Frequency Modulation (FM)

Task:

What is Frequency Modulation?

Explain the process of Frequency
Modulation.
What are the advantages and
disadvantage of FM compared to AM.
Explain frequency deviation.
Power in FM.
Introduction

FM is the process of varying the frequency of a

carrier wave in proportion to a modulating signal.

The amplitude of the carrier is kept constant

while its frequency and rate of change are varied
by the modulating signal.

Figure 1.1 illustrates the signal associated with

freq modulation.
Point 1,3,5 - information signal
is at 0 V

Point 2 - information signal at

max positive amplitude

Point 4 - information signal at

max negative amplitude.
 During time from point 1-2, FM signal increases in freq to
its max value at point 2.

From point 2-3, FM signal freq decreases until reaching

the freq of the carrier signal called centre frequency.

At point 4-5, information signal increases until reaching

the centre freq.
 Important features about FM waveforms is :

(i) The frequency varies

(iii) Amount of carrier freq changes is proportional

to the amplitude of information signal

(iv) Amplitude is constant

Analysis of FM

Let the instantaneous wave equation for:

Carrier signal: Vc (t ) VcCosc (t )

Information signal : Vm (t ) VmCosmt

Where c m

In FM, frequency changes with the change of the

amplitude of the information signal
 Wave equation :
VFM (t ) Vc Cos

Angle of FM obtained :

(c KVmCosmt )dt
KVm
c t sin mt
m
KVm
VFM (t ) Vc Cos(c t sin m t
m
or
VFM (t ) Vc Cos(c t M f sin m t )
 So, the instantaneous frequency of the FM wave is :

f K f Vm

f frequency deviation

*Kf is frequency deviation constant (or deviation

sensitivity. Hz/v)

Frequency Deviation = the maximum change of the instantaneous

Frequency of the FM signal from the carrier frequency, fc
 Where
KVm
Mf
m
KVm
And it is called FM mod. index
2f m

KVm
As f
2
f
& Mf
fm Where fm = modulation frequency
Carrier Frequencv (fc)
Carrier frequency in FM systems must be higher
than the information signal frequency.

FM radio: Uses carrier freq between

88~108MHz
Television: Freq range = 54~ 806MHz
No. of channel = 67 channels
Bandwidth = 6 MHz
VHF: 54 ~ 216 MHz (channeI2~13)
UHF: 4 70 ~ 806 MHz (channel 14~69)
608~614MHz (radio astronomy)
Frequencv Deviation, f
Represents the maximum change of the instantaneous frequency of
the FM signal from the carrier frequency, fc

Fundamentals characteristics of an FM signal is frequency deviation

( f) is proportional to the amplitude of modulating signal, Vm and is
independent of modulating frequency.

f
KVm
fVm
2

The highest frequency for FM wave is

fmax = fc + f
The minimum frequency is fmin = fc - f
Total change of frequency from minimum frequency to maximum
frequency is called carrier swing
Carrier swing, fcs = fmax - fmin
= (fc+ f )-(fc- f )
Fcs = 2 f
Modulation index, mf .
The modulation index of a frequency
modulated signal determines the extent and
the rate of modulation

f
mf = max frequency deviation =
Modulating frequency fm
FM Bandwidth (BW fm)
In theory, an FM signal contains an infinite number of side
frequencies so the BW required to transmit such a signal is
similarly infinite in extent

In practical significant sidebands is limited depending on the

value of FM

For FM signal analysis an advanced calculus equation called

Bessel functions is required

Using Bessel function table, the bandwidth BWFM is

BW = 2x number of pairs of sideband x audio frequency

BWFM=2nfm

n-number pairs of sidebands fm-frequency modulating

Fm frequency modulating
 Carson Rule: rule of thumb to estimate the
bandwidth for an FM signal transmission

The minimum bandwidth is twice the sum of

the peak freq deviation and highest modulation
signal freq.

BW = 2 [f + fm(max)] For low modulation

index; below 5.
Power in FM

In fm, the amplitude of modulated signal is same

as the amplitude of unmodulated carrier signal.

Power of fm wave dissipated in a load, R is

PFM= Vrms2 = Vc2
R 2R
PFM = Pc; Pc is power in the carrier

But the power in the carrier is distributed over

the various FM sidebands result from the
modulation.

 Narrow Band FM (NBFM)

1. Modulation index approximates to I

2. Frequency deviation between 5 kHz to 10kHz
3. Bandwidth: 1 0 ~ 30 kHz
4. The maximum modulating frequency: 3 kHz
5. NBFM is used for communication in
competition with SSE. Main application in
various form of mobile communication e.g.:
taxicabs, police, ambulance etc
 Wide Band FM (WBFM)

1. Modulating frequency range: 30 Hz ~ 15

kHz
2. Max deviation frequency: 75 kHz
3. Modulation index is more than 1
(between 5 to 2500)
4. Bandwidth is approximately 15 times
higher than NBFM system.
5. WBFM used for broadcasting.
 Advantages & Disadvantage of FM compared to AM

Advantages
1. All transmitted power in FM is useful, whereas in AM most of it's
in the transmitted carrier.
2. FM has advantage over Am of providing greater protection from
noise for the lowest freq.
3. FM operate in upper VHF & UHF freq. range which less effect of
noise; MF and HF range occupied by AM.
4. In FM, the transmitted amplitude is constant. This characteristic
had adv of significantly improving immunity to noise and
interference.
5. The use of pre-emphasis and de-emphasis in FM will reduce the
effect of noise

Disadvantage
1. Since reception is limited to line of sight, the area of reception for
FM is much smaller than AM
2. Equipments for transmitter and receiver are more expensive and
complex.
3. Much wider BW require by FM up to 10 times larger than AM
Example:
An FM signal has a deviation of 3kHz and a modulating
frequency of 1 kHz. Its total power (Pt) is 5W developed
across a 50 resistive load. The carrier frequency is
160 MHz. If Vt= 15.8 V, By using Bessel Function table,
find:

The frequency of each sideband for the first 3 sidebands

The power at the carrier frequency at each of the

sideband frequency found in question above.
Vc(t ) 25 sin [2 350500t ] volts

An FM signal has a total bandwidth of 160 kHz when the

sinusoidal modulating signal of frequency 40 kHz
modulates a carrier,


By using Bessel Function table, determine:
a) the number of significant sideband (n), the frequency
deviation, and the frequency carrier swing (fcs).
b) power in the FM waveform appears across a 20 load.
c) the bandwidth by using Carsons rule.