PULSE AMPLITUDE

MODULATION

INTRODUCTION TO PULSE
AMPLITUDE MODULATION
Pulse-amplitude modulation, acronym PAM, is a
form of signal modulation where the message
information is encoded in the amplitude of a series of
signal pulses.
Example: A two bit modulator (PAM-4) will take two bits
at a time and will map the signal amplitude to one of
four possible levels, for example 3 volts, 1 volt, 1
volt, and 3 volts.
Demodulation is performed by detecting the amplitude
level of the carrier at every symbol period.
Pulse-amplitude modulation is widely used in baseband
transmission of digital data, with non-baseband
applications having been largely superseded by
pulse-code modulation, and, more recently, by
pulse-position modulation.

PULSE MODULATION

Analog pulse modulation

PAM

PWM
ADM

PPM

Digital pulse modulation

PCM

DM

PULSE AMPLITUDE
MODULATION

In the pulse amplitude modulation of pulsed

carrier is changed in proportion with the

instantaneous amplitude of the modulating signal
x(t). So the information is continued in the
amplitude variation of PAM signal.
the carrier is in the form of train of narrow
pulses .
If you compare the PAM system with the sampling
process ,you will find these two processes are
identical.
The PAM signal is then sent by either wire or cable
or it is used to modulate a carrier.

TYPES OF PAM
Natural PAM (Chopper PAM)
Flat top PAM

NATURAL PAM OR CHOPPER PAM

Generation of natural PAM
Continuous
modulating
signal x(t)

Low pass
filter

Multiplier

Pulse train
generator

PAM
signal

Waveforms of natural PAM

1.Baseband signal
2.Sampled signal

Circuit for natural PAM

MOSFET
acting
as
switch

x(t)

c(t)

Natural
RL PAM
Signal

DETECTION OF NATURAL PAM

PAM signal

Low pass
filter

Demodulate
d PAM signal

DETECTION OF NATURAL PAM

The PAM signal can be detected

(demodulated) by passing it through a low

pass filter.
The low pass filter cutoff frequency is

adjusted to fm so that all the high frequency

ripple is removed and the original
modulating signal is recovered back.

Waveform of detection of PAM

Flat Top PAM

Flat-Top PAM

Waveform of Flat-

Recovering the original signal x(t)

from PAM signal

Due to the aperture effect an amplitude

distortion introduces.
This distortion can be corrected by
equalizer

Advantages:
Better SNR due to increased signal power.
Generation is easy.
Disadvantage:
Aperture effect introduces distortion.

Parameters

Natural PAM

Flat top PAM

Nature of sampling

Train of finite duration

pulses

Train of finite duration

pulses

Circuit
arrangement

Uses a chopper

Uses a sample n hold

circuit

Signal power

Increases with increase

in the pulse width

Increases with increase in

the pulse width

Bandwidth
requirement

Increases with the

Increases with reduction
reduction in pulse width in the pulse width

Effect of noise

Moderate

Waveforms

Moderate

Effect of noise on PAM

Since the information is contained in the

amplitude variations, the noise will contaminate

the information
Noise superimposed on PAM signal

EXAM QUESTIONS
Q. Explain generation and demodulation of PAM

signal with the help of suitable diagrams.

(10 marks-May 2008)