AM - AMPLITUDE MODULATION - I

modules
basic: ADDER, MULTIPLIER optional basic: AUDIO OSCILLATOR

preparation
An amplitude modulated signal is defined as: AM = E (1 + m.cost) cost = A (1 + m.cost) B cost = [low frequency term a(t)] x [high frequency term c(t)] Here: E is the AM signal amplitude from eqn. (1). For modelling convenience eqn. (1) has been written into two parts in eqn. (2), where (A.B) = E. m is a constant, which, as will be seen, defines the depth of modulation. Typically m < 1. Depth of modulation, expressed as a percentage, is 100.m. There is no inherent restriction upon the size of m in eqn. (1). and are angular frequencies in rad/s, where /(2.) is a low, or message frequency, say in the range 300 Hz to 3000 Hz; and /(2.) is a radio, or relatively high, carrier frequency. In TIMS the carrier frequency is generally 100 kHz. ........ 1 ........ 2 ........ 3

block diagram
Equation (2) can be represented by the block diagram of Figure 1.

G m(t) message sinewave ( ) DC voltage g

a(t)

AM c(t) carrier sinewave ( )

Figure 1: generation of AM
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AM - amplitude modulation - I L-05 rev 1.3

model

ext trig

CH1-B CH1-A

the message (say 1kHz) CH2-A AM out VARIABLE DC 100kHz MASTER SIGNAL

Figure 2: model of Figure 1

If no AUDIO OSCILLATOR is available the 2 kHz message from MASTER SIGNALS can be used instead (although this is a special case, being synchronous with the carrier).

experiment
To make a 100% amplitude modulated signal adjust the ADDER output voltages independently to +1 volt DC and 1 volt peak of the sinusoidal message. Figure 3 illustrates what the oscilloscope will show.

tim e

Figure 3 - AM, with m = 1, as seen on the oscilloscope

The depth of modulation m can be measured either by taking the ratio of the amplitude of the AC and DC terms at the ADDER output, or applying the formula:

m=

PQ P+Q

........ 4

where P and Q are the peak-to-peak and trough-to-trough amplitudes respectively of the AM waveform of Figure 3. Note that Q = 0 for the case m = 1. To vary the depth of modulation use the G gain control of the ADDER. Notice that the envelope, or outline shape, of the AM signal of Figure 3 is the same as that of the message provided that m 1 . The envelope of the AM signal is defined as |a(t)|. When m 1 the envelope shape and the message shape are the same. When m > 1 the envelope is still defined as |a(t)|, but it is no longer the same shape as the message (see opposite, for the case m = 1.5). Note that eqn.(4) is still applicable - the trough is interpreted as being negative.

TIMS Lab Sheet

copyright tim hooper 1999, amberley holdings pty ltd ACN 001-080-093

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