1.

Amplitude Modulation
Name: Branch: Lab Section:

ID No:
Pre-Lab Session In-Lab Session Post-Lab Session VIVA Total Marks
Work (5M) Work (15M) Work (5M) (5M) (30M)

Remarks:

Date: Signature of the Instructor Marks awarded

In this Lab you will create an amplitude modulated signal from a variety of message sources,
calculate the modulation index and confirm the frequency spectrum of this signal type.

In an amplitude modulation (AM) communications system, speech and music are converted
into an electrical signal using a device such as a microphone. This electrical signal is called
the message or baseband signal. The message signal is then used to electrically vary the
amplitude of a pure sinewave called the carrier. The carrier usually has a frequency that is
much higher than the message’s frequency.

Figure below shows a simple message signal and an unmodulated carrier. It also shows the
result of amplitude modulating the carrier with the message. Notice that the modulated
carrier’s amplitude varies above and below its unmodulated amplitude.(Figure 1)
 Figure 1: Amplitude Modulated signal

Figure 2 shows the AM signal but with a dotted line added to track the modulated carrier’s
positive peaks and negative peaks. These dotted lines are known in the industry as the signal’s
envelopes. If you look at the envelopes closely you’ll notice that the upper envelope is the
same shape as the message. The lower envelope is also the same shape but upside-down
(inverted).

In telecommunications theory, the mathematical model that defines the AM signal is:

AM = (DC + message) × the carrier

When the message is a simple sinewave the equation’s solution (which necessarily involves
some trigonometry that is not shown here) tells us that the AM signal consists of three
sinewaves:

 One at the carrier frequency

 One with a frequency equal to the sum of the carrier and message frequencies
 One with a frequency equal to the difference between the carrier and message
frequencies
 Figure 2: Message envelopes

In other words, for every sinewave in the message, the AM signal includes a pair of
sinewaves – one above and one below the carrier’s frequency. Complex message signals such
as speech and music are made up of thousands of sinewaves and so the AM signal includes
thousands of pairs of sinewaves straddling carrier. These two groups of sinewaves are called
the sidebands and so AM is also known as double-sideband, full carrier (DSBFC).

Importantly, it’s clear from this discussion that the AM signal doesn’t consist of any signals
at the message frequency. This is despite the fact that the AM signal’s envelopes are the same
shape as the message.

Section 1: Amplitude Modulation

For this experiment you’ll use the AD633 is a Analog quadrant multiplier to generate a real
AM signal by implementing its mathematical model. Am equation can be expressed as:
[1 + m(t)]Carrier
so [1+m(t)] can be generated by adding 1 V offset voltage to m(t). Multiplication of [1+m(t)]
and carrier can be achieved by Ad633JN IC. DSB-SC signal can be generated by making
offset 0 v.

You’ll examine the AM signal using the scope and compare it to the original message. You’ll
do the same with speech for the message instead of a simple sinewave.

Following this, you’ll vary the message signal’s amplitude and observe how it affects the
modulated carrier. You’ll also observe the effects of modulating the carrier too much. Finally,
you’ll measure the AM signal’s depth of modulation using a scope.

It should take you about 1 hour to complete this experiment.

Applications of AM
1. AM is still widely used for broadcasting on the long, medium and short wave bands. It is
simple to demodulate and this means that radio receivers capable of demodulating
amplitude modulation are cheap and simple to manufacture
2. Amplitude modulation in the form of single sideband is still used for HF radio links.
3. AM is widely used for the transmission of data in everything from short range wireless links
such as Wi-Fi to cellular telecommunications and much more.
4. AM is used for ground to air radio communications as well as two way radio links for
ground staff as well.

5. AM enables frequency division multiplexing by using different carrier frequency for

different stations.

Learning Objectives
After completing this lab, you should be able to complete the following activities.
1. Generate a real AM signal
2. Examine a real AM signal with scope and compare it to its original message
3. Use multiple message sources in your AM examination
4. Describe the term “depth of modulation”
5. Generate DSB-SC signal.

Pre-Lab Work:

You should have completed Labs 1 and be familiar with the NI ELVIS III equipment, its use
and the handling precautions for the equipment.
1. Basic theory of AM and DSB-SC
2. Understand Modulation Index
3. Understand working of different IC used in the circuit.
4. Understanding the data sheets of components used in the experiment.
6. Computer simulations (Multisim / pSpice) are performed and the objectives are
obtained prior to the hardware experiment.

Required Tools and Technology

Platform: NI ELVIS III
Instruments used in this lab:

● Oscilloscope-Time
● Oscilloscope-FFT
● Function Generator
Hardware: ICs
AD633 -01
uA741 -01
Disk capacitors (0.1uF) – 03
½W Resistors (10Kfi) – 03
Diode (OA79) -01
BNC connectors to CRO - 02
BNC Connectors to FG - 02

Implement: Generating Amplitude modulation (AM)

Figure 3: AM Generation & Detection

Procedure

1. Ensure that the NI ELVIS III Application Board power button at the top left
corner of the unit is OFF (not illuminated).

2. Carefully wire the circuit shown Figure 3 into the NI ELVIS III .

3. Ensure that you have connected the NI ELVIS III to the PC using the USB cable
and that the PC is turned on.

4. Turn on the Application Board Power button by pressing it once and confirm
that it is illuminated. The LEDs on the board should also be illuminated. If they
are not, then switch the unit off immediately and check for connection or
insertion errors.

5. Open the Instrument Launcher software in your browser and select the required
instruments.

6. Use the ELVIS III Function Generator output Ch02 to create a carrier signal Sine
voltage of 1Vpk of frequency 100 KHz.

7. Use the ELVIS III Function Generator output Ch01 to create a message signal
Sine voltage of .5Vpk of frequency 1 KHz. Add 1 V dc offset to message
signal.

8. Observe the message signal and carrier signal in Ch01 & Ch02 of scope
respectively.

9. Now observe the AM signal in Scope Ch02 and measure 2Vmax (P) and 2Vmin
(Q) and note down in Table-01 and calculate depth of modulation. Capture a
screenshot of the scope and append to your report.
 Table-01
% depth of
2Vmax(P) 2Vmin(Q) modulation m=
S.No Comment
Volts Volts PQ
X100
PQ

1.
2.
3.
10. Enable the FFT mode of the Oscilloscope instrument. Change the scope’s time
base to 1ms/div. Set the frequency span for the FFT displayed from say 90kHz to
110kHz for a close up of the frequency domain of interest.
11. Capture a screenshot of the FFT and append to your report.
12. Observe DSB-SC signal in CRO by removing 1 V DC offset given to message
signal.

13. Implement: Detecting Amplitude modulation (AM)

14. Now connect the scope Ch02 to detector output. Now vary the 10K pot such that
In scope Ch02 you observe perfect sine wave. Measure its amplitude and
frequency. Tabulate them in Table-02.Capture a screenshot of the detected
signal.
Table-02
S.No Amplitude Frequency

15. Repeat step-08 to step-13.

16. Use the ELVIS III Function Generator output Ch01 to create a message signal
Sine voltage of 11VPP of frequency 1 KHz.
17. Repeat step-08 to step-13.

Post Lab Requirements

1. Save the screenshot of waveforms obtained, and bring printout of waveforms in next lab.
2. Note the readings as instructed by your advisor.
3. Submit practical report in next lab for correction
Results:

AM and DSB-SC circuit has been designed and output waveform has been is verified.

Precaution:

1. Check the connections before switching on the kit.

2. Connections should be done properly.
3. The components must be identified properly before giving the circuit connections.
4. Observation should be taken properly.

Viva Questions
1. Define modulation
2. What are the types of analog modulation?
3. Define depth of modulation
4. What are the degrees of modulation?
5. What is under modulation
6. What is over modulation
7. What is critical modulation
8. What is the need for modulation
9. What is Multiplexing
10. Write formula for MI
11. Define Modulation index and percent modulation for an AM wave
12. Define Single sideband suppressed carrier AM
13. Define Single sideband suppressed carrier AM
14. What are the advantages of single sideband transmission?
15. Discuss in detail about DSB-SC
16. Discuss in detail about DSB-FC
17. Give the Classification of Modulation.
18. Explain analog modulation.
19. What is the bandwidth of AM
20. Write formula for bandwidth of AM.
21. Define Detection.
22. What is single tone modulation?
23. What is multi tone modulation?
24. Compare AM with DSB-SC
25. Define Demodulation
26. Define Frequency Division Multiplexing
27. What is frequency translation?
28. What is narrow banding
29. What is the carrier frequency selected in experiment.
30. What is message signal frequency selected in experiment.
31. What happens to modulated wave if you change message amplitude?
32. What happens to modulated wave if you change carrier amplitude?
33. What happens to modulated wave if you change message frequency?
34. What change you observe in modulated wave if you change carrier frequency?
35. What is the IC used?
36. What is the value of VCC taken?
37. How you can power on the elvis kit?
38. Where is power supply in elvis kit?
39. How to see waveform through elvis kit?
40. What is peak to peak voltage?
41. What is peak voltage?
42. Write formula for modulation index.
43. How many function generator are present in AM?
44. Why diode is used in the circuit?
45. Draw over modulated AM waveform.
46. Draw under modulated AM waveform.
47. Draw AM waveform in critical modulation.
48. Why OPAM is used in the circuit?
49. Why variable resistor is used in the circuit?
50. Can carrier be square wave?