PULSE POSITION

MODULATION
INTRODUCTION

 A modulation technique that allows variation in the position of the pulses

according to the amplitude of the sampled modulating signal is known as
Pulse Position Modulation (PPM).
 In PPM amplitude and width of the pulses are kept constant but the
position of each pulse is varied in accordance to the amplitudes of the
sampled values of the modulating signal.
 The PPM pulses can be derived from the PWM pulses as shown in the fig.
Note that with increase in the modulating voltage the PPM pulses shift
further with respect to reference.
 The vertical dotted lines drawn in fig. are treated as reference lines to measure the
shift in the position of PPM pulses. The PPM pulses marked 1,2 and 3 in fig. go away
from their respective reference lines. This corresponds to increase in the modulating
signal voltage.
 Then as the modulating voltage decreases the PPM pulses 4,5,6,7 come progressively
closer to their respective reference lines.

Fig: Generation of PPM pulses with the help of PWM pulses

GENERATION OF PPM SIGNAL

 PPM signal can be generated from PWM signal

 PWM pulses obtained at the comparator output are applied
to a negative edge triggered monostable multivibrator.
 Therefore corresponding to each trailing edge of PWM,
the monostable output goes high. It remains high for a
fixed time decided by its own RC component.
 Thus as the trailing edge of the PWM signal keep shifting in
proportion with the modulating signal x(t),the PPM pulses
also keep shifting.
Fig: Waveforms

Fig: PPM Generation Circuit

DEMODULATION OF PPM

 The noise corrupted PPM waveform is received by the PPM

demodulator circuit.
 The pulse generator develops a pulsed waveform at its output of
fixed duration and applies these pulses to the reset pin (R) of SR flip-
flop.
 A fixed period reference pulse is generated from the incoming PPM
waveform and the SR flip-flop is set by the reference pulses.
 Due to the set and reset signal applied to the flip-flop, we get a PWM
signal at its output. The PWM signal can be demodulated using the
PWM demodulator.
Fig: Demodulator circuit for PPM
ADVANTAGES OF PPM

 Signal and noise separation is very easy

 PPM is a simple command from a transmitter to a receiver
 Constant transmitted power output
 This method is easy to separate out the signal from a noisy signal
 Require very less power compare to pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) and
PDM because of short duration pulse
 Due to constant pulse width and amplitudes
 Highest power efficiency among all three types
 In this modulation, the amplitude is held constant thus less noise interference
DISADVANTAGES OF PPM

 Require very large bandwidth compare to PAM.

 A system has highest in complexity to implement.
 Highly sensitive to multi-pathway interference.
 Both devices are synchronized or differential pulse position modulation (PPM)
is used