EECE442L – Communications Laboratory 1

Frequency- Division Multiplexing

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

American University of Beirut

EECE 442L – Communications Laboratory

Experiment on Frequency- Division Multiplexing

Objectives
In this experiment, you will:

• Investigate sending multiple messages on a single carrier by frequency-division multiplexing

using amplitude modulation and demodulation
• Implement the Rx and Tx transmission systems

Software Requirements: LabVIEW Com 2.0

Hardware Requirements: USRP

Frequency- Division Multiplexing

Frequency-division multiplexing is widely used in telemetry, in the satellite relaying of television
signals, and, until the widespread adoption of fiber optics, was the standard transmission method for
long-distance telephone signals. It is designed to transmit multiple signals via the same carrier.

Frequency-division multiplexing also plays an important role in the OFDM technique used in DSL and
in third-generation cellular telephone systems.
Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) is a technique by which the total bandwidth available in a
communication medium is divided into a series of non-overlapping frequency sub-bands, each of
which is used to carry a separate signal.

Figure 1 shows a representation of 2 signals modulated into one signal, then demodulated at the
receiver side, into 2 signals again.
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Frequency- Division Multiplexing

Figure 1: Frequency Division Multiplexing

In this lab, we will suppose 𝑚𝑚1 (𝑡𝑡) and 𝑚𝑚2 (𝑡𝑡) are message signals. Let 𝑓𝑓1 and 𝑓𝑓2 be corresponding
subcarrier frequencies, 𝑚𝑚1𝑝𝑝 and 𝑚𝑚2𝑝𝑝 be the maximum value of the signals, and 𝜇𝜇1 and 𝜇𝜇2 be their
respective modulation indexes. We can form the modulated subcarrier signals
𝑚𝑚1 (𝑡𝑡)
𝑔𝑔1 (𝑡𝑡) = 𝐴𝐴1 �1 + 𝜇𝜇1 � cos(2𝜋𝜋𝑓𝑓1 𝑡𝑡), and
𝑚𝑚1𝑝𝑝
𝑚𝑚2 (𝑡𝑡)
𝑔𝑔2 (𝑡𝑡) = 𝐴𝐴2 �1 + 𝜇𝜇2 � cos(2𝜋𝜋𝑓𝑓2 𝑡𝑡) (1)
𝑚𝑚2𝑝𝑝

It is not necessary to use amplitude modulation to modulate the subcarriers. We are using AM in this
lab exercise because it is familiar from Amplitude Modulation Lab, and because it is easy to
demodulate. Note that the subcarrier frequencies f1 and f2 must be spaced sufficiently apart in
frequency so that the spectra of 𝒈𝒈𝟏𝟏 (𝒕𝒕) and 𝒈𝒈𝟐𝟐 (𝒕𝒕) do not overlap. The signals 𝑔𝑔1 (𝑡𝑡) and 𝑔𝑔2 (𝑡𝑡) are
combined to give the in-phase component of the baseband signal:
𝑔𝑔𝐼𝐼 (𝑡𝑡) = 𝑔𝑔1 (𝑡𝑡) + 𝑔𝑔2 (𝑡𝑡) (2)

As in Amplitude Modulation Lab we will let the quadrature component 𝑔𝑔𝑄𝑄 (𝑡𝑡) equal zero, so that the
signal sent to the USRP is

𝑔𝑔�(𝑡𝑡) = 𝑔𝑔𝐼𝐼 (𝑡𝑡) + 𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑄𝑄 (𝑡𝑡) = 𝑔𝑔1 (𝑡𝑡) + 𝑔𝑔2 (𝑡𝑡) (3)

The signal actually transmitted by the USRP is

𝑔𝑔(𝑡𝑡) = 𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔1 (𝑡𝑡) cos(2𝜋𝜋𝑓𝑓𝑐𝑐 𝑡𝑡) − 𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔𝑄𝑄 (𝑡𝑡) sin(2𝜋𝜋𝑓𝑓𝑐𝑐 𝑡𝑡)

= 𝐴𝐴[𝑔𝑔1 (𝑡𝑡) + 𝑔𝑔2 (𝑡𝑡)] cos(2𝜋𝜋𝑓𝑓𝑐𝑐 𝑡𝑡) (4)

where A is set by the “gain” parameter and fc is the USRP carrier frequency.
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Frequency- Division Multiplexing

On the receiving side, the USRP receiver provides the output

𝑟𝑟̃ (𝑡𝑡) = 𝐷𝐷[𝑔𝑔1 (𝑡𝑡) + 𝑔𝑔2 (𝑡𝑡)]𝑒𝑒 𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗 (5)

where θ is the phase difference between the transmitter and receiver oscillator signals and D is a
constant, usually much smaller than A. This complex-valued signal can be sent to a bank of two
bandpass filters centered on the subcarrier frequencies 𝑓𝑓1 and 𝑓𝑓2 . The filter outputs are the individual
signals given in Equation 1. These can now be demodulated using envelope detectors as in Amplitude
Modulation Lab.

Lab Procedure
In parallel with following these instructions open the Moodle question blocks and record the answers to the
questions formulated.

Building the transmitter using USRP

A template for the transmitter has been provided in the file FDM_Tx_Template.gvi. This template contains the
four VIs for interfacing with the USRP along with two message generators that will generate waveforms 𝑚𝑚1 (𝑡𝑡)
and 𝑚𝑚2 (𝑡𝑡). To complete the transmitter you will be asked to perform two tasks:

• Creating a sub-vi that modulates a message using Amplitude Modulation to produce the signals 𝑔𝑔1 (𝑡𝑡)
or 𝑔𝑔2 (𝑡𝑡) as shown in Equation 1.

• Updating the transmitter template using the sub-vi created to combine the modulated messages to form
the FDM signal.
Creating the AM Modulation subVI
The sub-vi AM_on_Sub-carrier.gvi will have the following inputs and output:

Name Symbol Data Type

Input Message 𝑚𝑚𝑖𝑖 (𝑡𝑡) Waveform (double)

waveform
Modulation index 𝜇𝜇𝑖𝑖 double
Input Carrier level 𝐴𝐴𝑖𝑖 double
Subcarrier frequency 𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑖 double
sample rate double
message length double
(samples)
Output Output Modulated 𝑔𝑔𝑖𝑖 (𝑡𝑡) Array (double)
signal
Table 1- AM_on_Sub-carrier VI Inputs and Outputs

1. Create a new VI.

2. To create an input waveform and get its properties needed by the modulation blocks, use the VI
“Waveform Properties” and connect its input waveform to a control called Input Message waveform.
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Frequency- Division Multiplexing

3. Create the signals 𝑔𝑔1 (𝑡𝑡) and 𝑔𝑔2 (𝑡𝑡) by using a “MathScript Node”.
So, set up its inputs as follows (right click on the node boundaries and select create->input):
• 𝑚𝑚 : the generated signal
• 𝑚𝑚𝑝𝑝 : maximum value of the generated signal. Use “Array Max and Min” VI to get this input.
• 𝑚𝑚𝑢𝑢 : modulation index
• A: carrier level.
Then, set the output as follows:
• G: baseband signal.

Tip: Use the waveform properties VI to get the values of the signal from the waveform
(i.e. connect the output of “waveform properties” to m and “Array Max and Min”.

4. Use controls to input the carrier level and modulation index.

5. Set up a text-based script using Equation 1 to get baseband signal G (without the cosine).

6. Next, generate the cosine waveform using the “Wave Generator” VI by setting it to sine (as shown
below) with a 90 degree phase shift. Use controls to input the subcarrier frequency, Sample Rate
and Samples.

Figure 2: Sine Waveform VI

7. Get the data values of the generated cosine waveform by using “Waveform properties” VI.

8. Modulate the cosine waveform data values with the baseband signal G (output of MathScript
Node) to get the modulated signal. Use indicators to output the modulated signal.

9. Save your AM modulation in a file whose name includes the letters “AM_on_Sub-carrier” and
your initials (e.g. AM_on_Sub-carrier_BAB.gvi).

10. After saving your VI. Click on Edit icon to configure the inputs and outputs of the subVI at the
top right of the panel screen.
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Frequency- Division Multiplexing

Create OFDM transmitter

Now, update the transmitter template provided to you to combine the modulated messages to form the OFDM
signal.

1. Build an array from the two generated messages of the Basic Multitone VI using the “Build Array”
VI, and display the appended message waveform by the “Message” waveform graph provided.

2. Feed the generated messages to the two instances of the “AM_on_Sub-carrier" sub-VI you created
to create the amplitude modulated signals. Connect the “Modulation index” and “Sub-carrier
frequency” for both instances of the AM_on_Sub-carrier sub-VI to their respective provided
controls. Set the “Carrier level” to be 1, the “Samples” to the message length input control and the
“Sample rate” to the “actual IQ rate”.

3. Add both amplitude modulated signals. Next, scale the sum by using “Quick Scale 1D” VI
provided to you in the templates. Display the scaled AM signal by using the “Baseband Signal”
waveform graph provided.

4. To form a complex array 𝑔𝑔(𝑡𝑡) as given in Equation 1 convert the scaled AM signal to complex
form by using “Re/Im to Complex” VI provided and by connecting the scaled AM signal to the
real input. For the imaginary input, using “Initialize Array” VI create a new array initializing it
to zero using the numeric constant provided (connect it to element input). Set its size to be the
same length as that of the AM signal (coming from the sum) by using “Array Size” VI to find
that size.

5. Use “Build Waveform” VI to build a waveform from the complex data values by setting the
sampling time equal to the reciprocal of the “IQ rate” by using the “Reciprocal” VI. Display the
scaled AM signal by adding a waveform graph.

6. Pass 𝑔𝑔(𝑡𝑡) into the while loop, and connect it to the Write Tx Data function.

7. Save your transmitter in a file whose name includes the letters “FDMTx” and your initials (e.g.
FDMTx_BAB.gvi).
Building the receiver using USRP
A template for the receiver is also provided, FDM_Rx_Template.gvi. This template contains the six VIs
for interfacing with the USRP along with two waveform graphs on which to display your demodulated
output signals. To complete the lab, you will need to:

• Design a band pass filter to isolate each message signal.

• Create an envelope detector similar to the one designed in Amplitude Modulation Lab.

1. Get the data values of the waveform received by the buffer by using “Waveform Properties” VI
provided in the template.
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Frequency- Division Multiplexing

2. Feed the received array into each of the two Chebyshev band-pass filters. Search for the Filter VI
(Figure 3) and configure it to be Bandpass Chebychev. Note that you can change the configuration
of the filter from the Right pane (Figure 4).

Figure 3: Filter VI

Figure 4: Filter Configuration Pane

Set one of the filters to have a high cutoff frequency of 505 kHz and a low cutoff frequency of
495 kHz. Set the other filter to have a high cutoff frequency of 515 kHz and a low cutoff
frequency of 505 kHz. Set the filter order to 5. The sampling frequency input to both filters
should be the actual IQ rate obtained from Configure Signal (or reciprocal of 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 from cluster
properties). The default passband ripple value of 0.1 dB is acceptable for both instances of the
filter.

3. Get the real part of the output of each band-pass filter (using complex to real and imaginary) and
pass it through an envelope detector. Each envelope detector consists of an absolute value VI
followed by a Butterworth low-pass filter. Set up the low-pass filters with low-cut-off frequency
of 5 kHz and filter order of 2. The sampling frequency input to both filters should be the actual
IQ rate obtained from Configure Signal.

4. The lowpass filter outputs should be connected to the Build Waveform blocks that connect to the
Message 1 Out and Message 2 Out graphs (plotting the demodulated waveforms).

5. For the power spectrum, add the FFT Power Spectrum and PSD from the palette to your receiver
and set the function configuration to continuous and “dB on” to True. Obtain the time signal
input from the waveform produced by Fetch Rx Data. Attach the waveform graph provided to
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Frequency- Division Multiplexing

the Power Spectrum output. Set the horizontal scale of the waveform graph to display
frequency components in the range 495 kHz to 515 kHz. You can change horizontal scale by
directly pressing on it in the graph and typing the new range. Then, right click on the graph, in
“Visible Parts” click on “Scale Legend”, and lock the Frequency so that the scale won’t change
after running the VI.

6. Save your receiver in a file whose name includes the letters “FDM_Rx” and your initials (e.g.
FDM_Rx_BAB.gvi).

Instructions:
1. Connect a loopback cable and attenuator between the TX 1 and RX 2 connectors of the USRP.
Connect the USRP to your computer and plug in the power.

2. Sending a sine wave. Set the following values at the transmitter side and run:

Quantity Value
Carrier Frequency 915MHz
IQ Rate 2MHz
Gain 0 dB
Active Antenna TX1
Message Length 200,000 samples
Subcarrier Frequencies 𝑓𝑓1 = 500KHz
𝑓𝑓2 = 510KHz
Start Frequency 50 Hz for message 1
100 Hz for message 2
Delta Frequency 100 Hz for message 1
100 Hz for message 2
Number of Tones 1 for message 1
1 for message 2
Modulation Index 1 for message 1
1 for message 2
Table 2: Transmitter settings

3. Set the following values at the receiver side and run:

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Frequency- Division Multiplexing

Quantity Value
Carrier Frequency 915 MHz
IQ Rate 2MHz
Gain 0 dB
Active Antenna RX2
Number of samples 200,000 samples
Table 3: Receiver settings

4. After a few seconds, stop the receiver using the STOP button, then stop the transmitter. Examine
the Message Out graphs to ensure that the receiver is correctly demodulating and displaying
the two message signals.

TO DO Q1. Take screenshots of the two received messages. Specify their frequencies and make sure
it is the same as the transmitted.
TO DO
Q2. Specify the two subcarriers and the side bands. Zoom in to the two subcarriers on the
power spectrum and take screenshots

5. The Effects of Channel Separation and Cross-Talk:

In telecommunications, crosstalk occurs when the signal from an adjacent channel causes
distortion or interference (due to the overlap of their frequency ranges or bands). You may have
experienced this when using a telephone and you hear someone else’s conversation faintly in
the background. One strategy is to convert the analog signals to a digital form, which is much
less susceptible to crosstalk. In the case of wireless communications, crosstalk can be dealt with
by ensuring that there is a large enough separation between channel carrier frequencies. Figure
5 shows the effects of cross talk where a 50 Hz signal and a 100 Hz signal are not sent on channels
with enough separation between sub-channel carrier frequencies. You can clearly see ringing on
the 50 Hz signal (top graph) and the superposition of the 50Hz wave as a bias in the 100 Hz
signal (bottom graph).
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Figure 5- Cross Talk Example

a. Run the receiver VI.

b. Set the subcarrier frequencies to the values in the first line in the table below.
c. Start the transmitter VI.
d. Observe the waveform on the receiver VI.
e. Stop the transmitter VI.
f. Set carrier frequencies to the values in the next line in the table below, and repeat steps a through
f until the table is complete.

TO DO Q3-8. Record observations in the table below while varying the carrying frequency.
Message 1 carrier Message 2 carrier Graph Screenshot Are the channels interfering
frequency frequency with each other? (YES/NO)
505 KHz 505 KHz
505 KHz 509 KHz
503 KHz 510 KHz
500 KHz 510 KHz
500KHz 514KHz
500KHz 520KHz

TO DO Q9. Analyze the power spectrum and the VI configuration to figure out a way to fix the
recovery of the signals in the last row of the table above. What are the fixes that should be
made?

TO DO Q10. Add a screenshot of the baseband signal.

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Frequency- Division Multiplexing

TO DO Q11. Complete the following statement:

• As observed in the lab moving the sub-carriers closer together creates …………..
• Moving the subcarriers closer together will show on the power spectrum ………….. of the
subcarriers frequency bands.
• Changing the order of the band-pass filters or narrowing the pass band ………….. reduce
cross talk.
• Changing the order of the low-pass filters ………….. reduce cross talk.
TO DO
Q12. Upload your VIs.

References:
http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/bitstream/handle/10915/41837/Documento_completo__versi%C3%B3n_5_.pdf?sequence=5

ftp://ftp.ni.com/pub/gdc/tut/intro_to_comms_with_ni_usrp.pdf