Understanding Amplitude Modulation for Radios

AI Thread Summary
Amplitude modulation (AM) involves varying the amplitude of a carrier signal to encode audio information. In the described scenario, the device converts sound waves into an electrical signal that varies in amplitude, which is then transmitted via an antenna. The key distinction lies in the carrier signal, which is a separate, fixed-frequency signal that combines with the modulating signal (the audio signal) to create the AM signal. This process allows the audio information to be effectively transmitted over radio frequencies. Understanding these components is crucial for grasping how amplitude modulation functions in radio technology.
MadmanMurray
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I'm learning about radios at the moment but there's a few things I'm not clear about concerning modulation. I'll use audio amplitude modulation as an example. Let's say I have a device which I speak into and this device converts the variations of the sounds waves coming outta my mouth into an electrical signal which varies in amplitude in a wire. This wire is attached to an antenna which converts the electrical signal into a radio signal.

Is everything I described there amplitude modulation or am I missing something? I keep reading about 2 signals being merged and that there's a difference between the modulating signal and the carrier signal. Is the carrier signal a separate signal of the desired frequency? For example if my sound converting device converts my sound waves into an electrical signal which varies in amplitude would the frequency be varying and chaotic meaning I would need to merge it with a carrier signal of fixed frequency? Is that the general idea?
 
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