Amplitude Modulation Circuits Chapter 3 Amplitude Modulation Circuits

AMPLITUDE MODULATORS AM is the process of multiplying the carrier by the modulating signal. Non-linear mixing is another name for AM. An amplitude modulator must multiply analog signals or mix them together in a non-linear device like a diode.

DIODE MODULATOR Diode provides Envelope matches multiplication information signal Information Carrier AM signal

HOW THE DIODE MODULATOR WORKS The resistive network adds the carrier and modulating signals. The diode rectifies the result producing non-linear mixing. The parallel tuned circuit selects the carrier and sidebands and rejects the modulating signal.

DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFIER MODULATOR A differential amplifier makes a good amplitude modulator. The modulating signal is used to vary the common mode current in the transistors that amplify the carrier. Most integrated circuit (IC) amplitude modulators are based upon the differential amplifier modulator.

PIN DIODE MODULATOR A PIN diode acts as a voltage variable resistor at very high frequencies. An amplitude modulator can be made with PIN diodes if the carrier frequency is VHF, UHF, or microwaves. The PIN diodes are connected as resistive attenuators for the carrier. The attenuation is varied by the modulating signal producing AM.

AM LEVEL Low level AM produces the AM signal at a very low power level. High power amplifiers increase the power to the desired level. Less efficient linear amplifiers must be used to amplify the AM signal. High level AM is produced by amplitude modulating the final amplifier stage in a transmitter. More efficient class C amplifiers can be used.

AM DEMODULATOR A demodulator is a circuit that recovers the original information signal from the carrier that is received. The simplest AM demodulator is a half wave rectifier circuit called a diode detector. The diode detector is also the simplest AM receiver. It is called a crystal radio.

AM DIODE DEMODULATOR (DETECTOR) Information out AM signal in Diode current (no filter) Filtered waveform

BALANCED MODULATOR A balanced modulator is an amplitude modulator that suppresses the carrier but produces both upper and lower sidebands. A balanced modulator produces DSB. Diode ring or diode lattice modulators are widely used. IC balanced modulators based upon differential amplifiers are very popular.

DIODE LATTICE BALANCED MODULATOR When the modulating signal is non-zero, the diodes are unbalanced and so are the carrier currents which produce an output. When the modulating signal is 0, there is no output since the currents in the output transformer are equal and opposite (flux cancellation). Modulating signal DSB output Carrier oscillator

GENERATING SSB A balanced modulator eliminates the carrier and provides DSB. A filter removes the undesired sideband producing SSB. Quartz crystal filters are the most widely used sideband filters since they are very selective and inexpensive.

TYPICAL SSB TRANSMITTER Antenna DSB signal SSB signal Balanced modulator Carrier oscillator Microphone Audio amplifier Sideband filter Linear amplifier fC Filter response curve Lower sidebands Upper sidebands

THE PHASING METHOD OF SSB Another way to produce SSB uses a phase shift method to eliminate one sideband. Two balanced modulators driven by carriers and modulating signals 90º out of phase produce DSB. Adding the two DSB signals together results in one sideband being cancelled out.

DEMODULATING SSB AND DSB The basic diode detector will not recover the information from a DSB or SSB signal. A balanced modulator is used to recover the SSB or DSB signal. A SSB/DSB demodulator is often called a product detector. The incoming SSB or DSB signal is mixed with the carrier generated in the receiver to reproduce the original modulating signal.

DSB SIGNAL WITH SINE WAVE MODULATION Note: the envelope is not a sine wave The basic diode detector will produce this waveform which is not the original information signal.

TYPICAL DSB OR SSB DETECTOR Also called a product detector Carrier oscillator Balanced modulator Information out DSB (or SSB) signal