted signal, and
they travel longer distance.
 The modulation process increases the frequency of the signal to be transmitted.
Therefore, it increases the range of communication.
4) Multiplexing is possible
 Multiplexing is a process in which two or more signals can be transmitted over the
same communication channel simultaneously.
 This is possible only with modulation.
 The multiplexing allows the same channel to be used by many signals. Hence, many
TV channels can use the same frequency range, without getting mixed with each
other or different frequency signals can be transmitted at the same time.

Fig 1.11 Modulation avoids mixing of signals

5) Improves Quality of Reception
 Noise is an unwanted signal that enters the communication system via the
communication channel and interferes with the transmitted signal.
 A message signal cannot travel for a long distance because of its low signal strength.
Addition of external noise will further reduce the signal strength of a message signal.
So in order to send the message signal to a long distance, we need to increase the
signal strength of the message signal. This can be achieved by using a technique
called modulation.
 In modulation technique, a low energy or low frequency message signal is mixed
with the high energy or high frequency carrier signal to produce a new high energy
signal which carries information to a long distance without getting affected by the
external noise.

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  With frequency modulation (FM) and the digital communication techniques such as
PCM, the effect of noise is reduced to a great extent. This improves quality of
reception

AMPLITUDE MODULATION:
Types of Amplitude Modulation:
 Amplitude Modulation (DSB-FC: Double Side Band Full Carrier) – Amplitude of the
carrier is varied according to instantaneous magnitude of modulating signal
 DSB-SC: Double Side Band Suppressed Carrier
 SSB-SC: Single Side Band Suppressed Carrier
 VSB: Vestigial Side Band
Principle of Amplitude Modulation (or) DSB-FC Modulation:
 It is the process of changing the amplitude of a high frequency carrier signal in
proportion with the instantaneous value of modulating signal. This is also called as
Double Side Band Full Carrier Modulation.

Fig 1.12: AM waveform for sinusoidal modulating signal

 Observations:
o The frequency of the sinusoidal carrier is much higher than that of the
modulating signal.
o In AM the instantaneous amplitude of the sinusoidal high frequency carrier is
changed in proportion to the instantaneous amplitude of the modulating
signal. This is the principle of AM.
o The time domain display of AM signal is as shown in figure 1.12. This AM
signal is transmitted by a transmitter. The information in the AM signal is

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 contained in the amplitude variations of the carrier of the enveloped shown
in dotted lines in figure 1.12
o Note that the frequency and phase of the carrier remain constant.
o AM is used in the applications such as radio, TV transmissions
 AM Envelope:
o Although there are several types of AM, the SDBFC is the most commonly
used.
o The DSBFC is also called as conventional AM. Figure 1.12 shows the AM
waveform and the shape of modulated waveform is called as envelope.
o The repetition rate of envelope is equal to the frequency of the modulating
signal and the envelope shape is identical to the shape of modulating signal.

Mathematical representation of an AM wave:

 The mathematical representation of an AM wave can be divided into two parts
namely:
o Time domain description
o Frequency domain description
 Time domain description:
o Let the modulating signal be sinusoidal and be represented as,
em = Em cos ωmt
Where em is the instantaneous amplitude of the modulating signal. Em is the
peak amplitude. ωm=2πfm and frequency of the modulating signal.
o Let the carrier signal also be sinusoidal at a much higher frequency than that
of the modulating signal. The instantaneous carrier signal e c is given by,
ec = Ec cos ωct
Where Ec is the peak amplitude of the carrier signal. ωc=2πfc and frequency of
the carrier signal.
eAM =A cos (2πfct)
where A represents the instantaneous value of the envelope. The modulating
signal either add or subtracted from the peak carrier amplitude Ec as shown in
figure 1.12. hence we can represent the instantaneous value of envelope as,
A=Ec+em = Ec+ Em cos ωmt
o Hence AM wave is given by,
eAM =A cos (2πfct) = [Ec+ Em cos (2πfmt)+ cos (2πfct)
eAM = Ec *1+m cos (2πfmt)+ cos (2πfct)
where m= Em/Ec be the modulation index
o The mathematical expression of the AM wave if the modulating and carrier
signal is in sine waveform then,
eAM = Ec *1+m sin (2πfmt)+ sin (2πfct)
 Modulation Index Or Modulation Factor and Percentage Modulation:
o In AM wave the modulation index (m) is defined as the ratio of amplitudes of
the modulating and carrier waves as follows:
m= Em/Ec

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 o Where Em ≤ Ec the modulation index “m” has values between 0 and 1 and no
distortion is introduced in the AM wave. But if Em > Ec then m is greater than
1. This will distort the shape of AM signal. The distortion is called as over
modulation.
o The modulation index is also called as modulation factor, modulation
coefficient or degree of modulation. However this modulation index is
expressed as percentage and is called as percentage modulation.
% Modulation= ( Em/Ec ) * 100
 Frequency Spectrum of the AM Wave:
o The frequency spectrum of AM wave tells us about which frequency
components are present in the AM wave and what their amplitudes are. So
consider the equation for AM wave.
eAM = Ec [1+m cos (ωmt)+ cos (ωct)
eAM = Ec cos (ωct) + m Ec cos (ωmt) cos (ωct)
wkt, 2cosAcosB=cos(A+B)+cos(A-B)
eAM = Ec cos (ωct) + [m Ec cos (ωm+ ωc)t]/2 +[ m Ec cos (ωm - ωc)t]/2
o Observations:
 First term is unmodulated carrier signal
 Second term is a sinusoidal signal at frequency (fc+fm). This is called
as upper side band. Its amplitude is m Ec/2
 Third term is a sinusoidal signal at frequency (fc - fm). This is called as
lower side band. Its amplitude is m Ec/2
 The frequency spectrum for AM wave is as shown in figure 1.13.
note it is a single sided band spectrum i.e., the spectrum plotted for
only the positive values of frequency.

Fig 1.13: Single Sided Frequency Spectrum of AM wave

 Bandwidth of AM Wave:
 The bandwidth of the AM signal is given by the subtraction of the highest and the
lowest frequency component in the frequency spectrum. Therefore:
BW = fUSB – fLSB = (fc+fm) – (fc- fm)
BW = 2 fm

Modulation Index:
Linear Modulation:

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  If m ≤ 1 or if the percentage modulation is less than 100% then the type of
modulation is linear amplitude modulation. The figure 1.14 and 1.15 shows the AM
wave with linear modulation.
Over Modulation:
 If m > 1 i.e., if the percentage modulation is greater than 100% then the type of
modulation is called as over modulation.
 Since m > 1 the envelope can sometimes reverse the phase as shown in figure 1.16.
 Over modulation introduces envelope distortion.
 Note: If m=0, the AM wave will be available as shown in figure 1.17.

Fig 1.14: AM wave for percentage modulation less than 100%

Fig 1.15: AM wave with 100% Modulation Figure 1.16: AM with over
modulation

Fig 1.17: AM wave with m=0

Calculation of Modulation Index:

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 Fig 1.18: AM wave for calculation of m
 If the AM signal is displayed on the screen of a CRO it appears to be as shown in
figure 5.
 In order to calculate modulation index “m” which is m=Em/Ec, we must express Em
and Ec in terms of Emax and Emin
 Referring to figure 1.18
-------(1)
-------(2)
 Substitute the value of Em from equation (1) in equation (2) to get Ec
-------(3)
 But m=Em/Ec
 Substitute the value of Em and Ec from equation (1) and equation (3) to get m

AM Power Distribution:
 In practice AM wave is a voltage or current wave
 An AM wave consists of two side bands and carrier. Hence the AM wave will contain
more power than the power contained by unmodulated carrier.
 The amplitudes of the two sidebands are dependent on the modulation index “m”.
Hence the power contained in the sidebands depends on the value of m. hence the
total power in AM wave is a function of the value of “m”
 Total power (Pt) in AM
o Pt = [Carrier Power] + [Power in USB] + [Power in LSB]

o Where Ecarr, EUSB and ELSB are the rms vlues of the carrier and sidebands
amplitudes and R is the characteristic resistance of antenna in which the total
power is dissipated.
 Carrier Power (Pc):
⁄√

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 o Where Ec is the peak carrier amplitude
 Power in the sidebands:
o The power in the sidebands is given by

o As WKT peak amplitude of each sideband is mEc/2

⁄ √

o WKT

 Total Power (Pt)

o Therefore
o Pt = [Carrier Power] + [Power in USB] + [Power in LSB]

( )
 Modulation index in terms of Pt and Pc:
⁄
[ ( )]
 Transmission Efficiency (ƞ):
o Transmission Efficiency of an AM wave is the ratio of the transmitted power
which contains the information (i.e the total sideband power) to the total
transmitted power.

( )

( )

o The percent transmission efficiency is given by

Drawbacks:
 In conventional AM double side band system, the carrier signal does not carry
information; the information is contained in the side bands.
 Due to the nature of this system, the drawbacks are as follows.
1. Carrier power constitutes two thirds or more of the total transmitted power

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 2. Both side bands contain the same information. Transmitting both side bands is
redundant and thus causes it to utilize twice as much bandwidth as needed
with single side band system
3. Conventional AM in both power and bandwidth inefficient.

DSB-SC (Double Side Band Suppressed Carrier):

 The major considerable parameters of a communication system are transmitting
power and bandwidth. Hence it is necessary to save the power and bandwidth in a
communication system.
 In AM with carrier, from the calculation of efficiency it is found that only 33.3% of
energy is used and remaining power is wasted by the carrier transmission along with
the sidebands.
 In order to save the power in AM, the carrier is suppressed, because it does not
contain any useful information. This scheme is called the DSB-SC AM.
 It contains only LSB and USB terms, resulting in a transmission bandwidth that is
twice the bandwidth of the message signal.
 Let the modulating signal be,
 In order to suppress the carrier signal, the modulating signal and carrier signal are
fed to a product modulator or multiplier as follows:

eDSB-SC-AM= emec
eDSB-SC-AM= EmcosωmtEccosωct
= EmEccosωmtcosωct
=EmEc[cos(ωm+ωc)t + cos(ωm-ωc)t] / 2

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 Fig 1.19 Graphical Representation of DSB-SC
 Frequency spectrum

Fig 1.20 Frequency Spectrum of DSB-SC

Power Saving in DSB-SC:

 Total Power (Pt)
o Pt = [Carrier Power] + [Power in USB] + [Power in LSB]

-Ec

( )
 Carrier Power (Pc):

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 ⁄√

 If the carrier is suppressed, then the total power transmitted is

o Pt’ = *Power in USB+ + *Power in LSB+

 Power Saving:

( )

( )

( )

Advantages of DSB-SC:
1. Efficient in terms of powerusage
2. Low power consumption
3. 100% modulation efficiency
4. Large bandwidth
Disadvantages of DSB-SC:
1. Product detector required for demodulation of DSB signal which is quite expensive
2. Complex detection
3. Signal rarely used because the signal is difficult to recover at the receiver
Applications:
1. Used in analog TV systems to transmit the colour information
2. For transmitting stereo information in FM sound broadcast at VHF

SSB-SC (Single Side Band Suppressed Carrier):

 In AM with carrier, both the transmitting power and bandwidth are wasted. Hence
the DSB-SC AM scheme has been introduced in which power is saved by
suppressing the carrier component, but the bandwidth remains the same.
 Increase in the saving of power is possible by eliminating one side band in addition
to the carrier component, because the USB and LSB are related by symmetry about
the carrier frequency so either one side band is enough for transmitting as well as
recovering the useful message. In addition to that, transmission bandwidth can be
cut into half if one side band is suppressed along with the carrier. This scheme is
known as Single Side Band Suppressed Carrier Amplitude Modulation.

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  The block diagram of SSB-SC AM is shown in figure 5.

Fig 1.21 Block Diagram of SSB-SC

 Inorder to suppress one of the sidebands, the input signal fed to the modulator 1 is
90ᵒ out of phase with that of the signal fed to the modulator.
em =Emsinωmt
ec =Ecsinωct
e1(t) = Emsinωmt.Ecsinωct
e2(t) =Em(sinωmt+90ᵒ).Ec(sinωct+90ᵒ)
=EmEc (cosωmt).(cosωct)
eSSB-SC-AM = e1(t)+e2(t)
= EmEc (sinωmt).(sinωct) + EmEc (cosωmt).(cosωct)
=EmEc*(sinωmt).(sinωct) + (cosωmt).(cosωct)]

=EmEc*cos(ωc-ωm)t ]/2

 By comparing this with the equation of DSB-SC, one of the side bands is
suppressed. Hence this scheme is known as SSB-SC AM.
 The graphical representation of SSB-SC system is shown in figure 1.22.

Fig 1.22 Graphical Representation of SSB-SC

Frequency Spectrum:

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 Fig 1.23 Frequency Spectrum of SSB-SC
 From the frequency spectrum figure 1.23, the bandwidth required reduces from
2fm to fm.
Power Saving in SSB-SC:
 Total Power (Pt)
o Pt = [Carrier Power] + [Power in USB] + [Power in LSB]

( )
 Carrier Power (Pc):
⁄√

 If the carrier is suppressed, then the total power transmitted is

o Pt’’ = *Power in SB+

 Power Saving:

( )

( )

( )

 Power Saving in SSB-SC wrt DSB-SC:

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 ( )

( )

%
Advantages of SSB:
1. SSB amplitude modulation is widely used by military or radio amateurs in high
frequency communications. It is because the bandwidth is the same as the
bandwidth of modulating signals.
2. Occupies one half of the spectrum space
3. Efficient in terms of power usage
4. Less noise on the signal
Disadvantages of SSB:
1. When no information or modulating signal is present, no RF signal is transmitted
2. Most information signals transmitted by SSB are not pure sine waves
3. A voice signal will create a complex SSB signal
Applications:
1. 2 way radio communication
2. Frequency division multiplexing
3. Up conversion in numerous telecommunication systems

AM GENERATION:
 The methods for generation of AM waves are classified into two major types
1. Non-linear Modulators (Low Level Modulators)
2. Linear Modulators (High Level Modulators)

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Non-linear Modulators (High Level Modulators)
 Any device operated in nonlinear region of its output characteristic is capable of
producing AM waves when the carrier and modulating signals are fed at the input.
The generated signals are of low voltage, so they are called as low level modulators.
 The devices (Square Devices) making use of non-linear V-I characteristics are
o Diodes
o Triode tubes
o BJT
o FET
Linear Modulators (Low Level Modulators)
 Any nonlinear devices operated in the linear region of its output characteristic and
generate signals of high voltage, and then they are called as high level modulators.

AM Generation Techniques
 DSB-FC
o Square law modulator
o Low level modulator
o High level modulator
 DSB-SC
o Balanced modulator
o Ring modulator
 SSB-SC
o Filter method
o Phase shift method

Non-linear AM Generation:
 Square Law Modulator:
o Generation of AM Waves using the square law modulator could be
understood in a better way by observing the square law modulator circuit
shown in fig.1.24.

Fig 1.24: Simple Block Diagram of Square Law Modulator

o It consists of the following:
 A non-linear device
 A bandpass filter
 A carrier source and modulating signal
o The figure 1.25 shows the square law modulator setup.

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 Fig 1.25: Square Law Modulator Circuit

o The modulating signal and carrier are connected in series with each other and
their sum V1(t) is applied at the input of the non-linear device
V1(t) = em + ec
= Emcosωmt + Eccosωct
o The input output relation for non-linear device is as under :
I0= aV1(t) + bV1(t)2
= a[Emcosωmt + Eccosωct] + b[Emcosωmt + Eccosωct]2
=a[Emcosωmt + Eccosωct] + b[Em2cos2ωmt + Ec2cos2ωct +
2EmcosωmtEccosωct]
o In above equation a and b are constants
o Neglect 2nd and higher order terms
=aEmcosωmt + aEccosωct + 2bEmcosωmtEccosωct
=aEmcosωmt + aEccosωct + bEmEc*cos(ωm+ωc)t + cos(ωm-ωc)t]
o Passing through bandpass filter
I0= a Eccosωct + bEmEc*cos(ωm+ωc)t + cos(ωm-ωc)t]
 Product Modulator:
o The AM output signal is obtained as
eAM = Ec(1+mcosωmt)cosωct
=Eccosωct +Eccosωmtcosωct
o This can be easily implemented as shown in figure 1.26

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 Fig 1.26: Simple Block Diagram of Product Modulator

o Thus the circuit comprises an analog multiplier and a summer as follows:

Fig 1.27: Product Modulator Circuit

o The output of analog multiplier

Va(t) = emec
=EmEc*cos(ωm+ωc)t + cos(ωm-ωc)t] / 2
o Input to the summer
= Va(t) + ec(t)
Va(t) = {EmEc*cos(ωm+ωc)t + cos(ωm-ωc)t] / 2 }+ Eccosωct
 Balanced Modulator:
o The transistor based balanced modulator for AM generation can be setup as
shown in figure 1.28.
o Here two transistors care of identical type and the transformer used is a
center taped.
o The input voltage to transistors Q1 and Q2 are given by
V1 = Vc(t) + Vm(t)
V2 = - Vc(t) + Vm(t)
o The AM output is given by
V0 = K(Ic1-Ic2)

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 Where K – constant based on impedance and other circuit parameters
Ic1–Q1 collector Current
Ic2 - Q2 collector Current
o Applying non-linear, current voltage square law relation

Ic1= aV1(t) + bV1(t)2

Ic2= aV2(t) + bV2(t)2

Fig 1.28: Balanced Modulator Circuit

o Substituting for V1 and V2

Ic1= aV1(t) + bV1(t)2
= a[Vc(t) + Vm(t)] + b[Vc(t) + Vm(t)]2
=a[Emcosωmt + Eccosωct] + b[Emcosωmt + Eccosωct]2
= a[Emcosωmt + Eccosωct] + b[Em2cos2ωmt + Ec2cos2ωct +
2EmcosωmtEccosωct]
Ic2= aV2(t) + bV2(t)2
= a[-Vc(t) + Vm(t)] + b[-Vc(t) + Vm(t)]2
=a[Emcosωmt-Eccosωct] + b[Emcosωmt-Eccosωct]2
= a[Emcosωmt-Eccosωct] + b[Em2cos2ωmt + Ec2cos2ωct -
2EmcosωmtEccosωct]
Vo = K(Ic1 – Ic2)
=K(2aEccosωct + 4bEmcosωmtEccosωct)
Vo =2KaEc(1 +mcosωmt) cosωct
 Note
o The same circuit can be used to generate SB-SC AM, if the position of Vm and
Vc are interchanged, so that the carrier voltage is suppressed.
o Then the input voltage to transistors Q1 and Q2 are given by
V1 = Vc(t) + Vm(t)
V2 = Vc(t) -Vm(t)
Vo = K(Ic1 – Ic2)
= K(2aEmcosωmt + 4bEmcosωmtEccosωct)

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 o The above output signal passed through the BPF and the resultant AM
generation is
= 4KbEmcosωmtEccosωct
Vo =4KbEmEc[cos(ωm+ωc)t + cos(ωm-ωc)t]
 Selective Filter Method (SSB-SC)
o SSB-SC AM can be generated by suppressing any one of the sidebands of DSB-
SC-AM
o To suppress or eliminate sideband fully, the filter to be designed
o The simple block diagram of filter method is shown in figure 1.29.

Fig 1.29 Filter Method SSB-SC Generation

o This method involves generation of DSB-SC signals followed by extraction of
the desired band using appropriate filter.
o This method can be used to generate SSB-SC waves.
o The baseband is restricted and appropriately related to the carrier frequency.
o Under this condition, the desired side band is selected by an appropriate
filter.
o There are two methods of side band selection.
o Many transmitters consist of two filters, one that will pass the upper side and
second that will pass the lower side band.
o A switch is sued to select the desired side band.
o The following figure 1.20 shows the filter method with selection of lower and
upper side bands.
o Since it is difficult to design a filter in an effort to eliminate the unwanted
side band, such a filter will introduce attenuation in the wanted side band
also.

Fig 1.30 Selection of Side Bands With Two Filters

o Increasing the bandwidth may result in passing some of the unwanted side
bands to the output.
o For satisfactory performance of the system, the following requirements have
to satisfied:

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  The passband of the filter should be the same as that of the desired
side band
 The separation region between passband and stopband should not
exceed twice the maximum frequency component present in the
baseband.
 The unwanted side band and whose nearest frequency component is
separated from the desired by twice the lowest frequency component
of the modulating signal.

AM SUPERHETRODYNE RECEIVERS:
 The superhetrodyne has been around for a long time and is still the receiver system
of choice in modern receivers.
 Earlier receivers were called TRF (Tuned Radio Frequency)
 Selectivity of a receiver is very important; we only want to hear the radio station to
which we are tuned to.
 In the TRF receiver there should several tuned circuits like the one on our crystal set.
 The problem with the TRF is that every time we changed to a new radio channel or
signal, we had to retune all of these circuits to the new frequency. This was a very
fiddly affair to stay the least.
 The idea of the superhetrodyne was to covert the signal being received to a single
standard frequency. This frequency was called the intermediate frequency (IF).
 The great advantage of the superhetrodyne is that there is only one tuning control
and the IF amplifier, typically 455kHz, never has to be adjusted, and can contain
many sharply tuned high Q circuits, or even special crystal filters, tuned to 455kHz.
 This means the receiver has a very high selectivity.
 The IF amplifier also has very high gain giving the receiver very good sensitivity.
 The name of this receiver came from heterodyne for “mix” and super because it was
so darn good compared to the TRF.
 The problem is that to take advantage of the highly selective IF amplifier; all signals
to be listened to have to be converted to the IF.
 In the block diagram shown in figure 1.31, the first stage is an RF amplifier.

Fig 1.31 Block Diagram of Superhetrodyne Receiver

 RF Amplifier & Tuning:
o Amplification becomes necessary because, most often, the received signal is
quite weak and without sufficient amplification, it may not even be able to
drive the receiver circuitry.
o Tuning becomes important especially in a broadcast situation because there
is more than one station broadcasting at the same time and the receiver

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 must pick the required station and reject the inputs from the other
(unwanted) stations; tuning also ensures that out of band noise components
do not affect the receiver's performance.
o This stage amplifies an entire band of frequencies coming down the antenna
(such as the entire broadcast band, or an entire amateur band)
o The wanted signal, along with other signals and noise, is input to the Radio
Frequency (RF) stage of the receiver.
o The RF section is tuned to carrier frequency of the desired signal (fs).
o The bandwidth of the RF stage BRF , is relatively broad; hence along with
message signal, a few adjacent signals are also passed by it.
o The next stage in the receiver is the frequency conversion stage consisting of
a mixer and a local oscillator
 Mixer
o All of the radio frequency signals with all their information are fed to a mixer,
along with a signal from local oscillator.
o The mixer is nonlinear device so frequency conversion takes place.
o In this the local oscillator tracks the carrier frequency (fc) with the help of a
ganged capacitor
o The mixer output is of fc,fm,(fc+fm) and (fc-fm).Out of these the difference of
frequency component i.e., (fc-fm) is selected and all others are rejected. This
frequency is called Intermediate Frequency.
o The IF amplifier is very aptly named, as the desired signal is received and
converted to a standard middle (Intermediate) frequency before being
demodulated.
 IF stage
o The IF stage constitutes a very important stage in a superheterodyne
receiver. It is a fixed frequency amplifier (it could consist of one or more
stages of amplification) and provides most of the gain of the superhet.
o It also rejects the adjacent channels.
 Detector or Demodulation Stage
o Detector or demodulation stage which removes the IF carrier and produces
the baseband message signal at its output
 Amplification Stage:
o Finally, the demodulator output goes through a baseband amplification stage
(audio or video, depending upon the type of the signal) before being applied
to the final transducer (speaker, picture-tube etc.)
 The overall advantage of superhetrodyne receiver is immensely improved selectivity,
sensitivity and simplification of operation over the TRF.
Performance Characteristics of a Receiver:
 The important performance characteristics of a radio receiver are as follows:
o Sensitivity
o Selectivity
o Fidelity

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 o Sensitivity:
 Sensitivity of a radio receiver is defined as its ability to amplify weak
signals. It is often defined in terms of the input voltage that must be
applied at the input of the receiver to obtain a standard output
power.
 Required minimum input voltage is minimum at 850kHz and
increases on both sides of 850kHz
 To improve the sensitivity of a radio receiver: Sensitivity of a radio
receiver depends RF and IF amplifier stages. By increasing the gains
of these stages it is possible to increase sensitivity.
o Selectivity:
 It is ability to reject unwanted signals.
 The selectivity of a superhetrodyne receiver is determined by the
frequency response characteristics of IF amplifier. The responses of
mixer and RF amplifier stages also play a small but significant role.
 To increase selectivity: Higher the “Q” of the tuned circuit used in
the IF amplifier, better is the selectivity.
o Fidelity:
 The fidelity is the ability of a receiver to reproduce all the
modulating frequencies equally.
 It depends on the frequency of AF amplifier.

ANGLE MODULATION:
 The other type of modulation in continuous-wave modulation is the Angle
Modulation. Angle Modulation is the process in which the frequency or the phase of
the carrier varies according to the message signal. This is further divided into
frequency and phase modulation.
o Frequency Modulation is the process of varying the frequency of the carrier
signal linearly with the message signal.
o Phase Modulation is the process of varying the phase of the carrier signal
linearly with the message signal.
 Consider a basic carrier signal as follows:
C(t) =EccosƟi(t)
Where Ec – Peak Carrier Amplitude
Ɵi(t) – Instantaneous phase angle
 Considering this as a rotating vector, a complete oscillation occurs whenever Ɵ i(t)
changes by 2π radians (360 ᵒ).
 Ɵi(t) monotonically increases with time, the average frequency in Hertz (linear
frequency), over an interval from t to t + Δt, is given by,

 Thus the instantaneous frequency of the angle modulated signal is,

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 2πfit = = ωi(t)
Where ωi(t) is the instantaneous angular frequency
 The angle of the angle modulated signal can be varied wrt modulating message
signal in following ways.
 Phase Modulation:
o In PM the angle is varied linearly with the modulating message signal
m(t) as

Where  angle of unmodulated carrier

 phase sensitivity

Where  Phase deviation

 Peak Modulating Voltage
o Thus the phase modulated signal is given by,
[ ]
o From the above equation it is evident that for PM, the phase deviation of
sPM(t ) from that of the unmodulated carrier phase is a linear function of the
base-band message signal, m(t).
o The instantaneous frequency of a phase modulated signal depends
on because
 Frequency Modulation
o In FM, the instantaneous frequency fi(t) of the carrier is varied linearly with
the message signal m(t) as

Where frequency sensitivity

Where  Frequency deviation

Since

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 Is frequency modulated signal will be as follows
[ ∫ ]
 Relationship Between PM & FM:
o The phase modulated signal is given by
[ ]
o The frequency modulated signal is given by
[ ∫ ]
o Comparing, FM is similar to PM, where modulating signal is integral of
message signal whereas PM is similar to FM where modulating signal is
derivative of message signal. It can be picturized as follows:

FREQUENCY MODULATION:
 Basically there are two types of modulation namely, singletone and multitone.
 In single tone, we modulate only one message signal whereas in multitoned we
modulate more than one message signal.
 Consider a single tone FM, with following message and carrier signals,
Message signal m(t) = Emcosωmt
= Emcos(2πfmt)
Carrier signal c(t) = Ecsinωct
= Ecsin(2πfct)
 After FM process, the instantaneous frequency becomes

But

Where
is Maximum frequency deviation
But

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 ∫

 The ratio is defined as modulation index β

 FM signal is given by,

 Based on the value of modulating index β, there are two types of FM,
o Narrowband FM: for which β is small compared to 1 radian
o Wideband FM: for which β is large compared to 1 radian

TRANSMISSION BANDWIDTH OF FM:

 Since the spectrum of FM contains several frequency components, finding the BW is
very difficult. Carson formulated an approximation rule known as carson rule for
finding BW of FM signal.
 According to carson rule,

FM GENERATION:
 FM signals can be generated in two ways:
 Direct Method
 Indirect method
o In direct method, the modulating signal directly varies the instantaneous
frequency of carrier signal by means of a device known as voltage controlled
oscillator.
o In indirect method, first the modulating signal is integrated and then phase
modulated with the carrier signal, as result of which some form of FM signal
is obtained.
 Indirect Method (Armstrong Method)
o The direct methods cannot be used for the broadcast applications. Thus the
alternative method i.e. indirect method called as the Armstrong method of
FM generation is used.
o In this method, the modulating signal is integrated and it is phase modulated
by a crystal oscillator, to get narrowband FM signal, which is later passed to a
frequency multiplier to get wideband FM as follows:

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 o The crystal oscillator provides frequency stability. The value of modulation
index is kept less than unity to produce narrow band FM.
o The frequency multiplier consists of a non-linear memory device followed by
a BPF as follows:

o If FM signal is S(t), then output of memoryless device is given by,

VO(t) = a1S(t) + a2S2(t)+………………..+anSn(t)

o Where a1,a2,… are some coefficient, based on operating point of the device,
and n is the higher order of non linearity. The input S(t) is

( (∫ ))

o With instantaneous frequency,

o Considering the maximum non linearity term, then the instantaneous

frequency becomes n fi(t)

Operation:
 The crystal oscillator generates the carrier at low frequency typically at 1MHz. This is
applied to the combining network and a 90° phase shifter.
 The modulating signal is passed through an audio equalizer to boost the low
modulating frequencies .The modulating signal is then applied to a balanced
modulator.
 The balanced modulator produced two side bands such that their resultant is 90°
phase shifted with respect to the unmodulated carrier.
 The unmodulated carrier and 90° phase shifted sidebands are added in the
combining network.
 At the output of the combining network we get FM wave. This wave has a low carrier
frequency fc and low value of the modulation index β.
 The carrier frequency and the modulation index are then raised by passing the FM
wave through the first group of multipliers. The carrier frequency is then raised by

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 using a mixer and then the fc and mf both are raised to required high values using
the second group of multipliers.
 The FM signal with high fc and high β is then passed through a class C power
amplifier to raise the power level of the FM signal.
 The Armstrong method uses the phase modulation to generate frequency
modulation. This method can be understood by dividing it into four parts as follows:
1.Generation of FM from phase modulator:
o The modulating signal is passed through a low pass RC filter.
o The filter output is then applied to a phase modulator along with carrier.
o Hence the extra deviation in the carrier fc due to higher modulating
frequency is compensated by reducing the amplitude of the high frequency
modulating signals.
o Hence the frequency deviation at the output of the phase modulator will be
effectively proportional only to the modulating voltage and we obtain an FM
wave at the output of phase modulator.
2. Implementation of phase modulator:
o The crystal oscillator produces a stable unmodulated carrier which is applied
to the “90° phase shifter” as well as the “combining network” through a
buffer.
o The 90° phase shifter produces a 90° phase shifted carrier. It is then applied
to the balanced modulator along with the modulation signal.
o At the output of the balanced modulator we get DSBSC signal i.e. AM signal
without carrier. This signal consists of only two sidebands with their resultant
in phase with their resultant in phase with the 90° phase shifted carrier.
3.Combining parts 1 and 2 to obtain The FM:
o Combining the parts 1 and 2 we get the block diagram of the Armstrong
method of FM generation
4.Use of frequency multipliers and amplifiers:
o The FM signal produced at the output of phase modulator has a low carrier
frequency and low modulation index. They are increased to an adequately
high value with the help of frequency multipliers and mixer. The power level
is raised to the desired level by the amplifier.

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COMPARISON OF HIGH LEVEL MODULATOR AND LOW LEVEL
MODULATOR:
S.
High Level Modulator Low Level Modulator
No
1. Heavy Filtering is not required Heavy Filtering is required
These modulators are used in high These modulators are used in low
2.
level modulation level modulation
The carrier voltage is very much The modulating signal voltage is
3. greater than modulating signal very much greater than carrier
voltage voltage

COMPARISON OF LINEAR AND NON-LINEAR MODULATOR:

S.
Linear Modulator Non-Linear Modulator
No
1. Heavy Filtering is not required Heavy Filtering is required
These modulators are used in high These modulators are used in low
2.
level modulation level modulation
The carrier voltage is very much The modulating signal voltage is
3. greater than modulating signal very much greater than carrier
voltage voltage

COMPARISON OF AMPLITUDE MODULATION AND FREQUENCY

MODULATION:
S.
Amplitude Modulation Frequency Modulation
No
It has 3 components such as It has infinite frequency
1.
Carrier, LSB and USB components
2. Power depends on sidebands Total power remains constant
Modulation index must be less than
3. There is no limitation of index value
1, to avoid distortions
4. Noise interference is more Noise interference is less
More complex to generate and
5. Simple to generate and transmit
transmit

COMPARISON OF NARROW BAND FM AND WIDE BAND FM:

S.
Narrow Band FM Wide Band FM
No
Modulation index is less than 1 Modulation index is greater than 1
1.
radian radian
BW=2fm BW=2fm + 2Δf
2. (Small Approximately same as that (large about 15 times higher than
of AM) BW of Narrowband)
3. Less suppressing of noise More suppressing of noise

4. Frequency deviation = 5kHz Frequency deviation = 75kHz

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 Range of modulating Frequency is Range of modulating Frequency is
5.
30Hz to 3kHz 30Hz to 15kHz
Used for entertainment and
6. Used for mobile communication
broadcasting

COMPARISON OF FM AND PM:

S.
FM PM
No
Frequency deviation is proportional Phase deviation is proportional to
1.
to modulating voltage modulating voltage

Associated with the change in fc, Associated with the change in

2.
there is some phase change. phase, there is some change in fc.

3. BW=2fm + 2Δf BW=2Δf

It is possible to receive FM on a PM It is possible to receive PM on a FM

4.
receiver receiver

Noise immunity is better than AM Noise immunity is better than AM

5.
and PM but worse than FM

6. SNR is better than that of PM SNR is inferior to that in PM

7. Amplitude of FM wave is constant Amplitude of PM wave is constant

In FM the frequency deviation is In PM the frequency deviation is

8. proportional to the modulating proportional to the modulating
voltage only. voltage and modulating frequency.
Used for data and voice
9. Used for radio broadcasting
transmissions
Modulation index increases as
Modulation index remains the same
10. modulation frequency decreases
if modulation frequency is changed.
and viceversa

COMPARISON OF FM AND AM:

S.
FM AM
No
Amplitude of FM wave is constant.
Amplitude of AM wave will change
1. It is independent of the modulating
with the modulating voltage
index.
Here transmitted power remains
Transmitted power is dependent on
2. constant. It is independent of
the modulation index.
modulation index.
carrier power and one sideband
3. all transmitted power is useful
powers are useless

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 Noise immunity is better than AM AM Receivers are not immune to
4.
Receivers noise

It is possible to decrease noise

5. This feature is absent in AM
further by increasing deviation.

6. BW=2fm + 2Δf BW=2fm

BW is large. Hence wide channel is

7. BW is much less than FM
required
Space wave is used for
Ground and sky wave propagation
propagation. So radius of
8. is used. Therefore larger area is
transmission is limited to line of
covered than FM
sight
Possible to operate several Not possible to operate more
9.
transmitters on same frequency. channels on same frequency.

FM transmission and reception AM transmission and reception

10.
equipments are more complex equipments are less complex
Number of sidebands having
Number of sidebands in AM will be
11. significant amplitude depends on
constant
modulation index
The information is contained in the The information is contained in the
12.
frequency variation of the carrier amplitude variation of the carrier

Reference:
 https://nptel.ac.in/courses/117106090/Pdfs/1_7.pdf
 https://nptel.ac.in/courses/117106090/Pdfs/1_8.pdf

Prepared By: U.Rajkanna, AP/EIE Page 41