Swinburne University of Technology

Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies

ASSIGNMENT AND PROJECT COVER SHEET

Unit Code: TNE30003 Unit Title: Communications Principles

Lab number and title: DSB – Modulation and Detection Due date:

Lab group Day: Time: Demonstrator:

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acknowledgment is made explicitly in the text, nor has any part been written for me by
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acknowledgment is made explicitly in the text, nor has any part been written for us by another
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Student id: Name: Group:

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EXPERIMENT 2 DSB – MODULATION AND

DETECTION
Preliminaries
The preliminary work is worth 20% of the report mark and must be completed before
the laboratory session.
Enter all your results in the next section, the background and methodology can be
found in page 10.

Results
1. DSB-SC (Suppressed Carrier) – Generation
1.1. Preliminary Work
Using mathematical analysis, predict the frequency spectrum (frequency domain)
for y(t) in Figure 1 -12 DSB-SC Modulator. Sketch both the time domain view
and the spectrum in the graphs provided below (Predicted) noting all important
amplitudes, strengths and frequencies.

Predicted (time domain) Observed (time domain)

Results 1- 1 Time Domain representation of a DSB-SC modulation

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Predicted (frequency domain) Observed (frequency domain)

Results 1-2 Frequency Domain representation DSB-SC modulation

1.1. For the DSB-SC case compare your predictions with the experimental results
commenting on differences.

2. DSB-LC (Large Carrier) - Generation

2.1. Preliminary Work
Sketch the frequency domain pictures at points A, B, C and D in Figure 2 -13 DSB-
LC Modulator.

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Predicted Spectrum (Point A) Predicted Spectrum (Point B)

Predicted Spectrum (Point C) Predicted Spectrum (Point D)

Results 2- 3 Frequency Domain representation DSB-LC modulation

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2.2. For the DSB-LC case, why must the Coupling on the Multiplier be set to DC?

Observed (Trapezoidal Pattern) Observed (Time Domain)

Results 2-4 Trapezoidal Display and Time Domain representation of DSB-LC

Observed (frequency domain)

Results 2-5 Frequency Domain representation of DSB-LC
2.3. From your time domain observations what is the value of the modulation
index m, show your calculations? Compare this value with from the frequency
domain observations, again show calculations.

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3. DSB-LC (Large Carrier) - Detection

3.1. Preliminary work
Explain the operation of the envelope detector in Figure 3-6. Sketch indicative signal
waveforms for the output of this envelope detector. The envelope detector used in the
lab is as shown in Figure 3- 7. Predict the output of this detector for the three values
of capacitance. You may assume that the 1.5nF capacitor leads to a time constant
which is very short, and that the 100nF capacitor gives a time constant which is very
long.

Predicted (time domain) C=0 nF Observed (time domain) C=0 nF

Predicted (time domain) C=1.5 nF Observed (time domain) C=1.5 nF

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Predicted (time domain) C=10 nF Observed (time domain) C=10 nF

Predicted (time domain) C=220 nF Observed (time domain) C=220 nF

Results 3-8 Envelope Detected signal for different values of capacitance

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3.2. Compare your predictions with the experimental results commenting on

differences, What is the optimum value of capacitance for the detector? Is
there any distortion? Discuss.

4. DSB-SC – Product Detection

4.1. Preliminary work
Derive an expression for the output of the product detector from the block diagram in
Figure 4 -16 Product Detector assuming that the input is a single tone modulated
DSB-SC signal. Also show the effect on the output if the local carrier is out of phase
from the modulated carrier by 45.

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Observed (time domain) C= Optimum

Results 4-9 Envelope Detection of DSB-SC

4.2. Was the message signal correctly recovered? State the frequency of the signal
at the output of the envelope detector and describe its shape compared to the
message?

Observed (time domain) Observed (frequency domain)

Results 4-10 Product Detector Time and Frequency Domain

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Observed (time domain) Observed (frequency domain)

Results 4- 11 Filtered output of Product Detector Time and Frequency Domain

4.3. Comment on the results from the product detection section.

4.4. Optional Challenge

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5. Conclusion

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 Method
Introduction
In Amplitude Modulation (AM) the amplitude, Ac, of the unmodulated carrier
Accos(ct+) is varied in proportion to the message (or modulating) signal. The
frequency c and  are constant. In this case the message is contained in the amplitude
variation of the modulated signal.
Two common forms of AM are:
DSB-LC: Double sideband with large carrier, (commonly known as AM)
DSB-SC: Double sideband with suppressed carrier
Both these forms have a transmission bandwidth which is twice the message
bandwidth, i.e. BT=2W
Detection of DSB-LC can be accomplished with an envelope detector. However the
modulation index must be <= 100% in order to avoid severe distortion.
Detection of DSB-SC requires the use of a product detector.
The efficiency of DSB-LC is poor, best efficiency is 33% when m=1.

For the DSB-LC the total power equals the carrier power plus the sidebands power or
expressed mathematically:

[ ( )]
¿ Pc 1+
m2
2

The total power is given by:

Where Co is the dc term and Cn are the Fourier series coefficients.

Power in Sidebands
Efficiency η= ×100 %
Total power
Required Modules:
Envelope Detector Box, Two Multipliers, Adder, 60kHz LPF and Phase Shifter
(optional) modules.

1. DSB-SC (Suppressed Carrier) – Generation

Note:
Message is 2sin(x2x103t)
Carrier is 2sin(x100x103t)

Figure 1-12 DSB-SC Modulator

Student id: Name: Group:

1.1. Power up the "TIMS" unit by using the switch at the back.
1.2. Build the modulator shown in Figure 1 -12 DSB-SC Modulator by
connecting the appropriate TIMs modules together.
1.3. Locate the 100 kHz (sin t) carrier output and the 2 kHz message (single
tone) output on the “Master Signals” module and connect them to the X
input and Y input of the “Multiplier” module respectively. Refer to Figure
1 -12 DSB-SC Modulator.
1.4. Connect the multiplier output to the A input of CH1 of the “Scope Selector”
module. Connect the 2 kHz message signal to the A input of CH2 of the
“Scope Selector” module. Set the toggle switch to selection A for both CH1
& CH2 of the “Scope Selector” module.
1.5. Observe and record the time domain signals in Results 1 -1, noting
characteristics such as frequency and amplitude. (Note: make sure that the
probe setting on the CRO is 1X). It may be a good idea to display both the
message and modulated signals on the same display. If you use the PicoScope
set the trigger to Auto and choose the message signal as the trigger source.

If you have difficulty obtaining a stable trace on the screen, either:

 Press Stop/Go on the CRO.
 Or trigger the CRO externally with the message.

1.6. Using the spectrum analyser (See Appendix 1 Exp 1) observe and record the
frequency domain display of DSB-SC. If you are using the picoScope then
you will need to set maximum frequency to 195.3 kHz and the voltage range
to ±5V. You may want to use the zoom function to magnify a section of the
spectrum. (Remember don’t use dB)
1.7. Record your results in Results 1 -2

2. DSB-LC (Large Carrier) - Generation

To obtain double sideband large carrier modulation we use the following set-up:

Note :
y(t) = [1+mAmsin(mt)]Acsin(ct)
Message is 2sin(2103t)
Carrier is 2sin(100103t)

Figure 2-13 DSB-LC Modulator

2.1. Calibration of the Adder Module:
Connect the “Variable DC” output on the “TIMS” unit to the A input of the
“Adder” and ground the B input of the adder. Connect the “Adder” output to
input A-CH1 of the "Scope Selector" with the respective toggle switch on

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position A. Turn the V control on the “Variable DC” fully anticlockwise.

With the CRO on DC coupling, using the G control on the “Adder”, adjust the
output voltage to of the “Adder” to +1V. Note you may also need to adjust the
DC output control V. Once you have 1 V do not alter the G control!
2.2. Replace the ground from input B of the “Adder” with the 2 kHz message
signal.
2.3. Connect the output of the “Adder” to the Y input of the “Multiplier”.
Connect the 100 kHz (sin t) carrier to input X and observe the output of the
“Multiplier” on the picoScope via the “Scope Selector” module. (Refer to
Figure 2 -13 DSB-LC Modulator).
Note: The Coupling on the Multiplier must be DC.
2.4. Using the Trapezoidal Display (See Appendix), adjust the g control on the
“Adder” so that the modulation index (m) is in the range 40 to 60%, (You
may have to adjust the V as well). Record the resultant time domain and
trapezoidal display in Results 2 -4. Verify the modulation index by
observing and recording the time domain display.
2.5. If you use the picoScope increase the resolution of the spectrum analyser by
setting the number of spectrum bands to 16384 (select Spectrum Options
Icon). Also make sure that you display the spectrum of the modulated signal.
2.6. Observe and record the DSB-LC display obtained on the spectrum analyser in
Results 2 -5. Verify the modulation index by using the frequency domain
display. You may want to use the zoom function to magnify a section of the
spectrum.

Do not dismantle this circuit as it is required for the next

section!

3. DSB-LC (Large Carrier) - Detection

The envelope of DSB-LC modulated signal contains the original message information.
This property can be used to easily recover the message from the modulated signal by
using an envelope detector as shown in Figure 3 -14 Envelope Detector below.

y(t)
C x(t)
R

Figure 3-14 Envelope Detector

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3.1. Using the DSB-LC signal from the section 2, connect the output of the
multiplier to the input of the “envelope detector” provided (separate box) as
shown in Figure 3 -14. Observe and record the time domain output signal of
the “envelope detector” when a DSB-LC signal of m  0.5 is applied to the
input of this “envelope detector” for the different values of capacitance
stated below. Note: use a link to choose the capacitor: C = 0nF, C = 1.5nF, C
= 10nF, C = 220nF
Note: Make sure you connect the ground from "TIMS" unit to ground of the
envelope detector box.

Connect to ground of TIMs

Figure 3-15 Envelope Detector
3.2. Sketch the detected signal for each value of capacitance in the graphs Results
3 -8
3.3. Change the position of the toggle switch on the “Multiplier” from DC to the
AC position, this will remove the carrier and the output will be DSB-SC.
With the optimum value of capacitance found above, use envelope detection to
demodulate this DSB-SC signal. Observe and record the resultant output of the
envelope detector in the results section. Record the results in Results 4 -9.

4. DSB-SC (Suppressed Carrier) – Detection

Demodulation of DSB-SC signals is achieved by using a product detector as shown in
Figure 4 -16 Product Detector below. The frequency of the local carrier at the
receiver site must match the local carrier at the transmitter site exactly in both
frequency and phase.

Figure 4- 16 Product Detector

4.1. Using the DSB-SC system of the previous section, remove the envelope
detector box and replace it with a product detector.
4.2. Connect the output of the “Multiplier” from section 3.3 to input Y of a
second “Multiplier”. Apply the same 100 kHz (sin t) carrier, as for
modulation, into input X of the second “Multiplier”. Observe and record the
output of the second “Multiplier” both in the time and frequency domains in
Results 4 -10.

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4.3. If you are using the picoScope set the maximum frequency to 312 kHz and
the voltage range to ±1V on the spectrum analyser. You may want to use the
zoom function to magnify a section of the spectrum.
4.4. Connect the output of the second “Multiplier” to the input of the “60kHz
LPF” module and turn the gain knob fully clockwise. Observe and record the
output of the LPF in both the time and frequency domains in Results 4 -11.
You may want to adjust the gain control to remove any distortion.
4.5. Optional Challenge (strongly recommended): Use the “Phase Shifter”
module to vary the phase of the carrier in the product detector. Observe the
effect of varying the carrier phase on the recovered signal. Explain your
results.

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Appendix: DSB-LC Modulation Index Measurement
Techniques.
A. Frequency Domain - Spectrum Analyser display.
The complete analysis of the DSB-LC wave is given by the spectrum analyser display.
The spectrum analyser displays the relative amplitudes and frequencies of all the
spectral components in the complex waveform.

Magnitude

f
fc-fm fc fc+fm

Figure A3 -Single Sided Spectra

B. Time Domain - CRO voltage display.

Below is shown a modulated DSB-LC wave applied to the vertical input of the CRO
and linear time-base supplying the horizontal deflection. To get the stable display
shown below usually you must provide external synchronization to the CRO from the
message (or modulating) signal.

Figure A4
Note: Amax = Ac(1+m) and Amin = Ac(1-m)
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C. Time Domain - Trapezoidal display.

The modulated DSB-LC wave is applied to the vertical input (B) of the
CRO and the modulating (or message) signal is applied the horizontal input (A) of
the CRO. On the Picoscope choose View, Add View, XY. The result is a complex
lissajou figure as shown in figure A5 below.

(b) m = 1, linear modulation.

(c) m < 1, with the phase difference between the modulated wave envelope and
the modulating signal.
(d) Distorted wave.
(e) m > 1, linear modulation.

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