KHON KAEN UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

CM - 02: Double Sideband Suppressed Carrier Modulation and Demodulation

DSBSC modulation

Preliminary discussion
DSBSC is a modulation system similar but different to AM. Like AM, DSBSC uses a microphone
or some other transducer to convert speech and music to an electrical signal called the
message or baseband signal. The message signal is then used to electrically very the
amplitude of a pure sinewave called the carrier. And like AM, the carrier usually has a
frequency that is much higher than the message’s frequency.

Figure 1 below shows a simple message signal and an unmodulated carrier. It also shows the
result of modulating the carrier with the message using DSBSC.

Figure 1

So far, there doesn’t appear to be much difference between AM and DSBSC. However,
consider Figure 2 below. It is the DSBSC signal at the bottom of Figure 1 but with dotted lines
added to track the signal’s envelopes (that is, its positive peaks and negative peaks). If you look

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at the envelopes closely you’ll notice that they’re not the same shape at the message as is the
case with AM.

Figure 2

Instead, alternating halves of the envelope form the same shape as the message as shown in
Figure 3 below.

Figure 3

Another way that DCBSC is different to AM can be understood by considering the mathematical
model that defines the DSBSC signal:

DSBSC = the message x the carrier

Do you see the difference between the equations for AM and DSBSC? If not, look at the AM
equation in Experiment EE 4-1.
When the message is a simple sinewave (like in Figure 1) the equation’s solution (which
necessarily involves some trigonometry) tells us that the DSBSC signal consists of two
sinewaves:

 One with a frequency equal to the some of the carrier and message frequencies

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  One with a frequency equal to the difference between the carrier and message
frequencies

Importantly, the DSBSC signal doesn’t contain a sinewave at the carrier frequency. This is a
important difference between DSBSC and AM.

That said, as the solution to the equation shows, DSBSC is the same as AM in that a pair of
sinewaves is generated for every sinewave in the message. And, like Am, one is higher than the
unmodulated carrier’s frequency and the other is lower. As message signals such as speech
and music are made up of thousands of sinewaves, thousands of pairs of sinewaves are
generated in the DSBSC signal that sit on either side of the carrier frequency. These two groups
are called the sidebands.

So, the presence of both sidebands but the absence of the carrier gives us the name of this
modulation method – double-sideband, suppressed carrier (DSBSC).

The carrier in AM makes up at least 66% of the signal’s power but it doesn’t contain any part of
the original message and is only needed for tuning. So by not sending the carrier, DSBSC offers
a substantial power saving over AM and is its main advantage.

The experiment
In this experiment you’ll use the Emona Telecoms-Trainer 101 to generate a real DSBSC signal
by implementing its mathematical model. This means that you’ll take a pure sinewave (the
message) that contains absolutely no DC and multiply it with another sinewave at a higher
frequency (the carrier). You’ll examine the DSBSC signal using the scope and compare it to the
original message. You’ll do the same with speech for the message instead of a simple
sinewave.

Following this, you’ll vary the message signal’s amplitude and observe how it affects the
carrier’s depth of modulation. You’ll also observe the effects of modulating the carrier too much.
Equipment
 Emona Telecoms-Trainer 101 (plus power-pack)
 Dual channel 20MHz oscilloscope
 two Emona Telecoms-Trainer 101 oscilloscope leads
 assorted Emona Telecoms-Trainer 101 patch leads
Procedure
Part A – Generating a DSBSC signal using a simple message

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 1. Gather a set of the equipment listed above.
2. Set up the scope by ensuring that:
 The Trigger Source control is set to the CH1 (or INT) position.
 The Mode control is set to the CH1 position.
3. Connect the set-up shown in Figure 4 below

Figure 4

Note: Insert the black plugs of the oscilloscope leads into a ground (GND) socket.
The set-up in Figure 4 can be represented by the block diagram in Figure 5 below. It
implements the entire equation: DSBSC = the message x the carrier.

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 Figure 5

With values, the equation is:

DSBSC = 4Vp-p 2kHz sine x 4Vp-p 100kHz sine.

4. Adjust the scope’s Timebase control to view two or so cycles of the Master Signals
module’s 2kHz SINE output.
5. Set the scope’s Mode control to the DUAL position to view the DSBSC signal out of
the Multiplier module as well as the message signal.
6. Set the scope’s Channel 1 Vertical Attenuation control to the 1V/div position and the
Channel 2 Vertical Attenuation control to the 2V/div position.
7. Draw the two waveforms to scale in the space provided below.

Tip: Draw the message signal in the upper half of the graph and the DSBSC signal in the lower
half.

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 8. Use the scope’s Channel 1 Vertical Position control to overlay the message with the
DSBSC signal’s envelopes and compare them.
Question 1
What feature of the Multiplier module’s output suggests that it’s a DSBSC signal? Tip: If you’re
not sure about the answer to the questions, see the preliminary discussion.

Question 2
The DSBSC signal is a complex waveform consisting of more than one signal. Is one of the
signals a 2kHz sinewave? Explain your answer.

Question 3
For the given inputs to the Multiplier module, how many sinewaves does the DSBSC signal
consist of, and what are their frequencies?

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Question 4
Why does this make DSBSC signals better for transmission than AM signals?

Part B – Generating a DSBSC signal using speech

This experiment has generated a DSBSC signal using a sinewave for the message. However,
the message in commercial communications systems is much more likely to be speech and
music. The next part of the experiment lets you see what a DSBSC signal looks like when
modulated by speech.
9. Disconnect the plugs to the Master Signals module’s 2kHz SINE output.
10. Connect them to the Speech module’s output as shown in Figure 6 below.

Figure 6

Remember: Dotted lines show leads already in place.

11. Set the scope’s Timebase control to the 2ms/div position.
12. Talk, sing or hum while watching the scope’s display.

Question 5
Why isn’t there any signal out of the multiplier module when you’re not talking, whistling, etc?

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Part C – Investigating depth of modulating
It’s possible to modulate the carrier by different amounts. This part of the experiment let’s you
investigate this.
13. Return the scope’s Timebase control to the 0.1ms/div position.
14. Locate the buffer module and set its Gain control to about a quarter of its travel (the
control’s arrowhead should be pointing to where the number nine is on a clock’s
face).
15. Modify the set-up as shown in Figure 7 below.
The set-up in Figure 7 can be represented by the block diagram in Figure 8 below. The Buffer
module allows the message signal’s amplitude to be adjustable.

Figure 8
Note: At this stage, the multiplier module’s output should be the normal DSBSC signal that you
sketched earlier
Recall from Experiment 4 that an AM signal has two dimensions that can be measured and
used to calculated modulation index (m). The dimensions are denoted P and Q. If you’ve
forgotten which one is which, take a minute to read over the notes at the top of the page 4-14
before going on to the next step.

16. Vary the message signal’s amplitude a little by turning the buffer module’s Gain
control left and right a little. Notice the effect that this has on the DSBSC signal’s P
and Q dimensions.

Question 6
Based on your observations in step 16, when the message’s amplitude is varied
neither dimensions P or Q are affected.

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 only dimension Q is affected.
only dimension P is affected.
both dimensions P and Q are affected.

On the face of it, determining the depth of modulation of a DSBSC signal is a problem. The
modulation index is always the same number regardless of the message signal’s amplitude.
This is because the DSBSC signals Q dimension is always zero.

However, this isn’t the problem that it seems. One of the main reasons for calculating an AM
signal’s modulation index is so that the distribution of power between the signal’s carrier and its
sidebands can be calculated. However, DSBSC signals don’t have a carrier (remember, it’s
suppressed). This means that all of the DSBSC signal’s power is distributed between its
sidebands evenly. So there’s no need to calculate a DSBSC signal’s modulation index.

The fact that you can’t calculate a DSBSC signal’s modulation index might imply that you can
make either the message or the carrier as large as you like without worrying about over-
modulation. This isn’t true. Making either of these two signals too large can still overload the
modulator resulting in a type of distortion that you’ve seen before. The next part of the
experiment lets you observe what happens when you overload a DSBSC modulator.
17. Set the Buffer module’s Gain control to about half its travel and notice the effect on
the DSBSC signal.
Note: If there is no effect, turn up the gain control a little more.

18. Draw the new DSBSC signal to scale in the space provided below.

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Question 7
What is the name of this type of distortion?

DSBSC demodulation

Preliminary discussion
If you’ve completed experiment EE4-01 you’ve seen how the envelope detector can be used to
recover the original message from AM signal (that is, demodulate it). Unfortunately, the
envelope detector cannot be used to demodulate a DSBSC signal.

To understand why, recall that the envelope detector outputs a signal that is a copy of its input’s
envelope. This works well for demodulating AM because the signal’s envelopes are the same
shape as the message that produced it in the first place. However, recall that a DSBSC signal’s
envelopes are not the same shape as the message.

Instead, DSBSC signals demodulated using a circuit called a product detector (though
product demodulator is a more appropriate name) and its basic block diagram is shown in
Figure 9 below. Other manes for this type of demodulation include a synchronous detector and
switching detector.

Figure 9

As its name implies, the product detector uses multiplication and so mathematics is necessary
to explain its operation. This incoming DSBSC signal is multiplied by a pure sinewave that must
be the same frequency as the DSBSC signal’s suppressed carrier. This sinewave is generated
by the receiver and is known as the local carrier.

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To see why this process recovers the message, let’s describe product detection
mathematically:

DSBSC demodulator’s output = the DSBSC signal x the local carrier

Importantly, recall that DSBSC generation involves the multiplication of the message with the
carrier which produces sum and difference frequencies (the preliminary discussion in DSB
modulation). That being the case, this information can be substituted for the DSBSC signal and
the equation rewritten as:

DSBSC demodulator’s output = [(carrier+message)+(carrier-message)] x carrier

When the equation is solved, we get four sinewaves with the following frequencies:
 Carrier + (carrier + message)
 Carrier + (carrier - message)
 Carrier – (carrier + message) which simplifies to just the message
 Carrier – (carrier - message) which also simplifies to just the message

(If you’re not sure why these sinewaves are produced, it’s important to remember that for every
pair of pure sinewaves that are multiplied together, two completely new sinewaves are
generated. One has a frequency equal to the sum of the original sinewaves’s frequencies and
the other has a frequency equal to their difference.)

Importantly, notice that two of the products are sinewaves at the message frequency. In other
words, the message has been recovered. As the two message signals are in phase, they simply
add together to make one larger message.

Notice also that two of the products are non-message sinewaves. These sinewaves are
unwanted and so a low-pass filter is used to reject them while keeping the message.

The experiment
In this experiment you’ll use the Emona Telecoms-Trainer 101 to generate a DSBSC signal by
implementing its mathematical model. Then you’ll set-up a product detector by implementing its
mathematical model too.

Once done, you’ll connect the DSBSC signal to the product detector’s input and compare the
demodulated output to the original message and the DSBSC signal’s envelopes. You’ll also

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observe the effect that distortion of a DSBSC signal due to overloading has on the product
detector’s output.

Finally, if time permits, you’ll investigate the effect on the product detector’s performance of an
unsynchronized local carrier.
Equipment
 Emona Telecoms-Trainer 101 (plus power-pack)
 Dual channel 20MHz oscilloscope
 two Emona Telecoms-Trainer 101 oscilloscope leads
 assorted Emona Telecoms-Trainer 101 patch leads
 one set of head phones (stereo)

Procedure
Part A – Setting up the DSBSC modulator
To experiment with DSBSC demodulation you need a DSBSC signal. The first part of the
experiment gets you to set one up.
1. Gather a set of the equipment listed below.
2. Set up the scope as follows.
 the Trigger Source control is set to the CH1 (or INT) position.
 the Mode control is set to the CH1 position.
3. Connect the set-up shown in Figure 10 below.

Figure 10
Note: Insert the black plugs of the oscilloscope leads into a ground (GND) socket.

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The set-up inn Figure 10 can be represented by the block diagram in Figure 11 below. It
generates a 100kHz carrier that is DSBSC modulated by a 2kHz sinewave message.

Figure 11

4. Adjust the scope’s Timebase control to view two or so cycles of the Master Signals
module’s 2kHz SINE output.
5. Set the scope’s Mode control to the DUAL position to view the DSBSC signal out of
the Multiplier module as well as the message signal.

Note: If you have connected the set-up correctly, the Multiplier’s output should be a carrier
modulated by a sinewave to produce a DSBSC signal.
Tip: You may need to adjust the scope’s two Vertical Attenuation controls.

6. Draw the two waveforms to scale in the space provided on the next page leaving
room to draw a third waveform.

Tip: Draw the message signal in the upper third of the graph and the DSBSC signal in the
middle third.

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Part B – Recovering the message using a product detector

7. Locate the Tuneable Low-pass Filter module and set its Gain control to about the
middle of its travel.
8. Turn the Tuneable Low-pass Filter module’s soft Cut-off Frequency Adjust control
fully clockwise.
9. Modify the set-up as shown in Figure 12 below.

Remember: Dotted lines show leads already in place.

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 Figure 12

The additions to the set-up in Figure 12 can be represented by the block diagram in Figure 13
below. The Multiplier module and the RC Low-pass Filter on the Utilities module are used to
implement a product detector which demodulates the original message from the DSBSC signal.

Figure 13

The entire set-up is represented by the black diagram in Figure 14 below. It highlights the fact
that the modulator’s carrier is “stolen” to provide the product detector’s local carrier. This means
that the two carriers are synchronised which is necessary for DSBSC communications to work.

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 Figure 14

10. Draw the demodulated DSBSC signal to scale in the space that you left on the
graph paper.

Question 8
Why must a product detector be used to recover the message instead of an envelope detector?
Tip: If you’re not sure, see the preliminary discussion.

Part C – Investigating the message’s amplitude on the recovered message

11. Disconnect the plug to the Master Signal module’s 2kHz SINE output.
12. Locate the Buffer module and turn its Gain control to about a quarter of its travel.
13. Use the Buffer module to modify the set-up as shown in Figure 15 .

The addition to the set-up can be represented by the block diagram in Figure 16. The
amplifier’s variable gain allows the message’s amplitude to be adjustable.

14. Vary the message signal’s amplitude up and down a little (by turning the Buffer
module’s Gain control left and right a little) while watching the demodulated signal.

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 Figure 15
Question 9
What is the relationship between the amplitude of the two message signals?

Figure 16
15. Slowly increase the message signal’s amplitude until the demodulated signal begins
to distort.
Question 10
What do you think causes the distortion of the demodulated signal? Tip: If you’re not sure,
connect the scope’s Channel 1 input to the DSBSC modulator’s output and set its Trigger
Source control to the CH2 position.

Part D – Transmitting and recovering speech using DSBSC

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This experiment has set up a DSBSC communication system to “transmit” a 2kHz sinewave. The
next part of the experiment lets you use it to modulate, transmit, demodulate and listen to
speech.
16. If you adjusted the scope’s Trigger Source control to help answer Question 10,
return it to the CH1 position.
17. Modify the set-up as shown in Figure 17 below.

Figure 17

18. Set the scope’s Timebase control to the 2ms/div position.

19. Turn the Buffer module’s Gain control fully anti-clockwise.
20. Without wearing the headphones, plug them into the Buffer mudule’s headphone
socket.
21. Put the headphones on.
22. As you perform the next step, set the Buffer module’s Gain control to a comfortable
sound level.
23. Talk, sing or hum while watching the scope’s display and listening on the
headphones.

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Part E – Carrier synchronization
Crucial to the correct operation of a DSBSC communications system is the synchronization
between the modulator’s carrier signal and the product detector’s local carrier. Any phase or
frequency difference between the two signals adversely affects the system’s performance.

The effect of phase errors

Recall that the product detector generates two copies of the message. Recall also that they’re
in phase with each other and so they simply add together to form one bigger message.
However, if there’s a phase error between the carriers, the product detector’s two message
have a phase error also. One of them has the sum of the phase errors and the other the
difference. In other words, the two messages are out of phase with each other.

If the carrier’s phase error is small (say about 10°) the two messages still add together to form
one bigger signal but not as big as when the carriers are in phase. As the carrier’s phase error
increases, the recovered message gets smaller. Once the phase error exceeds 45° the two
messages begin to subtract from each other. When the carriers phase error is 90° the two
messages end up 180° out of phase and completely cancel each other out.

The next part of the experiment lets you observe the effects of carrier phase error.

24. Turn the Buffer module’s Gain control fully anti-clockwise again.
25. Return the scope’s Timebase control to about the 0.1ms/div position.
26. Locate the Phase Shifter module and set its Phase Change control to the 180°
position.
27. Set the Phase Shifter module’s Phase Adjust control to about the middle of its travel.
28. Modify the set-up as shown in Figure 18 below.

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 Figure 18

The entire set-up can be represented by the block diagram in Figure 19 below. The Phase
Shifter module allows a phase error between the DSBSC modulator’s carrier and the product
detector’s local carrier to be introduced.

Figure 19
29. Slowly increase the Buffer module’s gain until you can comfortably hear the
demodulated 2kHz tone.

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 30. Vary the Phase Shifter module’s Phase Adjust control left and right while watching
and listening to the effect on the recovered message.
31. Adjust the Phase Shifter module’s Phase Adjust control until the recovered message
is biggest.

Question 11
Given the size of the recovered message’s amplitude, what is the likely phase error between the
two carriers?

32. Adjust the Phase Shifter module’s Phase Adjust control until the recovered message
is smallest.

Question 12
Given the size of the recovered message’s new amplitude, what is the likely phase error
between the two carriers?

The effect of frequency error

When there’s a frequency error between the DSBSC signal’s carrier and the product detector’s
local carrier, there is a corresponding frequency error in the two products that usually coincide.
One is at the message frequency minus the error and the other is at the message frequency
plus the error.

If the error is small (say 0.1Hz) the two signals will alternately reinforce and cancel each other
which can render the message periodically inaudible but otherwise intelligible. If the frequency
error is larger (say 5Hz) the message is reasonably intelligible but fidelity is poor. When
frequency errors are large, intelligibility is seriously affected.

The next part of the experiment lets you observe the effects of carrier frequency error.

33. Locate the VCO module and set its Range control to the HI position.

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 34. Set the VCO module’s Frequency Adjust control to about the middle of its travel.
35. Modify the set-up as shown in Figure 20 below.

Figure 20
The entire set-up can be represented by the block diagram in Figure 21 below. The VCO
module allows the local oscillator to be completely frequency (and phase) independent of the
DSBSC modulator.

Figure 21

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 36. Vary the VCO module’s Frequency Adjust control left and right and observe the
effect on the recovered message.
37. If you’re not doing already, listen to the recovered message using the headphones.
38. Use the display of the recovered message on the scope and your hearing to try to
get VCO module’s frequency as close as possible to the transmitter’s carrier
frequency.
Tip: If you can’t remember what 2kHz sounds like, disconnect the plug to the VCO module’s
output and connect it to the Master modules 100kHz SINE output for a couple of seconds. This
will mean that the two carriers are the same again and the message will be recovered.

39. Disconnect the plugs to the Master signals module’s 2kHz SINE output and connect
them to the Speech module’s output.
40. Talk, sing, etc into the microphone while varying the VCO module’s Frequency
Adjust control and listen to the effect of an unsynchronized local carrier on speech.

Remark: This experiment is required to submit one copy of report per group.

Virasit, Sa-nguan 2015

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