Experiment-2

AIM: To study amplitude modulation (AM) and plot a modulated wave in MATLAB.

APPARATUS: MATLAB software package

THEORY

Modulation is a process by which some characteristic of a carrier (high frequency wave) is

varied in accordance with a modulating wave. Amplitude modulation refers to linear variation
in amplitude of a carrier c(t) with a message signal m(t).

If c(t)=Acos(2*π*f*t), AM signal s(t) is given by

s(t)=A(1+km(t))cos(2*π*f*t)

where k refers to sensitivity. Magnitude of km(t) should always be less than 1. Otherwise, the
envelope will exhibit envelope distortion which the detector won’t be able to detect. The
following circuit is used to detect the envelope of AM wave.

Total bandwidth required is twice the frequency of message signal.

Power is wasted in transmitting the carrier wave.

Advantages of AM

It is very simple and easy to implement.

Demodulation circuitry is minimal.

AM receivers are very cheap as no specialized components are needed.

Disadvantages of AM

Inefficient in terms of power usage (carrier is also transmitted). Efficiency is only 33%.

Highly prone to noise.

Spectral efficiency is poor.

MATLAB Program

t=0:0.01:10;
m=20*cos(2*pi*2*t);
c=10*cos(2*pi*18*t);
s=(1+0.6*m).*c;
subplot(3,1,1),plot(m);
subplot(3,1,2),plot(c);
subplot(3,1,3),plot(s);

20
m(t)

-20
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
time

5
c(t)

0
-5

20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

time

100
0
s(t)

-100

20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

time