Experiment No.

1: To Study AM Modulator and

Determine the Modulation Index
Aim:

To study the working of an Amplitude Modulation (AM) modulator circuit and determine the
modulation index.

Theory:
Amplitude Modulation (AM) is a modulation technique in which the amplitude of a carrier
signal is varied in proportion to the amplitude of the modulating signal. The modulation index
(m) quantifies the extent of modulation and is calculated using:
Modulation Index (m) = (Maximum amplitude of modulated signal - Minimum amplitude
of modulated signal) / (Maximum amplitude of modulated signal + Minimum amplitude
of modulated signal)

= – / +

 Carrier Signal: A high-frequency sine wave used to carry the information.

 Modulating Signal: A low-frequency signal (e.g., audio) that contains the information.

 Modulated Signal: The resultant signal after combining the carrier and modulating
signals.
When m<1, the signal is under-modulated; when m=1, it is fully modulated; and when m>1, it
is over-modulated, leading to distortion.

Apparatus Required:

1. Function Generator

2. Oscilloscope
3. Resistors: 2.2 kΩ
4. Capacitor: 3-40 pF

5. Inductor: 10 µH
6. Diode: IN4148
7. Breadboard
8. Connecting wires

Prepared by: Dr. Md. Firoz Ahmed-2, Associate Professor, Dept. of ICE, R.U
Circuit Diagram:

Working Principle:

1. Carrier Signal Generation: The function generator produces a high-frequency

sinusoidal signal (carrier wave) within the range of 1-100 MHz.

2. Modulating Signal Input: The audio input signal (e.g., from a microphone or audio
source) is applied to the circuit.

3. Diode Mixing: The carrier signal and modulating signal are combined using a diode.
The diode acts as a non-linear element, creating harmonics and mixing products.
4. Filter Circuit (LC Tank): The LC tank circuit (inductor and capacitor) acts as a
bandpass filter, selecting the desired AM signal frequency.

5. AM Modulated Output: The output of the LC tank circuit is the AM modulated signal,
which carries the information from the audio signal on the carrier wave.

Experimental Procedure:
1. Circuit Setup:

 Connect the function generator to the input of the circuit.

 Connect the oscilloscope to the output of the circuit.

 Assemble the circuit on the breadboard as shown in the diagram.

2. Carrier Signal Generation:

 Set the function generator to produce a sinusoidal wave at a frequency within

the range of 1-100 MHz.

 Adjust the amplitude of the carrier signal to a suitable level.

Prepared by: Dr. Md. Firoz Ahmed-2, Associate Professor, Dept. of ICE, R.U
 3. Modulating Signal Input:

 Apply an audio signal (e.g., from a microphone or audio source) to the

circuit.
4. Observation:

 Observe the output waveform on the oscilloscope.

 Note the amplitude variations of the carrier wave in response to the audio signal.

 Measure the frequency of the carrier wave and the modulated signal.

 Measure the maximum and minimum amplitudes of the modulated wave on the
oscilloscope.
5. Calculation of Modulation Index:

 Calculate the modulation index (m) using the formula:

= – / +

6. Data Collection:

 Record the values of the carrier frequency, modulating signal frequency, and
modulation index.

 Repeat the experiment for different carrier frequencies and modulation indices.

Experimental Table:

Results and Discussion:

 Present the collected data in a tabular format.

 Plot the graphs of the carrier signal, modulating signal, and AM modulated signal.

 Analyze the effect of different carrier frequencies and modulation indices on the AM
signal.
 Compare the experimental values of the modulation index with the theoretical values
(if available).

Prepared by: Dr. Md. Firoz Ahmed-2, Associate Professor, Dept. of ICE, R.U
  Discuss the limitations of the circuit and possible improvements.
Observations:

 The oscilloscope should display the AM modulated signal with amplitude variations
corresponding to the audio signal.
 The frequency of the AM modulated signal should be equal to the carrier frequency.

 The modulation index can be calculated from the peak-to-peak amplitude of the
modulating signal and the peak amplitude of the carrier.

Discussion:
 The circuit provides a basic understanding of AM modulation.

 Limitations include potential distortion due to non-linearity of the diode and the
simplicity of the filter circuit.

 Possible improvements include using a more sophisticated filter circuit, incorporating

a buffer stage, and using a more efficient diode.

Safety Precautions:
 Ensure the power supply is properly grounded.

 Avoid touching the circuit while it is powered on.

 Use appropriate safety measures when working with high frequencies.

Prepared by: Dr. Md. Firoz Ahmed-2, Associate Professor, Dept. of ICE, R.U
 Experiment No. 2: To Study AM Demodulator
Aim:
To study the working of an AM demodulator circuit and observe how the original modulating
signal is recovered from the amplitude-modulated (AM) signal.

Theory:

Amplitude demodulation is the process of extracting the original modulating signal

(information signal) from an amplitude-modulated (AM) wave. A commonly used demodulator
circuit for AM is the envelope detector, which consists of a diode, a capacitor, and a resistor.
The envelope detector works as follows:

1. The diode rectifies the incoming AM signal (allowing only positive cycles).
2. The capacitor charges and discharges to follow the envelope of the modulated signal.

3. The resistor determines the discharge rate and ensures smooth recovery of the original
signal.

The demodulated signal is observed at the output of the circuit.

Mathematical Explanation:
The AM signal is represented as:

( ) = [1 + ⋅ ( )] ⋅ (2 )

Where:

 : Modulation index

 ( ): Modulating signal

 : Carrier frequency

The demodulator recovers ( ), the original modulating signal.

Apparatus Required:
1. Function Generator
2. Oscilloscope

3. Resistors: 10 kΩ

4. Capacitor: 0.01 µF
5. Diode: 1N34
6. Breadboard

7. Connecting wires

Prepared by: Dr. Md. Firoz Ahmed-2, Associate Professor, Dept. of ICE, R.U
Circuit Diagram:

Working Principle:

1. AM Signal Input: The AM modulated signal from the previous experiment or an

external source is applied to the input of the circuit.

2. Diode Detection: The diode acts as a non-linear element, allowing current to flow only
in one direction. This results in the rectification of the AM wave, producing a half-wave
rectified waveform.

3. RC Filter: The RC filter (resistor and capacitor) smooths the rectified waveform,
removing the high-frequency components (carrier signal) and leaving behind the low-
frequency audio signal.
4. Recovered Audio Signal: The output of the RC filter is the recovered audio signal,
which can be observed on the oscilloscope.

Experimental Procedure:
1. Circuit Setup:

 Connect the function generator to the input of the circuit.

 Connect the oscilloscope to the output of the circuit.

 Assemble the circuit on the breadboard as shown in the diagram.

2. AM Signal Input:

 Apply the AM modulated signal from the previous experiment or an external

source to the input of the circuit.

Prepared by: Dr. Md. Firoz Ahmed-2, Associate Professor, Dept. of ICE, R.U
 3. Observation:

 Observe the output waveform on the oscilloscope.

 Note the presence of the recovered audio signal.

 Adjust the values of the resistor and capacitor to optimize the demodulation
process.
4. Data Collection:

 Record the values of the resistor and capacitor used in the circuit.

 Note the quality of the recovered audio signal (e.g., distortion, noise).
Experimental Table:

Results and Discussion:

 The envelope detector successfully recovered the original modulating signal from the
AM wave.

 The amplitude of the recovered signal depended on the RC time constant.

Discussion Points:

1. A higher value of the RC time constant resulted in smoother recovery but

delayed response.

2. A lower RC time constant led to faster response but increased ripple.

3. Accurate demodulation required a balance between smoothness and

responsiveness in the RC network.

Conclusion

 The experiment demonstrated the working of an AM demodulator using an envelope

detector. The original modulating signal was successfully extracted, verifying the
principle of amplitude demodulation.

Prepared by: Dr. Md. Firoz Ahmed-2, Associate Professor, Dept. of ICE, R.U