Lab name: Communications.

Ministry of Scientific Research

Experiment No. : 5 and Scientific Research
Lab. Supervisor: Ass.T. Ahmad Jabbar Southern Technical University

Order Code 40504 Experimental Training Board has been designed to study on the modern
techniques of Pulse Width Modulation / Demodulation. Using this training board one can know the
specialized techniques of Pulse Width Modulation and Demodulation. Practical experience on this
board carries great educative value for Science and Engineering Students.

OBJECT:-
1. To modulate a pulse carrier with sinusoidal signal to obtain a Pulse Width
Modulated signal.
2. To demodulate the Pulse Width Modulated signal to obtain the modulating
signal.

FEATURES:-
 The board consists of the following built-in parts:
1. ±6 V D.C. at 100mA, IC regulated Power Supply internally connected.
2. Pulse Train (Carrier) Generator based on timer IC.
3. 50 Hz A.C. sinusoidal modulating signal obtained from stepped down
transformer.
4. Pulse Width Modulator based on timer.
5. Pulse Width Demodulator based on operational amplifier.
6. Adequate no. of other electronic components.
7. Mains ON/OFF switch, Fuse and Jewel light.
8. The unit is operative on 230V ±10% at 50Hz A.C. Mains.
9. Adequate No. of patch cords 4mm length 50cm.
10. Good Quality, reliable terminal/sockets are provided at appropriate places on
panel for connections/observation of waveforms.

OTHER APPARATUS REQUIRED :-

- Cathode Ray Oscilloscope 20 MHz

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Lab name: Communications. Ministry of Scientific Research
Experiment No. : 5 and Scientific Research
Lab. Supervisor: Ass.T. Ahmad Jabbar Southern Technical University

THEORY:-

Two main fields where pulse communication is widely used are TELEGRAPHY and
TELEMETRY. Telegraphy is the oldest form of telecommunications and it gave birth
to the modern pulse communication techniques. Telegraphy also includes TELEX
services. Fig 1 shows various modulation methods. Here we shall only discuss the
Pulse Width Modulation and Demodulation. Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is also
sometimes called Pulse Duration Modulation (PDM).

What IS Pulse Width Modulation :-

The PWM waveform has a fixed amplitude and starting time of each pulse, but the
width of each pulse is proportional to the amplitude of the modulating signal at that
instant. Thus the pulses corresponding to positive peaks of a modulating signal shall
be wider as compared to the pulses corresponding to negative going points. The
above is made clear by referring to Fig 2.

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Lab name: Communications. Ministry of Scientific Research
Experiment No. : 5 and Scientific Research
Lab. Supervisor: Ass.T. Ahmad Jabbar Southern Technical University

How PWM Is Generated

One method of obtaining Pulse Width Modulation by using a monostable

multivibrator circuit. The starting times of the pulses is controlled by the trigger
pulses i.e, pulse carrier waveform and the modulating signal controls the width of the
pulses. This training board uses a novel method based on a timer IC 555.

In order to understand the generation of PWM using a IC555 it will be helpful if we

go in a little internal working details of the timer IC 555. Fig. 3 (inside the square
block) shows the functional block diagram of the inside of the timer IC 555 and
connection of external components to form a monostable multivibrator.

The outside components are connected in such a way that the IC works as a basic
monostable generator. Resistors R1, R2 and R3 form a voltage-reference potential
divider.

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Lab name: Communications. Ministry of Scientific Research
Experiment No. : 5 and Scientific Research
Lab. Supervisor: Ass.T. Ahmad Jabbar Southern Technical University

There are two voltage- comparator op-amps, one R-S Flip-Flop, a low power
complementary output stage and a transistor T1. 2/3 Vcc appears at the junction of
the upper two resistors of the potential divider i.e R1, R2. This voltage is fed to one
input of the upper Voltage-Comparator OP-amp.

The outputs of two comparator controls the R-S Flip-Flop which in turn controls the
states of the complementary output stage and the slave transistor. The state of the
Flip-Flop can also be influenced by signals applied to the Pin 5 i.e RESET terminal.
When the circuit is in quiescent state the Pin 2 i.e, TRIGGER terminal is held high
via resistor R4.

Under this condition transistor T1 is driven to saturation and forms a short circuit
across external timing capacitor CT, and the Pin 3 output terminal of the IC is driven
to the LOW state. The monostable action is initiated as soon as a negative going
trigger pulse is applied at Pin 2. As this pulse falls below the 1/3 Vcc reference value
of the built in potential divider. The output of the lower voltage comparator op-amp,
changes state and causes the R-S Flip-Flop to switch over. As the Flip-Flop switches
over it cuts off T1 and drives the Pin 3 output of the IC 555 to the HIGH state.

As T1 cuts off it removes the short from across capacitor CT, so CT starts to charge up
towards the supply voltage Vcc.

As the voltage across CT reaches 2/3 Vcc the upper voltage comparator changes state
and switches the R-S Flip-Flop to its original state i.e, turning on T1, rapidly
discharging CT and putting the output at Pin 3 to LOW state. The delay time of the
circuit is given by t = 1.1 RT CT where t is the time in sec.

during which the output at pin 3 is high. Note that the timing period of the circuit is
independent of the supply voltage but it can however be varied by applying a voltage
at pin 5 is, CONTROL VOLTAGE terminal of the IC 555. If we apply a continuously
varying voltage at pin 5 then the width of the output pulses vary in accordance with
this control voltage, hence a pulse width modulated output results and the circuit
functions as a Pulse Width Modulator. The trigger or the Carrier Pulses are generated
by the a stable multivibrator built around another IC 555.

The modulating signal to be fed to Pin 5 of the PW modulator is obtained from the
secondary of the mains transformer and is 50 Hz sinusoidal AC waveform.

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Lab name: Communications. Ministry of Scientific Research
Experiment No. : 5 and Scientific Research
Lab. Supervisor: Ass.T. Ahmad Jabbar Southern Technical University

Demodulation Of Pulse Width Modulated Signal :-

The process of integration is employed in order to demodulate a P.W. signal to

recover the modulating signal. This training board uses an op-amp integrator built
around IC 741.

In this circuit current is summed over a period of time and the resultant voltage
generated is the integral of that current as a function of time. The 100 K resistor
across 0.1uf capacitor is added to provide DC stability.

However the output waveform has some error as compared to the original modulating
waveform. Fig. 4 shows the demodulated pulse width signal

PANEL DESCRIPTION:-

Mains switch, fuse and neon-indicator are provided in a vertical column along the left
hand lower side of the panel.

The Pulse Width Modulator with input and output sockets is situated in the middle of
the panel. Pulse Carrier and Modulating signals are available on the appropriate
sockets besides labeled blocks on the top left side of P.W. Modulator.

The Pulse Width Demodulator with input socket is situated right side middle and
output sockets is situated in the extreme right centre of the panel.

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Lab name: Communications. Ministry of Scientific Research
Experiment No. : 5 and Scientific Research
Lab. Supervisor: Ass.T. Ahmad Jabbar Southern Technical University

OBJECT 1:- To Modulate A Pulse Carrie With Sinusoidal SiGNAL TO Obtain A

Pulse Width Modulated Signal.

 Procedure :-
1. Connect the CRO probe to the socket marked TP2, adjust the level, the
waveform should be a sinusoidal as shown in Fig.2 (A). Now remove the CRO
probe from TP2 and connect it to TP1. The waveform here should resemble
that of Fig 2(B) i.e, a pulse train (carrier).
2. Switch on the main supply and connect TP1 to Input terminal & TP2 to input
terminals observe the waveform on the CRO al TP3. This is a pulse width
modulated signal resembling that of Fig 2 (c).

OBJECT 2:- To Demodulate The Pulse Width Modulated Signal To Obtain The
Modulating Signal.

 Procedure
1. In continuation with the experiment No. 1 using connecting lead connect the
output of PW Modulator to the input of PW Demodulator circuit on the panel.
2. Observe on the CRO the waveform at the 'Demod output' sockets. This should
resemble that of Fig 4.

QUESTIONS:-
1. Why the timing periods are independent of the supply voltage in a timer IC 555
circuit?
2. What is the function of internal transistor T1 in the IC 555?
3. What main advantages do you think the Pulse width modulated signal has over
Pulse Amplitude Modulated signal?
4. What is the reason for the error which is inevitably present on the PW
demodulated signal?
5. Why a 100K resistor is connected across the 0.1 µf capacitor in the PW
demodulator circuit?

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Lab name: Communications. Ministry of Scientific Research
Experiment No. : 5 and Scientific Research
Lab. Supervisor: Ass.T. Ahmad Jabbar Southern Technical University

REFERENCES

1. ETI magazine Feb. 1978.

2. Principles of Carrier Communication by : N.N. BISWAS.

3. Electronics Communication Systems by : GEORGE KENNEDY.

4. Electronic Devices by : N. MORRIS.

ACCESSORIES: Patch cords stackable 4mm length 50cm Red-3.