Question

What are the applications of Amplitude modulation?

Answer 1

Hint: This technique carries the wave signal by modulating the amplitude of the wave. It is often called AM. The wave amplitude is varied in some fixed proportion with the modulating signal. This is called the modulation index. Because we can modulate the amplitude of the carrier wave, we use AM in many real-life applications.

Complete answer:
We need a carrier wave characterized as a high frequency wave and a modulating signal that contains the information we wish to pass.
Amplitude modulation or generally called as AM is one of the earliest methods used in communication systems to transmit information. There is variation of amplitude of the carrier wave and not of the modulating signal. The voltage of the modulating signal changes the amplitude of the carrier wave.
Amplitude modulation is done to provide high range transmissions, prevent overlapping of two different signals and to enhance the quality of transmission.
It has wide ranging applications majorly falling in the domain of electronic communications.
Some applications are listed below:
A. Two-way radios
B. VHF aircraft radio
C. Modems
D. Medium wave AM broadcasting
E. Citizens band radio

Note:
Even though amplitude modulation is easier to implement as the receiver used for AM is relatively cheap and demodulation can be achieved using a very few components, amplitude modulation is not very efficient. There are noticeable noise interferences and there is a requirement of high bandwidth. Hence, other modulations like frequency modulation and phase modulation have also come up.