Electronic – Why feedback is needed in PLL FM Demodulator

fmfpgapll

I am trying to build FM Demodulator in FPGA. The architecture I am trying to use is PLL-based FM Demodulator like the one below. I searched for the working principle of this demodulator but there is one thing I couldn't understand and I couldn't find an answer to. Why do we need this feedback to the NCO (d(t) in the diagram)?

PLL-Based FM Demodulator

I think it doesn't make sense because the NCO should run on the centre frequency, that is the carrier frequency of the received signal, why should I change this running frequency while detecting the phase, thus extracting the information signal?

I have implemented this demodulator, and simulation assures my point of view. The output signal of demodulator with feedback to NCO is distorted and has no relevance to the input signal (of the modulator), on the other hand, the output signal without feedback to NCO is very similar to the transmitted signal.

Any explanations?

Best Answer

No, you've misunderstood how a PLL demodulator works. The NCO (or VCO in an analog system) must track the instantaneous frequency of the incoming signal, not just its average value. If it does this accurately, then then the control value is an accurate replica of the original modulating signal.

If the oscillator only tracks the average frequency, then you have a PM (phase modulation) demodulator, which is related, but different. With wideband FM (such as used for FM broadcast), the instantaneouis phase error will be much greater than 360° at times, and the output of your phase detector will "wrap", createing a lot of distortion.