Amplitude Modulators

- V. D. Gaikwad

Prepared by Mr. V. D. Gaikwad, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune.

Classification of modulators

Amplitude
Modulators

Low Level
AM

High Level
AM
V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

Difference

Low Level AM

Low power level

Used in laboratories

High Level AM

High power level

Commercial broadcasting
V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

Low Level AM Diode Modulator

Consists 3 sections
1. Resistive mixing network
2. A diode rectifier
3. LC tuned circuit

V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

Amplitude Modulation with a diode

0

0 .5

1.5

2 .5

3 .5

4.5

-0 .1
-0 .0 8
-0 .0 6
-0 .0 4
-0 .0 2
0
0 .0 2
0 .0 4
0 .0 6
0 .0 8
0 .1

0 . 5

1 . 5

2 . 5

3 .5

4 .5

-0 . 1
-0 . 0 8
-0 . 0 6
-0 . 0 4
-0 . 0 2
0
0 . 0 2
0 . 0 4
0 . 0 6
0 . 0 8
0 . 1

V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

Operation

Across
R3
resistor,
mixing
of
modulating and carrier signal takes
place.
0.2

0.15

0.1

0.05

-0.05

-0.1

-0.15

-0.2
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

3.5

V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

4.5

Operation contd..

Diode becomes forward biased by

positive going half-cycles of the input
wave.

V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

Operation contd..

During negative portion of the wave, diode is

cut-off and no signal passes.
The current through the diode is a series of
+ve going pulses.
Pulse amplitude varies in proportion to the
amplitude of the modulating signal.
These pulses are applied to the tuned circuit.
V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

Operation contd..

Coil and capacitor repeatedly exchange

energy,

causing

an

oscillation

or

ringing at resonant frequency

The oscillation of tuned circuit creates

one

negative

half-cycle

positive input pulse

V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

for

every

Operation contd..

Resulting waveform across the tuned

circuit is an AM signal.
1.5

0.5

-0 . 5

-1

-1 . 5
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

3.5

V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

4.5

. 1

. 0

. 0

. 0

. 0

Modulating signal

2
0

- 0

. 0

- 0

. 0

- 0

. 0

- 0

. 0
- 0

6
8
. 1
0

. 5

. 5

. 5

. 5

. 5

. 1

. 0

. 0

. 0

. 0

- 0

. 0

- 0

. 0

- 0

. 0

Carrier signal

- 0

. 0
- 0

6
8
. 1
0

. 5

. 5

. 5

. 5

. 5

0.2

0.15

Modulating + carrier

0.1

0.05

-0.05

-0.1

-0.15

-0.2
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

3.5

4.5

Diode output

1 .5

AM signal

0 .5

-0 .5

-1

-1 .5
0

0 .5

1 . 5

2 . 5

3 . 5

4 . 5

V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

Limitations of diode modulator

Amplitudes of the signals are critical to

proper operation

At higher voltages, the diode current

response in nearly linear

The circuit works best with millivoltlevel signals.

V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

Transistor Modulator Low level AM

V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

Transistor Modulator - Description

The circuit has a gain.

E-B junction is a diode & non-linear
device.
Rectification occurs because of E-B
junction.
Tuned circuit oscillates to generate the
missing half-cycle.
V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

PIN Diode Modulator

(Good to Know !!!)

PIN diodes are used to produce AM at

VHF, UHF and microwave frequencies.

Special silicon junction diodes.

These diodes operates above 100 MHz.

V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

Low-level modulation system

V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

Low-level modulation system

Signals are generated at low voltage

and power amplitudes.

The voltage is typically less than 1V and

power in milliwatts.

Linear power amplifiers are used which

are generally class A, AB or B.
V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

High Level AM

Modulating and carrier signals are first

amplified to increase the power.

Modulation occurs in the final stage

amplifier.

Example : Collector modulator

V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

Collector Modulator High level AM

V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

Collector Modulator High level AM

With zero modulating signal, output

carrier is a steady sine wave.

When modulating signal is +ve, it adds

to +Vcc, increasing its value and
causing

higher

current

higher amplitude carrier.

V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

pulses

and

Collector Modulator High level AM

When modulating signal is -ve, it

subtracts from +Vcc, reducing its value
and causing lower current pulses and
lower amplitude carrier.

Final

amplifier

stage

amplifier.
V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

is

class

Collector Modulator High level AM

Note:

For 100 percent modulation, the peak of

the modulating signal must be equal to
Vcc.

V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

High-level AM Transmitter

V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

Quiz !
Pune A station transmitter is

A. High level AM
B. Low level AM

DSBFC generation in laboratory using

XR2206 is

High level AM
Low level AM
V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

Quiz !
Following amplifier is used in low level AM

A.
B.
C.
D.

Class A
Class AB
Class B
All the above

Following amplifier is used in high level AM

Class
Class
Class
Class

A
AB
C
B

V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune

V. D. Gaikwad, VIT, Pune