MEASURING AM MODULATING INDEX

I. OBJECTIVES
1. To observe an AM wave signal on oscilloscope generated by a function
generator using internal or external modulation.
2. To measure the modulation index of an AM wave.
II. BASIC CONCEPTS
Amplitude modulation is a process where the carrier frequency is varied in
amplitude in the same rate as the intelligence (or message) frequency. As the
intelligence amplitude reaches a maximum amplitude positive value, the AM
waveform has a maximum amplitude. Same thing happen when the intelligence
amplitude reaches a maximum negative value, the AM waveform reaches a
minimum value. See figure 1 for the illustration.
The method used to produce a usable AM signal is to combine the carrier and
intelligence frequency through a non-linear device. The output signal consists of
(1) DC level and (2) components at each of the two original frequencies.

Ec

Em or Ei

AM

FIGURE 1: AM Waveform Under Varying Intelligence Signals

The extent to which a carrier voltage is varied by the message or intelligence
voltage is called the modulation index or the percentage of modulation.
Ei
%m =
X
Ec given, the modulation index becomes
If peakj-to-peak values are
100%
m = Ei
Ec

or

%m =B - A
B+A
100%

Ei

Ec

III.
PROCEDURE
1. Set up the instruments as shown in Figure 1. The oscilloscope probe is
connected to the BNC clip of the function generator (ground to ground).
OSCILLOSCOPE
FUNCTION
GEN
CH 1
CH 2
BNC
PROB

2. Set a 100kHz sine wave from the function

E generator (The function generator
must be capable of producing an Am internal modulation). This could be a
carrier frequency which must be modulated.
3. Select AM mode (SHIFT AM) from the panel of the function generator from
which to generate the modulating frequency internally. (The default internal
modulating frequency of INSTEK sfg2107 is 400Hz.)
4. Pill out the SWEEP SPAN knob to set into AM modulation. Rotate the knob
enough to produce an AM wave. You can stabilize the signal by adjusting the
variable knob of your oscilloscope.
5. Perform and fill up Table 1. The modulating frequency is adjusted by rotating
the knob of AM modulation. Do upto run 4 of Table 1.
6. Compute the percent of modulation and record it in Table 1.
TABLE 1.
RU
N
1
2
3
4

Modulating
Signal fm
fm1
fm2
fm3
fm4

Carrier frequency
fc
100kHz
100kHz
100kHz
100kHz

Emax(V)

Emin(V)

%m

7. Draw / Sketch one run of AM wave. Indicate Emax and Emin.

IV.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1. The antenna current of an AM transmitter is 12A. When unmodulated but
increases to 13A when modulated. Calculate %m.

2. What are some of the possible results of overmodulation?

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3. A 100-V carrier is modulated by a 1-kHZ sine wave. Determine the sidefrequency amplitudes when m=0.75.