Homework #9 Solution Set

(17 points - 1 per problem)

1. Draw a block diagram of a superheterodyne FM receiver, showing which sections

are new or different from an AM receiver.

Mixer
Recieve
Antenna

FM
Preselector IF
RF Limiter Detector
Amplifier and
Amplifier 10.7 MHz Deemphasis

Preselector AFC Error

Tank Voltage DC (AFC
Voltage)

Local
Oscillator AFC Low

AC (Information)
Pass Filter

Local
Oscillator
Tank
Speaker

Audio Power
Amplifier

[Figure 9-1]

New sections: Limiter, RF Amplifier, AFC

Different sections: Detector, IF Amplifier

2. What is the function of the limiter in an FM receiver?

The function of the limiter is to remove amplitude variations from the FM signal
prior to detection. This removes most noise from the signal.

3. Give two reasons for the use of an RF amplifier in FM receivers.

a) Amplification of incoming RF signal above mixer noise floor.

b) Prevention of local oscillator reradiation.

4. What is the purpose of the AFC system in an FM receiver? What type of FM receivers
do not require AFC?

The AFC system compensates for local oscillator drift, which is especially
troublesome at the VHF frequencies required for FM broadcast. Synthesized FM
receivers do not require AFC.

5. Why do FM receivers use a 10.7 MHz IF, instead of 455 KHz as AM receivers use?

The higher IF is used because an FM broadcast signal occupies a 200 KHz

bandwidth, which is much wider than the 10 KHz bandwidth for AM broadcast.
6. Calculate the range of local oscillator frequencies required for an FM weather
receiver (161 MHz to 163 MHz) with an IF of 10.7 MHz, assuming high-side
injection.

a) Minimum: f lo = f c + f if = 161MHz + 10.7 MHz = 171.7 MHz

b) Maximum: f lo = f c + f if = 163MHz + 10.7 MHz = 173.7 MHz

7. Why isn't AGC needed in FM receivers?

AGC isn't required because FM receivers are not sensitive to amplitude variations.
The limiter stage removes amplitude information before detection, so signal
strength is not an issue.

NB: Communications grade FM receivers may indeed have an AGC system, due to
the wide range of signal strengths they may be required to process.

8. How does a slope detector work? Why isn't this type of detector used in FM
receivers?

A slope detector first converts the FM signal to AM by allowing the FM signal to

swing up and down in frequency within one of the skirts of a resonant filter. The
resulting AM signal is then diode detected.

This isn't a practical FM detector because of the dual response (there are two
skirts on the bandpass filter), and also because of the distortion added by the
nonlinearity of the tank circuit frequency response curve and AM envelope
detector.

9. Draw the schematic diagram of a Foster-Seeley FM detector. Explain the purpose

of each component in the circuit.
C4

D1
RF COUPLING
AF OUTPUT = |Vac| - |Vbc|

T1 R1
C2
L1 RF BP

FM INPUT

R2
C1 C3
D2 RF BP

[Figure 9-4c]

Component functions:

T1: Phase splits incoming signal form A and B vectors.

C1: Resonates secondary of T1 to fcenter
C4/L1: Forms virtual reference source C
 D1: Computes magnitude of vector Vac
D2: Computes magnitude of vector Vbc
R1/R2: Algebraically sums Vac and Vbc vectors to form audio output signal
C2/C3: RF bypass capacitors, removes RF carrier from audio output

10. Draw the schematic diagram of a ratio detector. What advantage does it have over
the Foster-Seeley circuit?

C4 Vac

D1
RF COUPLING

T1 R1
C2
L1 RF BP
AF OUTPUT
FM INPUT + C5

R2

C1 C3
D2 RF BP

-Vbc

[Figure 9-6]

The advantage of the ratio detector is its built-in limiting action contributed by C5.

11. Draw a block diagram of a PLL FM detector. Explain its operation using outline
format.

A B C

Loop Low
Pass Filter VCO

Recovered
Audio
Output

A
Phase
Y Detector

FM Input
D

[Figure 9-8]

Operation:
A. IF signal is applied as reference frequency.
B. Loop attempts to make VCO follow reference.
1. During this process, VCO control voltage varies in step with the
incoming frequency changes.
2. The changing VCO control voltage is a copy of the original information.
C. The VCO output is unused.
12. An FM signal with a center frequency of 10.7 MHz is driving the PLL FM detector
of figure 9-8. The carrier is being modulated by a 1 KHz audio signal, producing a
deviation of 50 KHz. If the VCO in the PLL has the transfer characteristic of
figure 9-9, calculate the resulting peak-to-peak audio output voltage.

10.80
Output Frequency,

10.75
MHz

10.70

10.65

10.60

10.55

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Input Control Voltage

[Figure 9-9]

Since the carrier is deviating +/- 50 KHz and the center frequency is 10.7 MHz, the
minimum frequency is 10.65 MHz (2V control) and the maximum frequency is
10.75 MHz (4V control). The output is therefore (4V-2V) = 2 Vpp.

13. Explain the procedure for aligning a quadrature FM detector.

A quadrature detector is very easy to align. The technician simply applies the
center frequency to the detector's input (usually 10.7 MHz) using an RF generator,
and then monitors the DC voltage at the right hand portion of R2. The quadrature
coil is adjusted until this voltage is one-half (50%) of Vcc; this provides a 45 degree
phase shift between the two gate inputs.

14. The receiver of figure 9-13 is inoperative. None of the RF sections seem to work,
but the audio amplifier (U1) works quite well; a 1 KHz audio signal injected at the
positive end of C30 is readily (and loudly!) passed at the speaker. What is probably
wrong? (What should have been checked before injecting a signal at C30?)

The power supply voltages to both the AF and RF sections should have been
checked first. The tuner's filtered power supply voltage can be checked at the
positive end of C1, and the AF section's power supply can be checked at the
positive side of C29.
15. Draw a block diagram of a synthesized FM receiver.
Recieve
Antenna Mixer

FM
IF Detector
Preselector RF Amplifier Limiter
and
Amp 10.7 MHz Deemphasis

DC (Center Tuning
Reactance fLO Indication)
Modulator
Preselector Tuning Frequency Synthesizer
Voltage
+

AC (Information)
Vcontrol
Comparator
Ref
- Voltage

Microprocessor
or Speaker
Microcontroller
Preselector Circuit

Audio Power
Amplifier

User Interface
(UI)
Keypad or Rotary
Encoder, Frequency
Display

[Figure 9-14]

16. Explain how tracking is achieved electronically in a synthesized FM receiver.

In a synthesized receiver, tracking is achieved by routing the control voltage for the
local oscillator synthesizer VCO to a reactance modulator (usually a varactor diode
or diodes) at the preselector. Thus, when the synthesizer changes the LO
frequency, the preselector follows in step.

17. A synthesized FM receiver uses a 214 nH inductance and a Motorola MV-209

tuning diode in its preselector. Its PLL synthesizer has a VCO transfer
characteristic as shown in figure 9-15. The VCO tuning voltage is fed directly to
the MV-209 in the preselector to attain tracking. The tuning voltage is 10 V.
Calculate (a) The resulting LO frequency; (b) The carrier frequency, fc , that the
receiver is tuned to; (c) The preselector resonant frequency.
 Diode Capacitance Versus Reverse Bias
Motorola Type MV-209
35.00

30.00

25.00

Diode Capacitance, pF
20.00

15.00

10.00

5.00

0.00
0.00 5.00 10.00 15.00
Reverse Bias, Volts

120
115
Output Frequency,

110
MHz

105

100

95

90

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Input Control Voltage

[Figure 9-15]

a) From the graph, fLO = 120 MHz @ Vtune = 10 V.

b) fc = fLO - fif = 120 MHz - 10.7 MHz = 109.3 MHz
c) The diode capacitance is 10 pF @ Vtune = 10 V, so:
1 1
f pre = = = 108.8MHz
2π L pre C d 2π (214nH )(10 pF )