DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name of the Staff : V.S.Ramanjam
Designation : Lecturer
Institute : SGPR GPT, KURNOOL.
Semester : III rd
Subject : Analog Communication
Subject Code : EC305
Topic : Introduction to Communication Systems
Subtopic : Need for Modulation
Duration : 50 Minutes

EC305.4 1
OBJECTIVES

Up on the completion of this topic the student

will be able to know.

• Why low frequency signals can’t travel long distances.

• What is Modulation and its advantages.

EC305.4 2
INTRODUCTION

• Low frequency signals (Audio signals) converted into electrical signals

can not be sent directly over the air (as medium) for long distances.

• The energy of the wave is directly proportional to its frequency.

• At audio( low ) frequencies the signal power is very small and the
radiation is not practicable due to the attenuation.

• The radiation of electrical signal for long distances is possible only at

high frequencies

• Hence in long distance transmission, low frequency signal is to be

changed (modulated) into high frequency signal.
This is called Modulation.

EC305.4 3
 College At
Meaning of Modulation Long
Distance

Bus as Carrier

Cannot reach
College with in time

Persons (signal)
EC305.4 4
Explanation About The Fig.

• By walk, persons can not reach the college with in time

which is at long distance.

(Low frequency signals can’t travel long distances)

• To reach college at long distance within time, person

should go by bus, because bus travels at higher speed
than walk.

(High frequency signals have high energy to radiate long

distances with short period. )

EC305.4 5
NEED FOR MODULATION

• Because of the following advantages the

modulation technique is necessary in
transmission of signals for long distances.

1. Reduce the height of antenna.

2. Avoids mixing of signals.
3. Increase the range of communication.
4. Allows multiplexing of signals.
5. Allows adjustments in the bandwidth.
6. Improves the quality of reception.

EC305.4 6
Explanation

1. Reduce the height of the antenna

• λλ
The minimum height of antenna is / 4, where is wave
length.
λ= c/f
Where ‘c’ is the velocity of light and ‘f’ is the frequency
• For f = 15 KHz
Height of antenna = c / f x 4 = 5000 mts
• This height of vertical antenna is unthinkable and
impracticable to construct.
• For f=1MHz, height of antenna = c / f x 4 = 75 mts
• This height of antenna is practicable.
EC305.4 7
2.Avoids Mixing of Signals

Signal 1 Modulated Signal 2 with Signal 3 with

with carrier of 100 Khz 200KHZ 300KHZ
Signal 1

0 20 KHz
CH1 CH2 CH3
Signal 2

0 20 KHz BW
BW BW
Signal 3

0 20 KHz

EC305.4 8
3. Increase the range of communication

• At low frequency radiation is poor and signal get

attenuated.
• Modulation increases the frequency of the signal and
thus increases the distance of communication.

4. Allows Multiplexing of signals

• Multiplexing means transmission of two or more signals

simultaneously over the channel without interference.
• Modulation permits this type of Multiplexing .

• Examples :
(1).T.V channels operating simultaneously
(2). Radio stations broadcasting signals
simultaneously
EC305.4 9
5. Allows adjustments in the Bandwidth .

• Bandwidth of a modulated signal may be made smaller or

longer than the original signal.

• S/N ratio which is function of bandwidth can be improved

by controlling Bandwidth at the modulated signal.

6. Improves quality reception.

• using modulation technique such as F.M. or

P.C.M reduces the effect of noise to great extent.
EC305.4 10
 QUIZ

1. What is the velocity of light ?

8
Ans:3X10 Meters/second.

EC305.4 11
2.Why Low frequency signal can’t travel
long distance ?
Ans: Because of low energy.

EC305.4 12
3. Why carrier signal is necessary ?
E. To transmit signals over a long
distances.

EC305.4 13
1. Formula for Wavelength ?
A. λ = C/f

EC305.4 14
Examination Question

• What is modulation ?
• State the need for Modulation.

EC305.4 15
SUMMARY

• In this presentation, we have discussed about modulation

and why modulation is necessary in communication
systems.

EC305.4 16