LYCEUM OF THE PHILIPPINES UNIVERSITY

Cavite Campus
College of Engineering, Computer Studies, and Architecture

PRCL04E
PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNICATIONS

Laboratory Experiment no. 1

MIDTERM
AMPLITUDE MODULATION

SUBMITTED BY:
Dave Wilson A. Jordan

SUBMITTED TO:
Engr. Jacklyn Kate C. Garduque

DATE OF SUBMISSION:
August 11, 2016

I.

II.

OBJECTIVES:
To vary the message signals amplitude and observe how it affects the
modulated carrier
To observe the effects of modulating the carrier too much
To be able to measure the AM signals depth of modulation using a scope

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENTS:

Personal computer with appropriate software installed

NI ELVIS plus connecting leads

NI Data Acquisition unit such as the USB-6251 (or a 20MHz dual channel
oscilloscope)
Emona DATEx experimental add-in module two BNC to 2mm banana-plug
leads
Assorted 2mm banana-plug patch leads

III.

DATA AND RESULTS:

Original Waveform

Waveform 2: Message Signal and AM Signal

Waveform 2: Half and Fully clockwise of G

Questions:
1. In what way is the Adder modules output now different to the signal out of the
Master Signals modules 2kHz SINE output?
Answer:
The Adder modules output signal differs from the signal out of the Master Signals
modules 2kHz SINE output due to the added required carrier for the AM signal.

2. What feature of the Multiplier modules output suggests that its an AM signal?
Answer:
The Multiplier modules outputs feature that suggests it is an AM signal is the
variation of the modulated carriers amplitude above and below the unmodulated
amplitude.

3. The AM signal is a complex waveform consisting of more than one signal. Is one
of the signals a 2kHz sine wave? Explain your answer.
Answer:
Yes, because the message signal has the frequency of the carrier which is the 2kHz
sine wave signal.

4. For the given inputs to the Multiplier module, how many sine waves does the AM
signal consist of, and what are their frequencies?
Answer:
The AM has three sine waves. First, the sine wave with the carriers frequency.
Second, the sine wave with the frequency which is the sum of the carrier and the
message frequencies. Lastly, the sine wave with the frequency which is the
difference of the carrier and the message frequencies.

5. Why is there still a signal out of the Multiplier module even when youre not
humming (or talking, etc)?
Answer:
There is still a signal out of the Multiplier module because there is noise interference.

6. What is the relationship between the messages amplitude and the amount of the
carriers modulation?
Answer:
The amount of the carriers modulation varies directly proportional to the messages
amplitude signal.

7. What is the problem with the AM signal when it is over-modulated?

Answer:
There will be an increase in modulation index above 1 if there is overmodulation in
the AM signal. The carrier has 180 degrees phase reversal where the carrier level
would try to go below zero point.

8. What do you think is a carriers maximum modulation index without overmodulation?

IV.

A minus number
0
1
Greater than 1

CONCLUSION:
I therefore conclude that, in this experiment, by comparing the amplitude
signal from the original message, we can observe the formation of envelopes
which is a pair of sine wave above and below the carrier signal that gives the
shape for it. And, when message signals amplitude is varied, it also affects the
amplitude of the carrier signal. They vary directly proportional to each other. The
modulation index can be viewed from the oscilloscope display or can be
measured through the minimum and maximum values for the modulated signal.