LINE CODING AND DECODING

TRAINER
(Model No : VCT-37)

User Manual

Version 1.0

Technical Clarification /Suggestion :

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LINE CODING AND DECODING TRAINER VCT - 37
1. INTRODUCTION

Communications systems can be broadly divided into analog and digital systems. In an
analog system, the electrical waveform that carries the information is a replica of the source
information signal. In digital systems, the electrical waveforms are coded representations of
the original information. If the original information is an analog signal, this must be
converted to a series of discrete values that can then be transmitted digitally. The process of
converting the original information into a data sequence is referred to as source coding.

The line coding is the process of converting source coded signals into a standard digital
codes for the purpose of transmission over the channel. There are many possible ways of
assigning the waveforms (pulses) into the digital data. Simplest form of coding is ON-OFF,
where a 1' is transmitted by a pulse and a 0' is transmitted by no pulse. Generally the line
coding is used in transmitter section while decoding in receiver section. The line decoding is
the process of converting standard digital codes into source coded waveforms.

Trainer Introduction

VCT-37 line coding and decoding trainer is a compact single board unit provides facility for
experimentation in line coding and decoding of unipolar Rz, polar Rz, polar NRZ, bipolar RZ,
bipolar NRZ, and Manchester. The unit contains on board data generator (pseudo Random
number) and clock generator.

Technical Specification

PRBS

Amplitude : 4V.

Clock

Frequency : 1.2KHz to 3.3KHz

Amplitude : 5V.

Technique

Line coding & Unipolar RZ, polar Rz, Polar NRZ, Bipolar Rz (AMI).
Decoding : Bipolar NRZ and Manchester.

Inter Connections

Patch chords are provided for connection on board.

Vi Microsystems Pvt. Ltd., [1]

Test Points

All relevant test points are brought for various signals on CRO.

Power supply

GND, +5V, -5V, +12V, -12V.

2. CHARACTERISTICS OF LINE CODES

1. Transmission Bandwidth

It should be small as possible.

2. Timing

The waveform produced by line code should contain enough timing information such that the
receiver can synchronize with the transmitter and decode the received signal properly. The
timing content should be relatively independent of source statistics, (i.e.) A long string of 1s
or
0s should not result in loss of timing or jitter at the receiver.

3. DC Content

Since the repeaters used in telephony are AC coupled, it is desirable to have zero DC in the
waveform produced by a given line code. If a signal with significant DC content is used in AC
coupled lines, it will cause loss of DC content in the received waveform. Telephone lines do
not pass DC due to AC coupling with transformers and capacitors to eliminate the DC ground
loops. This problem can be resolved by using DC restoration circuits, feedback systems, or
with the specially designed line codes.

4. Power Spectrum

The power spectrum and bandwidth of the transmitted signal should be matched to the
frequency response of the channel to avoid significant distortion. The smaller is the
bandwidth, the higher is the transmission efficiency.

5. Power Efficiency

For a given bandwidth, the transmitted power should be small as possible.

6. Error detection and correction capability

It should be possible to detect the error in the received signal. In a bipolar case, for example, a
single error will cause bipolar violation and can easily be detected. The detected error can be
corrected by the appropriate method or error correction circuit.
7. Probability of error

The average error probability should be as small as possible for given transmitter power. This
reflects the reliability of the line code.

8. Transparency

It should be possible to transmit a digital signal correctly regardless of the patterns of 1's and
0's. If the code having large number of 1's or 0's which cause error in timing extraction at the
receiver. If the line code is independent of source code which can be received faithfully, the
code is transparent.

3. COMMON LINE CODING FORMATS

Unipolar RZ

In this line code, a binary 1' is represented by a non-zero voltage level during a portion of the
bit duration, usually for half of the bit period, and a zero voltage level for rest of the bit
duration. A binary 0' is represented by a zero voltage level during the entire bit duration.

The main advantage of unipolar RZ are case of generation requires single power supply and
which allows simple timing recovery. A number of disadvantages exists for this line code. It
has a non-zero DC component and non-zero DC content, which can load to DC wander. A
long string of 0's will back pulse transition and could load to loss of synchronization. There
is no error detection capability. The bandwidth requirement is also higher than non-return to
zero signal.

Polar RZ

In this scheme, a binary 1' is represented by alternating positive voltage levels, which return
to zero for a portion of the bit duration, generally half the bit period. A binary 0's is
represented by a negative voltage levels and return to zero for half bit duration.

This code has no DC component and zero DC content, completely avoiding +ve DC wander
problem. Timing recovery is rather easy by squaring, or full-wave rectifying. It requires low
bandwidth. The obvious disadvantage is that the error rate performance is worst. A long string
of 0's or 1's could not appear and so improves in synchronization, and two power supplies are
required for this code.

Polar NRZ

In this line code, a binary 1 is represented by a positive voltage +v and a binary 0 is

represented by a negative voltage -v over the full bit period. This code is also referred to as
NRZ(L), since a bit is represented by maintaining a level during its entire period. This code
can also be represented by assigning negative voltage for logic 1 and positive voltage for logic
0.
The advantage of polar NRZ includes a low-bandwidth requirements, very good error
probability, and great reduced DC because the waveform has a zero DC component. A major
disadvantage of this code that there is no error detection capability and that a long string of 1's
or 0's could result in loss of synchronization and power supplies are required to generate this
code.

Bipolar NRZ:

In this scheme, a binary 1' is represented by positive and negative voltage levels in
alternating mark level in full bit period. A binary 0' is represented by a zero voltage levels
during entire bit duration. This code also called as alternate mark inversion (AMI) since 1's
are represented by alternating positive and negative pulses.

This code has no DC component and zero DC content, completely avoiding the DC wander
problem. Because of the alternative polarity pulses for binary 1's, this code has error detection
and hence correction also possible. A long string of 0's could result in loss of
synchronization, and two power supplies are required for this code.

Bipolar RZ

In this scheme, a binary 1' is represented by alternating positive and negative voltage a levels
for a half bit period duration and maintaining zero for other of period. A binary 0' is
represented by a zero voltage levels during entire bit duration. This code also called as AMI.

This code has no DC component and zero DC Conant, completely avoiding the DC wander
problem. Because of alternative polarity pulses for binary 1's, this code has error detection
and hence correction also possible. A long string of 0's could result in loss of
synchronization, and two process supplier and required for this code.

Manchester Coding

In this scheme, a binary 1 is represented by a pulse that has positive voltage during the first-
half of the bit duration and negative voltage during second-half of the bit duration. A binary
0' is represented by a pulse that has negative voltage during first-half of the bit duration and
positive voltage during second-half of the bit duration.

The advantage of this code includes a zero DC content and so avoiding DC-wandering
problems. The code having alternation positive and negative pulses and so timing recovery is
simple and it has good error rate performance. The main disadvantage of this scheme is larger
bandwidth. It has no error detection possibility.
4. EXPERIMENTAL SECTION

EXPERIMENT - 1

Objective

The objective of this experiment is to study the unipolar RZ encoding & decoding.

Apparatus required

a. VCT - 37.
b. 20MHz oscilloscope.
c. Patch chords.

Procedure

1. Connect the PRBS (test point P5) to test point P7.

2. Connect test point P8 to P18.

3. Set the SW1 in Rz position.

4. Set the potentiometer P1 in minimum position.

5. Switch ON the power supply.

6. Press switch SW2 once.

7. Display the encoded signal at test point P8 on one channel of CRO and decoded signal at
test point P20 on second channel of CRO.
EXPERIMENT - 2

Objective

The objective of this experiment is to study the unipolar NRZ encoding & decoding.

Apparatus required

a. VCT - 37.
b. 20MHz oscilloscope.
c. Patch chords.

Procedure

1. Connect the PRBS (P3) to P7 point.

2. Connect test point P8 to P18.

3. Set switch SW1 in NRZ position.

4. Set the potentiometer P1 in minimum position.

5. Switch ON the power supply.

6. Press switch SW2 once.

7. Display the encoded signal at test point P8 on channel 1 and decoded signal at test point
P20 on second channel of CRO.
EXPERIMENT - 3

Objective

The objective of this experiment is to study the polar RZ encoding & decoding.

Apparatus required

a. VCT - 37.
b. 20MHz oscilloscope.
c. Patch chords.

Procedure

1. Connect the PRBS (P8) to P9 point and PRBS (P6) points to test point P10..

2. Connect the test point P11 to P21.

3. Set the switch SW1 in RZ position.

4. Set the potentiometer P1 in minimum position.

5. Switch ON the power supply.

6. Press the switch SW2 once.

7. Display the encoded signal at test point P11 on channel 1 and decoded signal at test point
P22 on channel 2 of CRO.
EXPERIMENT - 4

Objective

The objective of this experiment is to study the polar NRZ encoding & decoding.

Apparatus required

a. VCT - 37.
b. 20MHz oscilloscope.
c. Patch cards.

Procedure

1. Connect the PRBS (test point P8) to P9 point and PRBS to P10.

2. Connect point P11 to P23.

3. Set the switch SW1 in NRZ position.

4. Set the potentiometer P2 in minimum position.

5. Switch ON the power supply.

6. Press the switch SW2 once.

7. Display the encoded signal at test point P11 on channel 1 and decoded signal at test point
P24 on channel 2 of CRO.
EXPERIMENT - 5

Objective

The objective of this experiment is to study the bipolar RZ encoding & decoding.

Apparatus required

a. VCT - 37.
b. 20MHz oscilloscope.
c. Patch cards.

Procedure

1. Connect the PRBS to P12 point and CLK (test point P3) to P13 point.

2. Connect point P14 to P25.

3. Set the switch SW1 in RZ position.

4. Set the potentiometer P1 in minimum position.

5. Switch ON the power supply.

6. Press the switch SW2 once.

7. Display the encoded signal at test point P14 on channel 1 and decoded signal at test point
P27 on channel 2 of CRO.
EXPERIMENT - 6

Objective

The objective of this experiment is to study the Biopolar NRZ encoding & decoding.

Apparatus Required

a. VCT - 37.
b. 20MHz oscilloscope.
c. Patch chords.

Procedure

i. Connect the PRBS to P12 point and CLK (P3) to P13 point.

ii. Connect the test point P14 to P28.

iii. Set the switch SW1 in NRZ position.

iv. Set the potentiometer P1 in minimum position.

v. Switch ON the power supply.

vi. Press the switch SW2 once.

vii. Display the encoded signal at test point P14 on channel 1 and decoded signal at test point
P29 on channel 2 of CRO.
EXPERIMENT - 7

Objective

The objective of this experiment is to study the Manchester encoding and decoding.

Apparatus required

a. VCT - 37.
b. 20 MHz oscilloscope.
c. Patch chords.

Procedure

i. Connect the PRBs to P15 point and CLK (P3) to P16 point.

ii. Connect the test point P17 to P30.

iii. Set the potentiometer P1 in minimum position.

iv. Switch ON the power supply.

v. Press the switch SW2 once.

vi. Display the encoded signal at test point P17 on channel 1 and decodes signal at test point
P31 on channel 2 of CRO.
ENCODING FORMATES

0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1

Data
t

Unipolar
NRZ t

Unipolar
RZ t

Polar t
NRZ

Polar
RZ t

Bipolar t
NRZ

Bipolar t
RZ
or
AMI

Manchester t