ENGR. JEL KRISTELLE T.

ALAMO
2ND SEMESTER, A.Y. 2022-2023
AMPLITUDE MODULATION

LECTURE OBJECTIVES:

Upon the completion of this material, you should be able to:

1. Describe the theory of amplitude modulation techniques;

2. Compute the modulation index of AM;
3. Draw an AM, DSBSC, SSB and VSB signals;
4. Analyze and determine through computation the carrier power and sideband power in AM and its variants;
5. Solve problems involving frequency components, power, current and bandwidth calculations; and,
6. Understand the differences between AM and its variants.

TWO TYPES OF COMMUNICATION

I. ANALOG COMMUNICATION
- a communication process wherein the message to be transmitted is continuous or analog in nature
II. DIGITAL COMMUNICATION
- a communication process wherein the message is discrete or digital in nature

ANALOG COMMUNICATION

In analog communication, message is analog and the carrier is sine wave, which is also analog in nature.

Modulation Techniques in Analog Communication

A. Amplitude Modulation (AM) Techniques

- the amplitude of the carrier signal is varied in accordance with the message to obtain modulated signal
B. Angle Modulation Techniques
- employs variation of angle of the carrier signal in proportion to the message

ELEMENTS OF ANALOG COMMUNICATION

- The information source that produces message is analog in nature.

- The continuous message signal is subjected to analog modulation with the help of a sine wave carrier at the transmitter.
This results in the modulated signal which is also analog in nature.
- The analog modulated signal is transmitted via the communication channel towards the receiver, after adding the requisite
power levels.
- At the receiver, the incoming modulated signal is passed through an analog demodulation process which extracts out the
analog message signal.
- The analog message is passed onto the final destination.

REMARKS: The nature of signal starting from the information source till the final destination is analog and hence the name
analog communication system.

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 ENGR. JEL KRISTELLE T. ALAMO
2ND SEMESTER, A.Y. 2022-2023
AMPLITUDE MODULATION

AMPLITUDE MODULATION TECHNIQUES

• Amplitude Modulation (AM)

- The basic version of the amplitude modulation is also termed as double sideband full carrier (DSBFC) technique,
which is sometimes used to distinguish itself from its variants.
- In amplitude modulation, the amplitude of a carrier signal (may be high frequency (HF), in practice) is varied by the
modulating voltage (usually audio), whose frequency is invariably lower than that of the carrier.
- Formally, AM is defined as a system of modulation in which the amplitude of the carrier is made proportional to the
instantaneous amplitude of the modulating voltage.

Let the carrier voltage and the modulating voltage, vc and vm, respectively, be represented by
𝑣𝑐 = 𝑉𝑐 sin 𝜔𝑐 𝑡
𝑣𝑚 = 𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑚 𝑡
From the definition of AM, the (maximum) amplitude Vc of the unmodulated carrier will have to be made proportional to the
instantaneous modulating voltage Vmsin ωmt when the carrier is amplitude modulated.
o Frequency Spectrum of the AM Wave
- the frequencies present in the AM wave are the carrier frequency and first pair of sideband frequencies, where a
sideband frequency is defined as
𝑓𝑆𝐵 = 𝑓𝑐 ± 𝑛𝑓𝑚
where n = 1 in the first pair
-
Modulation index, m – the ratio of the maximum amplitude of the modulating signal to that of the carrier
𝑉𝑚
𝑚=
𝑉𝑐
– the modulation index is a number lying between 0 and 1, 0 < m < 1, and it is often expressed as a
percentage and called the percentage modulation
The amplitude of the AM voltage can be written as
𝐴 = 𝑉𝑐 + 𝑣𝑚 = 𝑉𝑐 + 𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑚 𝑡 = 𝑉𝑐 + 𝑚𝑉𝑐 sin 𝜔𝑚 𝑡
𝐴 = 𝑉𝑐 (1 + 𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑚 𝑡)
The instantaneous voltage of the resulting AM wave is
𝑣𝐴𝑀 = 𝐴 sin 𝜃 = 𝐴 sin 𝜔𝑚 𝑡
𝑣𝐴𝑀 = 𝑉𝑐 (1 + 𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑚 𝑡) sin 𝜔𝑐 𝑡

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 ENGR. JEL KRISTELLE T. ALAMO
2ND SEMESTER, A.Y. 2022-2023
AMPLITUDE MODULATION

Expanding the instantaneous AM voltage using trigonometric identities,

𝑚𝑉𝑐 𝑚𝑉𝑐
𝑣𝐴𝑀 = 𝑉𝑐 sin 𝜔𝑐 𝑡 + cos(𝜔𝑐 − 𝜔𝑚 )𝑡 − cos(𝜔𝑐 + 𝜔𝑚 )𝑡
2 2
✓ it can be seen that the equation of an AM wave contains three terms, with the first term corresponding to the
instantaneous voltage level of the carrier signal
✓ the two additional terms produced are the two sidebands
❖ Lower Sideband (LSB)
𝐿𝑆𝐵 = 𝑓𝑐 − 𝑓𝑚
❖ Upper Sideband (USB)
𝑈𝑆𝐵 = 𝑓𝑐 + 𝑓𝑚
The bandwidth required for amplitude modulation is twice the frequency of the modulating signal. That is,
𝐵𝐴𝑀 = 𝑈𝑆𝐵 − 𝐿𝑆𝐵 = (𝑓𝑐 + 𝑓𝑚 ) − (𝑓𝑐 − 𝑓𝑚 ) = 2𝑓𝑚

The frequency spectrum of AM wave, as shown above, consists of three discrete frequencies:
✓ the central (carrier) frequency, which has the highest amplitude
✓ the lower sideband (LSB), which is equal to the difference between the carrier and modulating frequencies
✓ the upper sideband (USB), which is equal to the sum of the carrier and modulating frequencies
NOTE: The amplitudes of the sidebands are equal to each other, but can never exceed half the carrier amplitude. The
modulation index m cannot be more than unity, as well. Lest distortion (phase inversion) results.

EXAMPLE 4.1 The tuned circuit of the oscillator in a simple AM transmitter employs a 50-microhenry coil and a 1-nanofarad
capacitor. If the oscillator output is modulated by audio frequencies up to 10 kHz, what is the frequency range
occupied by the sidebands?

o Time Domain Representation of the AM Wave

The amplitude, or what may now be called the top envelope of the AM wave, is given by the relation
𝐴 = 𝑉𝑐 + 𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑚 𝑡
The maximum negative amplitude, or bottom envelope, is given by
−𝐴 = −(𝑉𝑐 + 𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑚 𝑡)

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 ENGR. JEL KRISTELLE T. ALAMO
2ND SEMESTER, A.Y. 2022-2023
AMPLITUDE MODULATION

The modulated wave extends between these two limiting envelopes and has a repetition rate (or frequency) “equal” to the
unmodulated carrier frequency.
To calculate the index (or percent) of modulation from the waveform, we can see that
𝑉max − 𝑉min
𝑉𝑚 =
2
and
𝑉max − 𝑉min 𝑉max + 𝑉min
𝑉𝑐 = 𝑉max − 𝑉𝑚 = 𝑉max − =
2 2
By definition, the modulation index is
𝑉𝑚
𝑚=
𝑉𝑐
Therefore,
𝑉max − 𝑉min
𝑚=
𝑉max + 𝑉min
REMARKS: This equation is the standard method of evaluating the modulation index when calculating from a waveform
such as may be seen on an oscilloscope.

o Power Relations in the AM Wave

The modulated wave contains more power than the carrier had before the modulation took place.
The total power in the modulate wave will be
𝑉𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑟 2 𝑉𝐿𝑆𝐵 2 𝑉𝑈𝑆𝐵 2
𝑃𝐴𝑀 = + +
𝑅 𝑅 𝑅
where all three voltages are root mean square (rms) values and can be expressed in terms of their peak values using √2
factor, and R is the resistance (i.e., antenna resistance) in which the power is dissipated.
The first term is the unmodulated carrier power and is given by
2
𝑉𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑟 2 (𝑉𝑐 ⁄√2) 𝑉𝑐 2
𝑃𝑐 = = =
𝑅 𝑅 2𝑅
Similarly,
2
𝑚𝑉𝑐 ⁄2
2 ( )
𝑉𝑆𝐵 √2 𝑚2 𝑉𝑐 2
𝑃𝐿𝑆𝐵 = 𝑃𝑈𝑆𝐵 = 𝑃𝑆𝐵 = = =
𝑅 𝑅 8𝑅
or
𝑚2 𝑉𝑐 2 𝑚2
𝑃𝑆𝐵 = = 𝑃
4 2𝑅 4 𝑐
Therefore,
𝑚2
𝑃𝐴𝑀 = 𝑃𝑐 (1 + )
2
NOTE: The maximum power in the AM wave is 𝑃𝐴𝑀 = 1.5𝑃𝑐 when 𝑚 = 1. This is important, because it is the maximum
power that relevant amplifiers must be capable of handling without distortion.

EXAMPLE 4.2 A 400-watt carrier is modulated to a depth of 75 percent. Calculate the total power in the modulated wave.

EXAMPLE 4.3 A broadcast radio transmitter radiates 10 kilowatts when the modulation percentage is 60. How much of this is carrier
power?

o Current Relations in the AM Wave

Let Ic be the unmodulated current and It the total, or modulated current of an AM transmitter, both being rms values. If R
is the resistance in which these currents flow, then

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 ENGR. JEL KRISTELLE T. ALAMO
2ND SEMESTER, A.Y. 2022-2023
AMPLITUDE MODULATION

𝑃𝐴𝑀 𝐼𝑡 2 𝑅 𝐼𝑡 2 𝑚2
= 2 =( ) =1+
𝑃𝑐 𝐼𝑐 𝑅 𝐼𝑐 2

𝐼𝑡 𝑚2
= √1 +
𝐼𝑐 2

𝑚2
𝐼𝑡 = 𝐼𝑐 √1 +
2

EXMAPLE 4.4 The antenna current of an AM transmitter is 8 amperes when only the carrier is sent, but it increases to 8.93 A when
the carrier is modulated by a single sine wave. Find the percentage modulation. Determine the antenna current when
the percent of modulation changes to 0.8.

o Modulation by Several Sine Waves

In practice, several sine waves simultaneously modulate a single carrier frequency. Accordingly, a way has to be found to
calculate the resulting power conditions.
Let V1, V2, V3, etc., be the simultaneous modulation voltages. The total modulating voltage Vt will be equal to the square
root of the sum of the squares of the individual voltages; that is,

𝑉𝑡 = √𝑉1 2 + 𝑉2 2 + 𝑉3 2 + ⋯
Dividing both sides by Vc, we get
𝑉𝑡 𝑉1 2 𝑉2 2 𝑉3 2
=√ 2 + 2 + 2 +⋯
𝑉𝑐 𝑉𝑐 𝑉𝑐 𝑉𝑐
Therefore,
𝑚𝑡 = √𝑚1 2 + 𝑚2 2 + 𝑚3 2 + ⋯
Also, if several sine waves simultaneously modulate the carrier, the carrier power will be unaffected, but the total sideband
power will now be the sum of individual sideband powers.
The total sideband from the previous power calculations is equal to the sum of the lower and the upper sidebands of a
modulated signal.
𝑃𝑐 𝑚2
𝑃𝑇𝑆𝐵 = 𝑃𝐿𝑆𝐵 + 𝑃𝑈𝑆𝐵 = 2𝑃𝑆𝐵 =
2
Using this, the total sideband power for several sine waves simultaneously modulating the carrier will be
𝑃𝑐 𝑚𝑡 2 𝑃𝑐 𝑚1 2 𝑃𝑐 𝑚2 2 𝑃𝑐 𝑚3 2
= + + +⋯
2 2 2 2
𝑚𝑡 2 = 𝑚1 2 + 𝑚2 2 + 𝑚3 2 + ⋯

EXAMPLE 4.5 A certain transmitter radiates 9 kW with the carrier unmodulated, and 10.125 kW when the carrier is sinusoidally
modulated. Calculate the modulation index. If another sine wave is simultaneously transmitted with modulation index
0.4, determine the total radiated power.

EXAMPLE 4.6 The antenna current of an AM broadcast transmitter, modulated to a depth of 40 percent by an audio sine wave, is 11
A. It increases to 12 A as a result of simultaneous modulation by another audio sine wave. What is the modulation
index due to this second wave?

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 ENGR. JEL KRISTELLE T. ALAMO
2ND SEMESTER, A.Y. 2022-2023
AMPLITUDE MODULATION

• Double Sideband Suppressed Carrier (DSBSC)

The AM signal as derived previously is given by
𝑚𝑉𝑐 𝑚𝑉𝑐
𝑣𝐴𝑀 = 𝑉𝑐 sin 𝜔𝑐 𝑡 + cos(𝜔𝑐 − 𝜔𝑚 )𝑡 − cos(𝜔𝑐 + 𝜔𝑚 )𝑡
2 2
The three (3) components of an AM signal are the unmodulated carrier, the LSB and the USB. The message to be transmitted
is present “only” in LSB and USB.
If we consider the power relation given by
𝑚2
𝑃𝐴𝑀 = 𝑃𝑐 (1 + )
2
Then the power required for the carrier component is given by
𝑃𝐴𝑀
𝑃𝑐 =
𝑚2
1+ 2
Let the modulation index be unity, i.e., m = 1 = 100%
2
𝑃𝑐 = 𝑃𝐴𝑀
3
Which means that a minimum of two-third of total AM power is utilized for the transmission of carrier component, which does
not contain any message. A significant saving in power requirement can be achieved by suppressing the carrier before
transmission. This process led to the first variant of basic AM termed as double sideband suppressed carrier (DSBSC)
technique.
The instantaneous voltage of DSBSC may be related to that of AM as
𝑣𝐷𝑆𝐵𝑆𝐶 = 𝑣𝐴𝑀 − 𝑉𝑐 sin 𝜔𝑐 𝑡
or
𝑚𝑉𝑐 𝑚𝑉𝑐
𝑣𝐷𝑆𝐵𝑆𝐶 = cos(𝜔𝑐 − 𝜔𝑚 )𝑡 − cos(𝜔𝑐 + 𝜔𝑚 )𝑡
2 2
REMARKS: Despite the significant power saving achieved in DSBSC, it accordingly adds complexity at the receiving point
to recover the message. This technique is preferable if the application is meant for point-to-point services.

o Frequency Spectrum of the DSBSC Wave

The equation of DSBSC wave contains two terms, LSB and USB. The bandwidth required for DSBSC is twice the
frequency of the modulating signal, as in the case of AM. That is,
𝐵𝐷𝑆𝐵𝑆𝐶 = (𝑓𝑐 + 𝑓𝑚 ) − (𝑓𝑐 − 𝑓𝑚 ) = 2𝑓𝑚

o Time Domain Representation of the DSBSC Wave

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 ENGR. JEL KRISTELLE T. ALAMO
2ND SEMESTER, A.Y. 2022-2023
AMPLITUDE MODULATION

The top envelope of the DSBSC wave is

𝐴 = 𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑚 𝑡
The bottom envelope (the broken line) is
−𝐴 = −𝑉𝑚 sin 𝜔𝑚 𝑡
o Power Relations in the DSBSC Wave
The total power in the DSBSC modulated wave will be
𝑉𝐿𝑆𝐵 2 𝑉𝑈𝑆𝐵 2
𝑃𝐷𝑆𝐵𝑆𝐶 = +
𝑅 𝑅
2
𝑚𝑉𝑐 ⁄2
2 ( )
𝑉𝑆𝐵 √2 𝑚2 𝑉𝑐 2
𝑃𝐿𝑆𝐵 = 𝑃𝑈𝑆𝐵 = 𝑃𝑆𝐵 = = =
𝑅 𝑅 8𝑅
𝑚2 𝑉𝑐 2 𝑚2
𝑃𝑆𝐵 = = 𝑃
4 2𝑅 4 𝑐
𝑚2
𝑃𝐷𝑆𝐵𝑆𝐶 = 𝑃𝐿𝑆𝐵 + 𝑃𝑈𝑆𝐵 = 2𝑃𝑆𝐵 = 2 ( 𝑃𝑐 )
4
𝑚2
𝑃𝐷𝑆𝐵𝑆𝐶 = 𝑃𝑐 ( )
2
REMARKS: The maximum power in the DSBSC wave is 𝑃𝐷𝑆𝐵𝑆𝐶 = 𝑃𝑐 /2 when 𝑚 = 1. Thus we need only maximum of
50% of unmodulated carrier power for the transmission of DSBSC wave.

EXAMPLE 4.7 A 400-W carrier is amplitude modulated to a depth of 100%. Calculate the total power in case of AM and DSBSC
techniques. How much power saving (in W) is achieved for DSBSC? If the depth of modulation is changed to 75%,
then how much power (in W) is required for transmitting the DSBSC wave? Compare the powers required for DSBSC
in both the cases and comment on the reason for change in the power levels.

EXAMPLE 4.8 A DSBSC transmitter radiates 1 kW when the modulation percentage is 60%. How much of carrier power (in kW) is
required if we want to transmit the same message by an AM transmitter?

• Single Sideband Suppressed Carrier (SSBSC, or simply SSB)

This technique is used to save bandwidth by suppressing one of the sidebands. Since only one of the sidebands is selected for
transmission, SSB needs a bandwidth equal to that of message. That is,
𝐵𝑆𝑆𝐵 = 𝑓𝑚
If LSB is chosen for transmission, then
𝑚𝑉𝑐
𝑣𝑆𝑆𝐵 = cos(𝜔𝑐 − 𝜔𝑚 )𝑡
2
Alternatively, if USB is chosen for transmission, then
𝑚𝑉𝑐
𝑣𝑆𝑆𝐵 = − cos(𝜔𝑐 + 𝜔𝑚 )𝑡
2
REMARKS: The SSB technique further complicates the receiver structure to recover message.
o Frequency Spectrum of the SSB Wave
The bandwidth required for SSB is the frequency of the modulating signal. That is,
𝐵𝑆𝑆𝐵 = (𝑓𝑐 + 𝑓𝑚 ) − 𝑓𝑐 = 𝑓𝑐 − (𝑓𝑐 − 𝑓𝑚 ) = 𝑓𝑚

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 ENGR. JEL KRISTELLE T. ALAMO
2ND SEMESTER, A.Y. 2022-2023
AMPLITUDE MODULATION

o Time Domain Representation of the SSB Wave

The modulated wave will have only one sine wave. The only wave to distinguish is to compare with carrier signal. Its
frequency will be either lower or more than carrier frequency by an amount of modulating signal frequency. The envelope
of SSB does not contain message and hence a simple envelope detector circuit is not useful for recovering the message.
This is the price we pay by suppressing the carrier and one of the sidebands.

o Power Relations in the SSB Wave

𝑉𝐿𝑆𝐵 2 𝑉𝑈𝑆𝐵 2
𝑃𝑆𝑆𝐵 = =
𝑅 𝑅
2
𝑚𝑉𝑐 ⁄2
2 ( )
𝑉𝑆𝐵 √2 𝑚2 𝑉𝑐 2
𝑃𝐿𝑆𝐵 = 𝑃𝑈𝑆𝐵 = 𝑃𝑆𝐵 = = =
𝑅 𝑅 8𝑅
𝑚2 𝑉𝑐 2
𝑃𝑆𝑆𝐵 =
4 2𝑅
𝑚2
𝑃𝑆𝑆𝐵 = 𝑃𝑐 ( )
4
REMARKS: The maximum power in the SSB wave is 𝑃𝑆𝑆𝐵 = 𝑃𝑐 /4 when 𝑚 = 1. Thus we need only maximum of 25% of
unmodulated carrier power for the transmission of SSB wave.

EXAMPLE 4.9 A 400-W carrier is amplitude modulated to a depth of 100%. Calculate the total power in case of SSB technique.
How much power saving is achieved for SSB compared to AM and DSBSC of Example 4.7? If the depth of
modulation is changed to 75%, then how much power (in W) is required for transmitting the SSB wave? Compare
the powers required for SSB in both the cases and comment on the reason for change in the power levels.

EXAMPLE 4.10 A SSB transmitter radiates 0.5 kW when the modulation percentage is 60%. How much of carrier power (in kW) is
required if we want to transmit the same message by an AM transmitter?

EXAMPLE 4.11 Calculate the percentage power saving when the carrier and one of the sidebands are suppressed in an AM wave
modulated to a depth of (a) 100 percent, and (b) 50 percent.

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 ENGR. JEL KRISTELLE T. ALAMO
2ND SEMESTER, A.Y. 2022-2023
AMPLITUDE MODULATION

• Vestigial Sideband Suppressed Carrier (VSBSC, or simply VSB)

The main limitation associated with SSB is the practical difficulty in suppressing the unwanted sideband frequency
components. It was observed in practice that such a process results in eliminating even more portion of the wanted sideband.
In such a scenario, the first wanted and unwanted frequency components lie very close to each other at the carrier frequency fc.
Therefore an attempt to attenuate unwanted component will in turn lead to attenuation of wanted component. One way to
compensate for this loss is to allow a vestige or trace or fraction of unwanted sideband along with the wanted sideband.

The DSBSC signal is given by

𝑚𝑉𝑐 𝑚𝑉𝑐
𝑣𝐷𝑆𝐵𝑆𝐶 = cos(𝜔𝑐 − 𝜔𝑚 )𝑡 − cos(𝜔𝑐 + 𝜔𝑚 )𝑡
2 2
If LSB is the wanted sideband,
𝑚𝑉𝑐 𝑚𝑉𝑐
𝑣𝑉𝑆𝐵 = cos(𝜔𝑐 − 𝜔𝑚 )𝑡 + 𝐹 (− cos(𝜔𝑐 + 𝜔𝑚 )𝑡)
2 2
Alternatively, if USB is the wanted sideband,
𝑚𝑉𝑐 𝑚𝑉𝑐
𝑣𝑉𝑆𝐵 = 𝐹 ( cos(𝜔𝑐 − 𝜔𝑚 )𝑡) − cos(𝜔𝑐 + 𝜔𝑚 )𝑡
2 2
where F represents the fraction.

o Frequency Spectrum of the VSB Wave

The bandwidth required for VSB is the frequency of the modulating signal plus vestige band. That is,
𝐵𝑉𝑆𝐵 = (𝑓𝑐 + 𝑓𝑚 ) − (𝑓𝑐 − 𝑓𝑣 ) = (𝑓𝑐 + 𝑓𝑣 ) − (𝑓𝑐 − 𝑓𝑚 ) = 𝑓𝑚 + 𝑓𝑣

o Time Domain Representation of the VSB Wave

The modulated wave will have two sine waves. The shape of the signal in the time domain depends on the value of vestige
frequency. If fv is very close to the other sideband, then its shape will be more like DSBSC. Alternatively, if the fv is
significantly lower than the other sideband frequency, then its shape will be like SSB.

o Power Relations in the VSB Wave

Whether LSB or USB is the wanted signal, the power in a VSB modulated wave is
𝑚2 𝑚2
𝑃𝑉𝑆𝐵 = 𝐹 ( 𝑃𝑐 ) + 𝑃
4 4 𝑐
𝑚2
𝑃𝑉𝑆𝐵 = 𝑃𝑐 (𝐹 + 1) ( )
4
𝑃𝑐 𝑃
REMARKS: The maximum power in the VSB wave is 𝑃𝑉𝑆𝐵 = 4
+ 𝐹 ( 4𝑐) when 𝑚 = 1. Thus we need only maximum of
25% to 50% of unmodulated carrier power for the transmission of VSBwave.

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 ENGR. JEL KRISTELLE T. ALAMO
2ND SEMESTER, A.Y. 2022-2023
AMPLITUDE MODULATION

EXAMPLE 4.12 A 400-W carrier is amplitude modulated to a depth of 100%. Calculate the total power in case of VSB technique, if
20% of the other sideband is transmitted along with wanted sideband. How much power saving (in W) is achieved
for VSB compared to AM and DSBSC of Example 3.7? How much more power (in W) is required compared to SSB
of Example 3.9? If the depth of modulation is changed to 75%, then how much power (in W) is required for
transmitting the VSB wave?

EXAMPLE 4.13 A VSB transmitter that transmit 25% of the other sideband along with wanted sideband, radiates 0.625 kW when the
modulation percentage is 60%. How much of carrier power (in kW) is required if we want to transmit the same
message by an AM transmitter?

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