RF demodulation for dummies

1. What is RF demodulation?
2. How does demodulation work?
3. Why is it necessary to demodulate the RF modulated wave?
4. What is I and Q in RF?

What is RF demodulation?

If you're an RF engineer, you'll know that demodulation is the process of extracting the original information-bearing signal that was imposed on a carrier wave.

How does demodulation work?

Demodulation. The process of separating the original information or SIGNAL from the MODULATED CARRIER. In the case of AMPLITUDE or FREQUENCY MODULATION it involves a device, called a demodulator or detector, which produces a signal corresponding to the instantaneous changes in amplitude or frequency, respectively.

Why is it necessary to demodulate the RF modulated wave?

Once information is transmitted as FM signals, it needs to be retrieved at the receiving end. The demodulation process recovers the original information (modulating signal) from the carrier signal.

What is I and Q in RF?

By convention, the I signal is a cosine waveform, and the Q signal is a sine waveform. As you know, a sine wave (without any additional phase) is shifted by 90° relative to a cosine wave. Another way to express this is that the sine and cosine waves are in quadrature.