Frequency modulation is the process by which frequency of the carrier signal c(t) changes with respect to the modulating

signal m(t). FM modulated signal s(t) is a nonlinear function of the modulating signal m(t), thus it is known as nonlinear modulation process. More difficult than amplitude modulation (AM).

Carrier Signal

Modulating Signal

Modulated Signal

If the modulating signal is m(t) and

Then the modulated signal s(t) is

Where, B is the modulation index. Depending to this modulation index FM can ne classified into two types 1. Narrowband FM : modulation index is smaller than one radian 2. Wideband FM : modulation index is larger than 1 radian

Modulation index is less than 1 Maximum modulating frequency is usually 3kHz & maximum frequency deviation is =75 kHz. A narrowband FM wave consist of a carrier, an upper side-frequency component & a lower side component. The modulated narrowband signal differs from the ideal response in two fundamental respects :

1.The envelope contains a residual AM, so it varies with time. 2.For sinusoidal modulating wave, the angle i(t) contains harmonic distortion in the form of 3rd & higher order harmonics of modulation frequency, fm. By restricting 0.3 radians, the effects of residual AM & harmonic PM are limited to negligible labels.

A narrow band signal may be represented by phasor diagram as shown in below

Fig: Phasor diagram of a narrowband FM

Uses :

Narrowband FM is used by mobile communication services such as police wireless, ambulances, taxicabs, short range very high frequency(VHF) ship to shore sources and defence.

Modulation index normally exceeds unity. Modulation frequencies extend from 30 Hz to 15 kHz. Maximum permissible deviation is=75 kHz. Wideband FM system need large bandwidth, typically 15 times that of narrowband FM system. Wideband FM systems are used in entertainment broadcasting.

For large values of compared to 1 radian, the FM wave contains a carrier & an infinite number of side- frequency components located symmetrically around the carrier. The amplitude of the carrier component contained in a wideband FM wave varies with the modulation index in accordance with Bessel function n().

We can plot Bessel function n() versus modulation index for different positive integer values of n.

In practice, FM wave is limited to finite number of significant side-frequencies compatible with a specified amount of distortion. Thus an effective bandwidth is required for the transmission of an FM wave.

Approximate rule for transmission bandwidth of an FM wave generated by a single-tone modulating wave of frequency f is
m

This relation is known as Carsons rule.

According to international regulations of FM broadcast

Maximum frequency deviation, fd=75 kHz Allowable bandwidth per channel=200 kHz Frequency stability of carrier =2 kHz

Two basic methods of generating FM waves

Indirect :
By integrating message signal a phasemodulated signal generates. This is used to modulate a VCO & the result is passed through a frequency multiplier.

Direct :

The message is directly feeding into the input of a VCO.

Modulating wave first used to produce a narrowband FM wave, then frequency multiplication is used to increase the frequency deviation to the desired level.

Here instantaneous frequency of the carrier wave is varied directly in accordance with the message signal by means of VCO.
Frequenc y Multiplier Frequenc y Multiplier Bandpas s Filter Wide-band FM

Baseband signal

VCO

Mixer

Fixed Oscillator Fig: Block diagram of direct method of generating wide-band FM

Amplitude of the frequency modulated wave remains unaffected. Large decrease in noise, hence increase in S/N ratio. Noise may reduce by increasing deviation Frequency allocation allows for a guard band which reduces adjacent channel interference. FM permits several independent transmitters on the same frequency with negligible interference.

FM has too much advantages besides it also has some disadvantages FM wave cant cover large area. Transmitting & receiving equipments for FM are complex & costly. Reception using conventional method is limited to line of side. A much wider channel, typically 200 kHz, is needed for FM.

FM has so many applications such as

Magnetic tape storage:

FM is used at intermediate frequencies by analog VCR systems (including VHS) to record both the luminance(black and white) portions of the video signal.

Sound :
FM is also used at audio frequencies to synthesize sound, which is known as FM synthesis.

Radio : FM is used in many radio stations (FM Radio Stations) all over the world. Normally the frequency range of FM channels are between 88.0 MHz - 108.0 MHz.

The End