ELE635 Communication Systems

(Assignment 2 Solutions)

1 DSB-SC
• 4.2-1 (4th version) For each of the following baseband signals, (i) m(t) = cos 1000t; (ii)
m(t) = 2 cos 1000t + cos 2000t; (iii) m(t) = cos 1000t cos 3000t.

(a) Sketch the spectrum of m(t).

(b) Sketch the spectrum of the DSB-SC signal m(t) cos 10, 000t.
(c) Identify the upper sideband (USB) and the lower sideband (LSB) spectra. item [(d)]
Identify the frequencies in the baseband, and the corresponding frequencies in the
DSB-SC, USB, and LSB spectra. Explain the nature of frequency shifting in each
case.

Solutions:

– For m(t) = cos 1000t,

1
ψDSB−SC (t) = m(t) · cos 10, 000t = cos 1000t cos 10, 000t = [cos 9000t + cos 11, 000t]
2
where the first term is LSB part, the second term is USB part.
– For m(t) = 2 cos 1000t + cos 2000t,

ψDSB−SC (t) = m(t) · cos 10, 000t = [2 cos 1000t + cos 2000t] cos 10, 000t
1
= cos 9000t + cos 11, 000t + [cos 8000t + cos 12, 000t]
[
2
] [ ]
1 1
= cos 9000t + cos 8000t + cos 11, 000t + cos 12, 000t
2 2
where the first bracket includes LSB part, and the second USB part.
– For m(t) = cos 1000t · cos 3000t,

ψDSB−SC (t) = m(t) · cos 10, 000t = 0.5 · [cos 2000t + cos 4000t] cos 10, 000t
1 1
= [cos 8000t + cos 12, 000t] + [cos 6000t + cos 14, 000t]
2 2
1 1
= [cos 8000t + cos 6000t] + [cos 12, 000t + cos 14, 000t]
2 2
where the first bracket includes LSB part, and the second USB part.

1
• 4.2-2: Consider the following baseband message signals, (i) m(t) = sin 150πt; (ii) m(t) =
2 exp(−2t)u(t); (iii) m(t) = cos 200πt + rect(100t); (iv) m(t) = 50 exp(−100|t|) · sgn(t). For
each of the five message signals,

(a) Sketch the spectrum of m(t).

(b) Sketch the spectrum of the DSB-SC signal 2m(t) cos 2, 000πt.
(c) Identify the upper sideband (USB) and the lower sideband (LSB).

Solution: The relevant plots are shown in figures below.

(i)

ΦLSB (f ) ΦU SB (f )

-925 925 f (hz)

-1075 1075

M (f )
(ii)

2
 (iii)

ΦU SB (f )

-1100

M (f )

(iv)

Figure 1: Solution for 4.2-2.

Solution for 4.2-4:

(a) The signal at point b is
[ ]
3 3 1
ga (t) = m(t) cos ωc t = m(t) cos ωc t + cos 3ωc t
4 4
The term 34 cos ωc t is the desired modulated signal, whose spectrum is centered at ±ωc .
The remaining term 14 cos 3ωc t is the unwanted term, which represents the modulated signal
with carrier frequency 3ωc with spectrum centered at ±3ωc , as shown in figure below. The
bandpass filter centered at ±ωc allows to pass the desired term 34 cos ωc t, but suppresses the
unwanted term 14 cos 3ωc t. Hence, this system works as desired with the output 34 cos ωc t.
(b) Figure below shows the spectra at point b and c.
(c) The minimum usable value of ωc is 2πB in order to avoid spectral folding at dc.
(d)
m(t) 1 1
m(t) cos2 ωc t = [1 + cos 2ωc t] = m(t) + m(t) cos 2ωc t
2 2 2
1
This signal at point b consists of the baseband signal 2 m(t) and a modulated signal
1
2
m(t) cos 2ωc t, which has a carrier frequency 2ωc , not the desired value ωc . both the com-
ponents will be suppressed by the filter, whose center frequency is ωc . Hence, this system
will not do the desired job.

3
(e) The reader may verify that the identity for cos nωc t contains a term cos ωc t when n is
odd. This is not true when n is even. Hence, the system works for a carrier cosn ωc t only
when n is odd.

Figure 2: Spectrum for 4.2-4.

4
Solution:

(a) We use the ring modulator above with the carrier frequency f1 = 100 kHz and the
output bandpass filter centered at fc = 3f1 = 300 kHz. The output vi (t) is:
[ ]
4 1 1
vi (t) = m(t) cos(ω1 t) − m(t) cos(3ω1 t) + m(t) cos(5ω1 t) + · · ·
π 3 5
The output bandpass filter suppresses all the terms except the one centered at 300 kHz
(corresponding to the carrier fc = 3f1 ). Hence, the filter output is DSB-SC AM signal:
4 4
y(t) = − m(t) cos(3ω1 t) = − m(t) cos(3ωc t)
3π 3π

(b) The bandpass filter needs to be tuned around the center frequency fc = 300 kHz.
(c) To obtain the desired output 400m(t) cos(ωc t), we need to amplify the input m(t) with
a gain G given
3π 3π
G = −Ac = −400 = 300π
4 4

(a) Sketch signal spectrum at points a, b, and c.

5
(b) What must be the bandwidth of the distortionless channel?
(c) Design a receiver to recover signals m1 (t) and m2 (t) from the modulated signal at
point c.

6
Solution 4.2-6:
(a) Fig. 3 below shows the signals at points a, b and c.
(b) From the spectrum at point c, it is clear that the channel bandwidth must be at least
30, 000 Hz (from 5, 000 Hz to 35, 000 Hz).
(c) Fig. 3 shows the receiver diagram to recover both m1 (t) and m2 (t) from the modulated
signal at point c.

m1 (t)

m2 (t)

cos(40, 000πt)
cos(20, 000πt)

Figure 3: Solution for 4.2-6.

7
Solution 4.2-8:
(a) We denote w(t) as the switching signal (see text). The resistance of each diode equals
r ohms when on, and ∞ when off. When the carrier A cos ωc t is positive, the diodes are
on (during the entire positive half cycle). Thus, during the positive half-cycle, the voltage
R
R+r
ϕ(t) appears across each of the resistor R. During the negative half-cycle, the output
voltage is zero. Therefore, the voltage on the two resistors equals
R
[ϕ(t) + A cos ωc t]w(t)
R+r
R
[ϕ(t) − A cos ωc t]w(t)
R+r
Therefore, the diodes act as a gate in the circuit that is basically a voltage divider with a
gain
2R
R+r

8
The output is therefore:
2R
eo (t) =w(t)m(t)
R+r
The period of w(t) is T0 = 2π/ωc . Hence, from Eq. (2.86),
[ ]
1 2 1 1
w(t) = + cos ωc t − cos 3ωc t + cos 5ωc t + · · ·
2 π 3 5
The output eo (t) is
[ ( )]
2R 2R 1 2 1 1
eo (t) = w(t)m(t) = m(t) + cos ωc t − cos 3ωc t + cos 5ωc t + · · ·
R+r R+r 2 π 3 5

(b) If we pass the output eo (t) through a bandpass filter (centered at ωc ), the filter suppresses
the signal m(t) and m(t) cos nωc t for all n ̸= 1, leaving only the modulated term

4R
m(t) cos ωc t
π(R + r)

Hence, the system acts as a modulator.

(c) The same circuit can be used as a demodulator if we use a lowpass filter at the output.
In this case, the input is ϕ(t) = m(t) cos ωc t and the output is

2R
m(t)
π(R + r)

9
Solution 4.2-10:
(a) Fig. 1 shows the output signal spectrum Y (f ) after the scrambler processing.

Figure 4: Solution for 4.2-10.

(b) Observe that Y (f ) is the same as M (f ) with the frequency spectrum inverted, that is,
the high frequencies are shifted to lower frequencies and vice versa. Thus, the scrambler in
Fig. 1 inverts the frequency spectrum. To get back to the original spectrum M (f ), we need
to invert the spectrum Y (f ) once again. This can be done by passing the scrambled signal
y(t) through the same scrambler.

10
2 AM
• 4.3-2: In an amplitude modulation system, the message signal is given by figure below.
The carrier frequency is 1 kHz. The modulator output is

sAM (t) = 2[b + 0.5m(t)] cos ωc t

(a) Determine the average power in sAM (t) as a function of b and A.

(b) If b = A, determine the modulation index and the modulation power efficiency.
(c) Find the minimum value of b such that the AM signal can still be demodulated via
envelope detection. Determine maximum modulation index and maximum modulation
power efficiency based on the resulting b.

Solution 4.3-2: We can write AM signal as

1
sAM (t) = 2[b + m(t) cos ωc t (1)
2
= (2b + m(t)) cos ωc t (2)

with ωc = 2000π.
(a)
4b2
Pc = = 2b2
2
because
2 ∫ T /2 2 2T 2
m2 (t) = m (t)dt = A = A2
T 0 T 2
we have
1 A2 A2
Ps = m2 (t) = and Pc + Ps = 2b2 +
2 2 2
(b)
A A
=
µ= = 0.5
2b 2A
Ps A2 /2 A2 A2
η= = 2 = = = 0.2 = 20%
Pc + Ps A /2 + 2b2 A2 + 4b2 A2 + 4A2
(c) In order to be able to perform demodulation via envelope detection, one needs the
following condition on µ
A
µ≤1→ ≤ 1 → b ≥ 2A
2b
11
The minimum b is A/2. For this value of b, the maximum µ is 1 and the maximum η is
50%.

12
Solution 4.3-5:
(a) The carrier amplitude is A = mp /µ = 10/2 = 5. The carrier power is Pc = A2 /2 = 12.5.

(b) The sideband power is m2 (t)/2. Because of symmetry of amplitude values every quarter
cycle, the power of m(t) may be computed by averaging the signal energy over a quarter
cycle only. Over a quarter cycle m(t) can be represented as m(t) = 40t/T0 . Note that
T0 = 10−3 Hence,
( )
2
1 ∫ T0 /4 40t 2
m (t) = dt = 33.34
T0 /4 0 T0
The sideband power is
m2 (t)
Ps = = 16.67
2
The efficiency is
Ps 16.67
η= = = 57.14%
P c + Ps 12.5 + 16.67

13
Solution 4.3-7:
mp A2
(a) The carrier amplitude is A = µ
= 1/1 = 1. The carrier power is Pc = 2
= 0.5.
(b) The modulated signal for µ = 1 is shown below:

(c)
∫ a
2 2
m2 (t) = m2 (t)dt
T − 23 a
(∫ ∫ ( ) )
2 − a2 a
2 2
2
2
= (−1) dt + t dt
T − 23 a − 12 a a
( ( ))
2 a 4 (a/2)2 − (−a/2)3
= +
T 2 a2 3
( )
2 a a 5a
= + = = 5/12
T 2 3 3T

because a = t/4, therefore Ps = 21 m2 (t) = 5/24 and

Ps 5/24
η= = ≈ 29.41%
Pc + P s 1/2 + 5/24

14
Solution 4.3-8: The signal at point a is

[A + m(t)] cos(ωc t)

The signal at point b is

A2 + 2Am(t) + m2 (t)
x(t) = [A + m(t)]2 cos2 (ωc t) = (1 + cos(2ωc t))
2

The lowpass filter suppresses the term containing cos(2ωc t). Hence, the signal at point c is:
 ( )2 
A2 + 2Am(t) + m2 (t) A2  2m(t) m(t) 
w(t) = = 1+ +
2 2 A A

Usually, m(t)/A << 1 for most of the time. This condition is violated only when m(t) is
near its peak. Hence, by neglecting all higher order terms, the approximate output at point
d is
A2
y(t) ≈ + Am(t)
2
A blocking capacitor will suppress the dc term A2 /2, yielding the output m(t). From the
signal w(t), we see that the distortion component is m2 (t)/2.

15
3 SSB
• 4.4-3: A modulating signal m(t) is given by

(a) m(t) = cos 100πt + 2 cos 300πt

(b) m(t) = sin(100πt) sin(500πt)

In each case:

(i) Sketch the spectrum of m(t).

(ii) Find and sketch the spectrum of the DSB-SC signal 2m(t) cos 1, 000πt.
(iii) From the spectrum obtained in part (ii), suppress the LSB spectrum to obtain the
upper sideband (USB) spectrum.
(iv) Knowing the USB spectrum in part (ii), write the expression φU SB (t) for the USB
signal.

Solution:
To generate a DSB-SC signal from m(t), we multiply m(t) by cos(ωc t). However, to gen-
erate the SSB signals of the same relative magnitude, it is convenient to multiply m(t) by
2 cos(ωc t). This also avoids the nuisance of having to deal with the fraction 1/2, and yields
the DSB-SC spectrum
M (ω − ωc ) + M (ω + ωc )
We suppress the USB spectrum (above ωc and below ωc ) to obtain the LSB spectrum.
Similarly, to obtain the USB spectrum, we suppress the LSB spectrum (between ωc and ωc )
from the DSB-SC spectrum. Figures S4.4-3a and S4.4-3b show the three cases.
(a) From solution figure, we can express

φLSB (t) = 2 cos(700πt) + cos(900πt)

and
φU SB (t) = cos(1100πt) + 2 cos(1300πt)

(b) We can express

φLSB (t) = 1/2[− cos(400πt) + cos(600πt)
and
φU SB (t) = 1/2[cos(1400πt) − cos(1600πt)

16
 M (f ) ΦDSB (f )

1/2
f (Hz) f (Hz)
(a)
-150 -50 50 150 450 550
550 650
ΦLSB (f ) ΦU SB (f )

f (Hz) f (Hz)

550 450 550 650

ΦDSB (f )
M (f )
(b)

··· f (Hz)
300 200 800
200 300 700

ΦLSB (f ) ΦU SB (f )

f (Hz) f (Hz)
200 800
300 700

Figure 5: Solution for 4.4-3.

17
• 4.4-4: Find φLSB (t) and φU SB (t) for the modulating signal m(t) = Bsinc(2πBt) with
B = 1000 and carrier frequency ωc = 10, 000π. Follow these do-it-yourself steps:

(a) Sketch the spectrum of m(t) and the corresponding DSB-SC signal 2m(t) cos(ωc t).
(b) Find and sketch the spectrum of the LSB from (a).
(c) Find the LSB signal φLSB (t), which is the inverse Fourier transform of the LSB spec-
trum found in part (b). Follow a similar procedure to find φU SB (t)

Solution 4.4-4:
(a) Fig. 6a shows the spectrum of m(t) and Fig. 6b shows the corresponding DSB-SC
spectrum 2m(t) cos 10, 000πt.
(b) Fig. 6c shows the corresponding LSB spectrum obtained by suppressing the USB
spectrum.
(c) Fig. 6d shows the corresponding USB spectrum obtained by suppressing the LSB
spectrum. We now find the inverse Fourier transforms of the LSB and USB spectra and the
frequency shifting property as

ψLSB (t) = 1000sinc(1000πt) cos 9000πt

ψU SB (t) = 1000sinc(1000πt) cos 11000πt

Figure 6: Solution for 4.4-4.

18
• 4.4-5 An LSB signal is demodulated synchronously. Unfortunately, the local carrier is not
2 cos ωc t as required, but is cos[(ωc + ∆ω)t + δ]. Show that

(a) When δ = 0, the output y(t) is the signal m(t) with all its spectral components shifted
(offset) by ∆ω.
(b) When ∆ω = 0, the output y(t) is the signal m(t) with phases of all its spectral
components shifted by δ.

In each of these cases, explain the nature of distortion.

Solution 4.4-5: The incoming SSB signal at the receiver is given by

ψLSB (t) = m(t) cos ωc t + mh (t) sin ωc t

Let the local carrier be cos[(ωc + ∆ω)t + δ]. The product of the incoming signal and the
local carrier is ed (t), given by

ed (t) = ψLSB (t) cos[(ωc + ∆ω)t + δ] = 2[m(t) cos ωc t + mh (t) sin ωc t] cos[(ωc + ∆ω)t + δ]

The lowpass filter suppresses the sum frequency component centered at the frequency (2ωc +
∆ω), and passes only the difference frequency component centered at the frequency ∆ω.
Hence, the filter output eo (t) is given by

eo (t) = m(t) cos[(∆ω)t + δ] − mh (t) sin[(∆ω)t + δ]

Observe that if both ∆ω and δ are zero, the output is given by

eo (t) = m(t)

as expected.
(a) If only δ = 0, then the output is given by

eo (t) = m(t) cos(∆ω)t − mh (t) cos(∆ω)t

This is an USB signal corresponding to a carrier frequency ∆ω as shown in Fig.7b. This

spectrum is the same as the spectrum M (ω) with each frequency component shifted by a
frequency ∆ω. This changes the sound of an audio signal slightly. For voice signals, the
frequency shift within ±20Hz is considered tolerable. Most US systems, however, restrict
the shift to ±2Hz.
(b) When only ∆ω = 0, the lowpass filter output is

eo (t) = m(t) cos δ − mh (t) sin δ

19
 Figure 7: Solution for 4.4-5.

We now show that this is a phase distortion, where each frequency component of M (ω) is
shifted in phase by amount δ. The Fourier transform of this equation yields

Eo (ω) = M (ω) cos δ − Mh (ω) sin δ

But from Eq.(4.14b)


 −jM (ω) ω > 0
Mh (ω) = −jsgn(ω)M (ω) =
 M (ω) ω < 0

and 
M (ω)ejδ ω > 0
Eo (ω) =
 M (ω)e−jδ ω < 0

It follows that the amplitude spectrum of eo (t) is M (ω). The same as that for m(t). But the
phase of each component is shifted by δ. Phase distortion generally is not a serious problem
with voice signals, because the human ear is somewhat insensitive to phase distortion. Such
distortion may change the quality of speech, but the voice is still intelligible. In video signals
and data transmissions, however, phase distortion may be intolerable.

20
4 Superheterodyne Receiver
• 4.8-0: A transmitter transmits an AM signal with a carrier frequency of 1500 kHz. When
an inexpensive radio receiver (which has a poor selectivity in its RF-stage bandpass filter)
is tuned to 1500 kHz, the signal is heard loud and clear. The same signal is also heard (not
as strong) at another dial setting. State, with reasons, at what frequency you will hear this
station. The IF is 455 kHz.
Solution 4.8-0:
A station can be heard at its allocated frequency 1500 kHz as well as at its image frequency.
The two frequencies are 2fIF Hz apart. In the present case, fIF = 455 kHz. hence, the
image frequency is 2 × 455 = 910 kHz apart. Therefore, the station will also be heard if the
receiver is tuned to frequency 1500-910=590 kHz. The reason for this is as follows.When the
receiver is tuned to 590 kHz, the local oscillator frequency is fLO = 599 + 455 = 1045 kHz.
Now this frequency fLO is multiplied with the incoming signal of frequency fc = 1500 kHz.
The output yields the two modulated signals whose carrier frequencies are the sum and
difference frequencies, which are 1500+1045=2545 kHz and 1500-1045=455 kHz. The sum
carrier is suppressed, but the difference carrier passes through, and the station is received.

• 4.8-1: A transmitter transmits an AM signal with a carrier frequency of 1470 kHz. When
a superheterodyne radio receiver (which has a poor selectivity in its RF-stage bandpass
filter) is tuned to 1530 kHz, the signal is heard loud and clear. If this radio is cheap, its
front-end bandpass filter is not very selective. Thus, the same signal is also heard (not as
strong) when tuned to another carrier frequency setting within the AM range of 535-1605
kHz. State, with reasons, at what frequency you will hear this station. The IF is 455 kHz.
Solution 4.8-1:
Given that the IF frequency is fIF = 455 kHz and fc = 1530 kHz, it is clear that an image
station exists at a distance of 2fIF = 910 kHz. This means that at another carrier frequency
of
fc′ = 1530 − 910 = 620 kHz, fLO′
= fc′ + fIF = 1075 kHz
and
′
fc − fLO = fIF
Thus, when tuning to the station at fc′ , the receiver can also hear the station at fc because
of poor RF-stage bandpass filter.

21
• 4.8-2 (old version): Consider a superheterodyne receiver designed to receive the frequency
band of 1 to 30 Mhz with IF frequency 8 Mhz. What is the range of frequencies generated
by the local oscillator for this receiver? An incoming signal with carrier frequency 10-Mhz
is received at the 10MHz setting. At this setting of the receiver, we also get interference
from a signal with some other carrier frequency if the receiver RF stage bandpass filter has
poor selectivity. What is the carrier frequency of the interfering signal?
Solution 4.8-2:
The local oscillator generates frequencies in the range 1+8=9 Mhz. When the receiver
setting is 10Mhz, fLO = 10 + 8 = 18 Mhz. Now, if there is a station at 18 + 8 = 26 Mhz,
it will beat (mix) with fLO = 18 Mhz to produce two signals centered at 26+18=44 Mhz
and at 26-18=8 Mhz. The sum component is suppressed by the IF filter, but the difference
component, which is centered at 8 Mhz, passes through the IF filter.

• 4.8-3: In shortwave AM radio, the IF is also 455 kHz. A receiver is designed to receive
shortwave broadcasting of 25-meter band between 11.6 and 12.1 MHz.

(a) Determine the frequency range of the local oscillator for this receiver.
(b) Analyze and explain whether it is possible for this receiver to receive both a desired
AM station and an image station within the same 25-meter band.

Solution 4.8-3:
(a) With fIF = 455 kHz and a desired range of 11.6 to 12.1 MHz,

[fLO ]min = 11.6 + 0.455 = 12.055 MHz

and
[fLO ]max = 12.1 + 0.455 = 12.555 MHz

(b) Since the range of the 25-meter band is only 500 kHz, it is not possible to receive an
image station and a desired station from that band. The image stations exist at a distance
of 2fIF = 910 kHz, which means that for any given station within the desired range, the
image station is outside the same band.

22