International Journal of Information and Computer Science (IJICS) Volume 5, 2016 www.iji-cs.

org
doi: 10.14355/ijics.2016.05.008

Implementation of FDM Simulation

Communication System Based on LabVIEW
Biao MA1, Min LI*2, Shuang XU3
College of Information & Communication Engineering, Dalian Minzu University, China
1mb@dlnu.edu.cn; *2limin@dlnu.edu.cn; 3xush@dlnu.edu.cn

Abstract

The FDM simulation communication system was designed based on LabVIEW software development platform. With the theory
and method about liear modulation as well as coherent demodulation as basis, taking the DSB and SSB for examples, the 3-
channel FDM communication system is simulated virtually. Tests show that the entire process of the FDM communication is
simulated and demostrated effectively and the powerful function of LabVIEW software in engineering practice is better
embodied.

Keywords

FDM; Communication System; Linear Modulation; LabVIEW; Virtual Simulation

Introduction

Multiplexing is a technique that can combines multi-channel signals into a composite signal in one channel by
some method. In the communication system, in order to make full use of the frequency resource, the multiplexing
technology is often adopted. There are 3 basic multiplexing technologies: frequency division multiplexing (FDM),
time division multiplexing (TDM) and code division multiplexing (CDM). FDM is the most basic one, it is widely
used in analog and digital communication systems, and TDM and CDM only for digital communication systems [1].
FDM technology is characterized by: all the signals are transmitted in a parallel manner without considering the
transmission delay. So the FDM technology has been very widely used [2].

Simulation technology, computer communication technology and network technology are the most important part
of information technology. The simulation of communication systems is an important step of communication
theory research and communication system design. LabVIEW is a virtual instrument software development tool
launched by the United States NI company. The software is more simple and intuitive in form through using
modularized program design language and the program block diagram instead of the traditional program code [3-4].
With the characteristics of making program block diagram in LabVIEW, the input conditions and output results
can be observed from input controls and display controls on the front panel, meanwhile, the block diagram of the
program on the rear panel can show how to achieve the operating results of the front panel [5]. LabVIEW is
powerful, and has rich library functions specifically designed for signal processing, communications and so on. So
it’s very suitable for design, analysis and application of communication systems.
As the communication system is of strong theory, emphasis on theoretical analysis, the characteristics of modular
in the structure, a man-machine interactive communication system is designed with LabVIEW as the virtual
simulation platform. With basic principles of linear modulation used in the system, the amplitude of the
modulated signal varies directly with the baseband signal. In FDM design and implementation modules, combined
with practical engineering, the system reflects the practical application of the theory and the powerful function of
LabVIEW software development in practical engineering.

System Design Principle

FDM is a multiplexing mode, which is characterized by the separation in the frequency domain and overlap in
time domain for the various signals. The channel bandwidth is divided into a plurality of mutually non-

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overlapping bands, each signal occupies one of the bands, and the unused bands are must be left among signals for
separation to avoid signal overlap. In the receiving end, appropriate band-pass filters are adopted to separate the
multiplex signals in order to recover the desired signals [6].

The Linear Modulation

The linear modulation means using the baseband signal to control the instantaneous amplitude of the carrier signal
and the amplitude of the carrier signal varies with the baseband signal. Some typical examples of the linear
modulation are amplitude modulation (AM), double-sideband (DSB), single-sideband (SSB) and vestigial sideband
(VSB). DSB and SSB are used in this FDM simulation communication system.
1) DSB Modulation

Let the baseband signal with zero mean value be m(t) , its spectrum be M() and the carrier frequency be c .
Then the expression of the DSB signal in time domain is SDSB (t )  m(t ) cos(ct ) , so its spectrum expression is
SDSB ()  0.5[ M (  c )  M (  c )] . The baseband signal spectrum M() and the DSB signal spectrum
S DSB () are shown in Fig. 1

FIG. 1 THE BASEBAND SIGNAL SPECTRUM AND THE DSB SIGNAL SPECTRUM

The DSB signal spectrum contains two sidebands, that is upper sideband (USB) and lower sideband (LSB). Any
one sideband contains all the spectral components of M(). So the DSB signal bandwidth is twice of the
baseband signal bandwidth. Furthermore, as the carrier is suppressed in the DSB signal, the DSB is effective
modulation mode.
2) SSB Modulation
The USB and LSB in DSB signal are symmetry and carry the same information. Therefore, it’s ok to transmit
only one sideband, thus both the transmission power and the transmission frequency band can be saved. The
communication mode which only transmits one sideband is called single-sideband modulation.
The time domain expression of SSB is denoted as SSSB(t )  0.5[m(t ) cos(ct )  m
ˆ (t ) sin(ct )] , in which,
mˆ (t ) is
ˆ (t )  m(t ) * (1 t ) ,
the Hilbert transform of the baseband signal m(t ) , “-“ means USB and “+” LSB. For m
ˆ (t )]  Mˆ ( )  M ()[ j sgn( )] .
FT [m
In summary, SSB modulation can not only save the carrier transmission power, and it occupies only half of the DSB
bandwidth. So it has become one of the important modulation modes in short wave communication.

Demodulation for Linear Modulation

Demodulation is the inverse of the modulation process, and its effect is to restore the original baseband signal from
the received modulated signal. There are two demodulation mthods, coherent demodulation and non-coherent
demodulation. Coherent demodulation and modulation are essentially the same, i.e. spectrum shifting, namely the
modulated signal spectrum in the position of the carrier frequency moving back to the original baseband position.
So it can be also implemented with multiplication and low-pass filtering. In order to restore the original baseband
signal without distortion during coherent demodulation, a local carrier strictly synchronizing with the received

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modulated carrier must be provided in the receiving end. The local carrier and the received modulated signal are
multiplied and then through the low pass filter, the low-frequency components can be taken out, that is, the
original baseband signal is obtained.
1) The Coherent Demodulation of DSB

Let the input signal be S DSB (t ) , then S p (t )  0.5m(t )  0.5 cos(2ct ) is the output signal after the
multiplication of S DSB (t ) and the carrier. Through the low-pass filter, the component 2c in S p (t ) is filtered
out and the demodulation signal is Sd (t )  0.5m(t ) .

2) The Coherent Demodulation of SSB

Let the input signal be S SSB(t ) , then S p (t )  0.25m(t )  0.25m(t ) cos(2ct )  0.25m
ˆ (t ) sin(2ct ) is the output
signal after the multiplication of S SSB(t ) and the carrier. Through the low-pass filter, the component 2c in
S p (t ) is filtered out and the demodulation signal is Sd (t )  0.25m(t ) .

System Design

Overall Layout of System

LabVIEW software development environment is adopted in the system, so there is no need to grasp the object-
oriented programming languages and write complex codes [7-8]. By using graphical programming language, the
difficulty of programming is reduced, the readability of program is improved and interfaces designed are as good
as other programming software. The system design was divided into four parts: the transmitting end, the channel,
the receiving end and the system parameter setting area. The front panel design of the system is shown in Fig. 2.

FIG. 2 THE FRONT PANEL DESIGN OF THE SYSTEM

In the transmitting end, 3 carrier signals with different frequencies are modulated by 3 baseband signals
respectively and the waveforms of the 3 baseband signals are displayed. In the channel part, the wave and
frequency spectrum of the signal transmitting in the channel are displayed. In the receiving end, the waves of 3
baseband signals restored after demodulating are displayed. There are two parts in the system parameter setting

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area, modulation mode setting and parameter setting. The DSB and the SSB can be selected in the modulation
mode setting. The system parameter settting includes sampling information, the type and the frequency of 3
baseband signals, 3 carrier frequencies.

Program Block Diagram Design

By using LabVIEW 2013 as virtual simulating plateform, the program block diagram of the FDM simulation
communication system designed is shown in Fig. 3.

FIG. 3 THE BLOCK DIAGRAM OF THE FDM SIMULATION COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

1) The Transmitting End

3 baseband signals and 3 carrier signals should be generated in the transmitting end, and then the modulation
function should be completed also here. The subprograms of SSB.vi and DSB.vi execute the functions signal
generation and modulation.
2) The Channel
The 3 modulated signals are added together instantaneously to form one signal transmitting in the channel.
3) The Receiving end
The signal received from the channel is separated with bandpass filters and demodulated with multiplications
and lowpass filters. The subprogram demodulator.vi implements the functions of separation and demodulation.

System Test

System tests were carried out with LabVIEW 2013 virtual simulation software. During the test, 3 carriers with their
frequencies of 100Hz, 200Hz and 300Hz were modulated by 3 baseband signals respectively, and the sine wave of
3Hz, the square wave of 4Hz and the sawtooth wave of 5Hz were selected as 3 baseband signals. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5
show the examples of DSB and SSB individually. The tests show that the system simulates the FDM
communication mode better. It is verified that the FDM signal is overlapped in time domain and not overlapped in
frequency domain. FDM is realized by several signals separately occupying different frequency bands.

Conclusions

With the theory and method of linear modulation and coherent demodulation as basic principle, and LabVIEW as
the software development platform, the 3 channel FDM simulation communication system is designed. In this
system, DSB and SSB are adopted, frequencies of the baseband signal and the carrier can be set arbitrarily. The tests
show that the FDM communication system is well simulated and demonstrated. The system interface is simple and

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easy to operate. The simulation results are clear and intuitive. The system function can be further improved by
increasing the modulation method.

Fig. 4 THE TEST EXAMPLE OF DSB MODE

Fig. 5 THE TEST EXAMPLE OF SSB MODE

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This work was financially supported by both of Liaoning Higher Education Teaching Reform Projects
(UPRP20140172, UPRP20140259).

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[2] H. Li, B. Ren and Y.N. Hua. Communication System Simulation Design and Application. Beijing: Publishing House of
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Biao Ma (Benxi, Liaoning, China, April 22, 1962), Bachelor of Industrial Automation from Liaoning
Institute of Science and Technology in China in 1984.
He is a senior engineer in Electrical and Electronic Foundation Experiment Teaching Center of Dalian
Minzu University. He mainly works on the management of the experiment center, the construction of
teaching laboratory and practical teaching. He is hosting and participating in 6 provincial and school-level
teaching reform projects, and has published 5 teaching research papers, more ever, obtained several
provincial and school-level teaching commendations.

Min Li (Kaiyuan, Lianoning, China, Dec. 9, 1962), Master of information and communication engineering
from Dalian University of Technology in China in 2001. She is a Professor and the Teaching Leader of
Dalian Minzu University.

Shuang Xu (Dalian, Liaoning, China, Aug. 6, 1978 ), Ph.D of communications and information systems
from Dalian Maritime University in China in 2012. she is an Associate Professor and the Department
Director of communications engineering in Dalian Minzu University.

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