Chapter 2: Communication circuits in

Multisim

Objective
We will design and analyze some of the circuits used in communication in
Multisim.

Introduction
A communication circuit may be defined as follows:

 The complete path between two terminals over which one-way or two-way
communications may be provided.
 An electronic path between two or more points, capable of providing a
single or multiple communication channels.
 An electronic closed-loop path among two or more points used
for signal transfer.
In operational terms, a communication circuit may be capable of
transmitting information in only one direction (simplex circuit), or it may be
bi-directional (duplex circuit). Bi-directional circuits may support half-
duplex operation, when only one end of the channel transmits at any one
time, or they may support full-duplex operation, when independent
simultaneous transmission occurs in both directions.
What is Modulation?
Modulation is defined as the process whereby some characteristic (line
amplitude, frequency, phase of a high frequency signal wave (carrier wave) is
varied in accordance with instantaneous value intensity of low frequency
signal wave (modulating wave.)

In the process of modulation, the baseband signal is translated i.e., shifted

from low frequency to high frequency. This frequency shift is proportional to
the frequency of carrier.

Advantages of Modulation
1. Reduction in the height of antenna
2. Avoids mixing of signals
3. Increases the range of communication
4. Multiplexing is possible
5. Improves quality of reception
We will discuss each of these advantages in detail below.

1. Reduction in the height of antenna

For the transmission of radio signals, the antenna height must be multiple
of λ/4, where λ is the wavelength.

λ = c /f

where c : is the velocity of light

f: is the frequency of the signal to be transmitted

The minimum antenna height required to transmit a baseband signal of f =

10 kHz is calculated as follows:

H= λ/4=7500m

The antenna of this height is practically impossible to install.

Now, let us consider a modulated signal at f = 1 MHz. The minimum

antenna height is given by,

H= λ/4=7.5m

This antenna can be easily installed practically. Thus, modulation reduces

the height of the antenna.

2. Avoids mixing of signals

If the baseband sound signals are transmitted without using the modulation
by more than one transmitter, then all the signals will be in the same
frequency range i.e. 0 to 20 kHz. Therefore, all the signals get mixed
together and a receiver cannot separate them from each other.

Hence, if each baseband sound signal is used to modulate a different carrier

then they will occupy different slots in the frequency domain (different
channels). Thus, modulation avoids mixing of signals.

3. Increase the Range of Communication

The frequency of baseband signal is low, and the low frequency signals
cannot travel long distance when they are transmitted. They get heavily
attenuated.

The attenuation reduces with increase in frequency of the transmitted

signal, and they travel longer distance.

The modulation process increases the frequency of the signal to be

transmitted. Therefore, it increases the range of communication.
4. Multiplexing is possible

Multiplexing is a process in which two or more signals can be transmitted

over the same communication channel simultaneously.

This is possible only with modulation.

The multiplexing allows the same channel to be used by many signals.

Hence, many TV channels can use the same frequency range, without
getting mixed with each other or different frequency signals can be
transmitted at the same time.

5. Improves Quality of Reception

With frequency modulation (FM) and the digital communication techniques

such as PCM, the effect of noise is reduced to a great extent. This improves
quality of reception.

Amplitude Modulation

Fig 2.01. Block Diagram of Amplitude Modulation

A continuous-wave goes on continuously without any intervals and it is the
baseband message signal, which contains the information. This wave has to
be modulated.
According to the standard definition, “The amplitude of the carrier signal
varies in accordance with the instantaneous amplitude of the modulating
signal.” Which means, the amplitude of the carrier signal containing no
information varies as per the amplitude of the signal containing
information, at each instant. This can be well explained by the following
figures.

Fig 2.02. Message Signal for AM

Fig 2.3. Carrier Signal for AM

 Fig 2.4. Amplitude Modulated Signal

It can be observed that the positive and negative peaks of the carrier wave,
are interconnected with an imaginary line. This line helps recreating the
exact shape of the modulating signal. This imaginary line on the carrier
wave is called as Envelope. It is the same as that of the message signal.

Mathematical Expressions

Following are the mathematical expressions for these waves.

Time-domain Representation of the Waves

Let the modulating signal be,

m(t)=Amcos(2πfmt)
and the carrier signal be,
c(t)=Accos(2πfct)
Where,
Am and Ac are the amplitude of the modulating signal and the carrier signal
respectively.

fm and fc are the frequency of the modulating signal and the carrier signal
respectively.

Then, the equation of Amplitude Modulated wave will be

s(t)=[Ac+Amcos(2πfmt)]cos(2πfct)  …………………… (Equation 1)
Modulation Index

A carrier wave, after being modulated, if the modulated level is calculated,

then such an attempt is called as Modulation Index or Modulation Depth.
It states the level of modulation that a carrier wave undergoes.

Rearrange the Equation 1 as below.

s(t)=Ac[1+(Am/Ac)cos(2πfmt)]cos(2πfct)

⇒s(t)=Ac[1+μcos(2πfmt)]cos(2πfct)  …………………. (Equation 2)

Where, μ is Modulation index and it is equal to the ratio of Am and Ac.

Mathematically, we can write it as

μ=Am/Ac  ……………………….. (Equation 3)

Hence, we can calculate the value of modulation index by using the above
formula, when the amplitudes of the message and carrier signals are
known.

Now, let us derive one more formula for Modulation index by considering
Equation 1. We can use this formula for calculating modulation index
value, when the maximum and minimum amplitudes of the modulated
wave are known.

Let Amax and Amin be the maximum and minimum amplitudes of the

modulated wave.

We will get the maximum amplitude of the modulated wave,

when cos(2πfmt) is 1.

⇒Amax=Ac+Am  ……………………….. (Equation 4)

We will get the minimum amplitude of the modulated wave,

when cos(2πfmt) is -1.

⇒Amin=Ac−Am  ……………………… (Equation 5)

Adding Equation 4 and Equation 5.

Amax+Amin= (Ac+Am) + (Ac−Am)= 2Ac

⇒Ac= (Amax+Amin)/2  ……………………. (Equation 6)

Subtract Equation 5 from Equation 4.

Amax−Amin=(Ac+Am) − (Ac−Am)=2Am

⇒Am= (Amax−Amin)/2  ………………………. (Equation 7)

The ratio of Equation 7 and Equation 6 will be as follows.

Am/Ac= (Amax−Amin)/2(Amax+Amin)/2
⇒μ= (Amax−Amin)/(Amax+Amin)  ……………………… (Equation 8)

Therefore, Equation 3 and Equation 8 are the two formulas for Modulation
index. The modulation index or modulation depth is often denoted in
percentage called as Percentage of Modulation. We will get the percentage
of modulation, just by multiplying the modulation index value with 100.

For a perfect modulation, the value of modulation index should be 1, which

implies the percentage of modulation should be 100%.

For instance, if this value is less than 1, i.e., the modulation index is 0.5,
then the modulated output would look like the following figure. It is called
as Under-modulation. Such a wave is called as an under-modulated
wave.

Fig 2.5. Under Modulated Wave in AM

If the value of the modulation index is greater than 1, i.e., 1.5 or so, then
the wave will be an over-modulated wave. It would look like the following
figure.
 Fig 2.6. Over Modulated Wave in AM

As the value of the modulation index increases, the carrier experiences a

180o phase reversal, which causes additional sidebands and hence, the
wave gets distorted. Such an over-modulated wave causes interference,
which cannot be eliminated.

Fig 2.7. Circuit for Amplitude Modulation and Demodulation in Multisim

 Fig 2.8. Message and Carrier Waveform for AM in Multisim

Fig 2.9. Obtained Amplitude Modulated Signal in Multisim

AM Demodulation: Amplitude Modulation Detection

Demodulation is a key process in the reception of any amplitude modulated

signals whether used for broadcast or two way radio communication
systems.

Demodulation is the process by which the original information bearing

signal, i.e. the modulation is extracted from the incoming overall received
signal.

The process of demodulation for signals using amplitude modulation can be

achieved in a number of different techniques, each of which has its own
advantage.

The demodulator is the circuit, or for a software defined radio, the software
that is used to recover the information content from the overall incoming
modulated signal.

AM demodulators are found in many items of radio equipment: broadcast

receivers, professional radio communication equipment, walkie talkies - AM
is still used for air-band radio communications.
 Fig 2.10. Block Diagram of AM Demodulation

Detection or demodulation

Terms like diode detector, synchronous detector and product detector are
widely used. But the term demodulation tends to be used more widely when
referring to the process of extracting the modulation from the signal.

The term detection is the older term dating back to the early days of radio.
The term demodulation is probably more accurate in that it refers to the
process of demodulation, i.e. extracting the modulation from the signal.

The terms detection and demodulation are often used when referring to the
overall demodulation process. Essentially the terms describe the same
process, and the same circuits.

As the name indicates the demodulation process is the opposite of

modulation, where a signal such as an audio signal is applied to a carrier.

In the demodulation process the audio or other signal carried by amplitude

variations on the carrier is extracted from the overall signal to appear at the
output.

As the most common use for amplitude modulation is for audio applications,
the most common output is the audio. This may be broadcast entertainment
for broadcast reception, and for two way radio communications, it is often
used for land communications for aeronautical associated applications -
often within walkie talkies.
AM demodulation technique
There are a number of techniques that can be used to demodulate AM
signals. Different types are used in different applications to suit their
performance and cost.

 Diode rectifier envelope detector:   This form of detector is the simplest

form, only requiring a single diode and a couple of other low cost
components. The performance is adequate for low cost AM broadcast
radios, but it does not meet the standards of other forms of demodulation.
Circuit of an envelope detector as used in an AM radio receiver. It has a
high level of distortion, and performs badly under conditions of selective
fading such as those experienced on the medium and short wave bands.

That said the diode detector has been in use for many years. It was widely
used for domestic and professional valve or tube radios, and when
semiconductors replaced valves, simple diode detectors were very easy to
implement. For more modern radios using integrated circuits, other forms
of AM detector or AM demodulator are easier to implement.

Fig 2.11. Original Signal and Signal received after Demodulation of AM in

Multisim
Frequency Modulation

Fig 2.12. Bolck Diagram of Frequency Modulation

In amplitude modulation, the amplitude of the carrier signal varies.

Whereas, in Frequency Modulation (FM), the frequency of the carrier
signal varies in accordance with the instantaneous amplitude of the
modulating signal.
Hence, in frequency modulation, the amplitude and the phase of the carrier
signal remains constant. This can be better understood by observing the
following figures.
 Fig 2.13. Message Signal for FM

Fig 2.14. Carrier Signal for FM

Fig 2.15. Frequency Modulated Signal

The frequency of the modulated wave increases, when the amplitude of the
modulating or message signal increases. Similarly, the frequency of the
modulated wave decreases, when the amplitude of the modulating signal
decreases. Note that, the frequency of the modulated wave remains
constant and it is equal to the frequency of the carrier signal, when the
amplitude of the modulating signal is zero.
Frequency Deviation
 The amount of change in the carrier frequency produced, by the
amplitude of the input modulating signal, is called frequency deviation.

 The Carrier frequency swings between fmax and fmin as the input varries
in its amplitude.

 The difference between fmax and fc is known as frequency deviation. fd =

fmax – fc

 Similarly, the difference between fc and fmin also is known as frequency

deviation. fd = fc –fmin

 It is denoted by Δf. Therefore Δf = fmax – fc = fc – fmin

 Therefore fd = fmax – fc = fc – fmin

Frequency Modulation Equation
The FM equation include the following
v = A sin [ wct + (Δf / fm) sin(wmt) ]

= A sin [ wct + (mf )sin(wmt) ]

Where A = Amplitude of the FM signal,

Δf = Frequency deviation

mf = Modulation Index of FM
mf = ∆f/fm
where
wm = 2πfm , wc = 2πfc

What is Modulation Index of Frequency Modulation?

The modulation index of FM is defined as the ratio of the frequency

deviation of the carrier to the frequency of the modulating signal
mf = Modulation Index of FM = ∆f/fm
FM Demodulation Techniques

Frequency Discrimination Method

The following figure shows the block diagram of FM demodulator using

frequency discrimination method.

Fig. 2.16. Block Diagram of Frequency Discrimination method for FM

Demodulation
This block diagram consists of the differentiator and the envelope detector.
Differentiator is used to convert the FM wave into a combination of AM wave
and FM wave. This means, it converts the frequency variations of FM wave
into the corresponding voltage (amplitude) variations of AM wave. We know
the operation of the envelope detector. It produces the demodulated output
of AM wave, which is nothing but the modulating signal.

Phase Discrimination Method

The following figure shows the block diagram of FM demodulator using

phase discrimination method.
 Fig 2.17. Block Diagram of Phase Discrimination method for FM
Demodulation

Fig 2.18. Circuit for Frequency Modulation and Demodulation in Multisim

Fig. 2.19 Frequency Modulated Signal waveform in Multisim

 Fig 2.20. Message signal and Demodulated Signal waveform in Multisim

Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)

Fig 2.21. Block Diagram of Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)

Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) is a type of Amplitude Modulation which
represents the binary data in the form of variations in the amplitude of a
signal.
Any modulated signal has a high frequency carrier. The binary signal when
ASK modulated, gives a zero value for Low input while it gives the carrier
output for High input.
The following figure represents ASK modulated waveform along with its
input.
 Fig 2.22. ASK Input and Output Waveform

ASK Modulator

The ASK modulator block diagram comprises of the carrier signal

generator, the binary sequence from the message signal and the band-
limited filter. Following is the block diagram of the ASK Modulator.
 Fig 2.23. ASK Modulator Block Diagram
The carrier generator, sends a continuous high-frequency carrier. The
binary sequence from the message signal makes the unipolar input to be
either High or Low. The high signal closes the switch, allowing a carrier
wave. Hence, the output will be the carrier signal at high input. When there
is low input, the switch opens, allowing no voltage to appear. Hence, the
output will be low.
The band-limiting filter, shapes the pulse depending upon the amplitude
and phase characteristics of the band-limiting filter or the pulse-shaping
filter.

Fig 2.24. Circuit for Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) in Multisim

 Fig 2.25. Waveforms of ASK circuit in Multisim

Advantages of ASK modulation

➨It offers high bandwidth efficiency.

➨It has simple receiver design.
➨ASK modulation can be used to transmit digital data over optical fiber.
➨ASK modulation and ASK demodulation processes are comparatively
inexpensive.
➨Its variant OOK is used at radio frequencies to transmit morse codes.

Disadvantages of ASK modulation

➨It offers lower power efficiency.

➨ASK modulation is very susceptible to noise interference. This is due to
the fact that noise affects the amplitude. Hence another alternative
modulation technique such as BPSK which is less susceptible to error than
ASK is used.

Applications of ASK:
 Low-frequency RF applications

 Home automation devices

 Industrial networks devices

 Wireless base stations

 Tire pressuring monitoring systems

Thus, Ask (amplitude shift keying) is a digital modulation technique to

increase the amplitude characteristics of the input binary signal

Phase Shift Keying (PSK)

Fig 2.26. Block Diagram of BPSK

Phase Shift Keying PSK is the digital modulation technique in which the

phase of the carrier signal is changed by varying the sine and cosine inputs
at a particular time. PSK technique is widely used for wireless LANs, bio-
metric, contactless operations, along with RFID and Bluetooth
communications.
Binary Phase Shift Keying BPSK
This is also called as 2-phase PSK or Phase Reversal Keying. In this
technique, the sine wave carrier takes two phase reversals such as 0° and
180°.

BPSK is basically a Double Side Band Suppressed

Carrier DSBSC modulation scheme, for message being the digital
information.

BPSK Modulator

The block diagram of Binary Phase Shift Keying consists of the balance
modulator which has the carrier sine wave as one input and the binary
sequence as the other input. Following is the diagrammatic representation.

Fig 2.27. Block Diagram of BPSK Modulator

The modulation of BPSK is done using a balance modulator, which
multiplies the two signals applied at the input. For a zero binary input, the
phase will be 0° and for a high input, the phase reversal is of 180°.
Following is the diagrammatic representation of BPSK Modulated output
wave along with its given input.

Fig 2.28. Ideal Input and Output waves of BPSK

The output sine wave of the modulator will be the direct input carrier or the
inverted 180°phaseshifted180°phaseshifted input carrier, which is a
function of the data signal.

Fig 2.29. Circuit of Phase Shift Keying in Multisim

 Fig 2.30. Waveforms of PSK circuit in Multisim

The advantages of phase-shift keying include the following:

 This type of PSK allows information to be carried with a radio

communications signal more efficiently compare with FSK.

 QPSK is another kind of data transmits wherever 4 phase states are

utilized, all in 90 degrees of one another.

 It is less vulnerable to faults when we evaluate with ASK modulation &

occupies similar bandwidth like ASK.

 By using this, the high transmission data rate can be attained with the
help of high-level PSK modulations like QPSK, 16-QAM. Here QPSK
signifies 2-bits for each constellation and 16-QAM signifies 2-bits for each
constellation.

The disadvantages of phase-shift keying include the

following:

 The bandwidth efficiency of this PSK is less compared with ASK type of
modulation

 It is a non-coherent reference signal

 By estimating the phase states of the signal, the binary information can
be decoded. Algorithms like recovery and detection are extremely difficult.
 High-level PSK modulations like QPSK, 16-QAM is more sensitive to
phase differences.

 It generates wrong demodulations as the fault can combine with time

because the reference signal for demodulation is not fixed.

Applications of Phase Shift Keying

The applications of PSK include the following.

 This method is broadly used for bio-metric, wireless LAN along

with wireless communications like Bluetooth and RFID.

 Local Oscillator

 Optical Communications

 Multi-channel WDM

 Delay & add demodulator

 Nonlinear effects for WDM transmission

Conclusion
We simulated and analyzed the output of Amplitude Modulation, Frequency
Modulation, Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK), and Phase Shift Keying (PSK). All
results obtained were satisfactory.

References
 https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/radio/modulation/amplitude-
modulation-am.php
 https://www.tutorialspoint.com/analog_communication/
analog_communication_amplitude_modulation.htm
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BlwG7BBm2k
 https://www.tutorialspoint.com/analog_communication/
analog_communication_angle_modulation.htm
 https://www.elprocus.com/frequency-modulation-and-its-applications/
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz1kEaOterM
 https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/radio/modulation/frequency-
modulation-fm.php
 https://www.tutorialspoint.com/digital_communication/
digital_communication_amplitude_shift_keying.htm

 https://www.tutorialspoint.com/digital_communication/
digital_communication_phase_shift_keying.htm