The full form of AM is Amplitude modulation and FM stands for Frequency modulation. Frequency modulation and Amplitude modulation are methods of transmitting data that involve changing a carrier signal. Both these technologies use electromagnetic waves to deliver information. The primary distinction between the two modulations is that with frequency modulation, the carrier signal frequency is altered in response to the sent data. In contrast, amplitude modulation modifies the carrier wave based on the data. These technologies usually support simple data transfers like voice. To transmit data transfer like video or video and audio combined, one must use satellite communication systems.
Frequency modulation operates by altering the strength of the broadcasted signal regularly following the data being given. When you feed this signal data, the frequency varies relative to the data. The carrier frequency can also convey music or voice when modified between low and high frequencies.
The FM uses higher bandwidth than AM resulting in better data transfer, with less noise. As it is having a higher bandwidth the FM signals are always regulated by the respective authorities in the country, to ensure that they don't interfere with other official bandwidths. For stereo broadcasting, the maximum allowed carrier deviation is ±75 kHz(kilohertz) from the standard frequency. The bandwidths used by FM are calculated with the Carson bandwidth rule.
While receiving input signals, an AM receiver recognizes amplitude variations in radio waves at a specific frequency and amplifies the signal voltage fluctuations. The radio receiver then filters the audio signals supplied to those waves, strengthen them, and finally delivers them on a loudspeaker by processing those waveforms to extract just those waves that vibrate at the desired frequency.
It is interesting to note that AM technology is weak in energy efficiency. This is because, most energy is utilised in maintaining the carrier waves, which are used to carry the signals and thus the main signal is not concentrated.
Amplitude Modulation | Frequency Modulation |
Here the frequency and phase remain constant throughout the transmission. | Here the amplitude and phase remain constant throughout the transmission. |
It was first tested successfully during the mid-1870s. | Developed in the United States in 1930. |
AM signals are able to travel a longer distance. | FM signals get attenuated during transmission |
The quality of the transferred data is in the lower end. | The transferred data has more quality than the AM signals. |
The frequency range of AM is between 535 to 1705 kHz. | The frequency range of FM is between 88 to 108 MHz. |