Analog Communication - Angle Modulation

The other type of modulation in continuous-wave modulation is Angle Modulation. Angle Modulation is the process in which the frequency or the phase of the carrier signal varies according to the message signal.

The standard equation of the angle modulated wave is

$$sleft ( t ight )=A_c cos heta _ileft ( t ight )$$

Where,

$A_c$ is the ampptude of the modulated wave, which is the same as the ampptude of the carrier signal

$ heta _ileft ( t ight )$ is the angle of the modulated wave

Angle modulation is further spanided into frequency modulation and phase modulation.

Frequency Modulation is the process of varying the frequency of the carrier signal pnearly with the message signal.

Phase Modulation is the process of varying the phase of the carrier signal pnearly with the message signal.

Now, let us discuss these in detail.

Frequency Modulation

In ampptude modulation, the ampptude of the carrier signal varies. Whereas, in Frequency Modulation (FM), the frequency of the carrier signal varies in accordance with the instantaneous ampptude of the modulating signal.

Hence, in frequency modulation, the ampptude and the phase of the carrier signal remains constant. This can be better understood by observing the following figures.

The frequency of the modulated wave increases, when the ampptude of the modulating or message signal increases. Similarly, the frequency of the modulated wave decreases, when the ampptude of the modulating signal decreases. Note that, the frequency of the modulated wave remains constant and it is equal to the frequency of the carrier signal, when the ampptude of the modulating signal is zero.

Mathematical Representation

The equation for instantaneous frequency $f_i$ in FM modulation is

$$f_i=f_c+k_fmleft ( t ight )$$

Where,

$f_c$ is the carrier frequency

$k_t$ is the frequency sensitivity

$mleft ( t ight )$ is the message signal

We know the relationship between angular frequency $omega_i$ and angle $ heta _ileft ( t ight )$ as

$$omega_i=frac{d heta _ileft ( t ight )}{dt}$$

$Rightarrow 2 pi f_i=frac{d heta _ileft ( t ight )}{dt}$

$Rightarrow heta _ileft ( t ight )= 2piint f_i dt$

Substitute, $f_i$ value in the above equation.

$$ heta _ileft ( t ight )=2 piint left ( f_c+k_f mleft ( t ight ) ight )dt$$

$Rightarrow heta _ileft ( t ight )=2 pi f_ct+2 pi k_fint mleft ( t ight )dt$

Substitute, $ heta _ileft ( t ight )$ value in the standard equation of angle modulated wave.

$$sleft ( t ight )=A_c cosleft ( 2 pi f_ct + 2 pi k_f int mleft ( t ight )dt ight )$$

This is the equation of FM wave.

If the modulating signal is $mleft ( t ight )= A_m cos left ( 2 pi f_mt ight )$, then the equation of FM wave will be

$$sleft ( t ight )=A_c cosleft ( 2 pi f_ct + eta sin left ( 2 pi f_mt ight ) ight )$$

Where,

$eta$ = modulation index $=frac{Delta f}{f_m}=frac{k_fA_m}{f_m}$

The difference between FM modulated frequency (instantaneous frequency) and normal carrier frequency is termed as Frequency Deviation. It is denoted by $Delta f$, which is equal to the product of $k_f$ and $A_m$.

FM can be spanided into Narrowband FM and Wideband FM based on the values of modulation index $eta$.

Narrowband FM

Following are the features of Narrowband FM.

This frequency modulation has a small bandwidth when compared to wideband FM.

The modulation index $eta$ is small, i.e., less than 1.

Its spectrum consists of the carrier, the upper sideband and the lower sideband.

This is used in mobile communications such as popce wireless, ambulances, taxicabs, etc.

Wideband FM

Following are the features of Wideband FM.

This frequency modulation has infinite bandwidth.

The modulation index $eta$ is large, i.e., higher than 1.

Its spectrum consists of a carrier and infinite number of sidebands, which are located around it.

This is used in entertainment, broadcasting apppcations such as FM radio, TV, etc.

Phase Modulation

In frequency modulation, the frequency of the carrier varies. Whereas, in Phase Modulation (PM), the phase of the carrier signal varies in accordance with the instantaneous ampptude of the modulating signal.

So, in phase modulation, the ampptude and the frequency of the carrier signal remains constant. This can be better understood by observing the following figures.

The phase of the modulated wave has got infinite points, where the phase shift in a wave can take place. The instantaneous ampptude of the modulating signal changes the phase of the carrier signal. When the ampptude is positive, the phase changes in one direction and if the ampptude is negative, the phase changes in the opposite direction.

Mathematical Representation

The equation for instantaneous phase $phi_i$ in phase modulation is

$$phi _i=k_p mleft ( t ight )$$

Where,

$k_p$ is the phase sensitivity

$mleft ( t ight )$ is the message signal

The standard equation of angle modulated wave is

$$sleft ( t ight )=A_c cos left ( 2 pi f_ct+phi_i ight )$$

Substitute, $phi_i$ value in the above equation.

$$sleft ( t ight )=A_c cos left ( 2 pi f_ct+k_p m left ( t ight ) ight )$$

This is the equation of PM wave.

If the modulating signal, $mleft ( t ight )=A_m cos left ( 2 pi f_mt ight ) $, then the equation of PM wave will be

$$sleft ( t ight )=A_c cosleft (2 pi f_ct+eta cosleft ( 2 pi f_mt ight ) ight )$$

Where,

$eta$ = modulation index = $Delta phi=k_pA_m$

$Delta phi$ is phase deviation

Phase modulation is used in mobile communication systems, while frequency modulation is used mainly for FM broadcasting.