ET352 Electronic Communications Principles and Systems and Lab

Nicholas Muronda

Student Number -: G00189433

Electronics Engineering Technology, Grantham University

Week # 1 Lab – Amplitude Modulation Fundamentals

Dexter Malley

Date: 20 February 2024

Introduction

The objective of this laboratory experiment is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the

principles underlying amplitude modulation (AM) within the framework of Multisim simulation
software. The primary aim is to familiarize myself with the theoretical concepts of AM modulation
and develop proficiency in utilizing Multisim as a tool for verifying calculations and simulating circuit
behavior. Through this exercise, I intend to gain insight into the functionality of an AM circuit and its
constituent elements. This experiment will leverage Multisim, a powerful simulation platform, to
facilitate hands-on exploration of AM modulation. By employing Multisim, I aim to investigate
various aspects of AM modulation, including the modulation index, carrier voltage (Vc), modulating
voltage (Vm), as well as the frequencies of the lower and upper sidebands.

Equipment/Components

To conduct the experiment, the following equipment and components will be utilized:

1. Multisim
2. AC Power Sources - Two AC power sources with peak voltages of 10V and 20V respectively
will be employed to simulate the carrier and modulating signals.
3. Resistors - Three resistors with a resistance of 1kΩ each will be incorporated into the circuit
to regulate current flow and facilitate voltage division.
4. Multiplier - A multiplier component with a voltage conversion factor of 0.1V/V will be
utilized to adjust the signal amplitudes as required by the modulation process.
5. Oscilloscope - An oscilloscope will be utilized to visualize and analyze the waveforms
generated within the AM circuit, providing insight into signal characteristics and behavior.
6. Spectrum Analyzer - A spectrum analyzer will be employed to analyze the frequency
spectrum of the modulated signal, enabling the identification of the carrier and sideband
frequencies.

Procedure

The experiment will be conducted according to the following procedure:

1. Construction of the AM Circuit - The AM circuit configuration, as demonstrated in the

provided video tutorial, will be replicated within Multisim.
2. Determination of Circuit Parameters:
 Various parameters of the AM circuit will be determined, including:
 Modulation index
 Carrier voltage (Vc)
 Modulating voltage (Vm)
 Frequency of the carrier signal (fc)
 Frequencies of the lower and upper sidebands (fLSB and fUSB respectively)

Through systematic analysis and simulation within Multisim, these parameters will be evaluated to
gain a comprehensive understanding of AM modulation and its associated characteristics.
Circuit Design

Circuit Simulation
Analysis
Upon conducting an analysis of the circuit, I meticulously compared my anticipated values with the
observed values obtained during the laboratory experimentation, which are readily available in the
accompanying screenshots Above. It is gratifying to note that the values I predicted align closely with
those observed in the circuit. Through careful adjustments to the experimental setup, I successfully
captured the entire waveform of the results, overcoming the sole challenge encountered during the
experiment.

key parameters determined during the analysis:

a. The modulation index (M) was calculated as the ratio of the peak amplitude of the
modulating signal (Vm) to the peak amplitude of the carrier signal (Vc), yielding a value of
10/20.
b. The amplitude of the carrier signal (Vc) was measured as 20.
c. The amplitude of the modulating signal (Vm) was determined to be 10.
d. The frequency of the carrier signal (fc) was identified as 7 kHz.
e. The frequency of the lower sideband (fLSB) was calculated as the difference between the
carrier frequency (Fc) and the modulating frequency (Fm), resulting in 6.8 kHz.
f. The frequency of the upper sideband (fUSB) was obtained by adding the carrier frequency
(Fc) and the modulating frequency (Fm), yielding 7.2 kHz.

Conclusion

The laboratory experiment was instrumental in accomplishing the intended objectives. Notably, the
measured values closely corroborate the estimated values, underscoring the reliability of the models
employed. Upon comparing the estimated and measured values, a high degree of coherence is
evident. Additionally, I established upper and lower limits for the sideband frequencies based on
estimations, and the subsequent experimental verification confirmed their adherence to these
limits. Overall, the experiment proceeded smoothly without encountering any unresolved queries,
indicating a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.