ETE 2214: Sessional Based on ETE 2213 Lab Manual Prepared By: M.T.

Hassan

Lab Manual
Experiment 04: Frequency Modulation and Demodulation/Detection.
Objectives: The main objectives of this experiment are:
▪ To perform the functioning of Frequency modulation & demodulation
▪ Calculation of the modulation index for FM.
Concept: FM is a system in which the amplitude of the carrier wave c(t) is kept constant, while its
frequency and the rate of changes are varied by the baseband signal. By definition the amount by which
the carrier is varied from its unmodulated signal is called the frequency deviation., is made proportional
to the instantaneous amplitude of the modulating signal.
The modulation system in which the modulator output is of constant amplitude, in which the signal
information is super imposed on the carrier through variations of the carrier frequency. The frequency
modulation is a non-linear modulation process. Each spectral component of the base band signal gives
rise to one or two spectral components in the modulated signal. These components are separated from the
carrier by a frequency difference equal to the frequency of base band component. Most importantly the
nature of the modulators is such that the spectral components which produce decently on the carrier
frequency and the base band frequencies. The spectral components in the modulated wave form depend
on the amplitude.
The rate at which this frequency variation changes or takes place is equal to the modulating frequency.
FM is that form of angle modulation in which the instantaneous frequency f(t) is varied with the message
signal m(t), as
Fi (t)=fc+Kf*fm (t) …………………………………………………………………(1)
The term fc represents the frequency of the unmodulated carrier, the constant Kf represents the frequency
sensitivity of the modulator expressed in Hertz per volt.
Generation of FM signal:
There are essentially two basic methods of generating frequency-modulated signal, namely direct FM and
indirect FM.
In direct FM the carrier signal is varied directly in accordance with the input base band signal, which
is readily accomplished using a voltage-controlled oscillator. In the indirect method the modulating
signal is first use to produce a narrow band FM signal, and frequency multiplication is next used to
increase the frequency deviation to desired level. The indirect method is preferred choice for FM when
the stability of the carrier is of major concern as in commercial radio broadcasting.
Modulation index = frequency deviation / modulating signal frequency
Important Issues:
The frequency modulation index is mostly over 1 and it usually requires a high bandwidth at a range
of 200 kHz. FM operates in a very high-frequency range normally between 88 to 108 Megahertz. There
are complex circuits with an infinite number of sidebands that help in receiving high-quality signals with
high sound quality.
Meanwhile, broadcast stations in the VHF portion of the frequency spectrum between 88.5 and 108 MHz
often use large values of deviation (±75 kHz). This is known as wide-band FM (WBFM). Even though
these signals support high-quality transmissions they do occupy a large amount of bandwidth. Normally,
200 kHz is allowed for each wide-band FM transmission. On the other hand, communications use very
little bandwidth. Alternatively, narrowband FM (NBFM) often uses deviation figures of around ±3 kHz.
Besides, narrow-band FM is mostly used for two-way radio communication applications.
Applications of FM:
If we talk about the applications of frequency modulation, it is mostly used in radio broadcasting. It offers
a great advantage in radio transmission as it has a larger signal-to-noise ratio. Meaning, it results in low
radio frequency interference. This is the main reason that many radio stations use FM to broadcast music
over the radio.

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ETE 2214: Sessional Based on ETE 2213 Lab Manual Prepared By: M.T. Hassan

FM Modulators:
There are several methods that can be used to generate either direct or indirect frequency-modulated
signals.
A voltage-controlled oscillator or Varactor diode oscillator: A voltage-controlled oscillator can be used
to form Direct FM modulation by directly feeding the message into the input of the oscillator. In the case
of the varactor diode, we place this device within the tuned circuit of an oscillator circuit.
Crystal oscillator circuit: Varactor diode can also be used within a crystal oscillator circuit wherein the
signal needs to be multiplied in frequency, and only narrowband FM is attained.
Phase-locked loop: This is an excellent method to generate frequency modulation signals. However, the
constraints within the loop should be checked carefully and once everything is stable it offers an excellent
solution.

Expression for Frequency Modulated Wave:

As we know from amplitude modulation, we need two sine (or) cosine waves for modulation.

m(t) = Am cos(ωmt) and c(t) = Ac cos(ωct) ………………………………………….… (2)

or
m(t) = Am cos (2πfmt) and c(t) = Ac cos (2πfct) ………………………………………... (3)
Then frequency modulated wave will be;
fm (t) = fc + k Am cos (2πfmt) …………………………………………………………… (4)
fm (t) = fc + k m(t)………………………………………………………………………. (5)
Where, fm(t) = is frequency modulated wave, fc → frequency of the carrier wave, m(t) → modulating
signal and k → proportionality constant.

What happens after Frequency Modulation:

In FM, variation (or) deviation in frequency the maximum deviation Δfmax
Δfmax = │fm (t) – fc│ …………………..…………………………………………………. (6)
=│KAm cos(2π fmt) │ …………………………………………………………………... (7)
The maximum deviation in frequency is KAm
Generally, frequency deviation is defined as the measure of the change in a carrier frequency produced
by the amplitude of the input modulating signal.
Is the ratio of maximum deviation in frequency of the modulating signal?

𝐾𝐴𝑚 ∇f𝑚𝑎𝑥
Modulation Index, µ = = …………………………………………………………… (8)
𝑓𝑚 𝑓𝑚

Indirect FM Generation:

Figure 4.1: Indirect FM Generation.

The message signal m(t) is first integrated and then used to phase modulate a crystal-controlled oscillator;
the use of crystal control provides frequency stability. To minimize the distortion inherent in the phase
modulator, the maximum phase deviation or modulation index β is kept small, there by resulting in an
narrow band FM signal. This signal is next multiplied in frequency in frequency by means of a frequency
multiplier so as to produce the desired wide band FM signal.
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ETE 2214: Sessional Based on ETE 2213 Lab Manual Prepared By: M.T. Hassan

Figure 4.2: Frequency Multiplier.

Frequency Demodulation: Frequency demodulation is the process that enables us to recover the original
modulating signal from a frequency-demodulated signal. Here we describe a direct method of frequency
discriminator, whose instantaneous output amplitude is directly proportional to the instantaneous
frequency of the input FM signal.

Figure 4.3: Frequency Discriminator.

Required Apparatus:
▪ Frequency Modulation & Demodulation trainer kit.
▪ C.R.O (20MHz)
▪ Function generator (1MHz).
▪ MATLAB Software with communication toolbox
▪ Connecting chords & probes.
Expected Output Results:

Figure 4.4: Message Signal for Modulation.

Figure 4.5: Carrier Signal for Modulation.

Figure 4.6: Modulated FM Wave.

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ETE 2214: Sessional Based on ETE 2213 Lab Manual Prepared By: M.T. Hassan

Figure 4.7: Signals for Modulation.

Figure 4.8: Waveforms for Modulation and Demodulation.

Program for DSB-SC Modulated and Demodulated Wave:

#Initialization
% fm = 35 Hz, fc = 500 Hz, Am = 1V, Ac = 1V, B = 10
fs = 10000;
Ac = 1;
Am = 1;
fm = 35;
fc = 500;
B = 10;
t = (0:.1*fs)/fs;

Tasks
Task 1: Generate the FM Modulated wave using the mentioned equations in the manual.

Task 2: Generate the FM Demodulated wave using the necessary equations.

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ETE 2214: Sessional Based on ETE 2213 Lab Manual Prepared By: M.T. Hassan

Observations:
▪ Modulation

Table I: Observation for Modulation and demodulation.

Am fm fc Frequency Deviation, Δfmax Modulation Index, Bandwidth
| fm - fc | Δ𝑓𝑚𝑎𝑥 BW = 2(Δ𝑓𝑚𝑎𝑥 + 𝑓𝑚 )
𝒇𝒎

▪ Demodulation

Modulating Signal Frequency Demodulated Signal Frequency

Tasks:

1. Derive the equations for modulated and demodulated signal of FM.

2. Vary the frequency of message signal to observe the changes in the waveforms.
3. Plot the Modulated signal in MATLAB using the equations.
4. Prepare a report on the basis of assigned task.

Related Questions You need to know:

1. Define frequency modulation?

2. Mention the advantages of indirect method of FM generation?
3. Define modulation index and frequency deviation of FM?
4. What are the advantages of FM?
5. What is narrow band FM?
6. Compare narrow band FM and wide band FM?
7. Differentiate FM and AM?
8. How FM wave can be converted into PM wave?
9. Draw the circuit of varactor diode modulator?
10. What is the bandwidth of FM system?
11. What is the function of FM discriminator?
12. How does ratio detector differ from foster Seely discriminator?
13. What is meant by linear detector?
14. What are the drawbacks of slope detector?

-------------------------------------------
Md. Tarek Hassan
Lecturer &
Lab Instructor of ETE 2214
Dept. of ETE, RUET

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