Error Probabilities in PCM/FM with Phase-Lock Loop Discriminators

Previous literature has analyzed PCM/FM telemetry systems using idealized FM demodulators at the receiver. However, in many systems operating today, phase-lock loop demodulators are employed which depart noticeably from ideal operation as the loop falls ?out of lock.? In this paper an approximate expression for error probability is derived, which clearly indicates the effect of the loop on the previously published data using ideal discriminators. It is shown that the presence of the loop becomes apparent at input signal-to-noise ratios below approximately 3.5 dB, while the amount of error increase over the ideal case depends, to a large extent, upon the shape of IF filtering being used.