This document discusses amplitude modulation (AM) and detection. It begins by introducing AM, including its use of a carrier signal to transmit a baseband message signal. It describes how AM varies the amplitude of the carrier based on the message signal. The document then discusses envelope detection used at the receiver to recover the original message signal. It also introduces double sideband suppressed carrier AM, which removes the carrier component to increase power efficiency, requiring a product detector instead of envelope detection.

1. EEE 330
Introduction to
Communication Systems
Lecture # 3
Modulation and Detection
Amplitude Modulation

2. Overview
The Objectives of Today’s Lecture
Amplitude Modulation
Read Carlson et al. pp. 152–159, 176–
177

3. To Study Communication Systems
you must understand…
Signals and Systems
Fourier Analysis
Modulation Theory
We will study this in detail
Detection Theory
Given that this signal is corrupt at the receiver, how
do we determine the original signal?
Probability Theory
Since the transmit signal and noise are both unknown
to the receiver, we can use probability theory to
study communications systems

4. Baseband Communication
In communication, baseband is used the
band of frequencies where the transmitter
and the receiver communicates
telephony – audio band (0 - 3.5 kHz)
television – video band (0 - 4.3 MHz)
In baseband communication, the baseband
signals are transmitted without modulation
short distance communication
coaxial cable, optical fibers
Local telephone, short-haul PCM, long-distance
PCM over optical fibers

5. Carrier Communication
In carrier communication, the baseband
signal is shifted to higher frequencies by
modulation and transmitted to long
distances
In continuous-wave (CW) modulation,
the carrier is a sinusoid of frequency ωc.
This is the traditional mode for all-
analogue communications.
c(t)= Accos(ωct +θc)
In pulse modulation, the carrier is a

6. CW Modulation
Modulation means the change of one of
the parameters (amplitude, phase or
frequency) of the carrier signal in
proportion to the baseband signal
(information signal)
Amplitude (Ac) – Amplitude
Modulation (AM)
Phase (θc) – Phase Modulation (PM)
Frequency (ωc)– Frequency
Modulation (FM)

7. CW Modulation
(a) Carrier wave.
(b) Sinusoidal modulating
signal.
(c) Amplitude-modulated
signal.
(d) Angle-modulated signal.

8. Benefits of Modulation
There are three practical benefits that result from modulation:
1. Modulation can shift the spectral content of a message
signal into a band which is better suited to the channel.
Antennas only efficiently radiate and admit signals whose
wavelength is similar to their physical aperture.
Hence, to transmit and receive, say, voice, by radio we need
to shift the voice signal to a much higher frequency band.
2. Modulation permits the use of multiplexing.
Multiplexing means allowing simultaneous communication by
multiple users on the same channel.
For instance, the radio frequency spectrum must be shared
and modulation allows users to separate themselves into
bands.
3. Modulation can provide some control over
noise/interference.
As we will see, frequency modulation (FM) permits a tradeoff
between bandwidth and noise.

9. Amplitude Modulation (AM)
Amplitude modulation (AM) is a
technique from the very beginning of
CW radio transmission.
Also called “Large carrier (LC)” AM or
“Double Sideband Large Carrier
(DSB-LC) AM
It is still in use today because of its
simplicity.

10. Definitions
Message signal – information-bearing
signal that is to be recovered at the
receiver [x(t) ]
Carrier – the sinusoid with frequency
ωc that is used to “carry” the
information signal
Envelope – the time-varying
magnitude of the sinusoidal signal
(modulated signal)

11. Amplitude Modulation (AM)
A message signal x(t) is amplitude
modulated as follows:
g(t)= Ac (1 + µ x(t)) cos(ωct +θc)
The modulation index µ > 0 is chosen to
ensure that (1 + µ x(t)) > 0 and to
conserve power
Also |µ x(t)| < 1. When this is violated,
we call this “over-modulation”.

12. Envelope Variation
The envelope of the transmit signal g(t)
has the same shape as the message
signal provided that
1. Over-modulation doesn’t occur. In other
words as long as |µ x(t)| < 1.
This is the same as saying that (1 + µ x(t)) must be
positive. Since this represents the amplitude of the
carrier, we say that the amplitude cannot be “negative”
Negative amplitude corresponds to a phase reversal
2. The carrier frequency is much greater than
the message bandwidth ( fc >> W )
This is the same as saying that the carrier signal
changes much more quickly than the message signal

13. Frequency-Domain Analysis of an AM Signal
envelope

14. A System for Amplitude Modulation
Basic AM requires only an amplifier, a
summer and a mixer.
Amplitude Modulation

15. Demodulation
Definition: The recovery of the
message signal from the modulated
signal is called the demodulation or
detection.
Demodulation occurs at the receiver.

16. Amplitude Demodulation
A System for Amplitude Demodulation
To demodulate the received signal,
i.e., to recover the original message
signal, we can use an envelope
detector circuit.

17. A diode is used to half-wave rectify the received signal.
The R1C1 filter then smooths to recover an approximation of the
original envelope.
R2C2 removes the bias.

18. Double Sideband Suppressed-
Carrier (DSB-SC) AM
A problem with AM is that it is inefficient with power.
Most of the transmitted power is wasted during the
transmission of the carrier component.
We can improve the power efficiency of AM by
removing the unmodulated carrier component.
This is termed Double Sideband Suppressed-Carrier
(DSB-SC) AM
g(t)= Ac m(t) cos(ωct +θc)
Now, all of the power is devoted to the message –
more power efficient
However, a simple envelope detector is not possible, a
product detector is needed.

19. DSB-SC AM Modulator
Ac cos(ωct +θc)
m(t) g(t)= Ac m(t) cos(ωct + θc)
Baseband signal Modulated Signal
Carrier

20. DSB-SC AM
message signal m(t)
Bandwidth = B
Baseband signal
Baseband spectrum

21. DSB-SC AM
Modulated Signal A m(t) cos(ωct +θc)
Let θc = 0 (since it is a constant) and A = 1
Bandwidth = 2B
Modulated Signal SpectrumModulated Signal

22. Notes on DSB-SC
Multiplying by cos(ωct) relocates the baseband
spectrum to ±ωc .
There is no discrete component of the
frequency ωc . “Suppressed Carrier”
DSB-SC AM
DSB AM
Suppressed
carrier
Discrete
carrier
component

23. Notes on DSB-SC
Evenif we view the baseband spectrum as
having + frequencies, the modulated signal
spectrum shows upper and lower parts.
The modulated signal spectrum centered at
ωc is composed of two parts
USB – Upper Sideband (ω > ωc)
LSB – Lower Sideband (ω < ωc)
Similarly, the spectrum centered at –ωc is
composed of two parts
USB – Upper Sideband (ω < -ωc)
LSB – Lower Sideband (ω > -ωc)

24. Notes on DSB-SC
Each ± copy of the baseband spectrum
loses ½ amplitude relative to the
baseband.
To have non-overlapping spectra
centered at +ωc and –ωc , 2πB ≤ ωc.
Nyquist criterion
If two spectra overlaps, the message
signal cannot be recovered (Aliasing)

25. Notes on DSB-SC
When m(t) crosses
zero, the envelope is
momentarily
estinguished, and it
appears as m(t) goes
negative.
An accurate phase
information is needed
at the receiver.
The envelope of DSB-
SC reflects |m(t)|
Envelope detector
cannot be used.
m(t) crosses zero

26. Demodulation of DSB-SC
(Product Detector)
Local
Osscilator
As stated previously, one can no longer use a simple
envelope detector as a receiver
Envelope doesn’t follow message signal
However we can still recover the message through
the use of a product detector

27. Product Detector
LPF
Suppressed by LPF

28. Notes on DSB-SC Demodulation
Multiply the modulated signal by the “same”
carrier signal of the transmitter used.
“same” : same frequency
: same phase
This type of demodulation is called the
synchronous or coherent detection
We need very precise local oscillator tuning
or automatic carrier recovery circuits