Lab # 01

Amplitude Modulation
(AM Modulation)

 Process of changing the Amplitude of a relatively high frequency carrier signal in accordance
with the amplitude of the modulating signal (Information)
It is a low quality form of modulation
Amplitude Modulation is the simplest and earliest form to be used by transmitters

Information Signal:
Mathematical Representation:

Vm (t) = Vm sin (2fmt)

Vm= peak modulating signal amplitude(volts)

Carrier Signal:
Mathematical Representation:

Vc (t) = Vc sin (2fct)

Vc = peak carrier amplitude (volts)

AM Wave Equation:
VAM(t) = [Vc + Vm sin (2fmt)] (sin 2fct)
Expanding equation;

VAM Vc sin( 2f c t ) Vm sin( 2f mt ) sin( 2f c t )

Carrier signal

Modulating signal

In AM, it is particularly important that the peak value of the modulating signal be less than the peak value of the carrier
Vm < Vc
Distortion occurs when the amplitude of the modulating signal is greater than the amplitude of the carrier

Modulation index (m):

A value that describes the relationship between the amplitude of the modulating signal and the
amplitude of the carrier signal;

Vm
m
Vc

Also known as modulating factor, modulating coefficient, or degree of modulation. Can be

calculated by;
Vmax Vmin

Where;

Vmax Vmin

Vmax Vc Vm
Vmin Vc Vm

Over-modulation and Distortion

The modulation index should be a number between 0 and 1

If Vm is higher than Vc then m will be greater than 1 thus causing distortion
If the distortion is great enough, the intelligence signal becomes unintelligible
Distortion of voice signals produces garbled, harsh, or unnatural sounds in the speaker
Distortion of video signals produces a scrambled and inaccurate picture on a TV screen