IMPROVED_REGENERATIVE_SW_RECEIVER

Published:2009/7/17 3:00:00 Author:Jessie | From:SeekIC

The figure shows the schematic of the circuit. A number of unique features give this design its trouble-free performance. The tendency for regenerative receivers to radiate oscillator-frequency signals is eliminated here by placing a transistor buffer Q1 between the antenna preselector circuit L1-C1a and the regenerative oscillator-tuned circuit L2-C1b. This buffer also nearly eliminates hand-capacitance effects. This design is also unique in that it uses an IC for the regenerative detector. U1, an LM1496 double-balanced mixer, is used here in a somewhat unorthodox manner. The differential SIGNAL INPUT amplifier transistors internal to the IC are used as a Hartley oscillator in conjunction with L2 and C1b. The regenerative feedback for this oscillator is supplied by the output of the GAIN and ADJUST pins of the LM1496. Some of the oscillator output is coupled to one of the CARRIER IN-PUT pins via C9, which allows the mixer section of U1 to act as an asynchronous detector, greatly improving the RE detection sensitivity over that of other regenerative circuits. The regeneration level is controlled by the voltage level applied to the BIAS pin of U1. The circuit containing R12 and transistor Q2 is used as a variable-voltage source, providing the regeneration level immunity from supply-voltage ripple. This bias level controls the quiescent current level through the SIGNAL IN-PUT amplifier transistors, which, in turn, determines the emitter output impedance of these transistors, controlling the amount of power delivered to the feedback winding of L2. This results in very smooth and predictable regeneration control. The outputs of U1 are coupled through audio trans-former T1 into the first section of U2, an LM324 op amp. Volume control is achieved though U2d and variable resistor R18. Using a push-pull audio output stage, as is done here, also reduces susceptibility to audio oscillation. Although the use of switched or plug-in coils could have allowed multiband reception, in the interest of simplicity, this was not done. However, the values of L1 and L2 allow coverage of 5 to 15 MHz, where much of the shortwave action occurs.



Reprinted Url Of This Article:
http://www.seekic.com/circuit_diagram/power_supply_circuit/improved_regenerative_sw_receiver.html

Print this Page | Comments | Reading(3)