ECE224 (Communications 1) – Assignment

NAME: ________________________________________ DEADLINE: _____March 2, 2020_______________

SECTION:________________________________ RATING: _________________________________

Instructions:
Read Chapter 6 (FM Circuits) from pages 172 to 198 (Frequency Modulators to Phase Modulators) then answer
the following questions briefly and concisely. Prepare for a check up quiz on Monday (March 2, 2020).

1. How does a varactor work? Why can it be used in a frequency modulator?

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2. Referring to the varactor modulator, what is the purpose of transistor Q1? What kind of biasing was used to transistor
Q1?
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3. What do you think is the most crucial component in the varactor modulator?
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4. What sets the rest frequency of the carrier in frequency modulating a crystal oscillator? What is it made of?
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5. Why are crystal oscillators more superior compared to other oscillators such as the LC oscillator?
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6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of frequency modulating a crystal oscillator?
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7. What are frequency multipliers? Where are they usually used?
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8. Describe the operation of a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO)? How can a VCO produce an FM signal?
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9. How is a phase modulator different from a frequency modulator?
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10. Describe the operation of a varactor phase modulator.
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