Experiment 3 VCO / PLL

3.1 Objective
To operate and identify the main characteristics of the Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO), and the Phase Locked Loop (PLL).

3.2 Basic Information

The VCO is an oscillator whose output frequency is directly related to the voltage at its input. With no input the VCO supplies a signal at its natural (freerunning) frequency. When a signal is applied to the input, the VCO will generate an output whose frequency follows the amplitude of the input in accordance with the applied voltage.

Figure 3.1 Voltage Conrolled Oscillator Although we use sinusoidal signals in our analysis, most commercially available VCO ICs generate square signals. The PLL is an important part of communications systems. Figure 3.2 shows the building blocks of a simple PLL. The Phase Detector is simply a multiplier whose output is related to the product of both its inputs. We shall use simple equations to clarify the operation of the PLL. Let the i/p x(t) be a sinusoid: x(t)= Ax cos(x t+ x) and o/p of the PLL r(t): r(t)= Ar cos(r t+ r ) Figure 3.2 PLL Block Diagram Before applying x(t) to the PLL i/p, the signals x(t) and r(t) will be different, i.e. x r and x r . When x(t) is applied to the PLL, the internal circuitry will drive r(t) to lock on to the frequency and phase of x(t). Under lock condition we get: r(t)= Ar cos( xt+ r ' ) This means that a PLL is a frequency locked loop. As for the phases, we shall find that

 =r ' x = K( fx fy)
Which means that the phase of the output of the PLL does not equal the phase of the input signal, but is a constant whose value depends on the initial difference in frequency between both input and output. When there is no input to the PLL, its VCO will produce a signal at its natural free-running frequency. The PLL can lock onto frequencies within a range called the Lock Range. If a signal, whose frequency is outside the lock range, is applied to the PLL, the PLL cannot lock onto it. The lock range is related to the phase shift between the input and output signals as will be seen in the experimental procedure. The LM566 Voltage Controlled Oscillator IC

This is a general purpose VCO. It can be used to generate square and triangular waves, the frequency of which is a linear function of a controlling voltage. The frequency is also controlled by an external resistor (pin6) and capacitor (pin7), whose values control the free running frequency. Figure 4.3 shows the block diagram of this IC. The output frequency can be found from the formula: fO = K (VCC V5 ) RO C O VCC (Formula 3.1)

where Ro and Co are the resistor and capacitor connected to pins 6 and 7 respectively, and the constant K will be determined in the experimental procedure.

The LM565 Phase Locked Loop IC

This is a general purpose PLL containing a stable VCO and a phase detector. The free running VCO frequency is set by an external resistor and capacitor connected to pins 8 and 9 respectively. The IC can be used for frequency multiplication as well. The free running frequency of the PLL is given by the formula: fO = K RO C O (Formula 3.2)

where Ro and Co are the timing resistor and capacitor connected to pins 8 and 9 respectively.

3.3 Equipment
Power Supply Dual-Trace Oscilloscope Digital Multimeter Function Generator Frequency Counter

3.4 Procedure
Part A- VCO

Figure 3.5 VCO Circuit. 1. Connect the circuit shown in the figure 3.5, with Ro=4.7k. 2. Turn the potentiometer to get lowest value of voltage V5 at pin 5 of the IC. 3. Record the waveform on o/p pin 3 of the IC.

V5 (volt)

4. Change Ro with the values 6.8k, 10k, and 12k. Record the frequency for each resistor. Resistor (k) Frequency(kHz) 4.7 6.8 10 12

5. Reconnect the 4.7k resistor. Change V5 by turning the pot. To get values of 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5, 9.5V. Record the frequency each time. V5 (volt) 5.5 Frequency(kHz) 6.5 7.5 8.5 9.5

6. Plot a graph showing f vs. Both Ro and V5.

7. Use the above graph and formula 3.1 in the introduction to find the constant K. K Part B- PLL

Figure 3.6 PLL Circuit. 1. Build the circuit in figure 3.6. Do not connect the 10k potentiometer to the IC. 2. Connect the oscilloscope ch1 to pin 4 (VCO o/p). Record the natural (free running) signal of the PLL. fnatural (kHz)

3. From the measured natural frequency of the PLL and formula 3.2 in the introduction find the constant K. K

4. Use a dc voltmeter to record V7 (voltage at pin 7). V7 (volt) 5. Connect the pot. to pin 7. 6. Adjust V7 and record f for the voltages below and. V7 (volt) 8.5 Frequency(kHz) 8.0 7.5 7.0 6.5 6.0

7. Disconnect and remove the voltmeter and pot. from the circuit. 8. Set the function generator to a 5Vp-p square wave at the natural frequency, and connect to the i/p of the IC. Record both input and output on the oscilloscope on the same graph.

9. Reduce the function generator frequency in steps of 5kHz. Record the phase shift for each step. Repeat until lock is lost. Frequency (kHz) Phase Shift

Loss

10.What are the frequency and phase shift immediately before lock is lost? 11.Repeat steps 8 thru 10, but in increasing steps of 5kHz. Frequency (kHz) Phase Shift 12.What is the lock range of the PLL? Minimum Frequency (kHz) Maximum Frequency (kHz)

Loss