EEE3086F

Signals and Systems II

2014

A.J. Wilkinson
andrew.wilkinson@uct.ac.za
http://www.ee.uct.ac.za
Department of Electrical Engineering
University of Cape Town
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

EEE3086F Signals and Systems II

506 Page 1 April 14, 2014

5.3 Double Sideband Large Carrier (DSBLC) Amplitude Modulation

5.3.1 DSB-LC modulation and demodulation
5.3.2 Topologies for generating DSB-LC
5.3.3 Power and efficiency of DSB-LC

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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5.3.1 Double Sideband Large Carrier (DSB-LC)

Amplitude Modulation and Demodulation

DSB-LC is sometimes called AM modulation, as

in AM radio.
To hear an AM radio broadcast, tune to Cape
Talk 567 kHz on the medium wave radio band.
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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DSB-SC modulation requires a fairly complicated demodulator,

involving a mixer and oscillator, which must be synchronised to the
transmitter.
SOLUTION: An alternative approach is to design the modulation such
that the modulating signal can be recovered purely from the envelope of
the modulated carrier.
This can be achieved by ensuring that the signal fed into the mixer is
always positive.
Very simple circuits can be used to perform envelope detection. Early
radio receivers used this approach.
Standard Medium Wave broadcast AM radio uses this technique. In
South Africa, broadcast AM radio uses a 9kHz bandwidth, with radio
stations located in the range 540 kHz > 1600 kHz band).

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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Amplitude Modulation: Large Carrier (DSB-LC)

The signal fed into the mixer can be made always positive by adding a
DC offset to f(t):

AM (t ) f (t ) A cos c t
such that

f (t ) A 0

Amin { f t }

The modulated carrier can be re-expressed as:

AM (t ) f (t ) cos c t A cos c t
which is equivalent to adding a carrier component to a DSB-SC signal,
hence the name DSB-LC (large carrier).
DSB-LC is sometimes referred to as AM as in AM radio.
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

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AM DSB-LC

DSB-LC in Frequency Domain

Fourier transforming the DSB-LC signal,

AM (t ) f (t ) A cos c t
we get:
1
1
AM = F c F c A c A c
2
2
Note that the
carrier is present
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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Block diagram implementations of DSB-LC Signal

AM

( t )=[ f (t )+ A ]cos c t= f ( t )cos c t + A cos c t

1) EITHER
Add DC offset to f(t)
prior to mixing

2) OR
Create DSB-SC and
add carrier

f (t )

f (t )

cos c t

cos c t

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM (t )

AM (t )

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AM DSB-LC

1) Addition of DC offset and multiply to produce DSB-LC

F 2A

f t A
A

DC offset A
added to f(t)

2A weight
t

{ A cos c t }

cos c t

t
carrier

1
2

{ f ( t )cos c t + A cos c t }

envelope

DSB-LC

f t cos c t A cos c t
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

1
F c
2

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2) Addition of Carrier to DSB-SC to produce DSB-LC

Consider DSB-SC waveforms:
F

f t

W 0 W

1
F(0)
2

c
2W

2W

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

{ f (t )cos c t }

f (t ) cos c t
DSB-SC

F (0 )

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AM DSB-LC

2) cont

{ A cos c t }

A cos c t

ADD
Carrier

Carrier

Envelope

{ f (t )cos c t + A cos c t }

DSB-LC

f (t ) cos c t A cos c t
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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Demodulation of DSB-LC AM
DSB-LC signals are very easy to demodulate using a simple envelope
detector.
DSB-LC is suited to audio applications e.g. speech or music,
which do not contain a DC component.
An envelope detector recovers f (t) + A.
If f (t) contains no DC component, then passing f (t) + A through a BPF
eliminates A, recovering f (t).
The simplest AM receivers receiver the signal from an antenna, pass it
through a BPF, amplify and then into an envelope detector, followed by
a bandpass filter.

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

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AM DSB-LC

Simple DSB-LC AM Receiver

Antenna

Envelope
detector

BPF
tunable
bandpass
filter

BPF

Audio
output

amplifier

The tunable BPF selects a radio station.

AM signal demodulation using an envelope detector and
band pass filter.
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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Demodulation using an Envelope Detector

Envelope detector

AM (t )

Bandpass filter

v0 (t )

ve (t )

ve ( t ) f ( t ) A

Envelope

v0 (t ) f (t )

AM (t )
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

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AM DSB-LC

Choosing the RC time constant

RC too large
Envelope detector

RC about right
RC too small

AM (t )

ve (t )

ve (t )

T = 2/c
The RC time constant T is the time it takes for voltage to
drop to 1/e ~ 0.37 of its charged value. Clearly, the time constant should
be greater than the period of the carrier, but less than the period of the
highest frequency component in the modulating signal.
i.e. T' < RC < Tmod
where T' = 2/c and Tmod = 1/B
A value of RC somewhere in this range would give a smooth result.
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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Modulation Index m
In DSB-LC AM, the signal f(t) causes the amplitude of the
carrier to fluctuate. The modulation index is a number that
quantifies the degree of amplitude modulation of the
carriers amplitude.
Considering
f max f t f max

AM

( t )= A cos c t + f ( t )cos c t=[ A+ f (t )] cos c t

The modulation index is defined as the fractional fluctuation

in the amplitude of the carrier, i.e.
m=

Envelope Peak Carrier Amplitude

Carrier Amplitude

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

=> Envelope peak = A(1+m)

AM DSB-LC

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Modulation index m
AM t = A cos c t f t cos c t =[ A f t ]cos c t

Max value = A(1+m)

Envelope

mA

Min value = A(1-m)

Case: m=0.9 shown

Note: The modulation index should be less than 1. i.e. m<1
to ensure the min envelope value is >0.
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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Modulation index m
Modulation index:

Envelope Peak Carrier Amplitude

Carrier Amplitude
max { AM } A
=
A
max { f t }
=
A

m=

Note

Envelope Peak max{AM } mA A A(1 m )

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

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AM DSB-LC

Modulation index: Over-modulated case

Envelope

m<1
Okay

m=1
(most power
efficient)

t
cant recover f(t)
from envelope

Over-modulated

m>1

(cant recover f(t))

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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Modulation Index m for the case of sinusoidal modulation

For a sinusoidal modulating signal:
DSB-LC signal is

AM

f t =k cos m t

( t )= f (t )cos c t + A cos c t
=k cos m t cos c t + A cos c t

Modulation Factor or Index

Peak DSB LC envelope - Carrier Amplitude Ak A

m=
=
Carrier Amplitude
A
m=k / A
Define
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

OR

k=mA

% Modulation=m100%
AM DSB-LC

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5.3.2 Topologies for generating Double Sideband

Large Carrier (DSB-LC) Amplitude Modulation

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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Generation of DSB-LC Signal

AM

( t )=[ f (t )+ A ]cos c t = f ( t )cos c t + A cos c t

Block Diagrams:
f (t )

f (t )

AM (t )

cos c t

cos c t

AM (t )

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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Generation of DSB-LC Signal

Practical Implementations:
Chopper (switch) type modulators
Exploiting non-linear characteristics of devices
i.e.

i t =a1 e t a 2 e2 t

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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Chopper Modulator (DSB-LC)

Simply chop ( f (t ) A) and pass through BPF @ c
f (t )

AM (t )

BPF
@ c

Chop rate

F f (t ) A

Chop

Spectrum after chopper

BPF

3c

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

3c

0
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AM DSB-LC

Chopper Modulator (DSB-LC)

Another method
Chop ( f (t ) K cos c t ) and filter.

f (t ) ~

K cos c t ~

BPF
@ c

V 0 t

Rectifier Method: also works if one replace c switch with a

diode.
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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Understanding Chopper / Rectifier Circuit

Voltage across R is
f t K cos c t P T t =V R t
where P T t is square wave, 010101
In frequency domain

1
V R ()= { f ( t )+k cos c t } P T ( )
2

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

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AM DSB-LC

Understanding Chopper / Rectifier Circuit

Sum of Signal +Carrier

c
PT ( )

3c

VR ( ) 3
c

F ( )
0

c
c

V0 ( )

(Output )
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

1
2

3c

3c

After BPF
c

c
AM DSB-LC

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DSB-LC Using Non-Linear Devices

Passing the sum ( f (t )+ K cos c t ) through a non-linear device
(e.g. diode) generates DSB-LC spectral replicas in frequency
v d (t )
spectrum.
Consider Circuit:
f (t ) ~
V0 (t )
VR (t ) BPF
R
i(t )
K cos c t

(A DC bias is also sometimes added in series)

The voltage drop across R is proportional

to current through diode:

V R (t )=i(t) R

Non-linear
Diode
characteristic

1.0mA
0.6V

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

vd

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AM DSB-LC

DSB-LC Using Non-Linear Devices

We shall analyze the case where the total applied
voltage is less than, say, 0.66V, and |VR| << |vd|

f (t )+ K cos c t0.66 V
Non-linear
Diode
characteristic

Given max{Vd + VR ) = 0.66V

Assume Vd = 0.6V and VR = 0.06V.

1.0mA

From curve, Vd = 0.6V => Id=1mA.

0.6V

(operating range)

This same current flows through R.

=> choose R = 0.06/1E-3 = 60 ohms.
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

vd

AM DSB-LC

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DSB-LC Using Non-Linear Devices

The non-linear voltage to current relationship is modeled by a
power series: i (t )=a1 v d (t )+a 2 v 2d (t )+
For

V R << v d (t ) (small voltage drop across R)

Note: Total applied
v d (t ) f (t)+ K cos c t
voltage < 0.66V and R
is chosen to be low
Thus VR (t ) i (t ) R where:
enough such that

V R v (t )

i (t ) a1[ f (t ) K cos c t ] a2 [ f (t ) K cos ct ]2

a1 f (t ) a1K cos c t a2 f 2 (t ) a2 K 2 cos2 c t 2a2 Kf (t ) cos c t

DSB-SC term

carrier term
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

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AM DSB-LC

DSB-LC Using Non-Linear Devices

The term:
The term:

2
a
K
1
2
a 2 K 2 cos 2 c t=a2 K 2 +
cos 2 c t
2
2

f (t )

gives a DC term
and a 2c term

1
F ( ) F ( )
2

is located at baseband, and has bandwidth of 2B Hz.

BPF

2c

2c

At the output of the bandpass filter we obtain

the desired DSB-LC signal:

V 0 ( t )=a1 KR cos c t +2a 2 KRf (t )cos c t

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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5.3.3 Power calculations and Efficiency of

DSB-LC AM

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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Carrier and Sideband Power in AM

In DSB-Large Carrier AM, the carrier is included to allow simple
demodulation via envelope detection. This allows cheap receivers to
be constructed.
The carrier component does not however convey any information
about f(t).
The additional power required to transmit the carrier in large-carrier
AM, makes it less power efficient than DSB-SC.
In the following section we shall examine power calculations in
amplitude modulation, and determine the efficiency of DSB-LC AM,
which is a function of the modulation index m.
In the analysis, we shall assume that f(t) has no DC component.

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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Carrier and Sideband Power in AM

Let

AM

( t )= f (t )cos c t + A cos c t

where f ( t )=0 and f(t) varies slowly compared to cosct.

The power in the signal (mean square value) is given by
(t )= A cos c t + f (t )cos c t +2 Af (t )cos c t
2

1
= A2
2

1
f 2 ( t )
2

Power In
side bands

Carrier
Power
Pt

Pc

0
Since f ( t )=0

Ps

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

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AM DSB-LC

Note:

1
1
f t f t cos 2c t
2
2
1
1
= f t f t cos 2 c t
2
2
=0

f t cos c t =

f(t) has no
DC component

Similarly
2

1 2
1 2
f t f t cos 2c t
2
2
1
1
= f 2 t f 2 t cos 2c t
2
2
1 2
= f t
2
AM DSB-LC

This is a
DSB-SC term
at 2c and
has no DC
component.

f t cos c t =

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

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Note
Note: Here we have developed an expression for the total
signal power which is defined as the mean square value:
2

P t = ( t )

If the load impedance is 1 ohm, then the total power dissipated

in the 1 ohm load is equal to the total signal power.
If the signal is a voltage driving a resistive load of R ohms,
then the power dissipated is
2

P t (dissipated )= ( t )/ R

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

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AM DSB-LC

Fourier Transform of DSB-LC AM

AM ( )= { f ( t )cos c t + A cos c t }
1
1
=A ( +c )+ F ( +c )+A (c )+ F (c )
2
2
A
1
F c
2
c

A 1
F c
2
c

For finite energy signals, we analyze the energy spectral density

2
ESD=
In this case, it we are analysing a power signal, and require treatment in
terms of the power spectral density.
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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Power Spectral Density of DSB-LC AM

For power calculations we consider the power spectral
density S shown below:
2

A /2

1
S c
4 f

A / 2
1
S c
4 f

where S f is the PSD of f (t )

+
for which
1
2
f (t )=

S f ( )d

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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Note
The 1 F ( +c ) in the Fourier transform becomes
2

1
S ( + c ) in the PSD.
4 f

To see how it arises, let

1
G ( )= F (+c )
2
=H ( ) F ( +c ) where H ( )=

1
2

Thus, using a result from linear system theory,

1
2
S g ()=|H ()| S f ( + c )= S f ( +c )
4

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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Obtaining the Power from the PSD

Carrier Power
1
1

1
P c = S c ( )d= [ A2 + A2 ]= A2
2
2 2
2
2

Sideband Power
1
1
1
1
P s = S s ( )d= f 2 ( t )+ f 2 (t )= f 2 (t )
2
4
4
2

Total Power

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

1
P t = [ S c ( )+ S s ( )]d
2
1 2 1 2
P t =P c + P s = A + f ( t )
2
2
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AM DSB-LC

Transmission Efficiency

The transmission efficiency of large-carrier AM is defined

as the ratio (sometimes expressed as %)
Ps
Ps
Power in the sidebands
=
=
=
Total Power
Pt Pc + P s

Substituting,
1 2
f (t )
2
f (t )
2
=
= 2 2
1 2 1 2
A + f (t ) A + f ( t )
2
2
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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Transmission Efficiency for a Sinusoidal Modulating Signal

Let

f (t )=mA cos m t

AM

(t )=mA cos m t cos c t + A cos c t

Carrier power:
Sideband power:

Pc=

1 2
A
2

P s=

Transmission Efficiency 1
Ps

Ps

1 2
11
1
f ( t )=
( mA )2 = m 2 A2
2
2 2
4
2

m A

m2
=
=
=
=
P t P c + P s 1 2 1 2 2 2+ m 2
A + m A
2
4
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

Note:
1
P s = m2 P c
2
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Example: High Power AM Radio Broadcast Transmitter

A DSB-LC AM transmitter transmits with carrier power of
40 kW with a modulation index of 0.707
For a sinusoidal modulating signal of maximum amplitude,
calculate:
a) Calculate the total power radiated
1 2 1 2
1 2 11 2 2
P t =P c P s = A f t = A
m A
2
2
2
22
1 2
2
=P c + m P c =P c (1+m / 2)
2
2
0.707
=40(1+
)=50 kW
2
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

Note: The A here refers

to the carrier amplitude
if driving a 1 ohm load.

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b) Calculate the transmission efficiency

Ps
Ps
m2
0 . 707 2
=
=
=
=
=0 . 20
2
2
P t P c + P s 2+ m
2 +0 . 707

(Comment:
DSB-LC is
inefficient!)

c) Calculate the peak voltage if driving into a 50 load (being the input
impedance of a radiating antenna)
If driving a 50 load, the carrier power is
2

1 A
Pc=
2 R

A= 2 RP c= 25040000=2000 volts

The peak voltage is then

Max {
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM

( t ) }= A+mA=(1+m ) A=3414 volts

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AM DSB-LC

Z in =50 ohms

Antenna

Voltage waveform across the terminals of the antenna

Envelope
3414 V
2000 V

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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EEE3086F
Signals and Systems II

End of handout

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM DSB-LC

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