Question

Write briefly any two factors which demonstrate the need for modulating a signal. Draw a suitable diagram to show amplitude modulation using a sinusoidal signal as the modulating signal.

Answer 1

The need for modulation can be summarized as follows:

(1) The antenna needed for transmitting signals should have size at least λ/4, where, λ is the wavelength. The information signal, also known as baseband signal is of low frequency (and therefore the wavelength is high). If we need to transmit such a signal directly, the size of the antenna will be very large and impossible to build. Hence direct transmission is not practical.

(2) The radiated power by an antenna is inversely proportional to the square of the wavelength. So, if we use high frequency signals, the power radiated will be increased.

(3) If we transmit the baseband signals directly, the signals from different transmitters will get mixed up and the information will be lost. Because of these reasons, we use the technology of modulation, for transmitting message signals effectively for long distances.