Pre-LAB 5

Amplitude Modulation

5.1 Introduction
Amplitude modulation or AM as it is often called, is a form of modulation used for radio
transmissions for broadcasting and two-way radio communication applications.

Modulation

Modulation is defined as the process of modifying a carrier wave (radio wave) systematically by
the modulating signal (audio).
It involves two waveforms:
 A modulating signal/baseband signal – represents the message
 A carrier signal – depends on type of modulation

Amplitude Modulation

Amplitude modulation (AM), figure shown below, is a method of impressing data onto an
alternating-current (AC) carrier waveform. The highest frequency of the modulating data is
normally less than 10 percent of the carrier frequency. The instantaneous amplitude (overall signal
power) varies depending on the instantaneous amplitude of the modulating data. The transmitted
signal φAM (t) is given by:
𝜑𝐴𝑀 (𝑡) = 𝐴 cos 𝜔𝑐 𝑡 + 𝑚(𝑡) cos 𝜔𝑐 𝑡
= [𝐴 + 𝑚(𝑡)] cos 𝜔𝑐 𝑡
Frequency range for AM is 535 kHz – 1600 kHz and Bandwidth is 10 kHz.
A radio signal can carry audio or other information for broadcasting or for two-way radio
communication, it must be modulated or changed in some way. Although there are a number of
ways in which a radio signal may be modulated, one of the easiest is to change its amplitude in
line with variations of the sound. In this way the amplitude of the radio frequency signal varies in
line with the instantaneous value of the intensity of the modulation. This means that the radio
frequency signal has a representation of the sound wave superimposed in it. In view of the way the
basic signal "carries" the sound or modulation, the radio frequency signal is often termed the
"carrier".

5.2 Changes that Signal Goes Through in Time and Frequency Domains
The following detailed diagram shows the successive changes in signal shape/spectrum, separately
in time and frequency domains, as it is subjected to Amplitude Modulation.

5.3 Pros and Cons

Advantages
 It is simple to implement
 It can be demodulated using a circuit consisting of very few components
 AM receivers are very cheap as no specialized components are needed.
Disadvantages
 An amplitude modulation signal is not efficient in terms of its power usage
 It is not efficient in terms of its use of bandwidth, requiring a bandwidth equal to twice that
of the highest audio frequency
 An amplitude modulation signal is prone to high levels of noise because most noise is
amplitude based and obviously AM detectors are sensitive to it.
 Main LAB 5
Study and Implement Amplitude Modulation Circuit Using Tone
Message Signal

Follow the following procedure to implement the given circuit on circuit board.
 Assemble components and make connections on the breadboard.
 Connect two function generators to obtain the sine wave of frequencies 2 KHz and 1 MHz
respectively.
 Observe the resulting amplitude modulated signal on CRO.
 Calculate Vmax and Vmin from the obtained AM wave and hence calculate modulation index.
 Vary amplitude of modulating signal to get over-modulation, 100% modulation and under-
modulation condition.
 Draw the waveform for over-modulated, 100% modulated, and under-modulated AM
waveform.

You may also check to verify the working of above circuit on Proteus before implementation on
circuit board. In your report, you are required to explain how the above circuit modulates the
signal.

Working
The students should find by loop analysis that
5.4 Result after Testing of Circuit