Saint Louis University

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Department of Electronics Engineering

LABORATORY MANUAL

ECE 2231L EXPERIMENT NO. 2-2

AM DEMODULATION

I. EQUIPMENT/ MATERIALS NEEDED:

RF Generator C1 0.0047µF, mylar

Electronic VOM C2 10µF, electrolytic
Oscilloscope CR1 Germanium Diode, 1N34A
AF Generator R1 270Ω, 1W
Bread Board R2 10KΩ, 1W

II. PROCEDURES:

Objective A. Demonstrate the operation and measure the voltages of RF diode detector
circuit.

1.a.) Examine the diode detector circuit shown. Connect the circuit as shown in
the figure below.

1.b.) Set the calibrated oscilloscope controls for 0.01V/cm deflection, 0.5µs/cm sweep
time, and triggering to normal sync, internal source, + slope and auto level. Connect the
oscilloscope across the 270Ω input resistor R1.

1.c.) Set the Electronic VOM to the 0.15 Vdc range, and connect it across the 10KΩ
diode load resistor R2.

ECE 2231L EXPERIMENT 2-2 1

 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Electronics Engineering

LABORATORY MANUAL

1.d.) Set the RF Generator for unmodulated RF output at a frequency of 500KHz. Adjust
the RF level control for a 0.5Vp-p input signal at the anode of CR1.

1.e.) Measure and record the dc voltage at the cathode of CR1.

ER2 = _____________________________ Vdc

1.f.) With the given input signal, will there be an RF output signal at the output of the
diode detector? _________________

1.g.) Connect the oscilloscope across the 270Ω input resistor R1.

1.h.) Adjust the output level of the RF Generator from minimum to maximum while
watching the VOM connected across the output of the detector circuit. Does the dc
output voltage vary from minimum to maximum? _______________________

2.a.) Adjust the RF Generator for a modulated output signal.

2.b.) Change the sweep time of the oscilloscope to 2ms/cm. Adjust the stability control to
display the internal modulating signal waveform.

2.c.) Measure the time period of the modulating waveform.

Time period = ____________________ s

2.d.) Find the frequency of the modulating waveform

frequency = 1 / time period

frequency = _____________________ Hz

2.e.) Connect the oscilloscope across the 10KΩ load resistor R2. Does the modulating
signal appear across R2? __________________

2.f.) Return the output of the RF Generator to zero.

Objective B. Measure the dc component and polarity of the rectified output of a diode
detector.

ECE 2231L EXPERIMENT 2-2 2

 Saint Louis University
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE
Department of Electronics Engineering

LABORATORY MANUAL

3.a.) Replace C1 with the 10µF electrolytic capacitor C2. Connect the positive side of C2
to the cathode of CR1.

3.b.) Set the RF Generator for a modulated 500KHz output signal. Adjust the output level
of the RF Generator from minimum to maximum while watching the VOM. Does the
positive dc output voltage vary from minimum to maximum? _____________

3.c.) Connect the oscilloscope across the output of the diode detector. Adjust the RF
Generator to maximum output. Is there any RF or AF signal at the output of the
detector? __________________________

3.d.) Reverse the diode CR1 so that the input signal is now applied to the cathode and
the output taken from the anode.

3.e.) Reverse capacitor C2 so that the negative terminal is connected to the output and
the positive terminal is connected to ground.

3.f.) Change the input polarity of the Electronic VOM from positive to negative.

3.g.) Repeat step (b) adjusting the output level of the RF generator from minimum to
maximum. Does the negative dc output voltage vary from minimum to maximum?
__________________

4.a.) Set RF Generator for modulated 500KHz output signal. Use 1KHz modulating
signal from the AF Generator

4.b.) Vary the percent modulation of the AM signal from minimum to maximum while
watching the VOM. Does the dc output voltage follow the change in modulation level?
_________________________

4.c.) Return the output of the RF Generator to zero.

ECE 2231L EXPERIMENT 2-2 3