Department of Electrical Engineering

EE365L: Communication Systems

Course Instructor: Dr. Muhammad Zubair Dated: 3rd July, 2021

Lab Instructor: Tawahaa Ahmed Semester: 6th

Class: BSEE-18 Session: Spring-2021

Lab 11. Frequency Modulation Using Simulink

Lab Marks Obtained

Name Roll No VIVA(5)
(10) Marks (15)
Muhammad Hamza BSEE18078
Shahid

Checked on: _______________________________

Signature: ______________________________
 Frequency Modulation Using Simulink

11.1 Introduction
The FM systems have some definite advantages.
i) Firstly, the excessive power dissipation due to extreme peaks in the waveform
need not be bothered.
ii) Secondly, the non-linear amplitude distortion has no effect on message
transmission, since the information resides in zero crossing of the wave and not in
the amplitude. However, phase shift or delay distortion is intolerable.
iii) To avoid this problem a limiter circuit is used to clip the spurious amplitude
variation without disturbing the messages.
The frequency modulated signals can be generated in 2 ways:
i) Direct method of FM
ii) Indirect method of FM.
The prime requirement of FM generation is a viable output frequency. The frequency is
directly propositional to the instantaneous amplitude of the modulating voltage. The
subsidiary requirement of FM generation is that the frequency deviation is independent of
modulating frequency. However, if the system does not properly produce these
characteristics, corrections can be introduced during the modulation process.

11.2 Objective
The main objectives of this experiment are:
1) To gain a good understanding of methods of Frequency Modulation.
2) To learn how to implement FM modulation using direct and in-direct method.
3) To demodulate an FM signal using the Phase Locked Loop and Slope technique.
8.1 Background
11.1.1 Direct Method of Generating WB FM Signals
This method is simple in the sense that it uses a single component: the voltage-controlled
oscillator (VCO). As described in the section of Carrier Acquisition for DSBSC systems,
VCOs are devices that produce a sinusoid with a frequency that is proportional to the input
signal. So, if the input signal to a VCO is the message signal, the output of the VCO will be
an FM modulated signal of the message signal since the frequency of this FM signal changes
according to the input message signal.

Figure 8(a): FM modulation using Direct method

In VCO, the frequency is controlled by an external voltage. The oscillation frequency varies
linearly with the control voltage. We can generate an FM wave by using the modulating
signal m(t) as control signal. This gives
𝜔𝑖 (𝑡) = 𝜔𝑐 + 𝑘𝑓 𝑚(𝑡) (11.1)

One can construct a VCO using an operational amplifier and a hysteric comparator. Another
way of accomplishing the same goal is to vary one of the reactive parameters (C or L) of the
resonant circuit of an oscillator. A reverse biased semiconductor diode acts as a capacitor
whose capacitance varies with the bias voltage. The capacitance of these diodes, known
under several trade names such as varicaps, varactors or voltacaps, can be approximated as a
linear function of the bias voltage m(t) over a limited range. The frequency of oscillation is
given by
1
𝜔0 = (11.2)
√𝐿𝐶
If the capacitance C is varied by the modulating signal m(t), that is, if

𝐶 = 𝐶0 − 𝑘𝑚(𝑡) (11.3)
1
𝜔0 = 𝑘𝑚(𝑡)
(11.4)
√𝐿𝐶0 [1− ]
𝐶0

1
1 𝑘𝑚(𝑡) −2
𝜔0 = [1 − ] (11.5)
√𝐿𝐶0 𝐶0

1 𝑘𝑚(𝑡)
≈ [1 + ] (11.6)
√𝐿𝐶0 2𝐶0
Here we have used the binomial approximation (1 + x)n ≈ 1 + 𝑛𝑥 for |x|<1. Thus,
𝑘𝑚(𝑡)
𝜔0 = 𝜔𝑐 [1 + 2𝐶 ] (11.7)
0

1
Where 𝜔𝑐 =
√𝐿𝐶0

𝜔0 = 𝜔𝑐 + 𝑘𝑓 𝑚(𝑡) (11.8)

𝑘𝜔𝑐
Where 𝑘𝑓 = 2𝐶0
Because C=C0-km(t), the maximum capacitance deviation is
2𝑘𝑓 𝐶0 𝑚𝑝
∆𝐶 = 𝑘𝑚𝑝 = (11.9)
𝜔𝑐

∆𝐶 2𝑘𝑓 𝑚𝑝 2∆𝑓
= = (11.10)
𝐶0 𝜔𝑐 𝑓𝑐

∆𝑓
In practice, is usually small, and hence, ∆𝐶 is small fraction of 𝐶0 , which helps limit the
𝑓𝑐
harmonic distortion that arises because of the approximation used in this derivation.
Direct FM generation generally produces sufficient frequency deviation and requires little
frequency multiplication. But this method has poor frequency stability.
11.1.1.1 Features of the Direct Method
1. Poor frequency stability. (can be improved using feedback. The details are beyond our
scope) (-ve feature)
2. Less multiplication requirements as compared to the indirect method as will be seen (+ve
feature).
11.1.2 Armstrong Indirect Method for Wideband FM Generation
Consider the following block diagram

Figure 11(b): FM modulation using In-direct method

A narrowband FM signal can be generated easily using the block diagram of the narrowband
FM modulator. The narrowband FM modulator generates a narrowband FM signal using
simple components such as an integrator (an OpAmp), oscillators, multipliers, and adders.
The generated narrowband FM signal can be converted to a wideband FM signal by simply
passing it through a nonlinear device with exponent P. Both the carrier frequency and the
frequency deviation Δf of the narrowband signal are increased by a factor P. Sometimes, the
desired increase in the carrier frequency and the desired increase in Δf are different. In this
case, we increase Δf to the desired value and use a frequency shifter (multiplication by a
sinusoid followed by a BPF) to change the carrier frequency to the desired value.
 Figure 11(c): Armstrong In-direct method for WBFM Generation

11.2Description
clc
clear all;
close all;
fc=10;fm=1;
tp=[0:0.001:10];
message=cos(2*pi*fm*tp);
fm=cos(2*pi*fc*tp+5.*sin(2*pi*fm*tp));
figure(1);
subplot(311);
plot(tp,message);
title('Original Signal');
xlabel('Time');
ylabel('Amplitude');
subplot(312);
plot(tp,fm);
title('FM Signal');
xlabel('Time');
ylabel('Amplitude');
dy=diff(fm)./diff(tp);
xd=tp(2:length(tp));
subplot(313);
plot(xd,dy);
title('Signal after Differentiator');
xlabel('Time');
ylabel('Amplitude');
grid on;
figure(2);
envelope=abs(dy);
subplot(311);
plot(xd,envelope);
title('Rectified Signal');
xlabel('Time');
ylabel('Amplitude');
grid on
cutoff_f=6;fs=1000;
k=cutoff_f/(fs/2);
[b1,a1]=butter(2,k,'low');
output=filtfilt(b1,a1,envelope);
subplot(312);
plot(xd,output);
title('Demodulated Signal');
xlabel('Time');
ylabel('Amplitude');
grid on

Figure 11(d): FM Modulation and Demodulation using Slope Detection Method

11.3 Lab Tasks

Task-1: [6 Marks]

Implement example code in Simulink without using built-in blocks and compare the results.

● Message signal:

● FM Modulated Signal:
● Message signal and FM signal:

● Signal After differentiator:

● Rectified signal:
● Demodulated Signal:

● Simulink model:
Task-2: [4 Marks]

Design below mentioned diagram in Simulink with VCO. Assume: kf=5Hz/V, fc=10Hz and
modulating waveform is s(t) = cos(2*pi*t).

Figure 11(e): Simulink Design

● M(t):

● Carrier FM:

● Signal after Continuous time VCO:

● Signals on the same plot:
 Assessment Rubrics
EE365: Communication Systems – Lab __
Method: Lab reports and instructor observation during lab sessions

Outcome Assessed:

a. Ability to conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data (P).

b. Ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams(A).
c. Ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for
engineering practice (P).
Performance Exceeds Meets Does not meet Marks
expectation (4-5) expectation expectation (1)
(3-2)

1. Realization Selects relevant Needs guidance to Incapable of

of Experiment equipment to the select relevant selecting
[a, c] experiment, equipment to the relevant
develops setup experiment and to equipment to
diagrams of develop conduct the
equipment equipment experiment,
connections or wiring. connection or equipment
wiring diagrams. connection or
wiring diagrams
are

2. Teamwork [b] Actively engages Cooperates with Distracts or

and cooperates other group discourages
with other group members in a other group
members in an reasonable manner. members
effective manner. from conducting
the experiment.

3. Conducting Does proper Calibrates Unable to

Experiment [a, c] calibration of equipment, calibrate
equipment, examines appropriate
carefully equipment moving equipment, and
examines parts, and equipment
equipment operates the operation is
moving parts, and equipment with substantially
ensures smooth minor error. wrong.
operation and process.

4. Laboratory Respectfully and Observes safety Disregards

Safety Rules [a] carefully observes rules and safety rules
safety rules and procedures with and
procedures minor deviation. procedures.
 Performance Exceeds Meets Does not meet Marks
expectation (5-4) expectation expectation (1)
(3-2)

5. Data Plans data collection Plans data Does not know how
Collection [a] to achieve collection to to plan data
experimental achieve collection to
objectives, and experimental achieve
conducts an objectives, and experimental goals;
orderly and a collects complete data collected is
complete data data with minor incomplete and
collection. error. contain errors.

6. Data Accurately Conducts simple Unable to conduct

Analysis [a] conducts simple computations and simple statistical
computations and statistical analysis analysis on
statistical analysis using collected collected data; no
using collected data with minor attempt to
data; correlates error; correlate
experimental results reasonably experimental
to known correlates results with known
theoretical experimental results theoretical values;
values; accounts to known incapable of
for measurement theoretical explaining
errors and values; attempts to measurement errors
parameters that account for or parameters that
affect measurement affect the
experimental errors and experimental
results. parameters that results.
affect
experimental
results.

7. Computer Uses computer to Uses computer to Does not know how

Use [a] collect and analyze collect and analyze to use computer to
data effectively. data with minor collect and analyze
error. data.

Total

Lab Engineer:

Name:
Tawahaa Ahmed

Signature: Date: