University of Tripoli

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

EE421 LAB Experiment FALL 2019

Frequency Modulation Experiment

Prepared by: Dr. Osama Alkishriwo

1 Objectives
• Generation of frequency modulation (FM) signal.

• Demonstration of how an FM signal is demodulated using a quadrature detector (Phase–Shift discriminator)

method.

• Demonstration of the principles affecting the direct generation of FM signals.

• Evaluation of the changes in the frequency deviation with the level of the modulating signal for various
values of modulator sensitivity.

• Plot the S–curve of the quadrature detector.

2 Equipment and Tools

• Power Supply

• Dual Function Generator

• Frequency Counter

• Direct FM Multiplex Generator

• FM/PM Receiver

• Oscilloscope

DIRECT FM MULTIPLEX FM /PM

GENERATOR RECEIVER

DUAL FUNCTION FREQUENCY

GENERATOR COUNTER

POWER DUAL AUDIO

OSCILLOSCOPE
SUPPLY AMPLIFIER

Figure 1: Suggested module arrangement

1
3 Generation of FM Signals
3.1 Procedure
• Set up the models as shown in Fig. 1. Make sure all OUTPUT LEVEL and GAIN controls are turned fully
counterclockwise to the MIN position, and power up the equipment.

• Make the following adjustments on the dual function generator:

Channel A:
FUNCTION: Sine wave, FREQUENCY: 1 kHz, ATTENUATOR: 0dB, OUTPUT LEVEL: 8 Vpp .
Channel B:
FUNCTION: Square wave, FREQUENCY: 100 Hz, ATTENUATOR: 0dB, OUTPUT LEVEL: 8 Vpp .

• Turn the DEVIATION knop completely clockwise. What do you see on the oscilloscope?

• Adjust the channel A controls on the Dual Function Generator as follows:

FUNCTION: Sine wave, FREQUENCY RANGE: 6 kHz, ATTENUATOR: 20 dB, OUTPUT LEVEL:
300 mV peak.
This signal will be used as a message signal.

• On the Direct FM Multiplex Generator module, adjust the MULTIPLEX SIGNALS to 0, LEVEL to CAL,
DEVIATION to 75 kHz (knop pushed in), and RF GAIN 50% CW.

• Connect OUTPUT A of the DUAL FUNCTION GENERATOR to the AUX INPUT of the Direct FM
Multiplex Generator.

• What is the carrier frequency of the Direct FM Multiplex Generator?

• Connect the WBFM RF OUTPUT of the Direct FM Multiplex Generator to the WBFM RF INPUT of the
FM/PM Receiver.

• Using the RF TUNING knop, tune the FM/PM Receiver to the frequency of the Direct FM Multiplex
Generator (The receiver is tuned when the green LED comes on).

• On the front panel of the receiver, a digital readout shows the deviation of the modulated signal. Select the
WBFM mode and record the deviation.

• Vary the frequency of the modulating signal between 300 Hz and 15 kHz. Does the deviation change?
Explain.

• Set the modulating frequency to 6 kHz and select the 0 dB ATTENUATOR on the Dual Function Generator.
The level of the modulating signal is now 10 times higher. What is the new frequency deviation? Explain.

• Vary the amplitude Am of the modulating signal. Using the oscilloscope, adjust the level to the values given
in Table 1-1, and record the deviation read on the receiver.
Am V peak ∆f kHz kf kHz/V
0.5
0.75
1.00
1.25
1.50
1.75
2.00
2.50
3.00
Calculate the sensitivity at each level. Finally, calculate the average value of sensitivity kf .

2
 • Plot the curve of frequency deviation ∆f as a function of the amplitude Am of the modulating signal.
• Without changing the other adjustments, pull–out the DEVIATION knop and turn it completely counter-
clockwise. What is the frequency deviation ∆f1 ? Turn the knop completely clockwise. What is the new
frequency deviation ∆f2 ?
• Adjust the pull–out DEVIATION knop to obtain a deviation ∆f of 42 kHz as indicated by the DEVIATION
display of the receiver. Calculate kf and enter it in Table 1-2, where Am equals 3.00 V peak. Fill the other
values in the Table 1-2 and draw the relation between ∆f and Am as before.
Am V peak ∆f kHz kf kHz/V
0.5
0.75
1.00
1.25
1.50
1.75
2.00
2.50
3.00 42

4 FM Demodulation (Quadrature Detector)

4.1 Procedure
• Adjust the channel A controls on the Dual Function Generator to obtain as shown in the previous section.
• Connect the AUDIO OUTPUT of the FM/PM Receiver to the Oscilloscope and observe the shown signal.
• Disconnect all of the cables. Connect OUTPUT A of the Dual Function Generator to the AUX INPUT of
the Direct FM Multiplex Generator. Adjust the RF GAIN of the Direct FM Multiplex Generator to 75% of
MAX and connect its WBFM RF OUTPUT to the WBFM RF INPUT of the FM/PM Receiver. Tune the
FM/PM Receiver and set its DEVIATION push-button to the WBFM position.
• On the Direct FM Multiplex Generator pull-out the DEVIATION knop and turn it completely clockwise.
Adjust OUTPUT LEVEL A of the Dual Function Generator to read 10 kHz on the DEVIATION indicator
of the FM/PM Receiver. Connect the BASEBAND OUTPUT of the FM/PM Receiver to one channel of
the oscilloscope. Measure the peak amplitudes N + and N − of the positive and negative variations in the
quadrature detector output signal and record them in Table 1-3. Vary OUTPUT LEVEL A of the Dual
Function Generator in order to obtain the frequency deviations indicated in Table 1-3, and for each of them
record N + and N −.
• Sketch the results you obtain in Table1-3, knowing the fact that N + and N − correspond to the positive and
negative frequency deviations (f + ∆f ) and (f − ∆f ), respectively.
Frequency Deviation (kHz) N+ (mV) peak N- (mV) peak
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110

3
 • Is the frequency range corresponding to the linear portion which plotted in the previous step, wide enough
to allow demodulation of a signal when the maximum frequency deviation is 75 kHz?

5 Pre–Lab Questions
1. Why modulation? Compare between two types of modulation schemes (FM and PM)

2. Discuss the problem of demodulating an FM signal using quadrature detector (Phase–Shift discriminator).

3. What is the modulation index in FM? Discuss what is the effect of changing its value.

4. Use a block diagram to show how you can generate an FM modulated signal.

5. Use a block diagram to describe the main components of an FM superheterodyne receiver.

6. What is the S-curve of a quadrature detector? Explain your answer.

6 LAB Experiment Report

1. You are expected to submit your LAB report within one week from the date of experiment.

2. The report should be written independently and you are allowed to use the results you obtained during the
experiment.

3. Do not forget to use MATLAB to support your findings in the experiment and to make comparison with the
practical results.