Experiment 4: Amplitude Modulation: 1.1 AM Signal Generation
Experiment 4: Amplitude Modulation: 1.1 AM Signal Generation
This experiment examines the characteristics of the amplitude modulation (AM) process. The demod-
ulation is performed by an envelope detector. Overmodulated AM signals and its requirement for coherent
detection are also considered.
1 Introduction
In Experiment 3, DSB signals were generated by the multiplication of a message signal with a carrier
waveform. This resulted in the translation of the message spectrum to the carrier frequency location. The
simplicity of the modulation process contrasted with the strict requirement for a synchronous local carrier
at the receiver. This problem can be alleviated by sending a carrier frequency component along with the
sidebands at the expense of decreasing the transmitted power efficiency.
1
EE3150 E. Cura 2
BT = 2fx (7)
ST = Sc Sx + Sc (8)
where Sc = A2c /2 is the average carrier power and Sx is the average message signal power. When the
message signal is a sinusoid of amplitude Ax , Sx = A2x /2. The fraction of the transmitted power that
conveys information to the receiver is
Sc Sx
E= (9)
Sc + Sc Sx
and it is used as a measure of the power efficiency.
z(t) = {ac [1 + x(t)] cos(2πfc t)}2 cos(2πfc t) = ac [1 + x(t)] + ac [1 + x(t)] cos(4πfc t) (10)
y(t) = ac x(t)
2 Prelab instructions
The prelab for this experiment is based on PSPICE modeling and simulations. Enclosed in brackets is the
number of points assigned to each question/plot.
1. From the functional block diagram of Fig. 1 in the AD633 data sheet, build a PSPICE model of this
multiplier circuit considering the following hints: [4]
• All the amplifiers shown in the block diagram provide unity gain and the inputs X2 and Y 2 will
be connected to ground (in the circuits for this experiment), hence all the amplifiers and the
terminals X2 and Y 2 can be neglected to build the PSPICE model.
• The multiplier block can be implemented by the MULT part included in the PSPICE libraries.
Similarly, the summation block can be implemented by the SUM part. The constant 1/10 V block
can be implemented with the CONST block with a value of 0.1.
• Notice that because of the 1/10 V block, and just for the circuits in this experiment, the signal
applied to the X1 input (pin 1) is actually 10 times the message signal x(t). In the following, the
signal applied to pin 1 is called simply the message signal, but keep in mind it is a scaled version
of x(t).
2. Using your PSPICE model of the AD633, (a) simulate the output of the circuit of Fig. 1 of this
experiment. The parameters for the message signal x(t) are: Sine wave, Ax = 8 V, fx = 500 Hz, and
for the carrier signal: Sine wave, Ac = 5 V, fc = 9 kHz. Use a time span of T S = 5 ms. For the
simulation you need to connect a resistor (> 1 kΩ) from the output to ground in order to obtain the
simulated output [4]. (b) To observe an overmodulated signal, repeat the previous step with Ax = 13
V, fc = 18 kHz, and T S = 4 ms [4].
3. Using Eq.(12), (a) calculate the range of values of R when C = 10 nF, m = 0.5, fx = 1 kHz [2]. (b) Use
a value of R = 18 kΩ to simulate the output of the envelope detector of Fig. 2 from 0 to T S = 2 ms.
The parameters for the message signal are: Sine wave, Ax = 5 V, fx = 1 kHz, and for the carrier signal:
Sine wave, Ac = 5 V, fc = 98 kHz [4]. (c) Repeat part (b) changing T S = 10 ms (this time-domain
plot is not required), and from the Trace menu select Fourier, then from the Plot menu select Axis
settings... and set the Data range from 0Hz to 100KHz in the X-Axis and set the Scale to Log
in the Y-Axis. The resulting plot is the spectrum of the output of the envelope detector, include this
plot in your prelab [4].
4. Simulate the output signal of the coherent detector of Fig. 4 (neglect the op-amp amplifier). The
parameters for the message signal are: Sine wave, Ax = 13 V, fx = 500 Hz, and for the carrier signal:
Sine wave, Ac = 5 V, fc = 18 kHz, T S = 4 ms [4].
3 Lab procedure
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
• Load the virtual instrument TIMEFREQ.VI by double-clicking the shortcut located in the computer
desktop.
• After taking each plot make sure to ask your TA to verify that your results are correct.
This also serves to monitor your progress and performance.
1. With the power supply off, assemble the circuit of Fig. 1. Use FG1 as the message signal and FG2
as the carrier signal. Set the following parameters in FG1: Amplitude=8 V, Frequency=500 Hz, sine
wave. For FG2: Amplitude=5 V, Frequency=9 kHz, sine wave. Connect channel 1 probe of the
oscilloscope to the output of the modulator (at pin 7).
2. Turn the power supply on and capture the AM signal and its spectrum by executing TIMEFREQ.VI
with the following parameters: Channel=1, TS=5m, FS=10, Save data=ON, a proper file name. [Plot
P1, 5 points].
3. Change the amplitude of FG1 to 2 V and capture the AM signal and its spectrum, use a different file
name. [P2, 5].
4 Analysis
This section contains questions regarding the results obtained during the lab.
1. Include in your report all the plots obtained during the lab. Make sure to label properly all the plots.
The number of points assigned to each plot is specified in the lab procedure. Refer to Appendix B
section 3.4 for instructions regarding the plotting of experimental results.
2. From plots P1 and P2: (a) estimate the modulation index of each AM signal.[4 points]. (b) Describe
the effect of the modulation index on the magnitude of the sidebands in the spectra of these signals.
[2].
3. Comparing the time signals in plots P3 and P4, and giving arguments from their spectra, (a) explain
why the signal of P4 shows less ripple. [2]. (b) Would you connect the LPF of Fig. 4 to the output of
the envelope detector in order to remove the ripple in the case of P3? Justify your answer. [2].
4. Could the message signal be recovered from the AM signal of plot P5 using an envelope detector?
Justify your answer. [2].
5. From plot P7: (a) explain the presence of a DC offset in the output signal. [2]. (b) How would you
eliminate the DC offset at the output? [2].
6. (a) Compute the power efficiency E for the AM signals of plots P1, P2 and P5. [6][Hint: Keep in mind
that the AD633 divides the product of the input signals by 10]. (b) Without considering the value of
the carrier frequency, but considering everything else, which of these signals would you choose to use
in a practical system? Justify your answer. [2].
2 1
+17V +17V
message_signal AD633 message_signal AD633 output_signal
P1 P8 AM_signal P1 P8 D1N4148
P2 P7 P2 P7
P3 P6 P3 P6 C
carrier carrier
P4 P5 P4 P5 R ?k
10n
0
-17V -17V
0 0 0
0
Fig. 1 AM modulator Fig. 2 Envelope detection of AM signals.
B B
+17V
U1 7
3 5 +17V
+
input_signal V+ message_signal AD633
OS2
6
OS1
P1 P8 AM_signal
V- P2 P7
2 1
- P3 P6
4 -17V carrier P4 P5
uA741
-17V
0
1k
1k
0
Fig. 3 Test circuit to demonstrate overmodulation.
+17V
7
3 5 +17V +17V product_signal
+
input_signal V+ message_signal AD633 AD633
OS2 6
OS1
P1 P8 P1 P8 output_signal
V- P2 P7 P2 P7
A uA741 2
-
4
1
-17V carrier
P3
P4
P6
P5
P3
P4
P6
P5
0
1k
0.1u
100k
1n
A
0
-17V -17V
0 0
1k 0
1k Coherent detector Lowpass filter
0
Fig. 4 Test circuit for coherent detection of overmodulated AM signals.
EE3150 Communication Systems Lab Page Size: A
Experiment 4. Linear Modulation: AM
Fall 2001
E. Cura
2 1