Superhetrodyne

definition Superheterodyne receiver uses frequency mixing or heterodyning to convert a received signal to a fixed intermediate frequency More conveniently processed than the original radio carrier frequency Virtually all modern radio and television receivers use the superheterodyne principle.

Design and principle of operation The principle of operation of the superheterodyne receiver depends on use of heterodyningor frequency mixing. The signal from the antenna is filtered sufficiently at least to reject the image frequency and possibly amplified. A local oscillator in the receiver produces a sine wave which mixes with that signal, shifting it to a specific intermediate frequency(IF), usually a lower frequency. The IF signal is filtered and amplified and possibly processed in additional ways. The demodulator uses the IF signal rather than the original radio frequency to recreate a copy of the original modulation (such as audio).

Block diagram of a typical superheterodyne receiver.

The following essential elements are common to all superhet circuits: The diagram at right shows the minimum requirements for a single-conversion superheterodyne receiver design. The following essential elements are common to all superhet circuits: receiving antenna, a tuned stage which may optionally contain amplification (RF amplifier), a variable frequency local oscillator, a frequency mixer, a band pass filter and intermediate frequency (IF) amplifer a demodulator plus additional circuitry to amplify or process the original audio signal (or other transmitted information).

Demodulation The received signal is now processed by the demodulator stage where the audio signal is recovered and then further amplified. AM demodulation requires the simple rectification of the RF signal (so-called envelope detection), and a simple RC low pass filter to remove remnants of the intermediate frequency.  FM signals may be detected using a discriminator, ratio detector, or phase-locked loop.

 CW (morse code)and single sideband signals require a product detector using a so-called beat frequency oscillator, and there are other techniques used for different types of modulation. The resulting audio signal (for instance) is then amplified and drives a loudspeaker. Called high-side injection has been used, where the local oscillator is at a higher frequency than the received signal (as is common), then the frequency spectrum of the original signal will be reversed. Must be taken into account by the demodulator (and in the IF filtering) in the case of certain types of modulation such as single sideband

image Frequency (fimage) Early Autodyne receivers typically used IFs of only 150 kHz Difficult to maintain reliable oscillation if higher frequencies were used Most Autodyne receivers needed quite elaborate antenna tuning networks often involving double-tuned coils, to avoid image interference superhets used tubes especially designed for oscillator/mixer use, which were able to work reliably with much higher IFs, reducing the problem of image interference and so allowing simpler and cheaper aerial tuning circuitry. For medium-wave AM radio, a variety of IFs have been used, but usually 455 kHz is used.

To work reliably with much higher Ifs Reducing the problem of image interference and so allowing simpler and cheaper aerial tuning circuitry. For medium-wave AM radio, a variety of IFs have been used, but usually 455 kHz is used.