Chapter 3

Pulse Width
Modulator
 Pulse Width Modulator

3-1: Curriculum Objectives

1. To implement the pulse width modulator by using µA741.
2. To understand the characteristics and basic circuit of LM555.
3. To implement the pulse width modulator by using LM555.
4. To measure and analyze the pulse width modulation circuit.

3-2: Curriculum Theory

Pulse width modulation (PWM) is a modulation method in between the digital and analog, which
can be used to process the digital and analog data transmission. The amplitude of pulse width
modulator is fixed, but the pulse width will be varied and controlled by the input audio signal
amplitude. If we control the time variation of the electric level, then this means that we can control
the width of the pulse. When the amplitude of the audio signal is getting larger, then the pulse width
will become wide; on the' other hand, when the amplitude of the audio is getting smaller, then the
pulse width will become narrow. Therefore, the PWM can be applied in the fast and slow of the
rotation rate of the motor, the strong and weak of the light source of the light bulb and so on. The
relationship between audio and pulse width modulation signal is shown in figure 3-1.

Generally, pulse wave modulation can be classified as pulse amplitude modulation (PAM), pulse
position modulation (PPM), pulse width modulation (PWM) and so on. Table 3-1 shows the
comparison between each modulations and figure 3-2 shows the output characteristics diagram of
PAM, PPM and PWM modulations.

Figure 3-3 is a square wave oscillation circuit, the output signal pulse width is controlled by R 2, C2
and Vin(+) input terminal voltage. The op-amplifier μA741 is the comparator in this circuit. The
Vin(+) input (pin 3) reference voltage is decided by the resistor R1 and variable resistor VR1. R2 and
C2 are constructed to become a charge/discharge path. When no signal supply to the audio signal
input terminal, if we adjust VR1, then the Vin(+) input terminal operation voltage will change, which
means the reference voltage of comparator will change, thus, the output signal of pulse width will
also change too.

Figure 3-1 Signal waveforms of audio signal and PWM signal.

Table 3-1 Comparisons between three different types of modulations.

Modulation Features Pulse Pulse Pulse

Types Amplitude Width Interval
Pulse amplitude will be varied Constant
PAM with the amplitude of the input Varied Width Changeless
signal.
Pulse position will be varied Constant Constant
PPM with the amplitudeof the input Amplitude Width Varied
signal.
Pulse width will bevaried with Constant
PWM the amplitudeof the input signal. Amplitude Varied Changeless
Figure 3-2 Output characteristics diagram of PAM, PPM and PWM modulations.

Figure 3-3 Circuit diagram of PWM by using µA741.

 Figure 3-4 Waveforms diagram of the charge and discharge of uA741.

If the VR1 is fixed, it means that the operation voltage of Vin(+) input terminal is fixed. If input an audio signal
to the audio signal input terminal, then the audio signal voltage will add to the operation voltage of
the Vin(+) input terminal. Besides, by following the path of charge and discharge of Rand C2, the
operation voltage of Vin(-)will change as well, as shown in figure 3-4. However, when we change
the bias point by tuning the variable resistor VR1, we can change the level and the width of the
output square wave of Vin(+) and Vin(-) at the same time. At this moment, the reference voltage of
the comparator will be varied and controlled by the voltage of the audio signal. Therefore, the
output signal of pulse width will also change with respect to the voltage of input audio signal,then
the pulse width modulation signal is produced.

The circuit diagram of LM555 astablemultivibrator is shown in figure 3-5. In figure 3-4, the circuit can be
divided into 5 important parts, which are lower comparator, upper comparator, flip-flop (FF),
discharge transistor and output driver. If the controlled voltage terminal (pin 5) does not input any
signal, then the upper comparator reference voltage is 2VCC/3 and the lower comparator reference
voltage is VCC/3. If we add the controller voltage to the control voltage terminal (pin 5), the
comparator reference voltage can be externally controlled. When the controlled voltage termingdoes
not use, then we can make the controlled voltage terminal connects with a capacitor 0.01 μF to the
ground to avoid the interference of noise.

Figure 3-5 Circuit diagram of LM555 astablemultivibrator.

Figure 3-5 is the circuit diagram of astablemultivibrator by using LM555 IC. The output signal of
this circuit is a square wave. The oscillation frequency is determined by R1, R2 and C1. The charge
 time (t1) of capacitor 0.693 x(R1+R2) x C1; the discharge time (t2) of capacitor C1 is 0.693 x R2 xC1.
So the period T is the charge time t1 plus the discharge time t2 equals to 0.693x(R1+ 2xR2) x C1.
Figure 3-6 shows the output waveforms of LM555 astablemultivibrator at different points.

Figure 3-7 is the circuit diagram of monostablemultivibrator by using LM555 IC. When the trigger input
changes from high (+12 V) to low (0 V), the output terminal will produce a pulse. This pulse width
T is determined by R1 x C1 actually is approximately 1.1 x R1 x C1. If R1 = 10 kΩ and C1= 0.01 μF,
then the pulse width is about 110 µs. If the frequency is less than 9.1 kHz at the trigger signal input
terminal (pin 2), (refer to the waveforms of astablemultivibrator in figure 3-6), then the output will
be the 50 % duty cycle pulse signal. The audio signal is inputted by the controlled voltage terminal.
Therefore, this will produce the PWM signal.

Figure 3-8 is the circuit diagram of PWM by using two LM555 ICs, which U, which U1 is the
astablemultivibrator and U2 is the monostablemultivibrator. By combining these two parts, we will
obtain a PWM circuit. Monostablemultivibrator (U2)needs the trigger pulse from the
astablemultivibrator (U1output terminal (pin 3), the audio signal is inputted at the controlled voltage
(pin 5) of the monostablemultivibrator (U2). The PWM signal is outputted at the output terminal
(pin 3) of the monostablemultivibrator.
Figure 3-6 Output waveforms of LM555 astablemultivibrator at different points.
Figure 3-7 Circuit diagram of monostablemultivibrator by using LM555 IC.

Figure 3-8 Circuit diagram of PAM by using two LM555 ICs.

3-3: Experiment Items

Experiment 1: µA741 pulse width modulator

1. Refer to figure 3-3 or figure DCT3-1 on GOTT DCT-6000-02 module, let J1 be open circuit, that
means R1 is unused.
2. Adjust the variable resistor VR1 so that Vin(+) input terminal voltage is 0 V. Then let J1 be short
circuit, that means let R1 is used.
3. At the audio signal frequency input terminal (Audio I/P), input a 3 V amplitude and 500 Hz
frequency waveform.
4. By using oscilloscope, observe on the signal waveform of audio signal. Input terminal and output
terminal (pin 6). Then record the measured results in table 3-2.
5. Let J1 be open circuit, then record the audio input signal. Adjust VR1 so that Vin (+) voltage of
input terminal is 6 V.
6. Let J1 be short circuit, that means let R1 is used. Then input the audio signal terminal into the
original audio signal.
7. By using oscilloscope, observe on the signal waveforms of the audio signal input terminal and
output terminal (pin 6). Then record the measured results in table 3-2.
8. Let J1 be open circuit, that means R1 is unused and record the audio input signal. Adjust VR1 so
that Vin (+) voltage of input terminal is -6V.
9. Let J1 be short circuit, then input the original audio signal into the audio signal input terminal.
10. By using oscilloscope, observe on the signal waveforms of the audio signal input terminal and
output terminal (pin 6). Then record the measured results in table 3-2.
11. Let J1 be open circuit and record the audio input signal. Adjust VR1 so that Vin(+) voltage of the
input terminal is 0 V, then let J1 be opencircuit.
12. Change the audio signal amplitude to 5 V, the others remain the same. Repeat step 4 to st ep 10
then record the measured results in table 3 -3.
Experiment 2: LM555 pulse width modulator

1. Refer to figure 3-8 or figure DCT3-2 on GOTT DCT-6000-02 module.

2. By using oscilloscope, observe on the test point TP3 and the output Signal waveform, at the
same time adjust variable resistor VR1 until when the square wave signal of test point TP3 at
differences voltage level, the output square wave signal has different pulse width. (i.e. different
duty-cycle).
3. At the audio signal input terminal (Audio I/P), input a 2.5 V amplitude and 1 kHz frequency
square wave. Then record the measured results in table 3-4.
4. By using oscilloscope, observe on the output signal waveforms of the discharge capacitor TP1,
critical point TP2, trigger signal TP3, critical point of the discharge capacitor TP4, and PWM
O/P.
5. By using oscilloscope and switching to DC channel, observe on the output signal waveforms
and record the measured results in table 3-5.
6. Change the input signal to triangular wave, the others remain the same, repeat step 5.
7. Change the input signal to sinusoidal wave, the others remain the same, 7 repeat step 5.
8. Change the input signal amplitude to 1.5 V, the others remain the same, repeat step 6 to step 7,
then record the measured results in table 3-6.
9. Repeat step 3 to step 5, then record the measured results in table 3-7.

3-4: Measured Result

Table 3-2 Measured results of µA741 pulse width modulator.
(Vm = 3V, fm = 500 Hz)
DC Bias Voltage at Input Signal Waveforms Output Signal Waveforms
Vin (+)

0V

6V

-6V

Table 3-3 Measured results of μA741 pulse width modulator.

(Vm =5 Vin, fm = 500 Hz)

DC Bias Voltage Input Signal Waveforms Output Signal Waveforms

at Vin (+)

0V

6V

-6V
Table 3-4 Measured results of LM555 pulse width modulator. (Vm = 2.5 V, fm = I kHz)

Input Signals Input Signal Waveforms

Square Wave

Triangular wave

Sinusoidal Wave
Table 3-5 Measured results of LM555 pulse width modulator.
(Vm= 2.5 V, fm =1 kHz Square Wave)

Input Signals Input Signal Waveforms

Square Wave

Triangular Wave

Sinusoidal Wave
Table 3-5 Measured results of LM555 pulse width modulator.
(Vm = 2.5 V, fm =1 kHz Triangular Wave)

Test Points Output Signal Waveforms

TP1

TP2

TP3

TP4

PWM
O/P
Figure 3-5 Measured results of LM555 pulse width modulator. (Continue)
(Vm = 2.5 V, fm =1 kHz Sinusoidal Wave)

Test Points Output Signal Waveforms

TP1

TP2

TP3

TP4

PWM
O/P
Table 3-6 Measured results of LM555 pulse width modulator.
(Vm = 1.5 V, fm = 1kHz)
Input Signals Input Signal Waveforms

Square Wave

Triangular Wave

Sinusoidal Wave
Table 3-7 Measured results of LM555 pulse width modulator.
(Vm =1.5 V, fm = 1 kHz Square Wave)

Test Points Output Signal Waveforms

TP1

TP2

TP3

TP4

PWM
O/P
Table 3-7 Measured results of LM555 pulse width modulator. (Continue)
(Vm =1.5 V, fm =1 kHz Triangular Wave)
Test Points Output Signal Waveforms

TP1

TP2

TP3

TP4

PWM
O/P
3-5: Problems Discussion

1. What are the functions of VR1 in figure 3-3 and figure 3-8?

2. If we change the capacitor C6 to 0.1 µF in figure 3-8, the others remain the same, does the
output still show the PWM waveform? Why?

3. For output voltage polarity, what are the differences of PWM signal between experiment 1
and experiment 2?