AM TRANSMITTER

HIGH-LEVEL MODULATION

Modulated
OSC Buffer Amp
Amp

LOW-LEVEL MODULATION

Intelligence
Modulator Mixer
Amp

LOW-LEVEL MODULATION – modulation takes place prior to the final stage

- Majority of power amplification takes place in the high
efficient class C amplifier.
- It requires larger power to produce modulation but allows
extremely efficient amplification of the high-powered carrier.

HIGH-LEVEL MODULATION – modulation takes place directly to the final

stage
- It has its power amplification take place in the much less
efficient linear final amplifier.
- It allows low powered intelligence signals to be used, but all
subsequent output stages must use less efficient linear (not
class C) configurations. Low-level systems usually offer the
most economical approach for low-power transmitters.
R2 R1

D1

SW1 R3

C1 L1
 C3 L1

AM Output
RF Power Amp C1 C2
Q1 RFC

RF Input

Modulating Signal
Em
 PIN

RF in PIN PIN RF out

 +Vcc

Audio
Input Q2

RFC

Output

RFC

RF
Input

Final
Amp
 +104 V

Q1

+52 V
AF
Input
D1

Q2

RF Modulator
Input Final
Amp RF
Output
TWIN-FET BALANCED MODULATOR

gates
 Q1
RF
Input T1 RFC
T2

+VDD Double
Audio Sideband
Input R1 Output

RFC
PHASE REVERSAL
Q2
DSBSC
 DSBSC 90 SHIFTED

DSBSC

Audio
RF Amplifier RF Amplifier RF Amplifier RF Amplifier AM Detector
Amplifier
999 KHz 454 KHZ 999 KHz 2454 KHz
1000 KHz 455 KHz 1000 KHz 2455 KHz
1001 KHZ 456 KHZ 1001 KHZ 2456 KHz IF = 455 KHz
1455 KHz

Audio
RF Amplifier Mixer IF Amplifier IF Amplifier AM Detector
Amplifier

Local fLO = 1455 KHZ

Oscillator

FREQUENCY CONVERSION

The AM signal into the mixer is a 1000-KHz carrier that has been modulated by a 1-KHz sine wave,
thus producing side frequencies at 999 KHz and 1001 KHz. The LO input is 1455-KHz sine wave. The
mixer, being a nonlinear, will generate the following components:

1. Frequencies at all of the original 999KHz, 1000 KHz, 1001 KHz, and 1455 KHz
2. Sum and difference of all the original inputs: 1455 KHz, (999 KHz, 1000 KHz, and 1001 KHz).
This means output at 2454 KHz, 2455, 2456, 454, 455, and 456 KHz.
3. Harmonics of all frequency components listed In 1 and 2 and a dc component.

The IF amplifier has a tuned circuit that only accepts components near 455 KHz, in this case 454
KHz, 455 KHz and 456. Since the mixer maintains the same amplitude proportion that existed with the
original AM signal input at 999 KHz, 1000 KHz, and 1001 KHz, the signal now passing through the IF
amplifiers is a replica of the original AM signal. The only difference is that now it’s the carrier frequency
is 455 KHz. Its envelope is identical to that of the original AM signal. A frequency conversion has
occurred that has translated the carrier from 1000 KHz to 455 KHZ – a frequency intermediate to the
original carrier and intelligence frequencies – which led to the terminology “intermediate-frequency
amplifier,” or IF amplifier. Since the mixer and detector both have nonlinear characteristics, the mixer is
often referred to as the first detector.
THE DIODE DETECTOR

The diode detector is the simplest and most basic form of amplitude modulation, AM signal
detector and it detects the envelope of the AM signal.
The AM diode detector can be built from just a diode and a few other components and as a result
it is a very low cost circuit block within an overall receiver
The AM diode detector is an envelope detector – it provides an output of the envelope of the
signal. As such the diode detector or demodulator is able to provide an output proportional to the
amplitude of the envelope of the amplitude modulated signal.

The signal diode detector consists of two main elements to the circuit:
• Diode / rectifier: The diode in the detector serves to that enhances one half of the received
signal over the other. In many instances Schottky diodes are used for this form of detector,
because signal levels may be low, and Schottky diodes have a much lower turn on voltage
(typically around 0.2 V) than standard silicon diodes (typically around 0.7 or 0.7 V).
• Low pass filter: The low pass filter is required to remove the high frequency elements that
remain within the signal after detection / demodulation. The filter usually consists of a very
simple RC network but in some cases It can be provided simply by relying on the limited
frequency response of the circuitry following the rectifier. As the capacitor in the circuit stores
the voltage, the output voltage reflects the peak of the waveform. Sometimes these circuits are
used as peak detectors.

AM DIODE DETECTION PROCESS

In rectifying the RF signal, the AM diode detector provides an output equivalent to the envelope
of one half of the signal, i.e. it is an envelope detector.
In view of the operation of the diode detector, it may sometimes be referred to as an envelope
detector.
The incoming amplitude modulated RF signal consists of a waveform of both positive and
negative going voltages as shown. Any audio transducer would not respond to this.
The diode envelope detector rectifies the waveform leaving only the positive or negative half of
the waveform.
The high frequency element of this is then filtered out, typically using a capacitor which forms
the low pass filter and effectively ‘fills in’ the high frequency elements, leaving a waveform to which a
transducer like a pair of earphones or a loudspeaker could respond to and convert into sound waves.
THE TRANSISTOR DETECTOR

The Transistor Detector is almost the same as the Diode Detector. The amplifier is a Class C amplifier
that produces a half-wave rectified signal. Then the rest of the process is the same as the diode detector..

FORMS OF AMPLITUDE MODULATION

1. Double Sideband, Full carrier (A3E) – this is the AM used for broadcasting. Also known as
the standard AM.
2. Double sideband, Suppressed carrier – removing the carrier without removing the portion of
the sideband.

3. Single sideband, Full carrier (H3E) – is a form of AM in which carrier is transmitted at full power
but only one of the sidebands is transmitted. Therefore, SSBFC transmissions require only half
as much bandwidth as conventional double sideband AM.

4. Single sideband, Suppressed carrier- (J3E) – this is the system so far referred to as “SSB” in
which the carrier is suppressed by at least 45 dB in the transmitter.

5. Single Sideband, Reduced Carrier – is a form of AM in which one sideband is totally

removed and the carrier voltage is reduced to approximately 10% of its unmodulated
amplitude.
 6. Independent sideband (B8E) – It is a form of AM in which a single carrier frequency is
independently modulated by two different modulating signals.

It is two independent sidebands, with a carrier that is most commonly attenuated or

suppressed. It is used for HF point-to-point radio telephony, in which more than one
channel is required. It can simultaneously convey a totally different transmission, to the
extent that the upper sideband could be used for telephony while the lower sideband
carrier telegraphy.

7. Vestigial sideband – It is a form of AM in which the carrier and one complete sideband
are transmitted, but only a part of the second sideband is transmitted.

It is a system in which a vestige, i. e., a trace of the unwanted sideband, usually with a
full carrier. It is used for video transmission in all the world’s various TV systems to
conserve bandwidth.

Receiver Specifications

Sensitivity – is a measure of a receiver’s ability to receive weak signals

Selectivity – is a measure of a receiver’s ability to select one signal while rejecting others

Image rejection – is a measure of the receiver’s ability to reject a strong signal at the exact image frequency

IF rejection – is a measure of the receiver’s ability to reject strong signal at its own intermediate frequency

Dynamic range – is a measure of the receiver’s ability to receive both very weak and extremely strong stations
without introducing distortion to either