Pulse Position Modulation
Pulse Position Modulation (PPM) is an analog modulating scheme in which
the amplitude and width of the pulses are kept constant, while the position of each
pulse, with reference to the position of a reference pulse varies according to the
instantaneous sampled value of the message signal. The transmitter has to send
synchronizing pulses (or simply sync pulses) to keep the transmitter and receiver in
synchronism. These sync pulses help maintain the position of the pulses. The
following figures explain the Pulse Position Modulation.
Pulse position modulation is done in accordance with the pulse width
modulated signal. Each trailing of the pulse width modulated signal becomes the
starting point for pulses in PPM signal. Hence, the position of these pulses is
proportional to the width of the PWM pulses. In PPM, the amplitude and width of
the pulses is kept constant but the position of each pulse is varied in accordance
with the amplitudes of the sampled values of the modulating signal. The position of
the pulses is changed with respect to the position of reference pulses. The PPM
pulses can be derived from the PWM pulses as shown in fig.5.4.1. Here, it may be
noted that with increase in the modulating voltage the PPM pulses shift further with
respect to reference. Figure 5.4.2 (a) and . Figure 5.4.2 (b ) shows Constant
Amplitude Periodic Pulse Train and Pulse Position Modulated Signal.
Figure 5.4.1 Base band Signal or Modulating Signal
Diagram Source Brain Kart
Figure 5.4.2 (a) Constant Amplitude Periodic Pulse Train
Diagram Source Brain Kart
Figure 5.4.3 (b) Pulse Position Modulated Signal
Diagram Source Brain Kart
Figure 5.4.4 PPM pulses generated from PWM signal
Diagram Source Brain Kart
The vertical dotted lines drawn in fig.1 are treated as reference lines to
measure the shift in position of PPM pulses. The PPM pulses marked 1, 2 and 3 in
fig.5.4.3 go away from their respective reference lines. This is corresponding to
increase in the modulating signal amplitude. Then, as the modulating voltage
decreases, the PPM pulses 4, 5, 6, 7 come progressively closer to their respective
reference lines.
Generation of PPM Signal
The PPM signal can be generated from PWM signal as shown in fig.5.4.4 (a).
Figure 5.4.5 Generation of PPM signal
Diagram Source Brain Kart
The PWM pulses obtained at the comparator output are applied to a
monostable multivibrator. The monostable is negative edge triggered. Hence,
corresponding to each trailing edge of PWM signal, the monostable output goes
high. It remains high for a fixed time decided by its own RC components. Thus, as
the trailing edges of the PWM signal keep shifting in proportion with the modulating
signal x(t), the PPM pulses also keep shifting, as shown in fig.5.4.5.
Figure 5.4.6 PPM from PWM Wave Forms
Diagram Source Brain Kart
Demodulation of PPM Signal
The PPM demodulator block diagram has been shown in fig.5.4.6
Figure 5.4.7 PPM Demodulator
Diagram Source Brain Kart
The operation of the demodulator circuit may be explained as under: The noise
corrupted PPM waveform is received by the PPM demodulator circuit. The pulse
generator develops a pulsed waveform at its output of fixed duration and applies
these pulses to the reset pin (R) of a SR flip-flop. A fixed period reference pulse is
generated from the incoming PPM waveform and the SR flip-flop is set by the
reference pulses. Due to the set and reset signals applied to the flip-flop, we get a
PWM signal at its output. The PWM signal can be demodulated using the PWM
demodulator.
Advantage
As the amplitude and width are constant, the power handled is also constant.
Disadvantage
The synchronization between transmitter and receiver is a must.