TC304 Communication Engineering

Laboratory 51
ASK Modulation and Demodulation
I. Objectives
1. To study the working of amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation and demodulation systems with
the help of suitable circuits.
II.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Equipments
GW Audio Generator (GAG-808B)
Tektronix PG501A 2MHz Function Generator
Tektronix TDS220 Digital Oscilloscope
Bread board kit

III. Pre Lab

Before you start this lab, you should have knowledge about ASK.
ASK
Amplitude shift keying (ASK) in the context of digital communications is a modulation process, which
imparts to a sinusoid two or more discrete amplitude levels. These are related to the number of levels
adopted by the digital message.
For binary message sequence there are two levels, one of which is typically zero. Thus the modulated
waveform consists of sinusoid bursts.
A binary ASK (BASK) wave is obtained by multiplying the message signal with the carrier. The BASK
signal has two levels 1 and 0 representing the presence and absence of the sinusoid respectively. This
can be shown in the waveform below in Figure 5.1.
Circuit diagram
ASK modulator
The ASK modulator circuit is designed using transistor as a switch. Message signal is given at the base of
the transistor and carrier signal is given at the collector of the transistor. Output is taken from the emitter
of the transistor. As input has only two values 1 and 0 , so transistor is ON only when input is 1
and OFF when input is 0. The sinusoidal carrier wave comes at the output as a burst signal when the
transistor is ON, i.e., when input is 1. Thus ASK modulated signal is obtained at the output.

This laboratory session is prepared by Sarbagya Buddhacharya.

Figure 5.1: ASK modulation and demodulation waveforms

Figure 5.2: ASK modulator

ASK demodulator
The demodulator circuit consists of a diode and an OpAmp. The diode is used as a rectifier while OpAmp
is used as a comparator. A comparator compares the value of input signal to a reference voltage. If the
input signal voltage is larger than the reference voltage, comparator output will be in a set voltage (for
example, V+, for a HIGH or ON state). If the input signal voltage is smaller than the reference
voltage, comparator output will be in a different, yet set voltage (for example, V , for a LOW or OFF"
state). The ASK modulated signal consists of bursts of sinusoidal signal. When it is passed through the
diode, an envelope is created. Now, when this envelope is passed through the OpAmp, which acts as a
comparator, it is converted to the signal to 0 and 1 format as the message signal. The reference voltage
of the comparator can be adjusted with the help of a variable resistor.

Figure 5.3: ASK demodulator

IV. Procedure
ASK modulator
1. Using the audio generator, generate a pulse wave of 6V peak to peak and 300 Hz frequency.
2. Using the frequency generator, generate a sinusoidal wave of 4V peak to peak and 3 kHz frequency.
3. Connect the output of the audio generator to message signal input and the output of the frequency
generator to the carrier signal input of the circuit.
4. Connect the output of the audio generator to Ch1 and the ASK modulated output to Ch2 of the
oscilloscope.
5. Adjust the oscilloscope to obtain the readable form. You can adjust the trigger knob; if the display is
still flickering, press RUN/STOP so that you can see a stable figure.
6. Ch1 displays the pulse wave, i.e., message signal, while Ch2 display a burst of sinusoid when the
message signal is 1, i.e., ASK modulated signal as in Figure 5.1(c).
ASK demodulator
1. Connect the ASK modulator output to the ASK demodulator input, and the ASK demodulator output
to Ch2 of the oscilloscope.
2. If you do not obtain any output, vary the variable resistance value slightly by rotating its head knob.
Adjust the value of variable resistor to obtain the output display at Ch2 of the oscilloscope.
3. Ch2 will display the pulse wave which is the demodulated output as in Figure 5.1 (d).

V. Your Task
1. From the above observations, fill up Table 5.1. To take measurements, you can press RUN/STOP and
use cursor measurement.

Message signal
Carrier signal
Modulated signal
Diode output
Demodulated signal

Table 5.1
Peak-to-peak value
6V
4V

Frequency
300 Hz
3 kHz

Sketch the waveform that is displayed in the oscilloscope for message signal and modulated signal.

Sketch the waveform that is displayed in the oscilloscope for diode output, and demodulated signal.

2. For message signal of 4V peak to peak and 200 Hz frequency, perform ASK modulation and
demodulation and fill up the Table 5.2

Message signal
Carrier signal
Modulated signal
Diode output
Demodulated signal

Table 5.2
Peak-to-peak value
4V
4V

Frequency
200 Hz
3 kHz

Sketch the waveform that is displayed in the oscilloscope for message signal and modulated signal.

Sketch the waveform that is displayed in the oscilloscope for diode output, and demodulated signal.

VI. What to Submit

You need to submit the completed lab handout to TC213 by Fri 11 May 2012 at 17:00.