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Module On Amplitude Modulation (AM)

Frequency Modulation (FM) is a modulation technique where the carrier signal's frequency varies according to the message signal's amplitude, offering resilience to noise and interference. FM is widely used in applications like radio broadcasting, television sound, and two-way radio communication due to its advantages in sound quality and constant power. However, it requires more bandwidth compared to other modulation methods and has a shorter transmission range at higher frequencies.

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Mike Lowin Suliano
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14 views3 pages

Module On Amplitude Modulation (AM)

Frequency Modulation (FM) is a modulation technique where the carrier signal's frequency varies according to the message signal's amplitude, offering resilience to noise and interference. FM is widely used in applications like radio broadcasting, television sound, and two-way radio communication due to its advantages in sound quality and constant power. However, it requires more bandwidth compared to other modulation methods and has a shorter transmission range at higher frequencies.

Uploaded by

Mike Lowin Suliano
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Module on Frequency Modulation (FM)

1. Introduction to Frequency Modulation (FM)

Frequency Modulation (FM) is a type of modulation where the frequency of the carrier signal
is varied in proportion to the instantaneous amplitude of the message signal. Unlike
Amplitude Modulation (AM), where the amplitude of the carrier is modified, in FM, it’s the
frequency of the carrier that changes according to the message signal.

FM is widely used in both analog and digital communication systems due to its resilience to
noise and interference.

2. Basic Concept

In FM, the carrier frequency fcf_cfc​is varied as a function of the message signal m(t)m(t)m(t).
The resulting signal has the same amplitude as the carrier but its frequency fluctuates
according to the instantaneous value of the message signal.

The general mathematical expression for a frequency-modulated signal is:

s(t)=Accos⁡(2πfct+kf∫m(t) dt)s(t) = A_c \cos \left( 2 \pi f_c t + k_f \int m(t) \, dt \right)s(t)=Ac​
cos(2πfc​t+kf​∫m(t)dt)

Where:

AcA_cAc​= amplitude of the carrier signal


fcf_cfc​= frequency of the carrier
kfk_fkf​= frequency modulation constant (determines the frequency deviation for a given
amplitude of the message signal)
m(t)m(t)m(t) = message signal (the information signal)
s(t)s(t)s(t) = resulting FM signal

3. Characteristics of Frequency Modulation

1. Carrier Signal: The carrier's frequency changes according to the message signal, but its
amplitude remains constant.
2. Frequency Deviation: The amount by which the carrier frequency deviates from its
nominal value is proportional to the instantaneous amplitude of the message signal. This
deviation is called the frequency deviation.
3. Bandwidth: The bandwidth required for FM depends on the frequency deviation and the
maximum frequency of the message signal. It tends to be wider than that of AM or PM for
a given message signal.
4. Sidebands: FM signals have sidebands at various frequencies, determined by the
modulation index, which describes the amount of frequency deviation.

4. Mathematical Expression

Let’s assume the message signal m(t)m(t)m(t) is a sinusoidal wave:


m(t)=Amcos⁡(2πfmt)m(t) = A_m \cos(2 \pi f_m t)m(t)=Am​cos(2πfm​t)

The FM signal can be expressed as:

s(t)=Accos⁡(2πfct+kfAmsin⁡(2πfmt))s(t) = A_c \cos \left( 2 \pi f_c t + k_f A_m \sin(2 \pi f_m t)
\right)s(t)=Ac​cos(2πfc​t+kf​Am​sin(2πfm​t))

In this case:

The term kfAmk_f A_mkf​Am​determines the maximum frequency deviation Δf\Delta fΔf.
The frequency of the carrier will oscillate between fc+Δff_c + \Delta ffc​+Δf and fc−Δff_c -
\Delta ffc​−Δf as the message signal varies.

5. Modulation Index

The modulation index β\betaβ for FM is defined as the ratio of the frequency deviation to the
frequency of the message signal:

β=Δffm\beta = \frac{\Delta f}{f_m}β=fm​Δf​

Where:

Δf\Delta fΔf = maximum frequency deviation


fmf_mfm​= frequency of the message signal

The modulation index controls the extent of the frequency variation in the FM signal. A higher
modulation index means a greater frequency deviation and, therefore, a broader spectrum
for the FM signal.

6. Power and Bandwidth in FM

Power: The total power of an FM signal remains constant, similar to PM, because it is
transmitted with constant amplitude, unlike AM where the power is split between the
carrier and sidebands.
Ptotal=Pc=Ac22RP_{total} = P_c = \frac{A_c^2}{2R}Ptotal​=Pc​=2RAc2​​
Where PcP_cPc​is the carrier power and RRR is the load resistance.
Bandwidth: The bandwidth required for FM depends on the modulation index. According
to Carson’s Rule, the bandwidth BFMB_{FM}BFM​for an FM signal can be approximated
as:
BFM=2(Δf+fm)B_{FM} = 2 \left( \Delta f + f_m \right)BFM​=2(Δf+fm​)
Where Δf\Delta fΔf is the maximum frequency deviation, and fmf_mfm​is the highest
frequency of the message signal.
For high modulation indices (i.e., when the frequency deviation is large), the bandwidth
can increase significantly.

7. Applications of Frequency Modulation

1. FM Radio Broadcasting: FM is widely used for high-quality audio broadcasts, especially in


the FM radio band (88 MHz to 108 MHz). It is preferred over AM because it is less prone to
interference and noise.
2. Television Sound: FM is used to transmit the sound signals in analog television systems.
3. Two-way Radio Communication: FM is often used in two-way radio systems for police,
emergency, and commercial communications because of its noise resilience.
4. Satellite Communication: FM is used in satellite communication for the transmission of
audio signals and certain types of data.
5. Radar and Sonar: FM is used in radar and sonar systems where frequency shifts are used
to measure distances or detect objects.

8. Advantages of FM

Noise Resistance: FM is more resistant to noise and interference compared to AM


because noise typically affects amplitude, while FM is based on frequency changes,
which makes it less susceptible to amplitude fluctuations.
Better Sound Quality: FM provides higher fidelity sound transmission, which is why it is
preferred for high-quality audio, such as in FM radio broadcasting.
Constant Power: FM has constant amplitude, meaning the power remains steady,
reducing the risk of distortion in the transmitted signal.

9. Disadvantages of FM

Bandwidth Usage: FM requires more bandwidth compared to AM or PM, especially when


the modulation index is large.
Complexity: FM transmitters and receivers tend to be more complex than AM systems,
and the demodulation process can be more computationally intensive.
Range Limitations: Although FM provides higher sound quality, it generally has a shorter
transmission range compared to AM, especially at higher frequencies.

10. Conclusion

Frequency Modulation (FM) is a widely used technique in communication systems where the
carrier’s frequency is varied according to the amplitude of the message signal. FM is favored
for its resilience to noise, higher fidelity in audio transmission, and constant power. It’s used
extensively in radio broadcasting, television audio transmission, and communication systems.
However, its primary drawback is the wide bandwidth it requires, especially at high
modulation indices.

FM plays a critical role in modern communication and continues to be a staple in both analog
and digital communication systems.

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