EKT 313 ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

FREQUENCY MODULATOR/ DEMODULATOR PROJECT

PROJECT 1: FREQUENCY MODULATOR CIRCUIT

1.0

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

At the end of the project: Students are able to design a frequency modulator circuit and understand the function of the modulator in communications system Students are able to construct and test their own designed FM modulator Students become familiar with the use of design and simulation tools in design process

2.0

INTRODUCTION

In this project, students are required to design a complete circuit of modulator for Frequency Modulation (FM). The modulator is needed to be design, construct and test. The use of design and simulation tools such as ORCAD is recommended at early stage of design process. Frequency modulation is a form of angle modulation where the message signal is used to vary the carrier frequency. In this project, you will choose to design an FM modulator using phase-locked loop (PLL) OR voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) only. Both are using a different integrated circuit (IC).

2.1 Phase-locked loop: A phase-locked loop (PLL) is basically an electronic feedback system that provides frequency selective tuning and filtering without the need for coils or inductors. It consists of three basic functional blocks: Phase comparator Low-pass filter Voltage-controlled oscillator

Figure 1 shows the block diagram of PLL.

EKT 313 ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

FREQUENCY MODULATOR/ DEMODULATOR PROJECT

Figure 1: Block diagram of the PLL components A PLL circuit can be used to create an FM signal. The input to the phase comparator is the carrier signal, and assuming that the carrier frequency is within the capture range of the PLL, the VCO output frequency will be equal to the carrier frequency. Now if the VCO control voltage is the sum of the message waveform and the loop error voltage, then the VCO output frequency will vary about the carrier frequency according to the message. Thus, the VCO output is the desired FM signal. In this project, you will be using CD4046 IC for PLL circuit.

2.2 Voltage-controlled oscillator Voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is an oscillator that can be tuned over a wide range of frequencies by applying a voltage (tuning voltage) to it. In FM modulator, carrier frequency is directly varied by the message through VCO. When dc voltage increases, the frequency of the output signal decreases. In other words, a dc voltage controls the oscillator frequency. Typically, the frequency decreases linearly with an increase in dc voltage. In this project, you will be using LM566C IC for VCO circuit and LM386 IC as an amplifier for the VCO circuit.

EKT 313 ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

FREQUENCY MODULATOR/ DEMODULATOR PROJECT

3.0

PROJECT METHODOLOGY AND INSTRUCTIONS

3.1 Components lists: Integrated Circuit CD4046 Integrated Circuit LM566C Integrated Circuit LM386 Resistor Variable resistor Capacitor

3.2 Circuit diagram & project specification: 1) Define your project specification by setting the frequency of your carrier frequency and modulation signal. 2) Choose your design by referring to the circuit diagram below as an example. Figure 2 shows the FM modulator using CD 4046 as phase-locked loop and Figure 3 shows the FM modulator using LM566C as voltage-controlled oscillator and LM386 as an amplifier. Set the value of the missing parameters according to your frequency. * Before beginning your design, you are advised to review details of CD4046, LM566C and LM386 by studying the datasheet.

EKT 313 ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

FREQUENCY MODULATOR/ DEMODULATOR PROJECT

Figure 2: FM modulator circuit using CD4046

Figure 3: FM modulator using LM566C and LM386

EKT 313 ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

FREQUENCY MODULATOR/ DEMODULATOR PROJECT

3.2 Design & simulations: By utilizing any design and simulation tools such as ORCAD etc, design your own circuit of FM modulator according to your specifications. Simulate your design and observe the result.

3.3 Circuit construction and testing: Construct your circuit of FM modulator according to your circuit design. With the available devices/ equipment, test your circuit for its operation and functionality. Compare your results with the simulation results.

4.0

RESULTS AND PROJECT REPORT

At the end of Project 1 timeline, you will be evaluating on the workability and results data of your designed circuit. A formal report of the project needs to be submitted upon evaluation. The report should contain explanations about your project and design, results, observations, discussion and conclusion.