AIR UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING

EXPERIMENT NO 05

Lab Title: FREQUENCY MODULATION

Student Name: Reg. No:

Objective: Implement Frequency Modulation in the lab and observe the spectrum of FM wave
On digital oscilloscope. Study and calculate the modulation index of the generated FM signal.

LAB ASSESSMENT:

Excellent Good Average Satisfactory Unsatisfactory

Attributes
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1)
Ability to Conduct
Experiment
Ability to assimilate the
results
Effective use of lab
equipment and follows the
lab safety rules

Total Marks: Obtained Marks:

LAB REPORT ASSESSMENT:

Excellent Good Average Satisfactory Unsatisfactory
Attributes
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1)

Data presentation

Experimental results

Conclusion

Total Marks: Obtained Marks:

Date: Signature:
EXPERIMENT NO 5

FREQUENCY MODULATION

Objectives

 To study Frequency Modulation (FM) theory.

 To calculate the modulation index of the generated FM wave.
 To observe the spectrum of FM wave on digital oscilloscope.
Equipment required:

 Function generators
 Oscilloscope
 Connecting cables

Frequency Modulation (FM)

Angle modulation includes both Frequency and Phase modulation schemes (FM and PM), which are
characterized by their superior performance (compared to AM) in the presence of noise at the expense of
higher bandwidth requirements. As you studied in class, FM and PM are very similar. In fact, an FM
signal can be interpreted as PM signal and vice-versa (refer to your textbooks). As such, our focus in this
lab will be on FM modulation exclusively. An FM-modulated signal has its instantaneous frequency that
varies linearly with the amplitude the message signal. For example, a message signal x(t) causes the
frequency of the FM signal y(t) to vary linearly around a central carrier frequency fc. The following
formula describes this relationship:

Here, kf is known as the sensitivity factor, and represents the frequency deviation rate as a result of
message amplitude change. In practice, FM modulation is implemented by controlling the instantaneous
frequency of a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). The amplitude of the input signal voltage controls the
oscillation frequency of the VCO output signal. The formula for an FM signal, s(t), is given by
Where m(t) = modulating signal, fc = carrier frequency and Ac = carrier amplitude

As the name shows, in this modulation, it is only the frequency of the carrier which is changed and not
its amplitude. The amount of change in frequency is determined by the amplitude of the modulating
signal whereas rate of change is determined by the frequency of the modulating signal. In an FM carrier,
information (or intelligence) is carried as variations in its frequency.
As seen, frequency of the modulated carrier increases as the signal amplitude increases but decreases as
the signal amplitude decreases. It is at its highest frequency when the signal amplitude is at its maximum
positive value and is at its lowest frequency when signal amplitude has maximum negative value. When
signal amplitude is zero, the carrier frequency is at its normal frequency f0 (also called resting or centre
frequency.)
In short, we have established two important points about the nature of frequency modulation

a) The amount of frequency deviation (or shift or variation) depends on the amplitude (loud ness)
of the audio signal. Louder the sound, greater the frequency deviation and vice-versa. However,
for the purposes of FM broadcasts, it has been internationally agreed to restrict maximum
deviation to 75 kHz on each side of the centre frequency for sounds of maximum loudness.
Sounds of lesser loudness are permitted proportionately less frequency deviation.
b) The rate of frequency deviation depends on the signal frequency

Frequency Deviation and Carrier Swing The frequency of an FM transmitter without signal input is called
the resting frequency or centre frequency (f0) and is the allotted frequency of the transmitter. In simple
words, it is the carrier frequency on which a station is allowed to broadcast. When the signal is applied,
the carrier
frequency deviates up and down from its resting value f0. This change or shift either above or below the
resting frequency is called frequency deviation (∆f) The total variation in frequency from the lowest to the
highest is called carrier swing (CS).

Obviously,
carrier swing = 2 × frequency deviation of CS = 2 × ∆f

FM Sidebands

In FM, when a carrier is modulated, a number of sidebands are formed.* Though theoretically their
number is infinite, their strength becomes negligible after a few sidebands. They lie on both sides of the
centre frequency spaced fm apart. Sidebands at equal distances from f0 have equal amplitudes. If f0 is the
centre
frequency and fm the frequency of the modulating signal, then FM carrier contains the following
frequencies.

Equation (1) is a general equation for an FM signal. If we let the modulating signal be a pure sinusoid, m(t)
= Am cos2πfmt, then equation (1) becomes

In General FM signal in time domain can be represented as:

Frequency Modulation (FM) Types:

1- Narrow-Band FM (if β<< 1)

If β is much less than 1, we have Narrow Band Frequency Modulation (NBFM). Equation (2) can be
approximated as

2- Wide-Band FM (all β)
 The Wide Band Frequency Modulation formula is valid for all. In this lab, we will be dealing with
WBFM. The approximations used for NBFM are not accurate here. Using Fourier series coefficients,
Equation (2) for WBFM can be written as

Where, Jn(β) is the nth order Bessel function of the first kind and argument.

The definition of the Bessel function is shown below. It is an integral that needs to be evaluated using a
calculator or software for different values of n and.

Procedure:

 Generate a sinusoidal signal m(t) using function generator.

 Apply this signal at the modulation-in of the other function generator.
 Adjust the carrier frequency and other modulation parameters.
 Observe FM output at 2nd function generator.

Results:
Created a sinusoidal signal m(t) using a function generator.

Sinusoidal signal with Amplitude: Vp-p = 5V and Frequency: 2.5kHz. This is a message signal.
Sinusoidal signal with Amplitude: Vp-p = 5V and Frequency: 1kHz. This is a message signal.

Carrier signal has an Amplitude of 5Vp-p and a Frequency of 34kHz.

Frequency Modulation:

fm = 2.5kHz, fc = 34kHz, Vp-p = 5V

Analysis:

As the frequency of the carrier signal is changed the same amount of amplitude changes in

modulating signal. As the amplitude of the input signal increases the frequency of the carrier wave

also increases. Change only happens in the frequency domain of the carrier signal. As we can see in

the above figures, when increasing the frequency of the carrier signal we are unable to see the proper

sine wave which is our main signal or input and its reciprocal happens when we decrease the

frequency of the carrier signal. The modulated carrier increases as the signal amplitude increases but

decreases as the signal amplitude decreases. It is at its highest frequency when the signal amplitude

is at its maximum positive value and is at its lowest frequency when the signal amplitude has a

maximum negative value. When the signal amplitude is zero, the carrier frequency is at its normal

frequency.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, frequency modulation (FM) shows a direct relationship between the frequency of the

carrier signal and the amplitude of the modulating signal. Increasing the frequency of the carrier

signal increases the amplitude of the modulating signal, and vice versa. This modulation only affects

the frequency domain of the carrier signal. Moreover, the modulation index, influenced by the

amplitude of the input signal, determines the extent of frequency variation in the carrier wave, with

higher amplitudes resulting in increased carrier frequency and vice versa.