EE-225 Communication Systems

Lecture 2:
Basics of Amplitude Modulation
Reading:
Chapter 4 (B.P.Latti, 4th edition):
pages 178-182

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 Modulation
• Modulation is a process that moves a message
signal into a specific frequency band
• Helps in RF transmission and frequency division
multiplexing
• Modulation can be digital or analog
– Baseband signal (message signal or low frequency
signal insufficient for RF transmission, also referred to
as modulating signal)
– Carries signal (high frequency signal, facilitates in RF
transmission and frequency multiplexing, also referred
to as modulated signal)

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 Baseband versus Carries
• Baseband refers to the frequency of the original
message signal ---- m(t)
– e.g., Voice signal in telephony ( 0 to 3.5KHz)
• Baseband communication refers to transmission
of message signal without modulation, via
channels such as twisted pairs of cable, coaxial
cables etc. but cannot be via wireless link.
• If wireless communication is required then there
are some modulation methods such as AM, FM
or PM.
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 Carries Modulation
• Shifting of frequency spectrum of message
(baseband) signal is known as carrier
communication.
• Modulation changes the carrier signal parameters
such as Amplitude, frequency or phase
c(t )  A(t ) cos(2f ct   (t ))

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 Amplitude Modulation
• m(t) be a baseband signal
– M(f) be its Fourier transform
• To move frequency response of m(t) to a
frequency band centered at fc for RF
transmission frequency shifting is required

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 Frequency Shifting
• In the case of AM, the frequency shifting is
achieved by multiplying m(t) with a sinusoid
of frequency fc

• Multiplication in time domain is equivalent to

convolution in frequency domain and vise
versa.

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 Frequency Shifting, AM

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 Frequency Shifting, AM

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Double side band, suppressed carrier (DSB-SC Modulation) 8
 Double side band, suppressed carrier
(DSB-SC Modulation)

fc - B
-fc + B

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Avoid overlap, If fc < B, then two message spectral overlap
 Problem with DSB-SC Modulation
• Band pass filter is required for demodulation

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 Solution -- Graphical

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 Solution -- Mathematical

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 Reading
• Chapter 4 (B.P.Latti, 4th edition)
– pages 178-182
– Example 4.1 (pages 182+184)

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