Amplitude Modulation And Demodulation

Aim: Amplitude modulation and demodulation and to calculate the modulation index for various
modulating voltages.

Apparatus: Transistor BC108 or 547, Resistors, Capacitors, function generator, CRO, Diode 0A79,
Multimeter, Regulated power supply, Breadboard and connecting wires.

Theory:

AM: Modulation is defined as the process by which some characteristics of a carrier signal is varied in
accordance with a modulating signal (input data). The base band signal is referred to as the modulating
signal (input data) and the output of the modulation process is called as the modulation signal (output
data).

Amplitude modulation is defined as the process in which is the amplitude of the carrier wave is varied
about a means values linearly with the base band signal, at constant frequency and phase.

Emax – Emin
Amplitude modulation index: m = Emax + Emin

Emax = maximum peak to peak value of modulated signal.

Emin = minimum peak to peak value of modulated signal.

The modulation index must not allowed to exceed unity; else the –ve peak of the modulating waveform
is clipped. This clipping not only causes distortion but also interference. Depending on the value of
modulating index there are three types of modulation

1. Under modulation (m<1).

2. Perfect modulation (m=1).

3. Over modulation (m>1).

Over modulation occurs when the magnitude of the peak negative voltage of modulating wave exceeds
the peak carrier voltage. To ensure that peak value of modulating signal should not exceed the peak
value of carrier signal.

Sideband frequency: Whenever a carrier is modulated by an information signal, new signals at

different frequencies are generated as part of the process. These new frequencies, which are called side
frequencies, or sidebands, occur in the frequency spectrum directly above and directly below the carrier
frequency as shown in modulated signals. More specifically, the sidebands occur at frequencies that are
the sum and difference of the carrier and modulating frequencies. When signals of more than one
frequency make up a waveform, it is often better to show the AM signal in the frequency domain rather
than in the time domain.

Side band calculation: When only a single-frequency sine wave modulating signal is used, the
modulation process generates two sidebands. If the modulating signal is a complex wave, such as voice
or video, a whole range of frequencies modulate the carrier, and thus a whole range of sidebands are
generated.

The upper side band FUSB and lower sideband FLSB are computed as
FUSB =FC + Fm and FLSB = Fc – Fm
Bandwidth calculation: The total bandwidth of an AM signal is calculated by computing the maximum
and minimum sideband frequencies. This is done by finding the sum and difference of the carrier
frequency and maximum modulating frequency.

The total bandwidth of an AM is the difference between upper and lower sideband frequencies

BW = FUSB - FLSB

Or

The bandwidth of an AM signal is twice the highest frequency in the modulating signal.
BW = 2Fm
Where Fm is the maximum modulating frequency and units is in Hz.
Compere the bandwidth with BW = FUSB - FLSB and BW = 2Fm find the error.
Power calculation: At the time of transmission, the AM signal is amplified by a power amplifier and
fed to the antenna with characteristic impedance that is ideally, but not necessarily, almost pure
resistance. The AM signal is really a composite of several signal voltages, namely, the carrier and the
two sidebands, and each of these signals produces power in the antenna. The total transmitted power is
PT is the sum of carrier power PC and the power in the two sidebands PUSB & PLSB.

PT = PC + PLSB + PLSB

The power in the carrier and sidebands can be calculated by using power formula P = V2/R after all
proper calculation the total power of the output is

𝐦𝟐 𝐕𝐂𝟐
PT = PC (1 + ) here PC =
𝟐 𝟐

Units: Units of the power is in watts. And “m” is modulation index.

Procedure: wire the circuit as shown in fig.

 Apply the voltage using power supply according to circuit as shown in fig.
 Give the input signal at emitter of the transistor through resistor using function generator.
 Give the carrier signal to base of the transistor through capacitor using function generator.
 Take the output across collector through capacitor to CRO.
 “Carrier peak to peak voltage, modulating signal peak to peak voltage should maintain” for
perfect modulation. This point is useful for try minimize the noise in output.
 Model Circuit:

 Note down the reading, Calculate modulation index using different amplitude of carrier wave
and also input signal.
 Draw the model signal output signal on record.
Amplitude modulation model graph:

I/P Carrier signal I/P signal

Modulated signal (O/P):

Some model O/P wave forms: In this graph different modulation index shown.
AMPLITUDE DEMODULATION: The process of detection provides a means of recovering the
modulating Signal from modulating signal. Demodulation is the reverse process of modulation. The
detector circuit is employed to separate the carrier wave and eliminate the side bands. Since the
envelope of an AM wave has the same shape as the message, independent of the carrier frequency and
phase, demodulation can be accomplished by extracting envelope.
Result:
Modle Circuit

Modulated signal to the circuit.

Demodulation modle graph:

Modulated signal: The modulated signal is given to De modulator circuit (the circuit in thefig. is
model only), then its O/P is information signal it is shown in below.

I/P Modulated signal O/P Information signal