AMPLITUDE MODULATION AND

DEMODULATION
OPERATING MANUAL
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Amplitude modulation and demodulation apparatus has been designed to study the
amplitude modulation and demodulation.
Calculate the modulation index and observe the am enevope.
Demodulation of AM and observe the effect of filter
SPECIFICATIONS OF TRAINER.
The instrument comprises of the following built in parts
Fixed output dc regulated power supply of +/- 12V
Built in carrier wave generator 200khz frequency & its amplitude of 2 volt
approximately
Built in audio frequency generator of 1khz and amplitude level 2-6Vpp
Block diagram for modulator & demodulator with schematic diagram well
screen printed on the Glass epoxy board.
The instrument is housed in a plastic ABS cabinet size 10x8.
Theory
What is amplitude modulation?
In order that a radio signal can carry audio or other information for broadcasting or
for two way radio communication, it must be modulated or changed in some way.
Although there are a number of ways in which a radio signal may be modulated, one
of the easiest, and one of the first methods to be used was to change its amplitude
in line with variations of the sound.
The basic concept surrounding what is amplitude modulation, AM, is quite
straightforward. The amplitude of the signal is changed in line with the
instantaneous intensity of the sound. In this way the radio frequency signal has a
representation of the sound wave superimposed in it. In view of the way the basic
signal "carries" the sound or modulation, the radio frequency signal is often termed
the "carrier".

Amplitude Modulation, AM

When a carrier is modulated in any way, further signals are created that carry the
actual modulation information. It is found that when a carrier is amplitude
modulated, further signals are generated above and below the main carrier. To see
how this happens, take the example of a carrier on a frequency of 1 MHz which is
modulated by a steady tone of 1 kHz.
The process of modulating a carrier is exactly the same as mixing two signals
together, and as a result both sum and difference frequencies are produced.
Therefore when a tone of 1 kHz is mixed with a carrier of 1 MHz, a "sum" frequency
is produced at 1 MHz + 1 kHz, and a difference frequency is produced at 1 MHz - 1
kHz, i.e. 1 kHz above and below the carrier.
If the steady state tones are replaced with audio like that encountered with speech
of music, these comprise many different frequencies and an audio spectrum with
frequencies over a band of frequencies is seen. When modulated onto the carrier,
these spectra are seen above and below the carrier.

It can be seen that if the top frequency that is modulated onto the carrier is 6 kHz,
then the top spectra will extend to 6 kHz above and below the signal. In other words
the bandwidth occupied by the AM signal is twice the maximum frequency of the
signal that is used to modulated the carrier, i.e. it is twice the bandwidth of the
audio signal to be carried.
Amplitude demodulation
Amplitude modulation, AM, is one of the most straightforward ways of modulating a
radio signal or carrier. The process of demodulation, where the audio signal is
removed from the radio carrier in the receiver is also quite simple as well. The
easiest method of achieving amplitude demodulation is to use a simple diode
detector. This consists of just a handful of components:- a diode, resistor and a
capacitor.

AM Diode Detector

In this circuit, the diode rectifies the signal, allowing only half of the alternating
waveform through. The capacitor is used to store the charge and provide a
smoothed output from the detector, and also to remove any unwanted radio
frequency components. The resistor is used to enable the capacitor to discharge. If
it were not there and no other load was present, then the charge on the capacitor
would not leak away, and the circuit would reach a peak and remain there.
Advantages of Amplitude Modulation, AM
There are several advantages of amplitude modulation, and some of these reasons
have meant that it is still in widespread use today:

It is simple to implement

it can be demodulated using a circuit consisting of very few components

AM receivers are very cheap as no specialised components are needed.

disadvantages of amplitude modulation

Amplitude modulation is a very basic form of modulation, and although its simplicity
is one of its major advantages, other more sophisticated systems provide a number
of advantages. Accordingly it is worth looking at some of the disadvantages of
amplitude modulation.

It is not efficient in terms of its power usage

It is not efficient in terms of its use of bandwidth, requiring a bandwidth equal

to twice that of the highest audio frequency

It is prone to high levels of noise because most noise is amplitude based and
obviously AM detectors are sensitive to it.

MC1496 BASED am modulation

MC1496 is designed for use where the output voltage is a product of an input
voltage (signal) and a switching function (carrier). Typical applications include
suppressed carrier and Amplitude Modulation (AM), synchronous detection,
Frequency Modulation (FM) detection, phase detection, and chopper applications.

Figure 1. MC1496 Suppressed Carrier Figure 2. MC1496 Suppressed Carrier

Waveform

Spectrum

Figure 3. MC1496 Amplittude

Figure 4. MC1496 Amplittude

Modulation Waveform

Modulation Spectrum

OPERATIONS INFORMATION
The MC1496, a monolithic balanced modulator circuit, is shown in Figure 5 . This
circuit consists of an upper quad differential amplifier driven by a standard
differential amplifier with dual current sources. The output collectors are cross
coupled so that fullwave balanced multiplication of the two input voltages
occurs. That is, the output signal is a constant times the product of the two input
signals.
Mathematical analysis of linear ac signal multiplication indicates that the output
spectrum will consist of only the sum and difference of the two input frequencies.
Thus, the device may be used as a balanced modulator, doubly balanced mixer,
product detector, frequency doubler, and other applications requiring these
particular output signal characteristics.
The lower differential amplifier has its emitters connected to the package pins so
that an external emitter resistance may be used. Also, external load resistors are
employed at the device output.
Signal Levels - The upper quad differential amplifier may be operated either in a
linear or a saturated mode. The lower differential amplifier is operated in a linear
mode for most applications. For lowlevel operation at both input ports, the output
signal will contain sum and difference frequency components and have an
amplitude which is a function of the product of the input signal amplitudes.
For highlevel operation at the carrier input port and linear operation at the
modulating signal port, the output signal will contain sum and difference frequency

components of the modulating signal frequency and the fundamental and odd
harmonics of the carrier frequency. The output amplitude will be a constant times
the modulating signal amplitude. Any amplitude variations in the carrier signal will
not appear in the
output.
The linear signal handling capabilities of a differential amplifier are well defined.
With no emitter degeneration, the maximum input voltage for linear operation is
approximately 25 mV peak. Since the upper differential amplifier has its emitters
internally connected, this voltage applies to the carrier input port for all conditions.
Since the lower differential amplifier has provisions for an external emitter
resistance, its linear signal handling range may be adjusted by the user. The
maximum input voltage for linear operation may be approximated from the
following expression:
V = (I5) (RE) volts peak.
This expression may be used to compute the minimum value of R E for a given input
voltage amplitude.

Figure 5. MC1496 Circuit

Figure 6. MC1496 Typical Modulator

Schematic

Circuit

PROCEDURE
FOR MODULATION
1.
2.
3.
4.

Connect
Connect
Connect
Connect

the carrier signal output to carrier signal input.

modulating signal output (1KHz) to modulating signal input.
oscilloscope channel A with the Modulated signal output socket.
the oscilloscope B with the Modulated signal output socket.

5. Keep the amplitude control at minimum position.

6. Switch ON the instrument using ON/OFF switch.
7. Adjust oscilloscope time base for 200 s/ CHANNEL B DV and vertical gain
at 1V/Div. a band will appear upon the screen Position at the center of the
screen
8. Feed 1V p-p Md. Signal to the Mod input. Trace out the pattern of the
modulated wave and measure amplitudes in Vpp .
9. Increase mod. Input to successive levels and note amplitude A and B for
each increment. Calculate modulation factor for each input. Draw a plot
between input signal (AF) modulation factor. The curve of the graph show the
modulation process. Increase maximum AF signal to observe the distorted
wave form since cut- off and saturation of the transistor Q5.
Calculation:
Modulation factor for above AM modulation.
Vmax Vmin/2
Mf
=
Vmax + Vmin/2
Vmax =
Vmin =
Mf

Example readings
0.4V
0.1 V
(0.4-0.1)/2
= 0.6 = 60%
(0.4+0.1)/2

FOR DEMODULATION :
1. Connect the modulated signal output to the modulated signal input.
2. Connect oscilloscope channel A with the Demodulated signal output,
remainTP1 & TP2 out of the circuit then the output is as shown in fig.
3. Now connect the oscilloscope B with the Modulated signal output. Now
connect TP1 &TP2 & note its effect upon the RF components as shown in
fig.
4. Feed AF signal for different modulation factor & note the amplitude of
demodulated output voltage in p-p, & input voltage as Vp = Vpp or A/s.
5. Plot a response curve between output voltage & Vp input. Select the linear
part of the curve & calculate the efficiency of the detector as
= Slope of the curve as shown in fig.

STANDARD ACCESSORIES
1. Single point 4mm patchords for interconnections.
2. Instruction Manual (DOC 100)

6nos.
1no.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
1. Dual trace Cathode Ray Oscillope 20Mhz.

1No.