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erheterodyne Receiver Block Diagram

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ock diagram for the superheterodyne receiver shows its operation and the
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ooked at the concepts it is helpful to look at a superheterodyne receiver block diagram of a basic
. In this way it is possible to see the overall operation of the receiver.
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e several different circuit blocks that make up the overall receiver, each one has its own function.
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e superheterodyne receiver block diagram below is the most basic format, it serves to illustrate the
14 JULY 2018
n. More complicated receivers with more complicated block diagrams are often seen as these radios
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280 000 000 000 000 000 electrons flowing
Professional superheterodyne receiver
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erheterodyne receiver circuit blocks ‫ ײ‬Red Pitaya (STEMlab & HAMlab)

e some key circuit blocks that form the basic superheterodyne receiver. Although more complicated
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can be made, the basic circuit is widely used – further blocks can add improved performance or
al functionality and their operation within the whole receiver is normally easy to determine once the ‫ ײ‬European Microwave Week
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ning & amplification:   This RF stage within the overall block diagram for the receiver provides initial ‫ ײ‬Engineering Design Show, EDS
g to remove the image signal. It also provides some amplification. If noise performance for the receiver ‫ ײ‬electronica
ortant, then this stage will be designed for optimum noise performance. This RF amplifier circuit block More events
so increase the signal level so that the noise introduced by later stages is at a lower level in comparison
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  Both the local oscillator and incoming signal enter this block within the superheterodyne receiver.
anted signal is converted to the intermediate frequency.

plifier & filter:   This superheterodyne receiver block provides the majority of gain and selectivity. High
rmance filters like crystal filters may be used, although LC or ceramic filters may be used within
stic radios.

dulator:   The superheterodyne receiver block diagram only shows one demodulator, but in reality
s may have one or more demodulators dependent upon the type of signals being receiver.

amplifier:   Once demodulated, the recovered audio is applied to an audio amplifier block to be
fied to the required level for loudspeakers or headphones. Alternatively the recovered modulation may
ed for other applications whereupon it is processed in the required way by a specific circuit block.

erheterodyne receiver block diagram explanation

nter the receiver from the antenna and are applied to the RF amplifier where they are tuned to remove
e signal and also reduce the general level of unwanted signals on other frequencies that are not

RF IF Amp
Mixer Demod- Audio
Amplifier & Filter ulator Amplifier
& tuning

Local
Oscillator

Block diagram of a basic superheterodyne receiver

als are then applied to the mixer along with the local oscillator where the wanted signal is converted
the intermediate frequency. Here significant levels of amplification are applied and the signals are
This filtering selects signals on one channel against those on the next. It is much larger than that
d in the front end.The advantage of the IF filter as opposed to RF filtering is that the filter can be
for a fixed frequency. This allows for much better tuning. Variable filters are never able to provide the
el of selectivity that can be provided by fixed frequency ones.

ered the next block in the superheterodyne receiver is the demodulator. This could be for amplitude
on, single sideband, frequency modulation, or indeed any form of modulation. It is also possible to
fferent demodulators in according to the mode being received.

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element in the superheterodyne receiver block diagram is shown as an audio amplifier, although this
any form of circuit block that is used to process or amplified the demodulated signal.
k diagram summary
ram above shows a very basic version of the superhet or superheterodyne receiver. Many sets these
far more complicated. Some superhet radios have more than one frequency conversion, and other
additional circuitry to provide the required levels of performance.

the basic superheterodyne concept remains the same, using the idea of mixing the incoming signal
cally generated oscillation to convert the signals to a new frequency.

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