Communication Systems Lab 12

Investigate the Pulse Code Modulation Encoding Technique

OBJECTIVES

Introduction to pulse code modulation (PCM) and the PCM ENCODER module. Coding of a
message into a train of digital words in binary format

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

1) Personal computer with appropriate software installed

2) USB cable and power pack
3) Emona DATEx experimental add-in module
4) Two BNC to 2mm banana plug leads
5) Assorted 2mm banana plug patch leads
6) For 2, 1 only: One set of headphones (stereo)

RESUME OF THEORY
PCM is a system for converting analog message signals to a serial stream of Os and 1s. The
conversion process is called encoding at its simplest, encoding involves:

• Sampling the analog signal's voltage at regular intervals using a sample-and-hold scheme.
• Comparing each sample to a set of reference voltages called quantization levels.
• Deciding which quantization level the sampled voltage is closest to.
• Generating the binary number for that quantization level.
• Outputting the binary number one bit at a time (that is, in serial form)
• Taking the next sample and repeating the process.

A little information about the PCM Encoder module.

The PCM Encoder module uses a PCM encoding and decoding chip (called a codec) to convert
analog voltages between -2V and +2V to an 8-bit binary number. With eight bits, it's possible to
produce 256 different numbers between 00000000 and 11111111 inclusive. This in turn means
that there are 256 quantization levels (one for each number).
Each binary number is transmitted in serial form in frames. The number's most significant bit
(called bit-7) is sent first, bit-6 is sent next and so on to the least significant bit (bit-0). The PCM
Encoder module also outputs a separate Frame Synchronization signal (FS) that goes high at the
same time that bit-0 is outputted.
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figure below shows an example of three frames of a PCM Encoder module's output data (each
bit is shown as both a 0 and a 1 because it could be either) together with its clock input and its
FS output.

Figure 12.1

Task 1- PCM encoding using a static DC voltage

1. Connect the set-up shown in figure below.

Figure 12.2
Setting the Slope control to the “position makes the scope start its sweep across the screen when
the FS signal goes from high to low instead of low to high. You can really notice the difference
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between the two settings if you flip the scope's Slope control back and forth. If you do this, make
sure that the Slope control finishes on the"-" position.
2. Activate the scope's Channel 1 input (by checking the Channel 1 Enabled box) to observe
the PCM Encoder module's CLK input as well as its FS output two signals are not
overplayed.
3. Draw the two waveforms to scale in the space provided below leaving enough room for a
third digital signal
Tip: Draw the clock signal in the upper third of the graph paper and the FS signal in the
middle third.

Question 1
Indicate on your drawing the start and end of the frame.
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Question2
Indicate on your drawing the start and end of each bit.

Question3
Indicate on your drawing which bit is bit-0 and which is bit-7.

Question 4
What is the binary number that the PCM Encoder module is outputting?

Question 5
Why does the PCM Encoder module output this code for OV DC and not 0000000?

Task 2 PCM encoding of a variable DC voltage

So far, you have used the PCM Encoder module to convert a fixed DC voltage (OV) to PCM.
The next part of the experiment lets you see what happens when you vary the DC voltage.

1. Set the Variable Power Supplies two outputs to OV

2. Modify the set-up as shown in Figure below.

Figure 12.3
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3. Determine the code on the PCM Encoder module's output

4. Increase the Variable Power Supplies negative output voltage in -0.1V increments and
note what happens to the binary number on the PCM Encoder module's output.

Question 6
What happens to the binary number as the input voltage increases in the negative
direction?

5. Determine the first instance of the changing negative voltage that produces the number
00000000 on the PCM Encoder module's output

6. Record this voltage in Table 1 below.

Table 1
PCM Encoder’s output code PCM Encoder’s input voltage

00000000

7. Increase the Variable Power Supplies' positive output voltage in +0.1V increments and
note what happens to the binary number on the PCM Encoder module's output.

Question 7
What happens to the binary number as the input voltage increases in the positive
direction?

8. Determine the lowest positive voltage that produces the number 12121212 on the PCM
Encoder module's output.
Table 2
PCM Encoder’s output code PCM Encoder’s input voltage

11111111
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Question 8
Based on the information in Tables 1 & 2, what is the maximum allowable peak-to-peak
voltage for an AC signal on the PCM Encoder module's INPUT?

Question9
Calculate the difference between the PCM Encoder module's quantization levels by
subtracting the values in Tables 1 & 2 and dividing the number by 256 (the number of
codes).

Task 3 PCM encoding of continuously changing voltages

Now let's see what happens when the PCM encoder is used to convert continuously changing
signals like a sinewave. Set the function generator's output frequency to 50kHz.Watch the PCM
Encoder module's output on the scope's display.

Question 10
Why does the code on PCM Encoder module's output change continuously?