DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : V.S.RAMANJAM
Designation : Lecturer
Branch : Electronics & Communication Engg
Institute : SGPR Govt Polytechnic, Kurnool.
Year / Semester : IIIrd Semester
Subject : Analog Communication
Subject Code : EC .305
Topic : Amplitude Modulation
Duration : 50 Mts
Sub Topic : Over modulation and its effects.
Teaching Aids : Diagrams
EC . 305 .18 1
 Recap
• In the previous section, it is taught that the expression
for modulation Index is given by the ratio of modulating
voltage, Vm to the carrier voltage Vc.

• As long as Vm < Vc there is no problem for the process of

Amplitude modulation.

• The ideal condition for A.M is Vm < Vc

• Vm < Vc will produce greatest output at the receiver

without introducing any distortion.

• If m > 1 what happen ?

And how it look and what are effects of over modulation
are dealt in this topic. EC . 305 .18 2
 OBJECTIVES

• On completion of this topic the student will be able to

understand.

– What is over modulation

– What are the effects of over modulation.

EC . 305 .18 3
 Over Modulation

• Definition

• Over modulation occurs when the peak – to – peak

amplitude of the modulating signal is greater than that of

the unmodulated carrier( m>1)

• Over Modulation causes distortion

EC . 305 .18 4
Figures showing the effect of
Over modulation

EC . 305 .18 5
 Brief Explanation

• The received signal will produce an output wave form

which is the envelop of the modulated wave form .

• In the present case the envelop is a sine wave whose

negative peaks have been clipped off.

• Therefore the resultant signal is distorted.

• This condition is known as over modulation.

EC . 305 .18 6
• As a result the original information signal cannot be

recovered completly.

• Over modulation results when modulating voltage

exceeds carrier voltage.

• In such cases modulation Index exceeds unity .

• i.e., > 1.

EC . 305 .18 7
 Effects of Over modulation
• When over modulation occurs in A.M the envelop no
longer follows the shape of modulating signal.
• The modulated carrier signal is cut off at negative peaks.
• Thus over modulation causes severe distortion in the
modulation envelop.
• As a result the original information signal can not be
recovered.
• In frequency domain, the over modulation results in
production of new frequencies apart from LSB and USB.
EC . 305 .18 8
• These new frequencies are outside the regular AM
spectrum.

• Clipping off the modulated carrier sine wave appears as

the beginning of the square wave which is rich in
harmonics frequencies.

• These frequencies can fall outside a station’s assigned

frequency band and interfere with another station
transmission.

EC . 305 .18 9
 SUMMARY
We have discussed about

– over modulation .

– Effects of over modulation.

EC . 305 .18 10
 QUIZ

1. If “m” is greater than 1 then _______ modulation

occurs.

Ans: over

EC . 305 .18 11
2. Over modulation causes ____________ in the
system.

Ans: distortion

EC . 305 .18 12
3. In frequency domain over modulation results in
production of __________apart from the LSB and
USB.

Ans: new frequencies

EC . 305 .18 13
Frequently asked questions in examination

4. What is over modulation ? Explain the effect of over

modulation?

EC . 305 .18 14