University of Dubai
College of Engineering and
IT
Department of Electrical Engineering
ENCS 300 Communication Systems Laboratory
Experiment No.2
Experiment Title: Basics of Amplitude modulation
Instructor: Dr. Diana Dawoud & Haitham Abu Damis
Course Learning Outcome Task Percentage Points
1 50%
CLO2. Understand analog amplitude, phase, frequency modulation and
demodulation from signal processing and functional block diagram 2 50%
descriptions
Total /100% /1
Name Id
Tsion Ayenew 4026
Wendmneh Chane 4050
Objectives: Become familiar with basic AM concepts
Risk Assessment: Low
Introduction
In this lab we will review the concepts of waveform addition and multiplication. Both operations are
pervasive in communication systems. We will review these operations in MATLAB, Simulink and
Multisim.
MATLAB and Simulink can only provide us with high level and theoretical modeling and analysis
capabilities. Typing code in MATLAB to model certain modulation schemes and mathematical operations
can only serve as a starting point for further study. Simulink allows us to connect and configure blocks
to gain a system-level view of such operations.
In actual communication systems, mathematical operations are implemented in hardware. In addition, the
hardware implementation utilizes components that you have already come across during your studies.
MOSFETs, BJTs, Diodes, Capacitors and other such components are the actual building blocks of
communication systems. Hence, we will also use Multisim to implement communication system blocks
such as adders and mixers.
Preliminary Task
Review the following:
◻ Trigonometric product identities:
Questions:
1- Define what is meant by the modulation index in amplitude modulation. (10 points)
The modulation index is a measure of how much the carrier wave’s amplitude
changes with respect to the message signal.
The modulation index (m) in AM is the ratio of the amplitude of the modulating
signal (Am) to the amplitude of the carrier signal (Ac): m = Am / Ac.
If m < 1m < 1m < 1: 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 − 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (carrier not fully utilized) If m
= 1m = 1m = 1: 𝟏𝟎𝟎% 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (ideal case).
If m > 1m > 1m > 1: 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 − 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (causes distortion).
2- True or false: We can have only one frequency component in the modulating signal. (5 points)
False — multiple frequency components can be contained in a modulating signal. It is
a simplified situation, and a single-frequency modulating signal is only used in
analysis, but in practice (e.g. speech, music) the modulating signal is a multiplicity
of frequencies.
Task 1. MATLAB
We will build upon our previous MATLAB experience in Lab 1, Task 1. We will
investigate the effect of having multiple modulating signals of different frequencies on
the carrier.
1- Use the following code:
t=0:.000001:.005;
%Modulating Signal Parameters
Am1=0.25; fm1=500;
%Carrier Signal Parameters Ac=2; fc=10000; mt=Am1*cos(2*pi*fm1.*t)
ct=Ac*cos(2*pi*fc.*t); st=(1+mt).*ct; figure('Name','Time domain representations of
FULL AM signals'); title('AM Modulation of Multitone sinusoidal Signal');
subplot(3,1,1) plot(t,mt)
xlabel('Time'); ylabel('Message signal'); subplot(3,1,2)
plot(t,ct)
xlabel('Time'); ylabel('Carrier Signal'); subplot(3,1,3)
plot(t,st,t,Ac.*(1+mt),'r')
xlabel('Time'); ylabel('Modulated signal');
2- Now, observe the plot and identify the modulating signal. What is the frequency of
the modulating signal?
The modulating signal is the message signal. In our case we are given with a frequency of
500Hz.
3- Add another modulating signal with an amplitude of 0.45 and a frequency of 300
Hz. Combine both modulating signals to modulate the carrier. Take a screenshot for
your code.
4- Plot the result and take a screenshot.
5- Add a third modulating signal with an amplitude of 0.25 and a frequency of 700 Hz.
Combine all three modulating signals to modulate the carrier. Take a screenshot for your
code.
6- Plot the result and take a screenshot.
Task 2: Multisim
For this task, we will implement an amplitude modulation circuit using Multisim. A diode
will be used as the mixing element. The large signal carrier of 2V and single tone
modulating signal of 0.8V are placed in series. The carrier signal causes the diode to turn
on and off periodically at the carrier frequency resulting in the modulation of the message signal
m(t) onto the carrier c(t).
A receiver circuit is needed to receive the transmitted signal. A properly designed filter is
necessary to recover the modulating signal which envelops the carrier. Follow the video tutorial
to recreate both circuits. Then, answer the following questions and apply any modifications
required.
[Link]
1. Recreate the circuits and take a screenshot for the schematic
2. Take a screenshot for the transmitted wave and received wave.
3. Now pay attention to the transmitter circuit. Change the amplitude of the
modulating signal to 0.6 V. Then, add a second modulating signal with a frequency of
700Hz and an amplitude of 0.3V. Take a screenshot fo the new schematic.
4. Take a screenshot of the new modulated signal.
5. What is the new modulation index?
𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑥 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑎 .
𝐴
𝑚
= =2
= 𝐴
