University of the Philippines EEE118 1s2122

MODULE 9: RC Demodulator Circuits in Communication Systems

Introduction
In this module, we will be exploring the different building blocks of a communication
system. We will also learn about modulation and how it helps in the transmission of
information from one point to another. Specifically, we will observe a modulation
scheme known as amplitude modulation (AM) and observe its importance in the
efficiency of our communication system. We will also build a simple envelope detector
circuit to simulate demodulation.

Learning Outcomes
After completing this module, you should be able to:

1. Identify the building blocks of a communication system.

2. Understand the concept of amplitude modulation and demodulation.
3. Build a circuit that showcases the concept of a signal propagating through a
communication system.
4. Build a simple RC demodulator to recover a message signal.

The Communication System

Communication is achieved when information has been safely transmitted across a
medium. A communication system facilitates the transfer of information. The general
operation of a communication system may be described by the following diagram.

The message signal is the signal that we want to transmit. An information source is
responsible for the generation of the message signal. In human communication, the
brain that generates thoughts can be described as a source of information.

The transmitter converts the message signal into a form that is suitable for
transmission across the channel. An example would be the human voice box that
converts the thoughts generated by the brain into words with corresponding sounds.

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The channel is the medium at which the transmitted signal goes through. The
message signal may be corrupted by noise and interference from different
communicators. In the human communication system, the sound waves travel in the air
to get to the ear.

The one that reverses the transmission process is the receiver. It converts the
received signal into a form that is understandable at the destination. An example
would be the human eardrum which converts sound into electrical signals that can be
interpreted by the brain.

Amplitude Modulation
Instead of directly transmitting signals, we often use a scheme called modulation.
Modulation is the process of varying one or more properties of a periodic waveform
such that it is suitable for transmission. This preserves the integrity of the message
signal as it propagates through a channel. We use a high frequency carrier signal for
modulation since it allows us to use smaller antennas for transmission. Typically, the
antenna length is given by:

𝐿 = 0. 25 · λ𝐶

Where 𝐿 is the antenna length and λ = 𝑐/𝑓𝐶 is the wavelength of our carrier signal. We
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use 𝑐 = 3 × 10 𝑚/𝑠 as the speed of light. For example, if we do not use modulation to
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( )
send a 100 Hz sound wave, we would need a 𝐿 = 0. 25 · 3 × 10 /(100) = 750 𝑘𝑚 -
long antenna. Thus, a high frequency carrier would significantly reduce the antenna
length.

In this module, we will focus on amplitude modulation (AM) wherein the amplitude of
a carrier signal 𝐴𝐶, is varied proportionally to the amplitude of the message signal 𝐴𝑀.
This produces a modulated signal 𝑥𝐴𝑀 as described by the equation:

[ ( )] [ (
𝑥𝐴𝑀(𝑡) = 𝐴𝐶 · 1 + µ · 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2π𝑓𝑀𝑡 · 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2π𝑓𝐶𝑡 )]

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Where 𝑥𝐴𝑀(𝑡) is the AM signal value at time 𝑡, 𝑓𝑀is the message signal frequency, 𝑓𝐶is
the carrier signal frequency, and µ is the modulation index which ranges from 0 to 1.
The modulation index can also be expressed as follows:

( )(
µ = 𝐴𝑀/𝐴𝐶 = 𝑥𝐴𝑀,𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝑥𝐴𝑀,𝑚𝑖𝑛 / 𝑥𝐴𝑀,𝑚𝑎𝑥 + 𝑥𝐴𝑀,𝑚𝑖𝑛 )
To have a distortionless transmission, the modulation index must be µ ≤ 1. An
example of a distortionless transmission is illustrated in the following graph. Notice
how the resulting AM signal follows the shape of the sinusoid and how it envelopes
the high frequency carrier signal.

𝑥𝐴𝑀,𝑚𝑎𝑥 is the maximum amplitude and is measured at the highest point along P, while
𝑥𝐴𝑀,𝑚𝑖𝑛 is the minimum amplitude measured at the highest point along Q. For the above
figure, you should be able to get the modulation index to be:

( )( )
µ = 𝑥𝐴𝑀,𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝑥𝐴𝑀,𝑚𝑖𝑛 / 𝑥𝐴𝑀,𝑚𝑎𝑥 + 𝑥𝐴𝑀,𝑚𝑖𝑛 = (1. 5 − 0. 5)/(1. 5 + 0. 5) = 0. 5

An example of an overmodulated signal is shown in the following figure. What

happens is that the upper envelope overlaps with the lower envelope, making it
difficult for the demodulator to determine which parts comprise the original message
signal. This is why we prefer that our modulation index be less than 1 to ensure that
the upper and lower envelopes do not overlap. This makes it easier for the recovery of
the original signal. Additionally, when μ < 1, the signal is said to be undermodulated.
When μ = 1, the signal is said to be perfectly modulated.

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Channel
The channel is the medium at which the transmitted signal passes through. In the
context of human communication, sound waves can pass through air for it to reach the
ears. The channel can serve as a guide to the transmitted signal. However, noise,
external interference, and power loss will also be present in the channel to impede
the communication process. If our transmitted signal is not robust enough to withstand
these effects, the receiver will get a corrupted signal that is hard to convert back to its
original form. The message may not be recovered such that it resembles the original
signal.

Amplitude Demodulation
Amplitude demodulation is just the reverse of amplitude modulation in which we try to
convert the modulated signal back to its original form. The simplest way to do this is
by using an envelope detector. An example circuit is shown below.

The demodulation process of this circuit is divided into a rectification stage and a
filtering stage. First, the circuit rectifies the AM signal as shown below. Notice that the
negative cycle is discarded. Recall from the Module 8 that when a signal undergoes
rectification, the negative cycle is either taken out or is transformed into positive
values.

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The next step in the process is to pass the rectified signal into a filter. This is done by
the resistor-capacitor combination in the schematic. The carrier signal is essentially
filtered out by the low pass RC filter to obtain the original signal. Take note that due to
non-idealities in the circuit, the recovered signal might not necessarily be the same as
the original message signal.

The resistor and capacitor values of the demodulator circuit may be adjusted to
optimize the demodulation process. To achieve this, the following inequality must be
met:

𝐶≤ ( 2
)(
1 − 𝑚 / 𝑚 · 2π𝑓𝑀 · 𝑅 )
Where 𝐶 is the capacitor value, 𝑚 is the modulation index, 𝑓𝑀 is the message signal
frequency, and 𝑅 is the resistor value. Note that for very small capacitor values, the
demodulator circuit filters out more parts of the signal, thus introducing distortion. It is
best to set these values appropriately.

The goal of a communication system, therefore, is to minimize the effects of external

disturbances while facilitating the propagation of a signal from its source to the
destination. If the recovered and the original signals have the same shape, we can just
use an amplifier to increase the amplitude of the recovered signal.

Learning Activities

Activity 1: Analyzing an AM Signal in LTSPICE (Duration: 15 minutes)

1. Download and open the eee118_lab9.asc file uploaded in UVLe. This schematic
file contains all of the circuits needed for the learning activities.
2. Run the simulation and probe the carrier node. Attach the plot in your answer
sheet. What is its amplitude and frequency?
3. Probe the message node. What is its amplitude and frequency?
4. Probe the xc node. This is the amplitude-modulated signal. Determine the
modulation index by using the measurements from the displayed signal. Include
your solution.
End of Activity 1 of 3

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Activity 2: Channel Modeling (Duration: 15 minutes)

1. In this activity, we will model a channel that corrupts the modulated signal. To do
this, we will use a simple resistive divider circuit. Note that in the given .asc file,
the resistor values are not yet correctly set. Your resistive divider should look like
the schematic shown.

2. Connect the modulated signal to the input of your resistive divider as shown.
Probe the resulting attenuated signal, xc_channel.
3. Obtain a mathematical expression relating the input of the divider and its
output.

End of Activity 2 of 3

Activity 3: AM Message Recovery (Duration: 60 minutes)

1. This time, we will recover the message signal by demodulation. Implement the
following demodulator circuit. Note that in the given .asc file, the component
values are not yet correctly set. Your demodulator circuit should look like the
schematic below.

2. Connect the output of the resistive divider as shown. Run the simulation.
3. Probe xc_demod. This is the recovered signal, after demodulation. You should
get a waveform similar to the one shown. Determine the amplitude of the
recovered signal.

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4. Try varying the modulator and observe its effect on the recovered signal. In the
modulator block, adjust the modulation parameters such that the resulting AM
signal is perfectly modulated. Probe xc_demod.
5. Adjust the modulation parameters such that the modulation index is 3. Probe
xc_demod. What happens to the recovered signal? Is it still similar to the original
signal? Hint: Try probing the xc signal.
6. Revert the modulation index to 0.5.
7. It is possible to maximize the amplitude of our demodulator output by adjusting
the component values. Adjust the capacitance to 𝐶 to 270nF. Probe xc_demod
and take note of its amplitude.
8. Adjust the capacitance to 50nF. What happens to the demodulated signal?
9. Revert the capacitance back to 270nF.
10. Design an operational amplifier circuit to further increase the amplitude of the
demodulator output. Use appropriate resistance values such that the output of
the amplifier has a comparable amplitude as your original message signal. Show
the circuit schematic and calculations in your answer sheet.
11. Compare the original message signal and your amplifier output. Show these
signals in the same plot.
12. Finally, save your work as eee118_lab9_studentnumber.asc, e.g.
eee118_lab9_202198765.asc.

End of Activity 3 of 3

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Summary
We have now explored the building blocks of a communication system and what each
block is used for in the process of propagating a message signal from its source to its
destination. We have modelled a simple channel and observed its effects on the
transmission of signals. We understood the process of modulation and how varying
the properties of the carrier signal would affect the received signal. We also
implemented a demodulator circuit that reverses the effects of modulation to recover
our message signal. The non-idealities that come with our circuit are also explored.

References

World Science contributors. (2014, April 2). Amplitude-modulated Waveform. In the

European Journal of Natural History. Retrieved 04:42, August 28, 2020, from
https://world-science.ru/en/article/view?id=33228#:~:text=The%20AM%20modulation
%20index%20should,oscillates%20at%20a%20high%20frequency.

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