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10 - FM demodulation - Pulse counting method

Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method

Preliminary discussion
There are as many methods of demodulating an FM signal as there are of generating one.
Examples include: the slope detector, the Foster-Seeley discriminator, the ratio detector, the
phase-locked loop (PLL), the quadrature FM demodulator and the zero-crossing detector. It’s
possible to implement several of these methods using the Emona Telecoms-Trainer 101 but, for
an introduction to the principles of FM demodulation, only the zero-crossing detector is used in
this experiment.

The zero-crossing detector

The zero-crossing detector is a simple yet effective means of recovering the message from FM
signals. Its block diagram is shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1

The received FM signal is first passed through a comparator to heavily clip it, effectively
converting it to a squarewave. This allows the signal to be used as a trigger signal for the zero-
crossing detector circuit (ZCD).

The ZCD generates a pulse with a fixed duration every time the squared-up FM signal crosses
zero volts (either on the positive or the negative transition but not both). Given the squared-up
FM signal is continuously crossing zero, the ZCD effectively converts the squarewave to a
rectangular wave with a fixed mark time.

When the FM signal’s frequency changes (in response to the message), so does the rectangular
wave’s frequency. Importantly though, as the rectangular wave’s mark is fixed, changing its
frequency is achieved by changing the duration of the space and hence the signal’s mark/space
ratio (or duty cycle). This is shown in Figure 2 on the next page using an FM signal that only
switches between two frequencies (because it has been generated by a squarewave for the
message).

10-2 © Emona Instruments Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method

 FM signal 0V

Comparator's
output

0V

ZCD signal

0V

Figure 2

Recall from the theory of complex waveforms, pulse trains are actually made up of sinewaves
and, in the case of Figure 2 above, a DC voltage. The size of the DC voltage is affected by the
pulse train’s duty cycle. The greater its duty cycle, the greater the DC voltage.

That being the case, when the FM signal in Figure 2 above switches between the two
frequencies, the DC voltage that makes up the rectangular wave out of the ZCD changes
between two values. In others words, the DC component of the rectangular wave is a copy of the
squarewave that produced the FM signal in the first place. Recovering this copy is a relatively
simple matter of picking out the changing DC voltage using a low-pass filter.

Importantly, this demodulation technique works equally well when the message is a sinewave or
speech.

The experiment
In this experiment you’ll use the Emona Telecoms-Trainer 101 to generate an FM signal using a
VCO. Then you’ll set-up a zero-crossing detector and verify its operation for variations in the
message’s amplitude.

It should take you about 50 minutes to complete this experiment.

Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method © Emona Instruments 10-3

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 headphones (stereo)

Procedure

Part A – Setting up the FM modulator

To experiment with FM demodulation you need an FM signal. The first part of the experiment
gets you to set one up. To make viewing the signals around the demodulator possible, we’ll start
with a DC voltage for the message.

1. Gather a set of the equipment listed above.

2. Set up the scope per the instructions in Experiment 1.

3. Locate the VCO module and turn its Gain control fully clockwise.

4. Set the VCO module’s Frequency Adjust control to about the middle of its travel.

5. Set the VCO module’s Range control to the LO position.

6. Connect the set-up shown in Figure 3 below.

VCO

DIGITAL

GAIN

FREQ

HI

LO

VCO SINE
INPUT

Figure 3

10-4 © Emona Instruments Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method

7. Set the scope’s Timebase control to view two or so cycles of the VCO module’s SINE
output.

8. Adjust the VCO module’s SINE output to 10kHz.

1
Note: You do this by adjusting the signal’s period to 100µs (recall that P = )
f

9. Set the scope’s Trigger Source control to the CH2 position.

10. Set the scope’s Channel 1 and Channel 2 Input Coupling controls to the DC position.

11. Set the scope’s Mode control to the DUAL position.

12. Connect the set-up shown in Figure 4 below.

Figure 4

This set-up can be represented by the block diagram in Figure 5 on the next page. The Variable
DCV module is being used to provide a simple DC message and the VCO module implements an FM
modulator with a carrier frequency of 10kHz.

Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method © Emona Instruments 10-5

 Message
To Ch.1
Variable DCV VCO

FM signal
DC V To Ch.2

10kHz rest
frequency

Figure 5

13. Vary the Variable DCV module’s DC Voltage control and check that the VCO module’s
output frequency changes above and below its rest frequency.

Ask the instructor to check

your work before continuing.

For a variety of reasons, an important operating parameter of an FM modulator is its sensitivity.

This is how much the FM modulator’s output frequency deviates from the carrier (or rest)
frequency for a given change in input voltage. It is typically expressed in Hertz per volt
(ΔHz/ΔV).

For the FM demodulator that you’ll wire in this experiment, the FM modulator’s output
frequency must not exceed about 15kHz. And, as the sinewave that you’ll use for the message
later in the experiment is 4Vp-p (or ±2V peak), this means that sensitivity must not be greater
than 2.5kHz/volt.

The VCO module’s sensitivity can be adjusted using its Gain control and the next part of the
experiment gets you to do so.

14. Set the Variable DCV module’s output to +2V.

15. Adjust the VCO module’s Gain control for a 15kHz output.

Note: Take care here – You’re adjusting the VCO module’s output frequency using the
Gain control and not its Frequency Adjust control.

10-6 © Emona Instruments Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method

16. Set the Variable DCV module’s output to -2V.

17. Measure the VCO module’s new output frequency.

Note: As the VCO module’s operation is fairly linear, the new output frequency should be
about 5kHz.

Ask the instructor to check

your work before continuing.

Part B – Setting up the zero-crossing detector

18. Return the scope’s Trigger Source control to the CH1 (or INT) position.

19. Locate the Twin Pulse Generator module and turn its Width control fully anti-clockwise.

20. Set the Twin Pulse Generator module’s Delay control fully anti-clockwise.

21. Connect the set-up shown in Figure 6 below.

Note: Don’t dismantle the existing set-up.

MASTER TWIN PULSE

SIGNALS GENERATOR

100kHz
SINE WIDTH
100kHz
COS
100kHz Q2
DIGITAL
8kHz
DIGITAL
2kHz
DIGITAL DELAY
2kHz
SINE
CLK Q1

Figure 6

Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method © Emona Instruments 10-7

22. Set the scope’s Timebase control to the 2µs/div position.

23. Adjust the Twin Pulse Generator module’s Width control for an output pulse that is 12µs
long.

Note: Generally speaking, the longer the pulse the greater it’s DC component and, in the
case of the zero-crossing detector, the greater the size of the recovered message.
However, the pulses cannot be too long otherwise the circuit’s operation breaks down due
to other performance parameters of the TPG module. In this case, 12µs is a compromise.

24. Return the scope’s Timebase control to its previous position.

Tip: If you’re not sure, try 50µs/div.

25. Add the set-up shown in Figure 7 below to the FM modulator.

Remember: Dotted lines show leads already in place.

VARIABLE VCO UTILITIES TWIN PULSE CHANNEL

DCV GENERATOR MODULE
COMPARATOR
+5V
REF
DIGITAL
VDC

CHANNEL
GND BPF

VDC GAIN
IN OUT BASEBAND
WIDTH LPF
RECTIFIER
FREQ
SPEECH ADDER
Q2
DIODE & RC LPF
HI NOISE
A EXOR LO

DELAY
RC LPF
VCO SINE SIGNAL CHANNEL
INPUT OUT
B A+B CLK Q1

Figure 7

The additions to the set-up can be represented by the block diagram in Figure 8 on the next
page.

10-8 © Emona Instruments Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method

The comparator on the Utilities module is used to clip the FM signal, effectively turning it into a
squarewave. The positive edge-triggered Twin Pulse Generator module is used to implement the
zero-crossing detector. To complete the FM demodulator, the Baseband LPF on the Channel
Module is used to pick-out the changing DC component of the Twin Pulse Generator module’s
output.

Utilities Twin Pulse Baseband

module Generator LPF

FM Demodulated
ZCD
signal message
To Ch.2

Figure 8

The entire set-up can be represented by the block diagram in Figure 9 below.

Message
To Ch.1

Demodulated
ZCD
message
DC V
To Ch.2
10kHz rest
frequency

FM modulator FM demodulator

Figure 9

26. Vary the Variable DCV module’s DC Voltage control left and right.

Note: If the FM demodulator is working, the DC voltage out of the Baseband LPF should
vary as you do though it will be a small voltage.

Tip: If this doesn’t happen, check that the scope’s Channel 2 Input Coupling control is set
to the DC position before you start checking your wiring.

Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method © Emona Instruments 10-9

 Ask the instructor to check
your work before continuing.

Part C – Investigating the operation of the zero-crossing detector

The next part of the experiment lets you verify the operation of the zero-crossing detector.

27. Rearrange the scope’s connections to the set-up as shown in Figure 10 below.

VARIABLE VCO UTILITIES TWIN PULSE CHANNEL

DCV GENERATOR MODULE
COMPARATOR
+5V
REF
DIGITAL
VDC

CHANNEL
GND BPF

VDC GAIN
IN OUT BASEBAND
WIDTH LPF
RECTIFIER
FREQ
SPEECH ADDER
Q2
DIODE & RC LPF
HI NOISE
A EXOR LO

DELAY
RC LPF
VCO SINE SIGNAL CHANNEL
INPUT OUT
B A+B CLK Q1

Figure 10

The new scope connections can be shown using the block diagram in Figure 11 on the next page.

10-10 © Emona Instruments Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method

 FM signal Comparator's o/p
To Ch.1 To Ch.2

Demodulated
ZCD
message
DC V

10kHz

FM modulator FM demodulator

Figure 11

Question 1
Why is the FM signal no-longer a sinewave? Tip: If you’re not sure, see the preliminary
discussion.

Because the comparator is heavily clipping it.

28. Vary the Variable DCV module’s DC Voltage control left and right to model the FM signal’s
continuously changing frequency.

29. As you perform the step above, examine the waveshape of the Comparator’s output.

Question 2
What type of waveform does the Comparator output?

A squarewave.

Question 3
What does this tell us about the DC component of the comparator’s output?

As the squarewave’s duty cycle never changes, its DC component is always the same

size.

Ask the instructor to check

your work before continuing.

Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method © Emona Instruments 10-11

30. Rearrange the scope’s connections to the set-up as shown in Figure 12 below.

VARIABLE VCO UTILITIES TWIN PULSE CHANNEL

DCV GENERATOR MODULE
COMPARATOR
+5V
REF
DIGITAL
VDC

CHANNEL
GND BPF

VDC GAIN
IN OUT BASEBAND
WIDTH LPF
RECTIFIER
FREQ
SPEECH ADDER
Q2
DIODE & RC LPF
HI NOISE
A EXOR LO

DELAY
RC LPF
VCO SINE SIGNAL CHANNEL
INPUT OUT
B A+B CLK Q1

Figure 12

The new scope connections can be shown using the block diagram in Figure 13 below.

Comparator's o/p ZCD's o/p

To Ch.1 To Ch.2

Demodulated
ZCD
message
DC V

10kHz

FM modulator FM demodulator

Figure 13

10-12 © Emona Instruments Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method

31. Vary the Variable DCV module’s DC Voltage control left and right to model the FM signal’s
continuously changing frequency.

Tip: Do this slowly to avoid confusing the scope’s triggering circuitry.

32. As you perform the step above, compare the outputs from the Comparator and the Twin
Pulse Generator module (the ZCD).

Question 4
What type of waveform does the ZCD output?

A rectangular wave (though, for the right DC voltage, it can be a squarewave).

Question 5
As the FM signal changes frequency so does the ZCD’s output. What aspect of the signal
changes to achieve this?

 Neither the signal’s mark nor space

 Only the signal’s mark
 Only the signal’s space 
 Both the signal’s mark and space

Question 6
What does this tell us about the DC component of the comparator’s output?

As the duty cycle of the ZCD’s output changes, its DC component changes also.

Ask the instructor to check

your work before continuing.

Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method © Emona Instruments 10-13

The next part of the experiment lets you verify your answer to the previous question.

33. Rearrange the scope’s connections to the set-up as shown in Figure 14 below.

VARIABLE VCO UTILITIES TWIN PULSE CHANNEL

DCV GENERATOR MODULE
COMPARATOR
+5V
REF
DIGITAL
VDC

CHANNEL
GND BPF

VDC GAIN
IN OUT BASEBAND
WIDTH LPF
RECTIFIER
FREQ
SPEECH ADDER
Q2
DIODE & RC LPF
HI NOISE
A EXOR LO

DELAY
RC LPF
VCO SINE SIGNAL CHANNEL
INPUT OUT
B A+B CLK Q1

Figure 14

The new scope connections can be shown using the block diagram in Figure 15 below.

ZCD's o/p
To Ch.1

Demodulated
ZCD
message
DC V
To Ch.2
10kHz

FM modulator FM demodulator

Figure 15

10-14 © Emona Instruments Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method

34. Vary the Variable DCV module’s DC Voltage control left and right to model the FM signal’s
continuously changing frequency.

35. As you perform the step above, compare the outputs from the Twin Pulse Generator
module (the ZCD) and the Baseband LPF.

Tip: You may find it helpful to set the scope’s Channel 2 Vertical Attenuation control to
0.5V/div setting.

Question 7
If the original message is a sinewave instead of a variable DC voltage, what would you
expect to see out of the Baseband LPF?

A sinewave at the same frequency.

Ask the instructor to check

your work before continuing.

Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method © Emona Instruments 10-15

Part D – Transmitting and recovering a sinewave using FM
This experiment has set up an FM communication system to “transmit” a message that is a DC
voltage. The next part of the experiment lets you use the set-up to modulate, transmit and
demodulate a test signal (a sinewave).

36. Disconnect the plug to the Variable DCV module’s VDC output.

Note: Leave the other plug that’s connected to the module’s GND output in place.

37. Modify the set-up as shown in Figure 16 below.

VARIABLE VCO UTILITIES TWIN PULSE CHANNEL

DCV GENERATOR MODULE
COMPARATOR
+5V
REF
DIGITAL
VDC

CHANNEL
GND BPF

VDC GAIN
IN OUT BASEBAND
WIDTH LPF
RECTIFIER
FREQ
SPEECH ADDER
Q2
DIODE & RC LPF
HI NOISE
A EXOR LO

DELAY
RC LPF
VCO SINE SIGNAL CHANNEL
INPUT OUT
B A+B CLK Q1

MASTER
SIGNALS

100kHz
SINE
100kHz
COS
100kHz
DIGITAL
8kHz
DIGITAL
2kHz
DIGITAL
2kHz
SINE

Figure 16

This modification to the FM modulator can be shown using the block diagram in Figure 17 on the
next page. Notice that the message is now provided by the Master Signals module’s 2kHz SINE
output.

Message
To Ch.1
Master Signals VCO

FM signal
2kHz

10-16 © Emona Instruments10kHz

Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method
 Figure 17

38. Set the scope’s Channel 2 Input Coupling control to the AC position.

39. Adjust the scope’s Timebase control to view two or so cycles of the Master Signals
module’s 2kHz SINE output.

40. Compare the message with the FM demodulator’s output.

Note: If your set-up is working correctly, the FM demodulator’s output should be the
same as the message (with some phase shift).

Question 8
What does the FM modulator’s output signal tell you about the ZCD signal’s duty cycle?

As the FM modulator’s output is a continuously changing voltage, the ZCD signal’s

duty cycle must also be continuously changing.

41. To verify your answer to the question above, use the scope’s Channel 2 input to examine
the output of the ZCD.

Tip: Leave the scope’s Channel 1 input connected to the Master Signals module’s 2kHz
SINE output.

Ask the instructor to check

your work before continuing.

Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method © Emona Instruments 10-17

Part E – Transmitting and recovering speech using FM
The next part of the experiment lets you use the set-up to modulate, transmit and demodulate
speech. Note: To ensure that the bandwidth issues don’t adversely affect the circuit’s
performance, the speech signal that you generate will be bandwidth limited to 2kHz using the
Tuneable Low-pass Filter module.

42. Locate the Tuneable Low-pass Filter module and set its Gain control to about the middle
of its travel.

43. Set the Tuneable Low-pass Filter module’s Cut-off Frequency Adjust control to about the
middle of its travel.

44. Connect the set-up shown in Figure 18 below.

Note: Don’t dismantle the existing set-up.

TUNEABLE
LPF

f Cx10 0

fC

GAIN

IN OUT

Figure 18

45. Set the scope’s Timebase control to the 1µs/div position.

46. Adjust the signal out of the Tuneable Low-pass Filter module’s fC×100 output to 200kHz.

Note 1: You do this by adjusting the signal’s period to 5µs.

Note 2: Once the fC×100 output is 200kHz, the Tuneable Low-pass Filter module’s cut-
off frequency is 2kHz.

47. Set the scope’s Timebase control to the 5ms/div position.

10-18 © Emona Instruments Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method

48. Disconnect the plug to the Master Signals module’s 2kHz SINE output.

49. Modify the set-up as shown in Figure 19 below.

VARIABLE VCO UTILITIES TWIN PULSE CHANNEL NOISE

DCV GENERATOR MODULE GENERATOR
COMPARATOR
+5V
REF
DIGITAL
VDC 0dB

CHANNEL
GND BPF -6dB

VDC GAIN -20dB

IN OUT BASEBAND
WIDTH LPF
RECTIFIER BUFFER
FREQ
SPEECH ADDER
Q2
DIODE & RC LPF
HI NOISE
GAIN
A EXOR LO

DELAY
RC LPF
VCO SINE SIGNAL CHANNEL IN OUT
INPUT OUT
B A+B CLK Q1

VARIABLE TUNEABLE
DCV LPF

+5V

VDC

f Cx10 0
GND

VDC

fC
SPEECH

A EXOR

GAIN

B A+B IN OUT

Figure 19

50. Turn the Buffer module’s Gain control fully anti-clockwise.

51. Without wearing the headphones, plug them into the Buffer module’s headphone socket.

52. Put the headphones on.

53. As you perform the next step, set the Buffer module’s Gain control to a comfortable
sound level.

54. Talk, sing or hum while watching the scope’s display and listening on the headphones.

Ask the instructor to check

your work before finishing.

Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method © Emona Instruments 10-19

10-20 © Emona Instruments Experiment 10 – FM demodulation – Pulse counting method