What is a balanced modulator?

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Multiple Choice

What is a balanced modulator?

A balanced modulator multiplies the input signal by the carrier so the output contains only the sum and difference frequencies, with the carrier component canceled. This produces two equal sidebands around the carrier frequency and no carrier itself, which is exactly double sideband, suppressed carrier. This is different from a signal that carries the full carrier (standard AM), which would preserve the carrier term. It’s also different from single sideband suppressed carrier, which transmits only one of the two sidebands. And it’s not about frequency modulation, which changes frequency rather than amplitude.

A balanced modulator multiplies the input signal by the carrier so the output contains only the sum and difference frequencies, with the carrier component canceled. This produces two equal sidebands around the carrier frequency and no carrier itself, which is exactly double sideband, suppressed carrier.

This is different from a signal that carries the full carrier (standard AM), which would preserve the carrier term. It’s also different from single sideband suppressed carrier, which transmits only one of the two sidebands. And it’s not about frequency modulation, which changes frequency rather than amplitude.

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