Department of Electrical and Computer

Engineering

EE 3101 Signals, Ciruicts and Electronics

Laboratory

Laboratory No. 2:
Amplitude Modulation Using Discrete Components
Part A: AM Generation Using BJT Transistor Circuit

By: Emad S. Ebbini

EE 3101

October 4, 2020
 I INTRODUCTION

Goal

The goal of Lab 2 is to build and analyze a simple electronic circuits circuit for the generation
and demodulation of conventional AM signals. In Part A, we examine a simple, single-transistor
circuit for the generation of conventional AM.
Remote Learning Note. For students who cannot attend in person, they will be able to perform
most of the critical set up and measurement steps remotely. Notes and instructions about the
remote learning model are given within green-shaded boxes.

I. INTRODUCTION

In amplitude modulation, the message signal m(t) modulates the amplitude of the sinusoidal
carrier. This can be achieved using the general form,

u(t) = Ac g(m(t)) cos(2πfc t + φc ), (1)

where g(·) defines the form of modulation. For example, g(x) = x results in the double-sideband
suppressed carrier (DSB-SC) AM. DSB-SC AM is conceptually simple and easy to implement, which
provides an opportunity to examine various aspects of analog modulation and demodulation using
appropriate implementation blocks. For conventional AM, we use g(x) = 1 + µx. For more informa-
tion on different types of AM modulation, consult your EE 3015 textbook ([1]) or an introductory
book on communications system ([2]).
A conventional AM signal is characterized by its modulation index defined by

Emax − Emin
µ= , (2)
Emax + Emin

where Emax and Emin are the maximum and minimum values of the positive side of the modulated
signal.
The AM signal has a simple frequency domain interpretation when the modulating signal is a
single sinusoidal component. For illustration, assume

m(t) = cos 2πfm t, (3)

then the modulated signal takes the form

µAc µAc
m(t) = Ac cos 2πfc t + cos 2π(fc − fm )t + cos 2π(fc + fm )t, (4)
2 2

which has three frequency components, one at the carrier frequency, and two components at fc ± fm .
You have already observed these frequency components in Lab 1.

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 I INTRODUCTION

Figure 1 shows a typical conventional AM signal and an envelope detector circuit for recovering
the message m(t) for a conventional AM signal. The simplest form of a low-pass filter (LPF) is a
capacitor connected in parallel with the resistor in the diode rectifier circuit. The capacitor C after
the LPF is a coupling capacitor to remove the DC component in the envelope signal. Conventional
AM is still widely due to the simplicity of the receiver electronics.

a) b)

FIG. 1: AM signal with g(m(t)) = A + m(t) and a receiver employing envelope detection: a)
illustration of the role of A and b) a diode rectifier receiver. Illustrations from [2].

As can be seen from Eq. 1, AM signal generation requires performing a summing and multiplica-
tion operations. Integrated circuit solutions for such operations exist, e.g. the AD633 from Analog
Devices. In this experiment, we will examine a simple AM generation circuit that accomplishes
both operations by cleverly using the modulating signal to modify the quiescent point of a transistor
amplifier. Even simpler implementation using a diode circuit can be used by taking advantage of the
diode as a switch with a tuning circuit to filter out the harmonics.

A. Design Description

The circuit shown in Fig. 2 produces a conventional AM signal by amplifying the carrier signal

c(t) = ac cos 2πf t

where ac is the carrier amplitude before amplification. The carrier is modulated by the low-frequency
message, m(t). In this circuit, m(t) changes biasing or quiescent point of the common emitter
amplifier, as represented by its model at the carrier frequency.
Interesting Note. The amplifer circuit can be modified to an oscillator circuit, which generates
the carrier without the need for an external source. This can be achieved by using a feedback signal
from the output and using a tuned circuit that creates an oscillation at fc .

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 A Design Description III PRELAB ACTIVITIES

10 V 10 V

10 kΩ
56 kΩ 470 pF
100 nF
2N2222
iB

10 kΩ vAM (t)
+ 4.7 kΩ
ac cos(2πfc t) 15 kΩ
−
100 nF
m(t)

FIG. 2: Conventional AM generation using single-transistor amplifier.

II. EQUIPMENT AND MATERIAL

Table I lists the equipment and supplies needed for building and characterizing the AM generation
circuit by completing the procedure(s) in Sec. IV.

TABLE I: Material List for Lab 2

ITEM QTY DESCRIPTION

Keysight DSOX1204G 1 Digital Storage Oscilloscope
GW INSTEK 1 Arbitrary Function Generator
INSTEK GW3030D 1 DC Power Supply
Lab Kit 1 Variety of passive components as needed
Refer to Fig. 2

If you can’t find an exact component value in your kit, you may use the closest value available.
However, make sure your notebook schematics reflect the values you actually used. The same goes
for your report.

III. PRELAB ACTIVITIES

Read Sec. 7.3.3 in Sedra and Smith (The Common-Source (CS) and Common-Emitter (CE)
Amplifiers and Sec. 7.3.4 CS (CE) Amplifier with a Source (Emitter) Resistance). The BJT amplifier
is described along with the familiar MOSFER amplifier in manner that gives a good conceptual

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 IV PROCEDURE

understanding of the operation of the AM generation circuit used in Lab 2A. If needed, the small-
signal model is described in Sec. 7.2.2 of Sedra and Smith [3].
Prepare the components needed and wire up the circuit on your breadboard, except for the
transistor. Your TA will provide you with the 2N2222 BJT transistor to complete the circuit.
Note that you may have to approximate some of the component values using available components
in your kit. For example, the closest value to a 470 pF capacitor can be realized by connecting two
1-nF capacitors in series.

A. Prelab Questions

Assume fc = 200 kHz and m(t) is sinusoidal signal with fm = 3 kHz.

1. Explain the role of the 100 nF capacitor connected to the emitter terminal.

2. Explain the role of the 470 pF capacitor connected to the collector terminal.

3. Confirm the function of the circuit by modeling it using LTSpice, or your favorite circuit
simulation program. Use the actual component values from your wired-up circuit on the
breadboard.

IV. PROCEDURE

Lab 2A, comprises 6 steps, which include the characterization of the CE amplifier used for AM
signal generation and the evaluation of the modulation index as a function of the amplitude of the
modulating signal, m(t).
This document is written with detailed procedures designed for self-paced learning. If you feel
confident about a specific instruction ( indicated by in the margin), feel free to skip the step-
by-step directions and move on to the next general instruction in the procedure.

Step 1 Connect your circuit to the DC Power Supply and Signal Sources to the Circuit

Connect the VCC and Ground terminals of the DC Power Supply to the appropriate nodes.
Make sure the voltage control turned completely counterclockwise at this time, i.e. 0 VDC.

Connect the DSOX1204G Ch1 to probe the carrier, c(t), Ch2 to probe the modulating signal,
vAM , and Ch3 to probe the modulating signal, m(t).

You will need the help of your TA or your lab partner to accomplish this step.

Set the supply voltage to VCC = 10 VDC.

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 IV PROCEDURE

Step 2 Connect WavGen output of the 100 nF capacitor, which couples the carrier to the base of the
2N2222. This is the carrier frequency input, c(t). Set the output to sinusoidal with Vpp = 20
mV and frequency of fc = 250 kHz.

Enable the built-in function generator on the DSOX1204G by pushing the [Wave Gen] key on
the front panel.

Set the built-in function generator on the DSOX 1204G to frequency f = 250 kHz and a Vs1
= 20 mVpp : Push [Wave Gen] and use the SoftKeys to select Type = Sine, Frequency =
250 kHz, Amplitude = 20 mVpp, Offset = 0 V.
Use dsoxGenSetup.m for this step. Note that the parameter values in the .m script might
be different from the values you need for your lab. Make sure the values in the code are
consistent with the values given above.

Step 3 Connect INSTEK Function Generator output to the 4.7 kΩ resistor, which is connected to the
emitter of the 2N2222. This is the message signal, m(t) = am cos(2πfm t). Set the output to
sinusoidal with Vpp = 2 V and frequency of fm = 2 kHz, i.e. m(t) = cos 4000πt.

You will need the help of your TA or your lab partner to accomplish this step.

Step 4 Frequency Domain Analysis of the CE Amplifier. With the modulating signal source replaced
by a short circuit, measure the gain of the CE amplifier at the carrier frequency: Push [FFT]
and use the SoftKeys to select Source=2, Span = 1 MHz, Center = 500 kHz.

Push [Meas] and use the SoftKeys to select Source=FFT, Type = X at Max Y, Add
Measurement.

Push [Meas] and use the SoftKeys to select Source=FFT, Type = Maximum, Add
Measurement.

For this step, Fig. 3 shows an example result from EE 2015 Laboratory. Use the above settings
to obtain a similar result with ac = 20 mVpp at fc = 250 kHz.

Measure and record the harmonics (up to 4 f0 ), but keep in mind they may be too small to
measure for the current settings.

Use dsoxFFT.m and dsoxScreenCapture.m for this step.

Step 5 Visualize the AM signal and its spectrum.

• Reconnect the INSTEK Function Generator to the 4.7 kΩ resistor using the settings of
Step 3

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 IV PROCEDURE

f0

f2

Noise Floor

FIG. 3: An example result showing the FFT settings for measuring harmonic distortion of an
amplifier circuit. Four harmonics are clearly visible together with the fundamental at 800 Hz.

• Set the trigger source to Ch3 and adjust the trigger level to obtain a stable display.

If all goes well, you should see the signals and spectrum shown in Fig. 4. The modulated signal
is shown in green and the modulating signal is shown in blue. The FFT is shown in purple with
a Span of 1 MHz and a Center of 500 kHz.

Step 6 Changing the Modulation Index for the AM Signal

The modulation index for the AM signal can be changed by changing the amplitude of the
carrier or that of the modulating signal.
Change the value of am and characterize the modulated signal.

• Change the amplitude of the modulating signal to 0.6 Vpp .

• Observe the modulated signal and its spectrum obtain a screen shot of the scope.

• In your notebook, give a description of each of the modulated signal and its spectrum.

Your description should be given with reference to the reference run with am = 1 V.

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 IV PROCEDURE

FIG. 4: AM modulated signal (green) and its spectrum (purple) as measured by the DSOX1204G
scope. The modulating signal is shown in blue.

• Repeat for the following values of am : 1.0, 1.5, 2.5, 3 Vpp and tabulate your results as
follows:

TABLE II: Tabulated results

am (Vpp ) Emin Emax µ

1
1.5
2
2.5
3

This completes the procedure for Lab 2A. You may need to refer to this document in future experi-
ments. Please provide your TA with feedback to improve the quality of this document for self-paced
learning.

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 V REPORTING REQUIREMENT

V. REPORTING REQUIREMENT

No formal reporting requirement for Lab 2A. Each group should provide a brief answer to the
following questions:

• What is the relationship between am and µ for the AM modulation circuit?

• What is the value of am corresponding to µ ≈ 1?

• How does ac influence the value of µ?

• For a given value of am , what is the range of values of ac for acceptable AM signal generation,
i.e. 0 < µ < 1?

References and Footnotes

[1] A.V. Oppenheim and A. Wilsky, Signals and Systems, Prentice Hall.
[2] B.P. Lathi and Z. Ding, Modern Digital and Analog Communication Systems, Fourth Edition, Oxford
University Press, 2009.
[3] A.S. Sedra and K.C. Smith, Microelectronic Circuits, Eighth Edition, Oxford University Press, 2020.
[4] Emad S Ebbini, Circuits and Electronics for Information Processing, Additional Material for EE 2015, EE
2115, & EE 3101 at the University of Minnesota, 2019.

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