Analog and Digital
Modulation
Overview
Communication systems
Analog Modulation
AM
FM
Digital Modulation
ASK
FSK
Modems
Communication systems
Digital
Analog
The block diagram on the top shows the blocks common to
all communication systems
Remember the components of a communications
system:
Input transducer: The device that converts a physical signal
from source to an electrical, mechanical or electromagnetic
signal more suitable for communicating
Transmitter: The device that sends the transduced signal
Transmission channel: The physical medium on which the
signal is carried
Receiver: The device that recovers the transmitted signal from
the channel
Output transducer: The device that converts the received signal
back into a useful quantity
Analog Modulation
The purpose of a communication system is to transmit
information signals (baseband signals) through a communication
channel
The term baseband is used to designate the band of frequencies
representing the original signal as delivered by the input
transducer
For example, the voice signal from a microphone is a
baseband signal, and contains frequencies in the range of 0-
3000 Hz
The “hello” wave is a baseband signal:
Since this baseband signal must be transmitted through a
communication channel such as air using electromagnetic waves, an
appropriate procedure is needed to shift the range of baseband
frequencies to other frequency ranges suitable for transmission, and a
corresponding shift back to the original frequency range after
reception. This is called the process of modulation and demodulation
Remember the radio spectrum:
AM radio FM radio/TV
For example, an AM radio system transmits electromagnetic waves
with frequencies of around a few hundred kHz (MF band)
The FM radio system must operate with frequencies in the range of 88-
108 MHz (VHF band)
Since the baseband signal contains frequencies in the audio frequency
range (3 kHz), some form of frequency-band shifting must be
employed for the radio system to operate satisfactorily
This process is accomplished by a device called a modulator
The transmitter block in any communications system contains the
modulator device
The receiver block in any communications system contains the
demodulator device
The modulator modulates a carrier wave (the electromagnetic wave)
which has a frequency that is selected from an appropriate band in the
radio spectrum
For example, the frequency of a carrier wave for FM can be chosen
from the VHF band of the radio spectrum
For AM, the frequency of the carrier wave may be chosen to be
around a few hundred kHz (from the MF band of the radio
spectrum)
The demodulator extracts the original baseband signal from the
received modulated signal
To Summarize:
Modulation is the process of impressing a low-frequency information
signal (baseband signal )onto a higher frequency carrier signal
Modulation is done to bring information signals up to the Radio
Basic analog communications system
Baseband signal
EM waves (modulated
(electrical signal) Transmitter signal)
Input Transmission
transducer Modulator
Channel
EM waves (modulated
Carrier signal)
Baseband signal
(electrical signal) Receiver
Output
Demodulator
transducer
Types of Analog Modulation
Amplitude Modulation (AM)
Amplitude modulation is the process of varying the
amplitude of a carrier wave in proportion to the
amplitude of a baseband signal. The frequency of the
carrier remains constant
Frequency Modulation (FM)
Frequency modulation is the process of varying the
frequency of a carrier wave in proportion to the
amplitude of a baseband signal. The amplitude of the
carrier remains constant
Phase Modulation (PM)
Another form of analog modulation technique which we
will not discuss
Amplitude Modulation
Carrier wave
Baseband signal
Modulated wave
Amplitude varying-
frequency constant
Frequency Modulation
Carrier wave
Small amplitude: Large amplitude:
Baseband signal high frequency
low frequency
Modulated wave
Frequency varying-
amplitude constant
AM vs. FM
AM requires a simple circuit, and is very easy to generate.
It is simple to tune, and is used in almost all short wave
broadcasting.
The area of coverage of AM is greater than FM (longer
wavelengths (lower frequencies) are utilized-remember
property of HF waves?)
However, it is quite inefficient, and is susceptible to static and
other forms of electrical noise.
The main advantage of FM is its audio quality and immunity to
noise. Most forms of static and electrical noise are naturally
AM, and an FM receiver will not respond to AM signals.
The audio quality of a FM signal increases as the frequency
deviation increases (deviation from the center frequency),
which is why FM broadcast stations use such large deviation.
The main disadvantage of FM is the larger bandwidth it
requires
Digital Modulation
The previous section presented analog communication
systems that transmit information in analog form using
Amplitude or Frequency modulation
Digital communication systems also employ modulation
techniques, some of which include:
Amplitude Shift Keying
Frequency Shift Keying
Phase Shift Keying
Basic digital communications
system Transmitter EM waves (modulated
Digital signal
signal)
Analog signal
correction
converter
Transmission
coding
Input Modulator
Error
transducer A/D Channel
Carrier EM waves
Receiver (modulated signal)
analog signal digital signal
correction
detection/
converter
Output Error Demodulator
transducer
D/A
Some Types of Digital Modulation
Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)
The most basic (binary) form of ASK involves the process of switching
the carrier either on or off, in correspondence to a sequence of digital
pulses that constitute the information signal. One binary digit is
represented by the presence of a carrier, the other binary digit is
represented by the absence of a carrier. Frequency remains fixed
Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)
The most basic (binary) form of FSK involves the process of varying
the frequency of a carrier wave by choosing one of two frequencies
(binary FSK) in correspondence to a sequence of digital pulses that
constitute the information signal. Two binary digits are represented
by two frequencies around the carrier frequency. Amplitude remains
fixed
Phase Shift Keying (PSK)
Another form of digital modulation technique which we will not
discuss
Amplitude Shift Keying
Digital 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0
information
Carrier wave
ASK
modulated
signal
Amplitude varying-
frequency constant
Carrier present Carrier absent
Frequency Shift Keying
1 0 1 1 0 0 1
Digital
information
Carrier 1
(frequency #1)
Carrier 2
(frequency #2)
FSK
modulated
signal
Frequency varying-
amplitude constant
Modems
A modem, which stands for "modulator-demodulator," is a
device connecting your home to your internet service provider
(ISP) through a physical connection. The modem translates the
data from your ISP into a format that your home network
devices can use.
There are three common types of modem connections:
Dial-up — A modem that uses a phone line to connect to an
ISP. This is the oldest type of modem connection and has
largely been replaced by broadband connections.
Source: http://Wikipedia.com
Modems
DSL — A digital subscriber line modem uses a phone line to
connect to an ISP but with much higher speeds than dial-up.
Cable — A modem that uses a cable TV line to connect to an
ISP. This is the most common type of modem connection.
Most ISPs will either rent you a modem or sell you one outright.
Many modems nowadays are "all-in-one" devices that also
include a router, although you can still purchase a modem and
router separately.
Source: http://Wikipedia.com
Modems
DSL — A digital subscriber line modem uses a phone line to
connect to an ISP but with much higher speeds than dial-up.
Cable — A modem that uses a cable TV line to connect to an
ISP. This is the most common type of modem connection.
Most ISPs will either rent you a modem or sell you one outright.
Many modems nowadays are "all-in-one" devices that also
include a router, although you can still purchase a modem and
router separately.
Source: http://Wikipedia.com
Routers
A router is a device that creates a local area network (LAN). The router
connects to your modem and then to your devices, such as computers,
laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
The router connects all devices on your home network and allows them to
communicate. It also allows those devices to connect to the internet.
Other advantages of a router include:
Firewall protection — A router can provide some protection against outside
threats by acting as a firewall.
Network security — A router can also help secure your home network by
hiding the IP addresses of your devices from the public internet.
Parental controls — A router can allow you to set up parental controls so
that you can restrict internet access for certain devices.
Connect to a VPN — A router can also be used to connect to a virtual
private network (VPN), providing additional security and privacy for your
home network.
Routers
A router is a device that creates a local area network (LAN).
The router connects to your modem and then to your devices,
such as computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets.
The router connects all devices on your home network and
allows them to communicate. It also allows those devices to
connect to the internet.
Other advantages of a router include:
Firewall protection — A router can provide some protection
against outside threats by acting as a firewall.
Routers
There are two main types: wired and wireless.
Wireless routers: A wireless router connects to a modem via
an Ethernet cable. This transmits data by converting binary
code into radio waves. Signals are broadcast wirelessly using
antennas. Wireless routers don't create LANs; instead, they
establish WLANs that connect several wireless devices.
Wired routers: A wired router connects to a modem using an
Ethernet connection. It then uses other cables to link the
network's devices to one another and connect them to the
internet.
Routers
Modems Vs Routers
Routers
there are two main types: wired and wireless.
Wireless routers: A wireless router connects to a modem via
an Ethernet cable. This transmits data by converting binary
code into radio waves. Signals are broadcast wirelessly using
antennas. Wireless routers don't create LANs; instead, they
establish WLANs that connect several wireless devices.
Wired routers: A wired router connects to a modem using an
Ethernet connection. It then uses other cables to link the
network's devices to one another and connect them to the
internet.
