RF Communication

Experiment 1 RF Modulations

I. Introduction

Review the theory part and understand RF modulation formats. Get familiar with analogue
and digital modulations and measure their generated spectra.

II. Objectives

1. Get acquainted with the Real time spectrum analyzer

2. Use the spectrum analyzer to capture the signals and look at their Fourier spectra.

II. Lab Preparation Assignment

1. Review the foundation material about analogue and digital modulations.

2. Download and read manuals of Tektronix RSA 3408 Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer (hereafter
referred as Analyzer).

III. Required Equipment

Tektronix RSA 3408 Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer (hereafter referred as Analyzer), PTSA Rapid
demo board, 50 Ohm SMA cables, Adaptors

IV. Procedure

1. The experiment requires the following connection:

(a) Connect the rapid demo board MODRF-out to the Analyzer Input
(b) Connect the demo board to its DC power supply
(c) Note: Slowly and carefully connect the SMA connectors. They have a smaller center pin
diameter and smaller outer jacket with a finer thread. It is easier to break compared with
BNC cable. The SMA connection cable is a weaker type of cable with a very small
diameter. You can easily break them. HANDLE WITH CARE!

2. The instruments’ setup

(a) Turn on the Analyzer. On the front panel-Utility section, press the System key on the
front panel and then press the Reset All to Factory Defaults side key.
(b) Switch on the demo board. Press the demo board CW button and then AM button to turn
on the AM mode with a constant carrier of 2.4453 GHz, and a modulating signal of 3.072
MHz. Ensure the LEDs besides these two buttons are solid lit.

3. Catch a RF signal using the Analyzer.

(a) Press Demod key in front panel-Display section. Then press Analog Demod > AM
Demod side key.
(b) Press Frequency/Channel key in front panel-Measurement section. Set Center Freq
= .
(c) Press Span key in front panel-Measurement section. Set Span
= .
(d) Press Amplitude key in front panel-Measurement section. Press Auto Level. Ensure RF
Atten/Mixer is Auto.
 (e) Press Timing key in front panel-Measurement section. Set Acquisition Length(s)
= .
(f) Press Trig key in front panel-Measurement section. Set Mode as Free Run and Repeat
as Continuous.
(g) Press Measure key in front panel-Measurement section. Then press Show
Measurements.
(h) The overview of the Analyzer is the Power versus Time graph, the subview is spectrum,
and the main view displays the modulation factor versus time graph and measurement
results.
(i) Press Trig key in front panel-Measurement section. Set Mode as Free Run and Repeat
as Single.
(j) Press Run/Stop to view different measurement results.
(k) Record the modulator factors. Positive peak AM= . Negative peak AM
= . Total AM = .
(l) What is the signal bandwidth?________________

4. Press the demo board AM button to turn off AM.

5. Then press HOP button. To view the frequency spectrum of HOP.

Press the System key on the front panel and then press the Reset All to Factory Defaults
side key to reset the Analyzer.
On the front panel-Display > Mode section, press the S/A key. Then press side key
Spectrum Analyzer.
Press Frequency/Channel key in front panel-Measurement section. Set Center Freq
= .
Press Span key in front panel-Measurement section. Set Span = .
Press S/A key and choose S/A with Spectrogram. Observe this “Swept” display.
Press S/A key again and choose Real Time S/A. Observe the difference between the real-
time and swept display. What is the total occupied bandwidth and what is the instantaneous
bandwidth of the signal?__________________,____________________

6. What will the overview (upper left), subview (upper right) and main view (bottom) of the
Analyzer display when the FM signal is the input?

7. Press the demo board HOP button to turn off HOP.

8. Then press QPSK button. Press the System key on the front panel and then press the Reset
All to Factory Defaults side key to reset the Analyzer.
Press Frequency/Channel key in front panel-Measurement section. Set Center Freq
= .
Press Span key in front panel-Measurement section. Set Span = .
Press DEMO key and then press side key Digital Demod.
Press MEAS SETUP key and set Modulation Type as QPSK.
Press “Modulation Parameters” side key. Set Symbol Rate = .
Press DEMO key and then press side key Digital Demod again. Press “Constellation”,
“Symbol Table”, and “Eye Diagram” respectively, observe what displays in the main view
window. Is it consistent with what you expect?

In your report:

1. Discuss the relationship between the time domain and frequency domain of the signals.
2. Write a short note about the different modulation formats. (AM, FM and QPSK.) and discuss
the power efficiency, bandwidth efficiency, and noise advantages and disadvantages of each
of them.