S.Y.B.Sc. (Comp. Sci.) : Elect.

- P-1 - S-IM 2-2 Modulation & Demodulati

2.1 Introduction to Modulation and

Demodulation
2.1.1 Concept and Need of Modulation and
Demodulation
If we want to transmit voice or audio frequency signal through the
transmitter, first it is converted into electrical signal.
Audio frequencies after being converted into electrical waves
through a microphone cannot be transmitted through a transmitter.
This is not impossible but quite impractical. So for long distance
communication at the transmitter, the signal is first modulated and
then transmitted.
To modulate means to requlate or to
adjust and in case of
telecommunication, it means to regulate some parameter of hign
frequency wave by means of lower frequency information signal.
2.1.1.1 Modulation
Modulation is defined as 'a process in which some
high frequency wave (known as carrier) such as characteristics or
and phase is altered in accordance with amplitude, frequen
the instantaneous value of
some other signal called the 'modulating
The information signal that we want to signal'.
modulating signal, it may be voice, videotransmit is usually called tn
or binary data.
The high frequency signal, which is being modulated, is called the
'carrier'.
The carrier is usually sine
wave and considerably higher tha"
information signal.
The information signal may have any shape. The
modulation is known as 'modulated wave' . carrier at
Let the carrier voltage is
represented
e = E (COS ct +
by the expression
0)
where E is the peak amplitude of wave, o is
and is the initial phase. the angular frequen
Three cases may arise, since there are
wave, any one parameter can be variedthree parameters of the carri
keeping other two constant
When the amplitude E is varied in
wave keeping oc and @constant, theaccordance with the modulatiny
modulation'. process is called as 'amplituo
S.Y.B.Sc. (Comp. Sci.) :Elect, - P-n. S-! 2-3 Modulation & Demodulation

When oc is varied in accordance with the modulating wave keeping

E. and constant, the process is known as 'frequency modulation'.
When is varied in accordance with the modulating wave while oc
and E remain constant, the process is known as 'phase modulation'.
2.1.1.2 Demodulatlon
At the broadcasting station, modulation is done to transmit the
audio signal over to the receiver. When the modulated wave is
received by the receiver, it is necessary to separate and recover the
signal from the modulated carrier. This process is called as
demodulation or detection.
Thus, the process of recovering the original signal from the
modulated wave is known as demodulation or detection.
The détection is reverse of modulation. A detector or demodulator is
the key circuit in any radio receiver.
In acontinuous wave (CW) modulation, a sinusoidal wave is used as
the carrier.
When the amplitude of the carrier is varied in accordance with the
base band signal, the process is known as 'amplitude modulation',
and when the angle of the carrier is varied, it is known as 'angle
modulation'.
The angle modulation is further divided into frequency modulation
and phasse modulation.
In case of frequency modulation, frequency of the carrier is varied,
and in case of phase modulation, phase of the carrier is varied in
accordance withthe base bandsignal.
Fig. 2.1 chart belowsummarize types of modulatíon.
Types of Modulation

Continuous wave modulation Pulse modulation

Ampliatutideon
modul Angle
modulation
Digital
modulation
Analog
modulation

ASK FSK PSK PCM PAM PWM PPM

Frequency
modulation
Phase
modulation

Fig. 2.1: Chart types of modulation

S.Y.B.Sc. (Comp. Sci.):Elect. - P-I - S-M 2-4 Modulation &Demodulation

In pulse modulation, the carrier consists of a periodic sequence of

rectangular pulses.
In case of pulse amplitude modulation (PAM), amplitude of the
pulses are varied according to the modulating signalamplitude.
In case of pulse width modulation (PWM), width of the pulses il
vary whereas in case of pulse position modulation (PPM), positions of
the pulses are varied according to the instantaneous value of
modulating signal.
In pulse amplitude, width or position can take any value within the
range, that is why they are analog systems of communications.
If the communication system uses discrete values within the finite set
to represent information, the resulting signal is digital signal and
system is then digital system of communication.
As long as a signal varies in discrete steps, it is considered digital.
Adigital, usually binary signal may be used to modulate amplitude of
the carrier.
Fig. 2.2 shows a binary signal modulating a sine wave.
Binary 1
Binary 0
(a) Modulating signal

(b) Amplitude shíft keying (ASK)

(c) On-off keying (0OK)

Fig. 2.2 : Amplitude modulation of carrier with binary signal
As shown in the Fig. 2.2 (b), binary 1 level
produces maximum carrier
amplitude and binary 0 produces lower amplitude.
Amplitude modulation in which the carrier is switched between two
different carrier levels is known as amplitude shift keying ASK).
S.Y.B.Sc. (Comp. Sci.) : Elect, - P-M - S-M 2-5 Modulation & Demodulation

In PAM,amplitude can take any value and hence it is analog against

ASK in which amplitude can take only two values and hence it is
digitalcommunication.
Aspecial form of ASK is one in which the carrier is simply switched
ONor OFF.
The binary level 1 turns the carrier ON and the binary 0 level turns
the carrier OFF. This is called as ON-OFF keying (OOK).
To transmit binary data on telephone line, a technique known as
frequency shift keying is used in which two different frequencies are
assigned to represent 0 and 1.
In FSK, two sine wave frequencies are used to represent binary 0 and
1.

For example, a binary 0 usually called a space in data communication

has afrequency of 1070 Hz. A binary 1, referred to as a mark is 1270
Hz. These two frequencies are alternately transmitted to create the
serial binary data.
To permit full duplex operation, another set of frequencies are
defined. A binary Oor space is 2025 Hz and abinary 1 or mark is
2225 Hz. These tones are within the voice frequencies (300 to
3000 Hz).
In the communication system at the transmitter, FSK modulator is
used and at the receiver, FSD demodulator is used.
The modulators and demodulatorsS are known as modems.

(a) Binary signal

1070 Hz

1270 Hz
(b) FSK slgnal
Fig. 2.3: Frequency shift keying
 2-6 Modulation & Demodulat.
S.Y.B.Sc. (Comp. Sci.) : Elect. - P-M - S-II

FSK is used for communication systems such as telemetry, weathe

balloon radio sounders, caller ID, garage door openers, and lou
frequency radio transmission in the VLF and ELF bands.
Advantages of FSK are easy to implement, useful for high data rats
better noise immunity, used in long distance communication, low
noise.
Limitation of FSK is, it is applicable for low speed modems, can not
work for high speed modem.
In phase shift keying (PSK), the binary signal to be transmitted
changes the phase shift of a sine wave depending upon whether a
binary 0 or binary 1 is to be transmitted.
The phase shift is a time difference between two sine waves of the
same frequency.
In binary PSK, binary Ois transmitted with one phase and binary 1s
transmitted with a carrier 180° phase shift.
The carrier sine wave usually has frequency 1600 Hz or 1700 Hz.
1

Seriai binary data

BPSK

Phase changes when binary state

changes
Fig. 2.4: Binary phase shift
keying
2.2 Digital Modulation
2.2.1 Pulse Code Techniques
Modulation
Pulse code modulation is a digital (PCM)
In PCM, the peak to peak
system of communication.
transmitted is divided into amplitude
a number of
range available for signal to
The signal is sampled. The standard values.
its actual amplitude but sample of signal is then transmitted not
the nearest standard
amplitude.
S.Y.B.Sc. (Comp. Sci.) :Elect., - P-II -S-IM 2-7 Modulation & Demodulation

To transmit standard amplitude, binary code of six or seven digits is

used.
" If signal is divided into 8 standard amplitudes, 3-bit code is used
which gives more error.
Aseven digit code is capable of transmitting 27 = 128 standard
amplitudes and in that case, error will be less.
At the receiver, the code of pulses is translated back to the
corresponding standard amplitude.
For this, each received pulse is used to charge a capacitor.
This capacitor is shunted by a resistor of such a value that the charge
on the capacitor decreases to the half amplitude in the time
corresponding to the interval between the pulses.
At the end of the pulse group, the voltage present on the capacitor
gives the standard amplitude that is represented by the code.
Pulse-code modulation (PCM) is a method used to digitally represent
sampled analog signals.
It is the standard form of digital audio in computers, satellite
communication, compact discs, digital telephony and other digital
audio applications.
Pulse modulation uses a continuous pulse train as a carrier and some
characteristic of such pulse train is varied according to modulating
signal.
Pulse has three important characteristics, its amplitude, width and
position which results into three types of pulse modulation such as
pulse amplitude, pulse width and pulse position modulation.
Such pulse modulation is an analog system because, even discrete
valued samples of continuous analog signal are used in the
modulation process.
the
Ihese discrete samples can take any value within the range of
continuous signal.
tordigital transmission, we must have finite set of discrete values.
S.Y.B.Sc. (Comp. Sci.) : Elect. - P-I - S-M 2-8 Modulation & Demodulation

Digital systems, such as pulse code modulation, also use pulses and
hence is also a type of pulse modulation.
In puBse code modulation, the modulating signal is sampled, the
sample amplitude is converted into a binary code and the binary
code is transmitted in groups as a train of pulses.
In PCM, the sampled amplitude is transmitted as a specific binary
number out of a limited range of binary numbers.
To obtain this, each sample is first converted to the nearest standard
amplitude, called the 'quantum'.
This process of sample conversion is called 'quantizing the signal:.
To represent eight quantization level, three bit code can be used.
Table 2.1 shows the binary number and 3-bit pulse code is
represented by each of the quantization levels.
Table 2.1: Binary number and pulse code for 8-bit quantization
Quantization Binary Pulse code waveform
level number

000 1

1 001

2 010

3 011

4 100

5 101

6 110

7 111
S.Y.B.Sc. (Comp. Sci.) : Elect. - P- -S-M 2-9 Modulation & Demodulation

Fig. 2.5 shows PCM technique.

Quantization
level
(V)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
(v)
Quantization
level Sampling puises.
7
(a) Quantized waveform
6 110
101 101
010
3 011
2
001 001

2 4 5 7
Sampling pui_es
(b)Coded waveform

000 0 01 1011 10 010 001011 101

(c) Three-bit PCM pulse traín
Fig. 2.5: PCM waveforms
The sample amplitudes are represented by the nearest quantum
levels or standard amplitude.
The actual amplitude and quantum amplitude may be slightly
different which introduces certain amount of error known as
quantization error.
Tnis generates some distortion known as quantization noise,
The quantization noise can be reduced by increasing the number of
quantization levels.
After quantization and before transmission as a PCM signal, each
Sample is coded as a binary number.
ight quantum levels used are represented by 3-bit binary word.
S.Y.B.Sc. (Comp. Si.) : Elect. - P-D - S-m 2-10 Modulation &Demodulatio
After the quantized waveform is coded, each sequential sample t
transmitted as a pulse code by 3-bit PCM pulse train.
For eight quantization level corresponding to 3-bit code
quantization error is more which can be reduced by using 8-bit code
or 8-bit word which provides 256 quantum levels.
Being the digital system of transmission, the primary advantage of
PCM is its better noise and interference immunity.
Advantages of PCM:
The Pulse Code Modulation is convenient for long distance
communication.
It has higher transmitter efficiency and higher noise immunity.
Limitations of PCM:
The circuitry is required for encoding. decoding. quantization
It requires large bandwidth compared to other
process.
modulation
2.2.2 Frequency-Shift Keying (FSK)
In Frequency-Shift Keying (FSK) two sine wave
to represent binary logic levels '0 and '1.
frequencies are used
Binary '0' has a frequency of 1070 Hz and is known as space, wherea5
binary "1 has afrequency of 1270 Hz and is known as amark in 3
datacommunication system.
These two frequencies are alternatively
serial binary data as shown in Fig. 2.6. transmitted to create tht
0 1 1

Binary
signal

1070 Hz
1270 Hz
Fig. 2.6: Frequency-shift keying (FSK)
Here we should note that the two
frequencies, 1070 M
corresponding to 'O' and 1270 Hz corresponding to "1 are within 300
Hz and 3000 kHz bandwidth generally asso
ciated with telephone
network line.
S.Y.B.Sc. (Comp. Sci.) Elect. - P-I-S-I 2-11 Modulation & Demodulation

2.2.3 QPSK
In Phase-Shift Keying (PSK) the binary signal to be transmitted
changes the phase-shift of a sine wave character depending on
binary '0' or '1' is transmitted.
The phase-shift is a time difference between two sine waves of the
same frequency as illustrated in Fig. 2.7.
The transmission of serial binary data using phase-shift keying is
known as Binary Phase-Shift Keying (BPSK) is shown in Fig. 2.7.

Seriai binary
data

BPSK signa!

Phase change (binary 0 = 180°, 1 = 0)

Fig. 2.7: BPSK signal
Here we see that when binary logic '0' occurs, the carrier signal is
transmitted in one phase and when binary logic '1' occurs, the carrier
signal is transmitted with 180° phase-shift.
Usually, the phase of each logic level is compared with that of
previous level rather than with constant reference is known as Delta
Phase-Shift Keying (DPSK).
Most DPSK systems use a four phase system called as Quadrature
Phase-Shift Keying, QPSK or DQPSK.
QPSK can transmit twice the data in the same bandwidth, than a
Single bit representation.
Ihe two-bit sequence is associated with four possible phase shifts as
Shown in Fig. 2.8 (a) and (b) below.
Bit combination Phase shift 135° = 01 45° = 00
00 45°
01 135°
10 225°
11 315° 225° = 11 315° = 10

(a) (b)
Fig. 2.8: QPSK modulation system
 2-12
Modulation & Demodulation
-S-M
S.Y.B.Sc. (Comp. Sci): Elect. - P-M

satellite transmission, cable modems. video

QPSK is applied in
conferencing, cellular phone systems.
2.2.4 QAM
technique fo:
Amplitude-Shift Keying (ASK) is also one of the
encoding binary digits.
both ats
Generally, amplitude modulation and phase modulation
Modulator gr
used as carrier and is called as Quadrature Amplitude
QAM system.
Here with the phase shift, amplitude of the carrier is also varied wi
respect to binary data '0' or '1:.
Asimple 4-bit QAM is shown in Fig. 2.9 below.

1350 90° 459

180° 0° absoiute

225° 270° 315°

Fig. 2.9: QAM signal

Similarly 8-QAM, 16-QAM signals can be generated resuiting muito
transmission at a time.
QAM is widely used in transmission of data from
computer
another destination via telephone line network within the bandwio
limit of 3 kHz with QAM data rates of 9600
bits/sec, which
normally achieved over the telephone line network.
The BPSK, QPSK and QAM
techniques are also widely useo
transmit digital data in microwave, satellite
communication system like Wi-Fi transmitters.communications, digl
QAM has limitation of noise
level and linearity of the
communications channel.
S.Y.B.SC. (Comp. Sci.):Elect. - P-I - S-m 2-13 Modulation & Demodulation

Think Over It

Enlist appliances which use baseband and broadband frequency

ranges.
Find out technical information of MODEM used in internet
communication,which is basically modulator and demodulator.
Prepare a technical write up on satellite communication.
Collect information of digital telephone exchange. If possible,
arrange study visit to such telephone exchange in your nearby
area.
Study working of telephone caller ID appliance, How it works?
Think over digital audio recording of musical sound.

Points to Remember
In acommunication system, information signal such as voice, video
destination over
or binary data are transmitted from source to the
Some communication medium or channel.
waves and
Antennas convert electrical energy into electromagnetic
vice versa.
some characteristics of
Modulation is defined as 'a process in which
such as amplitude, frequency
ignTrequency wave (known as carrier)
with the instantaneous value of
and phase is altered in
accordance
signal.
SOme other signal calledthe 'modulating from the modulated
original signal
The process of recovering the detection.
Wave is known as demodulation or
of modulation : Continuous wave
There are basically twomodulation.
types
modulation
In
and Pulse
Case of trequency modulation, frequency of the carrier is
varied,
carrier is varied in
phase of the
and in case of phase modulation,
signal.
accordance with the base band a periodic
sequence of
In pulse modulation, consists of
the carrier
rectangular pulses. amplitude (PAM), amplitude of the
In Case of modulation
pulse modulating signal amplitude.
the
pulses are varied according to
 P-1-S-III 2-14 Modulation & Demodulation
S.Y.B.Sc. (Comp. Sci.) :Elect.
switched between ti
Amplitude modulation in which the carrier is
(ASK).
different carrier levels is known as amplitude shift keying
binary 0 and
In FSK, two sine wave frequencies are used to represent
1.
FSK is used for communication systems such as telemetry, weather
balloon radiosounds, caller ID, garage door openers, and low
frequencyradio transmission in the VLF and ELF bands.
Advantages of FSK are easy to implement, useful for high data rate,
better noise immunity, used in long distance communication, lw
noise.
Limitation of FSK is, it is applicable for low speed modems, can not
work for high speed modem.
Pulse code modulation is a digital system of communication.
Pulse-code modulation (PCM) isa method used to digitally represent
sampled analog signals.
It is the standard form of digital audio in computers, satellte
communication, compact discs, digital telephony and other digital
audio applications.
In Frequency-Shift Keying (FSK) two sine wave frequencies are useo
to represent binary logic levels '0' and1.
Binary '0' has a frequency of 1070 Hz and is known as space, whereo
binary 1 has a frequency of 1270 Hz and is known as a mark in
data communication system.
Most DPSK systems use a four phase system called as
Quadratul
Phase-Shift Keying, QPSK or DQPSK.
QPSK can transmit twice the data in the same
bandwidth, than
single bit representation.
QPSK is applied in satellite transmission, cable
modems, vide
conferencing, cellular phone systems.
Amplitude modulation and phase modulation both are used
carrier and is called as Quadrature Amplitude
system. Modulator or QA"
The BPSK, QPSK and QAM
techniques are also widely used
transmit digital data in microwave, satellite
communication system like VWi-Fitransmitters. communications, digl
 S.YBSC.(Comp. Sci.)): Elect. - P-I -S-T 2-15
Modulation &Demodulation
QAM has limitation of noise level and linearity of
communications channel. the

Exercises
AJ True or False:
1 The high frequency signal, which is being modulated, is called the
'carrier'.
) A
detector or demodulator is the key circuit in any radio
3. In FSK, two square wave transmitter.
and 1.
frequencies are used to represent binary 0
4, FSK is it is applicable for low speed
5. Pulse code modulation is a
modems.
digital system of communication.
6. The Pulse Code Modulation is
communication.
convenient for short distance
7. PCM has its better noise and
interference immunity.
8. The quantization noise can be reduced by
decreasing the number of
quantization levels.
1. QPSK can transmit twice the data in the
same bandwidth, than a
single bit representation.
40QAM is widely used in transmission of data from
another destination. computer to
B) Fill in the
1. Blanks:
Antennasconvert electrical energy into.... electromagnetic waves
and vice versa.
2. The
3. A
carrier after .... modulation is known as 'modulated wave'.
detector or demodulator is the key circuit in any ..... radio
4. recei
The
ver.
process of
Wave is known asrecovering the original signal fram the modulated
5. In ...... demodulation.
pulse modulation, the carrier consists of a periodic sequence
OTrectangular pulses.
6. In
FSK,
two .... sine wave frequencies are used to represent binary 0
1,
and 1.
PSK can transmit......twice the data in the same bandwidth, than a
aingle bit representation.
S.Y.B.Sc. (Comp. Sci.) : Elect. P-l - S-M 2-16 Modulation & Denmodulation

8. QAM has limitation of .... noise level and linearity of the

communications channel.
9. ..... is widely used in transmission of data from computer to another
destinations.
10. ..... PCM requires large bandwidth compared to other modulation
process.
[C] Multiple Choice Questions:
1. The process of changing some characteristics of carrier signal is. .
(a) Multiplexing (b) Linear mixing
(c) Demultiplexing (d) Modulation
2. The opposite of modulation is ....
(a) Reverse modulation (b) Unmodulation
(c) Demodulation (d) Downward modulation
3. Transmitting data as a serial binary word iscalled
(a) PAM (b) PCM
(c) AM (d) FM
4. Pulse code modulation is preferred because of its .....
(a) Simplicity (b) Lower cost
(c) Superior noise immunity (d) Requirement of less BW
5. Slow speed modems are
(a) FSK (b) QPSK
(c) BPSK (d) QAM
6. Which of the following is false with respect to PCM?
(a) Low noise (b) Inexpensive
(c) Reliatble (d) Difficult to demodulate
7. QAM uses as the dimensions.
(a) In phase (b) Quadrature
(c) Both (a) and (b) (d) Out of phase
8. Dial of MODEM of internet uses
(a) PCM (b) FSK
(c) QAM (d) QPSK
9. Which of the following is constant in the case of frequency
modulation?
(a) Amplitude (b) Frequency
(c) Wavelength (d) Both (b) and (c)
 SY.B.Sc. (Comp. 5ci.) : Elect. - P-I - S-M 2-17 Modulation & Demodulation

10. Demodulation process is done in ....

(a) Receiving antenna (b) Radio receiver
(c) Transmitting antenna (d) Transmitter
[D]Short Answer Questions:
1. State function of an antenna in radio receiver.
2. What is demodulation?
3. "Antennas convert electrical energy into electromagnetic waves and
vice versa", Comment.
4. What is carrier signal in pulse modulation?
5. What is quantization of signal?
6. "The quantization noise can be reduced by increasing the number of
quantization levels", Comment.
7. Define FSK modulation.
8. In FSK, how logical '0' and '1 are represented?
9. State applications of FSK.
10. State limitations of FSK.
11. List advantages and limitations of PCM.
12. State limitations of QAM.
[E] Long Answer Questions:
L. What is meant by modulation ? State its different types.
2 Explain the term modulation. Why it is needed ?
3. Give the classification of modulation.
4. What is diaital modulation ? Discuss its types in brief.
5. What is meant by phase modulation ? Show that phase modulation is

atype of frequency modulation.

Explain pulse code modulation. State its advantages and limitations.
I. Explain with block diagram pulse amplitude modulator.
8. Explain with diagram FSK and PSK. Why it is needed ?
9. With the help of block diagram explain high speed modem using
QPSK.
10.10. Explain state its limitations and applications.
QAM,
S.Y.B.Sc. (Comp. Sci.):Elect. - P-II - S-I 2-18 Modulation &Demodulatin
Answers
[AJ True or False :
(1) True (2) False (3) False
(4) True (5) True (6) False
(7) True (8) False 9) True
(10) True
[B] Fill in the blanks :
(1) Electromagnetic, (2) Modulation, (3) Radio, (4) Demodulation,
(5) Pulse, (6) Sine waves, (7) Twice, (8) Noise level, (9) QSM,
(10) PCM
[C] Multiple Choice Questions:
1. (d) 2. (c) 3. (b) 4. (c) 5. (a) 6. (d) 7. (c)
8. (c) 9. (a) 10. (b)

University Questions
|March 2017
1. With neat block diagram explain FSK (MODEM)
Receiver.
Transmitter no
(SM)
October 2018
1. Draw constellation diagram of QPSK. (IM)
2. Explain FSK modem with the help of (5M
block diagram.
April 2019
1. Draw the waveform of FSK for the (1M
data (110011).
2. Explain three steps involved in PCM. (SM
Give demerits of PCM.