1. Carrier Frequency (fc): This is the central frequency of the AM wave. It is a continuous sine wave that serves as the base for amplitude modulation.
2. Modulating Frequency (fm): This is the frequency of the audio signal that is used to modulate the amplitude of the carrier wave. In AM broadcasting, the audio signal represents the sound you hear on your radio.
When an AM wave is generated, the amplitude of the carrier wave varies based on the amplitude of the modulating signal. As a result, two sidebands are produced around the carrier frequency:
3. Upper Sideband (fc + fm): This is the frequency component resulting from the addition of the carrier frequency (fc) and the modulating frequency (fm).
4. Lower Sideband (fc - fm): This is the frequency component resulting from the subtraction of the modulating frequency (fm) from the carrier frequency (fc).
It's important to note that both the upper and lower sidebands contain the essential information from the modulating signal. If one sideband is suppressed or eliminated, the message will still be understood, but may sound less clear or contain some distortion.
Therefore, an AM wave comprises of three main frequency components: the carrier frequency (fc), the upper sideband (fc+fm), and the lower sideband (fc-fm). These components allow the transmission of voice and audio information while maintaining a constant carrier frequency.