Digital Communications Lab Report
Experiment 2: Pulse Code Modulation (PCM)
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Abstract
This report explores the Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) technique, the
most common method for converting analog signals into digital signals.
The PCM process involves three main steps: Sampling, Quantization,
and Encoding. In this experiment, an analog sinusoidal signal was
converted into a digital bitstream using a PCM trainer module and
simulated via MATLAB/Simulink. The effect of the number of
quantization levels (and thus the number of bits per sample) on the
accuracy of the represented signal and the quantization noise was
analyzed. The results demonstrated that increasing the number of bits
per sample reduces quantization error and improves the Signal-to-
Quantization-Noise Ratio (SQNR), but it also increases the required bit
rate for transmission.
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Contents
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ............................................................................. 4
. Theoretical Background ......................................................... 4
a. Sampling ............................................................................................................................................... 4
b. Quantization .......................................................................................................................................... 4
c. Encoding................................................................................................................................................ 5
d. Bit Rate.................................................................................................................................................. 5
3. Apparatus and Procedure ...................................................... 5
a. Apparatus and Components: ................................................................................................................ 5
b. Procedure: ............................................................................................................................................. 5
4. Graphs and Simulink Model ................................................... 6
Resulting Graphs ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Simulink Model .......................................................................................................................................... 6
5. Results and Discussion .......................................................... 7
6. Conclusion ............................................................................... 8
8. References ............................................................................... 8
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1. Introduction
Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) is the cornerstone of modern digital
communication systems, from digital telephone networks and compact
discs (CDs) to digital signal processing in general. Unlike analog pulse
modulation techniques such as PAM, PCM produces a fully digital output
(a stream of 1s and 0s), which gives it superior immunity to noise and
distortion during transmission.
The PCM process is a complete Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC)
process, consisting of three primary stages:
1. Sampling: Converting the time-continuous signal into a time-
discrete signal (a PAM signal).
2. Quantization: Approximating the continuous amplitude values of
the PAM samples to a finite set of discrete levels.
3. Encoding: Assigning a unique binary code word to each
quantization level.
This experiment aims to understand and apply these three stages
practically and to analyze the trade-off between signal quality and data
rate in a PCM system.
. Theoretical Background
a. Sampling
As studied in the PAM experiment, sampling must be performed at a
rate 𝑓𝑠 at least twice the highest frequency in the message signal
𝑓𝑚 (𝑓𝑠 ≥ 2𝑓𝑚 ) to avoid the aliasing phenomenon.
b. Quantization
After obtaining the PAM samples, their amplitude values are still
continuous. Quantization is the process of approximating each amplitude
value to the nearest level from a set of L predefined levels.
● Number of Quantization Levels (L): If we use n bits to encode
each sample, the number of available levels is: 𝐿 = 2𝑛
● Quantization Step Size (Δ): This is the difference between any two
consecutive levels. If the dynamic range of the signal is from
𝑉 −(−𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 ) 2𝑉
−𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑡𝑜 +𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 then: Δ = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝐿 𝐿
● Quantization Error or Noise (𝒆𝒒 ): This is the difference between
the actual sample value and the value of the quantization level to
which it was approximated. This error is random and lies in the
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−Δ Δ
range [ , + ]. Increasing the number of levels L (i.e., increasing
2 2
the number of bits n) reduces the step size Δ and thus reduces the
quantization error.
c. Encoding
In this final stage, each quantized sample is converted into a binary code
word of n bits. For example, in an 8-bit PCM system, each sample is
represented by an 8-digit binary number.
d. Bit Rate
The bit rate of a PCM system is the total number of bits transmitted per
second and is calculated as follows:
𝑓𝑠
• 𝐵𝑖𝑡 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 =
n
where 𝑓𝑠 is the sampling frequency and n is the number of bits per
sample.
3. Apparatus and Procedure
a. Apparatus and Components:
1. Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) Trainer Module.
2. Function Generator.
3. Oscilloscope.
4. Power Supply.
5. Connecting Wires.
b. Procedure:
1. The circuit was connected using the PCM trainer module.
2. The function generator was set to produce a sine wave with a
frequency 𝑓𝑚 = 1 𝑘𝐻𝑧 and a suitable amplitude.
3. The sampling frequency 𝑓𝑠 was set to a value that satisfies the
Nyquist criterion (e.g., 10 kHz).
4. The PCM system was configured to operate with a specific number
of bits (e.g., n=3 or n=4).
5. Using the oscilloscope, the signals at each stage were observed:
○ The original signal.
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○ The PAM signal after sampling.
○ The quantized signal (appears as a "staircase" waveform).
○ The final digital output (PCM bitstream) as pulses representing
1s and 0s.
6. Step 5 was repeated after increasing the number of bits (e.g., to
n=8), observing how the quantized signal became closer to the
original signal, indicating less quantization error.
7. A simulation model was built on Simulink to perform the same steps
and compare the results.
4. Graphs and Simulink Model
Resulting Graphs
The following graphs illustrate the signals at each stage of the PCM
process.
Figure (1): (a) The original analog signal with sampling (b) The PAM signal after sampling. (c) The
quantized signal. (d) The resulting digital bitstream (PCM Output).
Simulink Model
Figure (2): Simulink Diagram
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Figure (3): The output of Simulink Diagram
Figure (4): The setting of blocks
5. Results and Discussion
The experiment clearly demonstrated how an analog signal is converted
into a digital bitstream.
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1. Effect of the Number of Quantization Levels (L): When using a
small number of bits per sample (e.g., n=3, giving L=8 levels), the
difference between the original signal and the quantized signal was
large and noticeable. This difference is the quantization noise.
When the number of bits was increased to n=8 (giving L=256
levels), the quantized signal became an almost perfect replica of
the original signal, and the quantization noise was significantly
lower.
2. Trade-off between Quality and Bit Rate: Increasing the number of
bits n significantly improves the signal quality (increases the
𝑓
SQNR), but it comes at the cost of an increased bit rate ( 𝑅𝑏 = 𝑠
n
). A higher bit rate requires a larger bandwidth for transmission.
This is the fundamental trade-off in designing PCM systems.
3. Nature of the Digital Output: The final output of a PCM system is
a purely digital signal, making it ideal for transmission over noisy
communication channels. Repeaters can be used to regenerate the
digital signal and fully restore its original shape (1s and 0s),
something that cannot be achieved with the same efficiency for
analog signals.
6. Conclusion
This experiment successfully illustrated the practical and fundamental
principles of Pulse Code Modulation (PCM). The analog-to-digital
conversion process was carried out through its three stages: sampling,
quantization, and encoding. It was verified that the quality of the digital
signal representation depends directly on the number of quantization
levels used. The vital trade-off between signal quality (which improves
with more bits per sample) and bandwidth requirements (which increase
with the bit rate) was also understood. The PCM technique is the basis
for most digital communication systems, and its understanding is
essential for any communications engineer.
8. References
1. Proakis, J. G., & Salehi, M. (2008). Digital Communications (5th
ed.). McGraw-Hill.
2. Haykin, S. (2009). Communication Systems (5th ed.). Wiley.
3. Lathi, B. P., & Ding, Z. (2009). Modern Digital and Analog
Communication Systems (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
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