EEE3086F

Signals and Systems II

2012

Andrew 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 SSB

EEE3086FSignalsandSystemsII
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5.4 Single Sideband Modulation (SSB)

Contents
5.4.1
5.4.2
5.4.3
5.4.4
5.4.5
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

SSB concepts
SSB generation via sideband filtering
SSB generation using Phase Shift Method
Demodulation of SSB
SSB-LC (with carrier)
AM SSB

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5.4.1 SSB Concepts

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

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AM SSB

Single Sideband Modulation (SSB)

DSB-SC/LC requires an RF bandwidth of twice the audio
bandwidth.
In DSB-SC/LC, there are two sidebands on either side of the
carrier.
1
1
Recall f t cos c t
F c F c
2
2
F ( )

N = neg components
P = pos components

N P
B Hz

DSB-SC
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

LSB

N P
c
AM SSB

N P
c
2B Hz

USB

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Single Sideband Modulation (SSB)

For any REAL-valued signal f (t ) there exists
conjugate symmetry in the Fourier Transform, i.e.
*

F =F
Thus ALL information is contained in either the positive or
the negative frequency components.
We therefore need only transmit a single sideband.
Lower sideband

Upper sideband

or

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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Spectrum of DSB-SC signal

F ( )
N P

m =2 B

DSB SC
Upper
sideband

Lower
sideband
N

Lower
sideband

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

Upper
sideband

AM SSB

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Spectrum of SSB signal (upper sideband)

Upper Sideband Only

SSB ( )
N

USB
P

c
Reconstructed signal

N P

The SSB signal can be demodulated by translation

of the spectral components to the origin.
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

EEE3086FSignalsandSystemsII
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AM SSB

Spectrum of SSB signal (lower sideband)

Lower Sideband Only

SSB

Reconstructed signal

LSB

N P

Note: The time domain USB and LSB signals are real-valued since
conjugate symmetry in frequency domain holds, i.e.

SSB =SSB SSB t Re

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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SSB Applications
SSB saves bandwidth.
SSB uses half the bandwidth of DSB-LC AM.
This allows more channels to fit into a radio band.
SSB is used for radio broadcasts in the shortwave bands
(3-30 MHz)
SSB is used for:
Long-range communications by ships and aircraft.
Voice transmissions by amateur radio operators
LSB SSB is generally used below 9 MHz and USB SSB above
9 MHz.
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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5.4.2 SSB generation via sideband filtering

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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SSB Generation Via Filtering (filtering method)

Generate DSB-SC Signal
Apply BPF to extract desired sideband.
f (t )

DSB (t )

SSB (t )

Sideband
Filter H ( )

cos c t
F ( )

0
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

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AM SSB

SSB Generation Via Filtering

DSB

H
c

Sideband filter

SSB
c
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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SSB Generation Via Filtering

Sideband
Filter

SSB =DSBSC H
Note: If f(t) has low frequency components going down to
DC, then a sideband filter with a vary sharp roll off is
required
It is NOT so easy to build a filter with a sharp roll off.
This is NOT such a big problem if F ( ) does not contain
frequency components close to zero as depicted in the
previous and following illustrations.
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

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AM SSB

SSB Generation: Filter roll off problem

Problematic Case
F ( )

DSB SC ( )

Need
brick wall
filter

Less Problematic if no low freq components in F()

DSB SC ( )
F ( )
0
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

The gap between sidebands

allows relaxed filter roll off.
AM SSB

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SSB Generation: Filter roll off problem

The roll off problem is worsens, if sideband filtering is to be implemented
at high frequencies. The required filter roll off in dB/decade increases as
the centre frequency of F(-c) increases.
Filtering problem can be alleviated by using a two-stage mixing process
for up-conversion in a transmitter. A similar approach is used in the
context of multistage down-conversion (heterodyning).

BPF1

F ( )

0 2 B

USB 2

BPF 2

LSB 2

2 1

SSB

2 1

Note: Radiated SSB signal is centred on 2 +1 +2 B / 2

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

Desired
SSB Signal

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AM SSB

Two-stage SSB Transmitter

F ( )
0

2 B

First mixer
1

1
BPF1 (accurately implemented at a lower
frequency than the final RF signal)

Output of 1st stage

1

2nd mixer
2

BPF2

(2 +1 )

(2 1 )

SSB+ () Output of 2nd stage

2 1

2 +1

2 +1

(2 +1 )
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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Two-stage SSB Transmitter

The gap between the USB and the LSB at the input to the final BPF is
greater if a two stage design is used (i.e. the gap between LSB2 and
USB2 entering BPF2 see sketch) .
This multi-stage up-conversion technique, although used here to
generate SSB, is generally used to heterodyne signals to higher
frequencies (for all modulation techniques).
1s t Sideband
filter

f (t )

BPF1

cos 1t
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

2nd Sideband
filter

BPF 2

SSB

cos 2t
AM SSB

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Generation of SSB Signal (filtering method)

Sideband
Filter

Filtering Method:
SSB ( )= DSBSC ()H ( )
f (t )

BPF

SSB (t )

cos c t

SSB ( t )=[ f (t )cos c t ] h( t )

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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Frequency spectrum of SSB generated by Filtering

SSB ( ) DSB SC ( ) H ( )
1
1

F ( c ) F ( c ) H ( )
2
2

For the USB case (assuming filter passband gain is 1).

1
1
SSB ( ) F ( c ) F ( c )
2
2
For the LSB case.

1
1
SSB ( ) F ( c ) F ( c )
2
2

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

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AM SSB

Frequency spectrum of SSB generated by Filtering

F ( ) F ( ) F ( )

F ( ) F ( )

N P

1
1 +
SSB+ ()= F ( +c )+ F ( c )
2
2
1
F ( c )
2

Upper Sideband SSB

SSB ( )

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

1
F ( c )
2
USB
P

c
AM SSB

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5.4.3 Alternative method for generating SSB

using the Phase Shift Method

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

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AM SSB

Generation of SSB+ Signal (phase shift method)

Let

F ( ) F ( ) F ( )

where F ( ) represents the negative components,

and F ( ) represents the positive components.
An SSB+ Fourier spectrum can be constructed from*:

SSB ( ) F ( c ) F ( c )
Inverse transforming we get

SSB (t ) f (t )e

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

j c t

f ( t )e
AM SSB

j c t

*NB: we have dropped the

factor of 1/2 present if
the SSB signal is derived
by sideband filtering
using a unity-gain BPF.

f (t ) F ( )
f (t ) F ( )
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F ( ) F ( ) F ( )

F ( ) F ( )
N P

SSB ( ) F ( c ) F ( c )
F ( c )

Upper Sideband SSB

F ( c )

SSB ( )
N

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

USB

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AM SSB

Generation of SSB+ Signal (phase shift method)

SSB (t ) f (t )e j t f (t )e j t
c

f (t ) cos c t jf (t ) sin c t f ( t ) cos c t jf ( t ) sin c t

f ( t ) f (t ) cos c t jf (t ) jf (t ) sin c t
f ( t ) cos t f (t ) sin t
c

where

f (t ) jf (t ) jf (t )

If we transform,
we get:
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

and

f (t ) f (t ) f (t )

F { f t }=F = jF jF

=
AM SSB

jF
jF

for 0
for 0
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Hilbert Transform
The frequency domain operations can be expressed as a
transfer function operation, known as the Hilbert Transform

j
H ( )=
j

for 0
for <0

f (t )

Re-expressed as:

j /2

e
H ( )=
e

j / 2

f ( t )

H ( )
arg{H ( )}
/2

for 0
for <0

/ 2

We see that this operation is a -90 deg phase shifter,

operating over all frequency components in F( ).

f (t )
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

-90 deg

f (t )

(the Hilbert Transform of f(t) )

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AM SSB

Generation of SSB Signal

Upper sideband SSB:

SSB ( t ) f (t ) cos c t f (t ) sin c t

The ^ indicates that each
frequency component in F()
is delayed by 900

A similar analysis for generating lower sideband SSB,

reveals

SSB ( t ) f (t ) cos c t f (t ) sin c t

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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Hardware Implementation of Phase Shift Method (SSB)

(known as the Hartley Modulator)
f (t )

cos c t

900

f (t )

900
sin c t

f (t ) cos c t

f (t ) sin c t

Phase shift ALL frequency components in f(t) by

-900 (i.e. delay by 90 degrees)

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

SSB(t )

Either add to
get SSBor subtract to
get SSB+
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For the special case of a sinusoidal modulating signal, a more

direct way to obtain the expression for SSB is to expand using
trig identities:
USB

SSB (t ) cos[(m c )t ]
cos mt cos c t sin m t sin c t

LSB

SSB (t ) cos[( m c )t ]
cos mt cos ct sin mt sin c t
These expressions can easily be converted to a block diagram

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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Comment
In the phase shift method, one is essentially generating a DSBSC signal (upper arm) and then either adding or subtracting
the signal from the lower arm to cancel out either the lower or
the upper sideband.
The SSB frequency spectrum obtained via the phase shift
method is mathematically equivalent to that obtained by
passing the DSB-SC through a sideband filter H(), which has
a passband gain of two.

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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5.4.4 Demodulation of SSB

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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Demodulation of SSB
Demodulation of the SSB signal

SSB (t ) f (t ) cos c t f (t ) sin c t

can be done by mixing with a cos(ct).
(as is done for DSB-SC demodulation)

SSB (t )

e0 (t )

LPF

cos ct

This is easy to see by graphical convolution.

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

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AM SSB

Demodulation of SSB+ Signal

SSB (t )

cos c t

Upper sideband

SSB ( )

convolve

e0 (t )

LPF

1
2

LPF

2c
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

0
AM SSB

2c

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Demodulation of SSB- Signal

SSB (t )

cos c t

Lower sideband

SSB ( )

convolve

e0 (t )

LPF

1
2

LPF

2c

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

2c

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Demodulation of SSB Signal

SSB (t ) cos c t f (t ) cos c2t f (t ) sin c t cos c t

1
1
1
f (t ) f (t ) cos 2c t f (t ) sin 2c t
2
2
2

Output of LPF e0 (t )

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

1
f (t )
2

AM SSB

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Demodulation of SSB
Effect of phase and frequency errors.
Let SSB t = f t cos c t f t sin c t
Demodulate with

cos[c t ]
Phase Error

Frequency Error

Expand product: [ f t cos c t f t sin c t ] cos[ c t ]

1
= f t {cos t cos[ 2c t t ]}
2
1
f t {sin t sin [ 2c t t ]}
2
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

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AM SSB

Demodulation of SSB
After LPF
e 0 t =

1
1
f t cos t f t sin t
2
2

This result requires some interpretation

Check:

case
and

=0
=0

e 0 t =

1
f t
2

(which is what we expect)

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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Case of Phase Error only (i.e. =0 , 0 )

e 0 t =

1
1
f t cos f t sin
2
2

f t

= m

To see what effect this has on f(t), consider a single frequency

component in f(t).
f t
i.e. consider
f t e j
j t

m
f t =e
m

f t = j e

j m t

f t
The phasor diagram shows the relationships.
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

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AM SSB

Case of Phase Error only (i.e. 0, 0)

1 j t
1
j t
e 0 ( t )= e cos + ( j )e sin
2
2
1 j t
= e ( cos j sin )
2
1 j t j
= e e
2
1
j
= f ( t )e
2
m

Note: Each frequency component in f(t) will be phase shifted by the

constant , i.e. phase distortion across band.
The human ear is insensitive to phase delays, and so speech or music will
sound fine.
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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Case of frequency Error (i.e. 0 , 0 )

1
1
f t cos t f t sin t
2
2
Considering a single frequency component:
e 0 t =

1 j t
1
j t
e 0 t = e cos t j e sin t
2
2
1 j t
= e cos t j sin t
2
1 j t
= e e jt
2
1 j t
= e
2
m

f t =e

jm t

freq shift error

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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Case frequency Error

Thus an error in the demodulator oscillator frequency causes a
shift in the spectrum of the recovered signal.
Small frequency errors are tolerable in some applications.
With voice, a frequency shift can make a speaker sound like
Donald Duck!

SSB is used for broadcast radio in the so-called short wave

bands.

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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Demodulation of SSB Freq Domain Perspective

Frequency domain perspective on oscillator phase and
frequency errors.
Let F =F F

Let SSB =F c F c
Let d t =cos[ c t ]
(demodulator oscillator)
j
j
d =e c e c

F F

0
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

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AM SSB

Demodulation of SSB
SSB ( )

F ( c )

c
Convolve:

Oscillator With Phase and Frequency Error (neg freq error)

d ( )

e j

1
F ( )e j
2

e0 ( )
0

e j

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

c
Output

F ( c )

1
F ( )e j
2

AM SSB

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Demodulation of SSB
Output:

e 0 ()= SSB () d ()
+

1
H LPF ( )
2

1
1
e 0 = F e j F e j
2
2

Conclude:
The frequency error results in all frequency components being
translated by . The phase error results in all components
being phase shifted by .

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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5.4.5 Single Sideband Large-Carrier

(SSB-LC)

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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SSB-LC (Large Carrier SSB)

(t ) A cos c t f (t ) cos c t f (t ) sin c t

carrier

SSB

Allows recovery via envelope detection.

Needs larger carrier than DSB-LC (even more wasteful of
Phasor
f (t ) A
power).

envelope r (t )

representation

r (t )

c
f (t )

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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SSB-LC (Large Carrier SSB)

Express
SSB-LC as

(t ) A f (t ) cos ct f (t ) sin ct
Apply trig
identity

A cos x+ B sin x=C cos( x+ )

where C = A2+ B 2
and =arctan ( B / A)

Thus, write as
( t )=r ( t ) cos[ c t+ (t )]
where
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

r (t ) [ A f (t )]2 [ f (t )]2
AM SSB

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SSB-LC (Large Carrier SSB)

Signal of Form
(t )=r ( t ) cos[ c t+ (t )]
where the envelope (i.e. mag of resultant phasor) is
2
2
r ( t )= [ A+ f ( t )] + [ f ( t )]

=[ A2+ f 2 (t )+ 2 Af ( t )+ f 2 ( t ) ]
f 2 ( t ) 2f ( t ) f 2 ( t )
= A 1+ 2
+
+ 2
A
A
A

For

1
2

1
2

2f ( t )
r ( t ) A 1+
A

A >> f t

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

1
2

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AM SSB

SSB-LC (Large Carrier SSB)

1
n
2
(1+ x) =1+ n x+
n(n1) x +
2!
1
1 2
1 /2
(1+ x ) =1+ x x +
2
8

Apply series
expansion:

[
[

2 f (t )
r (t ) A 1+
A
f (t )
A 1+
A
Thus
A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

1
2

] [

1 2 f (t )
= A 1+
+
2 A

r t A f t

for

A >> f t

2f (t )
A
Note: If x << 1
x

one can omit

higher order
terms..

Thus shows that f(t) can be recovered from SSB-LC

by envelope detection
EEE3086FSignalsandSystemsII
AM SSB

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EEE3086F
Signals and Systems II

End of handout

A.J.Wilkinson, UCT

AM SSB

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