Objective:

To study Pulse Width Modulation and Demodulation using 555 Timer IC

Required Components:

1. 555 timer IC -1

2. 10K potentiometer -1

3. 100ohm resistor -1
4. 0.1uF capacitor -1

5. 1k resistor -1 (optional)

6. Bread board -1
7. 9v Battery -1

8. LED -1

9. Multimeter or CRO -1
10. Jumper wire

11. Battery connector -1

Theory:

Pulse Duration Modulation (PDM) or Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)

In pulse time modulation (PTM), the modulating signal is sampled, just as it is in

PAM. However, in PTM, the amplitude of the sample is indicated by a timing
variation of the modulated pulse, rather than an amplitude variation. The variable
timing characteristics may be the duration, position, or frequency of the pulses.
Therefore, there are three basic types of PTM: pulse duration modulation, pulse
position modulation, and pulse frequency modulation.

This type of PTM is also called pulse width or pulse length modulation, however,
pulse duration modulation (PDM) is the preferred term. There are three different
classifications of PDM: symmetrical PDM, leading edge PDM, and trailing edge
PDM.

In a symmetrical PDM waveform, the modulation signal as sampled and both the
leading and trailing edges of the pulse are varied in accordance with the sample
amplitude. When the sample is a high negative difference duration, the spacing
between the center of the pulses remains constant as shown.
In leading edge type of PDM, the sample amplitude varies the leading edge of the
pulse. The trailing edge of each pulse is fixed and, therefore, the spacing or timing
between each pulses trailing edge is constant.

In trailing edge PDM, the sample amplitude varies the trailing edge of the pulse, with
the leading edge remaining fixed.

It is a type of analog modulation. In pulse width modulation or pulse duration

modulation, the width of the pulse carrier is varied in accordance with the sample
values of message signal or modulating signal or modulating voltage. In pulse width
modulation, the amplitude is made constant and width of pulse and position of pulse
is made proportional to the amplitude of the signal. We can vary the pulse width in
three ways:

1. By keeping the leading edge constant and vary the pulse width with respect to
leading edge
2. By keeping the tailing constant.
3. By keeping the center of the pulse constant.

We can generate pulse width using different circuitry. In practical, we use 555 Timer
which is the best way for generating the pulse width modulation signals. By
configuring the 555 timer as monostable or astable multivibrator, we can generate
the PWM signals. We can use PIC, 8051, AVR, ARM, etc. microcontrollers to
generate the PWM signals. PWM signal generation has n number of ways. In
demodulation, we need PWM detector and its related circuitry for demodulating the
PWM signal. There are two important parameters for a PWM as discussed below:

Duty cycle of the PWM:

The percentage of time in which the PWM signal remains HIGH (on time) is called
as duty cycle. If the signal is always ON it is in 100% duty cycle and if it is always
off it is 0% duty cycle.

Duty Cycle =Turn ON time/ (Turn ON time + Turn OFF time)

Frequency of a PWM:
The frequency of a PWM signal determines how fast a PWM completes one
period. One Period is complete ON and OFF of a PWM signal as shown in the
above figure. In our tutorial we will set a frequency of 5 KHz.

We can notice if LED being OFF for half second and LED being ON for other half
second. But if Frequency of ON and OFF times increased from 1 per second to 50
per second. The human eye cannot capture this frequency. For a normal eye the
LED will be seen, as glowing with half of the brightness. So with further reduction of
ON time the LED appears much lighter.

Generation of PWM:

PWM signal can be generated by using a comparator, where modulating

signal and sawtooth signal form the input of the comparator. It is the simplest
method for PWM generation.
The PWM generation
 PWM generation by a comparator

As shown in the figure, one input of the comparator is fed by the input
message or modulating signal and the other input by a sawtooth signal which
operates at carrier frequency.
Considering both ve sides, the maximum of the input signal should be less
than that of sawtooth signal.
The comparator will compare the two signals together to generate the PWM
signal at its output as shown in the third waveform of Fig6.
The rising edges of the PWM signal coincides with the falling edge of the
sawtooth signal.
When the sawtooth signal is at the minimum value which is less than the
minimum of the input signal, then the positive input of the comparator is at
higher potential which gives the comparator output as positive.
When the sawtooth signal rises and is at the maximum value, the negative
input of the comparator is at higher potential, which will produce the
comparator output to be negative.
Thus the input signal magnitude determines the comparator output and its
potential, which then decides the width of the pulse generated at the output.
In other words we can say that the width of the pulse generated signal is
directly proportional to the amplitude of the modulating signal.
 PWM and PPM signal generation

DEMODULATION OF PWM

PWM pulse can be detected using Ramp generator and some circuit combinations.
We have discussed PWM generator circuit using 741 op amp in previous articles.
The coded message in the form of PWM can be easily decoded with the help of
a synchronous pulse. The most simple demodulation principle of PWM signals are
describes in this article

The block diagram itself explaining all the decoding principles. Waveforms at
different sections of Pulse width demodulation are also given here.

PWM signals have wide verities of applications like PWM Inverter circuit, PWM LED
brightness control or Dimmer circuit etc.

PWM Demodulator Block Diagram

 PWM coding can be done using 741 op amp that we discussed before. Here
the modulated (PWM) wave is applied to the decoder system for getting the
message signal.
The basic theory behind Pulse width demodulation is
that converting the PWM signal to PAM (Pulse Amplitude Modulation) signal.
PAM can be easily detected by suitable low pass filter.

PWM PWM to PAM PAM Low Pass Filter Decoded

Converter

Input PWM wave is applied to Ramp generator and Synchronous Pulse

generator
Synchronous pulse generator will generate a pulse waveform such that the
pulse will end at the beginning of each PWM pulse (See the fig below)
Ramp generator will produce a ramp signal whose amplitude is proportional
to width of the PWM signal (See the fig below)
Now apply these Ramp and Synchronous pulse to an Adder circuit which
adds these signals together.
The next block is a positive Clipper with a specific voltage; Clipper clips the
waveform at a particular level as shown in fig.
The output of clipper will be PAM signal, now the PWM signal gets converted
to PAM signal.
The PAM can be demodulated by Low Pass filtering method. Thus our next
block is Low Pass Filter.
Ramp Generator + Synchronous Pulse + Adder + Clipper = PWM to PAM
Converter
Advantages of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM):

As like pulse position modulation, noise interference is less due to amplitude

has been made constant.
Signal can be separated very easily at demodulation and noise can also be
separated easily.
Synchronization between transmitter and receiver is not required unlike pulse
position modulation.

Disadvantages of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM):

Power will be variable because of varying in width of pulse. Transmitter can

handle the power even for maximum width of the pulse.
Bandwidth should be large to use in communication, should be huge even
when compared to the pulse amplitude modulation.

Applications of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM):

 PWM is used in telecommunication systems.
PWM can be used to control the amount of power delivered to a load without
incurring the losses. So, this can be used in power delivering systems.
Audio effects and amplifications purposes also used.
PWM signals are used to control the speed of the robot by controlling the
motors.
PWM is also used in robotics.
Embedded applications.
Analog and digital applications etc.

555 Timer PWM Generator Circuit Diagram and

Explanation:

In this PWM generator circuit, as we mentioned above we have used 555 Timer IC
for generating PWM signal. Here we have controlled the output frequency of the
PWM signal by selecting resistor RV1 and capacitor C1. We have used a variable
resistor in place of fixed resistor for changing duty cycle of the output signal.
Capacitor Charging through D1 diode and Discharge through D2 diode will
generates PWM signal at 555 timer's output pin.

Below formula is used for deriving the frequency of the PWM signal:

F = 0.693*RV1*C1

Simulating PWM generation using 555 Timer IC:

Below are some Snapshots: