Modulation

Frequency Modulation

Dr. Pramod R. Bokde

Priyadarshini Bhagwati College of Engineering

Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering

April 12, 2025

 What is Frequency Modulation?

1 Frequency Modulation (FM) is a type of angle modulation where, the

frequency of the carrier wave is varied in accordance with the
instantaneous amplitude of the message signal, while the amplitude of
the carrier remains constant.
2 In AM, Amplitude changes with message signal and in FM, Frequency
changes with message signal.
3 The carrier’s amplitude stays constant in FM.

Dr. Pramod R. Bokde (Priyadarshini Bhagwati College of Engineering

Modulation
Department of Electronics & Communication
April 12, 2025 Engineering)
2 / 17
 Key Characteristics of FM
1 The frequency of the carrier wave varies with the instantaneous
amplitude of the modulating (message) signal. The amplitude
remains constant, regardless of the message signal.
2 The instantaneous frequency of the FM signal is directly proportional
to the amplitude of the message signal.
3 FM provides excellent sound quality with minimal distortion, making
it ideal for music and voice broadcasting.
4 FM is less susceptible to noise and interference than AM, especially
from atmospheric or electrical sources.
5 FM requires much more bandwidth than AM.
6 Since amplitude is constant, the transmitted power remains constant
regardless of the message signal.
7 An FM receiver locks onto the stronger of two signals on the same
frequency, effectively rejecting the weaker one. This is known as the
capture effect.
8 FM systems require modulators and demodulators that are more
complex than AM systems.
Dr. Pramod R. Bokde (Priyadarshini Bhagwati College of Engineering
Modulation
Department of Electronics & Communication
April 12, 2025 Engineering)
3 / 17
 Advantages of FM
1 FM signals are less affected by noise and interference, especially
random amplitude noise. Ideal for high-quality voice and music
transmission.
2 FM provides better audio fidelity and clarity compared to AM. Used
extensively in music broadcasting (FM Radio).
3 FM has constant signal amplitude, which means, No power is wasted
on amplitude changes.
4 FM receivers exhibit the capture effect, where only the stronger signal
is demodulated, rejecting weaker interfering signals on the same
frequency.
5 Since the amplitude remains constant, transmitted power is stable,
regardless of the message signal.
6 FM reduces cross-talk between channels due to better bandwidth
separation.
7 FM is more suitable for mobile and two-way communication systems
(like walkie-talkies, police radios, aviation).
8 FM performs well for VHF/UHF line-of-sight applications like radio
Dr. Pramod R. Bokde (Priyadarshini Bhagwati College of Engineering
Modulation
Department of Electronics & Communication
April 12, 2025 Engineering)
4 / 17
 Disadvantages of FM
1 FM typically needs 10 times more bandwidth than AM.
2 FM transmitters and receivers are more complex than AM systems.
3 FM signals use line-of-sight propagation and do not reflect from the
ionosphere like AM. Less effective for long-distance communication.
4 FM typically operates in the VHF or UHF range (e.g., 88–108 MHz
for FM radio). This requires more advanced antennas and circuit
design.
5 Small changes in oscillator frequency can lead to distortion or signal
loss. Demodulation requires high frequency stability.
6 FM can suffer from frequency-selective fading, especially in mobile
environments with multipath effects.
7 Due to wider bandwidth and complex circuitry, FM systems can
consume more power, especially in portable devices.
8 FM signals cannot be received on traditional AM receivers, which
limits its universal use in older systems.
Dr. Pramod R. Bokde (Priyadarshini Bhagwati College of Engineering
Modulation
Department of Electronics & Communication
April 12, 2025 Engineering)
5 / 17
 Applications of FM
1 Commercial FM Radio (88–108 MHz) uses FM for high-quality audio
transmission.
2 Used in police radios, firefighters, ambulance, taxi services, and
walkie-talkies.
3 Aircraft use FM in Very High Frequency (VHF) range for
air-to-ground and air-to-air communication.
4 Analog TV sound was transmitted using FM for better quality and
noise immunity.
5 Used for uplink/downlink audio and telemetry due to its robust
performance in noisy conditions.
6 FM techniques like FMCW (Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave)
are used in radar and altimeter systems.
7 Many cordless phones, baby monitors, and wireless intercoms use FM
for clear voice communication.
8 FM is used in wireless microphones and PA systems for noise-free
audio transmission.
9 FM is widely used in local VHF/UHF ham radio for clear, reliable
Dr. Pramod R. Bokde (Priyadarshini Bhagwati College of Engineering
Modulation
Department of Electronics & Communication
April 12, 2025 Engineering)
6 / 17
 Equation of FM

The standard equation for a frequency modulated (FM) signal is:

 Z 
s(t) = Ac cos 2πfc t + 2πkf m(t)dt

If the message signal is m(t) = Am cos(2πfm t), the FM equation

becomes:
s(t) = Ac cos [2πfc t + β sin(2πfm t)]
where, β is modulation index of FM

Dr. Pramod R. Bokde (Priyadarshini Bhagwati College of Engineering

Modulation
Department of Electronics & Communication
April 12, 2025 Engineering)
7 / 17
 Modulation Index of FM

1 The modulation index in FM (denoted as β) is defined as:

△f
β=
fm
where, △f : Maximum frequency deviation of the carrier (in Hz) and
fm is frequency of the modulating signal (in Hz).
2 The modulation index represents the ratio of frequency deviation to
the modulating signal frequency.
3 It indicates how much the carrier frequency varies relative to the
frequency of the input signal.
4 In simple terms: Higher β → more frequency deviation → broader
signal spectrum

Dr. Pramod R. Bokde (Priyadarshini Bhagwati College of Engineering

Modulation
Department of Electronics & Communication
April 12, 2025 Engineering)
8 / 17
 Types of FM Based on Modulation Index

1 Narrowband FM (NBFM):
β<1
Small frequency deviation
Used in voice communication, like two-way radios.
2 Wideband FM (WBFM):
β>1
Large frequency deviation
Used in FM radio broadcasting, giving high sound quality.

Dr. Pramod R. Bokde (Priyadarshini Bhagwati College of Engineering

Modulation
Department of Electronics & Communication
April 12, 2025 Engineering)
9 / 17
 Bandwidth of FM

1 The bandwidth of an FM signal is the range of frequencies occupied

by the modulated signal, due to the presence of the carrier and
multiple sidebands caused by modulation.
2 In FM, the frequency of the carrier changes continuously with the
modulating signal.
3 This creates an infinite number of sidebands (upper and lower), but
most of the energy is concentrated in a limited number of sidebands.
4 Carson’s Rule (Approximate Bandwidth):

Bandwidth = 2 (△f + fm )

5 Alternative Form (using Modulation Index β):

Bandwidth = 2fm (β + 1)

Dr. Pramod R. Bokde (Priyadarshini Bhagwati College of Engineering

Modulation
Department of Electronics & Communication
April 12, 2025 Engineering)
10 / 17
 Power Requirement in FM

1 In FM, the amplitude of the carrier remains unchanged. Therefore,

transmitted power does not vary with the message signal.

A2c
PFM =
2R
2 The power in FM is spread among the carrier and infinite sidebands.
3 The carrier power remains constant, but the power is redistributed
among the sidebands depending on the modulation index β.
4 Sideband amplitudes follow Bessel functions of the first kind: Jn (β).
5 As β increases (more deviation), less power is concentrated in the
carrier, and more shifts into sidebands. Still, total power remains
constant because amplitude is constant.

Dr. Pramod R. Bokde (Priyadarshini Bhagwati College of Engineering

Modulation
Department of Electronics & Communication
April 12, 2025 Engineering)
11 / 17
 Comparison of FM with AM
Parameter Amplitude Modula- Frequency Modula-
tion tion
Varies amplitude of the Varies frequency of the
Basic Principle carrier signal carrier signal
Varies with message sig- Remains constant
Carrier Amplitude nal
Constant Varies according to
Frequency Devia- message signal
tion
Am △f
m= Ac β= fm
Modulation Index
2fm 2(△f + fm )
Bandwidth Re-
quired
Poor – easily affected by Excellent – less affected
Noise Immunity noise and fading by amplitude noise
Medium – suitable for High – ideal for music
Signal Quality speech and high-fidelity audio
Dr. Pramod R. Bokde (Priyadarshini Bhagwati College of Engineering
Modulation
Department of Electronics & Communication
April 12, 2025 Engineering)
12 / 17
 Comparison of FM with AM
Parameter Amplitude Modula- Frequency Modula-
tion tion
Less efficient – power More efficient – con-
Power Efficiency wasted in carrier and stant power, better use
sidebands of power in signal.
Simple transmitter & Complex transmitter &
Circuit Complexity receiver receiver circuits
Uses envelope detector Requires frequency dis-
Demodulation criminator or PLL
Longer – can travel over Shorter – limited to
Transmission long distances via sky- line-of-sight
Range wave
AM Radio (MW/SW) – FM Radio (VHF) – mu-
Use in Broadcast- talk, news sic, high-quality audio
ing
Low to medium High
Audio Quality
Dr. Pramod R. Bokde (Priyadarshini Bhagwati College of Engineering
Modulation
Department of Electronics & Communication
April 12, 2025 Engineering)
13 / 17
 FM Radio Frequencies in Nagpur

Station Name Frequency

Radio Mirchi 98.3 MHz
Red FM 93.5 MHz
Radio City 91.1 MHz
Big FM 92.7 MHz
AIR FM Rainbow 107.1 MHz

Dr. Pramod R. Bokde (Priyadarshini Bhagwati College of Engineering

Modulation
Department of Electronics & Communication
April 12, 2025 Engineering)
14 / 17
 FM Radio Frequencies in Mumbai

Station Name Frequency

Radio Mirchi 98.3 MHz
Red FM 93.5 MHz
Radio City 91.1 MHz
Big FM 92.7 MHz
AIR FM Rainbow 107.1 MHz
Fever FM 104.0 MHz
AIR FM Gold 100.7 MHz

Dr. Pramod R. Bokde (Priyadarshini Bhagwati College of Engineering

Modulation
Department of Electronics & Communication
April 12, 2025 Engineering)
15 / 17
 THANK YOU

Dr. Pramod R. Bokde (Priyadarshini Bhagwati College of Engineering

Modulation
Department of Electronics & Communication
April 12, 2025 Engineering)
16 / 17