Baseband Transmission

The electrical equivalent of original information is

known as the baseband signal.
The communication system in which the baseband
signals are transmitted directly is known as
baseband transmission.
Baseband transmission is effective only for wire
communication.
Example, Telephone network, data communication in
computer networks through coaxial cable.
But it is inefficient for wireless or radio
communication.
Limitations of Baseband Transmission

1)Baseband signal having small frequency range

from 20 Hz to 20 KHz only
(so no large channel accommodation, mixing of
signals).
2)Due to small frequency range, baseband signal
cannot travel long distance in free space or air.
3)After a travel of short distance signal gets
suppressed. So not used for radio communication.
i.e. wireless communication.
To make the baseband signal efficient for radio
communication modulation technique is used.
Modulation Technique
To overcome the drawbacks of baseband transmission
and to transmit baseband signals by radio,
modulation techniques must be used.
Baseband signal (Information signal) is a low-
frequency signal and cannot travel longer distance.
Just like we cannot walk at longer distance.
Definition:
Modulation is the process of superimposing low-
frequency information signal on a high-frequency
carrier signal
Modulation Technique

Infor
Modulation Technique
 Need of Modulation
Baseband signal transmission cannot be used for radio
communication. To transmit the baseband signal for
radio communication, modulation must be used.
Modulation is necessary because of following
advantages:
1. Reduction in height of antenna.
2. Avoids mixing of signals.
3. Increase the range of communication.
4. Multiplexing is possible.
5. Improves quality of reception
Avoids Mixing of Signal
Classification of Modulation
Types AM, FM, PM Definition, Waveforms
Sr. Parameter AM FM PM
No.
1. Definition Amplitude modulation is a Frequency modulation is Phase modulation is a
technique of modulation, a technique of technique of modulation in
in which amplitude of modulation, in which which phase of carrier
carrier varies in frequency of carrier varies in accordance with
accordance with varies in accordance with amplitude of modulating
amplitude of modulating amplitude of modulating signal. Keeping amplitude
signal. Keeping frequency signal. Keeping and frequency constant.
and phase constant. amplitude and phase
constant.
1. Definition Amplitude modulation is a Frequency modulation is Phase modulation is a
technique of modulation, a technique of technique of modulation in
in which amplitude of modulation, in which which phase of carrier
carrier varies in frequency of carrier varies in accordance with
accordance with varies in accordance with amplitude of modulating
amplitude of modulating amplitude of modulating signal. Keeping amplitude
signal. Keeping frequency signal. Keeping and frequency constant.
and phase constant. amplitude and phase
constant.

2. Waveforms

Fig. 2.3 Fig. 2.4 Fig. 2.5

Amplitude Modulation
Definition:
Amplitude modulation, is a technique of
modulation in which the instantaneous amplitude
of carrier signal varies in accordance with
amplitude of modulating signal.
While frequency and phase of carrier remains
constant. Nature of Amplitude Modulated
waveform shown in Fig. below.
Continued….
 Modulation Index
Definition:
In AM, the modulation index (m) is defined as the ratio of amplitudes of
modulating signal to the carrier signal.
Modulating Signal Amplitude
M.I. =
Carrier Signal Amplitude
Em
m= … (2.4)
Ec

If modulation index is expressed in percentage, it is called 'percentage

modulation'.
Em
i.e. %m =  100 … (2.5)
Ec

Referring to Fig. 2.6, the modulation index is

Vmax – Vmin
m=
Vmax + Vmin
Effect of Modulation Index on Modulated Signal
1. For m < 1,
i.e. Em < Ec

Fig. 2.9 (b) AM Wave for m < 1 (Under Modulation)

2. For m = 1
i.e. Em = Ec. i.e. m = 100%.

Fig. 2.9 (c) AM Wave for m = 1 (Fully Modulated)

 Continued….
3. For m > 1
i.e. Em > Ec

Fig. 2.9 (d) AM Wave at m > 1 (Over Modulation)

For m = 0

Em = 0

Fig. 2.9 (e) AM Wave at m = 0 (No Modulation Takes Place)

Example
Draw the AM wave for triangular and square wave
modulating signal.
Solution:
For square wave input.
 Example 2 Draw the AM waveform for the modulation
index m = 0.75, m = 1 and m = 1.25.
Take a graph paper and adjust the value of Em and EC in such a way that
Em Em Em
= 0.75, = 1, = 1.25.
Ec Ec Ec

(a) AM wave for m = 0.75

Continued…

(b) AM Wave for m = 1

(c) AM Wave for m = 1.25

Frequency Spectrum
Representation of AM wave in frequency domain is also
known as frequency spectrum of AM wave.
Definition:
Frequency spectrum is a graph of amplitude versus
frequency.
The frequency spectrum of AM wave tells us about
number of sidebands present in AM wave with
corresponding amplitudes.
 Continued……
 Consider equation of AM wave (equation 2.12).
eAM = (EC + Em sin mt) sin ct … (2.12)
Em
eAM = EC 1 + sin mt sin ct
 Ec 
Em
But, m =
Ec
 eAM = EC(1 + m sin mt) sin ct … (2.13)
Simplifying we get,
eAM = EC sin ct + mEC sin mt sin ct … (2.14)
There is a trigonometric identity that says that the product of two sin waves
is
cos (A – B) cos (A + B)
sin A sin B = –
2 2
By substituting this identify into equation becomes
mEC mEC
eAM = EC sin ct + cos (c – m) t – cos (c + m) t  (2.15)
2 2

Carrier LSB USB

 Features of Frequency spectrum
From equation (2.15) of AM wave, it consists of three terms:
(i) The first term is sine term called unmodulated carrier signal.
(ii) The second term is cos term at frequency (fc – fm) called Lower Side Band
mEC
(LSB) with amplitude . ( wc = 2fc and wm = 2fm).
2
(iii) The third term is cos term at frequency (fc + fm) called upper sideband
mEC
(USB) with amplitude .
2
 This shows that AM wave, having two sidebands which contains
actual information and one carrier.
 From equation 2.15, plot of frequency spectrum shown in Fig. 2.13 (a).

Fig. 2.13 (a): Frequency Spectrum of AM Wave

Bandwidth Requirement

The bandwidth of AM signal is defined as the

frequency range from upper sideband to lower
sideband frequency in frequency spectrum.
BW = fUSB – fLSB
= (fc + fm) – (fc – fm)  (from Fig. 2.13)
= fc + fm – fc + fm
= 2 fm
  BW required for AM signal.
Hence, bandwidth of AM signal is twice the
modulating signal frequency.
Sideband Concept (DSB and SSB)

DSBFC:
Means double sideband full carrier as shown in Fig.
2.13 (a). Its BW = 2fm.
 Continued…

DSBSC (or DSB):

Continued…
SSB:
 Representation of AM Wave

AM wave is represented in two ways:

(i) In Time Domain
(ii) In Frequency Domain
AM in Time Domain
AM in Frequency Domain
 Power Relations in AM Wave
(i) The Total Power in AM (Pt):
Pt = (Carrier Power) + (Power in USB) + (Power in LSB)
Pt = Pc + PUSB + PLSB (2.16)
2 2 2
Ecarr EUSB ELSB
 Pt = + +
R R R
where, Ecarr, EUSB, ELSB = r.m.s. values of the carrier and side band amplitudes
R = Characteristic resistance of antenna in which total
power is dissipated.
(ii) Carrier Power (Pc):
The carrier power is given by,
2
Ecarr
Pc =
R
(Ec/ 2)2
=
R
2
Ec
Pc =  (2.17)
2R
where, Ec = Peak carrier amplitude
 Continued…
(iii) Power in sidebands:
The power in USB and LSB is same as,
2
ESB
PUSB = PLSB =
R
From equation (2.15),
mEc
Peak amplitude of sideband =
2
(mEc/2 2)2
 PUSB = PLSB =
R
2
m2Ec
=
8R
2
m2 E c
 PUSB = PLSB = 
4 2R
From equation (2.17),
2
Ec
= Pc
2R
m2
 PUSB = PLSB = P
4 c
Continued….
(iv) Total Power in AM:
From equation (2.16),
The total power in AM wave is,
Pt = Pc + PUSB + PLSB
m2 m2
= Pc + Pc + Pc
4 4
2
m
 Pt = 1 +  Pc (2.19)
 2
From this equation, we can say that as value of ‘m’ increases, total power also
increases.
For m = 1, total power will be maximum. (i.e. for unity M.I.)
 Pt = 1.5 Pc
Example 1:

A modulating signal 20 sin (2  103t) is used to modulate a

carrier signal 40 sin (2  104 t). Find:
(a) Modulation index
(b) Percentage modulation
(c) Sideband frequencies and their amplitude
(d) Bandwidth of AM wave
(e) Draw the frequency spectrum.
Solution:
Given: Modulating signal,
em = 20 sin (2  103t) … (1)
em = Em sin (2 fm t) … (2)
 Compare equation (1) and (2), we get
Em = 20 V
fm = 103 Hz = 1 kHz
Similarly, carrier signal
ec = 40 sin (2  104t) … (3)
But, ec = Ec sin (2 fc t) … (4)
Compare equation (3) and (4), we get,
Ec = 40 v
fc = 104Hz = 100 kHz
(a) Modulation Index:
m = = = 0.5

(b) Percentage modulation:

% modulation = m  100
= 0.5  100
= 50%
(c) Sideband frequencies and their amplitude:
LSB = FLSB = fc  fm
= 100 kHz  1 kHz
= 99 kHz
USB = FUSB = fc + fm
= 100 k + 1 kHz
= 101 kHz
LSB amplitude = USB
amplitude
= = 0.5 
= 10 V
(d) Bandwidth of AM
BW = 2  fm
= 2  1 kHz
 AM Transmitter

The functions of transmitter are:

1. To convert original information into
electrical signal.
2. To amplify the weak signal.
3. To modulate the signal.
4. To increase the power level of modulated
signal.
5. To transmit the signal through transmitting
antenna.
The AM transmitters are of two types:
1. Low level modulated transmitter.
2. High level modulated transmitter.
Low Level Modulated AM Transmitter
High Level Modulated AM Transmitter
Comparison between High Level and
Low Level Modulation
Sr. High Level Modulation Low Level Modulation
No.

1. Modulation takes place at high Modulation takes place at low

power level. power level.

2. Class-C amplifier are used which are After modulation linear amplifiers
highly efficient. (Class A, AB or B) are used.

3. Very high efficiency. Low efficiency than high level

modulation.

4. Complex because of very high Easy because of low power.

power.
5. Used in high power broadcast Used in TV transmitters (IF
transmitters. modulation method).
In laboratory equipments, walkie-
talkies etc.
AM Modulator Circuit using BJT
Operation
The transistor is normally operated in the Class-c Mode in which it is biased
well beyond cut-off.
•The carrier input to the base must be sufficient to drive the transistor into
conduction over the part of RF cycle, during which collector current flows in
the form of pulses.
•The tuned circuit in the collector is tuned to resonate at the fundamental
component, thus, the RF voltage at the collector is sinusoidal.
•When modulating signal is applied to the steady collector voltage,
changes to a slowly varying voltage given by V'cc = Vcc + Vm(t).
•The modulating voltage Vm(t) is applied in series with Vcc through the low
frequency transformer.
•The RF bypass capacitor provides a low impedance path for the RF to
ground so that negligible RF voltage is developed across the LF Transformer
secondary.
•The modulated output is obtained through mutual inductive coupling as
shown in circuit diagram.
•The coupling prevents the 'steady' voltage from being transferred to the output,
•so that Rf varies about mean value of zero shown in Fig.

Fig. Input/Output waveform of AM Modulator

Advantages of AM
1. AM transmitters are not complex.
2. AM receivers are simple and easy to detect.
3. Less expensive.
4. Covers large distance.
Disadvantages of AM
1. Requires large bandwidth.
2. Requires large power.
3. Gets affected due to noise.
Applications of AM
1. Radio broadcasting.
2. Picture transmission in TV (VSB is used).