LABORATORY 0:
INTRODUCTION TO SOFTWARE AND
EQUIPMENT
EEE 186: COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS LABORATORY
Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
College of Engineering & Computer Science
California State University, Sacramento
FALL 2015
SIMULINK COMMANDS AND EXAMPLES
After logging into MATLAB, you will receive the prompt >>. In order to open up
SIMULINK, type in the following:
>> simulink
GENERAL SIMULINK OPERATIONS
Two windows will open up: the model window and the library window. The model
window is the space utilized for creating your simulation model. In order to create the
model of the system, components will have to be taken from the library using the
computer mouse, and inserted into the model window.
If you browse the library window, the following sections will be seen. Each section can
be accessed by clicking on it.

Sources - This section consists of different signal sources such as sinusoidal,
triangular, pulse, random or files containing audio or video signals.

Sinks - This section consists of measuring instruments such as scopes and displays

Linear - This section consists linear components performing operations like
summing,
integration, product.

Nonlinear - Nonlinear operations

Connections - Multiplexers, Demultiplexers

Blocksets and Toolboxes - These specify different areas of SIMULINK

Communications

DSP

Neural Nets

Simulation Extras
EDITING, RUNNING AND SAVING SIMULINK FILES
The complete system is created in the model window by utilizing components from the
various available libraries. Once a complete model is created, save the model into a file.
Click on Simulation and select Run. The simulation will run, and the output plots can
be displayed by clicking on the appropriate sinks. Save the output plots also into files.
The model and output files can be printed out from the files.
DEMO FILES
Try out the demo files, both in the main library window, and in the Toolboxes window.
There are several illustrative demonstration files in the areas if signal processing, image
processing and communications.
Some examples are given below:
1. Simulation and graphical display of continuous-time signals and systems
Continuous-time system
Time scope
Analog signal
x(t) = A sin(t)
+
Time scope
Pseudo-random noise
n(t)
Time scope
2. Run the simulation for sinusoidal signal, x(t), amplitude of 5 Volts and frequency 
= 10 rad./s. The signal n(t) is a pseudo-random noise with maximum amplitude of 0.5
volts.
Observe the combined signal on the time scope, and familiarize yourself with the
settings.
(b) Try changing the sinusoidal signal amplitude (2V, 10V), and frequency (20 rad./s,
50 rad./s), and observe the output on the time scope.
Discrete-time system
x(n)
y(n)
+
z/(z2 +z-0.3)
0.4
z-1
(a) Observe the output signal on the time scope, for an input periodic pulse generator
having the following parameters: Pulse amplitude 1 V, Pulse period 2 seconds and pulse
width of 1 second.
2. Try changing the input signal amplitude (2 V, 3V) and pulse width (0.5, 1.5 sec.),
and observe on the time scope.
HARDWARE LABORATORY: WORKING WITH OSCILLOSCOPES,
SPECTRUM ANALYZERS, SIGNAL SOURCES
Hardware equipment utilized in Communications applications can be classified into three
main categories:
1. Sources
Sources generate signals that vary in shape, amplitude, frequency and phase. The source
utilized in the laboratory is the Hewlett Packard HP 3324A Synthesized Sweep
Generator.
2. Measuring devices
Sinks or measuring devices are utilized to accurately graph input signals in two domains:
time and frequency. The HP 54510A 100 MHz digitizing oscilloscope measures the
amplitude and frequency of signals as a function of time, whereas the HP 8590L RF
Spectrum Analyzer measures the spectrum of the input signal as a function of frequency.
3. Dynamic signal analyzers
These analyzers are more advanced equipment, which can generate regular signals, as well
as random noise. They can measure signals in both time/frequency, and can also measure
frequency response of devices. The HP 35665 Dynamic Signal Analyzer in the laboratory
is multi-purpose equipment.
Experiment 1: In this experiment, basic time and frequency measurements will be
performed using the oscilloscope and signal analyzer.
 Connect the equipment together as shown in the schematic below in Figure 1. Use BNC
cables and a BNC Tee to connect the circuit.
Please ensure that the HP3324A
Synthesized sweep generator power button is in the off position.
HP 3324A
Synthesized
Sweep Generator
BNC
Tee
HP 54510A
Oscilloscope
HP 35665A
Dynamic
Signal
Analyzer
Figure 1. Experimental setup for time-frequency measurement
 Set the sweep generator to output a sinusoidal signal, with an amplitude of 5 Volts and
frequency f = 2 MHz. Observe the time-domain signal output on the oscilloscope, and
note down the measured amplitude and frequency of the sinusoidal signal.
Experiment 2: In this experiment, time and frequency measurements will be performed
using the HP 35665 Dynamic Signal Analyzer. The Dynamic Signal Analyzer is a very
versatile low-frequency equipment that can analyze and manipulate signals in the
frequency range of 0 – 50 kHz.

The Dynamic Signal Analyzer has one output port called source, and two input ports
called channel 1 and channel 2. The output of the source port is controlled by the
source key on the top section of the Signal Analyzer. The source can generate several
kinds of sources including single frequency sinusoidal, swept frequency sinusoidal
and random noise.

Connect the source output to channel 1 input with a BNC cable. Select the source
key, and select sinusoidal source with a frequency of 10 kHz and an amplitude of 5
Volts.
Select the measurement key, and alternate between time and frequency
settings to observe the signal in both the domains. Time and frequency plots of the
signal can be viewed simultaneously by using the dual channel display mode.

Repeat the previous of this experiment with a random signal source having a peak
amplitude of 1 Volt. Observe the random signal in both time and frequency domains.