Modulation in Mobile Computing

Modulation is a process of mixing signals with a sinusoid to produce a new form of signals.
The newly produced signal has certain benefits over an un-modulated signal. Mixing of
low-frequency signal with a high-frequency carrier signal is called Modulation.

In other words, you can say that "Modulation is the process of converting one form of
signals into another form of signals." For example, Analog signals to Digital signals or
Digital signals to Analog signals.

Need for Modulation/ Why Use Modulation?

The baseband or low-frequency signals are not such strong and compatible signals that
can be used for direct transmission. To make these signals travel longer distances, we
have to increase their strength by modulating them with a high-frequency carrier wave.
This process doesn't affect the parameters of the modulating signal.

Modulation is used to make the message carrying signal strong to be transmitted over a
long distance and establish a reliable communication. A high-frequency signal can travel
up to a longer distance without getting affected by external disturbances. In Modulation,
these high-frequency signals are used as a carrier signal to transmit the message signal.
This process is called Modulation. In Modulation, the carrier signals' parameters are
changed according to the instantaneous values of the modulating signal.

Another reason to modulate a signal is to allow a smaller antenna as we know that a low-
frequency signal would need a huge antenna. An antenna needs to be about 1/10th the
length of the wavelength of the signal to be efficient. Modulation converts the low-
frequency signal into a much higher frequency signal, which has much smaller
wavelengths and allows a smaller antenna.

Advantages of Modulation
Following is the list of some advantages of implementing Modulation in the
communication systems:

o By implementing Modulation, the antenna size gets reduced. Before modulation

technology, the antenna used for transmission had to be very large. The range of
communication gets limited as the wave cannot travel to a distance without getting
modulated.
o The range of communication has increased.
o The reception quality is immensely improved.
 o Receivers are allowed to adjust to the bandwidth.
o Multiplexing of signals occurs.
o No signal mixing occurs.

Types of Modulation
Primarily Modulation can be classified into two types:

o Digital Modulation
o Analog Modulation

Digital Modulation
Digital Modulation is a technique in which digital signals/data can be converted into
analog signals. For example, Base band signals.

Digital Modulation can further be classified into four types:

o Amplitude Shift Key(ASK) Modulation

o Minimum Shift Key (MSK) Modulation
o Frequency Shift Key (FSK) Modulation
o Phase Shift Key (PSK) Modulation

Amplitude Shift Key (ASK) Modulation

o As the name suggests, in Amplitude Shift Key or ASKS Modulation, the amplitude
is represented by "1," and if the amplitude does not exist, it is represented by "0".
o Using Amplitude Shift Key Modulation is very simple, and it requires a very low
bandwidth.
o Amplitude Shift Key Modulation is vulnerable to inference or deduction.
Frequency Shift Key (FSK) Modulation

o In Frequency Shift Key or FSK Modulation, different notations f1 and f2 are used
for different frequencies.
o Here, f1 is used to represent bit "1," and f2 represents bit "0".
o It is also a simple modulation technique but uses different frequencies for different
bits; bandwidth requirement becomes high.

Phase Shift Key (PSK) Modulation

o In Phase Shift Key or PSK Modulation, the phase difference is used to differentiate
between the "1" and "0" bits.
o If the bit is "1", a simple wave is drawn, and if the bit becomes "0", the phase of the
wave is shifted by "180 or π".
o PSK Modulation is more complicated than ASK and FSK Modulation, but it is robust
too.
Analog Modulation in Mobile Computing
Analog modulation is a process of transferring analog low-frequency baseband signal
such as an audio or TV signal over a higher frequency carrier signal such as a radio
frequency band. Baseband signals are always analog to this modulation.

In other words, you can say that "Analog Modulation is a technique which is used in
analog data signals transmission into digital signals."

An example of Analog Modulation is Broadband Signals.

There are three properties of a carrier signal in analog modulation i.e., amplitude,
frequency and phase. So, the analog modulation can further be classified as:

o Amplitude Modulation (AM)

o Frequency Modulation (FM)
o Phase Modulation (PM)

Amplitude Modulation
Amplitude modulation or AM is a modulation technique that is used in electronic
communication. It is most commonly used for transmitting messages with a radio carrier
wave. It varies the instantaneous amplitude of the carrier signal or waves according to the
message signal's instantaneous amplitude.
History of Amplitude modulation

Amplitude modulation was the earliest modulation technique used for transmitting audio
in radio broadcasting. It was developed during the first quarter of the 20th century and
was based on the Roberto Landell De Moura and Reginald
Fessenden's radiotelephone experiments proposed in 1900.

History of Amplitude Modulation

o In 1831, an English scientist Michael Faraday discovered the electromagnetic
o In 1873, a mathematician and scientist James C Maxwell described the propagation of the
EM waves.
o In 1875, A Graham Bell discovered the telephone.
o In 1887, a German physicist H Hertz discovered the existence of radio waves.
o In 1901, a Canadian engineer named R Fessenden translated the first amplitude
modulated signal.
o R Fessenden discovered it using the spark-gap transmitter, which transmits the signal with
the help of an electric spark.
o The practical implementation of the AM started between 1900 and 1920 through
radiotelephone transmission. It was communication using the audio or speech signal.
o The first continuous Am transmitter was developed around 1906 - 1910.
o In 1915, an American theorist J R Carson initiated the mathematical analysis of the
Amplitude Modulation. He showed that the single band is enough for the transmission of
the audio signal.
o On 1 December 1915, J R Carson patented the SSB (Single Sideband) Modulation.
 o The radio AM broadcasting become popular after the invention of vacuum tube around
1920.

Frequency Translation of Amplitude Modulation

A signal is transmitted by multiplying it with an auxiliary sinusoidal signal. It is given by:

Vm(t) = Amcosωmt
Vm(t) = Amcos2πfmt
Where,
Am is the amplitude constant
Fm is the modulating frequency
Fm = ωm/2π
Advantages of Amplitude Modulation

o Amplitude Modulation is easy to implement. It is the simplest type of modulation.

o Amplitude Modulation, we can easily do Demodulation by using few components and a
circuit.
o The hardware design of both the transmitter and receiver is very simple, that's why it is
cost-effective.
o The receiver used for Amplitude Modulation is very cheap.

Disadvantages of Amplitude Modulation

o Amplitude Modulation is not a very power efficient technique.

o Amplitude Modulation requires a very high bandwidth that is equivalent to that of the
highest audio frequency.
o Amplitude Modulation is very susceptible to noise. You can easily notice the noise.

Usage of Amplitude Modulation

Amplitude Modulation is used in AM radio communication. AM radio broadcast is an

example of Amplitude Modulation.

Frequency Modulation
Frequency Modulation or FM is the process of encoding the information in a carrier wave
by varying the instantaneous frequency of the wave. It varies the instantaneous frequency
of the carrier signal according to the instantaneous amplitude of the message signal.
If we denote the message signal as m(t) and c(t)= Acoswct, then Frequency
modulation signal F(t) will be written as:

F(t)= Acos(wc t+kf ∫m(α)dα)

Advantages of Frequency Modulation

o Frequency Modulation is widely used for FM radio broadcasting.

o It is also used in telemetry, sound synthesis, seismic prospecting, radar, and monitoring
newborns for seizures via EEG, two-way radio systems, magnetic tape-recording systems
and some video-transmission systems.
o The main advantage of using frequency modulation in radio transmission is that it has a
larger signal-to-noise ratio. That's why it rejects radio frequency interference better than
an equal power amplitude modulation (AM) signal. This is the main reason why most music
radio channels prefer to broadcast over FM radio.
o In FM, Modulation and Demodulation do not receive any channel noise.

Disadvantages of Frequency Modulation

o FM consists of a complicated circuit than AM for modulation and Demodulation.

Usage of Frequency Modulation

The main example of Frequency Modulation is FM radio broadcasting.

Phase modulation (PM)
Phase modulation or PM is the technique of varying the carrier signal's instantaneous
phase according to the instantaneous amplitude of the message signal. It encodes the
message signal as changes occurred in the instantaneous phase of a carrier signal.

If we denote the message signal as m(t) and c(t)= Acoswct, then Phase modulation
signal F(t) and k is the frequency deviation constant, will be written as:

F(t)= Acos(wct+kpm(t))

Advantages of Phase Modulation

The advantages of Phase Modulation are as follows:

o High speed
Phase modulation is considered as one the fastest modulation technique. It is
due to the pulse generation at high speed.
o Low signal power consumption
PM requires low signal power consumption due to its better efficiency and fast
speed.
o Simple circuit design
The components required in the phase modulated circuit are less as compared to
FM. Hence, it has a simple circuit design.
 o Easy modulation and demodulation
Phase modulation and demodulation is easy as compared to PM due to its simple
circuit design.

Disadvantages of Phase Modulation

The disadvantages of Phase Modulation are as follows:

o Low noise immunity

PM has less noise immunity than FM. It is because the frequencies are less
affected by external disturbances than phase. Hence, PM has low noise immunity
than FM.
o Complex circuitry during conversion from FM to PM
The conversion process from frequency modulation to phase modulation is
complex. It is due to the additional components required for the conversion.
o Low signal to noise ratio
PM has a low signal to noise ratio than FM. It is due to the higher bandwidth of
FM.

Usage of Phase modulation

Phase Modulation is mainly used in Wi-Fi, GSM and satellite television.

Angle Modulation
Angle modulation is the combination of frequency and phase modulation. We can also
say that the frequency and phase combine to form an angle. Angle modulation is defined
as the modulation where the frequency or phase of the carrier varies with the amplitude
of the message signal. When the amplitude of the carrier varies with the message signal,
it is known as amplitude modulation.

The spectral components of the modulated signal depend on the frequency and
amplitude of the components in the baseband signal. Angle modulation is non-linear,
while amplitude modulation is a linear process. The superposition principle does not
apply in angle modulation.
The signal has the form of

V(t) = A cos [ωct + ϕ (t)]

Where,

ωc is the carrier frequency constant

A is the amplitude constant

ϕ (t) is the phase angle, which is not constant. It is a function of the baseband signal.

PCM (Pulse Code Modulation)

A PCM system converts an analog input signal to the digital signal, which is a
combination of the binary sequence created from the binary digits 0 and 1. An analog
signal is a continuous wave, and the PCM signal is a wave with a series of digits. Thus, we
can define PCM as the modulation method that transmits the pulses in the form of binary
digits representing a code number.

Electrical representation of the PCM signal

The signals are transmitted in the electrical form from the transmitter to the receiver. It is
due to the dependence of electronic devices on the electric current for its operation. The
binary digits are represented in the form of electric pulses to transmit the code over a
communication channel. A simple diagram of the binary digits represented in the form of
electric pulses is shown below:

A binary digit '0' indicates the absence of a pulse, and the binary digits '1' indicates the
presence of a pulse. The above diagram shows the sequence of three digits that depicts
the binary number from 0 to 5. The first sequence (a) of digital pulses is the PCM
waveform transmitted to the receiver as the sequence of the quantized samples. The
second sequence (b) is the alternative method to represent the digital pulses. The three
digits sequence representing a decimal number in the binary form specifies a sampled
value called word. The space between the two adjacent words helps in the easy
multiplexing and demultiplexing of the signals.

At the receiver end, the pulse's presence and absence help us determine the binary digits
of the coded signal. The amplitude of the pulse in detecting the binary digits is not
important. The wide pulse width easily allows recognizing the pulse against the noise. A
rising pulse indicates a digit' 1' and the lower level pulse indicate a digit' 0.'

PCM system
A communication system contains a transmitter, channel, and receiver. A transmitter
and a receiver have various components depending on the input signal and the output
requirements. It performs two functions, modulation and demodulation. Modulation
sends the message signal with the carrier signal, which helps in enhancing the signals'
characteristics. It also removes any noise, interference, or distortion in the signal. The
demodulation process recovers the original signal to make it suitable for the receiver.

A signal is sampled and quantized before transmission. It allows us to perform TDM (Time
Division Multiplexing) and reduce the effects of noise. The combined sampling and
quantization operation produces a digital PAM (Pulse Amplitude Modulation) signal,
where the amplitude of the pulse varies with the instantaneous value of the message
signal. We can either transmit these values directly or uses the coding method to transmit
the code rather than the value. The code number is represented in binary form before
transmission. Such as, the method of transmission is performed using the PCM system.

The block diagram of the Pulse Code Modulation system is shown below:
The components of a PCM system are a low pass filter, sampler, quantizer, encoder,
communication channel, quantizer, decoder, and a reconstruction filter. The input
message signal m(t) is the analog signal applied to the sampler. The combination of
quantizer and encoder is known as ADC (Analog to Digital Converter). The A/D converter
replaces the analog signal with the code symbols, where each symbol represents the train
of pulses interpreted as the binary digits. The first quantizer is present at the transmitting
end, while the second quantizer is present at the receiving end. The signal transmitted
through the Pulse Code Modulation system is also referred a digitally encoded signal.

Let's discuss the components of PCM system in detail.

LPF
As the name implies, a filter passes a certain range of frequencies and reject the other.
A Low Pass Filter (LPF) rejects the higher frequencies from the input signal and passes
the other frequencies, specified by the filter. It is done to avoid any aliasing or distortion
in the input signal.

Sampler
Sampling refers to the process of measuring the instantaneous value of the continuous
signal is the discrete form. The input signal of the PCM system is analog, which is a
continuous time-varying signal. The analog signal passes through the sampler, where it is
sampled periodically. The sampler measures the instantaneous value of the analog signal,
converts it to the discrete symbols and sends it to the quantizer.

Quantizer
After passing through the sampler, the samples are subjected to quantization operation.
It reduces the number of discreet symbols. The quantizer performs the process of data
compression and data redundancy. It adds some redundant bits and compresses the
data to make it suitable for storage and transmission.

Encoder
An encoder is a device that converts the analog signal to digital pulses. It responds to
each sample by generating a binary pulse or pattern. The combination of Low pass filter,
quantizer, and encoder works as an A/D or Analog to Digital Converter. It also reduces
the transmission bandwidth.

Communication channel
A communication channel is a medium between the transmitter and the receiver. It
transmits a PCM signal from the transmitter to the receiver. It also includes
a repeater that can regenerate the signal, improve signal strength, and reduce noise
effects.

The PCM system, including a regenerative repeater, is shown below:

Quantizer
The quantizer decides whether the received pulse is positive or negative. According to the
decision, it regenerates the pulse train and sends it to the decoder.

The quantizer first quantizes the samples pulses at the transmitting stage. The
quantization process for the second quantizer now becomes easy. It needs only to detect
the arrival of the digital pulses. It is easy for the quantizer to detect the code in the form
of binary numbers that contains only two digits, 0 and 1. The process becomes
complicated when the quantized samples from the first quantizer are directly sent to the
second quantizer. It then needs to detect a level from the multiple levels (0 to 7).

If a repeater is used, it simply raises the level of the regenerated pulse and is sent to the
other block of the communication system.

Decoder
The digitally encoded signal arrives at the receiver. It first removes the noise from the
signal. The quantization process does not allow the easy separation of the signal and the
noise. Hence, it is essential to remove the noise from the signal at the decoding stage. It
works similar to the demodulation process and converts the binary pulses to the original
form or the analog signal.
Reconstruction Filter
The reconstruction filter, decoder, and quantizer work together as a D/A (Digital to Analog
Converter). A reconstruction filter helps in the smooth conversion of the digital signal
back to the original analog signal.

Thus, we can conclude that PCM system converts the analog signal to the digital signal,
removes the noise, and converts it back to the analog signal as the output.

Function of the PCM system

We have discussed all the components of a PCM system. Let's discuss the function of a
PCM system with the help of an example of an audio signal.

The audio signal is first applied to the low-pass filter, which rejects the higher range of
frequencies from the signal. The sampler performs the sampling of the left and right
channels of the audio signal based on the sampling rate of 44100 Hz or 44.1k Hz and
16/32-bit resolution. The quantizer and encoder set the digital value based on the
specified resolution and bit rate and send it to the receiver. The digital signal passes
through the quantizer that generates the pulse according to the received positive or
negative pulse. The decoder converts the regenerated pulse back to the analog signal.
Further, it sends to the reconstruction filter, which helps in the smooth conversion of
the digital signal back to the original analog signal.

Advantages of PCM
The advantages of Pulse Code Modulation are as follows:

o High noise immunity

Noise immunity refers to the system's ability to remain unaffected from the noise or
interference. PCM has high noise immunity because the information is transmitted in the
coded form (digital form) rather than varying the width or position of the pulse, which is
less affected by the noise.
o Long distance transmission
The transmission speed of digital signals is faster than analog signals. Hence, PCM can
be used for the long-distance transmission process.
o Easy encoding
The encoding process of PCM is easy due to the digital transmission of data.
o Secure transmission
The data transmission process in PCM is secure due to the presence of encoders and
 decoder. We can also use various coding techniques through which only a specific user
can decode the signal at the output.
o Easy multiplexing
Multiplexing refers to the multiple transmissions of signals on the same communication
channel. The sampling and quantization in digital modulation allows the transmission of
multiple signals effectively. TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) is the common type of
multiplexing used in PCM.
o High efficiency
It has high efficiency due to the digital mode of transmission.
o Use of repeaters
We can use repeaters in PCM system, while the same cannot be used in analog
communication. The repeater regenerates the signal, improves the signal strength and
reduces the noise affects.
o Data storage
The digital data can be easily stored.

Disadvantages of PCM
The disadvantages of Pulse Code Modulation are as follows:

o Complex process
PCM is a complex process as compared to the analog modulation techniques. It is
because a signal in PCM passes through various operations in a communication system.
o Large bandwidth
It requires large bandwidth than analog communication systems. It is due to the
presence of a sampler and quantizer in the PCM system.
o Quantization noise
When an analog signal is converted to the digital signal, a time gap between the input
and the quantized value causes the quantization noise. It can be removed by using the
noise reduction system in PCM.

Applications of PCM
There are various applications of PCM. Let's discuss some of its most common
applications.
 o Space communication
In space communication, the signals are sent from the space or atmosphere to the earth,
which is used as a basis for communication. It requires small transmitted power with
transmission upto long distances. Hence, due to PCM's high noise immunity and long-
distance transmission ability, it is preferred in space communication.
o Satellite transmission
PCM was the first digital transmission method used commercially. The ability of the PCM
signal to effectively use TDM for multiplexing, long-distance transmission, and high noise
immunity makes it as a modulation method suitable for satellite transmission.
o Telephony
Digital signals can be transmitted upto long distance with the help of fiber optic cables.
Similarly, PCM system can effectively transmit the telephone signal upto long distances
without any noise interference. An audio signal for a single phone is encoded at around
8000 samples per second.
o Compact discs
The audio data on the compact disc or CD is generally in the form of PCM. The samples
of the analog waveform are periodically sampled and quantized, which helps in storing
the digital data.

Minimum Shift Key Modulation/ Minimum-shift keying

(MSK)
Minimum Shift Key Modulation is another type of digital modulation technique used to
convert a digital signal into analog signals. It is also called Minimum-shift keying (MSK)
or Advance Frequency Shift Keying because it is a type of continuous-phase frequency-
shift keying.

o Minimum-shift keying or MSK was first developed by the Collins Radio employees Melvin
L. Doelz and Earl T. Heald in the late 1950s.
o It is encoded with bits alternating between quadrature components, with the Q
component delayed by half the symbol period.
o Minimum Shift Keying is the most effective digital modulation technique. It can be
implemented for almost every stream of bits much easier than the Phase Shift Key,
Frequency Shift Key and Amplitude Shift Key of digital modulation technique.
 o The Minimum Shift Keying's concept is based on the positioning of bits such as even bits
and odd bits for the given bitstream and the bit positioning frequency generating table.
o MSK is the most widely used digital modulation technology because of its ability and
flexibility to handle "One(1)" and "Zero(0)" transition of binary bits.

Working of Minimum-shift keying (MSK)

o In Minimum-shift keying, bits are separated in even and odd bits and each bit's duration
is doubled.
o After that, frequency is separated into two types of frequencies f1 and f2. Here, f1
determines/denotes the low frequency, and f2 denotes the high frequency.
o Original or inverted signals are chosen from the frequency generating table according to
the bit values if they are even or odd.
o The curve for higher frequency takes a complete wave from 0 to π, and the curve for low
frequency takes a wave 0 to π/2 within the same interval of time.

Let's take an example to demonstrate the working of Minimum-shift keying and draw a
curve for a given bit stream. Let's consider a bit stream 1011010. Here, we have to find
the MSK curve for this bit stream.

Rules for drawing MSK Curve

Step 1: First, draw the curve according to the bit value of amplitude. If the bit is zero, it
would have amplitude while is the bit is zero, it does not have amplitude.
Step 2: Now, start with the odd bit. If the bit's value is one, draw the curve above the x-
axis twice as long as the original one. If the bit's value is zero, draw the curve below the
x-axis twice as long as the original size.

Step 3: Now, draw the curve for high and low frequency, as shown in the following graph.
It would remain the same for any problem.

Step 4: This is the final step. Now, draw the final curve according to the frequency
generating table. In the following diagram, the blue colored curve represents the final
obtained MSK curve.
Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK)
Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying or GMSK is very much similar to standard minimum-shift
keying (MSK), but the digital data stream is first shaped with a Gaussian filter before it is
applied to a frequency modulator.

The GMSK form of modulation is based on frequency shift keying that has no phase
discontinuities. It provides efficient use of the spectrum as well as enabling high-efficiency
radio power amplifiers.

It has much narrower phase shift angles than most MSK modulation systems.

Usage of Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK)

GMSK is mainly used in the following technologies:

o Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)

o Bluetooth
o Satellite Communications
o Automatic Identification System (AIS) for maritime navigation.

Advantage of Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK)

o The biggest advantage of using GMSK is that it reduces the sideband power, reducing out-
of-band interference between signal carriers in adjacent frequency channels.
o GMSK provides high spectral efficiency.
The disadvantage of Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK)
o It increases the modulation memory in the system that causes interference within a
symbol, making it more challenging to differentiate between different transmitted data
values.
o It requires more complex channel equalization algorithms, such as an adaptive equalizer
at the receiver.
o It has high power consumption.