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You might be wondering that what is the difference between AM and FM radio. So, let me tell that in radio communication, there are mainly two popular types of modulation.
The first one is AM and the second one is FM.
- AM stands for Amplitude Modulation
- FM stands for Frequency Modulation
But the abbreviation of both types of modulation is not the only difference. Both have their own characteristics and downsides.
Let’s explore “what is the difference between AM and FM radio”.
So, if you are planning to a broadcasting channel or want to listen to your favorite content you use the most beneficial one according to your need.
What Is Modulation?
Before digging into the types of modulations, knowing what is modulation is important.
So, for the purpose of long-distance transmission in radio communication, the modulation of a radio signal is used.
To understand it in a simple way you can say that modulation is when a radio signal (input signal) which is carrying audio information is merged along with a carrier signal.
The amplitude and frequency of the carrier signal are constant, while the radio signals normally have a very low frequency.
But when radio signals are merged with these constant waveforms radio signals are capable to travel over long distances.
Hence this complete process of mounting is known as modulation.
There are three types of modulation.
- Amplitude Modulation
- Frequency Modulation
- Phase Modulation
For this blog post we’ll only have a look at the comparison between AM and FM because of popularity of both.
What Is AM?
Amplitude modulation, normally known as AM. It’s a common method to broadcast radio signals. This method of communication was discovered in the decade of 1870s.
This was the time when humans discovered for the very first time in life that we can transmit information in audio form. And also this broadcasting can be done over long distances with the help of radio signals.
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To transmit the input signals (which carry the information) in AM radio, modification in the amplitude of the carrier wave is performed.
As per the amplitude of the input signal, the amplitude of the input signal is directly proportional to the amplitude of the carrier wave.
So, when the amplitude of the input signal is high then the amplitude of the carrier wave will also increase and vice-versa.
What Is FM?
Frequency Modulation, which is commonly known with the name of FM. In comparison to AM, frequency modulation is an advanced and new method of modulation.
In this modulation, the frequency of the carrier wave is instantaneously modified as per the amplitude of the input signal.
Most music radio stations prefer to use FM modulation rather than AM modulation for broadcasting purposes. The reason is that FM offers much better quality transmission.
How Do AM And FM Work?
The time when the information is transmitted via space with the help of AM and FM radio waves a transducer is used to convert information.
This transducer converts the information into a time-varying electrical signal at the sending end. This signal is also known as a modulation signal.
Whether it’s a video signal having a moving image recorded via a video camera, a digital signal, or an audio sound signal coming through a microphone.
All of them will be considered modulation signals.
This modulation signal is inserted into the radio transmitter. After that electronic oscillator produces an alternating current. Then this current oscillates the radio frequency in the transmitter from the transmitter end to the receiver end.
This current is known as a carrier as this carries the information from one point to another in the air.
AM vs FM:
Difference Standard | AM | FM |
---|---|---|
Abbreviation | AM Is the abbreviation of Amplitude Modulation | FM Is the abbreviation of Frequency Modulation |
History & Origin | The transmission method of AM was discovered successfully in the mid-1870s for the first time in the United States | The FM transmission was first discovered by Edwin Armstrong in the 1930s in the United States |
Mode Of Modulation | The modulation of radio waves (known as “carrier” or “carrier wave”) in AM is done by altering the amplitude of the signal that is about to transmit. Frequency and phase remain the same in AM. | The modulation of radio wave (known as “carrier” or “carrier wave”) in FM is done by altering the Frequency of the signal that is about to transmit. Amplitude and phase remain the same in FM. |
Frequency Range | Typically the range of AM works from 535 kHz to 1705 kHz or in the other standard, you can say it works up to 1200 bits per second. | On the other hand, the range of FM works from 88 MHz to 108 MHz, or in another standard, you can say it works from 1200 to 2400 bits per second. |
Area Of Reception / Signal Quality | The range of AM waves has long range. Even you can receive the signals of AM radio in the hinterlands. Long range is quality because of which some stations still use AM radio transmission no matter if the sound quality is not top-notch in AM radio. | The reception area of FM wave is not much wide as it should be when it comes to geographical regions. You’ll not be able to listen to your favorite FM radio stations once you go away from the boundaries. |
Complexity And Cost | The complexity of AM radio is less because it’s old technology. And also because of less complexity, the pieces of equipment of AM are not much costly. | As we know that FM is the latest technology and has a very complex structure because of security reasons. So, that’s why the cost of FM radio equipment is also high. |
Bandwidth | The simple formula to find the Bandwith of AM broadcasting is twice the highest modulating frequency. So, in AM the highest modulating frequency is 15kHz, and as per the formula, the bandwidth of AM signals is 30kHz. | To calculate the bandwidth of FM broadcasting first you need to sum the frequency of modulating signal and frequency deviation. After that, you can twice that sum and you’ll get the actual value. For instance, if the frequency deviation is 60 kHz and modulating frequency is 15 kHz, then the required bandwidth will be 150 kHz. |
Sound Quality | In the aspect of sound quality, AM is less competent than FM radio. This is because noise can easily affect the amplitude. And we already know that in AM modulation the information is stored in amplitude. So, that makes it vulnerable and it reduces the quality of sound. | On the other hand, if we talk about the sound quality of FM radio, we’ll get to know that it’s better because the storage of information in FM is done by using frequency. Hence the frequency always changes. That’s why it’s less vulnerable and provides the best quality of sound. |
Complexity | In AM the complexity of the transmitter and receiver is not that much, in fact, it’s very simple. But, you need to synchronize it in the case of the SSBSC AM carrier. | The transmitter and receivers in FM have a lot of complexities. |
Spectrum Range Differences | The spectrum range of AM radio start from 535 kilohertz and goes up to 1705 kilohertz. Also, the radio station setup possibilities are available at every 10 kHz. | The spectrum range of FM radio is higher than AM. It starts from 88 Megahertz and goes up to 108 megahertz. But in FM the radio station setup possibilities are available after every 200 kHz. |
Popularity | AM radio was very popular before the discovery of FM modulation. But, after the FM modulation, the popularity of AM decreased. But, some speech broadcastings such as news channels still prefer to use AM because of the long range. | FM radio gained popularity in the 1970s and early 80s. The reason for its popularity was better sound quality and because of this by the 1990s, a big group of music radio stations moved to FM radio. From then to now music channels are still using FM radio for broadcasting. |
Pros and Cons Of AM vs FM
AM:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
The very first advantage of AM radio is that detection is very easy and can be done with simple equipment even if the signals are not strong. | A very big and major disadvantage of AM radio is that the interference of other radio frequencies and electrical storms affects the transmission of AM radio. |
Having a narrower bandwidth than the FM is another advantage of AM radio because of this it covers more wide range than FM radio | Another disadvantage of AM radio is that most of the receivers can transmit the frequencies only up to 5kHz while the normal range of transmitters is 15kHz. |
FM:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
A major advantage of FM radio which is also the cause of its popularity of FM radio is that the sound quality of FM radio is very good compared to AM radio. | The major disadvantage of FM is that it’s vibal for local broadcasting and you can’t transmit data over long distances |
The second big disadvantage of FM radio is that the signal propagation can get disturbed because of large obstacles such as big buildings | |
Last but not least disadvantage of FM radio is that the receivers and transmitters of FM are complicated |
Daily life Implementation of AM & FM:
Now we know much more about both AM and FM radio. But, if we use them both in the right way both will give advantage to us.
So, for that purpose let’s have a short look at their daily life usage.
AM Radio:
Mostly AM radio is used on daily basis in the following fields
- Radio Chats
- News Programming
- Broadcast transmission
- Airband radio with the help of VHF radio transmission for aerial applications
- Single sideband (it’s communication using High-Frequency radio waves)
- Quadrature amplitude modulation (i.e wifi, mobile telecommunications)
FM Radio:
The daily life usage of FM radio is in the following fields
- Music Radio
- Public Radio
- Radar system
- Seismic prospecting
- Music synthesis
- Video broadcast system
- FM radio broadcasting
- Telemetry
- Seizure EEG
- Magnetic Tape recording system
- Two-way radio systems
Conclusion:
Now we know that there’s a lot of difference between AM and FM modulation. It’s not just the difference between abbreviations. Both have different characteristics, different pros, and cons.
Also, the usage of both in daily life is not similar to each other.
Hope you’ve enjoyed the readings. If so do share it with your other fellows who love to read about this traditional technology.
![Muhammad Talha](https://techmediaarc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Talha.jpg)
Being a radio enthusiast I know that it’s very difficult to get the information available on the internet for radio lovers. Also, sometimes it’s not satisfactory. That’s why I set up a website to share my helpful knowledge and best products with the amazing community of radio lovers.
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