Sensitivity- ability to pick up weak signals
Selectivity - ability to select the desired signal in the
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 RF stage to controls RF gain and sensitivity.
2. Detector - provides rectification and detection for
the modulated signal recovers the RF 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.
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 .
flo = fRF + fIF
b). Low tracking or low side injection
flo = fRF fIF
where:
flo = local oscillator frequency
fRF = input signal frequency
fIF = intermediate frequency (455 KHz)
* Note: high tracking is preferred because it is easier
to filter the undesired frequency.
Image frequency, fs: stage (a class C circuit capable of producing the sum,
- any frequency other than the selected RF carrier, difference and original frequencies), which is receiving
that if allowed the receiver and mix with the LO signal signals from two sources RF amplifier and the local
will produce a cross-product frequency. That is equal oscillator). The unmodulated signal from the local
to IF. oscillator is fed to the mixer simultaneously with the
fs = flo + fIf modulated signal from the RF amplifier. (These two
fs = fRF + 2fIF circuits are mechanically linked). The local oscillator
since; (LO) is a tunable circuit with a tuning range that
fo = fRF + IF (for high tracking) extends from 995 KHz to 2,105 KHz.
rejection of the image frequency The output from the mixer circuit is connected to the
IFFR: intermediate frequency amplifier (IF amp) with
IFFR = 1 + Q2 2 amplifies a narrowband of select frequencies (455 KHz
where: 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
in dB; one. This new IF frequency contains the same
IFFR (dB) = 20logIFRR modulated information as that transmitted from the
1 MHz source but a frequency range lower than the
fsi = 20 MHz mixer 1F standard broadcast band. This conversion process
21 20 = 1 helps reduce unwanted interference from outside
f52 = 22MHz 22 21 = 1 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.

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 superheterodyne receiving having an
RF amplifier. The loaded Q of the 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
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.

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