Experiment 4: Amplitude Modulation

This experiment examines the characteristics of the amplitude modulation (AM) process. The demod-
ulation is performed by an envelope detector. Overmodulated AM signals and its requirement for coherent
detection are also considered.

1 Introduction
In Experiment 3, DSB signals were generated by the multiplication of a message signal with a carrier
waveform. This resulted in the translation of the message spectrum to the carrier frequency location. The
simplicity of the modulation process contrasted with the strict requirement for a synchronous local carrier
at the receiver. This problem can be alleviated by sending a carrier frequency component along with the
sidebands at the expense of decreasing the transmitted power efficiency.

1.1 AM signal generation

The generation of AM signals consists simply of the addition of the carrier waveform to the DSB signal, for
this reason AM modulation is referred to as DSB-LC (DSB with large carrier). The message signal x(t) is
modulated by a carrier waveform Ac cos(2πfc t). The amplitude modulated waveform xc (t) is
xc (t) = Ac x(t) cos(2πfc t) + Ac cos(2πfc t) (1)
= Ac [1 + x(t)] cos(2πfc t) (2)
= A(t) cos(2πfc t) (3)
where |A(t)| is the envelope of the AM signal. The message signal amplitude must be small and must have a
DC component equal to zero in order to use simple demodulation schemes. The spectrum of the modulated
signal is
Ac Ac
Xc (f ) = [X(f + fc ) + X(f − fc )] + [δ(f − fc ) + δ(f + fc )] (4)
2 2
Thus, the carrier waveform is transmitted along with the sidebands to make it available at the receiver for
coherent demodulation without needing complex carrier recovery circuits. However, this advantage of AM
over DSB demodulation comes at the expense of using some portion of transmitted power in the carrier
waveform which does not convey any information.

1.2 Modulation index of AM signals

The two main differences of AM with respect to DSB signals are the presence of a carrier component and
that the envelope |A(t)| of the modulated carrier has the shape of x(t) under the conditions that fc >> fx
and A(t) > 0 for all values of t. Thus, having |x(t)| < 1 with no DC component guarantees that A(t) is
always positive. The modulation index m of an AM signal is defined as
[A(t)]max − [A(t)]min
m= (5)
[A(t)]max + [A(t)]min
When m > 1 the envelope has no longer the shape of x(t) resulting in envelope distortion. This condition is
referred to as overmodulation. In the particular case when the message signal is a sinusoid of frequency fx ,
its amplitude is equal to the modulation index m of the corresponding AM signal
xc (t) = Ac [1 + m sin(2πfx t)] cos(2πfc t) (6)

1
EE3150 E. Cura 2

1.3 AM signal power and bandwidth

The (one-sided) spectrum of the AM signal consists of two sidebands that occupy the frequency range fc − fx
to fc + fx plus the carrier component at fc , hence the bandwidth BT required for transmission is

BT = 2fx (7)

The average transmitted power ST of the AM signal is

ST = Sc Sx + Sc (8)

where Sc = A2c /2 is the average carrier power and Sx is the average message signal power. When the
message signal is a sinusoid of amplitude Ax , Sx = A2x /2. The fraction of the transmitted power that
conveys information to the receiver is
Sc Sx
E= (9)
Sc + Sc Sx
and it is used as a measure of the power efficiency.

1.4 Demodulation of AM signals

The recovery of the message signal can be performed coherently just like in DSB demodulation. The trans-
mission of a carrier component in AM alleviates the need for complex carrier recovery circuits necessary for
DSB demodulation. However, a simpler demodulator for AM signals is the envelope detector.

1.4.1 Coherent demodulation

Since the carrier component is part of the received AM signal xr (t), it can be extracted and used in a
coherent demodulator to recover the message signal. Assuming that the received signal xr (t) has the same
form as xc (t) except for an attenuation factor ac /Ac introduced by the channel, the product signal is

z(t) = {ac [1 + x(t)] cos(2πfc t)}2 cos(2πfc t) = ac [1 + x(t)] + ac [1 + x(t)] cos(4πfc t) (10)

whose spectrum Z(f ) is

ac
Z(f ) = ac [δ(f ) + X(f )] + [X(f − 2fc ) + X(f + 2fc ) + δ(f − 2fc ) + δ(f + 2fc )] (11)
2
Notice that scaled replicas of the message spectrum appear at the baseband frequency range and at 2fc .
Additionally, components at 2fc and 0 Hz also appear. Therefore, a bandpass1 filter is necessary to remove
the DC and high frequency components. The output y(t) of the filter is

y(t) = ac x(t)

which is the message signal scaled by a factor ac .

1.4.2 Demodulation with envelope detector

Since the envelope of the modulated signal has the shape of the message signal (as long as |x(t)| < 1 and
has no DC component), the received signal can be rectified by a diode and the rectified signal can then be
smoothed by an RC network in order to recover the message signal. Fig. 2 shows the envelope detector circuit
for AM demodulation. The requirements for best operation of this demodulator are that fc >> fx , and that
the discharge time constant RC is adjusted such that the negative rate of the envelope never exceeds the
exponential discharge rate of the RC network. For the specific case of tone modulation (the message signal
is a sinusoid), the time constant RC is related to the parameters of the AM signal by
√
1 − m2
RC ≤ (12)
2πfx m
1 During the lab a lowpass filter will be used for simplicity.
EE3150 E. Cura 3

2 Prelab instructions
The prelab for this experiment is based on PSPICE modeling and simulations. Enclosed in brackets is the
number of points assigned to each question/plot.

1. From the functional block diagram of Fig. 1 in the AD633 data sheet, build a PSPICE model of this
multiplier circuit considering the following hints: [4]

• All the amplifiers shown in the block diagram provide unity gain and the inputs X2 and Y 2 will
be connected to ground (in the circuits for this experiment), hence all the amplifiers and the
terminals X2 and Y 2 can be neglected to build the PSPICE model.
• The multiplier block can be implemented by the MULT part included in the PSPICE libraries.
Similarly, the summation block can be implemented by the SUM part. The constant 1/10 V block
can be implemented with the CONST block with a value of 0.1.
• Notice that because of the 1/10 V block, and just for the circuits in this experiment, the signal
applied to the X1 input (pin 1) is actually 10 times the message signal x(t). In the following, the
signal applied to pin 1 is called simply the message signal, but keep in mind it is a scaled version
of x(t).

2. Using your PSPICE model of the AD633, (a) simulate the output of the circuit of Fig. 1 of this
experiment. The parameters for the message signal x(t) are: Sine wave, Ax = 8 V, fx = 500 Hz, and
for the carrier signal: Sine wave, Ac = 5 V, fc = 9 kHz. Use a time span of T S = 5 ms. For the
simulation you need to connect a resistor (> 1 kΩ) from the output to ground in order to obtain the
simulated output [4]. (b) To observe an overmodulated signal, repeat the previous step with Ax = 13
V, fc = 18 kHz, and T S = 4 ms [4].
3. Using Eq.(12), (a) calculate the range of values of R when C = 10 nF, m = 0.5, fx = 1 kHz [2]. (b) Use
a value of R = 18 kΩ to simulate the output of the envelope detector of Fig. 2 from 0 to T S = 2 ms.
The parameters for the message signal are: Sine wave, Ax = 5 V, fx = 1 kHz, and for the carrier signal:
Sine wave, Ac = 5 V, fc = 98 kHz [4]. (c) Repeat part (b) changing T S = 10 ms (this time-domain
plot is not required), and from the Trace menu select Fourier, then from the Plot menu select Axis
settings... and set the Data range from 0Hz to 100KHz in the X-Axis and set the Scale to Log
in the Y-Axis. The resulting plot is the spectrum of the output of the envelope detector, include this
plot in your prelab [4].

4. Simulate the output signal of the coherent detector of Fig. 4 (neglect the op-amp amplifier). The
parameters for the message signal are: Sine wave, Ax = 13 V, fx = 500 Hz, and for the carrier signal:
Sine wave, Ac = 5 V, fc = 18 kHz, T S = 4 ms [4].

3 Lab procedure
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
• Load the virtual instrument TIMEFREQ.VI by double-clicking the shortcut located in the computer
desktop.
• After taking each plot make sure to ask your TA to verify that your results are correct.
This also serves to monitor your progress and performance.

3.1 AM signal generation

In this section AM signals are generated by multiplying message signals with a carrier and adding the carrier
to this product. The amplitude of the message signal is varied to produce different values of the modulation
index.
EE3150 E. Cura 4

1. With the power supply off, assemble the circuit of Fig. 1. Use FG1 as the message signal and FG2
as the carrier signal. Set the following parameters in FG1: Amplitude=8 V, Frequency=500 Hz, sine
wave. For FG2: Amplitude=5 V, Frequency=9 kHz, sine wave. Connect channel 1 probe of the
oscilloscope to the output of the modulator (at pin 7).
2. Turn the power supply on and capture the AM signal and its spectrum by executing TIMEFREQ.VI
with the following parameters: Channel=1, TS=5m, FS=10, Save data=ON, a proper file name. [Plot
P1, 5 points].
3. Change the amplitude of FG1 to 2 V and capture the AM signal and its spectrum, use a different file
name. [P2, 5].

3.2 Demodulation of AM signals using envelope detection

In this section the message signal is recovered by using an envelope detector.
1. Assemble the circuit of Fig. 2 using a value of R = 18 kΩ. Use FG1 as the message signal and FG2 as
the carrier signal. Set the following parameters in FG1: Amplitude=5 V, Frequency=1 kHz, sine wave.
For FG2: Amplitude=5 V, Frequency=98 kHz, sine wave. Use the channel 1 probe of the oscilloscope
to observe the output signal.
2. Capture the output signal and its spectrum by executing TIMEFREQ.VI with the following parameters:
Channel=1, TS=2m, FS=100, Save data=ON, a proper file name. [P3, 5].
3. Increase the carrier frequency (FG2) to 450 kHz. Capture the output signal and its spectrum by exe-
cuting TIMEFREQ.VI with the following parameters: Channel=1, TS=2m, FS=500, Save data=ON,
a proper file name. [P4, 5].

3.3 Overmodulated AM signals

In this section the case of AM signals with modulation index m > 1 is considered.
1. With the power supply off, assemble the circuit of Fig. 3. Use FG1 as the input signal and FG2 as the
carrier signal. Set the following parameters in FG1: Amplitude=6.5 V, Frequency=500 Hz, sine wave.
For FG2: Amplitude=5 V, Frequency=18 kHz, sine wave. Use the channel 1 probe of the oscilloscope
to observe the AM signal.
2. Turn on the power supply and use channel 2 to measure the peak amplitude (make sure that the
attenuation factor of this probe is at 10) of the signal applied to pin 1 of the AD633. This is the
message signal and its amplitude is ten times the modulation index m. Record this value m = .
3. Capture the AM signal and its spectrum with the following parameters: Channel=1, TS=4m, FS=20,
Save data=ON, a proper file name. [P5, 5].

3.4 Coherent detection of overmodulated AM signals

In this section the need for using coherent detection to demodulate AM signals with modulation index m > 1
is considered.
1. With the power supply off, assemble the circuit of Fig. 4. Use FG1 as the input signal and FG2 as the
carrier signal. Set the following parameters in FG1: Amplitude=6.5 V, Frequency=500 Hz, sine wave.
For FG2: Amplitude=5 V, Frequency=18 kHz, sine wave. Use the channel 1 probe of the oscilloscope
to observe the product signal and the channel 2 probe to observe the output signal.
2. Turn on the power supply and capture the product signal and its spectrum with the following param-
eters: Channel=1, TS=4m, FS=40, Save data=ON, a proper file name. [P6, 5].
3. Now capture the output signal and its spectrum with the following parameters: Channel=2, TS=4m,
FS=40, Save data=ON, a proper file name. [P7, 5].
EE3150 E. Cura 5

4 Analysis
This section contains questions regarding the results obtained during the lab.
1. Include in your report all the plots obtained during the lab. Make sure to label properly all the plots.
The number of points assigned to each plot is specified in the lab procedure. Refer to Appendix B
section 3.4 for instructions regarding the plotting of experimental results.

2. From plots P1 and P2: (a) estimate the modulation index of each AM signal.[4 points]. (b) Describe
the effect of the modulation index on the magnitude of the sidebands in the spectra of these signals.
[2].
3. Comparing the time signals in plots P3 and P4, and giving arguments from their spectra, (a) explain
why the signal of P4 shows less ripple. [2]. (b) Would you connect the LPF of Fig. 4 to the output of
the envelope detector in order to remove the ripple in the case of P3? Justify your answer. [2].

4. Could the message signal be recovered from the AM signal of plot P5 using an envelope detector?
Justify your answer. [2].
5. From plot P7: (a) explain the presence of a DC offset in the output signal. [2]. (b) How would you
eliminate the DC offset at the output? [2].
6. (a) Compute the power efficiency E for the AM signals of plots P1, P2 and P5. [6][Hint: Keep in mind
that the AD633 divides the product of the input signals by 10]. (b) Without considering the value of
the carrier frequency, but considering everything else, which of these signals would you choose to use
in a practical system? Justify your answer. [2].
 2 1

+17V +17V
message_signal AD633 message_signal AD633 output_signal
P1 P8 AM_signal P1 P8 D1N4148
P2 P7 P2 P7
P3 P6 P3 P6 C
carrier carrier
P4 P5 P4 P5 R ?k
10n
0
-17V -17V
0 0 0
0
Fig. 1 AM modulator Fig. 2 Envelope detection of AM signals.

B B
+17V

U1 7
3 5 +17V
+
input_signal V+ message_signal AD633
OS2
6
OS1
P1 P8 AM_signal
V- P2 P7
2 1
- P3 P6
4 -17V carrier P4 P5
uA741

-17V
0
1k
1k

0
Fig. 3 Test circuit to demonstrate overmodulation.

+17V

7
3 5 +17V +17V product_signal
+
input_signal V+ message_signal AD633 AD633
OS2 6
OS1
P1 P8 P1 P8 output_signal
V- P2 P7 P2 P7

A uA741 2
-
4
1
-17V carrier
P3
P4
P6
P5
P3
P4
P6
P5
0
1k
0.1u
100k
1n
A
0
-17V -17V
0 0
1k 0
1k Coherent detector Lowpass filter

0
Fig. 4 Test circuit for coherent detection of overmodulated AM signals.
EE3150 Communication Systems Lab Page Size: A
Experiment 4. Linear Modulation: AM
Fall 2001
E. Cura

Revision: - January 1, 2000 Page 1 of 1

2 1