BER MEASUREMENT -

INTRODUCTION

modules
basic: 2 x ADDER, TUNEABLE LPF, SEQUENCE GENERATOR
extra: SEQUENCE GENERATOR
advanced: LINE-CODE ENCODER, LINE-CODE DECODER, DECISION MAKER, NOISE
GENERATOR, ERROR COUNTING UTILITIES, WIDEBAND TRUE RMS METER

overview
This experiment models a digital communication system transmitting binary data over a noisy,
bandlimited baseband channel. It measures bit error rate (BER) as a function of signal-to-noise
ratio (SNR).

the basic system

NOISY
PRBS BANDLIMITED ERROR
DETECTOR X-OR
CHANNEL COUNT

BIT REFERENCE
CLOCK MESSAGE

stolen bit clock

T RANSM ITTER CHANNEL RECEIVER INST RUM ENTATION

Figure 1: block diagram of system

A simplified block diagram of the basic system is shown in Figure 1. For purposes of
explanation the system can be divided into four sections, namely:
the transmitter
At the transmitter is the originating message sequence, from a pseudo random binary sequence
(PRBS) generator, driven by a system bit clock.
the channel
The channel has provision for changing its bandlimiting characteristic, and the addition of
noise or other sources of interference.
the receiver
The receiver (detector) regenerates the transmitted (message) sequence. It uses a stolen bit
clock.

www.emona-tims.com 1/4
Emona-TIMS BER measurement - introduction L-41 rev 1.3

the BER instrumentation

The instrumentation consists of the following elements:
1. a sequence generator identical to that used at the transmitter. It is clocked by the system
bit clock (stolen, in this case). This sequence becomes the reference against which to
compare the received sequence.
2. a means of aligning the instrumentation sequence generator with the received sequence. A
sliding window correlator is used. This was introduced in the Lab Sheet entitled BER
instrumentation.
3. a means of measuring the errors, after alignment. The error signal comes from an X-OR
gate. There is one pulse per error. The counter counts these pulses, over a period set by a
gate, which may be left open for a known number of bit clock periods.

a more detailed description

Having examined the overall operation of the basic system, and gained an idea of the purpose
of each element, we proceed now to show more of the specifics you will need when modelling
with TIMS.
So Figure 1 has been expanded into Figure 2 below.
The detector is the DECISION MAKER module, introduced in the Lab Sheet entitled
Detection with the DECISION MAKER.
For descriptions of the LINE-CODE ENCODER and LINE-CODE DECODER modules see
the Lab Sheet entitled Line coding & decoding.

SEQUENCE
GENERATOR ERROR
LINE BANDLIMITED LINE
CODE DETECTOR COUNT
PRBS CHANNEL CODE CLOCKED
ENCODER DECODER X-OR
sync
gate
reset
bit clk
NOISE adjust to
2.083 kHz detector
threshold retimed
bit clock SEQUENCE
GENERATOR
MASTER
CLOCK PRBS
8.333 kHz sync
make and break
stolen bit clock for alignment reset
bit clk

TRANSMITTER CHANNEL RECEIVER INSTRUMENTATION

Figure 2: block diagram of system in more detail

Note:
1. line coding uses NRZ-L code; providing level shift and amplitude scaling to suit the
analog channel.
2. because the LINE-CODE ENCODER module requires quarter-bit-period timing
information, it is driven by a master clock at four-times the bit-clock rate. The result
becomes the system bit clock.
3. the bit clock for the receiver is stolen from the transmitter

experiment
Refresh your understanding of all the advanced modules to be used by referring to the TIMS
Advanced Modules User Manual. Also refer to the Lab Sheets in which they are described .
TIMS Lab Sheet copyright  tim hooper 1999, amberley holdings pty ltd ACN 001-080-093 2/4
Emona-TIMS BER measurement - introduction L-41 rev 1.3

The TIMS model of the system is shown in Figure 3.

data in CH1-A Z-MOD CH2-A data out

re-timed
2.083 kHz TTL bit clock
8.333 kHz TTL
stolen bit clock

TRANSMITTER NOISY CHANNEL RECEIVER INSTRUMENT`N

Figure 3: model of the complete system

transmitter
The LINE-CODE ENCODER and LINE-CODE DECODER modules are described in the Lab
Sheet entitled Line coding & decoding. Set the on-board switch of both of them to NRZ-L.
Initially use a short sequence from the SEQUENCE GENERATOR. Trigger the oscilloscope
with the start-of-sequence SYNCH signal, and monitor the message source on CH1-A.

channel
The channel macro model is defined in the Lab Sheet entitled The noisy channel. Use a
TUNEABLE LPF as the channel bandlimiting element. Set the NOISE GENERATOR to
maximum output, but reduce the channel noise to zero with the input ADDER control.
Initially set the message from the input ADDER to the TIMS ANALOG REFERENCE LEVEL (± 2V
peak) at the input to the TUNEABLE LPF. With the filter bandwidth set to maximum, monitor
the output on CH2-A. Set the gain of the channel (filter) to unity (input and output at the
TIMS ANALOG REFERENCE LEVEL).
Initially set the DC offset adjust output to zero, and the channel output ADDER gain to unity.
The input to the DECISION MAKER is now at the TIMS ANALOG REFERENCE LEVEL. This is
the point where the receiver signal-to-noise ratio will be measured.

receiver
The receiver uses the DECISION MAKER as the detector. This module is introduced in the
Lab Sheet entitled Detection with the DECISION MAKER. Set the on-board switches
appropriately - SW1 to NRZ-L; SW2 to INT. Presumably J1 has previously been set to suit
your oscilloscope.
Adjust the decision point to what you consider an optimum position (switch to an eye
pattern ?).

instrumentation
The BER INSTRUMENT macro model is described in the Lab Sheet entitled BER
instrumentation.
Set the reference SEQUENCE GENERATOR to the same sequence and sequence length as
that at the transmitter. Monitor its output (say on CH2-B). Confirm it is synchronized, but
probably not aligned, with the transmitted message.
Momentarily connect the patch lead to the RESET input of the reference SEQUENCE
GENERATOR. The two sequences should now be aligned. If not, carry out a step-by-step
check of all signals, from system input to output.
When confident the system is operating satisfactorily:

TIMS Lab Sheet copyright  tim hooper 1999, amberley holdings pty ltd ACN 001-080-093 3/4
Emona-TIMS BER measurement - introduction L-41 rev 1.3

1. set the FREQUENCY COUNTER to its COUNTS mode.

2. switch the gate of the ERROR COUNTING UTILITIES, with the PULSE COUNT switch,
to be active for 105 bit clock periods. Make a mental calculation to estimate how long that
will be !
3. reset the FREQUENCY COUNTER.
4. start the error count by pressing the TRIG button of the ERROR COUNTING UTILITIES
module. The ‘active’ LED on the ERROR COUNTING UTILITIES module will light,
and remain alight until 90% of the count is completed, when it will blink before finally
extinguishing, indicating the count has concluded.
With no noise there should be no errors. But ..... every time a count is initiated one count will
be recorded immediately. This is a ‘confidence count’, to reassure you the system is active,
especially for those cases when the actual errors are minimal. It does not represent an error,
and should always be subtracted from the final count.
Despite the above single confidence-count you may wish to make a further check of the error
counting facility, before using noise. If the ERROR COUNTING UTILITIES GATE is still
open press the instrumentation SEQUENCE GENERATOR reset button (else first press the
TRIG to open the GATE). The sequences should now be out of alignment.
The counter will start counting errors (and continue counting) until the GATE shuts. It will
record a count of between 2 and 10n (with the PULSE COUNT switch set to make 10n counts).
You will record a different count each time this is repeated. Why would this be ?
It is time to compensate for any DC offsets at the input to the DECISION MAKER. An
indirect method is to slowly reduce the input amplitude to the DECISION MAKER. When
errors start accumulating adjust the DC level at this point in an effort to reduce the rate of
errors, until no further improvement is possible.

BER
Set up a reference signal-to-noise ratio at the detector input (we suggest 0 dB) by introducing
noise at the channel input. Monitor the detector input with the WIDEBAND TRUE RMS
METER, adjusting for equal noise and signal power. At all times ensure no signal-plus-noise
at any analog module input exceeds the TIMS ANALOG REFERENCE LEVEL. When finished, the
signal level to the detector, with negligible noise, should be at about half the reference level.
Reduce the SNR with the calibrated attenuator of the NOISE GENERATOR. Change each
SEQUENCE GENERATOR to a long sequence, and re-align them. Check for errors - there
should be almost none. Increase the noise; errors should appear. Compare with expectations !

conclusion
This experiment was intended to familiarize you with the general procedures of BER
measurement over a noisy, bandlimited channel.
Attention to detail throughout the setting up and measurement of the system is important. It
will be repaid by consistent and reproduceable results.
The system is sufficiently versatile to allow for expansion. For example, the insertion of
different modulation schemes between the message source and the channel; different line
coding schemes; different types of channel; and so on.

TIMS Lab Sheet copyright  tim hooper 1999, amberley holdings pty ltd ACN 001-080-093 4/4