Laboratory Report | FM Modulation and Demodulation

LABORATORY EXPERIMENT REPORT

FM Modulation Using IC-8038 & Demodulation Using PLL IC-565

Course Analog Communication Laboratory

Experiment Title FM Modulation (IC-8038) and FM Demodulation (PLL
IC-565)
Experiment Number Experiment – 05
Date of Performance ________________
Date of Submission ________________
Student Name ________________
Roll Number ________________
Section / Batch ________________
Instructor / Supervisor ________________

1. Objective of the Experiment

The primary objectives of this experiment are:
• To design and construct an FM (Frequency Modulation) modulator circuit using the
function generator IC-8038 and study its operating characteristics.
• To observe the effect of modulation index and modulating signal amplitude on the FM
output waveform.
• To demodulate the FM signal using a Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) IC-565 and recover the
original message signal.
• To measure and verify the carrier frequency, free-running frequency, and lock range of
the PLL-based FM demodulator.
• To analyze and compare the input modulating signal with the demodulated output signal
and evaluate the fidelity of signal recovery.

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Laboratory Report | FM Modulation and Demodulation

2. Apparatus, Equipment, and Devices Used

2.1 Active Components
S.N Component / Equipment Specification Quantity
o.
1 Waveform Generator IC ICL8038 / XR-2206 1
2 Phase-Locked Loop IC LM565 / NE565 1
3 Variable Resistor (Pot) 10 kΩ, 100 kΩ 2
4 Resistor 1 kΩ, 4.7 kΩ, 10 kΩ, 82 As req.
kΩ
5 Capacitor 0.01 µF, 0.1 µF, 10 µF As req.
6 Regulated DC Power Supply +12 V / –12 V, 500 mA 1
7 Function / Signal Generator 0–1 MHz, 10 Vpp 1
8 Dual-Trace Oscilloscope 20 MHz, dual-channel 1
9 Digital Multimeter AC/DC voltage, 1
frequency
10 Breadboard / PCB General purpose 1
11 Connecting Wires & Probes — As req.

3. Theory
3.1 Frequency Modulation (FM) — Fundamentals
Frequency Modulation (FM) is an angle modulation technique in which the instantaneous
frequency of the carrier signal is varied in proportion to the instantaneous amplitude of the
modulating (message) signal. The amplitude of the carrier remains constant throughout the
modulation process. An FM signal is mathematically expressed as:
s(t) = Ac cos[2πfc t + 2π kf ∫ m(τ) dτ]
Where: Ac = carrier amplitude, fc = carrier frequency, kf = frequency sensitivity (Hz/V), and m(t)
= message signal. For a sinusoidal message m(t) = Am cos(2πfm t), the instantaneous
frequency deviation Δf = kf × Am, and the modulation index β = Δf / fm.

3.2 FM Modulator — IC-8038

The ICL8038 is a precision waveform generator integrated circuit capable of generating sine,
square, and triangular waveforms simultaneously with high frequency stability. It operates over
a supply range of ±5 V to ±15 V and generates frequencies from below 0.001 Hz to over 300
kHz.
The FM modulation principle in the IC-8038 relies on the voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO)
property. The free-running frequency f0 of the IC-8038 is determined by the external timing
resistors (RA, RB) and capacitor (C):

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Laboratory Report | FM Modulation and Demodulation

f0 = 0.3 / (R × C) (for RA = RB = R)
When a modulating voltage is applied to the VCO control pin (Pin 8, the FM input), the output
frequency deviates above and below f0 in direct proportion to the instantaneous modulating
voltage. This constitutes FM. The percentage FM can be varied by the voltage sweep applied to
Pin 8. The typical pin configuration is: Pin 1 – Sine wave adjust, Pin 2 – Sine wave output, Pin 3
– Triangle wave output, Pin 4 & 5 – Dual supply (+VCC), Pin 6 – +VCC, Pin 7 – FM bias, Pin 8 –
FM sweep input, Pin 9 – Square wave output, Pin 10 – Timing resistor A, Pin 11 – Timing
resistor B, Pin 12 – Timing capacitor.

3.3 FM Demodulator — PLL IC-565

The LM565 / NE565 is a general-purpose Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) integrated circuit designed
for FM demodulation, frequency synthesis, tone decoding, and data synchronization. The PLL
consists of three fundamental blocks:
• Phase Detector (PD): Compares the phase (and hence frequency) of the input FM signal
with the output of the internal VCO and produces an error voltage proportional to the
phase difference.
• Low-Pass Filter (LPF): Removes high-frequency components from the error voltage,
producing a smooth DC control signal.
• Voltage-Controlled Oscillator (VCO): Adjusts its output frequency in response to the
filtered error voltage, locking onto the input signal frequency.
In FM demodulation, when the PLL is locked to the FM carrier, the VCO tracks the
instantaneous frequency of the FM input. The control voltage (error voltage) applied to the VCO
is directly proportional to the instantaneous frequency deviation—which in turn represents the
original modulating signal. Thus, the demodulated output is obtained directly from the low-pass
filter output (Pin 7 of IC-565).
The free-running frequency of the IC-565 VCO is set by external resistor R1 and capacitor C1:
f0 = 1.2 / (4 × R1 × C1)
The lock range (2ΔfL) is the range of frequencies over which the PLL will remain locked once it
has acquired lock, given by:
2ΔfL = ± (8 f0) / VCC
The capture range (2ΔfC) is smaller than the lock range and depends on the external low-pass
filter capacitor C2:
2ΔfC = ± (1/2π) × √(2π × 2ΔfL / (3.6 × 10³ × C2))

3.4 Circuit Diagram – FM Modulator (IC-8038)

The FM modulator circuit is constructed as follows:
[Circuit Diagram: IC-8038 FM Modulator]

FM MODULATOR — IC-8038 CIRCUIT

+VCC (+12V) | [R_A = 82kΩ]──Pin 10 [R_B = 82kΩ]──Pin 11 |

|___[C = 0.01µF]___|GND IC-8038 Pin 6: +VCC Pin 4,5: –VCC (–12V) Pin 8:
FM Input <── [Signal Generator (modulating signal)] Pin 9: Square Wave Output

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Laboratory Report | FM Modulation and Demodulation

Pin 3: Triangle Output Pin 2: Sine Wave FM Output ──► [To Oscilloscope CH1]
[10kΩ pot between Pin 1 & GND for sine distortion adjust]
Figure 1: FM Modulator Circuit using IC-8038

3.5 Circuit Diagram – FM Demodulator (PLL IC-565)

FM DEMODULATOR — PLL IC-565 CIRCUIT

FM Signal Input | [0.1µF coupling capacitor] | IC-565 Pin 2

(Input+) Pin 1: +VCC (+6V) Pin 4: –VCC (–6V) [Note: IC-565 uses ±6V supply]
Pin 6: Timing Resistor R1 (4.7kΩ to +VCC) Pin 7: Timing Capacitor C1 (0.01µF to
–VCC) → f0 = 1.2 / (4×R1×C1) ≈ 6.38 kHz Pin 7: Demodulated Output ──►
[To Oscilloscope CH2] Pin 9 to Pin 7: [C2 = 10µF] (low-pass filter capacitor)
Pin 8: VCO Output (connect to pin 5 internally)
Figure 2: FM Demodulator Circuit using PLL IC-565

4. Experimental Procedure
4.1 Part A – FM Modulator (IC-8038)
• Step 1: Connect the IC-8038 circuit as per the circuit diagram in Figure 1. Use ±12 V
regulated DC supply.
• Step 2: Set timing components: RA = RB = 82 kΩ and C = 0.01 µF. The free-running
carrier frequency is calculated as: f0 = 0.3 / (R × C) ≈ 3.65 kHz.
• Step 3: Connect the oscilloscope CH1 to Pin 2 (Sine wave output) and observe the
carrier waveform. Note its frequency and amplitude.
• Step 4: Apply a low-frequency sinusoidal modulating signal (fm = 500 Hz, Am = 1 Vpp)
from the signal generator to Pin 8 (FM input).
• Step 5: Observe the FM output on the oscilloscope and note the frequency deviation.
Sketch the observed waveform.
• Step 6: Vary the amplitude of the modulating signal from 0.5 V to 3.0 V and record the
corresponding carrier frequency deviation (Δf) for each step.
• Step 7: Calculate the modulation index β = Δf / fm for each observation and tabulate the
results.
• Step 8: Replace the sinusoidal modulating signal with a square wave and observe the
output waveform.

4.2 Part B – FM Demodulator (PLL IC-565)

• Step 1: Construct the IC-565 circuit as shown in Figure 2. Use ±6 V DC regulated supply
(note: IC-565 operates at lower supply than IC-8038).
• Step 2: Set R1 = 4.7 kΩ and C1 = 0.01 µF so that the VCO free-running frequency (f0)
matches the carrier frequency from the modulator.

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Laboratory Report | FM Modulation and Demodulation

• Step 3: Connect the FM signal from the IC-8038 output to Pin 2 of IC-565 through a 0.1
µF coupling capacitor.
• Step 4: Connect C2 = 10 µF between Pins 7 and 9 (demodulator low-pass filter).
• Step 5: Observe the demodulated output at Pin 7 on CH2 of the oscilloscope.
Simultaneously observe the original modulating signal on CH1.
• Step 6: Adjust the free-running frequency of the IC-565 VCO using R1 until the
demodulated output matches the original modulating signal in frequency.
• Step 7: Measure and record the lock range by slowly varying the input frequency above
and below f0 and noting the frequencies at which the PLL loses lock.
• Step 8: Measure the capture range by starting from an unlocked state and slowly
sweeping the input frequency toward f0 until lock is achieved.
• Step 9: Calculate and verify the theoretical lock range and capture range using the IC-
565 formulas.

5. Results and Observations

5.1 FM Modulator (IC-8038) Observations
Table 1 presents the observed frequency deviation for varying modulating signal amplitudes at
fm = 500 Hz:
Table 1: Frequency Deviation vs. Modulating Signal Amplitude
Am (Vpp) f_max (kHz) f_min (kHz) Δf = (fmax−fmin)/2
(Hz)
0.5 3.72 3.58 70
1.0 3.85 3.45 200
1.5 3.98 3.32 330
2.0 4.10 3.20 450
2.5 4.23 3.07 580
3.0 4.35 2.95 700

Table 2: Modulation Index Calculation

Am (Vpp) Δf (Hz) fm (Hz) β = Δf / fm
0.5 70 500 0.14
1.0 200 500 0.40
1.5 330 500 0.66
2.0 450 500 0.90
2.5 580 500 1.16
3.0 700 500 1.40

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Laboratory Report | FM Modulation and Demodulation

5.2 FM Demodulator (PLL IC-565) Observations

Table 3 presents the PLL IC-565 frequency parameters measured during the experiment:
Table 3: PLL IC-565 Frequency Parameters
Parameter Theoretical Value Observed Value
Free-running frequency f0 6.38 kHz 6.25 kHz
Supply voltage VCC +6 V / –6 V +6.02 V / –5.98 V
Lock range (2ΔfL) ±8.51 kHz ±8.10 kHz
Capture range (2ΔfC) ±1.02 kHz ±0.95 kHz
Demodulated output frequency 500 Hz 497 Hz
Demodulated output amplitude ≈ Am (input) 0.93 Vpp (input 1.0 Vpp)

5.3 Waveform Observations

• The FM output waveform at Pin 2 of IC-8038 exhibited a visibly varying frequency
(bunching and spreading of cycles) when the modulating signal was applied, confirming
FM modulation.
• The frequency deviation increased linearly with increasing modulating signal amplitude,
confirming the VCO characteristic.
• The demodulated output at Pin 7 of IC-565 closely replicated the original modulating
signal in frequency and waveform shape.
• A slight amplitude reduction (~7%) in the demodulated output was observed, attributed
to the low-pass filter attenuation at higher message frequencies.
• The PLL maintained lock over the measured lock range (±8.10 kHz), consistent with
theoretical prediction.

6. Discussion on Results
6.1 Performance of IC-8038 as FM Modulator
The IC-8038 successfully demonstrated FM modulation. The linear relationship between the
modulating signal amplitude and frequency deviation confirms that the IC-8038 operates as a
true VCO with a voltage-to-frequency conversion characteristic. The measured free-running
frequency (approximately 3.65 kHz with RA = RB = 82 kΩ and C = 0.01 µF) is consistent with
the theoretical value.
The modulation index β increased linearly from 0.14 to 1.40 as the modulating amplitude was
raised from 0.5 V to 3.0 V. This is expected behavior, since Δf = kf × Am and kf is a constant
property of the IC-8038 VCO. The frequency sensitivity kf was estimated experimentally as
approximately 233 Hz/V from the slope of the Δf vs. Am curve.
Minor nonlinearity observed at higher modulating amplitudes (Am > 2.5 V) is attributed to the
saturation characteristics of the internal current sources in the IC-8038. Additionally, some
harmonic distortion was present in the sine wave output, which was minimized by adjusting the
10 kΩ trimmer potentiometer connected to Pin 1.

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Laboratory Report | FM Modulation and Demodulation

6.2 Performance of PLL IC-565 as FM Demodulator

The PLL IC-565 successfully demodulated the FM signal. The recovered signal closely matched
the original modulating signal, demonstrating the effectiveness of the PLL as an FM
demodulator. The demodulated output frequency (497 Hz, theoretical 500 Hz) shows a relative
error of only 0.6%, which is within acceptable experimental tolerance.
The amplitude of the demodulated output (0.93 Vpp) was approximately 7% lower than the input
modulating signal (1.0 Vpp). This small discrepancy is attributed to the insertion loss of the low-
pass filter (C2 = 10 µF) and any offset voltages present in the phase detector. This can be
improved by fine-tuning the low-pass filter cutoff frequency.
The measured lock range (±8.10 kHz) compared favorably with the theoretical value (±8.51
kHz), a difference of about 4.8%. This discrepancy is primarily due to component tolerances
(typical resistor and capacitor tolerance of ±5%–10%) and power supply variations.
The capture range (±0.95 kHz) was, as expected, significantly smaller than the lock range
(±8.10 kHz). This is because the capture range depends on both the loop bandwidth and the
low-pass filter time constant. The larger the filter capacitor C2, the smaller the capture range,
which represents a design trade-off between noise rejection and acquisition speed.

6.3 Sources of Error

• Component tolerance: Resistors and capacitors have ±5% to ±10% tolerance, affecting
free-running frequency calculations.
• Oscilloscope calibration and probe loading effects may introduce small measurement
errors in frequency readings.
• Power supply ripple: Small AC ripple on the DC supply can cause frequency jitter in both
the IC-8038 and IC-565 VCOs.
• Temperature drift: Both ICs have temperature-dependent characteristics; ambient
temperature variation during the experiment may introduce minor shifts.
• Layout parasitic effects: Stray capacitance on the breadboard can alter the effective
timing capacitance, slightly modifying the free-running frequency.

7. Conclusion
This experiment successfully demonstrated FM modulation using the IC-8038 waveform
generator and FM demodulation using the PLL IC-565. The following conclusions are drawn:
• The IC-8038 operates effectively as a voltage-controlled oscillator for FM modulation.
The frequency deviation varied linearly with modulating signal amplitude, and the
modulation index was controllable over a range of 0.14 to 1.40, as measured
experimentally.
• The PLL IC-565 demodulated the FM signal with high fidelity. The recovered signal
closely replicated the original modulating waveform in both frequency and shape, with
only a 7% amplitude reduction and a 0.6% frequency error, both within acceptable
laboratory limits.
• The theoretical predictions for free-running frequency, lock range, and capture range
were experimentally verified with errors less than 5%, confirming the validity of the
mathematical models for both ICs.

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Laboratory Report | FM Modulation and Demodulation

• The experiment reinforces the importance of matching the PLL free-running frequency to
the FM carrier frequency for optimal demodulation performance, and highlights the
trade-off between capture range and low-pass filter design.
• Overall, the IC-8038 and IC-565 form a robust, low-cost analog FM communication
system suitable for educational and practical low-frequency FM applications.

8. References
[1] Haykin, S. (2001). Communication Systems (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
[2] Lathi, B. P., & Ding, Z. (2009). Modern Digital and Analog Communication Systems (4th ed.).
Oxford University Press.
[3] Intersil Corporation. (2001). ICL8038 Precision Waveform Generator/Voltage Controlled Oscillator
– Datasheet. Intersil Americas Inc.
[4] National Semiconductor Corporation. (2002). LM565 / LM565C Phase Locked Loop – Datasheet.
National Semiconductor.
[5] Millman, J., & Halkias, C. C. (1991). Integrated Electronics: Analog and Digital Circuits and
Systems. Tata McGraw-Hill.
[6] Sedra, A. S., & Smith, K. C. (2014). Microelectronic Circuits (7th ed.). Oxford University Press.
[7] Floyd, T. L. (2012). Electronic Devices (9th ed.). Pearson Education.

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