This tutorial demonstrates how mathematics is applied in communication systems. Use the interactive simulator below to explore how varying modulation parameters alter signal behavior.
Amplitude modulation is a technique used to transmit electric signals containing information using radio waves. Let \(f(t)\) be the electric signal to transmit (representing information via a mathematical function) and \(\cos(\omega t)\) be the carrier signal. Let the amplitude of the carrier change in terms of \(f(t)\) as follows:
This is called amplitude modulation since the amplitude of the carrier changes according to \(f(t)\). To understand this precisely, let the signal to transmit be a simple sinusoidal signal of the form \(f(t) = m \cos(s t)\). Hence, \(F(t)\) becomes:
The applet below helps you explore the amplitude modulated signal \(F(t)\) when the modulation index \(m\) changes from zero to larger positive values.