Question Bank

1. Explain Need of Modulation

Increase Signal Strength: Baseband signals are weak and not suited for long-
distance transmission. Modulation amplifies the signal’s strength without
altering the carrier signal’s properties.

Wireless Communication: Modulation enables wireless transmission by

improving signal speed and efficiency, eliminating the need for physical wires.

Prevent Signal Mixing: Modulation helps avoid interference between signals by

using high-frequency carrier signals, ensuring clear communication.

Antenna Size: For signals in the 20 Hz to 20 kHz range, antennas must be a

quarter wavelength long. Modulation increases the signal frequency, reducing
the required antenna size for effective transmission.

2. Derive the expression of AM wave and explain spectrum of AM wave

The mathematical representation of amplitude-modulated waves in the time
domain is as follows.
m(t) = Am cos (2πfmt) (modulating signal)
c(t) = Ac cos (2πfct) (carrier signal)
s(t) = [ Ac + Am cos (2πfmt) ] cos (2πfct) (equation of amplitude modulated wave)
Where,
Am: Amplitude of modulating signal
Ac: Amplitude of carrier signal
fm: Frequency of modulating signal
fc: Frequency of carrier signal
The AM wave spectrum consists of a central carrier frequency with two
sidebands at frequencies offset by the modulating frequency. The total
bandwidth of the AM signal is twice the frequency of the modulating signal.
 3. Define heterodyning with example

Example:- Consider a radio receiver that uses heterodyning to process incoming

signals. Suppose it receives a radio frequency (RF) signal of 1,000 kHz and mixes it with
a local oscillator signal of 980 kHz. The heterodyning process will produce two new
frequencies:

1. The sum of the two frequencies: 1,000 kHz + 980kHz = 1,980KHz

2. The difference of the two frequencies: 1,000kHz – 980kHz= 20kHz

In this case, the receiver typically selects the difference frequency (20 kHz) for further
processing, as it falls within the intermediate frequency (IF) range used for easier
amplification and filtering.

4. Explain generation of SSB using phase shift method

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5. Compare DSBFC, DSBSC and SSB with respect to bandwidth and power
Double Sideband Full Carrier (DSBFC):
Bandwidth: The bandwidth required is twice the modulating signal's bandwidth
(i.e., 2B). This is because both the upper and lower sidebands are transmitted
along with the carrier.
Power: In DSBFC, a significant portion of the transmitted power is wasted in the
carrier, which does not carry any information. The total power is the sum of the
carrier power and the power in the two sidebands.

Double Sideband Suppressed Carrier (DSBSC):

Bandwidth: The bandwidth required is still twice the modulating signal's
bandwidth(i.e., 2B). Both sidebands are transmitted, but the carrier is
suppressed, meaning it is not transmitted.
Power: DSBSC is more power-efficient compared to DSBFC because the carrier,
which carries no information, is suppressed. All transmitted power is in the
sidebands, which contain the actual information.

Single Sideband (SSB):

Bandwidth: The bandwidth required is equal to the modulating signal's
bandwidth (i.e., B). Only one of the sidebands (either upper or lower) is
transmitted, along with the carrier (or without, in the case of SSB-SC).
Power: SSB is the most power-efficient among the three. Since only one
sideband is transmitted, and the carrier can also be suppressed (in SSB-SC), the
 power required is significantly less. The entire transmitted power is concentrated
in the sideband, making it the most efficient in terms of both power and
bandwidth.

6. Compare Amplitude modulation and frequency modulation by giving

mathematical analysis.
7. Define FM modulation index and Carson’s law
 CARSON’S LAW:-

8. Differentiate between wideband FM and Narrowband FM

9. Differentiate high level and low level AM transmitter

10. Explain Noise triangle in FM wave

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11. Explain Preemphasis and deemphasis in FM modulation
Preemphasis
Definition:
Preemphasis is a technique used to boost higher frequencies of an audio signal before
transmission to improve the signal-to-noise ratio.
Advantages:
- Reduces noise by enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio, especially for high-frequency
components.
- Improves audio quality by compensating for noise introduced during transmission.
Disadvantages:
- Adds complexity to the transmission process as it requires additional circuitry.
- Requires corresponding deemphasis at the receiver to restore the original frequency
balance.
Applications:
- FM radio broadcasting, where it helps to enhance audio clarity.
- Television transmissions, used to improve sound quality.

Deemphasis
Definition:
Deemphasis is a technique used to reduce the amplitude of higher frequencies after
the signal has been received to restore the original frequency balance.
Advantages:
 - Restores the frequency balance by counteracting the preemphasis applied at the
transmitter.
- Helps in maintaining audio fidelity by ensuring proper frequency balance.
Disadvantages:
- Requires precise matching with preemphasis characteristics to avoid audio
distortion.
- Necessitates additional filtering circuitry at the receiver end.
Applications:
- FM radio receivers, where it decodes and restores the transmitted audio signal.
- Television receivers, ensuring that the received sound quality matches the
transmitted signal.

12. Explain different types of AGC

Peak AGC

Definition:

Peak AGC adjusts the gain based on the peak amplitude of the input signal.
How It Works:
It measures the peak level of the incoming signal and adjusts the gain to ensure that
the signal’s peaks stay within a specified range, preventing distortion due to
overloading.
Advantages:
- Handles signals with varying peak levels effectively.
- Helps prevent clipping and distortion.
Disadvantages:
- May not provide consistent output for signals with rapid amplitude changes.
- Can introduce distortion if peak detection is inaccurate.
Applications:
- Used in radio receivers and audio processing where maintaining signal peaks is
crucial.

Average AGC
Definition:
Average AGC adjusts the gain based on the average level of the input signal.
How It Works:
It calculates the average signal level over a period and adjusts the gain to maintain a
consistent average output level, smoothing out fluctuations.
Advantages:
- Provides a stable output level for signals with varying average levels.
- Reduces impact from sudden spikes or drops in signal strength.
Disadvantages:
- Less effective for signals with significant differences between peak and average
levels.
- May not handle transient signals as well as peak AGC.
Applications:
- Used in audio systems and broadcasting where a stable average level is desired.
Logarithmic AGC
Definition:
Logarithmic AGC uses a logarithmic function to adjust the gain based on the signal
level.
How It Works:
It applies a logarithmic function to the input signal level before adjusting the gain,
compressing a wide range of signal levels into a narrower dynamic range.
Advantages:
- Handles a wide range of signal levels effectively.
- Provides natural handling of varying signal strengths.
Disadvantages:
- More complex due to logarithmic processing.
- May introduce non-linearities in signal processing.
Applications:
- Used in communication systems and audio processing where managing a wide
dynamic range is important.

Discrete AGC
Definition:
Discrete AGC uses predefined gain levels or steps to adjust the gain based on specific
signal thresholds.
How It Works:
It adjusts the gain in discrete steps rather than continuously, responding to signal
levels crossing predefined thresholds.
Advantages:
- Simplified design compared to continuous AGC systems.
- More predictable and easier to control.

Disadvantages:
- Less smooth gain adjustment due to discrete steps.
- Can introduce artifacts or discontinuities in the output.
Applications:
 - Suitable for simpler or cost-sensitive applications where continuous adjustment is
not necessary.

13. Illustrate working of Superheterodyne receiver with waveforms

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14. Draw AM and FM in frequency and time domain

15. Discuss the limitations of TRF receiver? Explain how these limitations are
avoided using Superheterodyne receiver.
Limitations of TRF Receiver

1. Selectivity:
- Single-stage tuning results in poor selectivity.
- Difficulty distinguishing between closely spaced frequencies.
- Increased interference from adjacent channels.

2. Sensitivity:
- Lower sensitivity due to single-stage amplification.
- Reduced ability to detect weak signals.

3. Frequency Stability:
- Tuning directly related to incoming signal frequency.
- Manual tuning adjustment can be cumbersome and less stable.
- Increased signal drift and instability.

4. Gain Control:
- Challenging to manage gain effectively as tuning affects both desired and
unwanted signals.
- Inconsistent signal levels and increased distortion.

How Superheterodyne Receiver Addresses Limitations

1. Improved Selectivity:
- Converts the signal to a fixed intermediate frequency (IF).
- Uses a narrow-band IF filter for better selectivity.
- More effective at distinguishing closely spaced frequencies.

2. Enhanced Sensitivity:
 - Multiple stages of amplification (RF, IF, audio).
- Fixed IF allows for optimized and controlled amplification.
- Better detection of weak signals.

3. Stable Frequency Tuning:

- Maintains a fixed IF, improving tuning stability.
- Local oscillator adjusts to keep the IF constant.
- Reduced drift and more reliable signal reception.

4. Effective Gain Control:

- Gain adjustments managed at different stages, especially the IF stage.
- Improved control of signal levels and reduced distortion.

16. Explain generation of DSBSC using balanced modulator

We already know that a non-linear resistance or non-linear device may be used
to produce Amplitude Modulation i.e. one carrier and two sidebands .

However, a DSB-SC signal contains only two sidebands . Thus, if

two non-linear devices such as diodes, transistors etc. are
connected in a balanced mode so that they suppress the carriers
of each other, then only sidebands are left and a DSB-SC signal
is generated .
Therefore, a balanced modulator may be defined as a circuit in
which two non-linear devices are connected in a balanced mode
to produce a DSB-SC signal .
Fig.1 shows the balanced modulator using diodes as non-linear
device .
 Fig 1
The modulating signal x(t) is applied equally with 180 o phase
reversal at the inputs of both the diodes through the input center
tapped transformer .
The carrier is applied to the center tap of the secondary .
Hence, input voltage to D1 is given by :

……..(1)
And the input voltage to D2 is given by :

……….(2)
The parallel RLC circuits on the output side form the band pass
filters .

Analysis
The diode current i1 and i2 are given by :

………………(3)
Similarly,
…………(4)
The output voltage is given by :

Substituting the expression for i1 and i2 from equations (3) and

(4), we get

Or,

Hence, the output voltage contains a modulating signal term and

the DSB-SC signal .
The modulating signal term is eliminated and the second term is
allowed to pass through to the output by the LC band pass filter
section .
Therefore, final output = 4 b R x(t) cos ωct
= K x(t) cos ωct
Thus, the diode balanced modulator produces the DSB-SC signal
at its output .