Amplitude

Modulation
TRANSMITTERS
Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 1

The AM Radio “System”

transmitter

Transmitter Receiver

Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 2

 Radio Transmitter
Radio
Waves

Combine

Sine
Information Wave
(voice message) Antenna

Transmitter generates its own sine wave using oscillators.

Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 3

AM TRANSMITTER
 Each AM station is allocated a frequency
band of 10kHz in which to transmit its
signal.
 This frequency band is centered around the
carrier frequency of the station
A station at 610 on your dial transmits at a
carrier frequency of 610kHz
 The signal broadcast occupies the frequency
range from 605kHz to 615kHz
Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 4
 AM TRANSMITTER

Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 5

TYPES OF AM
TRANSMITTER

Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 6

 AM TRANSMITTER
(Double Sideband Full Carrier / DSBFC)
In the Modulator (Mixer), the audio
modulates the RF amplitude

RF Power Low-pass
Modulator
oscillator amplifier filter

AF
amplifier
Microphone

Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 7

MODULATOR
A typical AM modulator output consists
principally of the following signals:
 the carrier at frequency fc

an upper sideband at frequency fc + fm

a lower sideband at frequency fc - fm

Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 8
 MIXER AS A MODULATOR
 Mixer may be used as an AM modulator
 AM has carrier and two sidebands

 Two frequencies can be combined in a mixer circuit

 Result is the creation of sum and difference
frequencies
1.401MHz Upper side frequency
~ Mixer 1.399MHz Lower side frequency
1.400MHz Carrier frequency
1.4MHz

~
1kHz

Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 9

I-Double Sideband Full Carrier

(DSBFC)
 Conventional AM systems have two main
disadvantages:
Two thirds or more of the total transmitted power
is in the carrier
The bandwidth required is twice that which will
be needed in SSB
 Such system is therefore both power and
bandwidth inefficient.
Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 10
 Signal Power (DSBFC)
 Power in a system can be defined through voltage
as: V 2
P =
R
2
 and through current as: P = I R
 Assume that R = 1 ohm, the carrier power is then:

Pc = V c
2

 Power in each side band is given as:

2
 m Vc  m 2
PS B =  = V 2

 2 
c
4
Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 11

 The power in both sidebands

2
 mVc  m2 2 m2 2
=
P2 SB 2x  = 2x Vc = Vc
 2  4 2
 The total transmitted power is:
2 m2 2 2 m2 
PT = Vc  Vc = Vc 1 
2  2
 Since: Pc = V c 2 2
 THEREFORE:  m 
PT = Pc  1  
 2 
Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 12
 II-DSBSC TRANSMITTER
 A transmitter that consist of both the sidebands but
the carrier is not transmitted.
 A balanced modulator is used to generate an AM
signal that has both sidebands but no carrier. This
type of AM is known as double sideband
suppressed carrier, or DSB.

RF Balanced Power Low-pass

oscillator modulator amplifier filter

AF
amplifier
Mic

Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 13

Waveform of a Balanced Modulator

V2, fm Vo

V1, fc

f
fc-fm fc+fm
Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 14
 Signal Power DSBSC

Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 15

III-SSB FULL CARRIER (SSBFC)

 Carrier is transmitted at full power with only one of the
sidebands.
 Only half as much bandwidth will be required
The Power Relations Will Be As Follows:

Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 16

IV-Single Side Band Suppressed Carrier
(SSBSC TRANSMITTER)
 An AM signal consisting of only one
sideband is known as a single sideband
suppressed carrier signal often shortened to
SSB.
 In this, the carrier is totally removed
together with one of the sidebands. Only
half the bandwidth is required.
Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 17

SSBSC TRANSMITTER
 Balanced modulator is used to generate an AM
signal that has both sidebands but no carrier. This
type of AM is known as double sideband
suppressed carrier, or DSB. Then the DSB signal is
passed through a filter that removes the unnecessary
sideband.
 The sideband filter suppresses the unwanted
sideband.
RF Balanced Sideband Power Low-pass
oscillator modulator filter amplifier filter

AF
amplifier
Mic

Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 18

 SSB MODULATOR
 Mixing produces two sidebands
 One sideband may be selected by bandpass
filtering

~ Mixer Sideband
Filter
1.4 -1.401MHz
1.4MHz

~ Upper sideband only -

Lower sideband
1kHz suppressed.

Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 19

Power Relations
 The sideband power will constitute
100% of the total transmitted power.

Power in carrier: Pc = 0

Power in lower sideband: PLSB = 0

m2
Power in upper sideband: PT = Pc
4
Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 20
 HARMONICS
Harmonics are multiples of the wanted frequency
 oscillators, mixers, and amplifiers generate
harmonics
Harmonics can be radiated and interfere with
other radio users
F1
Power

F2 F1: Fundamental 145MHz

F3 F2: Second Harmonic 290MHz
F3: Third Harmonic 435MHz
F4 F4: Fourth Harmonic 580MHz

Frequency, MHz
Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 21

LOWPASS FILTERS
 Pass low frequencies only
 Attenuate high frequencies
 Can be used to suppress harmonics
F1
Amplitude

F2
F3

F4

Frequency, MHz
Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 22
 HIGH PASS FILTERS
 Pass high frequencies only
 Attenuate low frequencies
 Not useful for suppressing harmonics!
F1
Amplitude

F2
F3

F4

Frequency, MHz
Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 23

BANDPASS FILTERS
 Pass only a selected range of frequencies
 Attenuate other frequencies
 Can be used to suppress harmonics

F1
Amplitude

F2
F3

F4

Frequency, MHz

Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 24

 BAND STOP FILTER
A band-stop filter works to screen
out frequencies that are within a certain
range, giving easy passage only to
frequencies outside of that range. Also
known as band-elimination, band-
reject, or notch filters.

Crossover Network In A Speaker System

 Filters
 Circuit designed to retain a certain frequency
range and discard others
 Low-pass: pass low frequencies and reject high
frequencies
 High-pass: pass high frequencies and reject low
frequencies
 Band-pass: pass some particular range of frequencies,
reject other frequencies outside that band
 Notch: reject a range of frequencies and pass all other
frequencies

SUMMARY
Characteristic Pc PLSB PUSB PT
Double
Sideband Full
DSBFC Carrier Vc2 (m2/4)Vc2 (m2/4)Vc2 Pc (1+m2/2)
Double Sideband
Suppressed
DSBSC Carrier 0 (m2/4)Vc2 (m2/4)Vc2 Pc (m2/2)
Single Sideband
SSBFC Full Carrier Vc2 0 (m2/4)Vc2 Pc (1+m2/4)
Single Sideband
SSBRC Reduce Carrier 0.01Vc2 0 (m2/4)Vc2 Pc (0.01+m2/4)
Single Sideband
Suppressed
SSBSC Carrier 0 0 (m2/4)Vc2 (m2/4)Vc2
Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 28
 SUMMARY
Characteristic Pc PLSB PUSB PT
Double
Sideband Full
DSBFC Carrier 66.67%PT 16.67%PT 16.67%PT 100%
Double Sideband
Suppressed
DSBSC Carrier 0%PT 50%PT 50%PT 100%

Single Sideband
SSBFC Full Carrier 80%PT 0 20%PT 100%
Single Sideband
Suppressed
SSBSC Carrier 0 0 100% 100%

Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 29

Problem Solving
1. In a practical AM system, a 1000-W AM carrier
signal was 50% modulated. Compute for:
a. Power in the AM wave
b. Power in the sidebands
2. Given that the modulated AM carrier is 500W,
compute for the power on each sidebands, carrier
power and the transmitted power for the different
transmitter below assuming m=100%.
a. SSBFC
b. DSBFC
c. SSBRC
Communications Theory 1 AM TRANSMITTER 30