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Double-sideband suppressed-carrier transmission (DSB-SC)

Double-sideband suppressed-carrier transmission (DSB-SC) is transmission in which

frequencies produced by amplitude modulation (AM) are symmetrically spaced above and below
the carrier frequency and the carrier level is reduced to the lowest practical level, ideally being
completely suppressed.

DSB-SC Spectrum
DSB-SC is basically an amplitude modulation wave without the carrier, therefore reducing
power waste, giving it a 50% efficiency. This is an increase compared to normal AM transmission
(DSB), which has a maximum efficiency of 33.333%, since 2/3 of the power is in the carrier which
carries no intelligence, and each sideband carries the same information. Single Side Band (SSB)
Suppressed Carrier is 100% efficient is shown in Figure 1.2.1 .

Figure 1.2.1 Spectrum plot of an DSB-SC Signal

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Generation:
DSB-SC is generated by a mixer. This consists of a message signal multiplied by a carrier
signal. The mathematical representation of this process is shown below, where the product-to-sum
trigonometric identity is used. Figure shows the 1.2.2 Generation of DSB Signals

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Figure 1.2.2 Generation of DSB Signals

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Demodulation:
Demodulation is done by multiplying the DSB-SC signal with the carrier signal just like the
modulation process. This resultant signal is then passed through a low pass filter to produce a
scaled version of original message signal. DSB-SC can be demodulated if modulation index is less
than unity.

The equation above shows that by multiplying the modulated signal by the carrier signal, the result
is a scaled version of the original message signal plus a second term. Since , ωc>>ωm wthis second
term is much higher in frequency than the original message. Once this signal passes through a low
pass filter, the higher frequency component is removed, leaving just the original message.

Distortion and Attenuation:

For demodulation, the demodulation oscillator's frequency and phase must be exactly the
same as modulation oscillator's, otherwise, distortion and/or attenuation will occur.
To see this effect, take the following conditions:

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In the process of Amplitude Modulation, the modulated wave consists of the carrier wave
and two sidebands. The modulated wave has the information only in the sidebands. Sideband is
nothing but a band of frequencies, containing power, which are the lower and higher frequencies
of the carrier frequency. The transmission of a signal, which contains a carrier along with two
sidebands can be termed as Double Sideband Full Carrier system or simply DSBFC. It is plotted
as shown in the following figure 1.2.3.

Figure 1.2.3 Spectrum of Double Sideband Full Carrier system

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However, such a transmission is inefficient. Because, two-thirds of the power is being wasted in
the carrier, which carries no information. If this carrier is suppressed and the saved power is
distributed to the two sidebands, then such a process is called as Double Sideband Suppressed
Carrier system or simply DSBSC. It is plotted as shown in the following figure 1.2.4.

Figure 1.2.4 Carrier is suppressed and side bands are allowed for transmission

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Mathematical Expressions

Let us consider the same mathematical expressions for modulating and carrier signals as we have
considered in the earlier chapters.

i.e., Modulating signal

m(t)=Amcos(2πfmt)m(t) (1)

Carrier signal

c(t)=Accos(2πfct) (2)

Mathematically, we can represent the equation of DSBSC wave as the product of modulating and
carrier signals.
s(t)=m(t)c(t)s(t)
s(t)=AmAccos(2πfmt)cos(2πfct) (3)
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Bandwidth of DSBSC Wave

We know the formula for bandwidth (BW) is
BW=fmax−fmin
BW=fmax−fmin

Consider the equation of DSBSC modulated wave.

s(t)=AmAccos(2πfmt)cos(2πfct) (4)

s(t)=AmAc2cos[2π(fc+fm)t]+AmAc2cos[2π(fc−fm)t]

The DSBSC modulated wave has only two frequencies. So, the maximum and minimum
frequencies are fc+fmfc+fm and fc−fmfc−fm respectively.
i.e.,
fmax=fc+fm and
fmin=fc−fm
Substitute, fmax and fmin values in the bandwidth formula.
BW=fc+fm−(fc−fm)
BW=fc+fm−(fc−fm)
Band Width (BW) =2fm
Thus, the bandwidth of DSBSC wave is same as that of AM wave and it is equal to twice
the frequency of the modulating signal.nConsider the following equation of DSBSC modulated
wave.
s(t)=AmAc/2cos[2π(fc+fm)t]+AmAc/2cos[2π(fc−fm)t]
Power of DSBSC wave is equal to the sum of powers of upper sideband and lower sideband
frequency components.
Pt=PUSB+PLSB

We know the standard formula for power of cos signal is

P=(Vrms/√2)2/R
=(Vm/√2)2 / R
First, let us find the powers of upper sideband and lower sideband one by one.

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Upper sideband power

PUSB=(AmAc/2/√2)2/ R
=Am2Ac2/8R (5)

Similarly, we will get the lower sideband power same as that of upper sideband power.
PUSB=Am2Ac2/8R

Now, let us add these two sideband powers in order to get the power of DSBSC wave.
Pt=Am2Ac2/8R+Am2Ac2/8R
Pt=Am2Ac2/4R (6)

Therefore, the power required for transmitting DSBSC wave is equal to the power of both the
sidebands.
The following two modulators generate DSBSC wave.

 Balanced modulator

 Ring modulator

Balanced Modulator

Following is the block diagram of the Balanced modulator shown in figure. Balanced
modulator consists of two identical AM modulators. These two modulators are arranged in a
balanced configuration in order to suppress the carrier signal. Hence, it is called as Balanced
modulator.

The same carrier signal c(t)=Accos(2πfct)is applied as one of the inputs to these two AM
modulators. The modulating signal m(t) is applied as another input to the upper AM modulator.
Whereas, the modulating signal m(t)m(t) with opposite polarity, i.e., -m(t) is applied as another
input to the lower AM modulator.

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Output of the upper AM modulator is

s1(t)=Ac[1+kam(t)]cos(2πfct)

Output of the lower AM modulator is

s2(t)=Ac[1−kam(t)]cos(2πfct)

We get the DSBSC wave s(t) by subtracting s2(t) from s1(t). The summer block is used to
perform this operation. s1(t)with positive sign and s2(t) with negative sign are applied as inputs to
summer block. Thus, the summer block produces an output s(t) which is the difference
of s1(t) and s2(t).

s(t)=Ac[1+kam(t)]Cos(2πfct)−Ac[1−kam(t)]Cos(2πfct)

s(t)=Accos(2πfct) + Ackam(t)Cos(2πfct)−AcCos(2πfct)+
Ackam(t)Cos(2πfct) (7)

s(t)=2Ackam(t)cos(2πfct)

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We know the standard equation of DSBSC wave is

s(t)=Acm(t)cos(2πfct) (8)

By comparing the output of summer block with the standard equation of DSBSC wave, we will
get the scaling factor as 2ka.

Ring Modulator
Following is the block diagram of the Ring modulator shown in Figure 1.2.5.

Figure 1.2.5 Ring Modulator

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In this diagram, the four diodes D1,D2,D3 and D4 are connected in the ring structure.
Hence, this modulator is called as the ring modulator. Two center tapped transformers are used
in this diagram. The message signal m(t)m(t) is applied to the input transformer. Whereas, the
carrier signals c(t)c(t) is applied between the two center tapped transformers.
For positive half cycle of the carrier signal, the diodes D1 and D3 are switched ON and the other
two diodes D2 and D4 are switched OFF. In this case, the message signal is multiplied by +1.
For negative half cycle of the carrier signal, the diodes D2D2 and D4D4 are switched ON
and the other two diodes D1 and D3 are switched OFF. In this case, the message signal is
multiplied by -1. This results in 180 degree phase shift in the resulting DSBSC wave. From the
above analysis, we can say that the four diodes D1, D2, D3 and D4 are controlled by the carrier
signal.

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We will get DSBSC wave s(t)s(t), which is just the product of the carrier signal c(t)c(t) and the
message signal m(t)m(t) i.e.,

(9)

The above equation represents DSB-SC wave, which is obtained at the output transformer
of the ring modulator. DSBSC modulators are also called as product modulators as they produce
the output, which is the product of two input signals.

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