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The Principle of FM
Aim: The aim of the exercise is to demonstrate the process of frequency modulation on
the basis of the available test circuit, illustrating in detail the attributes, which are
characteristic for this type of oscillation modulation.
The actual signal oscillation changes parameters of the carrier oscillation - in the case
of the FM the frequency - and is hence prepared for the transmission.
This form of signal modulation is the object of the available test description.
The frequency of the carrier signal is varied in dependence on the modulating signal.
The frequency shift indicates the maximum frequency deviation for the FM.
In short explanations and practical tests the following exercises are intended to examine
this and other important terms of frequency modulation (FM), such as phase shift,
spectrum of the FM, bandwidth and many other things.
Test Setup
Set up the workplace in accordance with the illustration above. For orientation on the
two printed circuit boards use the illustrations under "Control Elements & Sockets".
E Ground L Ground
The aim of the exercise is to demonstrate the frequency modulation on the basis of the
available test circuit, illustrating in detail the characteristic attributes for this type of
oscillation modulation.
Terms such as carrier oscillation, signal oscillation, frequency deviation, phase deviation
and bandwidth are examined.
In another exercise the students are intended to present the reverse process, namely
the recovery of the modulating signal from a frequency-modulated signal.
Theoretical Introduction
Where as only an upper and a lower sideband are produced in the case of the
amplitude modulation, the analysis of the FM spectrum shows a great number of
sidebands depending on the modulation index. Each sideband is contained in an integer
multiple number above and below the carrier frequency.
The amplitudes of the sidebands of the FM can be determined with the aid of the Bessel
functions of the first type, nth order.
Due to the great number of sidebands for the FM – which as far as possible should be
transmitted to the greatest possible extent – a relatively broad bandwidth is necessary.
For this reason the FM is used in UHF/VHF radio engineering and in radio relay
engineering.
Exercise 1
Presentation of the Principle of FM
Connect your oscilloscope to the "FM out 5Vss" output of the module. Use the two
potentiometers "Frequency" and "Fine Tuning" to set the frequency to the value 100
kHz. The sinusoidal shape of the signals can be exactly balanced with the aid of the
potentiometers "Dist." and "Frequ. Symmetry". The potentiometers "Frequency" and
"Fine Tuning" now enable you to regulate the frequency from 50 kHz to 150 kHz. This
internal frequency is used as carrier signal within the course of further work.
Now set your AF generator to 10 kHz and 2 Vpp. Apply this signal at the input "NF in".
Fig. 1
Use one channel of the oscilloscope to measure the signal at the output of the
modulator and the second to measure the AF signal.
Channel A = 2 V/DIV AC
The value of the frequency changes every moment. Therefore it is referred to as the so-
called .
Comment on the results obtained and explain the terms "instantaneous frequency" and
"rarefaction and compression regions".
With the above-mentioned frequency variations a constant change takes place between
higher frequencies (frequent polarity changes) and lower frequencies (less frequent
polarity changes). Therefore, these conditions are referred to as in
the case of low frequencies and in the case of high frequencies.
The change between these rarefaction and compression regions follows the rhythm of
the frequency.
In a positive half wave of the modulation frequency, there are frequent frequency
changes, and in a negative half wave of the modulation frequency, there are
frequent frequency changes in the frequency-modulated signal.
Exercise 2
Getting Acquainted with the Terms "Frequency Deviation" and "Phase Deviation"
Retain the settings as in the previous exercise, but change the signal shape of the AF
generator from sinusoidal to rectangular.
On the basis of the output signal, explain the term "frequency deviation" and determine
this for the case in hand:
The result in the above case is:
Change the amplitude of the AF signal by reducing it slowly. How does the signal
change at the output of the modulator?
Now change the frequency of the AF signal by slowly increasing it. How does the signal
change at the output of the modulator?
What influence do the frequency deviation and the modulation frequency have on the
modulation index?
Comment on the results obtained in the above exercise with regard to the modulation
which occurs in practice with voice and music.
In practice, the amplitude of the modulating signal is identical with the volume, and the
modulation frequency is a measure of the pitch of a voice or music signal.
ÛNF
ÛFM
Dotted line
Connect your oscilloscope to the "FM out 5Vss" output of the module. Use the two
potentiometers "Frequency" and "Fine Tuning" to set the frequency to 100 kHz.
Now set your AF generator to 10 kHz and 1 Vpp. Apply this signal at the input "NF in".
Observe the FM-modulated signal with the AF generator switched on and off. What
happens to the course of the phase angle?
In the region of compression the increase in the phase curve is and in the region
of rarefaction than with an unmodulated carrier.
Reduce the amplitude of the AF signal to 0.5Vpp. Now observe the output signal of the
modulator and analyse it with regard to its phase.
Set the AF amplitude back to 1Vss and increase the AF frequency to 20 kHz.
With the original amplitude setting but with increased AF frequency the increase of the
phase angle is...
Discuss the different results in your working sheet. What term is used for the difference
in phase with an unmodulated signal?
The largest deviation of the phase angle from the waveform of an unmodulated carrier
is known as .
The results of the above exercises show that the phase deviation...
Why is the phase angle a very important parameter for the frequency modulation in
particular?
What other term is used for the frequency modulation because of their characteristic
phase angle?
Since the frequency modulation always influences the phase angle, it is also known as
– just like the phase modulation.
Exercise 3
Demodulation of an FM Signal by a "Ratio Detector"
Ratio Detector
For the demodulation in our case we are using a modern form of a phase detector in
integrated form.
Use the oscilloscope to observe the signal at the output of the demodulator (NF
demod).
Channel A = 2 V/DIV AC
Channel B = 100 mV/DIV DC