ANAGUM 2 User Manual Experiment 2: VARACTOR MODULATOR Chapter 3 VARACTOR MODULATOR This experiment investigates how frequency modulation is performed by ANACOM 2's VARACTOR MODULATOR circuit. Like the REACTANCE MODULATOR investigated in the previous chapter, this circuit modulates the frequency of a carrier sinewave, according to the audio signal applied to its modulating input. To avoid unnecessary loading of monitored signals, X10 oscilloscope probes should be used throughout this experiment. EXPERIMENTATION 1. Connect the ANACOM 2 module to the power supply as shown in Figure 6 below: 2. Ensure that the following initial conditions exist on the ANACOM 2 module: (a) All switched faults OFF; (b) AMPLITUDE preset (in the MIXER/AMPLIFIER block) in fully clockwise position. (c) VCO switch (in PHASE-LOCKED LOOP DETECTOR biock) in OFF position. 3. Turn on power to the ANACOM 2 module. 4, Turn the AUDIO OSCILLATOR block's AMPLITUDE preset to its fully clockwise (MAX) position, and examine the block's output (t.p.1) on an oscilloscope.ANACOM 2 User Manual = se This is the audio frequency sinewave which will be used as our modulating signal, Note that the sinewave's frequency can be adjusted from about 300Hz to approximately 3.4kHz, by adjusting the AUDIO OSCILLATOR'’s FREQUENCY preset. Note also that the amplitude of this audio modulating signal can be reduced to zero, by turning the AUDIO OSCILLATOR's AMPLITUDE preset to its fully counter- clockwise (MIN) position. Leave the AMPLITUDE preset in its MIN position for the time being. 5. Link the OUTPUT socket of the AUDIO OSCILLATOR block to the AUDIO INPUT socket of the MODULATOR CIRCUITS block, as shown in Figure 9 at the end of this chapter. 6. Put the REACTANCE/VARACTOR switch in the VARACTOR position. This switches the output of the VARACTOR MODULATOR through to the input of the MIXER/AMPLIFIER block, and also switches off the REACTANCE MODULATOR block, to avoid interference between the two modulators. 7. The output signal from the VARACTOR MODULATOR block appears at t.p.24 before being buffered and amplified by the MIXER/AMPLIFIER block. Although the output from the VARACTOR MODULATOR block can be monitored directly at t.p.24, any capacitive loading at this point (e.g. due to an oscilloscope probe) may slightly affect the modulator's output frequency. in order to avoid this problem, we will monitor the buffered FM OUTPUT signal from the MIXER/AMPLIFIER block, at t.p.34. 8. Put the VARACTOR MODULATOR's CARRIER FREQUENCY preset in its midway position (arrowhead pointing towards top of PCB), then examine t.p.34. Note that the monitored signal is a sinewave of approximately 1.2 volts peak/peak, centered around 0 volts d.c.. This is our FM carrier, and it is presently unmodulated since the VARACTOR MODULATOR's AUDIO INPUT signal has zero amplitude. 9. The amplitude of the FM carrier (at t.p.34) is adjustable by means of the MOXERVAMPLIFIER blocks AMPLITUDE preset, from zero to its Present level. Try turning this preset slowly anticlockwise, and note that the i \ signal can be reduced to zero, ampleude of the FM Return the AMPLITUDE preset to its fully clockwise Position before continuing.ANACOM 2 User Manual 10, The frequency of the FM cartier signal (at t.p.34) should be approximately 455kHz at the moment. This carrier frequency can be varied from 451kHz to 458kHZ (approx), by adjusting the CARRIER FREQUENCY preset in the VARACTOR MODULATOR block. Turn this preset over its range of adjustment, and note that the frequency of the monitored signal can be seen to vary slightly. Note also that the carrier frequency is a maximum when the preset is in its fully clockwise position. 1. pe principle of operation of the VARACTOR MODULATOR is shown in Figure 7 elow: OSCILLATOR AUDIO INPUT 0 volts Figure 7 The OSCILLATOR generates a radio-frequency sinusoidal output whose exact frequency is determined by the inductance and capacitance of the oscillators tuned circuit. A VARACTOR DIODE is connected in parallel with the oscillator's tuned circuit, via d.c.-blocking capacitor C1. The characteristic of the varactor diode is such that the application of a reverse voltage across the diode makes it behave as a capacitor. By varying the applied reverse voltage, the diode's capacitance can be varied - in other words, the varactor diode behaves as a voltage-variable capacitance. 17