DETECTION WITH THE

DECISION MAKER

modules
basic: SEQUENCE GENERATOR, TUNEABLE LPF

advanced: DECISION MAKER

preparation
When a digital signal is transmitted via an analog channel there is typically some
bandlimiting. This is either or both intentional pulse shaping at the transmitter to match the
channel, or bandlimiting by the channel itself.
At the receiver it is necessary to restore the waveform to a digital format.
In TIMS this restoration is performed by the DECISION MAKER module.
Read about this module in the TIMS Advanced Modules User Manual.
A simple transmitter and channel is required to demonstrate the properties of this module.
Such a system is illustrated in block diagram form in Figure 1.

CHANNEL
DECISION
MAKER

clock

Figure 1: block diagram of simple system to be examined

No provision will be made for adding noise, nor adjusting for optimum performance by
trimming the inevitable DC offsets present in a larger, more complex system.

experiment
This experiment aims to introduce some of the features of the DECISION MAKER module.
It will do this in a simplified version of the more general channel model, exemplified by the
MACRO CHANNEL MODULE introduced in the Lab Sheet entitled The noisy channel
model.
The block diagram of Figure 1 is shown modelled in Figure 2. The channel has no
provision for adding noise, nor for compensating for accumulated DC offsets. It is
represented by the TUNEABLE LPF module.

www.emona-tims.com 1/2
Emona-TIMS detection with the DECISION MAKER L-38 rev 1.4

Comparison of input and output will be made qualitatively by eye, rather than quantitatively
by TIMS instrumentation.

CH2-B

Z-MOD

CH2-A

8.333kHz CH1-A
TTL

Figure 2: the model of Figure 1

Before plugging in the DECISION MAKER module make sure that the on-board switch
SW1 is set to NRZ-L (to suit the bi-polar NRZ output from the SEQUENCE
GENERATOR), SW2 is set to INT, and J1 set correctly for your particular oscilloscope (see
your Laboratory Manager and/or the TIMS Advanced Modules User Manual for details).
The SEQUENCE GENERATOR and DECISION MAKER are clocked by the 8.333 kHz
TTL output from MASTER SIGNALS.
Initially select a short sequence from the SEQUENCE GENERATOR with the on-board
switch SW2 (both toggles UP). Synchronize the oscilloscope to the start-of-sequence SYNCH
output to display a snapshot of the data. Later look at eye patterns with a long sequence.
With the TUNEABLE LPF - the channel - in its WIDE mode it is possible to pass the data
with negligible pulse shape degradation. As the bandwidth is reduced individual pulses of
the waveform, at the channel output, become unrecognisable. The eye pattern will close.
Between these two extremes observe how the DECISION MAKER restores the analog
waveform to its original bi-polar form.
For best results the decision point must be adjusted appropriately (in the centre of the
shortest pulse of the snapshot, or in the widest section of an eye). Read about the function
of the front panel DECISION point control. Adjust the oscilloscope brilliance control so that
the decision points are clearly visible (dependent upon the correct location of the on-board
jumper J1).
Gain some appreciation of the relationship between the eye opening and the incidence of
errors.
Observe the relationship between the B.CLK input and the B.CLK output. The latter signal
will be used in later experiments.

DC offsets
In its present configuration the DECISION MAKER expects a bi-polar input at the TIMS
ANALOG REFERENCE LEVEL of 4 volt peak-to-peak, centred on zero volt. Due to
accumulated DC offsets, the output of a typical CHANNEL MACRO MODULE may not be
centred on zero volts. When this is so, and noise is present, the accuracy of the decision
making process can be reduced. If this is unacceptable (for example, when making bit error
rate - BER - measurements), a facility for DC offset adjustment must be provided by the
channel model.

TIMS Lab Sheet copyright  tim hooper 1999, amberley holdings pty ltd ACN 001-080-093 2/2