JSPM’s

JAYAWANTRAO SAWANAT COLLEGE OFENGINEERING

Sr.No. 58, Handewadi Road, Hadapsar, Pune, Maharashtra, 411028
Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering

Experiment No. 2

Title: FM Modulation using Varactor diode & Demodulation of FM signal.

Aim: Frequency modulator using varactor diode & demodulator using resonant frequency detector and
LPF.

Introduction:
While changing the amplitude of a radio signal is the most obvious method to modulate it, it is by no
means the only way. It is also possible to change the frequency of a signal to give frequency
modulation or FM. Frequency modulation is widely used on frequencies above 30 MHz, and it is
particularly well known for its use for VHF FM broadcasting.

Although it may not be quite as straightforward as amplitude modulation, nevertheless frequency

modulation, FM, offers some distinct advantages. It is able to provide near interference free reception,
and it was for this reason that it was adopted for the VHF sound broadcasts. These transmissions could
offer high fidelity audio, and for this reason, frequency modulation is far more popular than the older
transmissions on the long, medium and short wave bands.

In addition to its widespread use for high quality audio broadcasts, FM is also used for a variety of two
way radio communication systems. Whether for fixed or mobile radio communication systems, or for
use in portable applications, FM is widely used at VHF and above.

Link for FCC AM Broadcast standards: https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/am-clear-regional-local-

channels

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PCS (SE E&TC)
 Guide students to gain a working understanding of
theories such as demodulation, bandwidth, and
Carson’s rule.

Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpH8FhpiVjo

Objective: The objective for the practical is as follows.

 Generation of FM Signal using Varactor diode Method.

 Detection of FM signal using resonant frequency detector.
 Observe spectrum of signal. 

Pre-requisites:

1. What is Frequency modulation process.

2. What is FM Generation and Detection.

Hardware Requirement:
1. FM Kit 2.CRO 3) Spectrum Analyzer 4) Connecting probes 5) BNC Connector CRO Probe
6) Spectrum Analyzer attenuator probe.

Software Requirement: Nil

Use of engineering standards: FM Broadcast Standards.

https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/broadcast-radio-links#FM

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PCS (SE E&TC)
THEORY:

Frequency modulation (FM) is a process in which the carrier frequency is varied by the amplitude
of the modulating signal (i.e., intelligence signal). The FM signal can be expressed by the
following equation:

From (3) we can find that the frequency of frequency modulated signal occurs frequency deviation
from the center frequency of the carrier when the intelligence amplitude is variation.

FM Generation with Varactor diode Method:

Varactor Diode
The varactor diode, sometimes called tuning diode, is the diode whose capacitance is proportional
to the amount of the reverse bias voltage across p-n junction. Increasing the reverse bias voltage
applied across the diode decreases the capacitance due to the depletion region width becomes
wider.
Conversely, when the reverse bias voltage decreased, the depletion region width becomes narrower
and the capacitance increased. When an ac voltage is applied across the diode, the capacitance
varies with the change of the amplitude.

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PCS (SE E&TC)
Varactor Diode Modulator:

Figure: Circuit diagram of FM generation using varactor diode

Operation of the circuit:

Diode is reverse biased to provide the junction capacitance effect and since this bias is varied by the
modulating voltage which is in series with it, the junction capacitance will also
vary, causing the oscillator frequency to change accordingly.
 Limited applications
 Used together with a reactance modulator to provide automatic frequency control.
 Used for remote tuning

Waveform (Time Domain Waveform):

1) Information signal 2) Carrier signal 3) VCO Modulator FM Output 4) PLL FM Demodulated

output.

Spectrum: (Frequency Domain Waveform)

Draw spectrum Frequency verses Power (dBmv/dBuv)

CONCLUSION :

ELO: Student will be able to calculate various parameters of AM, FM, PAM and PWM using suitable
hardware kit.
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PCS (SE E&TC)
Question Bank

Q. No Description

1. Define frequency modulation?

2. What is frequency deviation

Write FM mathematical equation.
3.
4. What is varactor diode

5. Explain how varactor diode can be utilized for FM generation.

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PCS (SE E&TC)