Analog communication

System

Submitted to:- Submitted by:-

Dr. Rajbir Kaur Jasdeep Singh
11502065 3ECE56
Balanced Modulator Using Diodes

We already know that a non-linear resistance or non-linear device may be used to produce
Amplitude Modulation i.e. one carrier and two sidebands .
However, a DSB-SC signal contains only two sidebands. Thus, if two non-linear devices such
as diodes, transistors etc. are connected in a balanced mode so that they suppress the
carriers of each other, then only sidebands are left and a DSB-SC signal is generated .
Therefore, a balanced modulator may be defined as a circuit in which two non-linear
devices are connected in a balanced mode to produce a DSB-SC signal.
In this article, we shall discuss a balanced modulator circuit using diodes.
Fig.1 shows the balanced modulator using diodes as non-linear device .

Fig 1
Derivation

The modulating signal x(t) is applied equally with 180o phase reversal at the inputs of both
the diodes through the input center tapped transformer .
The carrier is applied to the center tap of the secondary .
Hence, input voltage to D1 is given by :
..(1)
And the input voltage to D2 is given by :

.(2)
The parallel RLC circuits on the output side form the band pass filters .

The diode current i1 and i2 are given by :

(3)
Similarly,

(4)
The output voltage is given by :

Substituting the expression for i1 and i2 from equations (3) and (4), we get

Or,

Hence, the output voltage contains a modulating signal term and the DSB-SC signal .
The modulating signal term is eliminated and the second term is allowed to pass through to
the output by the LC band pass filter section.
Therefore, final output = 4 b R x(t) cos ct
= K x(t) cos ct
Thus, the diode balanced modulator produces the DSB-SC signal at its output.

Basic Principles of Balanced Modulators

At the heart of every radio frequency transmitter is an array of electronic circuitry generating a
RF signal that carries useful information, or intelligence. First, an oscillating circuit generates a
continuous, steady state signal, referred to as the carrier wave, fixed to a discrete frequency in
the radio frequency spectrum. Second, useful intelligence is inserted into the carrier wave.
Intelligence can be generated in many different ways, including signals originating in the audio
frequency spectrum, pulses containing discrete information within them, and frequencies
shifting in phase relative to the carrier wave. The process of inserting intelligence into the
carrier wave is termed modulation.

Modulation can take several different forms, the most familiar forms being amplitude
modulation (AM), where the amplitude of the carrier wave fluctuates according to the
strength and frequency of the modulating signal, and frequency modulation (FM), which alters
the frequency of the carrier wave. Generally, pulse modulation and phase modulation are
regarded as special forms used for transmitting data or in radio detection and ranging
applications.

Regardless of the type and form of modulation, generating and transmitting a useable RF
signal that preserves the original information as closely as possible is not without problems.
Modulating signals originating in the audio frequency spectrum, such as speech and music, are
full of noise and harmonics. In the process adding information to the carrier wave, the
modulating signal both adds to and subtracts from the amplitude (AM), or the frequency (FM)
of the carrier wave.

The combined frequencies of the carrier wave and the modulating signals are referred to as
sidebands. Modulating frequencies that add to the carrier wave frequency are termed
upper side band, or USB, while frequencies that subtract from the carrier wave frequency
are termed lower side band, or LSB. Since the useful information is carried only in the
sidebands, it is practical to design transmitters that transmit radio frequencies exclusively and
efficiently in only the USB or LSB frequency range. Furthermore, the original carrier wave
frequency is not required, since the carrier wave contains no information by itself, and, since
both sidebands contain identical information, only one sideband is required.

Additionally, not all of the energy present in the modulating signal is required for efficient
communication. Energy spikes of varying duration above the level required to efficiently
transmit information can be removed, thereby cleaning up and compacting the frequency
spectrum and allowing final power amplifiers to pump energy more efficiently into a narrowly
concentrated frequency spectrum.

Modulators are electronic circuits designed to enhance the efficient combination of the
modulating signal and carrier wave according to its intended application. In a radio frequency
transmitter, a balanced modulator circuit would consist of a diode bridge and carefully tuned
filters designed to remove all the unnecessary frequencies, being the carrier wave and one or
the other sidebands. A diode bridge consists of a combination of inter-connected RF diodes, or
an integrated circuit, that controls the level of energy necessary for efficient modulation of the
carrier wave. Working in combination with high- or low-pass filters tuned to the desired
frequency, the carrier wave and the unnecessary side band are removed. Only the desired
sideband frequency, containing the useful intelligence, remains to be amplified, ultimately
delivered to the transmitters transmission line and antenna.

Selection of the most efficient RF diodes is a critical step is designing a balanced modulator.
Careful consideration should be given to the diodes design specifications and the temperature
and frequency range it will be operating in. Depending of the frequency spectrum, the lead
length and diameter of the diodes connectors, as well as their configuration and proximity to
other components in the circuit may also be a consideration.