Acknowledgement

We express our gratitude to Mr. Idris Bholebawa for supporting & guiding us through
the completion of this project. We appreciate the patience & understanding he has shown us
till the very end.
We are also very grateful to our Lab Assistant who gave us valuable information
regarding quality-components & where to get the best buy. His help has made this project
efficient in both cost and outcome.
We also acknowledge the advice and guidance given to us by our friends and
classmates.
Thank You.
Parth Tirkar (U10EC013)
Bhoomika Gupta (U10EC014)
Aditi Prasad (U10EC018)
Anamika Sahu (U10EC064)

Abstract
Pulse Amplitude Modulation is a form of signal modulation where the message
information is encoded in the amplitude of a series of signal pulses. These signal pulses can be
impulses (Ideal sampling) or square wave (either flat-top or Natural sampling). Our projects
aim is to implement a circuit that can faithfully perform Double-Polarity or Bipolar pulse
amplitude modulation in Natural sampling mode.
The circuit performs Bipolar PAM i.e. the input signal can be unipolar (either positive
or negative) or bipolar (both positive and negative), and the circuit will faithfully modulate
both kinds of message signal. The PAM signal generated is in the naturally-sampled mode i.e.
the output follows the modulating input signal for the whole ON time of the sampling pulse &
zero is transmitted during the OFF time of the pulse. It finds its applications largely in field of
communication networks.

ii

List of Contents
List of Figures

iv

List of Tables

1. Introduction
1.1
1.2

Motivation 1
Report Summary.. 1

2. Literature Survey
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5

Pulse modulation techniques..

Timer I.C. 555.
Operational Amplifiers Characteristics.
Switching of Semiconductor devices..
Methods of Noise Reduction in Output

3. Design & Working Principle

3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6

Block Diagram..
Summarized working
Sampling pulse generation
Sampling pulse inversion.
Bilateral Switch Network.
Summing Network

4. Circuit Diagram
4.1
4.2

4
4
5
5
6
8
11

Final Circuit Design. 11

PCB Circuit.. 12

5. Testing
5.1
5.2

2
2
2
3
3

15

Observations . 15
Output & Input Specifications.. 17

6. Conclusion

18

7. Future Scope

19

Appendix 1 NE555N Datasheet

21

Appendix 2 LF351N Datasheet

25

Appendix 3 BC547 Datasheet

27

Appendix 4 BC557 Datasheet

29

References

31
iii

List of Figures

Fig 3.1: Block Diagram of circuit implementing Natural Bipolar PAM. 4

Fig 3.2: An implementation of Bilateral Switch Network................ 7
Fig 3.3: Operational amplifier configured in summing mode. 9
Fig 4.1: Circuit diagram for Bipolar PAM in Natural Sampling mode.. 11
Fig 4.2: PCB Layout designed for the circuit using ExpressPCB.. 13
Fig 4.3: Component Layout Diagram (more commonly called Silkscreen layer) for the PCB
Layout designed above.. 13
Fig 4.4: PCB circuit ( Top View) 14
Fig 4.5: PCB Circuit: Bottom view (Copper Layer)... 14
Fig 5.1: Sampling pulse obtained at the output of NE555.. 15
Fig 5.2: Inverted Sampling pulse obtained at the output of inverting op-amp LF351N

15

Fig 5.3: Input = Sine wave of frequency 1.504 kHz and Pk-Pk Voltage = 7.2 V and Output =
Corresponding Naturally sampled PAM.. 15
Fig 5.4: Input = Sine wave of frequency 1.504 kHz and Pk-Pk Voltage = 7.04 V and Output =
Corresponding Naturally sampled PAM.. 15
Fig 5.5: Input = Triangular wave of frequency 801 Hz and Pk-Pk Voltage = 6.72 V and
Output = Corresponding Naturally sampled PAM.. 16
Fig 5.6: 10 cycles shown for the output in Fig 5.5

16

Fig 5.7: Input = Square wave of frequency 5 kHz and Pk-Pk Voltage = 7.04 V and Output =
Corresponding Naturally sampled PAM.. 16
Fig 5.8: Input = Sine wave of frequency 3 kHz and Pk-Pk Voltage = 7.2 V and Output =
Corresponding Naturally sampled PAM. 16
Fig 5.9: Input = Sine wave of frequency 5 kHz and Pk-Pk Voltage = 7.04 V and Output =
Corresponding Naturally sampled PAM.. 16
Fig 5.10: Input = Square wave of frequency 1 kHz and Pk-Pk Voltage = 6.7 V and Output =
Corresponding Naturally sampled PAM. 16
Fig 7.1: Channel TDM-PAM Transmitter and Receiver. 19

iv

List of Tables
Table 4.1: Circuit Components' Function and Description 12
Table 5.1: Circuit Specifications. 17

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1

Motivation

The present mobile system uses GSM technology whose basic working depends upon
Time Division Multiplexing (TDM). In TDM we basically multiplex various pulse modulated
signals which are further shared on time slots basis. These multiplexed signals are generally
PAM signals. Thus generating TDM was the main motive of the project but since it is a very
tedious job (as well as costly) which requires multiple similar circuits so we decided to work
on the basic level and decided on implementing PAM.

1.2

Report Summary

The progress of the report ahead is briefly described below;

Chapter 2: Literature Survey
This chapter describes the various components used in the circuit of the project and their uses
in brief.
Chapter 3: Working and Basic Principle
This chapter explains the detailed principle and working of the project. It describes how
various components were selected through calculations to get the best possible output.
Chapter 4: Circuit Diagram
This chapter gives the circuit diagram of the project and its related PCB layout of both first
and second layer.
Chapter 5: Testing
It describes the testing of circuit practically on hardware. The waveforms observed along
with the results obtained from the circuit are discussed.
Chapter 6: Conclusion
The conclusions we came upon after finally designing and implementing the circuit are
described here.
Chapter 7: Future Scope
This describes the various applications, extensions and usage of PAM. It also shows how the
present circuit can be modified for the implementation of other projects.

Chapter 2: Literature Survey

The following topics were studied in detail in association with the project and the best
methods to implement the circuit were arrived upon them.

2.1

Pulse Modulation techniques

Various methods of generating a pulse modulated signal are available like PWM
(Pulse Width modulation), PPM (Pulse Position Modulation), PAM (Pulse Amplitude
Modulation) and PCM (Pulse Code Modulation). We went with the most common and logical
pulse modulation technique that comes to mind when talking about sampling i.e. PAM.
Although the immunity to noise is not very high, but the circuitry is quite simple and thus for
less accurate and cheap alternative, PAM should be implemented.
Natural sampling is one of the ways of implementing PAM. In this, for the whole ON
period of the pulse the shape of input signal is followed.
While coming up with the ways of implementing PAM, we found several ready-made
designs for implementing unipolar or single-polarity PAM (wherein a suitable fixed DC bias
is added to the signal to ensure that all the pulses are positive) and none for Bipolar or
Double-polarity PAM (in this the pulses are both positive and negative). And thus we decided
to design a circuit that performs Bipolar PAM in natural sampling mode.

2.2

Timer I.C. 555

For performing PAM on a message signal, the first and foremost thing that should be
generated is the sampling pulse train. Since, we are doing natural sampling the pulses should
be 50 % duty cycle square waves. For this we chose to resort to the most common method i.e.
using 555 timer.
Various modes of 555 timer were studied in detail and the astable mode clearly came
out as a logical choice to generate the sampling pulse, since it does not require any trigger and
the circuitry is quite simple. Also, it can work for a wide range of Vcc i.e. 5 V to 18 V
(Appendix 1), which is in tune with the op-amp I.C. LF351N that we will be using that
requires Vcc of 15 V (Appendix 2). So, the need of separate supplies for different I.C.s is
eliminated.

2.3

Op-amp Characteristics

The operational amplifier forms an integral part of the circuit and thus its
characteristics like slew rate, internal offset parameters, operation in inverting mode and
summing mode, linear and non-linear regions of operations were studied in detail, to choose
the op-amp I.C. best suited for our circuit and to design it in such a way that wed get the most
precise output possible.
2

Slew rate and input voltage range of the op-amp played an important role in the
selection of the I.C. Since, we were going to use a sampling pulse of frequency above 10 kHz
whose voltage could switch to even 15 Volts, the most common I.C. 741 op amp would not
have worked since its slew rate is a meager 0.5 Volts/s.

2.4

Switching of semiconductor devices

We would be dealing with a sampling pulse of frequency greater than 10 kHz. This
warrants the use of semiconductor devices that can switch without distortion at high
frequency. For this the diodes and the transistors should have good switching properties at
high frequencies, the op-amps should have high slew rate. Several datasheets were referred to
find the best match for components high frequency switching networks.
Bilateral switching networks were also studied in detail, since our aim was to generate
bipolar PAM. A bilateral switch network is one which is able to switch both negative and
positive signals. Some I.C.s like CD4016, CD4066 and similar ones were studied in detail to
comprehend their internal working. Most of these use CMOS switching circuits that involve
the use of n-channel as well as p-channel MOSFETs. Since p-channel MOSFETs are not
readily available locally, the effectiveness of MOSFETs and BJTs as a high-frequency switch
was compared thoroughly.

2.5

Methods of Noise reduction in output

When we consider switching circuits using op-amp noise always comes into picture.
Thus, methods of noise reduction were studied and researched in detail. Several methods were
adopted on their basis like use of diodes to compensate voltage drops, loading series resistor
in final op-amp, choosing the right slew rate op-amp and transistors that can switch at high
speed without give unnecessary voltage drops.
Some characteristics of precision and compensated op-amp were also referred to come
up with some methods to reduce offset generated in op-amps and to make up for the practical
absence of infinite slew-rate in any op-amp. Thus, we were able to isolate the op-amp from
the output to reduce the effect of loading.

Chapter 3: Design & Working Principle

3.1

Block Diagram
Modulating input
To collectors of transistors

Positive
Sampling pulse
generator (I.C.
555)

To base of NPN
NPN

To base of PNP

Sampling pulse
inverter Negative
pulses (I.C. LF351N)

PNP
N

From collector terminal of

each transistor

Bilateral
Switch network
consisting of
complementary
transistors
BC547 and
BC557

Summing
network (I.C.
LF351N)

Final PAM
output

Fig 3.1: Block Diagram of circuit implementing Natural Bipolar PAM

3.2

Summarized working

The basic working of the circuit can be summarized as below:

The 555 timer is designed to work in astable mode to generate a sampling pulse i.e.
square wave in this case.
Op-amp I.C. LF351 inverts the sampling pulse generated and feeds it to the base of the
pnp transistor BC557, thus making the switch network bilateral.
The positive and negative pulses produced by the 555 and the op-amp respectively are
used to operate the bilateral switch network designed using a combination of npn and pnp
transistors BC547 and BC557 respectively.

The collector of the transistors are given the message signal or the modulating signal as
input and their bases are given the sampling pulse or carrier signal as input. The
transistors are designed to operate only in the cut-off (OFF mode) and saturation (ON
mode) regions.
The outputs of both transistors are added using a summing network consisting of another
op-amp I.C. LF351. The output from this op-amp gives the ultimate desired bipolar PAM
signal.

3.3

Sampling Pulse Generation

The 555 timer is designed in astable mode to generate the positive sampling pulse with
specifications as follows:
Duty cycle

= 50 %

Voltage levels = 15 V (ON) and 0 V (OFF)

Frequency

= 15.4 kHz

Pulse width

= 32.46 s (ON time)

Though, the practical frequency might be a little more or less than this theoretical
value, due to the resistance of diode connected for the astable mode.
Design:
Frequency of sampling pulse required: 15 kHz
Thus,

1.45
( + )

= 15 103 ;

And for 50 % duty cycle, =

Assuming C = 10 nF, the values of resistors calculated are = = 4.8 k

Taking standard value of resistors, = = 4.7 k
General purpose switching diode IN4007 is connected in parallel with to generate the 50%
duty cycle square wave.

3.4

Sampling Pulse Inversion

Since, the 555 timer can only generate positive sampling pulses; we needed to design
an inverting network that could generate negative sampling pulses that have the ability to turn
on the pnp transistor for the sampling of modulating input in its negative half.
For achieving this, op amp I.C. LF351N has been designed in the inverting mode. This
op-amp provides a direct replacement for I.C. 741 while at the same it compensates for the

latters drawback of low speed / low slew-rate. LF351N has a high slew rate of 13 Volts/s.
(Appendix 2).
Design:
To decide on the op-amp I.C. to be used, the minimum slew rate was calculated first.
Slew rate is a large signal phenomenon where a large signal is one whose amplitude is
comparable with the power supply. The change in voltage levels in the sampling pulse is from
0 to 15 Volts. This change occurs almost instantaneously, thus slew rate should be as high as
possible. Ideally it should be infinite, however, faster slew rate op-amps are sometimes
characterized by overshoot and ringing, which cause the output to take longer to reach a
steady state than with slower slew rate op-amps. For this reason settling time is another
important parameter that should be considered to have a perfect output and thus a solution that
balances both issues had to be reached.
Thus, V = 15 Volts.
Pulse width, T = 32.46 s
Ideally the rise time is zero for an ideal square wave but to atleast get one sample in
one ON period, a rise time almost equal to the pulse width can be endured.
Hence, Minimum slew rate required =

= 0.46 Volts/ s

LF351N has a slew rate of 13 V/ s. Thus it gives a rise time of about T/28 s which
is still not anything compared to zero rise time, but can still be endured. Also, the unit gain
bandwidth of this op amp is 4 MHz, which improves the result for small-signal input when
sampled at high frequencies.
Op-amps designed specifically for A/D converter or D/A converters could be used but
then the cost of the project would have increased.
R1 and Rf connected to the inverting pin of the op-amp should be equal, to invert the
sampling pulse without any gain or scaling. Thus, R1 and Rf are randomly selected to be 1 k.
To minimize the input offset current in the op-amp, resistance ROM = R1Rf = 500 is
connected to the non-inverting pin of the op-amp.

3.5

Bilateral Switch network

The control signal that operates a bilateral switch can have both polarities i.e. either a
negative or a positive pulse can switch on the network and the network is switched off at zero
pulse. Other combinations can also be made, but this is the one which has been used in our
case. General purpose complementary transistors i.e. npn BC547 and pnp BC557 have
been used to design the bilateral switch instead of MOSFETs as the BJTs are readily
available.
6

MESSAGE INPUT
D1
IN4007

D2
IN4007

Rc
Positive
sampling
pulse

Rc

Q1
BC547
Rb

Fig 3.2: An implementation of

Bilateral Switch Network

RL

Rb

Q2
BC557

RL

Output
Negative
Sampling
pulse

3.5.1 Working during positive half of input signal

For positive half of signal the main role is played by the npn-transistor. The input
coming to the collector is rectified using diode so that only positive half of the message signal
is received. When the positive level of sampling pulse (ON period) is encountered the Q1
transistor goes into saturation, since input at base is quite large compared to 0.7 V required to
switch ON the transistor. Thus the collector and emitter of Q1 get shorted and at the collector
terminal zero output is received.
When the zero level of sampling pulse (OFF period) is encountered, Q1 goes into cutoff, and the collector of Q1 becomes open circuit. The voltage at Q1 for this period follows
the input.

3.5.2 Working during positive half of input signal

For negative half of signal the main role is played by the pnp-transistor. The input
coming to the collector is rectified using diode so that only negative half of the message signal
is received. To switch on the transistor (saturation region), a negative voltage of magnitude
greater than 0.7 Volts is required and thus negative sampling pulse using the op-amp in
inverting mode are given as input to the base of the transistor. Rest of the operation is similar
to the positive half, just the polarities are reversed.

3.5.3 Role of diodes at collector

The switching network would still perform its basic operation if the input was directly
given to the collectors of the transistor without connecting the diodes. These diodes besides
rectifying, work as voltage compensators. In actual, during the saturation period of the
transistor the voltage at collector is not exactly equal to zero, since there is ( ) drop of
7

around 0.3 Volts (Appendices 3 & 4) is still there which can be neglected in usual cases but
here they can produce significant error for small amplitudes in the message signal. To
compensate this voltage drop the diode IN4007 is connected at the collector which has a low
forward voltage drop of around 0.4 Volts which can lower the error significantly.

3.5.4 Output stage

The outputs at the collectors of both transistors are given to a summing network
described below, which combines PAM output of positive and negative halves to produce the
final output.

3.5.5 Design
The transistors are designed basically as a switch, so that they will only work in the
saturation and cut-off regions.
Base resistor is chosen such that the base voltage VB obtained is greater than
( ) = 0.7 Volts. The timer 555 outputs a maximum current of 200 mA when output is 15
Volts. So,
( ) =

15 0.7
= 71.5
200

Thus, can have a minimum value of 72 ohms. To be on the safe side, we have
taken = 4.7 k for BC547 considering its maximum absolute ratings and = 100 for
BC557, since the inverted sampling pulse will have the highest voltage level less than 15
Volts.
Collector Resistor is chosen such that the collector current never exceeds the
maximum absolute rating of 100 mA (Appendix 3 & 4). Since, the input will not be greater
than 12 Volts (as the op-amp has the input range of 11.5 Volts) and ( ) = 0.3 V, so
( ) =

12 0.3
= 117
100

Thus, we have taken = 4.7 k for both transistors.

3.6

Summing network

Using the bilateral switch network, the modulation was done for positive and negative
half of the modulating signal individually. For the final output to be generated, these separate
unipolar outputs 1 & 2 need to be summed to produce the Double Polarity PAM i.e.
8

1 + 2 . To achieve this, a high speed op amp LF351 is designed as a summing amplifier in

the non-inverting mode.

Design:
The resistor RL (that will be same for both 1 & 2 ) needs to be decided for better
current distribution. When the transistor is OFF, the collector and emitter terminals become
open i.e. their equivalent resistance is ideally infinite. So, no current should go to the emitter
and all the collector current flows to RL. For better impedance matching the value of RL is
chosen to be quite large compared to Rc. Thus, RL = 100 k .

Vc1
Vc2

RL
3
RL

LF351N

R1

Vout

Rf

Fig 3.3: Operational amplifier configured in summing mode

Since, RL is same for both VC1 & VC2 , the voltage at non-inverting pin of the op- amp is equal
to

1 +2

Hence,
= 1 +

1 + 2

For, = 1 + 2

, 1 +

=2

Thus, = 1 = 1 k

The series resistor R connected in the output of op-amp is used to decouple the
amplifier output from loading capacitances. Although there are no load capacitances present
in the output but they might arise due to length of external coaxial cables, one might use to
check the outputs.

The load impedance that a capacitor presents to an amplifier decreases as the

frequency increases. The frequency that matters here is not the applied signal frequency, but
rather the frequency response of the amplifier used. High speed amplifiers are more sensitive
to capacitive loading because the load impedance is lower (harder to drive) than for a lower
speed amplifier. This capacitance can make the circuit unstable or give noise output or worse
it can turn the op-amp into an oscillator. The series resistor R = 10k that we have chosen
compensates for that.

10

Chapter 4: Circuit Diagram

4.1

Final Circuit Design

The final circuit that we implemented on Printed circuit board (PCB) is as given

below:

+VCC
15 V
D2
IN4007

R1
4.7k

RST

6
THR

R2
4.7k
2

Q1
BC547

Q2
BC557

OUT

R3
4.7k

NE555

DIS

D1
IN4007

VCC

U1

R9
4.7k

R8 R10
4.7k 100k

MESSAGE
INPUT

D3
IN4007

R7
100E

R11
100k

R4
1k
CON

TRIG
GND

U2
3

C1
10 nF

R6
500E

U3
7

LF351N
4

3
6
2
R12
1k

7
LF351N
4

PAM OUTPUT
6
R14
10k

R13
1k

R5
1k
- VEE
-15 V

Fig 4.1: Circuit diagram for Bipolar PAM in Natural Sampling mode

We started roughly from the unipolar PAM circuit. The progress up to the final design
was made using NI Multisim software. All kinds of alterations were made in the software to
arrive upon the best possible solution. The simulations of the circuit in Multisim gave perfect
output because it works upon components or instruments with correct and precise properties,
on the other hand there was a little noise obtained in the hardware implementation.

11

The functions performed by each of the components in the circuit diagram

corresponding to the Block Diagram and working principle explained earlier, are stated in the
table given below:
Table 4.1: Circuit Components' Function and Description
Sr. Part
No. ID

Component Name

Function

Corresponding
Block in Block
Diagram

1.

U1

NE555N (Timer 555 8

pin DIP)

Positive Sampling pulse generator

Sampling pulse
generation

2.

D1

IN4007 (General purpose

rectifier diode)

Critical to operation of timer 555 in

generation of 50% duty cycle.

Sampling pulse
generation

3.

U2

LF351N (JFET
Operational Amplifier 8
pin DIP)

Negative Sampling pulse generator

Sampling pulse
generation

4.

U3

LF351N (JFET
Operational Amplifier 8
pin DIP)

Summing individual unipolar PAM

outputs to generate final output

Summing
Network

5.

Q1

BC547 (General purpose

npn transistor)

Acts as a switch to perform PAM for

positive half of input signal

Bilateral Switch
Network

6.

Q2

BC557 (General purpose

pnp transistor)

Acts as a switch to perform PAM for

negative half of input signal

Bilateral Switch
Network

7.

D2

IN4007 (General purpose

rectifier diode)

Half-wave rectification of input with

only positive half.

Bilateral Switch
Network

8.

D3

IN4007 (General purpose

rectifier diode)

Half-wave rectification of input with

only negative half.

Bilateral Switch
Network

4.2

PCB Circuit

The circuit was implemented on PCB (Printed Circuit Board) as it provided better
results and chances of error are less in this alternative compared to GCB.
The layout was made using ExpressPCB & ExpressSCH Softwares. The circuit
diagram is first implemented in ExpressSCH to make the schematic which is later linked in
ExpressPCB where the actual PCB layout is created. After creating the layout, etching of the
PCB was done to obtain the circuit with copper clad paths or traces. The components were
soldered to complete the final circuit.
The PCB layout and the component layout (Silkscreen) are shown below. It should be
noted that the PCB layout shown here is not up to scale and has been enlarged for better
understanding.
12

Fig 4.2: PCB Layout designed for the circuit using ExpressPCB

Fig 4.3: Component Layout (more commonly called Silkscreen layer) for the PCB Layout
designed above

13

Fig 4.4: PCB circuit ( Top View)

Fig 4.5: PCB Circuit: Bottom view (Copper Layer)

14

Chapter 5: Testing
The circuit was successfully tested to obtain the PAM output for several kinds of
waveforms as message input. The modulating inputs were generated from Function Generator
wherein the waveforms were sine, triangle and square with different frequencies.

5.1

Observations
All the observations were recorded from DSO (Digital Storage Oscilloscope).

Fig 5.1: Sampling pulse obtained at the output

of NE555

Fig 5.2: Inverted Sampling pulse obtained at the

output of inverting op-amp LF351N

Fig 5.3: Input = Sine wave of frequency 1.504

kHz and Pk-Pk Voltage = 7.2 V
Output = Corresponding Naturally sampled
PAM

Fig 5.4: Input = Sine wave of frequency 1.504

kHz and Pk-Pk Voltage = 7.04 V
Output = Corresponding Naturally sampled PAM

15

Fig 5.5: Input = Triangular wave of frequency

801 Hz and Pk-Pk Voltage = 6.72 V
Output = Corresponding Naturally sampled
PAM

Fig 5.6: 10 cycles shown for the output in Fig 5.5

Fig 5.7: Input = Square wave of frequency 5 kHz

and Pk-Pk Voltage = 7.04 V
Output = Corresponding Naturally sampled
PAM

Fig 5.8: Input = Sine wave of frequency 3 kHz

and Pk-Pk Voltage = 7.2 V
Output = Corresponding Naturally sampled PAM

Fig 5.9: Input = Sine wave of frequency 5 kHz

and Pk-Pk Voltage = 7.04 V
Output = Corresponding Naturally sampled
PAM

Fig 5.10: Input = Square wave of frequency 1 kHz

and Pk-Pk Voltage = 6.7 V
Output = Corresponding Naturally sampled PAM

16

5.2

Output & Input Specifications

The specifications as obtained by implementing the circuit practically are as shown below:

Table 5.1: Circuit Specifications

Output:
Sampling pulse:
Inverted sampling pulse:

0 to +15 Volts, Frequency = 18 kHz

0 to -15 Volts, Frequency = 18 kHz

Maximum error:

-0.2 Volts from the original amplitude of the analog

signal

Supply Voltage:

Vcc = 15 Volts and Vee = -15 Volts. The power supply

should be set at exactly these values.

Input :

Voltage range:

0 to 11.5 Volts (Input voltage range for op-amp is

11.5 V, otherwise the op-amp goes into saturation and
wont follow the analog signal faithfully)

Frequency range:

0 to 9 kHz (Considering the signal needs to be recovered

from the samples, so fmax = fs/2)

17

Chapter 6: Conclusions
Pulse-amplitude modulation is a form of signal modulation where the message
information is encoded in the amplitude of a series of signal pulses. It is an analog pulse
modulation scheme in which the amplitude of train of carrier pulse is varied according to the
sample value of the message signal.
In this project we successfully implemented the bipolar as well as unipolar PAM on
PCB using IC 555, op-amps and various combinations of resistors, capacitors and transistors
which were found based on several calculations and some speculation.
The circuit was tested successfully to produce PAM outputs in Natural sampling mode
for variety of bipolar analog inputs like sine, triangular and square at different frequencies and
amplitudes.

18

Chapter 7: Future Scope

Pulse-amplitude modulation is widely used in baseband transmission of digital data,
with non-baseband applications having been largely replaced by pulse-code modulation, and,
more recently, by pulse-position modulation.
The applications of PAM and modifications in them are described as below:

TDM (Time Division Multiplexing)

The train of samples is a form of a pulse-amplitude modulated - PAM - signal. If these
pulses were converted to digital numbers, then the train of numbers so generated would be
called a pulse code modulated signal - PCM.
In this TDM-PAM, several messages are sampled, and their samples are interlaced to
form a composite, or time division multiplexed (TDM), signal (PAM/TDM). We can later
extract the samples belonging to individual channels, and then reconstruct their messages.

Fig 7.1: Channel TDM-PAM Transmitter and Receiver

19

Ethernet
Some versions of the Ethernet communication standard are an example of PAM usage.
In particular, the Fast Ethernet 100BASE-T2 medium (now defunct), running at 100 Mbit/s,
uses five-level PAM modulation (PAM-5) running at 25 megapulses/sec over two wire pairs.
A special technique is used to reduce inter-symbol interference between the unshielded
pairs. Current common 100 Mbit networking technology is 100BASE-TX which delivers
100 Mbit in each direction over a single twisted pair one for each direction. Later,
the gigabit Ethernet 1000BASE-T medium raised the bar to use four pairs of wire running
each at 125 megapulses/sec to achieve 1000 Mbit/s data rates, still utilizing PAM-5 for each
pair.

Photobiology
The concept is also used for the study of photosynthesis using a PAM fluorometer.
This specialized instrument involves a spectrofluorometric measurement of the kinetics of
fluorescence rise and decay in the light-harvesting antenna of thylakoid membranes, thus
querying various aspects of the state of the photosystems under different environmental
conditions.

Electronic drivers for LED lighting

Pulse-amplitude modulation has also been developed for the control of light-emitting
diodes (LEDs), especially for lighting applications. LED drivers based on the PAM technique
offer improved energy efficiency over systems based upon other common driver modulation
techniques such as pulse-width modulation (PWM) as the forward current passing through an
LED is relative to the intensity of the light output and the LED efficiency increases as the
forward current is reduced.

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Appendix 1

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Appendix 2

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Appendix 3

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Appendix 4

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References
Books:
Martin S. Roden, Analog and Digital Communication Systems (3rd ed.)
B. P. Lathi, Modern Digital and Analog Communication Systems (4th ed.)
Ramakant Gayakwad, Op-amps and Linear Integrated Circuits (3rd ed.)
K.R. Botkar, Integrated Circuits (10th ed.)
Paul Harden, The Handimans Guide to MOSFET Switched Mode Amplifier, QRPp Journal
Websites
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse-amplitude_modulation
http://www.jensign.com/opampcapacitance/index.html
http://www.analog.com/library/analogDialogue/archives/31-2/appleng.html
http://www.analog.com/library/analogdialogue/archives/38-06/capacitive_loading.html

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