ECE 2C

Laboratory 4

AM Modulator and Ultrasonic Transceiver

In this lab you will construct a circuit to produce a 40kHz amplitude-modulated (AM)
carrier, which is the final circuit block needed to complete our ultrasonic transceiver
system. We will combine this modulator with the microphone circuit from Lab #2 and an
ultrasonic transducer to make an AM transmitter. We will then combine the AM
demodulator from Lab #3 with an ultrasonic transducer and the Audio amplifier from Lab
#2 to make the receiver. The Power supply from Lab #1 will be used to power the receiver
circuit.
By studying this document and experimenting with the components and circuits in the lab,
try to understand the following:
• Use of multiplier circuits for modulation
• Relaxation oscillator design
• Use of filters for wave shaping
• Characteristics of ultrasonic transducers
• Some elements of acoustic wave propagation
• Basics elements of communication link design

As you construct the circuits, try to understand the role of each component, and how the
choice of component value may influence the operation of the circuit.

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ECE 2C Circuits, Devices, and Systems Lab 4

Table of Contents

Pre-Lab Preparation ............................................................................................. 3

Required Equipment List .................................................................................................. 3
Schedule for Lab #4 .......................................................................................................... 3
Parts List............................................................................................................................ 3
Schematic for Lab #4 ........................................................................................................ 4
In-Lab Procedure .................................................................................................. 5
Step 1 – Relaxation Oscillator........................................................................................... 5
Step 2 – AM Modulator .................................................................................................... 6
Step 3 – Hardwire the Transmitter Circuit ........................................................................ 8
Step 4 – Ultrasonic Transducers........................................................................................ 8
Step 5 – Putting It Together ............................................................................................. 9
Step 6 – Adding the Amplifier and Microphone Stage................................................... 10
Possible Improvements ................................................................................................... 11
Lab 4 Record ....................................................................................................... 12

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ECE 2C Circuits, Devices, and Systems Lab 4

Pre-Lab Preparation
Read through the lab experiment and data sheets to familiarize yourself with the
components and assembly sequence. Bring your solderless breadboard, soldering iron,
tools, wire jumpers, audio-amplifier and power supply from lab #1-2, and AM Modulator
from Lab #3.
Optional: simulate the modulator using Circuit Maker or MultiSim (circuit file available
on the course web site).

Required Equipment List

Solderless breadboard and Wire jumper kit
Soldering iron and stand
Lab #1 Power Supply
Lab #2 Audio Amplifier and Microphone Circuit
Lab #3 Demodulator Circuit
Bench Function generator , power supply, and oscilloscope

Schedule for Lab #4

To stay on schedule, you must complete the lab in two sessions as follows:
Week #1: Complete Steps 1-2 (AM Modulator)
Week #2: Complete Steps 3-5 (Complete ultrasonic link)
Also: double check your kit against the parts list below . If you are missing parts, contact
the ECE Shop to remedy the situation quickly.

Parts List
Qty Description Circuit
1 Jameco 40KHz Ultrasonic Transducers (T/R pair)
1 AD633 Low Cost 4-Quadrant Analog Multiplier
3 LF353 Dual Wide-band JFET Op-amp
3 8-pin low-profile IC socket
1 4.5" x 2.5" Vectorboard
1 0.001uF capacitor (CKO5 low-volt. Ceramic) C1
1 0.0022uF capacitor (CKO5 low-volt. Ceramic)
6 0.1uF capacitor (CK05 low-voltage ceramic )
1 10k trimpot R7
1 20k trimpot R1
2 1kOhm 1/4W R2
1 6.8kOhm 1/4W R6
2 10kOhm 1/4W R4-5
1 22kOhm 1/4W R3
7 flea clips
4 ft #22 stranded wire (black)
4 ft #22 stranded wire (red)

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 ECE 2C

R8 R1
1k 20k 50%
MIC
12V
Modulation R2 1/2
1k LF353

© Robert York, UCSB 2006

-1/1V + 12V
U2 Output
Schematic for Lab #4

AD633
2kHz X1 Vs+
-12V X2 W
Y1 Z
Y2 Vs-
R7
1V 10k 68%

4
.IC
-12V
+12V C1
C2 0.001uF
.0022uF 1/2 R5
+ LF353 10k
Circuits, Devices, and Systems

R6

Schematic for the AM modulator.

6.8k

R3 +12V
R4 -12V 22k 1/2
10k + LF353

-12V
Lab 4
 ECE 2C Circuits, Devices, and Systems Lab 4

In-Lab Procedure
Follow the instructions below CAREFULLY. Failure to do so could result in serious
damage to the lab equipment, destruction of parts, and possible injury to you and
your lab partner.
‰ Each step begins with a check box like the one at the left. When you complete a step,
check the associated box. At the end of this document is a LAB RECORD in which
you will record key observations and results from the experiment. When you are
finished with the lab, you must demonstrate a working circuit and a completed lab
record, and get this signed and certified by one of the lab TAs.

Step 1 – Relaxation Oscillator

In class we discussed a simple oscillator circuit called a relaxation oscillator. We will use
this topology to generate a 40kHz carrier signal for the AM modulator. The circuit is
shown below. This oscillator derives its name from the periodic charging and discharging
of the capacitor, which is sometimes referred to as a “relaxation” process. This circuit is
also called an “astable multivibrator”, or simply a “square-wave generator”.
R7
1V 10k 68%
.IC
+12V
C2
.0022uF 1/2
+ LF353

R3
R4 -12V 22k
10k

Relaxation oscillator.
The time-constant of the relaxation process is set by R7-C2. Resistors R3-R4 form a
voltage divider that sets the critical value of capacitor voltage which causes the op-amp
output to change sign. As we derived in class, the oscillation period is set by
⎛ 2R ⎞
T = 2 R7C2 ln ⎜1 + 4 ⎟
⎝ R3 ⎠
By making R7 a variable resistor (trimpot), we can easily adjust the oscillation period.
‰ First add your op-amp onto your breadboard and provide power connections and bias
decoupling capacitors for each chip.
‰ Construct the relaxation oscillator circuit. Apply power and observe the output waveform
on the oscilloscope. Adjust the trimpot so that your circuit generates a 40kHz signal, and

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 ECE 2C Circuits, Devices, and Systems Lab 4

record this in the lab record. Note the output amplitude and the risetime slope or “slew-
rate” on the waveform edges.
‰ Now add the integrating filter as shown below. The purpose of this circuit is simply to
smooth out the sharp edges of the square-wave which can lead to ringing when we drive
the ultrasonic transducer, which is a resonant piezoelectric device. We also use this stage
to reduce the output amplitude to approximately 5 V peak. Record the output waveform in
your lab record.
R7
1V 10k 68%
.IC
+12V C1
C2 0.001uF
.0022uF 1/2 R5
+ LF353 10k
R6
6.8k

R3 +12V
R4 -12V 22k 1/2
10k + LF353

-12V

Oscillator with integrating buffer (bypass capacitors not shown).

Step 2 – AM Modulator
In the last lab we started discussing the basics of AM modulation, and built a circuit to
demodulate the signal. Now we need to build a circuit to generate an AM modulated
signal. If our information-bearing signal is represented as v(t ) , and the carrier signal is
represented as cos ω c t , then the AM signal is given by
f AM (t ) = (1 + m v(t ) ) cos ω c t

where m is the so-called modulation index, 0 < m ≤ 1 . The figure below shows an AM
modulated signal with v(t ) = sin(ω c t / 20) and m = 0.5 .

Amplitude modulated sine wave (sinusoidal modulation) with m = 0.5 .

With reference to the above equation, we see that to generate an AM signal, we need to
multiply the carrier sinusoid by our modulating signal. Multiplication of two signals is a

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 ECE 2C Circuits, Devices, and Systems Lab 4

common requirement in electronics, and specialized multiplier circuits have been

developed for this purpose. We will use a particularly simple and low-cost chip from
Analog Devices, the AD633 4-Quadrant multiplier. At this time it would be appropriate to
review the data sheet for this device, if you haven’t done so already.

AD633 pin diagram and hookup for a linear AM modulator (from data sheet).
The pin diagram for the AD633 is shown above. The chip is designed to implement the
following analog function:
( X 1 − X 2 )(Y1 − Y2 )
W= +Z
10
where the variables correspond to voltages on various pins of the device (see figure), and
all are in units of Volts. If we ground X 2 and Y2 and connect pins 8 and 3 so that Y1 = Z ,
then
W = Y1 (1 + X 1 /10)
Comparing this with our desired result, we can see that our AM signal can be obtained by
making Y1 the carrier and X 1 the modulating signal.
‰ Construct the AM modulator circuit as shown in the master schematic, with the AD633
configured as an AM modulator. Remember to add bias decoupling capacitors. The 20k
trimpot (R1) is part of an inverting amplifier that controls the gain of the modulating signal
and hence the modulation index.

Bench Function
Pow er Supply Generator

+/-12 V
AM Oscillo-
Modulator scope

‰ Test your circuit using the setup shown above. Use a 1kHz sinusoid from the bench
function generator to provide a modulating signal. Adjust the function generator amplitude

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 ECE 2C Circuits, Devices, and Systems Lab 4

and/or R1 to obtain nearly 100% modulation index, and record the waveform on the lab
record.
‰ Now connect the microphone circuit from Lab #2 and test that you can AM modulate the
carrier with your voice.

Step 3 – Hardwire the Transmitter Circuit

‰ Transfer your completed design to vectorboard. Be sure to including your microphone
circuit from Lab #2, but do not connect it to the modulator just yet, as we will perform the
initial testing using the function generator. Your board should have three power-supply
connections (+/- 12V and GND), and two connections (Signal/Gnd) for hooking up the
external function generator to the modulator. We will soon be adding the ultrasonic
transducers.

Step 4 – Ultrasonic Transducers

Now we have all the circuit components we will need to assemble our transceiver system.
The last ingredient is the ultrasonic transducers: the devices that will generate or receive
the ultrasonic wave. We will use a pair of transducers designed for operation around
40kHz.

Ultrasonic transducer attached to wire leads.

‰ Locate the transducers in your parts kit. They resemble the condenser microphones that
we used in Lab #2. One is marked with a “T” to identify it as the transmitter. Solder wire
leads to each as shown in the figure above. Use 18-24” of wire so that the transmitter and
receiver can be well separated during operation.

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 ECE 2C Circuits, Devices, and Systems Lab 4

Ultrasonic
Transducers

Function Bench
Generator Oscilloscope

Transmitter Receiver
Testing the ultrasonic transducers.
‰ Perform a simple test of the transducers as shown above. Drive the transmitter with a 10V
(peak) sinusoid at 40kHz using the function generator, and observe the received signal on
the oscilloscope. Experiment with varying separations and transducer orientations and
observe the effect on the link loss.

Step 5 – Putting It Together

Now we are ready to start assembling the complete system! Be advised that this is
probably the most difficult part of any engineering project. Components that seem to work
in isolation often have a tendency to do strange and unpredictable things when hooked
together into a larger system. Getting any complicated electrical system to work is a
difficult art that is only mastered by experience and perseverance—not to mention a solid
foundation in circuit theory!
The complete transmitter and receiver schematics are attached at the end of this document.
You may wish to refer to these during the following steps.
‰ Lets first test our ability to transmit and receive an AM modulated signal and demodulate
it. Connect your AM modulator and demodulator circuit blocks as shown below. The
function generator will be used as the modulating signal, and we will observe the output on
the oscilloscope.

Bench Power Lab #1 Power

Supply Supply
Ultrasonic
Transducers

Function AM AM Bench
Generator Modulator Demodulator Oscilloscope

Add the modulator and demodulator sections.

‰ Power up the circuit and test it with a 1kHz input signal, similar to the test from Step 2. If
everything is working properly, the received and demodulated signal should be a close
replica of the transmitted signal. Answer questions in the lab record, and demonstrate this

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 ECE 2C Circuits, Devices, and Systems Lab 4

working link to the TA. Congratulations on your first working wireless transceiver
system!
‰ For large separations netween transducers, you may need some extra gain in your receiver
just prior to the rectifier stage. There are several places in your circuit where you can
adjust resistors to increase the gain as needed.
‰ Estimate the 3dB bandwidth of the link by sweeping the input signal frequency and
observing the output signal strength. You may need to make some slight adjustments in
the carrier frequency and modulation index (via the appropriate trimpots) in order to
maximize the bandwidth and/or flatten the frequency response. When you have fine-tuned
your system, record the 3 dB bandwidth in the lab record.

Step 6 – Adding the Amplifier and Microphone Stage

We can make the system more functional by incorporating our microphone and audio-
amplifier circuits from Labs #1-2 to form a one-way voice communications channel. This
last step will therefore combine all of your ECE 2C modules into one working system.
‰ First, add the audio amplifier as shown below. Use your power supply from Lab #1 to
provide power to the receiver circuit. (In my prototype design, using separate supplies for
the transmitter and receiver proved to be essential in order to minimize parasitic feedback
coupling to the high-gain microphone preamplifier through the bias lines). Test your
circuit by sweeping the input frequency over the audio spectrum and listening to the
output. Demonstrate this working link to the TA.

Bench Power Lab #1 Power

Supply Supply
Ultrasonic
Transducers Speaker

Function AM AM Audio
Generator Modulator Demodulator Amplifier

Add the audio amplifier stage

‰ Finally, add the microphone preamplifier stage as shown below. This is the most
problematic stage, since it introduces regenerative feedback due to pickup from the audio
speaker. Try to separate the speaker from the microphone, and orient them so they face
away from each other. Also be sure to remove the capacitor C2 from your microphone
circuit. This is no longer necessary because of the limited bandwidth of the ultrasonic
transducers.

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 ECE 2C Circuits, Devices, and Systems Lab 4

Bench Power Lab #1 Power

Supply Supply
Ultrasonic
Microphone Speaker
Transducers

Microphone AM AM Audio
Preamplifier Modulator Demodulator Amplifier

Complete Ultrasonic Transceiver System.

‰ Start with the audio amplifier volume turned down and monitor the output of the AM
modulator on the oscilloscope. Adjust the preamplifier gain (20k trimpot) so that a normal
speaking voice yields a reasonably large modulation index. If you find that you have too
much gain in your circuit (or not enough), adjust some of the resistor values accordingly.
There is a well-stocked resistor cabinet in the lab near the door.
‰ Next, slowly increase the audio amplifier volume until an audible signal is received.
Depending on the separation of the transducers and the orientation of your microphone and
speaker, you may encounter feedback oscillations. Adjust your components as needed to
maximize the audio output while maintaining oscillation-free operation. Demonstrate
your working circuit to the TA.

Congratulations on completing the ECE 2C Labs!

Possible Improvements
Even under the best conditions, the performance of this system is limited, largely due to
the quality of the microphone, ultrasonics transducers, and audio speaker. Nevertheless,
the system incorporates most of the key features of any communications link. If you were
able to get the system working, congratulations on a significant accomplishment in your
electronics education!!
The limited bandwidth of the ultrasonic transducers is one of the key problems with this
system, at least as far as analog audio transmission is concerned. Better transducers are
available, of course, but they are expensive. One possible improvement that we mentioned
in Lab #3 is to shape the frequency-response of the receiver circuit to compensate for the
transducers. This would require a filter that has an increasing gain for higher frequencies
to compensate for the reduced response of the transducers at higher frequencies. In fact, the
tone-control circuit in Lab #2 is a simple way of accomplishing this. The use of AM
modulation is also a limitation, better results could be used with other modulation formats,
but at the expense of increased complexity in the hardware. For transmission of simple
low-bit-rate digital information, such as in a remote control application, a pulse-code
modulation format would be perfect.

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ECE 2C Circuits, Devices, and Systems Lab 4

Lab 4 Record

Lab Section:_________________ Names: ______________________________

______________________________
Step 1 – Relaxation Oscillator
Record the unbuffered 40kHz output waveform:

What is the slew rate on the leading and trailing edges: ____________ V/µs

Record the buffered 40kHz output waveform:

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ECE 2C Circuits, Devices, and Systems Lab 4

Step 2 – AM Modulator
Record the output waveform of the AM modulator with a 1kHz modulating signal and
100% modulation index:

What input signal amplitude (pin X1 on the AD633)

is required for a 100% modulation index? ________________ V

Step 4 – Putting it together

Record the input and output waveforms of the link for a 1kHz sinusoidal input signal.

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ECE 2C Circuits, Devices, and Systems Lab 4

What is the approximate link loss (Vout/Vin) for a

Transducer separation of 12’? ________________

Estimate the 3dB (half-power) bandwidth of your circuit: ________________ kHz

Record the input and output waveforms of the link for a 1kHz square-wave input signal.

TA Certification:

Step 4: Link working without audio amp? Yes [ ] No [ ]

Step 4: Link working with audio amp? Yes [ ] No [ ]

Step 5: Complete transceiver working? Yes [ ] No [ ]

TA Signature: _______________________ Date: ______________

© Robert York, UCSB 2006 14