COMMUNICATIONS 2

LABORATORY
WEDNESDAY, 5:00 PM-8:50 PM
EXPERIMENT NO.: 7
EXPERIMENT TITLE: Linear PCM

GROUP NO.: 1

TIME OF
ATTENDANCE MEMBERS SIGNATURE GRADE
COMPLETION
Experiment
Executioner /
Present Barbacina, Lyndone
Documentation /
Leader
Absent Cadorna, Glenn
Experiment
Present de Vera, Airell Francis Executioner /
Documentation
Drawing of
Present Mariano, Bryle Miguel Graphs /
Documentation
Drawing of
Present Morden, Lian Shane Graphs /
Documentation
Drawing of
Late H-Zainal, Alraji Graphs /
Documentation

DOP: November 6, 2024 Remarks:

DOS: November 13, 2024

BERNADETH B. ZARI, PECE

INSTRUCTOR
 ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
Digital Communications Laboratory Manual
ACTIVITY 7: Linear PCM

7.1 Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Activity

a. ability to apply knowledge of mathematics and science to solve engineering problems
b. ability to design and conduct fieldworks, as well as to analyse and interpret data
c. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams

7.2 Activity’s Intended Learning Outcomes (AILOs)

At the end of this activity, the student shall be able to:
a. identify instruments and accessories that are essential in PCM
b. generate linear PCM
c. evaluate the precision of the experiment conducted

7.3 Objectives of the Activity

The objectives of this activity are to:
a. Describe the characteristics of Linear PCM Quantization.
b. Determine the 8-bit linear PCM code for different sample voltages.
c. Sketch the characteristic curve of linear PCM code.

7.4 Principle of the Activity

LINEAR PULSE CODE MODULATION

Pulse code modulation is the process of transmitting analog information in digital form,
which involves sampling the analog signal and converting the sampled to a digital number. The
analog signal is sampled and converted to a fixed-length, serial binary number for transmission.
The binary number varies according to the amplitude of the analog signal.

The three steps to produce PCM are:

1. Sampling
2. Quantization
3. Encoding
7.5 Discussion
Linear PCM is the foundation of many audio and communication systems due to
its ability to preserve signal integrity even after multiple transmission steps. Linear PCM
allows for high-quality sound reproduction in digital audio applications such as CDs
because each audio sample is converted into an exact digital representation. PCM is
especially crucial in telecommunications because it converts audio impulses into digital
representation, enabling multiplexing—the process of carrying numerous calls over a
single channel without interference.

The precision of the digital signal can be increased by employing more quantization
levels and sampling at greater rates, but doing so also uses more bandwidth and storage.
Professional audio uses larger bit depths, such as 24-bit PCM, to obtain greater dynamic
range; this is an example of how PCM is a balance between quality and resource usage.
Different PCM settings are made to meet the needs of each application because increasing
bit depth and sampling rate also results in larger files.

In contrast to digital audio files, which frequently use 44.1 kHz or higher with at
least 16-bit depth for music fidelity, telephone systems usually employ an 8 kHz sample
rate with 8-bit quantization, which is enough for speaker clarity. Because of its simple
structure, linear PCM can be encoded, decoded, and processed with relative ease. As a
result, it is compatible with a large number of devices and software platforms. Furthermore,
PCM is perfect for preservation applications because it does not require complicated
compression, meaning that the signal quality is maintained even after many cycles of
encoding and decoding.
 However, because PCM files can be rather large when uncompressed, one
drawback of PCM is its inefficiency with regard to data size. Compressed formats, such
MP3 and AAC, were created as a result, and they minimize file size by eliminating specific
audio information while preserving a respectable level of sound quality. PCM is still
preferred in high-fidelity audio applications where maintaining every detail is crucial,
despite this.

7.5.1 Materials/Equipment/Modules

1 unit Function Generator

3 units DMM
1 set Connecting wires
PCM Modulator, PCM Demodulator
1 unit Power supply

7.6 Circuit Diagrams / Figures

7.7 Procedure/s
1. Connect the figure shown below.
2. By pressing the MODE button several times switch to the operating mode: PCM,
LINEAR QUANTIZATION (recognizable when the appropriate LEDs light up).
3. Enable all of the bits. For this, press the push button SELECT until all (red) LEDs on
The PCM modulator indicates ACTIVE. Feed in a triangular signal into the PCM
modulator with VM = 5Vrms and fM = 50Hz and to display this on the x-axis of the
oscilloscope.

NOTE: The toggle switch on the PCM demodulator must be set to CH2.
 4. Set to -9 V on the stage potentiometer. Alternately measure VIN and VOUT using the
multimeter and note down the voltage together with the binary coded bit sequence of
the PCM modulator in Table 1. The bit sequence is displayed by LEDs whereby the
least significant bit (LSB) is at the top.
5. Now increase the input voltage VIN in the steps of the approximate value of 1V and
repeat the recording of the measurement value until the upper modulation limit the
PCM modulator is reached.
6. Measure VIN and VOUT both at the transmitting and receiving end.
7. Display the curve of VIN versus VOUT as a quantization characteristic in
Diagram 1 and 2.

7.8 Experiment Set-up:

7.8.1 Data and Results:

TABLE 1: LINEAR QUANTIZATION CHARACTERISTIC: PCM MODULATOR

VDC(V) VOUT(V) - Tx
-9 -9.78 V
-8 -9.55 V
-7 -9.31 V
-6 -9.07 V
-5 -8.84 V
-4 -8.29 V
-3 -7.82 V
-2 -7.04 V
-1 -5.79 V
0 -4.31 V
1 5.66 V
2 6.90 V
3 7.68 V
4 8.15 V
5 8.70 V
6 8.93 V
7 9.17 V
8 9.64 V
9 9.50 V

Diagram 1 – Linear Quantization Characteristic (Transmitter)

Vdc(V) versus output voltage Vout-Tx(V)

LINEAR QUANTIZATION CHARACTERISTIC: PCM DEMODULATOR OUTPUT

VDC(V) VOUT(V) Rx PCM Code

-9 -8.92 V 10111110
-8 -7.98 V 01011110
-7 -7.04 V 11101110
-6 -6.10 V 00101110
-5 -5.16 V 10001110
-4 -3.99 V 01010110
-3 -3.05 V 00100110
-2 -1.99 V 01011010
-1 -1.02 V 11010010
0 -0.428 V 01101100
1 0.983 V 10010011
2 1.977 V 10011011
3 3.031 V 11000111
4 3.967 V 10010111
5 5.15 V 00001111
6 6.09 V 11001111
7 7.03 V 01101111
8 7.96 V 10011111
9 8.91 V 00111111

Vout-Tx(V) versus output voltage Vout-Rx(V)

7.8.2 Question/s:

1. Define Pulse Code Modulation.

- Is a method of digitally representing analog signals. It entails quantizing the signal
samples into discrete values and sampling the signal at predetermined intervals. Binary
encoding is subsequently applied to these values for digital transmission or storage.
is a method of digitally representing analog signals. It entails quantizing the signal
samples into discrete values and sampling the signal at predetermined intervals. Binary
encoding is subsequently applied to these values for digital transmission or storage.

2. What are the steps to convert a signal from analog to digital?

- The process of converting an analog signal to digital starts with sampling, in which
discrete points are captured by measuring the signal at regular intervals. Then, a little
quantization error is introduced as each sample is quantized to the closest value in a
collection of discrete levels. Ultimately, each quantization level is transformed into
binary during the encoding process, producing a digital representation that may be sent or
stored.

3. Determine the 12-bit linear sign magnitude PCM for the following analog sample
voltages for a resolution of 0.01V:
a. +0.25 V = 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1
b. -2.56 V = 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
c. -10.23 V = 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

4. Enumerate and explain at least 2 applications of linear PCM.

Audio Recording and Playback
- Linear PCM is commonly used in digital audio recording, such as on CDs, where
sound is sampled at high speeds to capture detailed audio. By converting sound into
binary data, it preserves audio quality and simplifies digital storage and playback.
This makes it ideal for high-fidelity music reproduction and giving listeners a clear,
rich sound experience.

Telecommunication Systems
- Linear PCM is also used in telecommunication to convert voice signals into digital
data that can be transmitted over networks. Voice digitization produces more
consistent and clearer audio during phone conversations by lessening the signals'
vulnerability to noise. This is necessary to maintain quality in long-distance and
mobile communication.
7.8.3 Solution/s:

0.25𝑉
= 25 = 1101
0.01𝑉

12-bit linear code:

With 6 leading 0’s
100000011001
ABCD
−2.56𝑉
= −256 = 100000000
0.01𝑉

12-bit linear code:

With 2 leading 0’s
000100000000
ABCD
−10.23𝑉
= −1023 = 1111111111
0.01𝑉

12-bit linear code:

With 2 leading 0’s
0001111111111
ABCD

7.8.4. Analysis:

The data provided offers insights into the linear quantization characteristics of a PCM
modulator and demodulator. In the PCM modulator, the output voltage (VOUT) at the
transmitter generally increases with the input DC voltage (VDC), but there are minor nonlinear
deviations as VDC changes, indicating slight non-linearity in the modulation process. In the
PCM demodulator, the output voltages (VOUT) show a similar trend but deviate from those in
the modulator, suggesting some quantization error—an expected outcome in digital-to-analog
conversion where the quantization process introduces slight inaccuracies. Both tables reveal that
VOUT does not increase linearly with VDC, especially at extreme values (VDC of ±9), which
may be due to limitations in the analog circuitry or the specific quantization levels set by the
PCM system. Furthermore, the PCM demodulator data shows the binary PCM code associated
with each VDC input. The code is generally consistent, with the most significant bit (MSB)
correctly changing with the sign of VDC as expected in a linear quantization scheme. However,
there is an asymmetry in the system’s response to positive and negative inputs, as VOUT values
vary for corresponding positive and negative VDC levels, likely due to an offset or bias in the
circuitry. In summary, the PCM modulation and demodulation system achieves an approximate
linear quantization characteristic, though non-linear deviations and quantization errors are
present. This analysis suggests areas for improvement, such as investigating the sources of
nonlinearity and quantization error, to enhance system accuracy and performance.

7.8.4 Conclusion/s:

The experiment effectively demonstrated the principles of Linear Pulse Code Modulation
(PCM), showing how analog signals can be converted into digital form through the steps of
sampling, quantization, and encoding. By examining the linear quantization characteristics, the
experiment provided insights into how different input voltages (VDC) are represented as
corresponding 8-bit PCM codes. Observations from both the modulator and demodulator tables
revealed the impact of signal amplitude on the transmitted and received voltages, illustrating the
relationship between input signals and their digital representations. The analysis also highlighted
the characteristic curve of linear PCM, confirming the linear correlation between sampled voltages
and their encoded binary values. Calculating the 8-bit PCM codes for various sample voltages
demonstrated the method’s reliability in representing analog data digitally. The experiment also
showed that quantization introduces minor variations between transmitted and received voltages
due to inherent quantization errors, a common occurrence in lower-resolution PCM systems. In
summary, this activity provided a comprehensive understanding of PCM’s role in digital
transmission and its effectiveness in digitally representing analog signals, while also
acknowledging the potential for error reduction with higher-resolution systems or alternative
quantization approaches.