DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING

ELECTRICAL POWER, COMPUTER & TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTION

Higher College of Technology, P O BOX 74, AL-KHUWAIR, CODE 133 ( 24473600 fax 24485364

EETE 2210 P
Telecommunications 1 - Practical

Experiment No. 3

AMPLITUDE DEMODULATION

Name

ID# Specializatio
n

Prepared by Richel N. Robles

References: EV Analog Mod. Manual, Principles of Electronic Communication Systems by Louis E. Frenzel
 Diploma Level
Experiment # 3 – Amplitude Demodulation EETE 2210 P

OBJECTIVES
a. To examine the operation of the envelope detector.
b. To check the distortions of the detected signal: ripple and distortion by diagonal
cutting.
c. To measure the detection efficiency.
d. To analyze the operation of the AM synchronous detector.

MATERIALS
1- oscilloscope & 2 - probes
1- calculator
10- connecting wires
1- T10 A, T10 B, T10 C EV Modules
1- power supply ± 12V dc

BRIEF THEORY
Demodulators, or detectors, are circuits that accept modulated signals and recover the original
modulating information. The demodulator circuit is the key circuit in any radio receiver. In fact,
demodulator circuits can be used alone as simple radio receivers.

Envelope Detector
The extraction of the modulating signal from an AM signal can be carried out using an
envelope detector. The most common envelope detector consists in a diode followed by an RC
filter (fig.3.2). The amplitude of the carrier is variable & by properly choosing R and C, output of
the detector can be reproduced.

figure 3.1 AM Signal figure 3.2 Envelope Detector or Diode Detector Circuit

Distortions of the Detected Signal

Prepared by Richel N. Robles Department of Engineering – ECT Section

2 References: EV Analog Mod. Manual, Principles of Electronic Communication Systems by Louis E. Frenzel
 Diploma Level
Experiment # 3 – Amplitude Demodulation EETE 2210 P

The demodulated signal can have two kinds of distortions:

 if the time constant R.C is too small in respect to the period of the carrier, the
envelope is approximated to a waveform affected by ripple ( fig. 3.3)
 if the time constant R.C is too high in respect to the period of the modulating signal,
the detected signal always follows the behavior of the envelope, but sometimes it takes
an exponential decreasing law (distortion by diagonal cutting, fig.3.4).
.

figure 3.3 Ripple figure 3.4 Distortion by diagonal cutting

Detection Efficiency
The efficiency n of the diode envelope detector is defined as the ratio between the amplitude of
the output signal of the detector and the amplitude of the envelope of the input AM signal. The
efficiency n practically depends on the ratio between R and the differential resistance r d of the
diode.

Last considerations on the choice of R•C in the envelope detector

 To obtain a high detection efficiency the resistance R must be much higher than the differential
resistance rd of the diode (R»rd) to minimize the ripple in the detected signal the product R·C
must be much higher than the period T of the carrier (R·C»T)
 To avoid distortion by diagonal cutting the product R.C must be smaller or equal to a value
which depends on the modulating frequency and the modulation index.

Synchronous AM Detector
Also known as Coherent AM Detector, the signal modulated in amplitude is mixed to a
coherent, carrier signal and the result then passes across a low pass filter which supplies the
desired demodulated signal.

Prepared by Richel N. Robles Department of Engineering – ECT Section

3 References: EV Analog Mod. Manual, Principles of Electronic Communication Systems by Louis E. Frenzel
 Diploma Level
Experiment # 3 – Amplitude Demodulation EETE 2210 P

PROCEDURE
1. Carry out the connections below.

figure 3.5 Diode detector circuit – wiring connections

2. Insert the following jumpers in the module T10C: J3, J5, J6, J9, J10 and J12.
3. Connect the indicated supply voltage for the 3 modules. Turn ON the ±12V power.
4. Carry out the following presetting: Use oscilloscope to obtain exact values.
a.FUNCTION GENERATOR: sine (J1); LEVEL = 0.5 Vpp; FREQ. = 1 kHz
b. VCO2: LEVEL about 200mVpp; FREQ. about 450 kHz
c. BALANCED MODULATOR 1: CARRIER NULL – maximum; OUT LEVEL – adjust to
obtain an AM signal with amplitude of about l5mVpp
DATA & RESULTS
I. Use oscilloscope to determine the exact waveform of the AM signal (test point 3) at the Balanced
Modulator 1.

Amplitude Vpp = _________

Prepared by Richel N. Robles Department of Engineering – ECT Section

4 References: EV Analog Mod. Manual, Principles of Electronic Communication Systems by Louis E. Frenzel
 Diploma Level
Experiment # 3 – Amplitude Demodulation EETE 2210 P

Settings:

Volt/div = ________________

Time/ div = _______________

TP 3 ( T10B)

II. Use the oscilloscope channel 1 and 2 Dual Mode: to observe the signal before and after the
detector diode (points 15 and 17). Draw the observed signal.

Channel 1 Settings: 0.2 ms/div, 0.5 V/div Channel 2

TP 15 (T10 C) before the detector diode TP 17 (T10 C) after the detector diode

Vpp = _________________ Vpp=_________________

Observation: From page 5-II waveforms, describe the behavior of the detected signal with respect
to the AM signal envelope.
a. The detected signal is completely different with the AM signal envelope.
b. The detected signal is very small compared to the AM signal envelope.
Prepared by Richel N. Robles Department of Engineering – ECT Section
5 References: EV Analog Mod. Manual, Principles of Electronic Communication Systems by Louis E. Frenzel
 Diploma Level
Experiment # 3 – Amplitude Demodulation EETE 2210 P

c. The detected signal follows the behavior of the AM signal

d. There is no detected signal

III. Compute for the Revelation Efficiency. Show your solution.

IV. Effect of the Time Constant RC

1. The values of R and C connected after the detector diode are respectively R7=22K and
C7=4.7nF. Keep the dual oscilloscope connected to 15 and 17 and change the frequency
of the modulating signal to 10 kHz. What can you observe at the output 17 (detected
signal)?
a. Ripple is observed.
b. There is diagonal cutting distortion on the detected signal.
c. There is no effect.
d. There is no detected signal at the output.

2. Decrease the modulation depth (by reducing the amplitude of the modulating signal).
Check the detected signal.
a. The detected signal is completely different with the AM signal envelope.
b. The detected signal is very small compared to the AM signal envelope.
c. The detected signal follows the behavior of the AM signal.
d. There is no detected signal.

3. Take the modulation depth to about 50% and change C7 (4.7nF) with C6 (1nF). What can
you observe at the output?
a. The diagonal cutting distortion increases, the ripple decreases.
b. The diagonal cutting distortion decreases, the ripple increases.
c. There is no detected signal.

Prepared by Richel N. Robles Department of Engineering – ECT Section

6 References: EV Analog Mod. Manual, Principles of Electronic Communication Systems by Louis E. Frenzel
 Diploma Level
Experiment # 3 – Amplitude Demodulation EETE 2210 P

d. There is no change

V. Synchronous AM Detector
1. Carry out the connections below.

2. Carry out the following presetting: Use oscilloscope to obtain exact values.
i. FUNCTION GENERATOR: sine (J1); LEVEL = 0.5 V pp; FREQ. = 10 kHz
ii. VCO2: LEVEL about 1Vpp; FREQ. about 450 kHz
iii. BALANCED MODULATOR 1: CARRIER NULL – maximum; OUT LEVEL – central
position
iv. BALANCED MODULATOR 2: CARRIER NULL – central position ( so that the circuit
operates as frequency converter ; OUT LEVEL – central position
v. Use the oscilloscope channel 1 and 2, ( Dual Mode), to observe the signal at input of the
demodulator TP 16 ( balanced Modulator 2) & 17 (output)

Channel 1 Settings: 0.2 ms/div, 50 mV/div Channel 2

TP 16 (T10 B) INPUT TP 17 (T10 B) OUTPUT

Prepared by Richel N. Robles Department of Engineering – ECT Section

7 References: EV Analog Mod. Manual, Principles of Electronic Communication Systems by Louis E. Frenzel
 Diploma Level
Experiment # 3 – Amplitude Demodulation EETE 2210 P

Vpp =

_________________
Vpp=_________________
vi. The waveform detected across the output is the result of the product between the AM
signal and the carrier. What is the frequency of the signal at the OUTPUT?
________________________
vii. What is the carrier frequency of the demodulator?_____________________
viii. What is the modulating signal frequency of the demodulator?_______________
ix. What is the output frequency of the low-pass filter? _________________
x. Use the oscilloscope channel 1 and 2, (Dual Mode), to observe the signal at input of the
demodulator TP 16 (balanced Modulator 2) & 17 (output). Increase the modulation depth
of the AM signal. What can you observe at the output?
a. There is ripple.
b. Distortion by diagonal cutting is observed.
c. There is no diagonal cutting distortion.
d. There is no ripple.
Laboratory Grading System
Basis Mark
Total Laboratory Mark 30
Final Practical Exam 15
Laboratory Experiments 15

Prepared by Richel N. Robles Department of Engineering – ECT Section

8 References: EV Analog Mod. Manual, Principles of Electronic Communication Systems by Louis E. Frenzel
 Diploma Level
Experiment # 3 – Amplitude Demodulation EETE 2210 P

Evaluation of Laboratory Experiments

Outcome Basis Maximum Mark Marks Obtained

Questions 3

Accuracy of Data & Results 8

Neatness of the Lab Sheet 1

Promptness 3

TOTAL 15

To be filled-up and signed by the Lab Instructor as proof of student’s performance and completion of experiment.

Date Performed: ________________________________________

Date Completed: ________________________________________

Date Submitted: ________________________________________

Note:
 Experiment should be accomplished on a 2-hour session only. Failure to complete will reflect deductions on above
“Promptness” Outcome Basis.
 Laboratory papers are accepted until the day before next class. Failure to submit will reflect “0” on above “Promptness”
Outcome Basis.
 Use black or blue pen only. Deduction will be imposed for not following instructions.
 During absence, only those with valid reasons are allowed to repeat the experiment.

Prepared by Richel N. Robles Department of Engineering – ECT Section

9 References: EV Analog Mod. Manual, Principles of Electronic Communication Systems by Louis E. Frenzel