UNIT-5

ANGLE MODULATION (FM) – I

Topics: Basic definitions, FM, narrow band FM, wide band FM, transmission bandwidth of
FM waves, and generation of FM waves: indirect FM and direct FM.

Angle modulation is a method of analog modulation in which either the phase or

frequency of the carrier wave is varied according to the message signal. In this method of
modulation the amplitude of the carrier wave is maintained constant.

• Angle Modulation is a method of modulation in which either Frequency or Phase

of the carrier wave is varied according to the message signal.

In general form, an angle modulated signal can represented as

s(t ) = A cos[θ (t )] ...(5.1)

c
Where Ac is the amplitude of the carrier wave and θ(t) is the angle of the modulated carrier
and also the function of the message signal.

The instantaneous frequency of the angle modulated signal, s(t) is given by

1 dθ (t )
f i (t ) = ...(5.2 )
2π dt

The modulated signal, s(t) is normally considered as a rotating phasor of length Ac and angle
θ(t). The angular velocity of such a phasor is dθ(t)/dt , measured in radians per second.

An un-modulated carrier has the angle θ(t) defined as

θ (t ) = 2π f ct + φc .....(5.3)

Where fc is the carrier signal frequency and ϕc is the value of θ(t) at t = 0.

The angle modulated signal has the angle, θ(t) defined by

θ (t ) = 2π f c t + φ (t ) .....(5.4 )

There are two commonly used methods of angle modulation:

1. Frequency Modulation, and

2. Phase Modulation.

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Phase Modulation (PM):

In phase modulation the angle is varied linearly with the message signal m(t) as :

θ (t ) = 2π f ct + k p m(t ) .....(5.5)
where kp is the phase sensitivity of the modulator in radians per volt.

Thus the phase modulated signal is defined as

[
s (t ) = Ac cos 2πf ct + k p m(t ) ] ... (5.6)

Frequency Modulation (FM):

In frequency modulation the instantaneous frequency fi(t) is varied linearly with message
signal, m(t) as:

f i (t ) = f c + k f m(t ) ....(5.7 )

where kf is the frequency sensitivity of the modulator in hertz per volt.

The instantaneous angle can now be defined as

.... (5.8)
t
θ (t ) = 2π f ct + 2π k f ∫ m(t )dt
0

and thus the frequency modulated signal is given by

s(t ) = Ac cos  2π f ct + 2π k f ∫ m(t )dt  .... (5.9)

t

 0 

The PM and FM waveforms for the sinusoidal message signal are shown in the fig-5.1.

Fig: 5.1 – PM and FM Waveforms with a message signal

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Example 5.1:

Find the instantaneous frequency of the following waveforms:

(a) S1(t) = Ac Cos [100π t + 0.25 π ]

(b) S2(t) = Ac Cos [100π t + sin ( 20 π t) ]

(c) S3(t) = Ac Cos [100π t + ( π t2) ]

Solution: Using equations (5.1) and (5.2):

(a) fi(t) = 50 Hz; Instantaneous frequency is constant.

(b) fi(t) = 50 + 10 cos( 20 π t); Maximum value is 60 Hz and minimum value is 40 Hz.

Hence, instantaneous frequency oscillates between 40 Hz and 60 Hz.

(c) fi(t) = (50 + t)

The instantaneous frequency is 50 Hz at t=0 and varies linearly at 1 Hz/sec.

Relation between Frequency Modulation and Phase Modulation:

A frequency modulated signal can be generated using a phase modulator by first

integrating m(t) and using it as an input to a phase modulator. This is possible by considering
FM signal as phase modulated signal in which the modulating wave is integral of m(t) in
place of m(t). This is shown in the fig-5.2(a). Similarly, a PM signal can be generated by first
differentiating m(t) and then using the resultant signal as the input to a FM modulator, as
shown in fig-5.2(b).

Fig: 5.2 – Scheme for generation of FM and PM Waveforms

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Single-Tone Frequency Modulation:
Consider a sinusoidal modulating signal defined as:

m(t) = Am Cos( 2π fm t) …. (5.10)

Substituting for m(t) in equation (5.9), the instantaneous frequency of the FM signal is

f i (t ) = f c + k f Am cos(2πf mt ) = f c + ∆f cos(2πf mt )

where ∆f is called the frequency deviation given by ∆f = kf Am ..... (5.11a)

and the instantaneous angle is

t
θ (t ) = 2π ∫ f i (t )dt
0

∆f
= 2πf ct + sin ( 2πf mt)
fm
= 2πf ct + β sin ( 2πf mt) .... (5.11b )
∆f
where β = ; modulation index
fm

The resultant FM signal is

s (t ) = Ac cos[2πf c t + β sin( 2πf mt )] .... (5.12 )

The frequency deviation factor indicates the amount of frequency change in the FM signal
from the carrier frequency fc on either side of it. Thus FM signal will have the frequency
components between (fc - ∆f ) to (fc +∆f ). The modulation index, β represents the phase
deviation of the FM signal and is measured in radians. Depending on the value of β, FM
signal can be classified into two types:

1. Narrow band FM (β << 1) and

2. Wide band FM (β >> 1).

Example-5.2: A sinusoidal wave of amplitude 10volts and frequency of 1 kHz is applied

to an FM generator that has a frequency sensitivity constant of 40 Hz/volt. Determine the
frequency deviation and modulating index.

Solution: Message signal amplitude, Am = 10 volts, Frequency fm = 1000 Hz and the

frequency sensitivity, kf = 40 Hz/volt.

Frequency deviation, ∆f = kf Am = 400 Hz

Modulation index, β = ∆f / fm = 0.4, (indicates a narrow band FM).

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Example-5.3: A modulating signal m(t) =10 Cos(10000πt) modulates a carrier signal, Ac
Cos(2πfct). Find the frequency deviation and modulation index of the resulting FM signal.
Use kf = 5kHz/volt.

Solution: Message signal amplitude, Am = 10 volts, Frequency fm = 5000 Hz and the

frequency sensitivity, kf = 5 kHz/volt.

Frequency deviation, ∆f = kf Am = 50 kHz

Modulation index, β = ∆f / fm = 10, (indicates a wide band FM).

Frequency Domain Representation of Narrow Band FM signal:

Expanding the equation (5.12) using trigonometric identities,

s(t ) = Ac cos[2πf ct + β sin(2πf mt )]

= Ac cos(2πf ct ) cos[β sin(2πf mt )] − Ac sin (2πf ct )sin[β sin(2πf mt )]

For NBFM, (β << 1), we can approximate,

cos[β sin( 2πf mt )] ≈ 1 and sin [β sin( 2πf mt )] ≈ β sin( 2πf mt )

Hence, s(t ) = Ac cos(2πf ct ) − Ac β sin( 2πf ct ) sin( 2πf mt ) .....(5.13)

Using trigonometric relations;

Ac β
s (t ) = Ac cos( 2πf ct ) + [cos( 2π ( f c + f m ) t ) − cos(2π ( f c − f m ) t ] ..(5.14 )
2
The above equation represents the NBFM signal. This representation is similar to an AM
signal, except that the lower side frequency has negative sign. The magnitude spectrum of
NBFM signal is shown in fig-5.3, which is similar to AM signal spectrum. The bandwidth of
the NBFM signal is 2fm, which is same as AM signal.

|S(f)|

f
−fc −fc +fm fc −fm fc fc +fm
−fc −fm

Fig: 5.3 - Magnitude Spectrum of NBFM Waveform.

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Frequency Domain Representation of Wide-Band FM signals:
The FM wave for sinusoidal modulation is given by

s(t ) = Ac cos[2πf ct + β sin(2πf mt )]

= Ac cos(2πf ct ) cos[β sin(2πf mt )] − Ac sin (2πf ct )sin[β sin(2πf mt )]

The FM wave can be expressed in terms of complex envelope as:

s(t ) = Re[ Ac exp( j 2πf ct + jβ sin (2πf mt ))]

= Re[~s (t ) exp( j 2πf t )] c ... (5.15)

The complex envelope of the FM wave

s (t ) = Ac exp[ jβ sin (2πf mt )] and ~

~ s (t ) : periodic function with f m

The complex envelope is a periodic function of time, with a fundamental frequency equal to
the modulation frequency fm. The complex envelope can be expanded in the form of complex
∞
series: ~
s (t ) = ∑c n exp[ j 2π nf mt ] ... (5.16 )
n = −∞

The complex Fourier coefficient, cn equals,

1
2 fm

cn = f m ∫ s (t ) exp (− j 2πnf mt )dt

~
1
−
2 fm
1
= f m Ac ∫ 2 f1m exp[ jβ sin (2πf mt ) − j 2πnf mt ]dt ... (5.17 )
−
2 fm

Substituting x = (2π fm t ), in the above equation we can rewrite

π
∫ π exp( j (β sin x − nx ))dx ...(5.18)
Ac
cn =
2π −

The nth order Bessel function of the first kind is defined as

π
∫ π exp( j (β sin x − nx ))dx ...(5.19)
1
J n (β ) =
2π −

Comparing equations (5.18) and (5.19), we get Cn = Ac Jn(β)

Substituting in (5.16), the complex envelope is

∞

c ∑ J n ( β )exp( j 2πnf mt ) ...(5.20 )

~s (t) = A
n = -∞

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Substituting in (5.15), the FM signal can be written as

 ∞ 
s(t ) = Ac Re  ∑ J n ( β ) exp[ j 2π ( f c + nf m )t ]
 n = −∞ 
∞
s(t) = Ac ∑J n ( β ) cos[2π ( f c + nf m )t ] ...(5.21)
n = −∞

The above equation is the Fourier series representation of the single tone FM wave. Applying
the Fourier transform to (5.21),
∞
J n ( β )[δ ( f − f c − nf m ) + δ ( f + f c + nf m )] ... (5.22 )
Ac
S( f ) =
2
∑
n = −∞

The spectrum S(f) is shown in fig-5.4. The above equation indicates the following:

(i) FM signal has infinite number of side bands at frequencies (fc + nfm).

(ii) Relative amplitudes of all the spectral lines depends on the value of Jn(β).

(iii) The number of significant side bands depends on the modulation index (β). With
(β<<1), only J0(β) and J1(β) are significant. But for (β>>1), many sidebands exists.

(iv) The average power of an FM wave is P = 0.5Ac2 (based on Bessel function property).

|S(f)|
J0(β) J0(β) J2(β)
J−1(β) J (β) J−1(β)
J1(β)
1 J−2(β)

−f fc −2fm fc fc +2fm f
−fc −fm c−f +f f +f
c m fc −fm c m

Fig: 5.4 - Magnitude Spectrum of Wide Band FM Wave.

Bessel’s Function:
Bessel function is an useful function to represent the FM wave spectrum. The general plots of
Bessel functions are shown in fig-5.5 and table (5.1) gives the values for Bessel function
coefficients. Some of the useful properties of Bessel functions are given below:

(a) J n ( β ) = ( −1) n J − n ( β ) for all n (5.23a)

2n
(b) J n +1 ( β ) + J n −1 ( β ) = J n (β ) (5.23b)
β
∞
(c) ∑J
n = −∞
n
2
(β ) = 1 (5.23c)

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 β
(d) For smaller values of β, J 0 ( β ) ≅ 1, J1 ( β ) ≅ and J n ( β ) ≅ 0, for n > 2
2

Fig: 5.5 – Plots of Bessel functions

Table: 5.1

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 The Spectrum of FM signals for three different values of β are shown in the fig-5.6. In
this spectrum the amplitude of the carrier component is kept as a unity constant. The variation
in the amplitudes of all the frequency components is indicated.

For β = 1, the amplitude of the carrier component is more than the side band
frequencies as shown in fig-5.6a. The amplitude level of the side band frequencies is
decreasing. The dominant components are (fc + fm) and (fc + 2fm). The amplitude of the
frequency components (fc + nfm) for n>2 are negligible.

For β = 2, the amplitude of the carrier component is considered as unity. The

spectrum is shown in fig-5.6b. The amplitude level of the side band frequencies is varying.
The amplitude levels of the components (fc + fm) and (fc + 2fm) are more than carrier
frequency component; whereas the amplitude of the component (fc + 3fm) is lower than the
carrier amplitude. The amplitude of frequency components (fc + nfm) for n>3 are negligible.

The spectrum for β = 5, is shown in fig-5.6c. The amplitude of the carrier component
is considered as unity. The amplitude level of the side band frequencies is varying. The
amplitude levels of the components (fc + fm), (fc + 3fm), (fc + 4fm) and (fc + 5fm), are more
than carrier frequency component; whereas the amplitude of the component (fc + 2fm) is
lower than the carrier amplitude. The amplitude of frequency components (fc + nfm) for n>8
are negligible.

Fig: 5.6 – Plots of Spectrum for different values of modulation index.

(Amplitude of carrier component is constant at unity)

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Example-5.4:

An FM transmitter has a power output of 10 W. If the index of modulation is 1.0,

determine the power in the various frequency components of the signal.

Solution: The various frequency components of the FM signal are

fc, (fc + fm), (fc + 2fm), (fc + 3fm), and so on.

The power associated with the above frequency components are: (Refer (5.21))

(J0)2, (J1)2, (J2)2 , and (J3)2 respectively.

From the Bessel function Table, for β = 1;

J0 = 0.77, J1 = 0.44, J2 = 0.11, and J3 = 0.02

Let P = 0.5(Ac)2 = 10 W.

Power associated with fc component is P0 = P (J0)2 = 10 (0.77)2 = 5.929 W.

Similarly, P1 = P (J1)2 = 10 (0.44)2 = 1.936 W.

P2 = P (J2)2 = 10 (0.11)2 = 0.121 W.

P3 = P (J3)2 = 10 (0.02)2 = 0.004 W.

Note: Total power in the FM wave,

Ptotal = P0 + 2P1 + 2P2 + 2P3

= 5.929 + 2(1.936) + 2(.121) + 2(.004) = 10.051 W

Example-5.5:

A 100 MHz un-modulated carrier delivers 100 Watts of power to a load. The carrier is
frequency modulated by a 2 kHz modulating signal causing a maximum frequency
deviation of 8 kHz. This FM signal is coupled to a load through an ideal Band Pass
filter with 100MHz as center frequency and a variable bandwidth. Determine the power
delivered to the load when the filter bandwidth is:

(a) 2.2 kHz (b) 10.5 kHz (c) 15 kHz (d) 21 kHz

Ans: Modulation index, β = 8 k / 2 k = 4;

From the Bessel function Table- 5.1; for β = 4;

J0 = -0.4, J1 = - 0.07, J2 = 0.36, J3 = 0.43, J4 = 0.28, J5 = 0.13, J6 = 0.05, J7 = 0.02

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 Let P = 0.5(Ac)2 = 100 W and

P0 = P (J0)2 = 100 (-0.4) 2 = 16 Watts.

P1 = P (J1)2 = 100 (-0.07)2 = 0.490 W.

P2 = P (J2)2 = 100 (0.36)2 = 12.960 W.

P3 = P (J3)2 = 100 (0.43)2 = 18.490 W.

P4 = P (J4)2 = 100 (0.28)2 = 7.840 W.

P5 = P (J5)2 = 100 (0.13)2 = 1.690 W.

P6 = P (J6)2 = 100 (0.05)2 = 0.250 W.

(a) Filter Bandwidth = 2.2 kHz

The output of band pass filter will contain only one frequency component fc.

Power delivered to the load, Pd = P0 = 16 Watts.

(b) Filter Bandwidth = 10.5 kHz

The output of band pass filter will contain the following frequency components:

fc, (fc + fm), and (fc + 2fm)

Power delivered to the load, Pd = P0 + 2P1 + 2P2 = 42.9 Watts.

(c) Filter Bandwidth = 15 kHz

The output of band pass filter will contain the following frequency components:

fc, (fc + fm), (fc + 2fm), and (fc + 3fm),

Power delivered to the load, Pd = P0 + 2P1 + 2P2 + 2P3 = 79.9 Watts.

(d) Filter Bandwidth = 21 kHz

The output of band pass filter will contain the following frequency components:

fc, (fc + fm), (fc + 2fm), (fc + 3fm), (fc + 4fm), and (fc + 5fm),

Power delivered to the load, Pd = P0 + 2P1 + 2P2 + 2P3 + 2P4 + 2P5 = 98.94 Watts.

Example-5.6:

A carrier wave is frequency modulated using a sinusoidal signal of frequency fm and

amplitude Am. In a certain experiment conducted with fm=1 kHz and increasing Am,
starting from zero, it is found that the carrier component of the FM wave is reduced to

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zero for the first time when Am=2 volts. What is the frequency sensitivity of the
modulator? What is the value of Am for which the carrier component is reduced to zero
for the second time?

Ans: The carrier component will be zero when its coefficient, J0(β) is zero.

From Table 5.1: J0(x) = 0 for x= 2.44, 5.53, 8.65.

β = ∆f / fm = kf Am / fm and kf = β fm /Am = (2.40)(1000) / 2 = 1.22 kHz/V

Frequency Sensitivity, kf = 1.22 kHz/V

The carrier component will become zero for second time when β = 5.53.

Therefore, Am = β fm / kf = 5.53 (1000) / 1220 = 4.53 volts

Transmission Bandwidth of FM waves:

An FM wave consists of infinite number of side bands so that the bandwidth is theoretically
infinite. But, in practice, the FM wave is effectively limited to a finite number of side band
frequencies compatible with a small amount of distortion. There are many ways to find the
bandwidth of the FM wave.

1. Carson’s Rule: In single–tone modulation, for the smaller values of modulation index the
bandwidth is approximated as 2fm. For the higher values of modulation index, the bandwidth
is considered as slightly greater than the total deviation 2∆f. Thus the Bandwidth for
sinusoidal modulation is defined as:

 1
BT ≅ 2∆f + 2 f m = 2∆f 1 + 
 β
= 2( β + 1) f m (5.24)

For non-sinusoidal modulation, a factor called Deviation ratio (D) is considered. The
deviation ratio is defined as the ratio of maximum frequency deviation to the bandwidth of
message signal.

Deviation ratio , D = ( ∆f / W ), where W is the bandwidth of the message signal and the
corresponding bandwidth of the FM signal is,

BT = 2(D + 1) W ... (5.25)

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2. Universal Curve : An accurate method of bandwidth assessment is done by retaining the
maximum number of significant side frequencies with amplitudes greater than 1% of the un-
modulated carrier wave. Thus the bandwidth is defined as “the 99 percent bandwidth of an
FM wave as the separation between the two frequencies beyond which none of the side-band
frequencies is greater than 1% of the carrier amplitude obtained when the modulation is
removed”.

Transmission Bandwidth - BW = 2 nmax fm , (5.26)

where fm is the modulation frequency and ‘n’ is the number of pairs of side-frequencies such
that Jn(ββ )
> 0.01. The value of nmax varies with modulation index and can be determined
from the Bessel coefficients. The table 5.2 shows the number of significant side frequencies
for different values of modulation index.

The transmission bandwidth calculated using this method can be expressed in the form of a
universal curve which is normalised with respect to the frequency deviation and plotted it
versus the modulation index. (Refer fig-5.7).

Table 5.2

From the universal curve, for a given message signal frequency and modulation index the
ratio (B/ ∆f ) is obtained from the curve. Then the bandwidth is calculated as:

... (5.27 )
BT B
BT = ( )∆f = β ( T ) f m
∆f ∆f

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 Fig: 5.7 – Universal Curve

Example-5.7:

Find the bandwidth of a single tone modulated FM signal described by

S(t)=10 cos[2π108t + 6 sin(2π103t)].

Solution: Comparing the given s(t) with equation-(5.12) we get

Modulation index, β = 6 and Message signal frequency, fm = 1000 Hz.

By Carson’s rule (equation - 5.24),

Transmission Bandwidth, BT = 2(β + 1) fm

BT = 2(7)1000 = 14000 Hz = 14 kHz

Example-5.8:

Q. A carrier wave of frequency 91 MHz is frequency modulated by a sine wave of

amplitude 10 Volts and 15 kHz. The frequency sensitivity of the modulator is 3 kHz/V.
(a) Determine the approximate bandwidth of FM wave using Carson’s Rule.
(b) Repeat part (a), assuming that the amplitude of the modulating wave is doubled.
(c) Repeat part (a), assuming that the frequency of the modulating wave is doubled.

Solution: (a) Modulation Index, β = ∆f / fm = kf Am / fm = 3x10/15 = 2

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 By Carson’s rule; Bandwidth, BT = 2(β + 1) fm = 90 kHz

(b) When the amplitude, Am is doubled,

New Modulation Index, β = ∆f / fm = kf Am / fm = 3x20/15 = 4

Bandwidth, BT = 2(β+1)fm = 150 kHz

(c) when the frequency of the message signal, fm is doubled

New Modulation Index, β = 3x10/30 = 1

Bandwidth, BT = 2(β+1)fm = 120 kHz.

Example-5.9:

Q. Determine the bandwidth of an FM signal, if the maximum value of the frequency

deviation ∆f is fixed at 75kHz for commercial FM broadcasting by radio and modulation
frequency is W= 15 kHz.

Solution: Frequency deviation, D = ( ∆f / W ) = 5

Transmission Bandwidth, BT = 2(D + 1) W = 12x15 kHz = 180 kHz

Example-5.10:

Q. Consider an FM signal obtained from a modulating signal frequency of 2000 Hz and

maximum Amplitude of 5 volts. The frequency sensitivity of modulator is 2 kHz/V. Find the
bandwidth of the FM signal considering only the significant side band frequencies.

Solution: Frequency Deviation = 10 kHz

Modulation Index, β = ∆f / fm = kf Am / fm = 5;

From table –(5.2) ; 2nmax = 16 for β =5,

Bandwidth, BT = 2 nmax fm = 16x2 kHz = 32 kHz.

Example-5.11: A carrier wave of frequency 91 MHz is frequency modulated by a sine

wave of amplitude 10 Volts and 15 kHz. The frequency sensitivity of the modulator is 3
kHz/V. Determine the bandwidth by transmitting only those side frequencies with
amplitudes that exceed 1% of the unmodulated carrier wave amplitude. Use universal curve
for this calculation.

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Solution:

Frequency Deviation, ∆f = 30 kHz

Modulation Index, β = 3x10/15 = 2

From the Universal curve; for β = 2; (B / ∆f) = 4.3

Bandwidth, B = 4.3 ∆f = 129 kHz

Generation of FM Waves:
There are two basic methods of generating FM waves: indirect method and direct
method. In indirect method a NBFM wave is generated first and frequency multiplication is
next used to increase the frequency deviation to the desired level. In direct method, the
carrier frequency is directly varied in accordance with the message signal. To understand the
indirect method it is required to know the generation of NBFM waves and the working of
frequency multipliers.

Generation of NBFM wave:

A frequency modulated wave is defined as: (from equation 5.9)

s1 (t ) = AC cos[2π f C t + φ1 (t )] .... (5.28)

t
Where φ1 (t ) = 2π k1 ∫ m(t )dt
0

s1 (t ) = AC cos (2π f C t ) cos[φ1 (t )] - AC sin (2π f C t ) sin[φ1 (t )]

Assuming ϕ1(t) is small, then using cos[ϕ1(t)] = 1 and sin[ϕ1(t) ] = ϕ1(t).

s1 (t ) = AC cos (2π f C t ) - AC sin (2π f C t ) .[φ1 (t )]

...(5.29 )
t
s1 (t ) = AC cos (2π f C t ) - 2π k1 AC sin (2π f C t ) . ∫ m(t )dt
0

The above equation defines a narrow band FM wave. The generation scheme of such a
narrow band FM wave is shown in the fig.(5.8). The scaling factor, (2πk1) is taken care of by
the product modulator. The part of the FM modulator shown inside the dotted lines represents
a narrow-band phase modulator.

The narrow band FM wave, thus generated will have some higher order harmonic
distortions. This distortions can be limited to negligible levels by restricting the modulation
index to β < 0.5 radians.

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 Fig: 5.8 – Scheme to generate a NBFM Waveform.

Frequency Multiplier:
The frequency multiplier consists of a nonlinear device followed by a band-pass filter.
The nonlinear device used is a memory less device. If the input to the nonlinear device is an
FM wave with frequency, fc and deviation, ∆f1 then its output v(t) will consist of dc
component and ‘n’ frequency modulated waves with carrier frequencies, fc, 2fc, 3fc, …… nfc
and frequency deviations a ∆f1, 2∆f1 , 3∆f1 , ........ n∆f1 respectively.

The band pass filter is designed in such a way that it passes the FM wave centered at
the frequency, nfc with frequency deviation n∆f1 and to suppress all other FM components.
Thus the frequency multiplier can be used to generate a wide band FM wave from a narrow
band FM wave.

Fig: 5.9 – Frequency Multiplier

Generation of WBFM using Indirect Method:

In indirect method a NBFM wave is generated first and frequency multiplication is
next used to increase the frequency deviation to the desired level. The narrow band FM wave
is generated using a narrow band phase modulator and an oscillator. The narrow band FM
wave is then passed through a frequency multiplier to obtain the wide band FM wave, as
shown in the fig:(5.9). The crystal controlled oscillator provides good frequency stability. But
this scheme does not provide both the desired frequency deviation and carrier frequency at
the same time. This problem can be solved by using multiple stages of frequency multiplier
and a mixer stage.

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 Fig: 5.9 – Generation of WBFM wave

Generation of WBFM by Armstrong’s Method:

Armstrong method is an indirect method of FM generation. It is used to generate FM
signal having both the desired frequency deviation and the carrier frequency. In this method,
two-stage frequency multiplier and an intermediate stage of frequency translator is used, as
shown in the fig:(5.10). The first multiplier converts a narrow band FM signal into a wide
band signal. The frequency translator, consisting of a mixer and a crystal controlled oscillator
shifts the wide band signal to higher or lower frequency band. The second multiplier then
increases the frequency deviation and at the same time increases the center frequency also.
The main design criteria in this method are the selection of multiplier gains and oscillator
frequencies. This is explained in the following steps.

Fig: 5.10 – Generation of WBFM wave by Armstrong method

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Design Steps:

Q: How to choose n1 and n2 for the given specifications?

1. Select the value of β < 0.5 for the narrow band phase modulator. This value limits the
harmonic distortion by NBPM to minimum.

2. The requirement is that the frequency deviation produced by the lowest modulation
frequencies is raised to required ∆f. So choose the frequency deviation of NBFM, ∆f1
by selecting the minimum value of fm.

∆f1 = β fm (min). ---- (a)

3. Frequency Multipliers change the frequency deviation. Hence the total change in the
frequency deviation is product of the two deviations:

n1.n2 = ∆f / ∆f1 ----- (b)

4. Frequency Translator (mixer & oscillator) will not change the frequency deviation, it
only shifts the FM signal to either upwards and downwards in the spectrum. The
output of mixer is

For down ward translation: fc = n2 (f2 - n1. f1 ) ---- (c)

and for upward translation: fc = n2 (n1. f1 - f2).

5. Choose suitable value for f2 and solve the equations (b) and (c) simultaneously to find
the multiplying factors n1and n2.

Example 5.12: Design Armstrong FM generator for the generation of WBFM signal with
∆f = 75 kHz and fc = 100 MHz, using the narrow band carrier as 100 kHz and second carrier
as 9.5 MHz. Find the suitable multiplying factors. Assume the message signal is defined in
the range, 100Hz ~ 15KHz.

Solution:

1. Let phase deviation be, β = 0.2

2. Frequency deviation of NBFM, ∆f1 = β fm (min) = 0.2x 100 = 20 Hz

3. n1.n2 = ∆f / ∆f1 = 75000/20 = 3750 (A)

4. Let f1 and f2 be 0.1MHz and 9.5 MHz and fc is given as 100 MHz.

fc = (f2 - n1. f1 )n2 ;

100 M = (9.5 M - n1. 0.1M )n2 (B)

Solving the equations (A) and (B) simultaneously we get n1= 75 and n2 = 50.

Analog Communication – 10EC53 Page 19

Generation of WBFM using Direct Method:
In direct method of FM generation, the instantaneous frequency of the carrier wave is
directly varied in accordance with the message signal by means of an voltage controlled
oscillator. The frequency determining network in the oscillator is chosen with high quality
factor (Q-factor) and the oscillator is controlled by the incremental variation of the reactive
components in the tank circuit of the oscillator. A Hartley Oscillator can be used for this
purpose.

Fig: 5.11 – Hartley Oscillator (tank circuit) for generation of WBFM wave.

The portion of the tank circuit in the oscillator is shown in fig:5.11. The capacitive
component of the tank circuit consists of a fixed capacitor shunted by a voltage-variable
capacitor. The resulting capacitance is represented by C(t) in the figure. The voltage variable
capacitor commonly called as varactor or varicap, is one whose capacitance depends on the
voltage applied across its electrodes. The varactor diode in the reverse bias condition can be
used as a voltage variable capacitor. The larger the voltage applied across the diode, the
smaller the transition capacitance of the diode.

The frequency of oscillation of the Hartley oscillator is given by:

...(5.30 )
1
f i (t ) =
2π (L1 + L2 )c(t )

Where the L1 and L2 are the inductances in the tank circuit and the total capacitance, c(t) is
the fixed capacitor and voltage variable capacitor and given by:

c(t ) = c0 + ∆c cos(2πf m t ) ...(5.31)

Let the un-modulated frequency of oscillation be f0. The instantaneous frequency fi(t) is
defined as:
1
−
 ∆c 
cos(2πf mt ) ... (5.32 )
2
f i (t ) = f 0 1 +
 c0 

Analog Communication – 10EC53 Page 20

 ...(5.33)
1
where f 0 =
2π (L1 + L2 )c0

1
−
 ∆c 
cos(2πf mt )
2
∴ f i (t ) = f 0 1 +
 c0 
 ∆c 
≅ f 0 1 − cos(2πf m t )
 2c 0 

Thus the instantaneous frequency fi(t) is defined as:

∴ f i (t ) ≅ f 0 + ∆f cos(2πf mt ) ... (5.34 )

The term, ∆f represents the frequency deviation and the relation with ∆c is given by:

 ∆c ∆f 
 =−  ... (5.35)
 2c 0 f 0 

Thus the output of the oscillator will be an FM wave. But the direct method of generation
has the disadvantage that the carrier frequency will not be stable as it is not generated from a
highly stable oscillator.

Generally, in FM transmitter the frequency stability of the modulator is achieved by the use
of an auxiliary stabilization circuit as shown in the fig.(5.12).

Fig: 5.12 – Frequency stabilized FM modulator.

The output of the FM generator is applied to a mixer together with the output of crystal
controlled oscillator and the difference is obtained. The mixer output is applied to a
frequency discriminator, which gives an output voltage proportional to the instantaneous
frequency of the FM wave applied to its input. The discriminator is filtered by a low pass
filter and then amplified to provide a dc voltage. This dc voltage is applied to a voltage
controlled oscillator (VCO) to modify the frequency of the oscillator of the FM generator.
The deviations in the transmitter carrier frequency from its assigned value will cause a
change in the dc voltage in a way such that it restores the carrier frequency to its required
value.

Analog Communication – 10EC53 Page 21

Advantages and disadvantages of FM over AM:
Advantages of FM over AM are:

1. Less radiated power.

2. Low distortion due to mproved signal to noise ratio (about 25dB) w.r.t. to man
made interference.

3. Smaller geographical interference between neighbouring stations.

4. Well defined service areas for given transmitter power.

Disadvantages of FM:

1. Much more Bandwidth (as much as 20 times as much).

2. More complicated receiver and transmitter.

Applications:
Some of the applications of the FM modulation are listed below:

I. FM Radio,(88-108 MHz band, 75 kHz, )

II. TV sound broadcast, 25 kHz,

III. 2-way mobile radio, 5 kHz / 2.5 kHz.

Additional Examples:
Example 5.13: An FM wave is defined below.

S(t) = 12 sin(6x108 π t + 5 sin1250 πt)

Find the carrier and modulating frequencies, the modulating index, and the maximum
deviation of the FM wave. Also find the bandwidth of the FM wave. What power will the FM
wave dissipate in a 10 ohm resistor?

Solution: From equation 5.12, we have

s (t ) = Ac cos[2πf ct + β sin( 2πf m t )]

Comparing with the given FM wave,

Carrier frequency = 3x108 Hz = 300 MHz

Analog Communication – 10EC53 Page 22
 Modulating signal frequency, fm = 625 Hz

Modulation Index, β = 5 ;

Maximum frequency deviation, ∆f = β fm = 3125 Hz.

Using Carson’s rule, Bandwidth = 2(3125 + 625) = 7500 Hz

Power dissipated across resistor = P,

P=
( Ac )2 =
144
= 7.2W
2R 20

Example 5.14: Consider an FM signal with :

∆f = 10 kHz, fm = 10 kHz, Ac = 10 V, fc = 500 kHz

Compute and draw the spectrum for FM signal.

Solution:

Modulation index, β = 10 k / 10 k = 1;

From Bessel function Table- 5.1;

for β = 1; the coefficients are J0 = 0.77, J1 = 0.44, J2 = 0.11, J3 = 0.02.

The spectrum is defined as

∞

∑ J [δ ( f − f − nf m ) + δ ( f + f c + nf m )]
Ac
S( f ) = n c
2 n = −∞

The single sided spectrum is shown in fig:Ex-5.14.

Fig: Ex-5.14 – Frequency Spectrum (for example 5.14)

Analog Communication – 10EC53 Page 23