313SE Avionics Basic Modulation Principles

Analogue Modulation

Types of Analogue Modulation

Amplitude Modulation
The amplitude of the carrier is made proportional to the instantaneous value of the modulating signal.
The frequency of the modulating signal determines how quickly the amplitude changes.
Frequency Modulation

The frequency of the carrier is made to vary directly by the modulating signal. The amplitude of the modulating signal determines how fast the carrier frequency changes.

Amplitude Modulation
In amplitude modulation (AM) the amplitude of the carrier is made proportional to the instantaneous amplitude of the modulating signal

Frequency Modulation
In Frequency Modulation (FM) it is the frequency of the carrier which is modulated by the modulating signal.

AM & FM Waveforms

Modulation Index & Percentage Modulation

m = 0.4

m= 1

m>1

Modulation Index & Percentage Modulation

H h

Modulation Index (m) =

H -h H+h

Modulation Index & Percentage Modulation

Modulation Index (m) = H -h H+h

If H = 8V and h = 4 V, what is m? 8V - 4V = 4V = 1 Modulation Index (m) = 8V + 4V 12V 3 If m is to be set to 33% then use this formula H h = 1+m 1-m

OR 33%

From above if m is to be 1/3 then

1 + 0.33 = 2:1 1 - 0.33 H must be twice as big as h to give 33% modulation

AM Parameters
fm fc- fm fc fc+ fm Freq kHz 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Bandwidth

fc
LSB (LSF) USB (USF)

BW = Twice the highest modulating frequency

10

11 12

Modulation by Speech
Bandwidth fc LSB (LSF) USB (USF)

10

11 12
Sidebands can be represented by triangles

fmmax

Modulation by Speech
Speech range 30Hz to 3kHz

fmmax

0 fmmin

fmmax

fc- fmmax

fc

fc

fmmax

fc - fmmax

fc

fc + fmmax

fc - fmmin fc + fmmin

Structure of an AM Transmitter
O/P

Master Oscillator

Buffer & Multipliers

RF Power Amp

This area provides carrier power This area provides sideband power Modulator

Outputs from AM Tx Stages

Oscillator

Buffer Amp

Driver Amp

Mod`r

RFPA

To Aerial

How the power develops

100W + 33W
20dB 20dB

Master Oscillator

Buffer Amp

Driver Amplifier

RF Power Amp
33W m = 1

500W

50mW

5W

Modulator
0.1W

85dB

Techniques of Modulation
Low level modulation
O/P Master Oscillator Buffer Amp Driver Amplifier RF Power Amp

Modulator

Low Level Modulation

Advantage:
The modulator has only to provide a small amount of power as the sideband power will be further amplified in the RFPA.

Disadvantages:
All the following stages at which modulation takes place must be linear. Efficiency is compromised as Class A bias needs to be used.

Techniques of Modulation
High level modulation
O/P Master Oscillator Buffer Amp Driver Amplifier RF Power Amp

Modulator

High Level Modulation

Advantage:
As all stages prior to the RF amp are unmodulated they can operate in Class C giving higher efficiency.

Disadvantage:
The modulator must be capable of producing considerable power.

AM Transmitters

Practical AM Transmitters use a combination of both High and Low level modulation.