I.

Theory
Pulse-code modulation (PCM) is a method used to digitally represent sampled analog
signals. It is the standard form of digital audio in computers, compact discs, digital
telephony and other digital audio applications. In a PCM stream, the amplitude of the
analog signal is sampled regularly at uniform intervals, and each sample is quantized to
the nearest value within a range of digital steps.

The PCM DECODER module is driven by an external clock. This clock signal is
synchronized to that of the transmitter. For this experiment a ‘stolen’ clock will be used.
The source of frame timing information has been discussed above.

Upon reception, the PCM DECODER:

• extracts a frame synchronization signal FS from the data itself (from the
embedded alternate ones and zeros in the LSB position), or uses an FS signa stolen
from the transmitter (see above).

• extracts the binary number, which is the coded (and quantized) amplitude of the
sample from which it was derived, from the frame.

• identifies the quantization level which this number represents.

• generates a voltage proportional to this amplitude level.

• presents this voltage to the output Vout. The voltage appears at Vout for the
duration of the frame under examination.

• message reconstruction can be achieved, albeit with some distortion, by lowpass

filtering. A built-in reconstruction filter is provided in the module.

The voltage at Vout of the decoder is identical withs(t) above. The decoder itself has
introduced no distortion of the received signal. But s(t) is already an inexact version of
the sample-and-hold operation at the encoder. This will give rise to quantization
distortion as well as the sampling distortion already mentioned.

II. Objectives
 To identify each new frame in the data stream.
 To exact the binary from each frame.
 To generate voltage that is proportional to binary numbers.
 To hold the voltage on the output until the next frame has been decoded.
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 To reconstruct the message by passing the PSM signal through a low

pass filter.
III. List of Figures and Materials

1 set of NI Lab view electronics module (hardware)

1 set of NI Lab view electronics module (software)
1 NI Laboratory guide manual
1 set of connecting wires

IV. Laboratory Procedure

Part A – An introduction to PCM encoding using a static DC voltage
1. Ensure that the NI ELVIS II power switch at the back of the unit is off.
2. Carefully plug the EMINA FOTEx experimental add-in module into the NI
ELVIS II.
3. Insert the holding screws to secure the FOTEx module to the NI ELVIS II.
4. Connect the NI ELVIS II to the PC using the USB cable.
5. Turn on the NI ELVIS II power switch at the rear of the unit then turn on its
prototyping board power switch at the top right corner near power
indicator.
6. Turn on the PC and let it boot-up.
7. Launch the NI ELVIS II variable power supplies VI.
8. Set the variable power supplies
9. Set the PCM Encoder module’s mode switch to the PCM position.
10. Connect the set up

11. Launch and run the NI ELVIS II oscilloscope VI.

12. Set the scope’s slope control to the “-“ position to trigger the scope of the
FS signal’s trailing edge.
13. Activate the scope’s Channel 1 input. To observe the PCM encoder
module’s PCM data output as well as its FS output.
14. Vary the variable power supplies positive output voltage control left and
right.
15. Close the variable power supplies VI.
16. Disconnect the plug to the variable power supplies positive output.
17. Modify and set up.
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Part B – Decoding the PCM data

18. Deactivate the scope’s channel 1 input.
19. Modify and set up

20. Activate the scope’s signal channel 1 input to observe the PCM decoder
module’s output as well as the message signal.
Part C – Viewing decoded PCM signal using the NI ELVIS II Dynamic Signal
Analyzer
21. Suspend the scope’s operation by clicking on its stop control once.
22. Minimize the scope’s VI
23. Launch the NI ELVIS II Dynamic signal analyser VI.

24. Click on the analyzer’s run control to activate its hardware.

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Part D – reconstructing the message

25. Modify the set up

26. use c2 to see whether you can locate the aliases measured earlier
27. suspend the signal analyzer’s VI
28. restart the scope’s timebase control to the 500µs/div
29. Compare the original message with the recovered message.

V. Test questions
1. Why is the PCM decoder module output signal “stepped” instead of
smooth like the original message?
- Because of continuously digital output and variable power
supply.
2. What is the name for this distortion?
- The module’s continuously changing, the PCM data
continuously also.
3. When audible, what does this distortion sound like?
- Change in the form of an electrical signal or sound wave during
processing.
4. If the message is a complex signal consisting of both a 500Hz sine
wave and a 1 kHz sine wave, the PCM decoder module’s output would
consist of?
- Neither a 500 Hz sinewave nor a 1 kHz sinewave.
5. Notices that the PCM decoder module’s output no-longer looks like a
“stepped” copy of the message. Why do you think has happened?
- As the message frequency increases, there are fewer samples
in every cycle.
6. Once the PCM decoder module’s output no-longer look like a “stepped”
copy of the message is no-longer present?
- No, the PCM decoder output always include a copy of the
sinewave the original message.
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7. What two FOTEx modules can be used to pick out the copy of tye
message?
- PCM decoder module and PCM encoder module.
8. What has happened to the aliases?
- It leads to distortion where the high frequency components of
the sampled signal interfere with each other.
9. The signal on the 3 kHz LPF module’s output is now a much better copy
of the message. What does this tell you about aliases?
- They were responsible for giving the PCM decoder module output
the “stepped”

VI. Observation

In this experiment I observe that PCM is digitally represents sampled analog

signals. And we can see that it is the standard form of digital audio. Also, PCM
decoder contains a what you called “Stepped” due to the constant digital output.

VII. Conclusion

Therefore I concluded that the PCM decoding is used to demodulate a

serial PCM signal generated by the PCM Encoder, or a parallel PCM signal
generated by either the PCM Encoder or the DPCM Decoder, and to
recover the original analog signal. Using the PCM Decoder, students gain
familiarity with PCM decoding.The effects of compression and expansion
on weak and strong signals can be investigated also.
VIII. References

 Emona-FOTEx-Lab Manual