ZKT - LABORATORY 3.

PAM SIGNAL, SAMPLING THEOREM

3. PULSE AMPLITUDE MODULATION (PAM) SIGNAL MEASUREMENT,

SAMPLING THEOREM

Goals of measurement
1) Measure three values of frequency corresponding to 3, 6 and 10 dB attenuations of low-
pass reconstruction filter.
2) Find minimal fP and maximal fP frequency values of output signal from generator on PAM
modulator block.
3) Verify the sampling theorem on basis of sampling and reconstruction signal. Record time
slope of signals at the output of PAM modulator and demodulator blocks for input signal
frequency fsig = 3 kHz and for various values of sampling frequency fS (between minimal fP
and maximal fP). Find acceptable and unacceptable signal transmission depending on
fS value.

Measuring equipments
Digital oscilloscope Agilent DSO6034A
Function generator VL Podbrady
PAM modulator, PAM demodulator, DC supply (modular system LEYBOLD)
50 Ohm terminators

Measurement block diagram

Function
generator 3,4 kHz G CH3
OSC
OSC
CH4 CH2 fp
50 Ohm 50 Ohm

Fig. 1: Measurement block diagram on left for task 1 (reconstruction filter, marked as
3,4 kHz filter, on PAM demodulator block is measured), on right for task 2 (the G
generator on PAM modulator is measured)

PAM
demodulator

PAM
Function modulator
generator gen. G
50 Ohm
CH3 CH2
OSC
CH4 CH1
50 Ohm 50 Ohm

Fig. 2: Measurement block diagram for task 3 (the both PAM modulator and demodulator
are blocks of modular system LEYBOLD)

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ZKT - LABORATORY 3. PAM SIGNAL, SAMPLING THEOREM

IN IN

OUT
OUT

Fig. 3: Real view of modular system LEYBOLD blocks: DC source, PAM modulator
(anti-aliasing filter, G generator, sample and hold circuits) and PAM demodulator
(reconstruction filter)

Introduction
The main aim of this measurement is to familiarize with pulse amplitude modulation
(PAM), sampling and reconstruction of signal.
When sampling, samples of a continuous input signal are generated at the output
relative to discrete time. Samples are generated after the period, which is called sampling
period TS. Sampling frequency is then fS = 1 / TS. Basically there are three type of
sampling.
Firstly (ideal sampling), an ideal unit impulse (Dirac) for sampling is used, so that
signal sample has theoretically null length in time, although a transmitted energy is
not zero non real situation.
Secondly (flat-top sampling), a rectangular sampling signal is used and signal
sample has non-zero length according to for example the higher level of rectangular
signal. Only the initial value of continuous signal amplitude is sampled (sample and
hold circuit is used), so that sample is flat-top. A PAM modulator could be used for
sampled signal generation this way.
Thirdly (natural sampling), also a rectangular sampling signal is used, but without
sample and hold circuit. Sample tracks amplitude of continuous input signal
during for example the time of the higher level of rectangular signal. Basically a
multiplication of input continuous signal with sampling signal generates sampled
signal (the lower level amplitude of rectangular signal is at zero voltage level). A
PAM modulator could be used for generation sampled signal this way too.
For a sampling process must be fS 2fsig max , where fsig max is the maximal frequency value of
the input continuous signal, which is to be sampled. This relation is known as sampling (or

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ZKT - LABORATORY 3. PAM SIGNAL, SAMPLING THEOREM

Shannon-Kotlnik) theorem. If fS 2fsig max , then input continuous signal is uniquely

determined by its samples, so the same as input signal could be obtain after the
reconstruction. Explanation follows. Spectra of input continuous and sampled signal are
shown on fig. 4, three values of sampling frequency fS are assumed. Input continuous signal
has spectrum with maximal value of frequency fM (a). Spectrum of input signal is mirrored
around frequencies n*fS (n is integer number) after sampling (b, c, d), so spectrum of
sampled signal is theoretically infinite in frequency. All mirrored spectra have the same
amplitudes as spectrum of input signal (shape is only mirrored), when unit impulse is used as
sampling signal. But using rectangular sampling signal, mirrored spectra are additionally
shaped by envelope according to spectrum of rectangular signal as is in fig. 4 (only main
part of infinite spectra of sampled signal is shown). The first zero point of envelope is
determined as reciprocal value of rectangular signal pulse width . As is closer to zero, both
flat-top and natural sampling becomes more similar to ideal. A reconstruction of continuous
signal could be made by filtering sampled signal thru a low pass filter. We obtain only
origin spectrum (around the zero frequency) again by low-pass filtering. As clear, it is
possible in case of fS > 2fM (b) with real low pass filter (see characteristic depicted by dotted
line) and extremely in case fS = 2fM (c), but ideal low pass filtering (see characteristic again)
is needed, because mirrored spectra are hit upon each other. In case of fS < 2fM (d), which
doesnt match the sampling theorem, mirrored spectra are overlapped and reconstruction by
low pass filtering leads to different signal as is at the input (because overlapping frequency
components cause the distortion). Lower value of sampling frequency leads to the higher
demands on low pass filter (higher state, shorter frequency distance between pass-band and
stop-band).

G(f) spectrum of input continuous signal

a)
G(f)
GS(f) spectrum of sampled signal

-fM 0 fM f
b) fS > 2fM
BP
LP filter GS(f) Envelope according to
rectangular sampling signal

-3*fS -2*fS -1*fS -fM 0 fM 1*fS 2*fS 3*fS f

BP
LP filter GS(f) Envelope according to
c) fS = 2fM
rectangular sampling signal

-4*fS -3*fS -2*fS -1*fS -fM 0 fM 1*fS 2*fS 3*fS 4*fS f

GS(f)
d) fS < 2fM Envelope according to
rectangular sampling signal

-5*fS -4*fS -3*fS -2*fS -1*fS 0 1*fS 2*fS 3*fS 4*fS 5*fS f

Fig. 4: Spectra
Fig.of4:input
Spectra
continuous
of inputand
continuous
sampledand
signal
sampled
and characteristic
signal and of reconstruction
low-pass (LP) filter

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ZKT - LABORATORY 3. PAM SIGNAL, SAMPLING THEOREM

Task 1)
The goal of this task is to find three values of frequency corresponding to 3, 6 and 10
dB attenuations of low-pass reconstruction filter. This filter (marked as 3,4 kHz) is on PAM
demodulator block (see fig. 3). Block diagram of measurement is on fig. 1 on left. Signal from
(external) function generator is plugged to filter input and measured on channel 4 (CH4) of
oscilloscope. Output filter signal is measured on channel 2 (CH2) of oscilloscope. (The
Agilent DSO6034A oscilloscope chooses as a synchronization channel automatically that one
with highest number where is signal found; in this case synchronization is upon signal from
function generator.)
Root mean square (RMS) values of both signals are monitored. Input sine signal
RMS value Uin shoul be kept constant at convenient level maximally RMS value is
500 mV. Output signal RMS value depending on frequency Uout(f) is measured and
relative amplitude transfer function (in dB units) is to be computed as
U out ( f )
a( f )[dB ] = 20 log ,
U out 1kHz
where Uout 1kHz is output signal RMS value for signal frequency of 1 kHz. Attenuations 3, 6
and 10 dB (a = -3, -10 and -20 dB) are points of interest. Therefore first RMS value Uout 1kHz
is measured and secondly Uout -3 dB, Uout -6 dB and Uout -10 dB, corresponding to desired
attenuations are ensured by increase of frequency. Write down measured RMS values Uin
and Uout 1kHz and compute and fill Uout -3dB, Uout -6dB and Uout -10dB in the following table
(values from home work will help you).
Uin =
Uout1kHz ( ) Uout -3 dB ( ) Uout -6 dB ( ) Uout -10 dB ( )

Increase the frequency, monitor RMS value Uout(f) and write down frequencies for
desired values of attenuation in the following table.
Attenuation (dB) 3 6 10
f( )
Note: Cut-off frequency is frequency for 3 dB attenuation in strict sense usually.

Oscilloscope settings
Auto-Scale; channels 1 and 3 switched off (press of the key with number of channel activates
required channel, next press switches off the channel, next press could switch on the channel,
switching on is marked by lighting of the key); gain of channel 2 and 4 respectively (bigger
knobs labeled by the color according signal trace color) 500 mV and 1 V respectively;
time base (bigger gray knob) 200 s/div.; coupling / impedance / band width of both
channels 2 (CH2) and 4 (CH4) activate required channel, then set up by keys below
display coupling DC / Imped 1M Ohm / BW limit mark by press;
QuickMeas choose source of the measurement by repeated press of the key Source
(below display), choose measured quantity by repeated press of the key Select or you can use
smaller knob near lighted round arrow, activate the measurement by press of the key
Measure (key Clear erases all measurements) measure RMS CH4, Freq CH4, RMS CH2
(it is possible to measue one, two or three quantities at once).

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ZKT - LABORATORY 3. PAM SIGNAL, SAMPLING THEOREM

Task 2)
The goal of this task is to find minimal and maximal values of (basic) frequency fP of
rectangular signal from G generator. This generator is an inner part of PAM modulator (see
fig. 3). Measurement block diagram is in fig. 1 on right. G generator output is plugged to
channel 3 (CH3) of oscilloscope.
Regulator (potentiometer) marked fP controls the value of frequency. Find and write
both minimal and maximal values of frequency by setting the potentiometer to both limit
positions:
minimal fP frequency value =
maximal fP frequency value =

Frequency fP is used as sampling frequency fS in following task. (Let potentiometer be in

maximal limit position.)

Oscilloscope settings
Auto-Scale; choose synchronization upon the signal of CH3 Edge (key group Trigger)
Source 3; switched on only CH3; gain of CH3 1 V; time base 200 s/div.; DC
coupling / 1 MOhm impedance / limited band width of CH2; QuickMeas measure
Freq CH3.

Task 3)
The goal of this task is to verify the sampling theorem and find an acceptable and an
unacceptable signal transmission (signal sampling and reconstruction) depending on value of
fS.
Watch time slope of signals at the input of PAM modulator and at the outputs of PAM
modulator and demodulator using oscilloscope for input sine signal frequency fsig = 3 kHz
(500 mV RMS) and for various values of sampling frequency fS (between minimal fP and
maximal fP). All needed signals are connect with the oscilloscope as depicted on fig. 2.
Blocks could be seen on fig. 3. The signal of G generator leaks to other signals, this
disturbance is not so visible, if at most 50 % of intensity is set up on the oscilloscope.
Potentiometer fP is turned to the maximal position, so the highest available value of fS
is set up. Watch and draw above mentioned signals in time interval corresponding to one
period T of input signal. Use function Single to freeze the picture on oscilloscope (picture
will runu again after press of the key Run/Stop).

input modulator signal output demodulator signal

T/2 T T/2 T

input demodulator signal

T/2 T

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ZKT - LABORATORY 3. PAM SIGNAL, SAMPLING THEOREM

Next longer time interval is monitored (for example corresponding to five periods of
input signal) and reconstructed signal is watched. Sampling frequency fS is decreased very
slowly by potentiometer fP and the lowest value of sampling frequency is to be found, while
the reconstructed signal is still truly similar to input signal only negligible shaking is
observed. Measure the value of fS still acceptable value.

Acceptable fS value =

Finally, watch reconstructed signal and decrease sampling frequency more, until the
signal is strong distorted shaking of signal is comparable to amplitude of sine signal.
Measure and write down the value of fS unacceptable value.

Unacceptable fS value =

Oscilloscope settings
Intensity 50%; Auto-Scale; QuickMeas measure RMS CH4, Freq CH4, Freq CH3; all
channels switched on; DC coupling / 1 MOhm impedance / limited band width of all
channels.

Homework must be done before the measurement starts

A PAM modulation system is used for signal transmission. The band of the modulating signal
is from 0 to 3.4 kHz.
Determine the minimal value of sampling frequency.

Is this minimal value of sampling frequency convenient for real situation? Why yes or why
no?

Compute the RMS values of Uout for relative attenuations of 3 dB, 6 dB a 10 dB, supposing
reference RMS value of Uout 1kHz = 1 V.

Uout1kHz (V) Uout -3 dB ( ) Uout -6 dB ( ) Uout -10 dB ( )

1

Final questions answers will be done after the measurement

How many samples of sampled signal correspond to one period of input sine signal in task
3, when maximal fP frequency is used (according to drawn time slopes)? How could it be
computed from known frequency values?

How many samples of sampled signal correspond to one period of input sine signal in task
3, when an acceptable fS value and when an unacceptable fS value is used?

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