Communication Receiver

equipment capable of receiving RF

signal , bandlimitng and tuning in the
desired signal and performing
demodulation.

Demodulation
-

process of recovering the information

signal from the composite modulated
signal.

Basic Types of Receiver

1. Coherent of Synchronous - The
frequency generated in the receiver used for
demodulation used is synchronized to
oscillator frequency in the transmitter.
2. Non-coherent or Asynchronous demodulation is completely independent
from the transmitter carrier frequency.
Standard AM Receiver Types
1. Tuned Radio Frequency Receiver
(TRF) - consists of a number of amplifier
stages which are tuned to resonance at the
carrier frequency of the desired signal by a
gaged capacitor. The amplifier signal at the
original carrier frequency are fed directly into
the detector for demodulation and the
resulting signals are amplifier and reproduce
by a loudspeaker.
Parts
1. RF Amplifier - amplifies the weak signal. It
has a variable ________ controls RF gain and
sensitivity.
2. Detector - provides rectification and
detection for the modulated signal recovers
the F signal.
3. AF Amplifier - raises the power level of the
audio signal to drive the loudspeaker.
Advantages of TRF Receivers
1. Simple to design and align at lower
frequency application.
2. High sensitivity at single frequency
applications.
Disadvantages:
1. Selectivity varies when it is tuned over a
wide range of input frequencies.
2. Instability due to large numbers of RF

amplifiers all tuned to the same center

frequency.
3. Non-uniform gain over a very wide
frequency range.
4. Requires multistage tuning.
Sensitivity- ability to pick up weak signals
Selectivity - ability to select the desired
signal in the presence of other signals.
2. Super heterodyne Receiver- a receiver
in which all incoming modulated RF carrier
signals are converted as a common IF carrier
value for additional amplification and
selectivity prior to demodulation, using
heterodyne action.
Heterodyne - to mix two frequencies in a
non-linear device and translate one
frequency into another frequency by use of
non-linear mixing.
Parts:
1. RF section - RF amplifiers increases the
level of weak RF signal received from the
antenna.
2. Local oscillator a stable crystal
oscillator whose frequency beats with
the incoming signal to reproduce the correct
intermediate frequency.
3. Mixer
- it combines the incoming RF signal and the
LO signal and produces at its output. The
sum and difference signals and various
harmonious.
4. 1st and 2nd IF amplifier - tuned to 455 KHz
amplifies the 455 KHz output of the mixer
and rejects the remaining output
frequencies; provides further selectivity and
amplifications.
5. 2nd Detector - demodulates the 455 KHz
signal and extracts the audio signal.
Advantages of Using RF Amplifier
1. Provides higher gain and sensitivity.
2. Improve-image frequency rejection.
3. Enhanced S/N.
4. Better selectivity
Tracking - process of tuning the local
oscillator to a pre-determined frequency for

each station. Throughout the AM band.

a). High tracking of hide side injection .
f0 = fs + IF
b). Low tracking or low side injection
f0 = fs IF
where:
f0 = local oscillator frequency
fi = input signal frequency
IF = intermediate frequency (455 KHz)
* Note: high tracking is preferred because it
is easier to filter the undesired frequency.
Image frequency, fs:
- any frequency other than the selected RF
carrier, that if allowed the receiver and mix
with the LO signal will produce a crossproduct frequency. That is equal to IF.
fsi = f0 + If
fsi = fs + 2IF
since;
fo = fs + IF (for high tracking)
rejection of the image frequency
IFFR:
IFFR =

1+Q 2 2

where:

fsi fs

fs fsi in dB;

IFFR (dB) = 20logIFRR

fsi = 20 MHz
f52 = 22MHz

mixer
21 20 = 1
22 21 = 1

1 MHz
1F

antenna coupling circuit is 100. If IF is 455

Khz. Calculate:
a.) Image and frequency and its rejection at
100 KHz.
b.) Image frequency and its rejection at 25
MHz
Example Problem:
Given:
Q = 100
IF = 455 MHz

Superheteroby dyne Tracking

The signal is received by the first stage RF
amplifier (which is wideband class A
amplifier) whose resonant frequency
response curve can be tuned from 540 KHz
to 1650 KHz (The standard Broadcast Band).
The modulated signal is amplified and fed to
the mixer stage (a class C circuit capable of
producing the sum, difference and original
frequencies), which is receiving signals from
two sources RF amplifier and the local
oscillator). The unmodulated signal from the
local oscillator is fed to the mixer
simultaneously with the modulated signal
from the RF amplifier. (These two circuits are
mechanically linked). The local oscillator (LO)
is a tunable circuit with a tuning range that
extends from 995 KHz to 2,105 KHz.
The output from the mixer circuit is
connected to the intermediate frequency
amplifier (IF amp) with amplifies a
narrowband of select frequencies (455 KHz

10
f0= 21 Mhz

Note: Image and frequency rejection

depends on the front and selectivity of the
receiver and must be achieved before the IF
stage.
Ex:
In a broadcast superheterodynereceiving
having an RF amplifier. The loaded Q of the

3 KHz). In some receivers this class A

circuit acts not only as an amplifier but also

as a filter for unwanted frequencies which
would interfere with the selected one. This
new IF frequency contains the same
modulated information as that transmitted
from the source but a frequency range lower
than the standard broadcast band. This
conversion process helps reduce unwanted
interference from outside sources. The
signals is rectified and filtered to eliminate
one sideband and the carrier (conversion

from RF to AF) and is finally amplified for

listening.
Choice of IF
1. If the intermediate frequency is too high poor
selectivity and poor adjacent channel rejection unless
sharp cut-off filters are used in the IF stages.
2. A high value of intermediate frequency increased
tracking difficulties.
3. As the intermediate frequency is lowered, image
frequency rejection become poorer.

4. A very low intermediate frequency can make the

selectivity too sharp cutting off the sidebands.
5. If the IF is very low, the frequency stability of the
local oscillator must be made corresponding higher
because any frequency drift is now a large proportion
of the low IF than of a high IF.
6. The intermediate frequency must not fall within the
tuning range of the receiver or else instability will occur
and heterodyne whistles will be heard, making it is
impossible to tune the frequency bond immediately
adjacent to the intermediate frequency.