Fm Modulation & Demodulation Lab Report (ICL8038 & ICL565)

1. Objective

1. To design and assemble a frequency modulator using the ICL8038 function generator IC.

2. To generate and observe a frequency modulated (FM) waveform using a sinusoidal

3. To study the concept of FM demodulation using the PLL IC ICL565.

2. Apparatus / Equipment / Components

• ICL8038 function generator IC

• Resistors: 10 kΩ, 82 kΩ etc.

• Capacitors: 0.1 μF, 3300 pF etc.

• Breadboard / PCB

• Dual channel Digital Oscilloscope

• DC power supply

• Connecting wires

• Load resistor (RL = 10 kΩ)

3. Theory

3.1 Frequency Modulation (FM)

Frequency modulation is a process in which the frequency of a carrier signal is varied according to
the amplitude of the modulating signal while the amplitude of the carrier remains constant.

If the carrier signal is

Vc(t) = Ac cos(2πfc t)

and the modulating signal is

Vm(t) = Am cos(2πfm t)

then the frequency modulated signal can be written as

vFM(t) = Ac cos(2πfc t + β sin(2πfm t))

where

β = modulation index = Δf / fm

Δf = peak frequency deviation.

In FM, the instantaneous frequency of the carrier changes in accordance with the instantaneous
amplitude of the modulating signal.
3.2 FM Generation using ICL8038

The ICL8038 is a precision waveform generator capable of producing sine, square and triangular
waveforms. The output frequency of the IC depends on external timing resistors (RA, RB) and
capacitor (C).

By applying a modulating voltage to the frequency control input of the ICL8038, the output
frequency varies according to the modulating signal. This variation in frequency produces frequency
modulation.

The circuit connections used for FM generation are shown below.

RA, RB and the timing capacitor determine the carrier frequency. When a low frequency signal is
applied at the modulation input, the frequency of the carrier changes continuously producing an FM
waveform.

3.3 FM Demodulation using PLL (ICL565)

A Phase Locked Loop (PLL) is an electronic control system that locks the phase of a voltage controlled
oscillator (VCO) with the phase of an input signal.

The IC ICL565 contains:

• Phase detector

• Low pass filter

• Voltage controlled oscillator (VCO)

When an FM signal is applied to the PLL input, the PLL attempts to track the instantaneous frequency
of the signal. The control voltage generated at the output of the loop filter is proportional to the
frequency variations of the input signal.

Thus, the control voltage reproduces the original modulating signal and the PLL acts as an FM
demodulator.
5. Experimental Procedure

1. The circuit was assembled on a breadboard using the ICL8038 IC according to the circuit
diagram.

2. Timing resistors RA and RB were connected to set the carrier frequency.

3. A timing capacitor of 3300 pF was connected to determine the oscillation frequency.

4. A low frequency sinusoidal signal was applied to the modulation input through a coupling
capacitor.

5. The output of the ICL8038 was connected to the oscilloscope.

6. The modulating signal and the FM output waveform were observed using a dual channel
oscilloscope.

7. The variation in instantaneous frequency of the carrier waveform was observed and
recorded.

6. Observations / Results

The oscilloscope output obtained during the experiment is shown below.

Top trace (yellow) : Frequency modulated carrier signal

From the waveform it can be observed that the frequency of the carrier signal varies according to the
amplitude of the modulating signal. When the modulating signal reaches its positive peak, the carrier
frequency increases, and when it reaches the negative peak, the carrier frequency decreases.

This confirms the generation of a frequency modulated signal.

7. Discussion
The aim of this experiment was to generate a frequency modulated signal using the ICL8038
waveform generator IC and observe the characteristics of FM using an oscilloscope. From the
observed waveform it can be seen that the instantaneous frequency of the carrier changes according
to the amplitude of the modulating signal. This confirms the basic principle of frequency modulation
where the carrier frequency varies while the amplitude remains approximately constant.

The oscilloscope waveform shows that the carrier cycles become compressed at certain points and
expanded at others. The compressed cycles correspond to higher instantaneous frequency when the
modulating signal is at its positive peak, while the expanded cycles correspond to lower
instantaneous frequency when the modulating signal is at its negative peak. This pattern clearly
indicates the presence of frequency modulation.

The carrier frequency is determined by the timing resistors (RA and RB) and the timing capacitor
connected to the ICL8038. In this experiment RA = 10 kΩ, RB = 10 kΩ and C = 3300 pF were used to
set the operating frequency. Any change in these components would change the carrier frequency of
the generated signal.

During the experiment small waveform variations were sometimes observed. These may occur due
to power supply fluctuations, loose breadboard connections, or stray capacitances in the circuit.
Proper grounding and stable supply voltage help in obtaining a more stable waveform.

Although FM demodulation was not practically implemented in this experiment, the theory using PLL
IC ICL565 was studied. In a PLL demodulator the loop tracks the instantaneous frequency of the
incoming FM signal and the control voltage of the loop filter reproduces the original modulating
signal.

Overall, the experiment helped in understanding the practical generation of FM signals and the
behavior of frequency modulated waveforms when observed on an oscilloscope.

8. Conclusion

The FM modulator using the ICL8038 IC was successfully designed and implemented. The
oscilloscope observation confirmed that the carrier frequency varied according to the modulating
signal, indicating successful frequency modulation. The theoretical concept of FM demodulation
using PLL IC ICL565 was also studied.