Laboratory 2. Exercise 9.

Exercise 9.

Study of Analog Phase-Locked Loop (APLL)

Aim of the measurement

The aim of the measurement is that students get familiar with the operation of the main
blocks that build up a PLL, the design methods of PLLs based on Bode curves and
theoretical results, measuring methods of PLLs and some typical applications. The
measurement teaches some system level parameters of APLLs such as lock-in range,
tracking range and transfer functions of a PLL. Then some typical PLL based applications
are measured (operation of FM/PM demodulators). The measurement is finished by
examining some dynamical features of the PLL.

References
[1] G. Kolumbán, “Phase-Locked Loops,” article in The Encyclopedia of RF and
Microwave
Engineering, K. Chang, (Ed.), vol. 4, pp. 3735–3767, Wiley, New York, 2005.

[2] G. Kolumbán, “Phase-Locked Loops,” article in The Encyclopedia of Electrical and

Electronics
Engineering, J. G. Webster, (Ed.), vol. 16, pp. 158–188, Wiley, New York, 1999.

Matlab help
− help command; Matlab description of command.
− clear; erase the variables and functions from memory.
− load PD.txt; load PD.txt ASCII file. It contains a matrix and it is the actual value
of variable PD. The name of the file .m or .mat cannot be the same even without
extension as the name of the file to be loaded.
− y=PD(:,2); it loads the second column of the previously loaded file (that is PD
variable now) to variable y.
− x=PD(:,1); it loads the first column of the previously loaded file (that is PD
variable now) to variable x.
− figure; figure window appears.
− plot(x,y); plots y vector assigned to x vector (puts pairs xi, yi into the coordinate
position x,y).
− semilogx(x,y); the same as the previous except that this command uses
logarithmic scale to x.

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 Laboratory 2. Exercise 9.

− axis([xmin xmax ymin ymax]); sets the maximum and minimum values for x
and y coordinate axes.
− grid; puts such a grid to the coordinate system that fits to the axes.
− xlabel('\theta_2[^o]'); writes text to axis x.
− ylabel('u_d [ V ]'); writes text to axis y.

− title('PD curve'); writes text to the top of the figure.

− w=(100:10:100000); makes a w vector whose elements are in the interval from
100 to 100000 and the step between two consecutive elements is 10.
− num=[K*T1 K]; factor of the numerator of transfer function (sKτ1+K).
− den=[1 K*T1 K]; factor of the denominator of transfer function (s2+sKτ1+K).
− bode(num,den); returns the Bode curves.

Measurement instruments:
Oszcilloscope Agilent 54622A
Power supply Agilent E3630
Synchronizable function generators Agilent 33220A-Option 001
Digital multimeter (6½ digit) Agilent 33401A
Digital multimeter (3½ digit) Metex ME-22T

Test panel
Phase- locked loop (PLL) to be measured is built into a test panel. The terminals of the PLL
can be accessed via BNC connectors. Test panel is shown by fig. 9-17.

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Laboratory 2. Exercise 9.

9-1 Test panel

Power supply voltage:

Set +15V and -15V on the power supply then connect the outputs of the power supply to the
test panel inputs labeled +15V and -15V. Mind the polarity! The COMM output of the
power supply has to be connected to the test panel input labeled ⊥. For making connections
use banana jack (also called split plug or banana pin/plug) and colored wires. It is a rule of
the thumb that red wire goes for + (now +15V) blue wire goes for – (now -15V) and
common wire (or ground wire) goes for black (now COMM).
Attention!
DO NOT connect any other input or output terminals of the test panel to the power supply
to avoid the damage of the circuit!

Inputs of test panel:

The inputs of test panel are the followings PDin1, PDin2 and VCOin ext with BNC connectors.
These inputs are matched to 50Ω therefore the output impedance of generators connected to
this terminal have to be set 50Ω..
Parameters of signal to be connected to input PDin1:
• voltage: 2Vpp sine,
• frequency: from 75kHz to 105kHz,
• coupling: AC.
Parameters of signal to be connected to input PDin2:
• voltage: 2Vpp sine,

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Laboratory 2. Exercise 9.

• frequency: from 75kHz to 105kHz,

• coupling: AC.
Parameters of signal to be connected to input VCOin ext:
• voltage: 1Vpp square,
• frequency: 100Hz,
• coupling: AC.

Outputs of test panel:

The outputs of test panel are PDout, VCODC F(s)out and VCOout with BNC terminals. These
outputs are matched to 1kΩ that has to be considered during the measurements. (Output is
protected against accidental shortcut by the 1kΩ resistor.)

Signal parameters appearing at output PDout :

• voltage: between -1V és +1V,
• frequency: from DC to 200kHz,
• coupling: DC.
Signal parameters appearing at output VCODC F(s)out :
• voltage: between -10V and +10V,
• frequency: from DC to 10kHz,
• coupling: DC.
Signal parameters appearing at output VCOout:
• voltage: 2Vpp sine,
• frequency: from 78kHz to 102kHz,
• coupling: AC.

Attention!
DO NOT connect any other input or output terminals of the test panel to the power supply
to avoid the damage of the circuit!

Switch-over facilities of the test panel:

1. The applicable loop filter can be chosen by the switch can be found between PD and
loop filter.
1 + sτ 1
Parameters of loop filter denoted by transfer function :
sτ 2
τ1 = 193.10-6 [s/rad]
τ2 = 43.10-6 [s/rad]
ζ=1

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Laboratory 2. Exercise 9.

ωn = 11130 [rad/s]
1 + sτ 3
Parameters of loop filter denoted by transfer function :
sτ 2
τ3 = 45,2.10-6 [s/rad]
τ2 = 43.10-6 [s/rad]
ζ = 0,25
ωn = 11130 [rad/s]
2. Switch between loop filter and VCO is three states.
Switching toward label PD, VCO opens the loop to measure the elements of the loop
unconnected from the loop (phase detector and VCO).
Phase detector
Reference signal should be connected to input PDin1 of the phase detector while the
other signal to be connected to input PDin2. Output signal of the VCO is switched off
from the input of the phase detector by the switch (VCO output and PD input are not
connected this way.) The output of the phase detector still can be accessed at PDout.
VCO
This state of the switch connects the potentiometer labeled VCOin adj to the input of
the VCO. The potentiometer provides voltage from -10V to +10V. This voltage also
appears at the BNC terminal labeled VCODC for measuring purpose. The output
signal of the VCO can be accessed at BNC terminal labeled VCOout.
Attention!
Terminal VCODC is not input, therefore do not connect the power supply or the
generator to it!
Switching to the middle position supports the free-running frequency of VCO.
The input of the VCO is unconnected from any input signal. The output signal of the
VCO remains accessible at BNC terminal labeled VCOout.
Switching toward label PLL closes the loop to measure the PLL.
In this position of the switch terminal PDin2 is unconnected from the phase detector
and potentiometer is unconnected from the VCO input however the output signal of
the VCO is now connected to the PD.
Reference signal should be connected to PDin1 input of the phase detector. The output of the
phase detector is accessible at PDout. The output of the loop filter is accessible at F(s)out. The
output of the VCO is accessible at VCOout. External signal to the VCO can be connected via
terminal labeled VCOin ext.

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 Laboratory 2. Exercise 9.

Laboratory exercises

1. Measuring of the loop elements of the APLL

The aim of the measurement is to introduce the measuring methods of the loop elements.
1.1. Obtaining the PD curve
Set +15V and -15V on the power supply then connect the outputs of the power
supply to the test panel inputs labeled +15V and -15V. Mind the polarity! The
COMM output of the power supply has to be connected to the test panel input
labeled ⊥.
Connect test panel inputs labeled PDin1 and PDin2 to the outputs of the signal
generators and to the oscilloscope. Connect output PDout to Agilent 33401A
multimeter that is set to voltage measurement.
Be careful! Reference signal goes to input PDin1 while the signal with altering
phase goes to PDin2. Switch between loop filter and VCO has to be in position
labeled PD, VCO. (Now loop is opened and ready for measurements of loop
elements.)
The phase of the signal connected to PDin2 has to be altered from -180o to
+180o, the step between two consecutive phase value is 10o. The two signal
generators have to be synchronized to each other. Read the output voltage of
the PD using the multimeter connected to output PDout. Record the phase and
voltage values into a chart and plot it to have the PD curve (use Excel or
Matlab). Calculate the transfer coefficient of the PD (Kd). You have the
necessary data for that.
Output voltage of PD is proportional to θe phase error that is now θe = - θ2.
Settings of the function generators:
¾ output impedance: 50Ω,
¾ frequency: 90 kHz,
¾ amplitude: 2 Vpp,
¾ signal type: sine.
Synchronization of phase generators and setting the phase:
Function generators can be synchronized by connecting External 10MHz
Reference Output Terminal and External 10MHz Reference Input Terminal.
Check if these terminals exist at the back.
The reference signal should be connected to test panel input PDin1 from the
generator having synchronization cable at its External 10MHz Reference
Output Terminal. Set the parameters given above at both function generators.
Set the initial phase at the function generator connected to input PDin2 of the
test panel as follows:

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Laboratory 2. Exercise 9.

Push buttons in the following order Utility -> Output Setup -> Adjust
Phase at the function generator. Set the signal phase of the function generator
to have 0o phase difference to the signal of the other function generator. Check
on the oscilloscope that the two signals are in the same phase. (The two
signals overlap each other.) If it is so push button Set 0 Phase then this
phase state is stored and this means the zero phase difference between the
two function generators. Now write 90o on the function generator connected to
input PDin2, set it, and push again button Set 0 Phase. As a result the
reference signal becomes a sine while signal of the function generator
connected to PDin2 is a cosine (shifted with 90o to the reference). Obtain the PD
curve between -180o and +180o as it was detailed before.

1.2. Obtaining VCO curve

Connect the VCO output to the oscilloscope and to the Agilent 33401A
multimeter that is set to measure frequency. Output VCODC should be
connected to Metex ME-22T multimeter that is set to measure voltage. Set the
switch between the loop filter and the VCO to position PD, VCO.
Adjusting potentiometer labeled VCOin adj (and this way the input voltage of the
VCO) so that the frequency of the voltage appearing at the output of the VCO
be changed by 2kHz in every measurement step. Measure the output frequency
of the VCO by using Agilent 33401A multimeter and the input voltage of the
VCO by using Metex ME-22T multimeter. Obtain the VCO curve from 80 kHz to
100 kHz with the resolution of 2 kHz (the frequency step between two
consecutive frequency values is 2 kHz).
Record the frequency and voltage values into a chart and plot it to have the
VCO curve (use Excel or Matlab). Calculate the transfer coefficient of the VCO
(Kv).

1.3. Calculating the free-running frequency of the VCO

Set the switch between the loop filter and the VCO into middle position and
measure the frequency appearing at the output VCOout. Record it.

2. Obtaining the locking- and tracking ranges of the APLL

The aim of the measurement is to show the operating frequency ranges of the APLL.
2.1. Obtaining the locking range
Connect input PDin1 to the output of the function generator and to CH1 of the
oscilloscope then connect VCOout to Agilent 33401A multimeter set to measure
frequency and to CH2 of the oscilloscope.
The switch between the loop filter and the VCO should be set into PLL position.
The other switch between PD and the loop filter should be set into the upper
1 + sτ 1
position to have loop filter with transfer function in the loop.
sτ 2
Slowly change the output frequency of the function generator from 78 kHz to 90
kHz while continuously watching the oscilloscope waiting for the two signals be
synchronized. (the frequency is the same and the phase difference between the
two signals is 90o). Then measure the upper locking frequency by changing the
frequency of the function generator from 102 kHz to 90 kHz. Record the data.

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Laboratory 2. Exercise 9.

As a final check use Lissajous measuring method. If phase locked state is valid
a circle must be seen.
2.2. Obtaining tracking range
The connections are the same as before.
Slowly change the output frequency of the function generator from 90 kHz to 78
kHz while continuously watching the oscilloscope waiting for the two signals
loose synchronization. Then measure the upper tracking frequency by changing
the frequency of the function generator from 90 kHz to 102 kHz. Record the
data.
As a final check use Lissajous measuring method.

3. Implementation of analog FM demodulator and obtaining its curve

The aim of this measurement point is to introduce some PLL based applications,
furthermore to show some measuring methods of them.
Connect the input PDin1 to the output of the function generator, then the output
F(s)out to Agilent 33401A multimeter that is set to measure voltage.
The switch between the loop filter and the VCO should be set into PLL position.
The other switch between PD and the loop filter should be set into the upper
1 + sτ 1
position to have loop filter with transfer function in the loop.
sτ 2
Set the function generator as follows:
¾ output impedance: 50 Ω,
¾ frequency: 90 kHz,
¾ amplitude: 2 Vpp,
¾ signal shape: sine.
Turn on FM modulation on the function generator and set the followings:
¾ signal shape: sine,
¾ modulating frequency: 100 Hz,
¾ deviation: 1 kHz.
Set the modulating frequency 100 Hz then push button dB to be the voltage
displayed in dB. The so set voltage corresponds to 0 dB. Increase the
modulating frequency of the function generator from 100 Hz to 6100 Hz with
step 200 Hz and read the voltage displayed by the multimeter. This way you
can obtain the transfer function of the FM demodulator. Using Excel or Matlab
plot the transfer function. Measure the frequency corresponds to the -3 dB
attenuation point. Give the frequency and the amplitude in dB at that point
where the output of the FM demodulator provides the highest signal level.
Knowing the deviation and Kv calculate the amplitude of the demodulated signal
then compare the calculated and measured values to each other (amplitude
should be given in volts).

4. Closed loop transfer functions featuring the APLL

The aim of this measurement point is to compare the measurement results to the
theoretical results then the student should make conclusions for designing or applying a
PLL.

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Laboratory 2. Exercise 9.

4.1. Closed loop transfer function [H(s)]

Knowing the parameters of the loop elements that have already been measured
calculate the closed loop transfer function [H(s)], the attenuation coefficient [ζ],
the pole frequency [ωn], and the closed loop bandwidth [ωB]. Plot the closed
B

loop transfer function [H(s)].

Compare the results to the FM curve of point 3.1.
4.2. Error function [1-H(s)]
Calculate error function [1-H(s)] then plot it.

5. Implementation and measurement of digital FSK demodulator

The aim of this measurement point is to introduce PLL as a digital demodulator.
5.1. Measurement in case of FSK with small deviation
Connect PDin1 to the output of the function generator then F(s)out to the
oscilloscope.
The switch between the loop filter and the VCO should be set into PLL position.
The other switch between PD and the loop filter should be set into the upper
1 + sτ 1
position to have loop filter with transfer function in the loop.
sτ 2
Set the function generator as follows:
¾ output impedance: 50 Ω,
¾ frequency: 90 kHz,
¾ amplitude: 2 Vpp,
¾ signal shape: sine.
Turn on FSK modulation on the function generator and make the following
settings:
¾ modulating frequency (FSK Rate): 200 Hz,
¾ frequency hopping (Hop Freq.): 92 kHz.
Measure the signal by oscilloscope and save it into the measurement log.
5.2. Measurement of FSK with big deviation (collapsing the locked state,
generating locking transient)
Use the same measurement setup as in 5.1. but change the frequency hop to
97 kHz and measure the demodulated signal. Save the screen of the
oscilloscope and explain why the locked loop collapsed and restart the locking
transient.
Calculate the maximal deviation that still preserves the locked loop. Verify the
calculation with measurement.

6. Measuring of the dynamic features of a PLL characterized by two attenuation

coefficients (ζ=1 and ζ=0,25)
The aim of the measurement is to introduce the effects of the design parameters of the
PLL on the dynamic characteristics.
6.1. Hop in the frequency of the reference signal

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Laboratory 2. Exercise 9.

Set frequency hop (Hop Freq.) to 92 kHz and using the same measurement
setup as in 5.1. measure the demodulated signal. Save the screen of the
oscilloscope.
The switch between the loop filter and the VCO should be set into PLL position.
The other switch between PD and the loop filter should be set into the down
1 + sτ 3
position to have loop filter with transfer function in the loop. Save the
sτ 2
screen of the oscilloscope and explain the difference from the previous result.

6.2. Perturbation of VCO input

Connect the input PDin1 to the output of a function generator, then the output
F(s)out to the oscilloscope. The other function generator should be connected to
VCOinext input and the other channel of the oscilloscope.
The switch between the loop filter and the VCO should be set into PLL position.
The other switch between PD and the loop filter should be set into the upper
1 + sτ 1
position to have loop filter with transfer function in the loop.
sτ 2
Set the function generator that is connected to PDin1 as follows:
¾ output impedance: 50 Ω,
¾ frequency: 90 kHz,
¾ amplitude: 2 Vpp,
¾ signal shape: sine.
Set the function generator that is connected to VCOinext as follows:
¾ output impedance: 50 Ω,
¾ frequency: 100 kHz,
¾ amplitude: 1 Vpp,
¾ signal shape: square
¾ duty factor: 50%.

Measure the signal appearing at F(s)out. Save the screen of the oscilloscope.
The switch between PD and the loop filter should be set into the down position
1 + sτ 3
to have loop filter with transfer function in the loop and repeat the
sτ 2
previous measurement. Explain the differences.

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