2-13 MODULATION INDEX.

—This ratio of frequency deviation to frequency of the modulating signal is useful because it also describes the ratio of
amplitude to tone for the audio signal. These factors determine the number and spacing of the side frequencies of the
transmitted signal. The modulation index formula is shown below: Views (A) and (B) of figure 2-9 show the
frequency spectrum for various fm signals. In the four examples of view (A), the modulating frequency is constant;
the deviation frequency is changed to show the effects of modulation indexes of 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0. In view (B)
the deviation frequency is held constant and the modulating frequency is varied to give the same modulation
indexes. Figure 2-9.—Frequency spectra of fm waves under various conditions. You can determine several facts about fm signals by studying the
frequency spectrum. For example, table 2-1 was developed from the information in figure 2-9. Notice in the top
spectrums of both views (A) and (B) that the modulation index is 0.5. Also notice as you look at the next lower
spectrums that the modulation index is 1.0. Next down is 5.0, and finally, the bottom spectrums have modulation
indexes of