CHAPTER 2

AMPLITUDE SHIFT KEYING (ASK)

MODULATOR DEMODULATOR

2.1 Objectives
1 To understand the operation theory of the amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation.
2 To understand the signal waveform of the ASK modulation.
3 To implement the ASK modulator by using MC 1496.
4 To understand the methods of testing and adjusting the ASK modulation circuit.
5 To understand the operation theory of ASK demodulation.
6 To understand the operation theory of ASK asynchronous detector.
7 To understand the operation theory of ASK synchronous detector.
8 To understand the methods of testing and adjusting the ASK demodulation circuit.
2.2 Basic Theory
Give a brief explanation about:
1. Basic principle of ASK modulation
2. ASK modulator circuit using MC1496
3. Asynchronous ASK Detector
4. Synchronous ASK Detector
5. Implementation of ASK modulation
2.3 Experiment Apparatus
1. DC Power Supply 1
2. Function Generator 2
3. Oscilloscope 1
4. GOTT DCT-11 ASK Modulator 1
5. GOTT DCT-12 ASK Demodulator 1
6. BNC to Alligator cable 4
7. BNC to BNC cable 2
8. Large banana to banana cable 5
9. Small banana to banana cable
10. T-connector 2

2.4 Procedures
2.4.1 XR 2206 ASK Modulator – Asynchronous ASK Demodulator
1. Refer to figure DCT 11- 1 on GOTT DCT-6000-06 module. Let J2 be short
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AMPLITUDE SHIFT KEYING (ASK)
MODULATOR DEMODULATOR
 circuit and J3 be open circuit.
2. Let the two terminals of I/P be short circuit and J1 be open circuit, i.e. at the
data signal input terminal (Data I/P), input 0 V DC voltages. By using
oscilloscope, observe on the output signal waveform of ASK signal (ASK
O/P), then record the measured results in table 2.1.
3. Let the two terminals of I/P be open circuit and J1 be short circuit, i.e. at the
data signal input terminal (Data I/P), input 5V DC voltage. By using
oscilloscope, observe on the output signal waveform of ASK signal (ASK
O/P), then record the measured results in table 2.1.
4. At the data signal input terminal (Data I/P), input 5V amplitude, 200 Hz TTL
signal. By using oscilloscope, observe on the output signal waveform of ASK
signal (ASK O/P), then record the measured results in table 2.1.
5. Connect the ASK signal output terminal (ASK O/P) in figure DCT11-1 to the signal
input terminal of the asynchronous ASK detector (ASK I/P) in figure DCT 12-1.
6. Adjust the variable resistor VR1 in figure DCT12-1 to obtain the optimum reference
level of the comparator. By using oscilloscope, observe on the digital signal output
port (Data O/P). Finally, record the measured results in table 2.1
7. According to the input signal in table 2.1, repeat step 4-6 and record the
measured results in table 2.1.
8. Refer to figure DCT 11-1 on GOTT DCT-6000-06 module to produce the amplitude
modulated signal as the modulated ASK signal input. Let J2 be open circuit and J3 be
short circuit.
9. According to the input signal in table 2.1, repeat step 2 to step 6 and record the
measured results in table 2.1.
2.4.2 MC 1496 ASK Modulator – Asynchronous ASK Demodulator
1. Refer to figure DCT11-2 on GOTT DCT-6000-06 module.
2. At the data signal input terminal (Data I/P), input 5 V amplitude, 500 Hz TTL signal.
Then at the carrier signal input terminal (Carrier I/P), input 500 mV amplitude and 20
kHz sine wave frequency.
3. By using oscilloscope, observe on the output signal waveform of the modulated ASK
signal (ASK O/P). Adjust VR1 until the signal does not occur distortion. Then adjust
VR2 to avoid the asymmetry of the signal. Finally record the output signal waveform of
the ASK O/P in table 2.2.
4. Connect the ASK signal output terminal (ASK O/P) in figure DCT11-2 to the signal

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AMPLITUDE SHIFT KEYING (ASK)
MODULATOR DEMODULATOR
 input terminal of the asynchronous ASK detector (ASK I/P) in figure DCT 12- 1.
5. Adjust the variable resistor VR1 in figure DCT12-1 to obtain the optimum reference
level of the comparator. By using oscilloscope, observe on the digital signal output port
(Data O/P). Finally, record the measured results in table 2.2.
6. According to the input signal in table 2.2, repeat step 2 to step 5 and record the
measured results in table 2.2.
2.4.3 MC 1496 ASK Modulator – Synchronous ASK Demodulator
1. Refer to figure DCT 11-2 on GOTT DCT-6000-06 module to produce the amplitude
modulated signal as the modulated ASK signal input.
2. At the data signal input terminal (Data I/P) in figure DCT11-2, input 5V amplitude and
1 kHz TTL signal. At the carrier signal input terminal (Carrier I/P), input 500 mV
amplitude and 100 kHz sine wave frequency.
3. Adjust VR1 of ASK modulator in figure DCT11-2 and observe on the modulated ASK
signal before the signal occurs distortion, then slightly adjust VR2 to avoid the
asymmetry of the signal to obtain the optimum output waveform of modulated ASK
signal (ASK O/P).
4. Connect the ASK signal output terminal (ASK O/P) in figure DCT11-2 to the signal
input terminal of the asynchronous ASK detector (ASK I/P) in figure DCT 12-2.
5. By using oscilloscope and switching to DC channel, then adjust VR2 of figure DCT12-2
to obtain the optimum comparator reference voltage. Then observe on the output signal
waveforms of the emitter follower (TP1), balanced modulator (TP2), comparator (TP3)
and data signal output port (Data O/P). Finally, record the measured results in table 2.3.
If the signal output waveform occurs distortion, then slightly adjust VR1.
6. According to the input signal in table 2.3, repeat step 3 to step 5 and record the
measured results in table 2.3.

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AMPLITUDE SHIFT KEYING (ASK)
MODULATOR DEMODULATOR
2.5 Measurement Result
2.5.1 XR 2206 ASK Modulator – Asynchronous ASK Demodulator
Table 2.1. Measured results of XR 2206 ASK Modulator – Asynchronous ASK
Demodulator
Input
Output Signal
Signal
0 V (I/P SC , J1 OC) 5V (J1 SC , I/P OC)

J2 SC
J3 OC

Data I/P ASK O/P

J2 SC
J3 OC
5V, 200 Data O/P
Hz

Data I/P ASK O/P

J2 SC
J3 OC
5V, 500
Hz

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AMPLITUDE SHIFT KEYING (ASK)
MODULATOR DEMODULATOR
Input
Output Signal
Signal
Data O/P

0 V (I/P SC , J1 OC) 5V (J1 SC , I/P OC)

J2 OC
J3 SC

Data I/P ASK O/P

J2 OC
J3 SC
5V, 200 Data O/P
Hz

J2 OC Data I/P ASK O/P

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AMPLITUDE SHIFT KEYING (ASK)
MODULATOR DEMODULATOR
 Input
Output Signal
Signal
J3 SC
5V, 500
Hz

Data O/P

2.5.2 MC 1496 ASK Modulator – Asynchronous ASK Demodulator

Table 2.2. Measured results of MC 1496 ASK Modulator – Asynchronous ASK
Demodulator
Input Signal Output Signal
Data I/P Carrier I/P

Data I/P
5 V, 500 Hz TTL signal

ASK O/P Data O/P

Carrier I/P
500 mV, 20 kHz sine wave

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AMPLITUDE SHIFT KEYING (ASK)
MODULATOR DEMODULATOR
 Input Signal Output Signal
Data I/P Carrier I/P

Data I/P
5 V, 1 kHz TTL signal

ASK O/P Data O/P

Carrier I/P
500 mV, 20 kHz sine wave

Data I/P Carrier I/P

Data I/P
5 V, 500 Hz TTL signal

ASK O/P Data O/P

Carrier I/P
500 mV, 40 kHz sine wave

Data I/P Data I/P Carrier I/P

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AMPLITUDE SHIFT KEYING (ASK)
MODULATOR DEMODULATOR
 Input Signal Output Signal
5 V, 1 kHz TTL signal

Carrier I/P
500 mV, 40 kHz sine wave

ASK O/P Data O/P

2.5.3 MC 1496 ASK Modulator – Synchronous ASK Demodulator

Table 2.3. Measured results of MC 1496 ASK Modulator – Synchronous ASK
Demodulator
Input Signal Output Signal
Data I/P Carrier I/P

Data I/P
5 V, 500 Hz TTL signal

ASK O/P Data O/P

Carrier I/P
500 mV, 20 kHz sine wave

Data I/P Data I/P Carrier I/P

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AMPLITUDE SHIFT KEYING (ASK)
MODULATOR DEMODULATOR
 Input Signal Output Signal
5 V, 1 kHz TTL signal

Carrier I/P
500 mV, 20 kHz sine wave

ASK O/P Data O/P

Data I/P Carrier I/P

Data I/P
5 V, 500 Hz TTL signal

ASK O/P Data O/P

Carrier I/P
500 mV, 40 kHz sine wave

Data I/P Data I/P Carrier I/P

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AMPLITUDE SHIFT KEYING (ASK)
MODULATOR DEMODULATOR
 Input Signal Output Signal
5 V, 1 kHz TTL signal

Carrier I/P
500 mV, 40 kHz sine wave

ASK O/P Data O/P

2.6 Problem Discussion

1. In figure DCT11-2, what are the functions of OP AMP LM741, C3, R17, R18 and R19?
2. In figure DCT11-2, what are the purposes of VR1and VR2 ?
3. In figure DCT11-2, what are the purposes of R13 and R14 ?
4. In figure DCT12-1, if we neglect the µA741 op-amp and connect the ASK modulator to
the diode detector, then what are the results?
5. What are the purposes of the comparators in figure DCT12-1 and figure DCT12-2?
6. In figure DCT12-2, what are the objectives of R13, C9 and C11?
7. In figure DCT12-2, what are the objectives of D1 and Z1?

2.7 Conclusion

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AMPLITUDE SHIFT KEYING (ASK)
MODULATOR DEMODULATOR