MODULATON

Modulation is the process of changing some features like amplitude frequency or phase of a carrier wave
in accordance with the intensity of the signal

Advantages of modulation
1. The signal frequency is increased there by reducing the wave length and hence the antenna length
2. Modulation increases transmission or operation range of signals
3. Permits many signals to be transmitted through the same channel (enhance multyplexing)
4. Permits signals to travel faster and over long distance
5. Improve quality of signal reception
6. Increase transmission efficiency

Types of modulation
1) Amplitude modulation(AM)
It refers to the modulation in which the amplitude of a higher carrier wave is changed in
accordance with the intensity of the signal
• Used in radio TV communication
• Uses longer wave length and so diffract around the earth thus covers longer ranges

NB:

• The signal amplitude must be half or less than the carrier amplitude wave otherwise the
variation in the amplitude at the top of the wave will be confused with one at the bottom
• AM is said to be linear modulation because the amplitude of the transmitted signal varies
linearly with the modulating digital signal or messaging signal

Modulation factor

It describe the extend to which the amplitude of the carrier wave is changed by
the audio signal

Modulation factor (m)=Applied change of carrier after modulation

Amplitude carrier before modulation

Importance of modulation factor

It determines the strength and quality of a transmitted signal

1. When m<1 transmitted audio signal will nit ne very long

2. When m>1 distortion is produced in the transmitted wave and hence signal wave is
not exactly produced
3. When m =1 the frequency is effectively modulated
Frequency spectrum and side bands in AM waves
Sideband and bandwidth are important since they essentially determine the carrier wave frequency that
can be used in broadcasting

• Sidebands are frequency bands higher and lower than the carrier frequency of an AM signal
created by the modulation process

Upper side band (USB) = fc + fa

Lower sideband (LSB) = fc - fa

Bandwidth = USB – LSB = (fc + fa) – (fc - fa) = 2fa

The magnitude of both upper and lower side band is times the carrier amplitude Ac. i.e

Amplitude of each side band = mAc

2

If the modulation (m) = 1 then the amplitude of each side band = Ac

2

Case 2: the channel width is by difference between extreme frequency ,maximum frequency of
USB and maximum frequency of LSB

Upper side band (USB) = fc + fa max

Lower side band (LSB) = fc - fa max

Channel bandwidth = USB –LSB =(fc + f a max)-(fc – fa max)

Advantages of AM
1. Many stations can be included in any given frequency range of the e.m spectrum due to
smaller bandwidth
2. Has a wider coverage
3. Clearer reception across obstacles like mountains
4. Simple and cheap transmission and reception equipments
5. Has only 2 side bands

Disadvantages of AM
1. Affected by noise since noise changes the amplitude of the signal
2. Has low efficiency due to low side band for the wave
3. Poor sound quality due to narrow bandwidth
 2) Frequency modulation
This is modulation in which a high frequency carrier wave is changed in accordance with
the intensity of the signal
o Used in microwave communication
o Use higher frequency with short wave length

The frequency of an FM transmitter without signal input or modulation is called the

resting frequency or center frequency (f o)

The change in frequency on either sides of the resting frequency is called frequency
deviation. The total variation in frequency from the lowest to the highest is called
carrier swing(Cs)

Frequency deviation = fc (max) – fc (min)

Carrier swing(Cs) = 2(frequency deviation)

NB: the frequency spectrum of a frequency-modulated (FM) is more complex. FM

requires a greater bandwidth for each radio station due to the presence of more than 2
side band frequencies for each signal frequency

Advantages of FM
1. Good quality signals due to high signals to noise station
2. High efficiency of transmission
3. Large band width hence better sound quality
4. Gives high-fidelity reception

Disadvantages of FM
1. Covers less area
• Require The signal amplitude must be half or less than the carrier amplitude wave otherwise
the variation in the amplitude at the top of the wave will be confused with one at the bottom
• AM is said to be linear modulation because the amplitude of the transmitted signal varies
linearly with the modulating digital signal or messaging signal
2. s a much wider channel
3. The transmission process is more complex and costly

Comparison between FM and AM

FM AM
The carrier wave frequency changes Carrier wave amplitude changes according
according to the strength of the modulated to the strength of the modulated signal
signal
More information can be transmitted due to Less information is transmitted due to
large bandwidth smaller bandwidth
Broadcast is for short distances Broadcast is for long distance transmission
Short wave length and so little diffraction Long wave length and so the signals can
around obstacles diffract around obstacles
The value of the modulation index can be The value of the modulation index cannot
more than 1 be more than 1