AM MODULATING CIRCUIT

REVIEW
Elements of a Communication System
Communication involves the transfer of information or intelligence from a source to a recipient via a channel or medium. Basic block diagram of a communication system:

Source

Transmitter

Receiver

Recipient

Brief Description
Source: analogue or digital Transmitter: transducer, amplifier, modulator, oscillator, power amp., antenna Channel: e.g. cable, optical fibre, free space Receiver: antenna, amplifier, demodulator, oscillator, power amplifier, transducer Recipient: e.g. person, speaker, computer

Modulation
Modulation is the process of impressing information onto a high-frequency carrier for transmission. Reasons for modulation:
to prevent mutual interference between stations to reduce the size of the antenna required

Types of analogue modulation: AM, FM, and PM Types of digital modulation: ASK, FSK, PSK, and QAM

Frequency Bands
BAND Hz ELF 30 - 300 AF 300 - 3 k VLF 3 k - 30 k LF 30 k - 300 k MF 300 k - 3 M HF 3 M - 30 M BAND VHF UHF SHF EHF Hz 30M-300M 300M - 3 G 3 G - 30 G 30 G - 300G

Wavelength, l = c/f

Information and Bandwidth

Bandwidth required by a modulated signal depends on the baseband frequency range (or data rate) and the modulation scheme. Hartleys Law: I = k t B where I = amount of information; k = system constant; t = time
available; B = channel bandwidth

Shannons Formula: I = B log2 (1+ S/N) in bps where S/N = signal-to-noise power ratio

Simplified AM transmitter system

Simplified AM receiver system

A superheterodyne receiver (AM receiver system)