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DESIGNER'S
HANDBOOK
Published in Australia by the Wireless Press for
Amalgamated Wireless Valve Company Pty. Ltd.
Edited by
F. LANGFORD-SMITH
B.Sc, B.E. (1st class honours)
Senior Member i.R.E. (U.S.A.)
AM. I.E. (Ausr.)
BKS2920
FOREWORD
By the Editor of Wireless World
London, 1953.
«.v)
PREFACE
This book has been written as a comprehensive, self-explanatory reference hand-
book for the benefit of all who have an interest in the design and application of radio
receivers or audio amplifiers. Everything outside this field —television, radio trans-
mission, radar, industrial electronics, test equipment and so on —has been excluded
to limit the book to a reasonable size.
An effort has been made to produce a handbook which, in its own sphere, is as self-
contained as possible. Extensive references to other sources of information have
been included for the reader who might require additional detail.
The success of the previous edition, of which over 280,000 copies have been sold
throughout the world, encouraged Amalgamated Wireless Valve Company Pty. Ltd.,
to undertake the compilation of the present up-to-date edition which is more com-
plete, great pains having been taken to fill in many of the gaps in the data published
hitherto. This has involved a considerable amount of both experimental and an-
work by the editor and by engineers assisting in the
alytical project. Some original
work, previously unpublished, has been included.
Although the various chapters have been written by individual authors, all are truly
the result of team work, each having been carefully and critically examined by several
other engineers specializing in that particular field. In this way the accuracy of
mathematical calculations and of individual statements was checked and re-checked
to ensure that the reader would not be misinformed.
F. Langford-Smith
NOTES
References to valve types are to the prototype {e.g. 6J7) and include all equivalent
types (e.g. 6J7-G, 6J7-GT etc.) unless otherwise indicated.
If any errors are noted, please write to the Editor, Radiotron Designer's Handbook,
Amalgamated Wireless Valve Co. Pty. Ltd., 47 York Street, Sydney, Australia.
(vi)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The editor wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness to the publishers of the
below. In
following periodicals for permission to reproduce the diagrams listed
some cases the diagrams are based largely on the originals, although modified.
PERIODICALS
Audio Engineering 13. 14. 1A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H.
50D, 50E. 15. 15, 16,
24B,
57A, 57B, 60. 16. 15. 17. 7, 8, 15A, 15B, 15C, 18, 19A, 19B, 19C, 20, 22,
24C, 27A, 27B, 27C, 31, 37A. 19. 6A. 20. 10, 13, 14.
A.W.A. Technical Review 25. 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39. 26. 6. 27. 44.
Communications 7. 72, 73. 16. 16. 18. 17, 18. 23. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23,
24, 25, 26.
Electronic Engineering 5. 13E, 13F, 13G, 13H, 13J, 13K, 13L, 13M, 13N, 13P,
3B,
13Q, 13R, 13S, 13T, 13U, Table 5. 7. 51D. 11. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. 12.
3C, 11A, 11B. 15. 4, 63. 17. 21, 26. 18. 6A, 6B.
Electronic Industries 17. 6.
Electronics 1. 8. 4. 34. 5. 21, 22. 7. 51. 9. 17, 18. 12. 47A, 47B, 48.
15. 17, 18A, 18B, 38, 39, 45, 46, 52, 53, 61. 16. 4, 10, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23,
24, 25, 26, 27, 28. 21. 9. 35. 24, 25. 36. 3, 5.
FM-TV Radio Communication 17. 35. 20. 25, 26, 27.
Journal Acoustical Society of America 20. 28.
Journal British I.R.E. 5. 13C, 13D.
Proceedings I.R.E. (U.S.A.) 7. 58, 59. 12. 7C. 13. 9B. 14. 6. 20. 24. 25.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. 30. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
37. 2, 3, 4.
Proceedings I.E.E. 7. 60, 65, 69, 70.
Wireless World 4. 10, 26. 7. 51A, 54B, 54C, 55D, 55E, 55F, 59C. 12. 34, 35,
39. 15. 5, 13, 41, 50, 51, 55, 56A, 56B, 58A. 16. 8, 9, 11. 17. 24A, 28, 32, 35B,
35C, 35D, 35E, 35F, 35G. 18. 26. 20. 5, 9, 11, 12, 16, 17. 31. 6.
Reference numbers are given either in the titles or in the text. Lists of refer-
ences giving authors' names and details of articles are given at the end of each chapter.
(Yii)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (Continued)
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Aerovox Research Worker, Vol. 11, Nos. 1 and 2, January-February 1939, Figs. 5
and 6. Published by permission of Aerovox Corporation. Tables 38. 43, 44.
Charts 38. 1, 2.
Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation—curves 3.6% silicon steel. Fig. 5. 20.
American Standards Association "American Standard for Noise Measurement"
Z24.22-1942. Figs. 19. 7, 8.
—
Australian Radio Technical Services and Patents Co. Pty. Ltd. Technical Bulletins/
Figs. 15. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 43. 31. 3, 4, 5.
Am a lgam ated Wireless Australasia Ltd. Figs. 18. 7. 28. 2.
Electrical and Musical Industries. Fig. 17. 25.
—
Jensen Manufacturing Company Jensen Technical Monograph No. 3. Figs.
14. 2, 3, 4, 5.
P. R. Mallory &
Co. Inc. " Fundamental Principles of Vibrator Power Supply"
Figs. 32. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.
National Bureau of Standards Circular C74, Fig. 208 redrawn and published by per-
mission of National Bureau of Standards. Fig. 10. 3.
Standard Transformer Corporation " Engineering a transformer." Figs. 5. 18C,
18D. Table 38. 70.
General Electric Company Ltd. " Radio receiver for use with high fidelity ampli-
fiers." Fig. 15. 62A.
Radio and Television Manufacturers Association (U.S.A.)—Extracts from, or sum-
maries of, the following Standards
ET-107, ET-109, ET-110, REC-11, REC-101, REC-103, REC-104, REC-105,
REC-106-A, REC-107, REC-108, REC-113, REC-114, REC-115-A, REC-116,
REC-117, REC-118, REC-119, REC-121, REC-128, S-410, S-416, S-417, S-418,
S-504, SE-101-A, SE-103, SE-105, TR-105-A, TR-113-A.
Note —
References in the text to R.M.A. Standards should be taken as having
:
(viii)
CHAPTER HEADINGS
PART 1 ; THE RADIO VALVE
Chapter Pagb
1 Introduction to the Radio Valve 1
2 Valve Characteristics 13
3 The Testing of Oxide-coated Cathode High-vacuum Receivd-jo Valves 68
(ix)
A*
.
CONTENTS
PART I : THE RADIO VALVE
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION TO THE RADIO VALVE
Section
1. Electricity and Emission
2. The Component Parts of Radio Valves
(i) Filaments, cathodes and heaters
(ii) Grids
(iii) Plates
(iv) Bulbs
(v) Voltages with valve operation
3. Types of Radio Valves
(i) Diodes
(ii) Triodes
(iii) Tetrodes . .
(iv) Pentodes . .
(x)
—
CONTENTS
Section Pagb
(v) Cathode leadlines 29
(vi) With reactive leads 30
5. Triode Operation of Pentodes 34
(i) Triode operation of pentodes 34
(ii) Examples of transconductance calculation 34
(iii) Triode amplification factor 35
(iv) Plate resistance ... 36
(v) Connection of suppressor grid 36
6. Conversion Factors, and the Calculation of Characteristics other
Than Those Published 36
(i) The basis of valve conversion factors 36
(ii) The use of valve conversion factors 37
(iii) The calculation of valve characteristics other than those pub-
lished 40
(iv) The effect of changes in operating conditions 42
7. Valve Equivalent Circuits and Vectors 45
(i) Constant voltage equivalent circuit 45
(ii) Constant current equivalent circuit ... 46
(iii) Valve vectors 47
8. Valve Admittances 49
(i) Grid input impedance and admittance 49
(ii) Admittance coefficients 50
(iii) The components of grid admittance —
input resistance
—
input capacitance grid input admittance
Typical values of short-circuit input conductance
51
(iv) 55
(v) Change of short-circuit-input capacitance with transconduct-
ance 55
(vi) Grid-cathode capacitance 56
(vii) Input capacitances of pentodes (published values) 56
(viii) Grid-plate capacitance 57
9. Mathematical Relationships 57
(i) General 57
(ii) Resistance load ... 58
(iii) Power and efficiency 59
(iv) Series expansion ; resistance load 61
(v) Series expansion; general case 63
(vi) The equivalent plate circuit theorem 63
(vii) Dynamic —
load line general case 64
(viii) —
Valve networks general case
Valve coefficients as partial differentials
64
(ix) 64
(x) Valve characteristics at low plate currents ... 65
10. References 66
(xi)
CONTENTS
Section pAOt
(c) Heater-cathode insulation 81
(d) Control grid circuit resistance 82
(e) Operation at low screen voltages ... 84
(f) Microphony ... ... ... 84
(g) Hum ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 84
(h) Stand-by operation 84
2. Control of Characteristics during Manufacture 85
(i) Importance of control over characteristics 85
(ii) Basic manufacturing test specification 85
(iii) Systematic testing 86
(iv) Tolerances on characteristics ... ... ... ... ... 88
3. Methods of Testing Characteristics 89
(i) General conventions ... ... ... ... ... ... 90
(ii) General characteristics 91
(a) Physical dimensions ... ... ... ... ... 91
(b) Shorts and continuity ... ... ... ... ... 91
(c) Heater (or filament) current 93
(d) Heater to cathode leakage 94
(e) Inter-electrode insulation ... ... ... ... 94
(f) Emission ... ... ... ... ... ... 94
(g) Direct inter-electrode capacitances 95
(iii) specific diode characteristics ... 99
(a) Rectification test ... 99
(b) Sputter and arcing ... ... ... ... ... 100
(c) Back emission . 100
(d) Zero signal or standing diode current ... ... 101
(iv) Specific triode 5 pentode and beam tetrode characteristics... 101
(A) Reverse grid current ... ... ... ... ... 101
(B) Grid current commencement voltage ... ... 102
(C) Positive grid current ... ... ... ... ... 102
(D) Positive voltage electrode currents ... ... ... 103
(E) Transconductance or mutual conductance 103
(F) Amplification factor ... ... ... ... ... 104
(G) Plate resistance ... ... ... ... ... 104
(H) A.C. amplification 105
(I) Power output 105
(J) Distortion 106
(K) Microphony 107
(L) Audio frequency noise ... ... ... ... 107
(M) Radio frequency noise 107
(N) Blocking 107
(O) Stage gain testing 108
(P) Electrode dissipation 108
(v) Specific converter characteristics ... ... ... ... 108
(A) Methods of operation including oscillator excitation 108
(1) Oscillator self-excited 108
(2) Oscillator driven 109
(3) Static operation 109
(B) Specific characteristics 109
(a) Reverse signal grid current ... ... 109
(b) Signal-grid current commencement ... 109
(c) Mixer positive voltage electrode currents 109
(d) Mixer conversion transconductance ... 109
(e) Mixer plate resistance Ill
(f) Mixer transconductance Ill
(g) Oscillator grid current
Ill
(xii)
CONTENTS Paoh
Section
(h) Oscillator plate current 113
(i) Oscillator transconductance 113
(j) Oscillator amplification factor 113
(k) Oscillator plate resistance ... 113
(1) Signal-grid blocking 113
(m) Microphony ... 113
(n) R-F noise 113
(vi) Tests for special characteristics 113
(A) Short-circuit input admittance 113
(B) Short-circuit feedback admittance ... 117
(C) Short-circuit output admittance 117
(D) Short-circuit forward admittance ... 117
(E) Perveance 117
(vii) Characteristics by pulse methods —
point by point 113
119
(viii) Characteristics by curve tracer methods
4. Acceptance Testing • 120
(i) Relevant characteristics - 120
(ii) Valve specifications 120
(iii) Testing procedure 120
5. Service Testing and Service Tester Practice 121
m Purpose and scope of service testing and discussion of as-
121
sociated problems ...
m(hi)
Fundamental characteristics which should be tested
Types of commercial testers ...
122
122
(iv) Methods of testing characteristics in commercial service testers 123
(a) Shorts testing ... 123
(b) Continuity testing 123
(c) Heater to cathode leakage 123
(d) Emission testing ... 123
(e) Mutual conductance testing .., 123
(f) Plate conductance testing 124
(g) Reverse grid current testing ... 124
(h) Power output testing 124
(i) Conversion conductance testing 124
(j) Oscillator mutual conductance testing 124
(k) Noise testing 124
(1) A.C. amplification testing 124
(v) A.C. versus d.c. electrode voltages in testers 124
(vi) Pre-heating 125
(vii) Testing procedure 125
References 125
(xiii)
CONTENTS
Section
3. Power
CO Power in d,c, circuits ...
4. Capacitance
(i) Introduction to capacitance
(ii) Condensers in parallel and series
(iii) Calculation of capacitance
(iv) Condensers in d.c. circuits
(v) Condensers in a.c. circuits
5. Inductance
m Introduction to inductance
(ii) Inductances in d.c. circuits
(Mi) Inductances in series and parallel
(iv) Mutual inductance
(v) Inductances in a.c. circuits
(vi) Power in inductive circuits
7. Networks
(i) Introduction to networks
(ii) Kirchhoff's Laws
(iii) Potential dividers
(iv) Thevenin's Theorem
(v) Norton's Theorem
(vi) Maximum Power Transfer Theorem
(vti) Reciprocity Theorem
(viii) Superposition Theorem...
(ix) Compensation Theorem ...
(x) Four-terminal networks...
(xi) Multi-mesh networks
(xii) Non-linear components in networks
(xiii) Phase shift networks
(xiv) Transients in networks ...
Filters
(i) Introduction to filters ...
(ii) Resistance-capacitance filters, high-pass and low-pass
(iii) Special types of resistance-capacitance filters
(iv) Iterative impedances of four terminal networks
(v) Image impedances and image transfer constant of four ter-
minal networks
(vi) Symmetrical networks ...
(xiv)
CONTENTS Page
Section
Practical Resistors, Condensers and Inductors 186
9.
(i) Practical resistors 186
(ii) Practical condensers 191
(iii) Combination units 197
(iv) Practical inductors ... 197
(v) References to practical resistors and condensers 198
7. References 252
(xv)
CONTENTS
Section Page
CHAPTER 6. MATHEMATICS
Arithmetic and the Slide Rule 255
(i) Figures 255
(ii) Powers and roots 255
(iii) Logarithms 255
(iv) The slide rule 257
(v) Short cuts in arithmetic 258
Algebra 259
(i) Addition 260
(ii) Subtraction 260
(iii) Multiplication ... 260
(iv) Division ... ... ... 260
(v) Powers 260
(vi) Roots 261
(vii) Brackets and simple manipulations 261
(viii) Factoring 262
(ix) Proportion 262
(x) Variation 262
(xi) Inequalities 262
(xii) Functions 263
(xiii) Equations ... ... ... ,,, 263
(xiv) Formulae and laws ... , 265
(xv) Continuity and limits ... 265
(xvi) Progressions, sequences and series 266
(xvii) Logarithmic and exponential functions 267
(xviii) Infinite series 268
(xix) Hyperbolic functions 269
(xx) General approximations 271
3. Geometry and Trigonometry 272
(i) Plane figures 272
(ii) Surfaces and volumes of solids 275
(iii) Trigonometrical relationships 275
4. Periodic Phenomena 278
5. Graphical Representation and j Notation 279
(i) Graphs 279
(ii) Finding the equation to a curve 281
(iii) Three variables ... 281
(iv) Vectors and j notation ... 282
6. Complex Algebra and De Moivre's Theorem 285
(i) Complex algebra with regular coordinates ... 285
(ii) Complex algebra with polar coordinates 286
(iii) De Moivre's Theorem ... 287
7. Differential and Integral Calculus 289
(i) Slope and rate of change 289
(ii) Differentiation 291
(iii) Integration 294
(iv) Taylor's Series ... 298
(v) Maclaurin's Series 299
8. Fourier Series and Harmonics 299
(i) Periodic waves and the Fourier Series 299
(ii) Other applications of the Fourier Series 302
(iii) Graphical Harmonic Analysis 302
9. References 304
(xvi)
CONTENTS
Section
Sec Page
(rvii)
CONTENTS
Section Page
CHAPTER 9. TUNED CIRCUITS
Introduction 407
Damped Oscillations 408
SeriesResonance 409
Parallel Resonance 410
General Case of Series Resonance 412
SELEcnvrrY and Gain 412
(i) Single tuned circuit 412
(ii) —
Coupled circuits tuned seconr tv 413
(iii) —
Coupled circuits tuned primary, tuned secondary. 414
(iv) Coupled circuits of equal Q ... 415
(v) Coupled circuits of unequal Q 416
—
Selectivity Graphical Methods 416
(i) Single tuned circuit 416
(ii) Two identical coupled tuned circuits... 417
Coupling of Circuits 418
(i) Mutual inductive coupling 418
(ii) Miscellaneous methods of coupling ... 418
(in) Complex coupling 420
9. Response of Identical Amplifier Stages in Cascade 421
10. Universal Selectivity Curves 421
11. Summary of Formulae for Tuned Circuits 423
12. References 427
(xviii)
CONTENTS
Section Page
(xix)
CONTENTS
SECTION Page
3. Resistance-Capacitance Coupled Pentodes 496
(i) Choice of operating conditions 496
(ii) Coupling condenser 496
(iii) Screen by-pass 496
(iv) Cathode bias .. 499
(v) Fixed bias 501
(vi) Dynamic characteristics of pentodes ... 504
(vii) Gain at the mid-frequency ... ... 506
(viii) Dynamic characteristics of pentodes and comparison with
triodes 508
(ix) Maximum voltage output and distortion 510
(x) Conversion factors with r.cc. pentodes 511
(xi) Equivalent circuit of r.cc. pentode ... 512
(xii) Voltage gain and phase shift ... 512
(xiii) Screen loadlines 513
(xiv) Combined screen and cathode loadlines and the effect of toler-
ances ... 515
(xv) Remote cut-off pentodes as r.cc, amplifiers 516
(xvi) Multigrid valves as r.cc, amplifiers ... 516
(xvii) Special applications ... ... 516
(xviii) Comments on tabulated characteristics of resistance-
coupled pentodes 517
Transformer-Coupled Voltage Amplifiers 517
(j) Introduction ... 517
(ii) Gain at the mid-frequency 517
(iii) Gain at low frequencies 517
(iv) Desirable valve characteristics ... 517
(v) Equivalent circuits 518
(vi) Gain and phase shift at all frequencies 518
(vii) Transformer characteristics 518
(viii) Fidelity 518
(ix) Valve loadlines 518
(x) Maximum peak output voltage 518
(xi) Transformer loading 518
(xii) Parallel feed ... ... ... ... 518
(xiii) Auto- transformer coupling 520
(xiv) Applications ,., 520
(xv) Special applications 520
Choke-Coupled Amplifiers 521
(i) Performance 521
(ii) Application ... 521
6. Methods of Exciting Push-Puix Amplifiers ... 521
(i) Methods involving iron-cored inductors 521
(ii) Phase splitter ... 522
(iii) Phase inverter 524
(iv) Self-balancing phase inverter 524
(v) Self-balancing paraphase inverter 524
(vi) Common cathode impedance self-balancing inverters 526
(vii) Balanced output amplifiers with highly accurate balance ... 527
(viii) Cross coupled phase inverter ... 527
7. Push-Pull Voltage Amplifiers 527
(i) Introduction 527
(ii) Cathode resistors 527
(iii) Output circuit 527
(iv) Push-pull impedance-coupled amplifiers—mathematical treat-
ment ... 528
(v) Phase compressor ... ... 528
<o)
CONTENTS Page
Section
8. In-Phase Amplifiers 529
(i) Cathode-coupled amplifiers 529
(ii) Grounded-grid amplifiers 529
(iii) Inverted input amplifiers 529
(iv) Other forms of in-phase amplifiers 529
(xxi)
CONTENTS
Section pAGE
3. Class A Multi-Grid Valyes ... 560
(i) Introduction 560
(ii) Ideal pentodes ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 561
(iii) Practical pentodes —
operating conditions 561
(iv) —
Graphical analysis power output and distortion 563
(v) Rectification effects 565
(vi) Cathode bias 565
(vii) Resistance -and inductance of transformer primary . . 566
(viii) Loudspeaker load ... ... ... ... ... ... 566
(ix) Effects of plate and screen regulation 568
(x) Beam power valves ... ... ... ••• - 569
(xi) Space charge tetrodes ... ... ... ... ... ... 569
(xii) Partial triode ("ultra-linear") operation of pentodes ... 570
4.Parallel Class A Amplifiers 570
5 Push-Pull Triodes Class A, ABj -•• 571
(i) Introduction ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 571
(ii) Theory of push-pull amplification ... ... ... ... 573
(iii) Power output and distortion 577
(iv) Average plate current 579
(v) Matching and the effects of mismatching 580
(vi) Cathode bias 582
(vii) Parasitica 582
6 Push-Pull Pentodes and Beam Power Amplifiers, Class A, ABi ... 583
(i) Introduction 583
(ii) Power output and distortion - 583
(iii) The effect of power supply regulation ... ... ... 584
(iv) Matching and the effects of mismatching ... ... ... 584
(v) Average plate and screen currents ... ... ... •-- 584
(vi) Cathode bias 585
(vii) Parasitics -•• 585
(viii) Phase inversion in the power stage ... ... ... ... 585
(ix) Extended Class A 587
(x) Partial triode (" ultra-linear ") operation 587
7. Class B Amplifiers and Drivers 587
(i) Introduction ••• 587
(ii) Power output and distortion —-ideal conditions Class B 3 — 588
(iii) Power output and distortion —practical conditions Class B, — 588
(iv) Grid driving conditions... ... ... ... ... • 590
(v) Design procedure for Class B 2 amplifiers ... ... ... 592
(vi) Earthed-grid cathode coupled amplifiers 592
(vii) Class Bi amplifiers— quiescent push-pull 592
8. Class AB 2 Amplifiers 593
(i) Introduction 593
(H) Bias and screen stabilized Class AB a amplifier ... ... 593
(iii) Mcintosh amplifier 594
9. Cathode-Follower Power Amplifiers 596
10. Special Features 596
(i) Grid circuit resistance ... ... ... • 596
(ii) Grid bias sources ... ... •• - ••• - 597
(iii) Miller Effect 598
(iv) 26 volt operation ... ... ... ... -• ••• 598
(v) Hum
from plate and screen supplies... ... ... ... 599
11. Complete Amplifiers ••• 599
(i) Introduction 599
(ii) Design procedure and examples 599
(iii) Loudspeaker load ... ... ... - -- ••• 600
12. References 601
(xxii)
CONTENTS
Section Page
(xxiii)
CONTENTS
Section
Page
12. High Fidelity Reproduction 630
(i) The target of high fidelity 630
(ii) Practicable high fidelity... 630
(iii) The ear as a judge of fidelity... 632
13. References 632
(xxiv)
CONTENTS
Section Page
(vi) Step-type tone control using negative feedback 662
(vii) Continuously-variable controls general — 662
662
(viii) Single control continuously-variable tone controls
(ix) Ganged continuously-variable tone controls 664
(x) Dual control continuously-variable tone controls ... 664
9. Feedback to Provide Tone Control 669
(i) Introduction 669
(ii) Amplifiers with feedback providing tone control ... 669
(iii) Whistle filters using feedback 672
10. Automatic Frequency-Compensated Volume Control 672
(i) Introduction 672
(ii) Methods incorporating a tapped potentiometer 672
(iii) Methods incorporating step-type controls 673
Civ) Method incorporating inverse volume expansion with
multi-channel amplifier 673
11. Whistle Filters ... 673
(i) Resonant circuit filters 673
(ii) Narrow band rejection filter ... 675
(iii) Crystal filters 675
(iv) Parallel-T network 675
(v) Filters incorporating L and C 676
12. Other Methods of Tone Control 676
(i) Multiple-channel amplifiers 676
(ii) Synthetic bass 676
13. The Listener and Tone Control 677
14. Equalizer Networks 677
15. References 677
(xxv)
CONTENTS
Section
4. Volume Expansion
(i) Introduction
(ii) Expanders incorporating lamps
(iii) Expanders utilizing feedback
(iv) Expanders incorporating remote cut-off pentodes
(v) Expanders incorporating remote cut-off triodes
(vi) Expanders incorporating suppressor- grid controlled pentodes
(vii) Expanders incorporating valves with five grids
(viii) Expanders incorporating plate resistance control
Public Address A.V.C.
Speech Clippers
Noise Peak and Output Limiters
(i) Introduction
(ii) Instantaneous noise peak limiters
(iii) Output limiters ..,
(iv)
Dynamic (moving coil) pickups
Piezo-elecrric (crystal) pickups
(v) Magnetostriction pickups
(vi) Strain-sensitive pickups
(vii) Ribbon pickups ...
(viii) Capacitance pickups
(ix) Eddy-current pickups ...
4. Tracking
(i) General survey of the problem
(ii) How to design for minimum distortion
(iii) The influence of stylus friction
5. Recording Characteristics, Equalizers and Amplifiers
(i) Recording characteristics
(ii) Pre-amplifiers for use with pickups
(iii) Introduction to equalizers
(iv) High-frequency attenuation (scratch filter) 737
(v) Equalizers for electro-magnetic pickups 738
(xxvi)
CONTENTS Pack
Section
(vi) Equalizers for crystal pickups 741
(vii) Equalizers applying negative feedback to the pickup 743
(viii) Miscellaneous details regarding equalizing amplifiers 743
(ix) Complete amplifiers 744
(x) Pickups for connection to radio receivers 751
(xi) Frequency test records 752
(xxvii)
CONTENTS
Section Page
(xi) The directional characteristics of microphones 780
(xii) The equalization of microphones 781
(xiii) Microphone transformers 781
(xiv) Standards for microphones 781
2. Pre- Amplifiers 782
(i) Introduction 782
(ii) Noise 782
(iii) Hum 784
(iv) Microphony 786
(v) Valves for use in pre-amplifiers 786
(vi) Microphone pre-amplifiers 788
(vii) Pickup pre-amplifiers 793
(viii) Gain-controlled pre-amplifiers 793
(ix) Standard pre-amplifiers for broadcasting 793
(x) Standard pre-amplifiers for sound equipment 793
3. Attenuators and Mixers 794
(i) Potentiometer type attenuators (volume controls) 794
(ii) —
Single section attenuators constant impedance 795
(iii) —
Single section attenuators constant impedance in one direction
only , .. 795
(iv) Multiple section attenuators 796
(v) Electronic attenuators 797
(vi) —
Mixers and faders general
Non-constant impedance mixers and faders
798
(vii) 798
(viii) Constant impedance mixers and faders 801
4. References 804
(xxviii)
_
CONTENTS
Section Page
5. Loudness 826
CD Introduction to loudness 826
(ii) The phon 826
6. The
m Loudness units ...
(xxix)
CONTENTS
Section Page
(iii) The overlap region 861
(iv) Compromise arrangements 861
6. Loudspeakers in Operation 861
(i) Loudness 861
(ii) Power required 861
(iii) Acoustics of rooms 864
(iv) Loudspeaker placement 865
(v) Stereophonic reproduction 865
(vi) Sound reinforcing systems 866
(vli) Open air Public Address 867
(viii) Inter-communicating systems 867
(ix) Background music in factories 867
7. Distortion in Loudspeakers 868
(i) Non-linearity 868
(ii) Frequency-modulation distortion in loudspeakers 869
(iii) Transient distortion 869
(iv) Sub-harmonics and sub-frequencies 871
(v) IntermodulatJon distortion 871
8. Summary of Acoustical Data 871
(i) Definitions in acoustics 871
(ii) Electrical, mechanical and acoustical equivalents 872
(iii) Velocity and wavelength of sound 872
(iv) Musical scales 873
9. Standards por Loudspeakers 874
(i) Voice coil impedance for radio receivers 874
(ii) Loudspeaker standard ratings for sound equipment 874
10. References to Loudspeakers 876
Cm)
CONTENTS Pagb
Section
Aerials and Power Transfer 892
3.
(i) Introduction 892
(ii) Power transfer • 892
4. Characteristics of Aerials • 893
(i) Effective area of a receiving aerial 893
(ii) The power gain of an aerial 894
(iii) The beam-width of an aerial 894
5. Effects of the Earth on the Performance of an Aerial 894
(i) Introduction 894
(ii) A perfectly-conducting earth ... 894
(iii) An imperfectly conducting earth 896
(iv) The attenuation of radio waves in the presence of an imper-
fectly-reflecting earth 896
6. The Effect of the Ionosphere on the Reception of Radio Signals ... 901
7. The Impedance of an Aerial 901
(i) Introduction 901
(ii) Resistive component of impedance 902
(iii) Reactive component of impedance 903
(iv) Characteristic impedance of aerial 903
(v) Examples of calculations 903
(vi) Dipoles 904
(vii) Loop aerials ... ... ... ... 905
8. Dummy Aerials 906
9. Types of Aerial used for Broadcast Reception 907
(i) Introduction 907
(ii) Medium-frequency receiving aerials 907
(iii) Short-wave receiving aerials 908
(iv) V-H-F aerials 909
10. References 911
(xxxi)
CONTENTS
Section Page
5. Effects of Valve Input Admittance 927
(i) Important general considerations 927
(ii) Input loading of receiving valves at radio frequencies 928
(A) Input conductance 929
(B) Cold input conductance 929
(C) Hot input conductance 930
(D) Change in input capacitance 932
(E) Reduction of detuning effect 933
6. Valve and Circuit Noise 935
(i) Thermal agitation noise 935
(ii) Shot noise 936
(iii) Induced grid noise 939
(iv) Total noise calculations 940
(v) Sample circuit calculations 941
(vi) Conclusions 942
7. Instability in R-F Amplifiers 942
(i) Causes of instability 942
(ii) Inter-electrode capacitance coupling 943
(iii) Summary ... 944
8. Distortion 944
(i) Modulation envelope distortion 945
(ii) Cross modulation distortion 945
9. Bibliography ... 945
(xxxii)
1
CONTENTS
Section
(v) Conclusion
(vi) Appendix ...
2. Converter Applications
(i) Broadcast frequencies
(ii) Short waves
(iii) Types of converters
3. Superheterodyne Tracking...
(i) General
(ii) (A) Formulae and charts for superheterodyne oscillator
design 1005
(B) Worked examples 1011
(iii) (A) Padded signal circuits 1013
(B) Worked example 1015
4. References
R.O.M. — (xxxiii)
CONTENTS
Section Page
(E) Crystal constants 1056
(F) Position of filter in circuit ., 1057
(G) Other types of crystal filters 1057
(ivj Design example ... 1057
7. Detuning Due to A.V.C 1061
(i) Causes of detuning ... ... 1061
(ii) Reduction of detuning effects ... 1062
8. Stability 1065
® Design data 1065
(ii) Neutralizing circuits 1065
Distortion 1067
(i) Amplitude modulation i-f stages 1067
(ii) Frequency modulation i-f stages 1068
10. References 1069
(xxxiv)
CONTENTS
Section Page-
(xxxv)
—
CONTENTS
Section Page
6. References 1201
(xxxvi)
CONTENTS
Section Page
2. Vibrator Transformer Design 1205
(i) General considerations ... 1205
(ii) Transformer calculations 1206
(iii) Standards for vibrator power transformers ... 1207
3. Timing Capacitance 1207
(i) The use of the timing capacitance 1207
(ii) Calculation of timing capacitance value 1207
(iii) Percentage closure 1208
(iv) Effect of flux density on timing capacitance value 1208
4, Elimination of Vibrator Interference 1210
5, 12, 24 and 32 Volt Vibrator Supplies 1211
(xxxvii)
CONTENTS
Section Page
5. A.C. Operated Receivers 1256
(i) Four valve receivers 1256
(ii) Five valve receivers 1259
(iii) Larger receivers 1260
(iv) Communication receivers 1260
6. A.C./D.C. Receivers 1264
(i) Series-resistor operation... 1264
(ii) Barretter operation 1266
(iii) Dial lamps 1266
(iv) Miscellaneous features ... 1267
7. Battery Operated Recetvbrs 1268
® General features ... 1268
1270
(«) Vibrator-operated receivers
(iii) Characteristics of dry batteries 1272
Car Radio 1275
(i) Interference suppression 1275
(ii) Circuit considerations ... 1276
(iii) Valve operating conditions 1277
9. Miscellaneous Features 1278
(i) Spurious responses 1278
(ii) Reduction of interference 1279
(iii) Contact potential biasing 1280
(iv) Fuses ... 1281
(v) Tropic proofing 1282
(vi) Parasitic oscillations 1283
(vii) Printed circuits 1283
(viii) Other miscellaneous features 1285
10, References 1285
(joocviii)
CONTENTS
Section Page
(iii) Test procedures and operating conditions 1315
(iv) Receiver adjustments 1316
(v) Performance tests 1317
3. Audio Frequency Amplifiers 1321
(i) Equipment and measurements 1321
(ii) Tests 1321
4. Measurements on Coils 1325
(i) Measurement of coefficient of coupling 1325
(ii) Measurement of primary resonant frequencies of aerial and r-f
coils ... 1325
(iii) Measurement of distributed capacitance across coils 1325
References 1327
(xxxix)
CONTENTS
Section Page
(iii) Some and multipliers
units ... 1363
(iv) Magnitude letter symbols 1364
(v) Subscripts for magnitude letter symbols 1364
(vi) Magnitude letter symbols with subscripts ... 1365
(vii) Mathematical signs 1366
(viii) Abbreviations 1366
(ix) Abbreviations of tides of periodicals 1367
(x) References to periodicals 1369
(xi) References to standard symbols and abbreviations 1369
Standard Graphical Symbols 1370
Properties of Materials and Chemical and Physical Constants ... 1372
(i) Properties of insulating materials ... 1372
(ii) Properties of conducting materials ... 1374
(iii) Composition of some common plastics 1375
(iv) Weights of common materials 1375
(v) Resistance of a conductor at any temperature 1376
(vi) References to properties of materials... 1376
(vii) Chemical and physical constants 1376
9. Reactance, Impedance and Resonance 1377
(i) Inductive reactances 1377
(ii) Capacitive reactances 1378
(iii) Impedance of reactance and resistance in parallel ... 1380
(iv) Impedance of reactance and resistance in series 1382
(v) Resonance... 1386
(vi) Approximations in the calculation of impedance for reactance
and resistance in series and parallel 1386
(vii) Reactance chart ... ... 1387
10. Screw Threads, Twist Drills and Sheet Gauges 1388
(i) Standard American screws used in radio manufacture 1388
(ii) B.A. screw threads 1389
(iii) Whitworth screw threads 1389
(iv) Unified screw threads ... 1390
(v) Drill sizes for self-tapping screws 1391
(vi) Wood screws 1391
(vii) Twist drill sizes ... 1392
(viii) Sheet steel gauges 1393
11. Temperature Rise and Ratings 1394
12. Fuses 1395
13. Characteristics of Light; Panel Lamps 1396
(i) Visibility curves of the human
eye and relative spectral energy
curves of sunlight and tungsten lamp ... 1396
(ii) Velocity of light 1396
(iii) American panel lamp characteristics 1397
14. Greek Alphabet 1397
15. Definitions -- 1398
16. Decimal Equivalents of Fractions 1404
17. Multiples and Sub-Multiples 1405
18. (i) Numerical values 1406
(ii) Factorials ... 1407
19. Wms Tables 1408
20. Logarithm Tables 1418
Od)
CHAPTER 1
Section Page
1. and emission
Electricity 1
note that the total current flow, equivalent to the total move-
It is interesting to
ments of allthe free electrons, irrespective of their directions, is very much greater
than that which occurs under any normal conditions of electric current flow. The
directions of movement are such that the external effects of one are generally cancelled
by those of another. Thus, in a metal, the oft-quoted picture of a flow of electrons
from the negative to the positive terminal is only a partial truth and apt to be mis-
leading. The velocity of the free electrons is very much less than that of the electric
current being of the order of only a few centimetres per second. The electron
current may be pictured as the successive impacts between one electron and another
in the direction of the current. In an insulator the number of free electrons is
practically zero, so that electric conduction does not take place. In a partial insulator
the number of free electrons is quite small.
The nucleus is a very complex body, including one or more protons which may
be combined with a number of neutrons*. The proton has a positive charge equal
and opposite to the charge on an electron but its mass is very much greater than that
of an electron. The simplest possible atom consists of one proton forming the nucleus
—
with one electron in an orbit around it this is the hydrogen atom. Helium consists
of two protons and two neutrons in the nucleus, with two electrons rotating in orbits.
The neutron has a mass slightly greater than that of a proton, but the neutron has
no electric charge. An example of a more complicated atom is that of potassium
which has 19 protons and 20 neutrons in the nucleus, thus having a positive charge
of 19 units. The number of electrons in the orbits is 19, thus giving zero charge
for the atom as a whole, this being the normal condition of any atom. The common
form of uranium has 92 protons and 146 neutrons in the nucleus, with 92 electrons
rotating in orbits.
Under normal circumstances no electrons leave the surface of a substance since
the forces of attraction towards the centre of the body are too great. As the tem-
perature of the substance is raised, the velocity of the free electrons increases and
eventually, at a temperature which varies from one substance to another, some of the
free electrons leave the surface and may be attracted to a positive electrode in a vacuum.
This phenomenon is known as thermionic emission since its emission takes place
under the influence of heating. There are other types of emission such as photo
emission that occur when the surface of the substance is influenced by light, or
secondary emission when the surface is bombarded by electrons.
The radio valve makes use of thermionic emission in conjunction with associated
circuits for the purpose of producing amplification or oscillation. The most common
types of radio valves have hot cathodes, either in the form of a filament or an indirectly-
heated cathode. Many transmitting valves have filaments such as tungsten or
thoriated-tungsten, but nearly all receiving valves have what is known as an oxide
coated filament or cathode. The filament, or cathode sleeve, is usually made of
nickel or an alloy containing a large percentage of nickel and this is coated with a
mixture of barium and strontium carbonates that, during the manufacture of the
valve, are turned into oxides. A
valve having an oxide-coated cathode has a very
high degree of emission as compared with other forms of emitters but requires very
great care during manufacture since it is readily poisoned by certain impurities which
may be present in the cathode itself or which may be driven out in the form of gas
from the bulb or the other electrodes.
Oxide-coated cathodes are generally operated at an average temperature of about
1050° Kelvin (777° C) which looks a dull red. Temperatures much above 1100°K
generally cause a short life, while those below 960 °K are very susceptible to poisoning
of the emission, and require careful attention to ma intain a very high vacuum.
The thermionic valve is normally operated with its anodef current considerably
less than the niflv jmiim emission produced by its cathode. In the case of one having
a pure tungsten filament no damage is done to the filament if all the electrons emitted
however, subject
•This is in accordance with the theory generally held at the time of writing j it is,
to later modification.
electrode.
tThe anode (also called the plate) is the positive electrode ; the cathode is the negative
1.1 ELECTRICITY AND EMISSION 3
are drawn away immediately to the anode. This is not so, however, with oxide coated
cathodes and these, for a long life and satisfactory service, require a total emission
very much greater than that drawn under operating conditions. In such a case a
cloud of electrons accumulates a short distance from the surface of the cathode and
supplies the electrons that go to the anode. This space charge as it is called, is
like a reservoir of water that supplies varying requirements but is itself replenished
at an average rate. The space charge forms a protection to the cathode coating against
bombardment and high electrostatic fields, while it also limits the current which would
otherwise be drawn by a positive voltage on the anode. If the electron emission
from the cathode is insufficient to build up this " space charge," the cathode coating
is called upon to supply high peak currents that may do permanent injury to the coat-
ing and in extreme cases may even cause sputtering or arcing.
In multi-grid valves, if one grid has a positive potential and the next succeeding •
grid (proceeding from cathode to plate) has a negative potential, there tends to be
formed an additional space charge. This outer space charge behaves as a source of
electrons for the outer electrodes, and is known as a virtual cathode.
An oxide-coated cathode, operated under proper conditions, is self-rejuvenating
and may have an extremely long working life. The life is, therefore, largely governed
by the excess emission over the peak current required in normal operation.
A
valve having a large cathode area and small cathode current may have, under
ideal conditions, a life of the order of 50000 hours, whereas one having extremely
limited surface area, such as a* tiny battery valve, may have a working life of less than
1000 hours.
Under normal conditions a valve should be operated with its filament or heater
at the recommended voltage j in the case of an oxide coated valve it is possible to
have fluctuations of the order of 10% up or down without seriously affecting the
life or characteristics of the valve [see Chapter 3 Sect. l(iv)D] . The average voltage
should, however, be maintained at the correct value. If the filament or cathode is
operated continuously with a higher voltage than that recommended, some of the
coating material is evaporated and permanently lost, thus reducing the life of the valve.
Moreover, some of this vapour tends to deposit on the grid and give rise to what is
known as grid emission when the grid itself emits electrons and draws current
commonly known as negative grid current [for measurement see Chapter 3 Sect. 3
Gv)A].
If the filament or heater is operated for long periods at reduced voltages, the effect
is a reduction in emission, but no damage is generally done to the valve unless the
cathode currents are sufficient to exhaust the " space charge." Low cathode tem-
perature is, therefore, permissible provided that the anode current is reduced in the
proper proportion.
During the working life of the valve, its emission usually increases over the early
period, reaches a maximum at an age which varies from valve to valve and from one
manufacturer to another, and then begins to fall. The user does not generally suffer
any detriment until the emission is insufficient to provide peak currents without
distortion.
Tests for the measurement of the emission of an oxide-coated cathode are described
in Chapter 3 Sect. 3(ii)f.
If a slight amount of gas is present some of the electrons will collide with atoms
of the gas and may knock off one or more electrons, which will serve to increase the
anode current, leaving atoms deficient in electrons. These are known as positive
ions since they carry a positive charge (brought about by the loss of electrons), and
the process is known as ionization. The positive ions are attracted by the negative
cathode, and being comparatively massive, they tend to bombard the cathode coating
in spite of the protection formed by the space charge.
Some types of rectifiers (e.g. OZ4) have no heaters, and the oxide-coated cathode
is initiallyheated by ion bombardment ; this flow of current is sufficient to raise the
cathode temperature so as to enable it to emit electrons in the usual manner. The
gas is an inert variety at reduced pressure. Although some types of gaseous thermionic
4 ELECTRICITY AND EMISSION 1.1
rectifiers will operate (once they have been thoroughly heated) without any filament
or heater voltage, this is likely to cause early failure through loss of emission.
Most thermionic valves are vacuum types and operate under a very high degree
of vacuum. This is produced during manufacture by a combination of vacuum
pumps and is made permanent by the flashing of a small amount of " getter " which
remains in the bulb ready to combine with any impurities which may be driven off
during life. Valves coming through on the production line are all tested for gas by
measuring the negative grid current under operating conditions j methods of testing
are described in Chapter 3 Sect. 3(iv)A, where some values of maximum negative
grid current are also given. If a valve has been on the shelf for a long time, it fre-
quently shows a higher gas current, but this may usually be reduced to normal by
operating the valve under normal conditions, with a low resistance connection between
grid and cathode, for a short period. When a valve is slightly gassy, it usually shows
a blue glow (ionization) between cathode and anode. In extreme cases this may
extend outside the ends of the electrodes but a valve in such condition should be
regarded with suspicion and tested before being used in any equipment, as it might
do serious damage. A
slight crack may permit a very small amount of air to enter
the bulb, giving rise to a pink/violet glow which may readily be identified by any one
familiar with it ; this is a sign of immediate end of life.
The anode current of a thermionic valve is not perfectly steady, since it is brought
about by a flow of electrons from the cathode. When a valve is followed by very
high gain amplifiers, the rushing noise heard in the loudspeaker is partly caused by
the electrons in the valve, and partly by a somewhat similar effect (referred to as the
" thermal agitation " or " Johnson noise ") principally in the resistance in the grid
circuit of the first valve —
see Chapter 4 Sect. 9(i)l, and Chapter 18 Sect. 2(ii). This
question of valve noise is dealt with in Chapter 18 Sect. 2(ii)c and Chapter 23 Sect. 6.
Some valves show a fluorescence on the inside of the bulb, which may fluctuate
when the valve is operating. This is perfectly harmless and may be distinguished
from blue glow by its position in the valve. In occasional cases fluorescence may also
be observed on the surfaces of the mica supports inside the valve.
\ rrt*
Fig. 1.1. At B,C types offilaments j D E,F types of cathodes G
t j t H types of
heaters.
In an indirectly-heated valve, the function of the heater is solely to heat the cathode.
No emission should take place from the heater and the insulation between heater
and cathode should be good. The heater is generally made of tungsten or a tungsten
alloy wire coated win a substance capable of providing the necessary insulation at
high temperature, such as alundum. In all applications where hum is likely to be
troublesome, the heater is preferably of the double helical type, as G in Fig. 1.1.
Power valves and other types having elliptical or rectangular cathode sleeves, often
employ a folded heater as in H. These are not generally suitable for use in very low
level amplifiers whether for radio or audio frequencies.
(ii) Grids
Grids are constructed of very fine wire wound around one, two or four side rods
two being by far the most common. Some valves have two, three, four or five grids
inside one another, but all of these are similar in general form although different in
dimensions.
In the case of some grids it is necessary to take precautions to limit the grid tem-
perature either to avoid grid emission, in the case of control grids, or ro limit the grid
temperature to prevent the formation of gas, in the case of screen grids. These may,
for better heat radiation, be fitted with copper side rods and blackened radiators either
above or below the other electrodes. Grids are numbered in order from the cathode
outwards, so that No. 1 grid will be the one closest to the cathode, No. 2 grid the one
adjacent to it, and No. 3 the one further out again.
(iii) Plates
The plate of a receiving valve is the anode or positive electrode. It may be in one
of a great number of shapes, dependent on the particular application of the valve.
The plates of power valves and rectifiers are frequently blackened to increase their
heat radiation and thereby reduce their temperature.
(iv)Bulbs
The inside surfaces of glass bulbs are frequently blackened. This has the effects
of making them more or less conductive, thereby reducing the tendency to develop
static charges, and reducing the tendency towards secondary emission from the bulb.
(i) Diodes
A diode is the simplest type of radio valve consisting of two electrodes only, the
cathode and anode (or plate). The cathode may be either directly or indirectly
heated and the valve may be either very small, as for a signal detector, large as for a
power rectifier, or any intermediate size. One or two diodes are frequently used in
combination with a triode or pentode a-f amplifier as the second detector in receivers
in most of these cases, a common cathode is used. For some purposes it is necessary
to have two diode units with separate cathodes, as in type 6H6. Amplifier types with
three diodes, some with a common cathode and others with separate cathodes, have
B OWECTlg
FKJ. 1.2
also been manufactured for special purposes. Fig. 1.2 shows the circuit of a diode
valve in which battery A is used to heat the filament or heater, and battery B to apply
a positive potential to the anode through the load resistor. The plate current is
measured by a milliammeter connected as shown, and the direction of current flow
is from the positive end of battery B towards the anode, this being the opposite of the
electron current flow. It should be noted that the negative end of battery B is re-
turned to the negative end of battery A
in accordance with the usual convention. It
would be quite permissible to connect the negative end of the battery B to the positive
end of battery A so as to get the benefit of the voltage A
applied to the anode, but
in this case, the total voltage applied to the anode would be A+
B. If voltage of
battery B is reversed, it will be noted that the plate current is zero, thus indicating
the rectification that takes place in a diode. If an alternating voltage is applied,
current will only flow during the half-cycles when the anode is positive. This is
called a half-wave rectifier since it is only capable of rectifying one half of the cycle.
1.3 TYPES OF RADIO VALVES
Full wave* rectifiers are manufactured with two anodes and a common cathode and
these are arranged in the circuit so that one diode conducts during one half-cycle
and the other during the other half-cycle,
(ii) Triodes
A triode is a three electrode valve, the electrodes being the cathode, grid and anode
(or plate). grid serves to control the plate current flow, and if the grid is made
The
sufficiently negative the plate current isreduced to zero. The voltage on the grid is
controlled by battery C
in Fig. 1.3, the other part of the circuit being as for the diode
in Fig. 1.2. When the grid is negative with respect to the cathode, it does not draw
appreciable current ; this is the normal condition as a class x amplifier. AAlthough
an indirectly heated cathode has been shown in this instance, a directly heated valve
could equally well have been used. The heater in Fig. 1.3 may be supplied either
from an ax. or d.c. source, which should preferably be connected to the cathode or
as close as possible to cathode potential.
As the grid is made more negative, so the plate current is decreased and when the
grid is made more positive the plate current is increased. A
triode is, therefore,
capable of converting a voltage change at the grid into a change of power in the load
resistor. It may also be used as a voltage amplifier or oscillator.
(iii) Tetrodes
The capacitance between the grid and plate can be reduced by mounting an addi-
tional electrode, generally called the screen or screen grid, between the grid and plate.
The valve thus has four electrodes, hence the name tetrode. The function of the
screen is to act as an electrostatic shield between grid and plate, thus reducing the
grid-to-plate capacitance. The screen is connected to a positive potential (although
less than that of the plate) in order to counteract the blocking effect which it would
—
otherwise have on the plate current see Fig. 1.4. Owing to the comparatively
large spaces between the wires in the screen, most of the electrons from the cathode
pass through the screen to the plate. So long as the plate voltage is higher than the
screen voltage, the plate current depends primarily on the screen voltage and only
to a slight extent on the plate voltage. This construction makes possible a much
higher amplification than with a triode, and the lower grid-to-plate capacitance makes
the high gain practicable at radio frequencies without instability.
A NOD
(PLAT
(iv) Pentodes
Electrons striking the plate with sufficient velocities may dislodge other electrons
and so cause what is known as " secondary emission." In the case of tetrodes, when
•These are sometimes called biphase half-wave rectifiers.
8 TYPES OF RADIO VALVES 1.3
the plate voltage swings down to a low value under working conditions, the screen
may be instantaneously at a higher positive potential than the plate, and hence the
secondary electrons are attracted to the screen. This has the effect of lowering the
plate current over the region of low plate voltage and thus limits the permissible
plate voltage swing. This effect is avoided when a suppressor is inserted between
screen and plate. The suppressor is normally connected to the cathode as in Fig. 1 3.
Owing to its negative potential with respect to the plate, the suppressor retards the
movements of secondary electrons and diverts them back to the plate.
Avalve with three grids is known as a pentode because it has five electrodes. Pen-
todes are commonly used as radio frequency amplifiers and as power amplifiers.
Pentode r-f amplifiers are of two main varieties, those having a sharp cut-off* charac-
teristic and those having a remote cut-off*. Valves having sharp cut-off charac-
teristics are generally used as audio frequency voltage amplifiers and anode bend
detectors, while remote cut-off amplifiers are used as r-f and i-f amplifiers. The
•Sharp cut-off indicates that the plate-current characteristic is as straight as it can be made. A re-
grid voltage
mote cut-off characteristic indicates that the plate current does not become zero until the
is made very much negative (usually over 30 volts).
1.3 TYPES OF RADIO VALVES
BEAM-
CONFINING
ELECTRODE
CATHODE
PLATE
:." -
Fig. 1 .6. Interned structure of type 6L6 or 807 aligned grid beam power valve {diagram
by courtesy of R.C.A.).
(which do not normally require external oscillators) and those of the hexode or heptode
" mixer " type which are used with separate oscillators. Pentagrid converters are
of two main groups, the first of these being the 6A8 type of construction which in-
corporates an oscillator grid and oscillator anode (" anode grid ") as part of the main
cathode stream. The other group comprises the 6SA7, 6BE6 and 1R5 type of con-
struction which has no separate oscillator anode, the screen grid serving a dual pur-
pose. The various types of pentagrid converters are described in detail in Chapter^?.
Special care should be taken in the screen circuits of beam power amplifiers since
in these the screen currents may vary from zero to twice the average figure. Any
10 MAXIMUM RATINGS AND TOLERANCES 1.4
screen voltage dropping resistor is undesirable with such valves and if the screen is
required to be operated at a lower voltage than the plate, it should be supplied from
a voltage divider having a bleed current of preferably 5 times the nominal screen
current. Alternatively, the screen voltage should be determined for the extreme cases
of zero and twice nominal screen current.
'
s
1 Fig. 1.7. Filament current versus
filament voltage for a valve
having a 1.4 volt 50 milKampere
u filament.
4*
i
z ,,
3
C
40
FIIAMCNT VOLTS
the normal operating voltages remain at 6-3 volts. In the case of tapped filaments
or heaters the first figure indicates the total voltage with both sections in series.
The second symbol is a letter which is allotted in sequence commencing with A,
except that I and O are not used j rectifiers follow the sequence backwards com-
mencing at Z. When all the single letters of a group are exhausted, the system then
proceeds with two lettters commencing with AB combinations of identical letters
';
are net normally used. The single-ended a.c. range has a first letter S while the second
letter may be that of the nearest equivalent in the double-ended range — e.g. type
6SK7 is the nearest single-ended equivalent to type 6K7. Another special case is the
first letter L which is used for lock-in types in the battery range.
Fig. 1 J6. Filament or heater current, dissipation and temperature plotted against
filament or heater voltage, per cent (Ref. 7).
12 VALVE NUMBERING SYSTEMS 1.6
The final figure denotes the number of " useful elements " brought out to an
external connection.
The envelope of a metal valve, the metal base of a lock-in valve, and internal shield-
ing having its separate and exclusive terminal(s) are counted as useful elements.
A filament or heater counts as one useful element, except that a tapped filament or
heater of two or more sections of unequal rated section voltages or currents counts
as two useful elements. An octal-based glass valve having n useful elements exclusive
of those connected to Pin No. 1 is counted as having n 1 useful elements. +
Elements
connected to terminals identified as " internal connection, do not use " do not count
as useful elements. Combinations of one or more elements connected to the same
terminal or terminals are counted as one useful element. For example a directly
heated triode with a non-octal base is denoted by 3 ; an indirectly-heated triode,
with a non-octal base is designated by 4 ; a directly-heated tetrode with a non-octal
base is designated by 4. A
pentode with the suppressor internally connected to
filament or cathode is numbered as a tetrode. A
metal envelope or octal-based glass
triode with an indirectly-heated cathode is designated by 5, a tetrode (or pentode with
the suppressor internally connected) by 6, and a triode-hexode converter usually by 8.
The suffix after the hyphen denotes the type of construction used. In general,
metal valves, lock-in types and miniature types have no suffixes, but octal-based glass
valves types are given the suffix G
for the larger glass bulb or for the smaller GT
parallel-sided T9 bulb. The letter M
a metal-coated glass envelope and
indicates
octal base. X
indicates a " low loss "
base composed of material having a loss factor
of 0-035 maximum (determination of loss factor to be in accordance with ASTM
Designation D-150-41T). The letter Y indicates an intermediate-loss base com-
posed of material having a loss factor of 0-1 maximum. The letter indicates W
a military type. The letters, A,B,C,D,E and F assigned in that order indicate a
later and modified version which can be substituted for any previous version but not
vice versa.
SECTION 7 : REFERENCES*
(A) GENERAL READING "
1. Henderson, F. E. (book) " An Introduction to Valves, including reference to Cathode Ray Tubes
(published by Wireless World, London on behalf of The General Electric Co. of England, 1942).
2. Spreadbury, F. G. (book) " Electronics " (Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd., London, 1947) Chapters
1-4, 8-10.
3. Reich, H. J. (book) " Theory and Applications of Electron Tubes " (McGraw-Hill Book Co.,
New York & London, 2nd ed., 1944).
4. Chaffee, E. L. (book) " Theory of Thermionic Vacuum Tubes " (McGraw-Hill Book Co., New
York and London, 1933).
5. Emergency British Standard 1106 : 1945 " Code of
practice relating to the use of electronic valves
other than cathode ray tubes," British Standards Institution, London.
6. " Radio Valve Practice " (The British Radio Valve Manufacturers' Association, London, 1948).
7. Haller, C. E.
" Filament and heater characteristics " Elect. 17.7 (July, 1944) 126.
8. " R.M.A.-NEMA Standards for designation system for receiving
tubes " (Radio Manufacturers*
Association, U.S.A.—Standard ET-110).
9. Couch, W. "Oxide-coated cathodes" Elect. 22.10 (Oct. 1949) 164.
10. Couch, W. " Oxide cathode theory " Elect. 22.10 (Oct. 1949) 190.
11. Roller, L. R. (book) " Physics of Electron Tubes " (McGraw-Hill Book Co. 1934) pp. 41-51.
Additional references will be found in the Supplement commencing on page 1475.
•For abbreviations of titles of periodicals and references to periodicals see pages 1367-1369.
CHAPTER 2
VALVE CHARACTERISTICS
by F. Langford-Smith, B.Sc, B.E.
Section Page
1. Valve coefficients 13
2. Characteristic curves 15
3. Resistance-loaded amplifiers 24
4. Transformer-coupled amplifiers 27
5. Triode operation of pentodes * 34
6. Conversion factors and the calculation of characteristics other
than those published 36
7. Valve equivalent circuits and vectors 45
8. Valve admittances 49
9. Mathematical relationships .. 57
10. References ... 66
The triode or multigrid radio valve is a device which allows, under certain operating
conditionsj an amplified replica of a voltage applied between grid and cathode to
appear across an impedance placed between plate and cathode.
A valve, in itself, does not provide amplification of the applied grid-to-cathode
voltage. The amplified voltage across the load impedance is due to the action of
the valve in controlling the power available from the power supply. The amount
of power which can be so controlled is determined by the operating conditions and
the characteristics of the valve and of its associated circuits.
The maximum voltage amplification which a valve is capable of giving under ideal
conditions is called the amplification factor, generally designated by the Greek symbol
ft (mu). This is not truly constant under all conditions (except for an imaginary
" ideal valve ") and varies slightly with grid bias and plate voltage in the case of a
triode, and is very far from being constant with most multi-electrode valves.
The amplification factor ( n) is the ratio of the incremental* change in plate
voltage to the incremental change in control grid voltage in the opposite direction,
under the conditions that the plate current remains unchanged, and all other electrode
voltages are maintained constant.
There are two other principal Valve Coefficients, known as the mutual conductance
and the plate resistance (or anode resistance), the values of these also being somewhat
dependent upon the applied voltages.
•An incremental change of voltage applied to an electrode may be taken as indicating a change so
small that the curvature of the characteristics may be neglecttd. For the mathematical treatment of
rate of change, sec Chapter 6 Sect 7(i) and <ii). For treatment of valve coefficients as partial differentials
see Chapter 2 Sect. 9(lx).
13
. — : —
orr„ = —
/»
gm
The calculation of these " valve coefficients " from the characteristic curves is
given in Section 2 of this Chapter, while their direct measurement is described in
Chapter 3 Sect. 3. The mathematical derivation of these coefficients and their
relationship to one another are given in Section 9 of this Chapter, as is also the repre-
sentation of valve coefficients in the form of partial differentials.
The reciprocals of two of these coefficients are occasionally used
- = D where D is called the Durchgriff (or Penetration Factor) and which
—
r
— Ss> where g9 is called the Plate Conductance (see also below).
p
Other valve coefficients are described below:
The Mu-Factor, of which the amplification factor is a special case, is the ratio
of the incremental change in any one electrode voltage to the incremental change in
any other electrode voltage, under the conditions that a specified current remains
unchanged and that all other electrode voltages are maintained constant. Examples
are
Pei-»i> /*«*•»•
The Conductance (g) is the incremental change in current to any electrode divided
by the incremental change in voltage to the same electrode, all other voltages remain-
ing unchanged.
Examples are grid conductance (g t), plate conductance (g 9).
Transconductance is the incremental change in current to any electrode divided
by the incremental change in voltage to another electrode, under the condition that
allother voltages remain unchanged. A
special case is the grid-plate transconductance
which is known as the mutual conductance. Another example is the plate-grid
transconductance (g»).
Conversion transconductance (S e) is associated with mixer (frequency changing )
valves,and is the incremental change in intermediate-frequency plate current divided
by the incremental change in radio-frequency signal-grid voltage producing it.
The Resistance (r) of any electrode is the reciprocal of the conductance ; for
example plate resistance is the reciprocal of plate conductance,
rP - 1/gp.
Perveance (G) the relation between the space-charge-limited cathode current
is
and the three-halves power of the anode voltage. It is independent of the electrode
voltages and currents, so long as the three-halves law holds
G= <»
tThis is strictly the " variational plate resistance " and must be distinguished from the <Lc. plate
resistance.
2JZ CHARACTERISTIC CURVES 15
The method of measuring the plate and grid currents of a triode valve is shown in
Fig. 2.1 in which a tapping on the grid bias battery is returned to the cathode so as
to permit either positive or negative voltages to be connected to the grid. The grid
microammeter and voltmeter should be of the centre-zero type, or provision made
for reversal of polarity. For more elaborate testing see Chapter 3 Sect. 3.
•The value so determined, is not exactly the value which would be obtained with a very small swing,
but is sufficiently accurate for most practical purposes.
16 (i) PLATE CHARACTERISTICS 24
tffC
-a
-10
Theplate characteristics of a pentode for one fixed screen voltage are shown
in Fig. 2.3. Owing to the high plate resistance of a pentode the slope of the portion
of the curves above the " knee " is frequently so flat that it is necessary to draw ex-
tended tangents to the curves as at A, B and Q. A horizontal line may be drawn
through to intersect the tangents at A and B at points C and D. As with a triode,
Q
points A and B are vertically above and below Q. The mutual conductance is AB
(4.1 mA) divided by 4 volts change of grid bias, that is 1.025 mA/V or 1025 micromhos.
The amplification factor is the change of plate voltage (CD — 447 volts) divided by
the change of grid voltage (4 volts) or 111.7. The plate resistance is EK/QK, i.e.
180/0.001 65 or 109 000 ohms.
The plate characteristics of a beam tetrode are somewhat similar to those
of a pentode except that the " knee " tends to be more pronounced at high values
of plate current.
The plate characteristics of a screen-grid or tetrode are in the upper portion
similar to a pentode, but the
" knee " occurs at a plate voltage slightly greater than
the screen voltage and operatioD below the
" knee " is normally inadvisable due to
instability.
stant as the combination of plate and screen currents, with fixed grid bias and screen
voltage.
plate voltages.
200 300 400
PLATE VOLTS fe)
ec
The Mutual Characteristics of a triode are shown in Fig. 2.5. Each curve
corresponds to a constant plate voltage. Let P be a point on the E b 250 curve, =
and let us endeavour to find out what information is available from the curves. The
bias corresponding to P is given by R (— 6 volts) and the plate current is given by
S (6 mA). Let now a triangle ABC be constructed so that AP PC, AB is vertical,=
CB is horizontal and point B comes on the E b 200 curve. =
The mutual conductance is given by AB/BC or 2-32 mA/4 volts, which is 0-580
mA/volt or 580 micromhos. Thus the slope of the characteristic is the mutual
conductance.**
tAlso known as Transfer Characteristics.
••This simple construction assumes that A P Cis a straight line. In practice it is sliglittv curved but
the construction gives a very close approximation to the slope at point P because the slope of the tangent
at P is approximately the slope of the chord joining Aand C
18 (ii) MUTUAL CHARACTERISTICS 3L2
The amplification factor is given by the change of plate voltage divided by the
change of grid voltage for constant plate current} that is
It
- H - E it
= E tl E ht = E————— =s
250-200 = -
l£,'0.
CB
.
AB, 4
The plate resistance is given by the change of plate voltage divided by the change
of plate current for constant grid voltage ; that is
E t E tl - E bt 250 - 200 =
21 600 ohms.
AB A/» 2-32 X 10~»
These curves hold only if there is no series resistance in the plate circuit. They
could therefore be used for a transformer-coupled amplifier provided that the primary
of the transformer had negligible resistance. In the present form they could not be
used to predict the operation under dynamic conditions. The static operation point
P may, however, be located by their use.
The mutual characteristics of a pentode, for a fixed screen voltage, are very
similar to those of a triode except that each curve applies to a different value of screen
(instead of plate) voltage. The plate voltage of pentodes having high plate resistance
has only a very minor effect on the plate current, provided that it does not come
below the screen voltage.
Cf»-% VOLTS
PLATE VOLTS- »00
sufvwcsao* VOLTS-0
Fig. 2.7. Mutual a pentode, with constant plate voltage, and five
characteristics of
fixed screen voltages.
Fig. 2.8. Screen current mutual characteristics of a pentode {same as for Fig. 2.7).
The resemblance between the shapes of the plate and screen characteristics is
very close, and there is an almost constant ratio between the plate and screen currents
along each curve.
voltages are changed. The grid current commencement point in perfectly hard
battery valves is usually slightly positive, so that they may be operated at zero bias
with negligible positive grid current (Curve B).
A typical valve at its normal negative bias will have negative (or reverse) grid current
which is the sum of gas (ionization) current, leakage current and grid primary emission
current. If the two latter are negligibly small, negative grid current (i.e. gas current)
will be roughly proportional to the plate current, and will increase with the pressure
of gas in the valve. If the plate current is maintained constant, the gas current varies
approximately as the square of the plate voltage ; reduced cathode temperature has
little effect on this relationship (Ref. A12). See Chapter 1 Sect. 1 for general in-
formation regarding gas current and Chapter 3 Sect. 3(iv)A for the measurement of
reverse grid current.
—
References to grid current characteristics A12, HI, H2.
Contact potential is only one of several effects acting on the grid to change the
—
cross-over point (X) the others include gas current, grid (primary) emission, leakage,
and the internal electron velocity of emission.
The grid variational conductance is equal to the slope of the grid characteristic
at the operating point. The conductance increases rapidly as the grid voltage is made
less than that corresponding to point Y, irrespective of the value of ionization current,
so that input circuit damping due to the flow of electrons from cathode to grid (i.e.
the positive component of the grid current) occurs in a typical valve even when the
grid current is zero or negative (grid voltages between X and Y in Fig. 2.9). It is
possible for the damping on the positive peaks of applied input voltage to be
quite serious even when the microammeter reads zero. This point is applied
in connection with r.c. triodes in Chapter 12 Sect. 2(iv).
If the valve has a leakage path between grid and cathode, the leakage current
is given by the line OF, which must be added to the gas current to give the grid current
characteristic G. If it has leakage between grid and plate (or screen) the leakage
current is given by the line HJ, which intersects the horizontal axis at a positive voltage
equal to the plate (or screen) voltage ; this also must be added to the other components
to provide the grid current characteristic. The combined leakage currents may be
measured by biasing the grid beyond the point of plate current cut-off provided that
—
the grid emission is negligibly small otherwise see below.
If valve is operated with its grid completely open-circuited, the operating point
will be at D, since this is the only point corresponding to zero grid current, unless
the grid characteristic has a second point of zero grid current at a positive grid voltage
(see under grid blocking).
If the valve is operated with zero bias, that is with the grid resistor returned to
cathode, the grid static operating point will be at E, the intersection of the grid current
characteristic and the grid loadline through O. If the valve is one with positive
cross-over point, operating at zero bias, the grid static operating point will occur at F.
In all cases considered above, the operating points are for static conditions, and
any large signal vcltages applied ro the grid may have an effect in shifting the operating
point. If the signal voltage swings the grid sufficiently to draw positive grid current,
the operating point will shift as the result of rectified current flowing through R9.
The effect of negative grid current on the maximum grid circuit resistance and the
operation of a-f amplifiers is described in Chapter 12 Sect. 2(iii) and (iy) ; Sect. 3(iv)C
and (v); also Chapter 13 Sect. 10(i).
negative.
| -«0 -40 -20
Svppenor Grid >Mtogc
nc. 2.13
(v) Constant current curves
Fig. 2.13. Suppressor characteristics of The third principal type of valve
characteristic is known as the " Con-
a pentode (6SJ7) for fixed control grid,
screen and plate voltages. stant Current " Characteristic. A
2.2 (v) CONSTANT CURRENT CURVES 23
typical family of Constant Current Curves is shown in Fig. 2.15, these being
for a typical triode (type 801). The slope of the curves indicates the ampli-
fication factor, and the slope of the loadline indicates the stage voltage gain.
The operating point is fixed definitely by a knowledge of plate and grid supply volt-
ages, but the loadline is only straight when both plate and grid voltages follow the
same law (e.g., both sine wave). Distortion results in curved characteristics, so that
this form of representation is not very useful except for tuned-grid tuned-plate or
"tank-circuit" coupled r-f amplifiers. Constant Current Curves may be drawn
by transferring points from the other published characteristics. For a full treatment
the reader is referred to
TYPE «U7-C
I
t — —r"i
general direction showed rapid changes in the rate of change} and usually at
one temporary reversal of direction.
0-1 and 1 -0 mA
It was found that minimum drift occurred for plate currents between
for indirectly-heated types, or between 10 and 100 mA for small filament
types.
This drift occurs in diodes and all types of amplifying valves, being particularly
noticeable in its effects on high-mu triodes (on account of the short grid base)
and on
power amplifiers (on account of the decrease in maximum power output). In direct-
coupled amplifiers this drift becomes serious, the first stage being the one most
affected.
Most of the drift usually occurs during the first hundred hours of operation. If
stability is required it is advisable to age the valves for at least 2 days,
but in some
cases this does not cure the rapid drift. Reference A12, pp.
730-733.
Fig. 2.15. Constant current characteristics for a typical small transmitting triode (801).
Fig. 2.16. Triode plate characteristics with loadlines for five values of load resistance.
(i) Triodes
When there is a resistance load in the plate circuit, the voltage actually on the plate
is less than that of the supply voltage by the drop in the load resistor,
Et * En — &£,/».
The static operatingpoint is the intersection of the loadline and the appropriate
characteristic curve. Fig. 2.16 shows several loadlines, corresponding to different
load resistors, drawn on a plate characteristic family. Zero load resistance is indicated
by a vertical loadline, while a horizontal line indicates infinite resistance.
A loadline may be drawn quite independently of the plate characteristics, as in Fig.
2.17. The point B is the plate supply voltage E bb (in this case 300 V); the slope* of
the loadline AB - -1/R L and therefore AO = E bb /R L (in this case 300/50 000 -
0-006 A = 6 mA). The voltage actually on the plate can only be equal to £»» when
the current is zero (point B). At point A the voltage across the valve is zero and the
whole supply voltage is across R L ; this is what happens when the valve is short-
circuited from plate to cathode. The plate current (E bb /R£) which flows under these
conditions is used as a reference basis for the correct operation of a resistance coupled
amplifier (Chapter 12). As the plate voltage, under high level dynamic conditions,
must swing about the operating point, the latter must be somewhere in the region of
the middle of AB j the plate current would then be in the region of 0-5 E bb/R L and
the plate voltage 0-5 £»»—in other words, the supply voltage is roughly divided equally
between the valve and the load resistance. Actually, the operating point may be
E —
anywhere within the limits 0-4 and 0-85 times bb/R L see Chapter 12 Sect. 2(vi)
and Sect. 3(vi).
In most resistance-loaded amplifiers, the plate is coupled by a capacitor to the grid
of the following valve, which has a grid resistor R g to earth. This resistor acts as a
load on the previous valve, but only under dynamic conditions. In Fig. 2.18 the
loadline AB is drawn, as in Fig. 2.17, and the operating point Q is fixed by selecting
the grid bias (here —6 volts). Through Q is then drawn another line CD having a
slope of — (1/R L + 1/Rg) J this is the dynamic loadline, and is used for determining
the voltage gain, maximum output voltage and distortion (Chapter 12).
MA
The dynamic characteristic is the effective mutual characteristic when the valve
has a resistive load in the plate circuit"!". While the slope of the mutual characteristic
is g m or \>-lr 9> the slope of the dynamic characteristic is /*/(r„ R L). Owing to+
'(r„ + R,) being more nearly constant than r p, the dynamic characteristic is more
nearly straight than the mutual characteristic.
The slope of AB is negative Mtice the plate voltage is the difference between the supply voltage and
the voltage drop in R /,, and the inverted form (1 /R i) is due to the way in which the vnlve characteristics
are drawn with current vertically und voltage horizontally. The slope of AB in often loosely spoken
of as being the resistance of R/ ,rhe negative sign and inverted form being understood.
It does not make allowance for the following grid resistor, and does not therefore correspond to
the dynamic loadline. It is, of course, possible to derive from the dynamic loadline a modified dynamic
characteristic which does make allowance for the grid resistor.
R.O.H.
—
ib
MA
/
DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTIC / .
FOR C b a 2»0. /
R L » -IMA , /
/ /
//
'' ''
E b -2*0 • * '
/-«- ' s
• 200/ / 1 a
/ '**,' / — 2-5MA
2
-
—
1
rf-T- »r !
.-£-, .i_*._ .r . .,.
"EC KE C
FIG. 2-l» FIG. 2- 20
Fig. 2.19. Triode dynamic characteristic {solid line) for resistance loading.
Fig. 2.20. Illustrating power dissipation in a resistance-loaded triode.
(ii) Pentodes
Pentodes with resistive loads are treated in the same manner as triodes, the only
suitable value
complication being the screen voltage which must be selected at some
2.3 tfi) PENTODES 27
and maintained constant (Fig. 2.21). The operating point as an amplifier will norm-
ally, aswith a triode, be in the region of the middle of the loadline so that the voltage
across the valve and that across R L will be approximately the same. .The only
special case is with very low values of R L (e.g. 20000 ohms) where grid current
occurs at approximately E el =0, thereby limiting the useful part of the loadline.
f««-% VOLTS
cmxn vocre-no
llaUHWEMORVOLT^-O
CONTROL-*
200 E(>
300
PLATE VOLTS.
With any value of screen voltage, and any value of load resistance, it is possible
to select a grid bias voltage which will give normal operation as an amplifier. With
load resistance of 0-1 megohm and above, pentodes give dynamic characteristics
which closely resemble the shape of triode dynamic characteristics with slightly
greater curvature at the lower end ; at the upper end, provided that the screen voltage
is not too low, the pentode has a curved portion where the triode runs into grid current.
The top bend of the pentode dynamic characteristic is often used in preference to
—
the bottom bend for plate detection see Chapter 27 Sect. l(ii)C.
For further information on resistance coupled pentode amplifiers, reference should
be made to Chapter 12 Sect. 3.
Fig. 2.23. Triode plate characteristics and loadlines with transformer-coupled load,
allowing for the resistance of the primary winding.
Fig. 2.24. Plate characteristics of typical remote cut-off pentode with fixed screen and
suppressor voltages.
Remote cut-off r-f pentodes are similar, except that the mutual characteristics are
curved, and the distortion is greater. Fig. 2.24 shows the plate characteristics of a
typical remote cut-off pentode, with b E =
250 volts. Two loadlines (AQB, A' Q' B')
have been drawn for grid bias voltages of —3 and —
12 volts respectively, with a slope
corresponding to a load resistance of 200 000 ohms, as for an i-f amplifier. This
application of the loadline is not entirely valid, although it gives some useful informa-
tion, since the tuned plate circuit acts as a " flywheel " to improve the linearity and
reduce the distortion. This is a case in which constant current curves could be
used with advantage. However, the ordinary plate characteristics at least indicate
the importance of a high Q
(high dynamic resistance) second i-f transformer if it
is desired to obtain high output voltages at even moderately high negative bias volt-
ages ; a steeper loadline would reach plate current cut-off at the high voltage peak.
6BA6
E b - 250 V.
i%. 2.25. P/<rt« current characteristic of remote cut-off pentode with " sliding screen."
The straight lines indicate the mutual conductances at several points.
resistor designed to provide the correct screen voltage for the normal (minimum bias)
The screen requires to be
operating condition. by-passed to the cathode.
The same method may be used with a sharp cut-off pentode to provide a longer
grid base. This does not make it possible to obtain the same results as with a pro-
perly designed remote cut-off pentode, although it does increase the maximum input
voltage which can be handled with a limited distortion. It is important to remember
that the extended plate current characteristic curve obtained by this method cannot
be used to determine the dynamic slope, since the latter is higher than would be cal-
culated from the characteristic. This is demonstrated in Fig. 2.25 which shows the
" sliding screen " plate cusrent characteristic, with straight lines drawn to indicate
the mutual conductance at several points.
The procedure for deriving the «* sliding screen " plate current characteris-
tic from the fixed voltage data is as follows
Let plate and screen current curves be available for screen voltages of 50, 75, 100
and 125 volts (Fig. 2.26) and take the case with a series screen resistor (/?,) of 250 000
ohms from a supply voltage of 300.
E» E*TO* let** Point At E
Point I*t
50V 250 V 10 mA A -01 E 3-7 mA
75 225 0-9 B -1-7 F 315
100 200 0-8 C -3-3 G 2-6
125 175 0-7 D -5-2 H 21
•The voltage drop in the screen resistance •- 300— Ect.
tDerived from the screen characteristics and transferred to the plate characteristics.
{Derived from the plate characteristics.
—
in Fig. 2.27 applies to the voltage between plate and cathode the total supply voltage
will be greater by the drop in the cathode resistor k. R
O
Through should be drawn a straight line OD, having a slope of 1/2? » ohms. —
The point P where OD intersects the curve corresponding to the plate-to-cathode
voltage (here 250 V) will be the static operating point, with a bias eX and plate —E
current I M .
In the case of pentodes, with equal plate and screen voltages, the " triode " mutual
characteristic should be used, if available. With the plate voltage higher than the
screen voltage, the triode mutual characteristic may be used as a fairly close approxi-
mation, provided that the triode curve selected is for a voltage the same as the screen
voltage.
Alternatively, pentodes may be treated as for triodes, except that the slope of OD
should be
_ 1 . />
R* It +I e3
where I b and I ci may be taken to a sufficient degree of accuracy as being the values
under published conditions. The plate current (/»') may then be read from the curve,
and the screen current calculated from the ratio of screen to plate currents.
For the use of cathode loadlines with resistance coupled triodes and pentodes,
refer to Chapter 12.
comtrol-ciuo vocr*
Fig. 2.26. Plate and screen current characteristics of pentode illustrating procedure
for deriving "sliding screen" characteristics.
Fig. 2.27. Triode mutual characteristics with cathode bias loadline OD.
For convenience in application, die horizontal and vertical scales should be the
same as in the valve characteristics to which the loadline is to be applied. For example,
if on the plate characteristics one square represents 1 mA in the vertical direction and
25 V in the horizontal direction, the same proportion should be maintained for the
elliptical loadline. Having drawn the ellipse for any convenient value of E , it may
be expanded or contracted in size, without changing its shape (that is the ratio of the
major to the minor axis when both are measured in inches).
Fig. 2.29. Resistive loadline (R )i inductive loadline (wL); and elliptical resultant
f
for RL in series with toL (dashed curve).
FJ = FG + FH. With similar procedure in the other three quadrants, the com-
bined loadline shown to be an ellipse CJADB which is tilted, or rotated in the
is
clockwise direction as compared with the original ellipse. The
maximum voltage
drop is greater than that across either R oxL alone, as would be expected.
L
;;
If an elliptical loadline is known, as for example the dashed ellipse of Fig. 2.29,
its seriescomponents may readily be determined. Mark points and B where the A
ellipse reaches its maximum and minimum current values, then draw the line AB
the slope of AB gives L . Mark R O
as the centre of the line AB ; draw hori- COD
zontally to cut the ellipse at points C and D.
Then mL = E,/I, ohms,
where E = voltage corresponding to length OD
and /» = current (in amperes) corresponding to max. vertical height of
ellipse above line COD.
Alternatively
r Length of horizontal chord of ellipse through O, in volts
Maximum vertical extent of ellipse, in amperes
(b) Resistance and inductance in parallel
When the load is a resistance R L in parallel with an inductive reactance <oL, the
maximum voltage across both will be EM and the resistive loadline and reactive ellipse
may be drawn as for the series connection. In this case,, however, the currents have
to be added. In Fig 2.30 the maximum current through R L is CK (corresponding
to +E ) 3 while the maximum current through L is OE. When the voltage is zero
and increasing, the current through R L is zero, and that through L is the
minimum value OP ; point P is therefore on the desired loadline. When
the voltage is its positive maximum (OC), the current through L is and R CK
that through L is zero ; point K
is therefore on the desired loadline. Simil-
arly with points E and M. At an intermediate value, when the voltage is negative
and approaching zero (OR), the current through L is RS, and that through L is R
RT j the total current is therefore RT + =
RS RW, and is on the desired loadline. W
The loadline is therefore the ellipse PKEMW.
'
' *»x.
- E
x^
^x. ' _—•""
^V./ .^-"^
^^^ —— — ""x
N
^^*x^S
^
K0x^ L x
xx
\
\X
NV
X.
^^\^ X \\
Fig. 2.30. Resistive loadline V ^""^^
\
V \
(R ; ); inductive loadline {solid jIA N * ^^ \
\
\
\
ellipse); and elliptical re- I
^"^ R\ ID
^
ct>
j X
1 I
X^
V^^ xV
^^/ |T^SM1
-ii*, %-
--- \s
I
7\
FIG. 2- 10 w
If an elliptical loadline is known, as for example the dashed ellipse of Fig. 2.30,
its parallel may readily be determined. Mark points K and
components where M
the ellipse reaches its maximum and minimum voltage values, then draw the line KM
the slope of KM gives R L Mark O as the centre of the line KM j draw EOP vertic-
.
TYPE «SN7
(EACH UNIT)
PLATE VOLTS
Fig. 2.31. Triode plate characteristics with elliptical loadlines corresponding to resistance
25 000 ohms in series with reactance of 18 000 ohms.
in each direction. The examples taken have all been based on an arbitrary current
(/«,) or voltage (E )> which may be made larger or smaller as desired. In Fig. 2.31
there is shown the elliptical loadline corresponding to a resistance of 25 000 ohms in
series with a reactance of 18 000 ohms, on triode plate characteristics with b 250 E =
volts, B e =
—10 volts and peak grid amplitude gm 8 volts. E =
TYPE 6V6-GT
EC2*2S0 VOLTS ^TPm. CP.C VOLTS E C |-g_
Fig. 2.32. Beam power amplifier plate characteristics with elliptical loadline corres-
ponding to a resistance of 4750 ohms in parallel with a reactance of 23 000 ohms.
Fig. 2.32 shows a typical beam power amplifier with an elliptical loadline with a
resistive load of 4750 ohms shunted by a reactance of 23 000 ohms. The plate volt-
age is 250 volts, grid bias —12-5 volts, and grid swing from to —25 volts.
34 (i) TRIODE OPERATION OF PENTODES 2.5
In
all applications of elliptical loadlines to characteristics, the shape of the ellipse
(i.e.the ratio of its major to its minor axis) and the slope of the major axis are deter-
mined solely by the nature of the load. The ellipse can be imagined as being slowly
blown up, like a balloon, until it just touches without cutting the two curves of extreme
voltage swing. If there is no distortion, the centre of the ellipse will coincide with
the quiescent working point, but in the general case the centre of the ellipse will be
slightly displaced.
which only approximately correct. Its accuracy is generally good enough for most
is
purposes, the error being within about 5% for most conditions.
— — — .
The assumption (or approximation) which must be made is That the plate current
of a pentode valve does not change as the plate voltage is increased from the same voltage
as that of the screen up to the voltage for pentode operation.
This assumption means, in essence, that the plate resistance is considered to be
infinite —a reasonable approximation for most r-f pentodes, and not seriously in
error for power pentodes and beam power valves.
In this typical example we can take the published characteristics, and assume that
the plate current and transconductance are the same for 100 as for 250 volts on the
plate. From then on the procedure is exactly as in the previous example. It is
important to note that the calculated triode characteristics only apply for a triode
plate voltage of 100 volts and a grid bias of —3 volts.
Example 3 : To find the screen transconductance under the conditions of Example 1
From eqn. (2) we may derive the expression
g.=gt~gm = 1482 -1185
— 297 micromhos.
This could equally well have been derived from eqn. (4) or (5).
For example, with type 6J7-G having a screen voltage of 100 volts,the grid bias
for cut-off is indicated on the data sheet as being —
7 volts approx. This is the normal
grid bias for complete plate current cut-off, but it is not very suitable for our purpose
since equation (6) is based on the assumption that the characteristic is straight, whereas
it is severely curved as it approaches cut-off. The preferable procedure is to refer
to the plate current-grid voltage characteristic, and to draw a straight line making a
—
tangent to the curve at the working point in this case with a screen voltage of 100
volts and grid bias —3 volts. When this is done, it will be seen that the tangent
cuts the zero plate current line at about —5 volts grid bias. If this figure is used,
as being much more accurate than the previous value of —7 volts, the triode amplifica-
tion factor will be
Ht = 100/5 - 20.
much the same result
Alternatively, if only the plate characteristics are available,
may be obtained by observing the grid bias for the lowest curve, which is generally
very close to plate current cut-off.
In the case of remote cut-off characteristics it is essential to adopt the tangent
method, and the result will only apply to the particular point of operation, since the
triode amplification factor varies along the curve.
The amplification factor of the screen grid in a pentode valve with respect to the
control grid is almost exactly the same as the triode. amplification factor.
The amplification factor of the plate of a pentode valve with respect to its screen
gridmay be calculated from the expression
/*«!•!> = Mm>02^a2-j> (7)
where **„.„ = pentode amplification factor
and n tS p — screen grid-plaie mu factor.
.
This expression can only be used when the pentode amplification factor is known.
If this is not published, it may be determined from a knowledge of the plate resistance
and mutual conductance. If the former is not published, it may be derived graphic-
ally ; this derivation is only very approximate in the case of sharp cut-off r-f pentodes,
since the characteristics are nearly horizontal straight lines.
36 (iii) TRIODE AMPLIFICATION FACTOR 2*
The same result may be obtained with pentodes, provided that both the grid and
screen voltages are varied in the same proportion as the plate voltage. This result
is the basis of Valve Conversion Factors, so that we must always remember that their
use is restricted to cases in which all the electrode voltages are changed in the same
proportion.
Let F, be the factor by which all the voltages are changed (i.e. grid, screen, and
plate),and let /»' be the new plate current.
Then /»' oc (F..F,)" 8 . (5)
We may therefore say that the power conversion factor F, is given by the expression
F„ = F..F t. (12)
Therefore F, = F, 8 '». (13)
The mutual conductance is given by
The example given below is a straightforward case of a pentode valve whose charac-
teristics are given for certain voltages and which it is desired to operate at a lower
plate voltage.
Plate and screen voltage 250 volts
Control grid voltage -15 volts
Plate current 30 mA
2.6 (ii) USE OF VALVE CONVERSION FACTORS 39
Screen current 6 mA
Mutual conductance 2,000 /umhos
Power Output 2-5 watts.
It is required to determine the optimum operating conditions for a plate voltage
of 200 volts.
The Voltage Conversion Factor (F„) = 200/250 = 0-8.
The new screen voltage will be 0-8 x 250 = 200 volts.
The new control grid voltage will be —(0-8 x 15) = — 12 volts.
Reference to the chart then gives the following :
Fig. 2.33. Zero bias plate characteristics for type 807 beam power amplifier with six
values of screen voltage (Ref. E2).
Greater accuracy in the use of conversion factors over a wide range of screen voltages
may be obtained, if curves are available for zero bias at a number of different screen
voltages as in Fig. 2.33 (Ref. E2)«
When the plate, screen, and grid voltages of a pentode or beam power amplifier
are multiplied by the same voltage conversion factor, the ratio of the plate current
at a given grid bias to that at zero bias does not change. In order to convert
a given
family of plate characteristics to a new screen voltage condition, it is therefore
only
necessary to have a zero-bias plate characteristic for the screen voltage of
interest.
E ;
Example
Suppose that the family of plate characteristics shown in Fig. 2.34, which obtains
for a screen voltage of 250 volts, is to be converted for a screen voltage of 300 volts.
The zero-bias plate characteristic for eZ E =300 volts, which is shown in Fig. 2.33,
is replotted as the upper curve in Fig. 2.35.
Since all bias values shown in Fig. 2.34 must be multiplied by 300/250 — 1-2,
corresponding plate characteristics for the new family obtain for bias values that are
20 per cent, higher than those shown in Fig. 2.34. Consider the conversion of
— 10-volt characteristic of Fig. 2.34. At a plate voltage ( b > of 250 volts in Fig. 2.34,
AB/AC = 100/187 =0-535. On the new characteristic in Fig. 2.35 which corres-
ponds to a bias of —12 volts, A'B'/A'C' must also equal 0-535 at E =
b 300 volts.
Therefore, AT5' = 0-535 x A'C. From
the given zero-bias characteristic of Fig.
2.35, A'C =244at£» =
300 volts ; hence A'B' =
131 milliamperes. At E b 200 =
volts in Fig. 2.34 DE/DF =
98/183 =
0-535. Therefore, at E b =
200 x 1-2 -
240 volts in Fig. 2.35, D'E' = 0-535 x 238 =
127 milliamperes. This process
is repeated for a number of plate voltages and a smooth curve is drawn through the
points on the new characteristic.
Plate characteristics for type 807 toith fixed screen voltage and eight
values
Fig. 2.34.
of grid voltage (Ref. E2).
The factor 0-535 can be used for the -10-volt characteristic at plate voltages
greater than that at which the knee on the zero-bias characteristic of Fig. 2.34 occurs
for plate voltages in the immediate region of the knee,
a new factor should be deter-
should not be converted
mined for each point. The plate characteristics of Fig. 2.34
of space-charge effects. This
to the left of the dashed line of Fig. 2.34 because
region over which the valve
limitation is not a serious one, however, because the
converted with sufficient accuracy for most applications. The
usually operates can be
plate characteristic of Fig. 2.35 for E el =
converted
-30 volts was obtained in a
similarmanner to that for E el — 12 volts.
=
conditions by means of a
Thecurves of Fig. 2.35 were checked under dynamic
and the dotted portions show regions where measured results de-
cathode-ray tube
parted from calculated results.
bias or load resistance. It is proposed to describe the effects which these changes
will have on the other characteristics of the valve.
The procedure to be adopted is summarized below :
FIG. 2.35
Fig. 2.35. Derived plate characteristics far type 807 with different screen voltage,
making use of Figs. 2.33 and 2.34 with conversion factors (Ref. E2).
resistance.
value of screen voltage, use the method in (iv) below to obtain the characteristics
for a plate voltage such that, when conversion factors are applied, the plate voltage
is the desired value. For example, if curves and characteristics are available for
plate and screen voltages of 250 volts, and it is desired to determine the characteristics
for a plate voltage of 360 volts and screen voltage of 300 volts : firstly determine the
characteristics for a plate voltage of 300 and screen voltage of 250 ; then apply voltage
42 (iv) EFFECT OF CHANGES IN OPERATING CONDITIONS 2.6
conversion factors of 1-2 to the plate, screen and grid voltages so as to provide the
desired conditions.
If curves are available for the new value of screen voltage, use conversion factors
to bring'the screen voltage to the desired value, then apply the method below to adjust
the plate voltage, load resistance and grid bias.
In many cases the plate characteristic curves are available, and the change in plate
current may be read from the curves.
Fig. 2.36. Plate characteristics of power pentode illustrating effect of change of plate
voltage.
Since the power output is proportional to the area of the triangle under the loadline,
it is also proportional to the value of the load resistance, all triangles having as a ML
common side. It may readily be shown that
R, = Ebx — E m i„
* max » 61
= EbS — Emi*
and R/ ~~
* mam '.**
Therefore
RL _ E„ -h (17)
**61 -C min * max
which is also the ratio of the output powers, If /», In or the rise of plate current
is neglected as an approximation, then
Rl' _* (18)
R> Em — Em
As an example, apply this to type 6V6-GT under the following conditions-
Published Desired
Condition Condition
Plate voltage 250 300 V
Screen voltage 250 250 V
Grid voltage -12-5 -12-5 V
Load resistance 5000 (see below) ohms
Plate current (J M) 47 48* mA
Peak plate current (/„,<,*) 90* 90* mA
Min. plate current (l mi j 8* 8* mA
Min. plate voltage (.E min) 35 35 V
From
Power output
curve.
4-5 (see below) W
Using equation (17)-
300 - 35 90 - 47 265 43
-= 1™
1-26
Rr 250-35 90-48 215
whence RL = '
l ; 26*x 5000 = 6300 ohms.
The increase of power output is in proportion to the increase in load resistance,
i.e. Pa = 4-5 x 1-26 =
5-66 watts.
This method remarkably accurate when there is very small rectification in the
is
plate circuit, as usually the case with power pentodes. With beam power amplifiers
is
of the 6L6 and 807 class, in which the rectification is considerable (strong second
harmonic component), the " corrected " loadline should be used as a basis, and the
values of I maaa I ol and E
min should be those corresponding to the corrected loadline.
If the rise in plate current {Lib) is considerable, the point P' will be above the
centre point of the loadline MH,
and there will be an appreciable amount of second
harmonic distortion j this may be reduced to zero (if desired) by increasing the load
resistance slightly.
For further information on resistance coupled valves, see Chapter 12, Sects. 2 and 3.
•The voltage gain is also affected by the plate resistance, but this is quite a secondary effect unless
the plate resistance is less than 0.5 megohm. In most remote cut-off pentodes the plate resistance falls
rapidly as the bias is decreased towards the minimum bias, but this is more than counterbalanced by the
rise in mutual conductance.
2.7 (i) CONSTANT VOLTAGE EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT 45
Valve vectors.
Much useful information can be derived from an equivalent circuit of a valve, even
though this may only be valid under limited conditions. The equivalent circuit is
only a convenient fiction, and it must be remembered that it is the plate supply which,
—
in reality, supplies the power the valve merely controls the current by its varying
d.c. plate resistance. The equivalent circuit is merely a device to produce in the-
load the same a.c. currents and voltages which are produced by the valve when alter-
nating voltages are applied to its grid.
GK and the load Z , . The input voltage E„ is shown by the signs to be such that ±
respect to the cathode)
the grid is instantaneously positive, and the plate negative (with
grid
at the same instant. It is assumed that the grid is biased sufficiently to prevent
current flow. _
The current J, flowing through the load Z L produces across the load a voltage E L
E " " pB,
which is of opposite sign to t . It will be noted that the fictitious voltage
is opposite in sign to E,y although m is positive ; this
apparent inversion is a conse-
quence of treating the valve as an a.c. generator.
In the simplest case, Z L is a resistance L. R We
can then derive the following
relationships /1S
MRj
and -li- = voltage gain = — (3)
E„ '" "' " + RL r9
If die load is made up of a resistor R L and an inductor X L
in series—
Complex Values Scalar Values
Zl = _ _ VR r
*+ X L* (4)
,iE„ = +R, 4-
(r, 4- fl L iXA /-
+jXj)I, V(r»,
V(r R r)* + X
+ R£>* *iL \1 V (5)
E± = _ (6)
E. + Rl+J*l
and similarly for any other type of load.
;
The interelectrode capacitances are shown in the equivalent circuit of Fig. 2.38,
and may be taken as including the stray circuit capacitances. This circuit may be
applied at frequencies up to nearly 10 Mc/s, beyond which the inductances of the
leads and electrodes become appreciable. It may also be applied to a screen grid
(tetrode) tpentode, provided that the screen is completely by-passed to the cathode
in this case C
gk becomes the input capacitance (C gl . k +C
gl tt) and. C
pk becomes
the output capacitance (C„ to all other electrodes).
In the constant voltage generator equivalent circuit, the current varies with load
impedance and plate resistance ; in the constant current equivalent circuit, the voltage
across the load and plate resistance varies with load impedance and plate resistance.
A constant current generator equivalent circuit, in which account is taken of
capacitances, is shown in Fig. 2.40. This circuit may be applied at frequencies
up to nearly 10 Mc/s, beyond which the inductances of the leads become appreciable.
It will be seen that C Pk (which may be taken to include all capacitances from plate
to cathode, and the output capacitance of a pentode) is shunted across both r, and Z L .
each capacitance is split into an electrode part and a circuit part (Ref. B21 Fig. 38)
the circuit is too complicated for analysis, and the new circuit elements that have
been introduced cannot be measured directly from the external terminals alone.
At frequencies above about 50 Mc/s, transit time effects also become appreciable.
The circuit which is commonly used for frequencies above 50 Mc/s is Fig. 2.47 in
which the valve is treated as a four terminal network with two input and two output
terminals. This is described in Sect. 8(iii)e.
Each case must be considered individually and the vectors drawn to accord with
the conditions. The only general rule is that E„ and \>.E 9 are always either in phase
or of opposite phase.
Fig. 2.42 shows the vector diagram (drawn with respect to the cathode) of an
amplifying valve with a resistance load and a.c. grid excitation. Commencing with
the grid-to-cathode voltage Egt the vector p.E t is drawn in the same direction but is
H times as large. The output voltage E L is also in the same direction as /*£„, but
smaller by the value 7>„. All of these voltages are with respect to the cathode and
the centre-point of the vector diagram has accordingly been marked K. The a.c.
component of the plate current (/„) is in phase with E L , since E L is the voltage drop
which it produces in The grid-to-plate voltage E, is the sum of E L and E,
RL .
?>«-
TTTTJ. ~\ *
^ > Id S E K E9 Ip EL Ec M E<
//
i 1 —XI— •
-v
In r»
'
FIG. 2.42
FIG. 2- 4*
FIG. 2-44
When the equivalent circuit includes more than one mesh, it is usual to proceed
around each mesh in turn, using some impedance, common to both, as the link
between each pair of meshes. For example Fig. 2.43 shows a valve with a capacitor
C tv from grid to plate, and a resistive load. Firstly, set down E L in any convenient
direction (here taken horizontally to the right) and I L in the same direction ; then
draw /„ leading by approximately 90° (actually /„ leads E e by 90°) and complete the
parellelogram to find the resultant current Ip j then draw Ipr p in the same direction
as /, and complete the parallelogram to find the resultant nE„—this completes the
first mesh. Finally take E 9 along nE„ and complete the parallelogram to find the
resultant of E, and E L> which will be E e .
—
If the load is partially inductive (Fig. 2.44) the plate current and Ijr 9 lag
behind
E, and the resultant nE 9 is determined by the parallelogram ; E, and L combine E
to give the resultant E
t ; I e leads E
e by 90°, and I L is
determined by completing
the parallelogram of which J e is one side and /„ the resultant.
FIG. 2-45
Fig. 2.45. Vector diagram of valve with partially capacitive load and capacitance
from grid to plate.
With a partially capacitive load (Fig. 2.45) the plate current and Ijr v lead L, and E
die resultant /*£, is determined by the parallelogram ; g and E E
L combine to give
E
the resultant e ; I e leads E„ by 90°, and I L is determined by completing the parallelo-
gram of which I e is one side and I p the resultant.
capacitance coupling ; (c) with grid-screen capacitance coupling ; (d) with electron transit
time ;" (e) equivalent circuit based on admittances (iv) Typical values of short-circuit
input conductance (t>> Change of short-circuit-input capacitance with transconductance
(vi) Grid-cathode capacitance (vii) Input capacitances of pentodes (published values)
(viii) Grid-plate capacitance.
B - X " B,
(2)
gS + B„*
Y, -g, +JB„ =• 1/Z. (3)
Similar relationships hold for other electrodes.
out calculations with admittances, even though the resultant
It is usual to carry
may then have be changed to the form of an impedance. With a number of con-
to
ductances (or susceptances) in parallel, the total conductance (or susceptance) is found
by adding all together, with due regard to positive and negative quantities :
1. The static (cold) capacitance (C<) from the grid to all other electrodes, except
the plate.
For a pentode, C, = <?„,.* +C ttl . gt (13)
For a mode, C, = C„*. (14)
2. The very slight increase in capacitance caused by thermal expansion of the
cathode (0*1 to 0-6 /x/xF for the majority of r-f pentodes).
3. The increase in capacitance caused by the space charge and by conduction
(0-5 to 2-4 ft/*F for r-f pentodes).
4. Coupling between the grid and any other electrode presenting an impedance
to the input frequency ; this holds both with capacitive and inductive reactance
(Miller Effect—see below).
5. Transit time of the electrons between cathode and grid (at very high frequencies
only).
References to change of input capacitance : B13, B15, B16, B17, CI, C4, C5.
The measurement of interelectrode capacitances is covered in Chapter 3 Sect. 3(ii)g,
together with some general comments and a list of references to their significance
and measurement.
C. =C 1 + (19)
t
L G,» + BS]
When B £ is infinite, i.e. when Z L = 0, jR„ is infinite and C„ = C a „.
When the loadinductive, the input resistance is usually negative, thus tending
is
to become regenerative, although for values of L between B
and
-B ev <g 9 + G L + g m)/g m ,
the input resistance is positive.
When the load is capacitive, the input resistance is always positive, thus causing
degeneration.
As an approximation, if a „ •< g m and B
„ << (g P B + Gj), the positive and negative
m inimum values of r Q are given by
-OB+ OBt
• 8- ©B-
FIG.2>46A. FIG.2-46B.
Fig. 2.46. Conditions for deriving input admittance (A) with plate-grid capacitance
coupling (B) general case including cathode circuit impedance.
(21)
which occurs at B L = — B 9P This is the well known " Miller Effect " [see Chapter
.
12 Sect. 2(xi) for a-f amplifiers]. The effect on the tuning of r-f amplifiers is treated
in Chapter 23 Sect. 5, and on i-f amplifiers in Chapter 26 Sect. 7.
In the circuit of Fig. 2.46B, which includes an impedance Z k in the cathode circuit,
with the screen decoupled to the cathode, the input resistance is given approximately by
'
g„ gJB BPB L |_
G*" + *** J
where B,„ and g p are neglected in comparison with the other components, and
(B LGie — B*G j) is very small. Thus the reflected resistance is increased, and the
damping decreased, as the result of the insertion of Z k .
c, (25)
G '+B L L
* (G L « + B L *) [(G + gd % + B k *} J
fc
24 (iii) THE COMPONENTS OF GRID ADMITTANCE 53
gJB^LiGS + Btf-B.tBAGS+BL*)}
'
K
n ~~r T~ '
C x
/when B, is capadtive (32)
ggl'9% Gg\.gl
The input resistance may be made infinite by making
Cgi.gJCg k — L k /L $ (33)
T*i0f K9i
ut±
FIG. 2-47
Vb««.
Fig. 2.47. Alternative form of equivalent circuit for deriving input admittance
Added current at input terminals due to presence of load = e^A Y> 6 . (351
2.8 (iv) TYPICAL VALUES OF INPUT CONDUCTANCE 55
Phase angle of added component = phase angle of voltage gain + phase angle
of feedback admittance. (36)
Grid input admittance (Y 9) = Y fn + AYfb
= Y *» + v '" */V
yL
< 37 >
'»»<
See also Ref. B21.
The measurement of the four short-circuit admittances is covered in Chapter 3
Sect. 3(vi) A, B, C and D and also Refs. B17, B21.
(i) General
Valve characteristics may be represented mathematically as well as graphically
(see Chapter 6 for mathematical theory).
The plate (or space) current is a function (F) of the plate and grid voltages and may
be expressed exactly as
i» = F (e +b ne e + e t) (1)
where e x is the equivalent voltage which would produce the same effect on the plate
current as the combined effects of the initial electron velocity of emission together
with the contact potentials. The amplification factor /* is not necessarily constant.
There will be a small current flow due to e x when e b and e e are both zero..
As an approximation, when e b and pe e are large, ex may be neglected. The func-
tion in eqn. (1) may also be expressed approximately in the form
K(e tte
n
ih & b + c) (2)
in which K
a constant. The value of n varies from about 1-5 to 2-5 over the usual
is
operating range of electrode voltages, but is often assumed to be 1-5 (e.g. Conversion
Factors) over the region of nearly-straight characteristics, and 20 in the region of
the bottom bend (e.g. detection). We may take the total differential* of eqn. (2),
If is is held constant,
—
r„
de b + g m de t
=- 0,
The
treatment so far has been on the basis of the total instantaneous voltages and
currents, e b , e e} i b ; it is now necessary to distinguish more precisely between the
steady (d.c.) and varying (signal) voltages and currents.
B.D.H. —
58 (i) GENERAL MATHEMATICAL RELATIONSHIPS 2.9
In norma! operation each of the voltages and currents is made up of a steady and
a varying component
i»
»» =
— I b0
bo + it *'»
= E b0 + «j
I
eb (7)
ec = E ee + e }
Eqn. (4) may therefore be extended in the form
d(J b0 + i,) =— d(E bo + e 9) + g md(E ee + e a ).
But the differentials of constants are zero, and the relation between rhe varying com-
ponents may be expressed in the form
»V = - + ir*e* W
or i, = e
> + *» •
(9)
rP
This only holds under the condition that /*, g m and r p are constant over the operating
region.
*»
-_ -»„ R L + /*gq
lie,
U + Rl
which is a fundamentally important relation but which holds only -in the region where
/ij £ m and r, are constant.
Substituting —
e L (eqn. 14) in place of e„ in equation (9) we obtain, for the valve
alone,
*J*l\ - pR:
A = (19)
rP +R i
A = /A (21)
V(r, + R L) + Xl*
%
The voltage gain may also be put into the alternative form
r„Z,
A = 8m £2)
g mZ L \ if r v > Zv (23)
2ir 1 2n 1
2n
I bo *R Ld(<ot) + 2„ 2I„j vR Ld(«>t) + ^ i 1) «*i*-t) (27)
o .
= I b0 *R L + + Pae
i.e.P L ~ P de + Pae (28)
2ir
where P ae = 2n
r- i 9 *R Ld(mt) (29)
r2ir
Plate dissipation P, = =- c 4 t 6 rf(<of; (30)
From eqns. (28) and (29) it will be seen that the power absorbed by the load increases
when the signal voltage increases, but the power input remains steady ; the plate
dissipation therefore decreases as the power output increases,
i.e. P, = P *-P L
t (3D
from (26), (28) = E bb I b0 - E Lt I b0 - P ae (32;
= H bui b0 "««
= P*o ~ Pae (33)
where Pv0 = E h0 I b0 .
That is to say, the plate dissipation (/>„) is equal to the apparent d.c. power input
to the valve (P„„) minus the a.c. power output.
_- . _ .
= power output
The plate efficiency ij
p
d.c. power input
" ae
(34)
E bu I bo
Pae
rae = SE t *R L
(r, + R L)*
m
Differentiating with respect to R L and equating to zero in order to find the condition
for maximum power output,
or when R^ (37)
and the maximum power output is
:
= =
Paem
T~ Wm
^7power (38)
JTae
_ ^g,» •
1
L r„ R
R
If Jr 9 =
2, the loss of power below the maximum is only 11%, while if
L /r „ R = 4
the loss of power is 36%, so that " matching " of the load is not at all critical.
The treatment above is correct for both triodes and pentodes provided that both
are operated completely within the linear region, that is with limited grid swing. A
pentode is normally operated with a load resistance much less than the plate resistance
on account of the flattening of the output voltage characteristic which would other-
wise occur at low plate voltages.
This subject is considered further in Chapter 13, under practical instead of under
ideal conditions.
+ RL
r„
= - -J*i dIl
a, **
(43)}
2(r„ + Rj)*
K
de b
«r*+R# [
(2r
» - «*>&)- r > (r * + **> 5*] (44)
If m is assumed to be constant (this is only approximately true for triodes and not
for pentodes)
e — eg + —
/*
^ ?•
v^S"and h " TUXPJy and Applications of Electron Tubes " (2nd edit.). McGraw-Hill, New
York London, 1944), pp. 74-77.
/ / /
The first term a^e — fie/(r P + Rj) is similar to eqn. (16) above, which was re-
garded as approximately correct for small voltage inputs ; that is to say for negligible
distortion.
The second and higher terms are associated with the production of components
of alternating plate current having frequencies differing from that of the applied
signal— i.e. harmonics and (if more than one signal frequency is applied) intermodula-
tion frequencies.
In the case of an A-M mixer valve,/a may be the signal frequency and/x the oscillator
frequency. The normal i-f output frequency is (/i —
/s) while there are spurious
output frequencies of (/, +/,), (2/j +f&
(2/s +/i), (2/t -/*) and (2/, -/,).
Even though no oscillator harmonics are injected into the mixer, components with
frequencies (2/, +
/») and (2/x —
/*) are present in the output, thus demonstrating
mixing at a harmonic of the oscillator frequency.
If the input voltage contains more than two frequencies, or if the terms higher
than the third are appreciable, there will be greater numbers of frequencies in the
output. The effect of this on distortion is treated in Chapter 14.
L
/„ = —£%-
%+Z
•
(49)
This is the same as eqn. (16), except that R L has been replaced by Z L .
This is the basis of the Equivalent Plate Circuit Theorem which states J "that
the a.c. components of the currents and voltages in the plate (load) circuit
of a valve may be determined from an equivalent plate circuit in one of two forms
(1) a fictitious constant-voltage generator (pE a) in series with the plate resistance
of the valve, or
(2) a fictitious constant-current generator (/ gm&g) hi parallel with the plate =
resistance of the valve.
These are applied in Sect. 7 of this chapter.
If a distortionless Class A
amplifier or its equivalent circuit is excited with an alter-
nating grid voltage, the a.c. power in the load resistor R L (i.e. the output power) is
The d.c. input from the plate supply to the valve and load (in the actual case) is
P»b — I bo Ebb- Under ideal Class Ax conditions the d.c. current /»» remains con-
stant, since the a.c. current is symmetrical and has no d.c. component.
Now the a.c. power input from the generator is
P, = tiE t I p (50)
But /, = ,
**'
The a.c. power Pa can only come from the d.c. power P„ dissipated in the valve,
which decreases to the lower value P v when the grid is excited.
The total plate dissipation (P„) is therefore
P» = P,o -P.+ r,I9 *
(52)
where P p0 = d.c. plate dissipation.
This may be put into the form
"p ==
" vo v* a ^rv )
= P„ ~ Pac (53)
where P ae = R LIv* = (P — t r^J**) == a.c. power output.
Llewellyn, F. B. Bell System Technical Journal, 5 (1926) 433.
such as Reich, H. J. ** Theory and Application of Electron Tubes," p. 75.
Ifor a completely general definition see Reich, H. J. Getter) " The equivalent piate circuit theorem,"
Proc. I.R.E. 33.2 (Feb., 1945) 136.
64 (vi) EQUIVALENT PLATE CIRCUIT THEOREM 2.0
The statement may therefore be made, that the plate dissipation is equal to the d.c.
plate dissipation minus the a.c. power output.
A more general statement covering all types of valve amplifiers and oscillators is
that the plate input power is equal to the plate dissipation plus the power output.
This analysis, based on the equivalent plate circuit, reaches a conclusion in eqn. (46)
which is identical with eqn. (33) derived from a direct mathematical approach. It is,
however, helpful in clarifying the conditions of operation of a distortionless Class A t
amplifier.
The preceding treatment only applies to amplifiers (e e„ in eqn. 41), but it =
may be extended to cover cases where the load impedance contains other e.m.f's,
—
by using the principle of superposition see Chapter 4 Sect. 7(viii).
It is possible to adopt a somewhat similar procedure to develop the Equivalent
Grid Circuit, or that for any other electrode in a multi-electrode valve.
ing the relationship between two of the variables in systems of three variables, when
the third is held constant.
dv "
" -^ dv
is equivalent to " -f (z constant)
" when there are three variables, x, y
ox dx
and z. Partial differentials are therefore particularly valuable in representing valve
coefficients.
Let e p = a.c. component of plate voltage,
et = a.c. component of grid voltage,
and i, = a.c. component of plate current.
(These may also be used with screen-grid or pentode valves provided that the screen
voltage is maintained constant, and is completely by-passed for. a.c).
•Reich, H. J. " Theory and application of electron tubes " (2nd edit.), p. 99.
"
t Llewellyn, F. B. and L. C. Peterson Vacuum tube networks," Proc. I.R.B. 32.3 (March, 1944),
144.
2.9 (ix) VALVE COEFFICIENTS AS PARTIAL DIFFERENTIALS 65
—
Then /* = — de
OB
=-? (i„ = constant), (55)
de~
di v /de g
more completely
,
or
^ di P /de p
de
rp = + de,
_* («„ = constant), (57)
or more correctly* +
fHJde.,
and R L = - del
?i (»>
Particular care should be taken with the signs in all cases, since otherwise serious
errors may be introduced in certain calculations.
With pentodes at low plate currents, the maximum gain is obtained when the screen
voltage is as low as is permissible without resulting in the flow of positive grid current.
Reference A12 pp. 414-418.
the
Ma a complex
phase anglebetween
quantity which represents not only the numerical value of the stage gain but also
the input and output voltages. The vertical bars situated
one on each side
of A and its equivalent indicate that the numerical value only is being considered.
66 REFERENCES 2.10
SECTION 10 : REFERENCES
(A) The following text books will be found helpful for general reading :
Al. Reich, H. J. " Theory and Applications of Electron Tubes." (McGraw-Hill Book Company,
New York and London, 2nd edit. 1944) Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 : Appendix pp. 671-673.
A2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology " Applied Electronics " (John Wiley and Sons, New York
Chapman and Hall, London, 1943) Chapters 4, 8, 12.
A3. " (Chapman
Sturley, K. R. " Radio Receiver Design *' (Chaj and Hall, London, 1943 and 1945) Part 1,
Chapter 2 ; Part 2, Chapters 9, 10.
A4. Everitt, W. L. "Communication Engineering" (McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York
and London, 2nd edit. 1937) Chapters 12, 13, 14, 15.
A5. Chaffee, E. L. " Theory of Thermionic Vacuum Tubes " (McGraw-Hill Book Company, New
York and London, 1933) Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 15, 19, 20, 21, 23.
A6. Terman, F. E. " Radio Engineering " (McGraw-Hill Book Company, ' New York and London
3rd edit. 1947).
A7. Terman, F. E. " Radio Engineers' Handbook " (McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York and
London, 1943) Sections 4, 5, 7.
A8. Everitt, W. L. (Editor) " Fundamentals of Radio " (Prentice-Hall Inc. New York, 1943) Chapters
4, 7.
A9. Henney, K. (Editor) " The Radio Engineering Handbook " (McGraw-Hill Book Company, New
York and London 3rd edit. 1941) Section 8.
A10. Albert, A. L. "Fundamental Electronics and Vacuum Tubes" (Macmillan Company, New
York, 1938) Chapters 4, 5, 6, 12.
All. Preisman, A. "Graphical Constructions for Vacuum Tube Circuits" (McGraw-Hill Book
Company, New York and London, 1943).
A12. Valley, G. E., & H. Wallman. "Vacuum Tube Amplifiers" (M.I.T. Radiation Laboratory
Series, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York and London, 1948).
(B) GENERAL
Bl. Chaffee, E. L. " Variational characteristics of triodes " (Book " Theory of Thermionic Vacuum
Tubes " p. 164 Sect. 79). .
No. 75 (May 28, 1937).
—
B2. R.C.A. "Application Note on receiver design: Battery operated receivers" (grid blocking)
'
B3. Jonker, J. L. H. " Pentode and tetrode output valves " Philips Tec. Com. 75 (July, 1940).
B4. Application of sliding screen-grid voltage to variable-mu tubes " Philips Tec. Com. 81 (April
1941).
B5. Chaffee, E. L. " Characteristic Curves of Triodes " Proc. I.R.E. 30.8 (Aug. 1942) 383—gives
method for obtaining static characteristic curves from one experimental curve.
B6. Thompson, B. J. " Space current flow in vacuum tube structures " Proc. I.R.E. 31.9 (Sept.
1943) 485.
B7. Pockman, L. T. " The dependence of inter-electrode capacitance on shielding " Proc. I.R.E.
32.2 (Feb. 1944) 91.
B8. Zabel.L.W. " Grid-current characteristics of typical tubes "Elect. 17.10 (Oct. 1944)236. (Curves
of 6J5, 6SJ7-GT, 6K6-G triode, 6V6-GT triode, 38).
B9. Thurston, J. N. " Determination of the quiescent operating point of amplifiers employing cathode
bias " Proc. I.R.E. 33.2 (Feb. 1945) 135.
B10. Radio Design Worksheet No. 49 " Perveance " Radio (June 1946) 29.
Bll. Haefner, S. J. " Dynamic characteristics of pentodes " Conun. 26.7 (July 1946) 14.
B12. Warner, J. C, & A. V. Loughren. " The output characteristics of amplifier tubes " Proc. I.R.E.
14.6 (Dec. 1926) 735.
B13. Zepler, E. E. " Triode interelectrode capacitances " W.E. 26.305 (Feb. 1949) 53.
B14. Puilen, K. A. " The use of G
curves in the analysis of electron-tube circuits " Proc. I.R.E. 37.2
(Feb. 1949) 210.
Puilen, K. A. " G
curves in tube circuit design " Tele-Tech. 8.7 (July 1949) 34 ; 8.8 (Aug. 1949)
33.
B15. Jones, T. I. " The dependence of the inter-electrode capacitances of valves upon the working
conditions" Jour. I.E.E. 81 (1937) 658.
—
B16. Humphreys, B. L„ & B. G. James. " Interelectrode capacitance of valves change with operating
conditions '» W.E. 26.304 (Tan. 1949) 26.
B17. R.C.A. " Application Note on input admittance of receiving tubes " No. 118 (April 15, 1947).
B18. R.C.A Application Note " Use of miniature tubes in stagger-tuned video intermediate frequency
systems " No. 126 (Dec. 15, 1947). Reprinted in Radiotronics No. 134.
B19. R.C.A. Application Note " A tube complement for ac/dc AM/FM
receivers " (Tan. 2, 1948).
B20. R.C.A. Application Note " Use of sharp cut-off miniature pentode RCA-6CB6 in television re-
ceivers " No. 143 (March 31, 1950).
—
B21. " Standards on electron tubes methods of testing 1950 " Proc. I.R.E. Part 1 38.8 (Aug. 1950)
Part 2 38.9 (Sept. 1950).
B22. Puilen, K. A. " Use of conductance, or G, curves for pentode circuit design Tele-Tech. 9.11
(Nov. 1950) 38.
Additional references will be found in the Supplement commencing on page 1475.
"
C5. Hudson/P. K. " Input admittance of vacuum tubess Comm. 23.8 (Aug. 1943) 54.
C6. R.C.A. " Application Note on use of miniature tubes in stagger-tuned video intermediate-frequency
systems " No. 126 (Dec. 15, 1947). . j . _, . „ „ m __
C7. Zepler, E. E., & S. S. Srivastava "Interelectrode impedances in modes and pentodes" W.E. 28.332
(May 1951) 146. , _,
See also B17, B18, B19, B20, B21 and Chapter 23 Sect. 5.
2.10 REFERENCES 67
F8. Stockman, H. " Signs of voltages and currents in vacuum tube circuits " Comm. 24.2 (Feb. 1944)
32.
F9. Llewellyn, F. B., & L. C. Peterson. " Vacuum tube networks " Proc. I.R.E. 32.3 (March, 1944)
144.
F10. Butler, F. " CaJiode coupled oscillators " W.E. 21.254 (Nov., 1944) 521 (includes equivalent
circuits all major arrangements).
Fll. Wheeler, H. A. "Equivalent triode networks " Elect. 18.3 (Mar., 1945) 304.
F12. Walker, G. B. " Theory of the equivalent diode " W.E. 24.280 (Jan. 1947) 5 ; Letter W. E.
Benham24.281 (Feb. 1947) 62. , „
J. I.. H., & B. D. H. Tellegen.
F13. Jonker, " The current to a positive grid in electron tubes
(i) current resulting from electrons flowing directly from cathode to grid j (ii) returning elec-
The
trons, Philips Research Reports 1.1 (Oct. 1945) 13.
F14. Salzberg, B. (letter) " Valve equivalent circuit " W.E. 24.283 (April 1947) 124 ; also G.W.O.H.
(editorial) p. 97.
F15. Keen, A. W. (letter) " Valve equivalent circuit," W.E. 24.286 (July 1947) 217.
F16. Salzberg, B. (letter) " Valve equivalent circuit," W.E. 24.286 (Jury 1947) 218.
See also (H) below.
reduced grid current tubes" Rev. Sci. lnstr. 18.1 (Jan. 1947) 18.
H2. Crawford, K. D. E. " H.F. Pentodes in electrometer circuits " Electronic Eng. 20.245 .'July
1948) 227.
CHAPTER 3
Section Page
1 Basis of testing practice 68
2. Control of characteristics during manufacture 85
6. References 125
(a) Mounting.
(b) Ventilation.
(c) Heater-cathode insulation.
(d) Control grid circuit resistance.
(e) Operation at low screen voltages.
m Microphony.
Or) Hum.
(h) Stand-by operation.
Senior Engineer, in charge of Quality Control and Valve Application Laboratory^ Amalgamated
Wireless Valve Co. Pty. Ltd.
68
3.1 (i) FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES 69
<& G \(e
<««
j_
ei + tl)
«i) + —^- + —
~^~
Mi- »
—+
-^-
Mi- 8
.
• .
• .
•
—
+ -P-\
Mi- » J
(1)
3.1 (ii) BASIC FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS 71
electrodes, with the cathode emitting, are termed " static characteristics ". These
characteristics consist of
(a) the voltage-current relationship for each electrode, when constant voltages are
applied to all remaining electrodes,
e.g., Diode, — -E
/«, b,
Triode, —I —E
b b, is « constant
I n — Ecu E b constant
and similarly in the case of other types.
tb) the mutual voltage-current relationships between electrodes, when constant
voltages are applied to all electrodes except the voltage-varying electrode,
e.g., Triode, — I —E b E constant
Pentode, —I — E b
el
e,
b
E E E constant
b, ca , eS
I ca ~ E ti E E e8 E ct constant
b3 ,
Ia — En E E E constant
bi t 8, c2
and similarly in the case of other types.
—
Derived Characteristic Parameters By considering infinitesimal changes of
voltage and current of the static characteristics, described under (a) and (b) above, the
characteristic parameters —
amplification factor, transconductance and variational plate
resistance are obtained, which are related as follows,
„, .
Transconductance = —
Amplification Factor
= =
Plate Resistance
:
—
Dynamic Characteristics By superimposing alternating voltages on the direct
voltage(s) of the control electrode(s), with suitable impedances in series with the
output electrode(s), dynamic characteristics are obtained which depend directly on
the static characteristics and characteristic parameters. These dynamic characteristics
include rectification, frequency conversion, voltage and power gain, oscillation, and
impedance transformation characteristics.
The static characteristics, characteristic parameters and the fundamental properties
previously described comprise the basic mechanical and electrical characteristics,
which determine the serviceability and application of a valve and its performance under
given conditions.
In order to appreciate the significance and limitations of the various tests, which
normally are applied to determine the condition of a valve and the probability that it
will continue to operate satisfactorily, the performances and individual tests must be
properly interpreted in terms of all the relevant characteristics and corresponding
fundamental physical properties. The manner and extent of the dependence and inter-
dependence of the various characteristics and fundamental physical properties must also
be recognized and understood.
3.1 (ii) BASIC FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS 73
Notwithstanding the ratings shown against each type, the actual ratings of an indi-
vidual type depend entirely on its intended applications and may not include all those
listed. The absence of a rating for a particular characteristic may be taken to indicate
either that it has not previously been necessary to specify a rating for this characteristic,
or that the type in question was not intended originally for this application and has not
been processed accordingly. In the latter case, operation may not be satisfactory, and
reference should be made to the valve manufacturer for specific information.
(C) Rating systems
—
Valves are rated by either of two systems the " absolute maximum " system, or the
" design-centre maximum " system. The absolute maximum system originated in the
early days of valve development and was based on the voltage characteristics of battery
supplies. Battery voltages could fall below their nominal values but seldom appreciably
exceeded them, so that valve maximum ratings set on the basis of specified battery
voltages were absolute maximum ratings. This system is still widely used by British
and European valve manufacturers and is the system of ratings used in the British
Services' Electronic Valve Specification K1001 arid the U.S A. Services' Specification
for Electron Tubes, JAN-1A (Ref. S2). With the introduction of power line and
car-radio operated receivers and the tendency of many designers to interpret absolute
maximum ratings as nominal values, it became necessary to re-rate valves according to
a system in which allowance was made in the ratings for the variations which occur
under both conditions of operation. Accordingly, the design-centre system was
adopted in U.S.A. by the Radio Manufacturers Association in 1939 for the rating of
receiving valves and since then has become the standard system for rating most
receiver types of American design, manufactured both in U.S .A. and elsewhere.
With either system, each maximum rating for a given valve type must be considered
in relation to all other maximum ratings for that type, so that no one maximum rating
will be exceeded in utilizing any other maximum rating.
Thus it will often happen that one rating alone will determine the limiting operating
conditions while other characteristics are below their mayi'mum ratings.
(D) Interpretation, of maximum ratings
In the absolute maximum or " absolute " system (except for filament or heater
voltage) the maximum ratings are limiting values above which the serviceability of the
valve may be impaired from the viewpoint of life and satisfactory performance.
Therefore, in order not to exceed these absolute ratings, the equipment designer
has the responsibility of determining an average design value for each rating below
the absolute value of that rating by an amount such that the absolute values will
never be exceeded under any usual condition of supply-voltage variation, load varia-
tion, or manufacturing variation in the equipment itself.
The equipment should be designed to operate the filament or heater of each valve
type at rated normal value for full-load operating conditions under average voltage-
supply conditions. Variations from this normal value due to voltage-supply fluctuation
or other causes, should not exceed ±5 per cent, unless otherwise specified by the
valve manufacturer.
Under the " British Standard Code of Practice " B.S.I 106, 1943 (Ref. 49) and the
British Radio Valve Manufacturers' Association's publication " Radio Valve Practice,"
August, 1948 (Ref. 48), recommended British practice is that in general it is not
permissible that the heater voltage should vary more than 7 per cent, from the rated
value.
It is a matter of experience, however, that the heaters and filaments of most modern
receiving valve oxide-coated cathode and filament types may be operated at voltages
m
whose ma xi um fluctuations do not exceed ±10 per cent, from their rated values,
without serious effect on life or marked reduction in performance, provided that the
m axim u m ratings of the other electrodes are not exceeded. In cases where the
heater or filament voltage variations exceed, or are likely to exceed, ±10 per cent., the
maximum ratings should be reduced and recommendations obtained from the valve
manufacturer as to the maximum ratings permissible under the particular
conditions.
In the design-centre maximum or " design-centre " system, the
maximum
ratings are working design-centre maxima. The basic purpose underlying this system
78 (iv) VALVE RATINGS : LIMITING EFFECT ON OPERATION 3.1
at their normal rated values and published maximum values of plate voltages, screen-
supply voltages, electrode dissipations, total cathode currents and rectifier output
currents are never exceeded for a terminal voltage at the battery source of 2.0 volts per
cell. When storage battery equipment is operated with a charger or similar supplies,
the normal battery fluctuation may be as much as 35 per cent, or more, which imposes
severe operating conditions on valves. Under these conditions, the equipment should
be designed so that the effect of high heater or filament voltages on valve life and per-
formance (due mainly to excessive reverse grid current) is reduced to a minimum, and
so that 90 per cent, of the above maximum ratings is never exceeded for a terminal
voltage at the battery source of 2.2 volts. In both classes of operation, progressively
reduced and unreliable performance is to be expected as the heater or filament voltage
falls below 90 per cent, of its rated value and approaches the
" slump " value specified
for the reduced performance tests of the valve test specification.
(2.3) " B" battery operation —The design-centre voltage for " B " batteries
supplying positive voltage electrodes is the normal voltage rating of the battery block,
3.1 (iv) VALVE RATINGS : LIMITING EFFECT ON OPERATION 79
permitted. In such cases it may be inferred that the grid has not been suitably treated
to permit dissipation.
(E) Operating conditions
—
Typical operation In addition to maximum ratings, information is published
on typical operating conditions for most of the various types, when used in particular
applications. These typical operating conditions are intended to provide guiding infor-
mation for the use of each type. They must not be considered as ratings, because each
type can, in general, be used under any suitable conditions within its rating limitations.
—
Datum point for electrode potentials In published data, it is standard practice
for the values of grid bias and positive-potential-electrode voltages to be given with
reference to a specified datum point, as follows : —
For types having filaments heated
with direct current, the negative filament terminal is taken as the datum point to which
other electrode voltages are referred. For types having filaments heated with alter-
nating current, the mid-point (i.e., the centre tap on the filament transformer secondary,
or the mid-point on a resistor shunting the filament) is taken as the datum point. For
types having equi-potential cathodes (indirectly heated) the cathode is taken as the
datum point.
Grid bias for a.c. or d.c. filament excitation —
If the filament of any type whose
data are given for a d.c. filament voltage is to be operated from an a.c. supply, the grid
bias given for d.c. filament operation should be increased by an amount approximately
equal to one half the rated filament voltage and be referred to the filament mid-point.
Conversely, if it is required to use d.c. filament excitation on any filament type whose
data are given for an a.c. filament voltage, the value of grid bias given should be de-
creased by an amount approximately equal to one-half the rated filament voltage, and be
referred to the negative filament terminal, instead of the mid-point as in a.c. operation.
This rule is only approximate and does not, in general, provide identical currents for
both types of filament excitation.
(v) Recommended practice and operation
The following additional limitations on valve practice and operation are based partly
on the recommendations of the British Standard Code of Practice (Ref. 49) also on the
B.V.A. Radio Valve Practice (Ref. 48), and on established design practice.
(a) Mounting —
(1) Unless otherwise stated it is desirable that valves should be
mounted base down and in a vertical position. Where it is necessary to depart
from vertical mounting, the plane of the filament of directly heated valves should be
vertical. Similarly, the plane of the grid side rods (or major axis of the control grid)
of indirectly heated valves having a high transconductance and/or a long unsupported
cathode, should be vertical. This reduces the possibility of filament- and cathode-to-
grid short circuits and microphony in filament valves.
It is particularly undesirable that valves having high plate dissipation ratings should
be mounted base upwards without agreement from the valve manufacturer, as this
method of mounting seriously affects the flow of air around the bulb and may result
in the limiting temperature being exceeded.
Depending on the distribution of the bulb temperature, gas may be released from
the getter deposit under these conditions and the vacuum and emission affected.
(2) It is particularly important that the connections to floating contacts of sockets
for glass based valves should be as flexible as possible and that the contacts themselves
should float properly and not become rigidly locked in position. The use of a wiring
jig, having the nominal specified dimensions for the base type, inserted in the valve
socket during wiring, is desirable in order to locate the socket contacts correctly, so
that strain on the base pin seals is minimized when the valve is inserted. Prior to
insertion, the base pins of miniature valves should be straightened by means of a
pin-straightener, if misaligned. The pin-straightener may consist simply of a steel
block drilled with countersunk holes of the correct diameter and location, to slightly
larger tolerances than those specified for the pins of the base type. For specific
information and design, reference should be made to the valve manufacturer.
(3) It is undesirable to use socket contacts as connecting tags in circuit wiring because
of circumstances which may arise if the valve is subsequently replaced by another
3.1 (v) RECOMMENDED PRACTICE AND OPERATION 81
(b) Ventilation
(1) The layout and design of equipment should afford sufficient
ventilation to ensure
a safe bulb temperature under all conditions. As a general guide, the maximum
temperature of the hottest part of the bulb under operating conditions in the equipment
should not exceed by more than 20°C. that temperature which would be attained if
the valve were operated at its maximum ratings under conditions of free air circulation
in an ambient temperature of 20°C. Where exceptional increases of temperature may
occur (e.g., when valves are used in screening cans or in equipment working in tropical
conditions) the valve manufacturer should be consulted on each type concerned.
The present trend in valve design is to reduce dimensions with the object of saving
space and of improving efficiency at high frequencies, and the extent to which the
reduction can be made is usually limited by the amount of heat which can be dissipated
from the exterior surface of the bulb.
For valves of present day sizes operating at normal temperatures, about half the
heat is dissipated by convection and half by radiation. It is therefore necessary to allow
free convection of reasonably cool air past the bulb and free radiation from the surface
of the bulb to cooler surroundings.
The increase in the temperature of air in convective cooling is very small and it is
therefore more important that the flow of air should be copious and unimpeded than
that it should be particularly cold. No great risk is incurred if the air is slightly warmed
by passing near other components if this allows it to flow through a less obstructed path.
In order to improve radiation from a valve, surrounding surfaces should not be
polished but should be kept as cool as possible. The temperature of a valve surrounded
by a plated shield can, or by components at about its own temperature, may rise
seriously.
(2) When valves are mounted in other than upright vertical positions, greater care
should be taken to ensure that adequate ventilation is provided.
(3) Adequate ventilation is particularly important in the case of output valves and
rectifiers.
exist across the insulation, there is a risk of modulation hum, particularly in cathode-
coupled oscillators and the like.
(6)
To determine the limiting value of grid resistor which may be used, 4J el should be
taken as the maximum value of reverse grid current permitted by the specification,
under maximum electrode dissipation and cathode current conditions ; AI b and
Al k are the changes in plate and cathode currents which result in maximum rated
plate and/or screen dissipations and/or maximum cathode current.
The maxi mum
rating which is reached first determines the limiting value of the grid
resistor.
If the specified value of AI el is not available, the highest typical value of reverse
grid current given in Sect. 3(iv)A for each major group of valve types may be used with
3.1 (v) RECOMMENDED PRACTICE AND OPERATION 83
discretion. In cases where the valve is being operated below maximum rated condi-
tions at a total cathode current less than that for the grid current test conditions,
and
the value of AI et may be taken as varying approximately as the cathode current.*
It should be clearly understood that equations (6) and (7) are fundamental, and, in
cases where no maximum grid circuit resistance values are published, may be used to
calculate maximum safe values. These equations are based on the margin (Al b)
between the operating plate current and that value of plate current which gives
maximum plate dissipation or maximum cathode current or which gives the maximum
tolerable change in performance, the limiting condition of operation being determined
by the rating which is reached first. It may happen that the published typical operating
—
conditions give maximum rated plate dissipation in this case AI b or AI k is zero, and
the equations cannot therefore be applied to calculate R gl directly. In such a case the
procedure is to assume reasonable values of -R„i and AI eU and then to use the equations
to derive AI 9 or AI k . The operating plate or cathode current would then be made less
than the permissible maximum by the margin AI b qr AI k . Alternatively a lower value
R
of tl may be chosen and the conditions of operation recalculated.
R
If a maximum value of n is published for fixed bias operation, then the value for
may be determined from equations
cathode bias (8) to (13) :
or approximately«k 1 +g k
(or when R at =0) &1 +g kR k (10)
For triodes —general case
R,i for cathode bias
Rgi for fixed bias '-i+*.[k,(i+-J)+^J (11)
or approximately^ 1 +g m R k + ZZJi
I I (12)
This assumes that the grid leakage current is small compared with the ionization current, and that the
latter does not increase appreciably during operation.
84 (v) RECOMMENDED PRACTICE AND OPERATION 3.1
which may be used under these conditions without grid blocking occurring, is that
value of resistance represented by the line drawn from the operating bias point on the
abscissa, tangential to the cross-over loop of the grid current characteristic below the
abscissa as shown in Fig. 2.11.
If the grid circuit resistance is such that the line cuts the loop of the characteristic
below the abscissa, blocking will occur if the instantaneous values of grid voltage
exceed the voltage of the point at which the line crosses the grid characteristic nearer
to the origin. See also Chapter 2 Sect. 2(iii).
Because of the difficulty of controlling the grid current commencement point of
oxide-coated cathode and filament valves during manufacture, due mainly to contact
potential variations caused by variable control grid surface conditions, it is desirable
that operating conditions should be chosen, such that the control grid bias is always suffi-
ciently large in relation to the contact potential, so that variations of the latter produce
only minor effects on performance. In general, the grid current commencement
voltage of indirectly heated cathode types is negative and may have a value up to
—1.0 volt but as a rule varies during life. The grid current commencement voltage
of filament types is usually positive and seldom exceeds about +0.5 volt, but usually
becomes less positive during life and may even become negative. The plate current
commencement voltage of diodes due to contact potential behaves in a similar manner.
(e)Operation at low screen voltages
As the grid current commencement voltage may in certain cases be dependent on the
value of screen voltage and may become more negative as the screen voltage is reduced,
it isin general undesirable to operate valves having low or zero control grid-bias at low
screen voltages. In the case of zero-bias operated filament types, operation at low
screen voltages may result in the grid current commencement voltage becoming nega-
tive and in the flow of positive current, causing either a change in operating conditions
due to additional negative bias developed across the grid resistor or damping of tuned
grid circuits due to lowered input resistance. In either case undesirable and often
wide variations in performance may result.
<f) Microphony
Small variations of electrode spacing cause corresponding variations in the output of
the valve, and it is desirable to ensure that little or no vibration reaches the valve.
Such vibration may reach the valve by way of the valve socket or acoustically, and it
should be noted that microphonic trouble may originate in the converter or i-f stages
through modulation of the signal or i-f carrier at audio frequencies. It is recommended
that, if possible, the position of the valve in relation to the source of vibration be so
chosen that microphony effects' will be at a minimum. Methods which may be used to
minimize microphony effects are described in Chapter 35 Sect. 3(iv).
(g) Hum
Hum due to conditions within the valves is analysed in Chapter 31 Sect. 4(i). See
also Ref. 91 on heater-cathode leakage as a source of hum.
(h) Stand-by operation
Where it is necessary to maintain cathodes and filaments at normal operating
temperatures during stand-by periods, better life in general will be obtained
when the equipment is so designed that some, rather than no, cathode
current flows during such periods. It is also essential that the heater or filament
voltage be maintained as close to the rated value as possible. Continuous operation
of heaters or filaments at voltages exceeding their rated values by more than 10 per
cent., without cathode current flowing, will result, generally, in progressively short
life being obtained.
In equipments which are designed so that no cathode current flows during stand-by
periods for periods of less than 15 minutes, the filament voltage of quick-heating fila-
ment types should be reduced to 80 per cent, of normal, while the heater voltage of
indirectly heated cathode types should be maintained at normal rated value. For
longer periods, both filament and heater power should be turned off.
3.2 (i) IMPORTANCE OF CONTROL OVER CHARACTERISTICS 85
cent, for those tests in which failure occurred, and all defectives
screened out. In
addition to repeating first-production tests, tests are often included at the
second
3.2 (iii) SYSTEMATIC TESTING 87
The tests performed on the characteristics included in this group, on the above basis,
are called Design Tests and the usual procedure is that failure of more than a stipulated
percentage of the valves in the sample to meet the prescribed test limits for a particular
characteristic, or failure of more than a stipulated percentage of all the characteristics
to meet their prescribed limits, constitute cause, initially for retesting a larger sample
—
usually 100 valves for the characteristic(s) failed, and in the event of the failure
being confirmed, for 100 per cent, testing of the complete batch for those characteristics
in which failure occurred. Failure of any valve of the batch to meet the specification
for the characteristic(s) in question is then cause for rejection.
In the case of continuous production, the usual practice is for the failed design tests
to be made production tests temporarily until satisfactory control of the characteristics
in question has been re-established and the design test criteria for these characteristics
can again be met consistently.
Typical design test acceptance criteria require that not mure than 10 per cent, of the
valves of the sample fail for any one design test or that all the design tests failed do not
exceed 20 per cent.
In addition to essential secondary characteristics, other characteristics which are
often controlled on a design test basis include those characteristics which are not
independent parameters but have their values determined by characteristics which
are tested 100 per cent., also characteristics which require to be controlled for particular
applications.
Design tests are performed only on valves which meet the prescribed production
tests. To this end, the latter normally are repeated and recorded when design tests are
performed.
however comprehensive] the performance obtainable from any particular valve under
operating conditions, and it is necessary to rely on recorded observations of characteris-
tic variation during continuous or intermittent operation under controlled test condi-
tions, to determine ultimate performance. Such tests are known as Life Tests.
Provided mawmiim ratings have not been exceeded, the life of most oxide-coated
cathode high vacuum valves, assuming that the initial emission and electrode insulation
are satisfactory, is determined almost entirely by the extent to which the initial vacuum
is maintained during storage and during periods of operation and non-operation, as in
general the supply of emission-producing material available on the average filament or
cathode greatly exceeds that required for the lives normally obtained in practice.
The average rate and uniformity of deterioration of the vacuum- and emission-
dependent characteristics which normally occur slowly and uniformly in all valves
during operation, and which vary from valve to valve, and any excessive deterioration of
mechanical and electrical characteristics due to defective manufacture are controlled by
regular life tests of small samples of each type. These life tests are operated normally
under maximum rating conditions, for a specified period during which the performance
determining characteristic(s) may not deteriorate beyond prescribed values, or for the
period (which may not be less than a prescribed minimum) required for such deteriora-
tion to occur.
Owing to limitations of equipment and cost, regular control life tests are run usually
for periods of 500 to 1000 hours on small samples of the order of 5 valves per type per
week for types in. continuous production. As variations in characteristics are most
liable to occur early in life, readings are usually spaced at increasing intervals to give
an indication of the complete life characteristic over the control periods.
A
typical life test acceptance criterion of satisfactory life is that the average life
obtained per valve, considering all valves of the sample, must be not less than 80 per
cent, of the specified duration of the life test. The valves used must also be selected at
random and comply with the production and design test acceptance criteria.
In the event of the completed product failing to comply with the life test criteria,
delivery of the product is then withheld from the warehouse, until satisfactory life has
been re-established.
•The assistance of A. H. Wardale, Member I.R.E. (U.S.A.) and D. H. Connolly, A.S.T.C, is ack-
nowledged.
90 METHODS OF TESTING CHARACTERISTICS 3.3
±@=-Sf
-OCATHOOE
HEATER
VOLTAGE
SOURCE </VW
-© I FIC.
HEATER
S.I
Pre-heating
Pre-heating with heater voltage applied to the heater only is generally adequate for
allordinary purposes where it is necessary to conserve time, except where full electrode
dissipation pre-heating is required by particular valve specifications under acceptance
testing conditions, or when testing for reverse grid current (gas, grid emission and hot
leakage). When full electrode dissipation is applied, the time of pre-heating is-normally
2 minutes (JAN-1A) to 5 minutes (R.M.A.). Maximum valve ratings should not be
exceeded during pre-heating.
See References S2, S7.
chosen to suit the majority of receiving type valves in that the dissipations of the normal-
—
ly negative electrodes are kept low for reasons previously stated see (b) above and —
may not be satisfactory for all valve types. In the case of a semi-universal tester it is
essential that the requirements above be observed, and also that all electrode dissipa-
tions and peak and average currents be kept within their maximum ratings, otherwise
valves may be damaged. It is also essential as in any shorts tester that the cathode-
to-grid voltage, and battery-type filament-to-grid voltage particularly, be
kept to a value not exceeding approximately 100 volts, owing to the small
spacing between these electrodes resulting in unreliable " flick " indications of the
neon lamps in normally good valves. The test is carried out with the cathode hot, and
the resistor R t is for the purpose of limiting the peak cathode current to a safe value
(3 mAper 50 milliamp. filament strand for 1.4 volt battery valves). The tester uses
split anode neon lamps and continuity of each valve electrode is indicated by the
glowing of one half of the split-anode neon lamp connected to that electrode. In the
case of a short-circuit to cathode, one lamp will light on both electrodes, while in the
case of a short-circuit between two or more other electrodes, two or more lamps will
so light. There is an optimum arrangement of connections from the terminals
A, B, C, D
and E to give fairly low voltages between cathode and control grid or other
low-dissipation electrodes and to give uniform illumination on all lamps In some cases,
.
6 PHASE OUTPUT
o-V
FIG. 3.2
Fig. 3.2. Hexaphase and continuity tester. Suitable values are jR=5000 ohms,
shorts
#s=-R5=7500 ohmsy R =1500 ohms, /? 7 =5000 ohms, ^=50 000 ohms for battery
t
valves other than power output, 33 000 ohms for normal ax. types, or 15 000 ohms for
power output valves. Lamps (N) are 110 volt i watt split-anode neon.
If more than six lamps are required, additional lamps may be incorporated at suitable
points in the " ring " network, but all such arrangements have the limitation that one
or more conditions exist where no shorts indication is possible on one or more pairs
of lamps.
In addition to the neon shorts and continuity test, filament type lamps may be used
to indicate continuity from shield to cathode or along a "jumper " linking two pins.
Continuity of heaters and filaments is indicated by means of a current meter of
suitable scale in series with the heater or filament, an open-circuit being indicated by
3.3 (ii) GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS 93
zero current. In the absence of a current meter and where a rheostat is used to drop
the filament/heater source voltage, the voltmeter reading may be used to indicate
open-circuited filaments or heaters since the voltmeter reading will then be much higher
than normal.
110 volt _
neon lamps
No I INDICATES FILAMENT
TOmmmrr -o<Vo-
CONTINUITY FOR MOST
VALVE • TYPES
o
I5W(
-o'Vo-
240V 50«v
FIG. 3.3
Fig. 3.3. Older type of shorts and continuity tester.
The older type of shorts tester is shown in Fig. 3.3 and operates on single phase
and requires a total voltage of 880 volts for 8 lamps. This may be used as a hot or cold
cathode shorts tester, but has the disadvantages that it only indicates electrode continu-
ityof those electrodes which draw sufficient current to operate lamps to which they are
connected. It also has the severe disadvantage that the voltages cannot be arranged
conveniently with regard to the electrode configuration for semi-universal testing, as all
voltages are in phase, and quite high voltages may be developed between adjacent
electrodes in the absence of complicated switching.
When using this type of tester with either hot or cold filament (or cathode), it is
essential to connect gridNo. 1 to the lowest Voltage in the chain with respect to earth,
otherwise damage may be done to the valve, or else good valves may indicate as having
a short circuit. The other points in the chain should be connected in the same sequence
as the grids and plate.
Current from the current reading. However, with a 1000 ohms-per-volt meter, the
current is less than 1 mA
and the error is quite small with heater currents of the order
of 0.3 A. When measuring filament currents of small battery valves (e.g., 50 mA),
the ammeter zero may be set to read zero when the voltmeter is at its nominal reading
(e.g., 1.4 volts). The current is normally measured with no connections to any other
electrodes. See also Ref. S12, Sect. 2.1.
—
(d) Heater-to-cathode leakage This may be tested by applying the maximum
rated direct voltage between one heater terminal and cathode and measuring the
current with a microammeter (say 0-500 /*A) with a safety resistance in series (not
greater than 100 000 ohms). The leakage current should be not greater than 20 pA
for ordinary 6.3 volt 0.3 ampere valves, or 50 to 100 **A for power valves, with 100
volts applied.
Theheater may be operated with either a.c. or d.c. supply if below 35 volts j at 35
voltsand above it is usual to operate it on a.c. supply. The voltage between heater and
cathode should be applied with both polarities, except in the case of rectifiers where the
heater must be negative with respect to the cathode.
(e) Inter-electrode insulation —This is not normally a regular commercial test,
except to meet service specifications. The test voltage specified is normally 300 volts
for small valves or 500 volts for those which are able to stand the higher voltage.
The insulation resistance may be measured by any ordinary type of insulation tester,
but preferably by an electronic megohm-meter. In this test, the cathode should always
be positive. The test is carried out on a valve which has reached a stable temperature
under normal operating conditions. The minimum permissible insulation resistance
usually specified is 10 megohms (Ref. S2).
This not used between heater and cathode.
test is
(f) Emission —
The purpose of the emission test is to ensure that the cathode
emission is adequate to provide the peak and average space currents for the particular
application of the type by a margin which has been found to be satisfactory for good
life and performance.
Emission is normally tested by applying a suitable direct positive voltage to all grids
connected together with the plate, and measuring the total cathode current.
Because of the very high value of the emission current normally drawn from the
cathode, the resulting excessive dissipation of the inner grids and the gas produced as a
result of this dissipation and also as a result of ion bombardment of the cathode, the
emission test is a damaging test and should be performed as seldom as possible and then
always very carefully.
In order to avoid damage to the cathode by this test, the applied voltage must be
sufficiently large to approach current saturation without drawing sufficient current to
damage the valve due to excessive dissipation of the inner grids. At the same time the
test must be of sufficient duration to enable the stability of the emission to be indicated
without being so long as to give risk of poisoning the emission. A safe value generally
accepted for the duration of the emission test is 3 seconds. During this period the
emission should not fall below a value recommended by the valve manufacturer.
In general, emission is a minimum reading. As most of the cathode current goes to the
No. 1 grid, which is usually wound with very fine wire, and treated lightly during
manufacture, the applied voltage must be restricted tc a value such that the emission
current drawn does not result in damage to the valve. The voltages normally used in
manufacture are listed below.
Emission testing with applied alternating voltage is also used, but in this case the
test becomes one intermediate between a peak emission test and a high current trans-
conductance test. In practice, there is no exact and simple correlation between a.c.
and d.c. emission tests due to the fact that the a.c. emission current depends in part on
the emission capability of the valve as well as on its geometry. Experience has shown
that mains frequency a.c. emission tests tend to be unreliable owing to the fact that the
emission " gets a rest " between cycles and, in a practical case, the rating of peak to
average emission current drawn cannot be made sufficiently high to be effective.
Voltages given below are based on JAN-1A (Ref. S2) ; values of voltages and mini-
mum emission currents are given by Ref. 65.
:
Signal diodes are normally tested for emission with an applied direct voltage of
10 volts, except that 20 volts are normally applied to type 6H6.
Power rectifiers are normally tested with applied voltages as listed below (suffixes
of valve types have been omitted)
20 volts— IV, 12A7, 32L7.
25 volts—84/6Z4, 70L7.
30 volts—5V4, 6ZY5, 7Y4, 12Z3, 25A7, 25Z5, 25Z6, 35Z3, 35Z4, 35Z5, 45Z3,
45Z5, 50Y6, 83V, 117N7, 117Z4, 117Z6.
50 volts—5Z4, 6W5, 6X5, 7Z4, 28Z5.
75 volts—5R4, 5T4, 5U4, 5W4, 5X3, 5X4, 5Y3, 5Y4, 5Z3.
Amplifier valves are normally tested for emission with an applied direct voltage of
30 volts. Some of the exceptions are listed below :
10 volts— 1AB5, 6AC7, 6AG5, 7E5, 7F8, 7G8, 7V7, 7W7, 26A7.
15 volts—6BE6.
20 volts— 1D8, 1J6, 2A3, 3A8, 6AB7, 6AG7, 6SD7, 6SQ7, 6SH7, 7G7, 7H7, 7J7,
7L7, 7Q7, 7R7, 7S7, 19, 28D7, 35L6, 70L7.
25 volts— 117N7.
50 volts—6A6, 6B5, 6L6, 6N6, 6N7, 12A5, 24A, 53, 59, 79.
All the voltages listed above are subject to variation by different valve manufacturers.
Capacitance from grid to plate for all types of valves is measured with all other
electrodes earthed.
96 (ii) GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS 3.3
In multiple unit valves, the capacitance between the grid of one section and the
plate of the other is measured with all other electrodes earthed ; similarly from one
plate to the other.
The input capacitance of a diode is measured between its plate and cathode,
the latter being connected to heater and shields ; other sections are earthed.
The capacitance between diode-plate and grid or plate of other sections is
measured with all other electrodes earthed.
In a converter, the r-f input capacitance is measured between the signal grid
and all other electrodes connected together.
The mixer output capacitance is measured between the mixer plate and all other
electrodes connected together.
The capacitance from oscillator grid to oscillator plate is measured with all
other electrodes earthed.
The oscillator input capacitance is measured between oscillator grid and cathode,
the latter being connected to heater and shields ; the oscillator plate and all electrodes
of the other section being earthed.
The oscillator output capacitance is measured between oscillator plate and
cathode, the latter being connected to heater and shields ; the oscillator grid and all
electrodes of the other section being earthed.
The capacitance between oscillator grid and signal grid, or oscillator plate
and signal grid, is measured with all other electrodes earthed.
In converters in which there is usually a r-f voltage between cathode and
earth (e.g., 6BE6), the oscillator output capacitance is measured between cathode
and heater, the latter being connected to screen and shields ; the oscillator grid being
earthed.
The oscillator input capacitance is measured between oscillator grid and all other
electrodes connected together. The capacitance between oscillator grid and cathode
is measured with all other electrodes earthed.
Standard sockets, cap connectors and shields for use in the measurement of
valve capacitances (R.M.A.-NEMA, Ref. S8).
(1) Sockets
The construction and shielding of capacitance sockets and leads shall be such that
when the holes for the insertion of the base pins are covered with a grounded, flat metal
plate, the capacitance between any one socket terminal and all other socket terminals
tied together does not exceed 0.000 10 /*/tF for receiving valves.
The socket shall be so constructed that the base of the valve under test will seat
on the face plate.
Table 1.
Base Designation Max. diameter (A)* Max. diameter (B)*
Standard 4, 5, 6 or 7-pin 0.250 in. 3 in.
Octal 0.175 in. 3 in.
Lock-in 0.093 in. 3 in.
7-pin miniature 0.075 in. 2J in.
9-pin miniature 0.075 in. 2| in.
•see Fig. 3.4A.
S
s\ ss ^ ^ ^ vr-y
B A C ±00S"
2V
Fig. 3.4B. RMA-NEMA Standard Cap Connectors for use -in measurement of valve
capacitances {Ref. SS).
(3) Shields.
Standard shields are shown in Fig. 3.4C. It is recommended that these shields be
used as indicated below, or as specified by the valve manufacturer.
Max. seated height
Shield with without
No. top cap top cap
308 GT glass types with T9 bulbs* 3 2J in.
309 G glass types with T9 bulbs* 3* 3* in.
311 G glass types with ST12 bulbs* 4* 3&in
fG glass types with ST14 bulbs* 4*1 4tV in.
312
315
U
\ G glass types with ST16 bulbs*
~ Miniature types with T6J bulbs*
5*
— 4f
2f
in.
in.
316 Miniature types with T5J bulbs* — 2f in.
The maximum outside diameters of these bulbs are : T9 1-3/16 in. : ST12 1-9/16
' in. '; ST14
1-13/16 in. j ST16 2-1/16 in. j T5J 3/4 in. ; T6| 7/8 in.
-
H*-h —
i
J'**"
4 - a
fti-fi-H H*-h -
-.«« TT
«K /i**
/ ^ ©
.© •
ȣ*
.iiV
.© 'O-ft
®
SOCKET
FACEPLATE :oa
...
•a**—
'3-
© SOCKET
EITHER SHIELO MAY BE FACEPLATE
SLOTTED FOR EASE OF FIT No. 312
FIG. 3.4C
0.0001 to 2 ppF, between any two electrodes of a valve with all the other electrodes
earthed, at a frequency of 400 Kc/s.
Capacitances above 2 ppF are usually measured on a simple capacitance bridge at
1000 c/s. Commercial bridges having a logarithmic scale are available for this purpose,
reading from to 30 ppF. However, audio-frequency bridges are out of the question
for very low capacitances, because the insulation resistance between electrodes may be
lower than the reactance of a 0.0001 fi/*F capacitance. Even at 1000 Kc/s the re-
actance of this value of capacitance is 1500 megohms.
The capacitance measured with an audio-frequency capacitance bridge is frequently
higher than that measured with a capacitance bridge operating at radio frequency.
This effect is associated with the presence of resistive films on the insulators supporting
the valve electrodes. Such films may be caused by deposition of getter or by the evap-
oration of metal from the cathode either during the manufacture or during the life of
the valve. The value of the resistance may be as high as 1000 megohms or more, but is
capable of modifying the measured value of the capacitance and prevents the prediction
of the performance of the valve at frequencies higher than that of the measurement
(Ref. 23).
The actual capacitance of a valve depends on its operating conditions and the im-
pedances in the electrode circuits. For purposes of specification testing the valve is
tested with the cathode cold and without any voltages applied to the electrodes. In any
particular case under specified operating conditions the interelectrode capacitances
will differ from the static capacitances measured in this way. For further information
see Chapter 2 Sect. 8(iii^ and the references there listed.
The plate supply impedance is that of transformer Tt which should be one having
good regulation and low winding resistance.
In a transformer the plate supply impedance per plate is given approximately by
R s ^N*R vri +R, ee (1)
where N = voltage ratio of transformer at no load (primary to half secondary in the
case of full-wave rectification)
— (half) secondary voltage
. ___ at no i oa(j
primary voltage
/?„,., ^resistance of primary winding in ohms
and R,ec= resistance of secondary winding in ohms (or half-secondary in the case of
full-wave rectification).
If the transformer plate supply impedance per plate is less than the required value,
two equal resistances should be added at points XX
in Fig. 3.5 to make up the defi-
ciency. If the transformer plate supply impedance per plate is greater than the required
100 (iii) SPECIFIC DIODE CHARACTERISTICS 3.3
value, the test will not be so severe since it will reduce the peak plate current and also
reduce the output voltage or current.
In view of this limitation, a rectification test which may be used and which should
be satisfactory for all practical purposes is to make use of the maximum published
conditions with a condenser input filter. These conditions include the maximum
r.m.s. applied voltage, the maximum d.c. load current, the minimum plate supply
impedance per plate and the maximum filter capacitance for these conditions, if
published. In cases where the latter information is not available, it is usually safe to
test with the maximum value of filter capacitance used in the published curves or
typical operation data, provided that the plate supply impedance per plate is equal to
the minimum rated value or to the value used for the curves or typical operation data,
whichever is the greater. In all cases it is essential that the maximum peak plate
current rating per plate be not exceeded.
The rectification test may be used for the purpose of checking the output voltage
and so determining end of life. The circuit constants for the rectification test may be
obtained by the following procedure. The value of R L is given by E /I where E
and /„ arethe direct voltage and current respectively across the load resistance under
maximum ratings. The value of E is obtainable from the usual operational curves
published by valve manufacturers, and is the direct voltage for the maximum r.m.s.
applied voltage at the maximum value of load current (/<,)• If curves are published
for more than one value of filter capacitance, the curve corresponding to the highest
capacitance should be selected. The rectification test should be carried out with the
C
value of L equal to that used for the derivation of E , while the total effective plate
supply impedance per plate should be as specified above. Under these conditions
an average new valve should give a voltage E and a current I approximately equal to
the published values, and individual valves will have values either higher or lower than
the average as permitted by the manufacturing tolerances. The end-of-life point is
commonly taken as 80 per cent, of the value obtained with a valve having bogie charac-
teristics (R.M.A., Ref. S7).
The rectification test may be carried out either with full-wave rectification as in
Fig. 3.5 or with half-wave rectification, each unit being tested separately with half the
total average load current. The test is usually performed by inserting a cold valve and
waiting until it has attained normal temperature.
In all cases, rectifier valves are required to operate satisfactorily in the rectification
test without arcing or sputtering.
Where valve failure has been due to arcing or sputtering, the conditions under
which this occurred may be reproduced for the purposes of testing either by
(1) allowing the valve to heat up to normal temperature from cold, the heater and
plate supply voltages being applied simultaneously, or
(2) operating the valve at normal temperatures with heater and plate voltages
applied, and then " keying " the plate voltage.
(c) —
Back emission Back emission is emission from the plate to the cathode during
the half-cycle when the cathode is positive with respect to the plate. Any appreciable
3.3 (iii) SPECIFIC DIODE CHARACTERISTICS 101
(a) —
Gas current (ionization current) Gas current cannot be readily measured
directlyt It may be determined approximately by measuring the total reverse grid
current under conditions of maximum dissipation (see above), and then subtracting
the hot leakage current and grid emission current under the same conditions.
(b) —
Cold and hot leakage Leakage currents may be measured with a voltage
applied between the grid and each electrode in turn, with the other electrodes floating.
Measurements may be made either with the valve cold (" cold leakage "), or immedi-
ately after the filament (or heater) has been switched off after testing for reverse grid
current (" hot leakage "). The grid to cathode hot leakage current, with the grid biased
as for the negative grid current test, may be too small to measure on the microammeter ;
in this case it may be regarded as zero in deriving the gas current. If any grid emission
is present, the procedure will be as indicated in (c) below.
(d) Grid secondary emission —The amount of secondary emission from the grid
of a valve cannot be measured directly. Valves of the same type, however, may be
compared as to the relative amount of secondary emission present by plotting, or tracing
on a C.R.O., the positive grid characteristic. If the amount of secondary grid emission
is sufficient for the characteristic to cut the axis, blocking may occur —
see Sect. 3(iv)N.
(B)Grid current commencement voltage
The circuit of Fig. 3.1 is used except that the polarity of the grid microammeter is
reversed. Thegrid voltage is then measured for which the grid current is positive
and of the smallest value discernible on the microammeter (e.g., 0.2 /*A).
(C) Positive grid curren
This test applies usually to zero biased r-f pentodes, particularly filament types, to
ensure that conduction -does not occur during service when low screen voltages are
used. The test is normally performed under low screen voltage conditions, with other
tGas current may be measured by die method which converts the desired ion current to an alternating
currentby modulation of the ionizing electron stream while leaving undesired stray currents (e.g., leakage)
unmodulated. See Ref. 40.
3.3 (iv) TRIODE, PENTODE, BEAM TETRODE CHARACTERISTICS 103
One convenient form is shown in Fig. 3.7 where Ex and Et are adjustable in steps
of 10, while R, is variable from 5000 minimum to 100 000 ohms maximum.
Range Grid tap Plate tap ?«/£l R, min. R, max.
ohms ohms
1-10 /imhos 1/10 10 000 100 000
10-100 1 10 000 100 000
100-1000 10 10 000 100 000
1000-20 000 100 5000 100 000
Values of the other components may be :
d=0.5 ^F, Cg = l /xF, both 400 V working
C3 =one gang condenser section
2\=step up transformer, 1 2 turns ratio
:
R*=10 ohms, .R a =90 ohms, R a =900 ohms, fl 4 =10 000 ohms max., L^=5 henrys
min., L2 =20 henrys min. at max. plate current. Ct =0.5 /*F, C8 =0.5 /*F, C„ may be
two paralleled sections of a gang condenser.
Choke L x should be of very low resistance, so that the voltage drop caused by any
reverse or positive grid current does not affect the point of operation. Transformer
Tj should be electrostatically shielded.
The amplification factor is given by
R*
""IT
where /?=erTective total grid resistance in grid arm of voltage divider (i.e., either
R x or Ri+Ri or R +R 2 +R a).
t
With R t adjustable from 1000 to 10 000 ohms, position 1 of S t will give a range of
H from 100 to 1000, position 2 from 10 to 100, and position 3 from 1 to 10. A satis-
factory value of signal voltage is about 10 volts peak. Too high a value will result in
operation over a non-linear portion of the characteristic, while also introducing the
possibility of positive grid current with some types of valves operated at low grid bias.
Capacitance currents may be balanced out by adjusting the value of a and by moving C
switch S2 to the position giving capacitance balance.
^£2^!L
Fig. 3.8. Bridge test for measuring Fig. 3.9. Method of testing for plate
amplification factor. resistance.
The amplification factor test of Fig. 3.8 may be used for pentodes with the addition
of a suitable screen supply. For values of amplification factor over 1000 a higher ratio
of the plate and grid arms of the bridge is required, that is RJR. This will result in
some loss in accuracy at the higher values of /x due to capacitance effects.
References to measurement of mu factor and amplification factor : Refs. 2, 15,
16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 84, S12.
r
•
=^
Rs
(4^>
Fig. 3.10. Method of testing for ax. Fig. 3.11. Method for testing for power
amplification {after RMA). output.
equal to the bias voltage Eeci unless otherwise specified. The signal frequency is
preferably either 400 or 1000 c/s, in order to reduce the size of L and C The impe-
dance of the choke L at the signal frequency should be at least, say, 7 times the im-
pedance of the load, while the reactance of C should be less than, say, one seventh of
the load impedance.
The power output meter for approximate and routine testing may be of the rectifier/
d.c.meter type. In this case the load resistance will be incorporated in the power
output meter as drawn in Fig. 3.11.
For accurate measurements, however, it is essential to measure either the true r.m.s.
voltage across, or the current through, a load resistor of specified value and unity
power factor. Generally the latter measurement is the more convenient as the current
through the load may be measured by means of a thermo-couple ammeter.
B
The power output of a Class amplifier may be measured either with push-pull
operation or on each section separately. In the latter case the load resistance is one
quarter that of the plate-to-plate value for push-pull operation, and the unit not
under test is tied to the cathode. The power output from one section., owing to shifting
of the loadline, is greater than half the power output with push-pull operation (Ref.
58), but the relationship must be established experimentally in each case. Alternatively,
a resistive load may be connected directly in the plate circuit to give a closer approach
to normal push-pull operation. The value of the resistance is arranged to be one
quarter of the plate-to-plate load resistance with push-pull operation, and the plate
supply voltage equal to the specified plate voltage for normal push-pull operation.
Under these conditions the power output is given by (Ref. 58) :
(J) Distortion
Distortion in the power output test may be 'measured by one of several suitable
methods, provided that the signal source is truly sinusoidal. The effect of harmonics
from the signal source may be reduced by connecting a low-pass filter between the
signal source and the grid.
The distortion may be measured by a harmonic analyser, of which several types have
been described in the literature. When merely the value of the total harmonic dis-
tortion is desired, as in determining the undistorted output, those analysers which
measure the root-mean-square value of all harmonics present are preferable to those
which measure the separate harmonics.
The method of Suits (Ref. 85) is a particularly good example of the type of analyser
which measures the harmonics separately. The Suits method requires only the simp-
lest apparatus, and where laboratory facilities are limited this advantage may outweigh
the disadvantages involved in the computation of the total harmonic distortion.
The Belfils analyser (Refs. 86, 87) utilizes an alternating-current Wheatstone-bridge
balance for the suppression of the fundamental, and is particularly useful for direct
measurement of the total harmonic distortion. For maximum convenience, the
frequency of the audio-frequency source should be very stable. This instrument can
be operated so that it is direct reading, by maintaining a constant input voltage.
3.3 (iv) TRIODE, PENTODE, BEAM TETRODE CHARACTERISTICS 107
In the McCurdy-Blye analyser (Ref. 88), low- and high-pass niters are used to
separate the harmonics from the fundamental. This instrument is superior to the
Belfils type in that the frequency of the source may vary somewhat without necessi-
tating readjustment.
Adifferential analyser especially designed for power-output work has been described
by Ballantine and Cobb (Ref. 89).
If an iron-cored choke is employed for shunt feed in the plate circuit (Fig. 3.11),
care should be exercised in its selection or design to avoid the generation of harmonics
in it due to the non-linear and hysteretic behaviour of the iron.
For measurement of distortion see Chapter 14 Sects. 2, 3 ; Chapter 37 Sect. 3.
(K) Microphony
There is no published standard test for microphony outside of Service or manufac-
turers' specifications. However an indication of the microphony of valves may be
obtained using the same conditions as the R.M.A. standard audio frequency noise
test (see below). It is reasonable to adjust the amplifier gain to be of the same order
as the gain of the subsequent portion of the amplifier in which the valve is to operate.
Nevertheless, valves unless specifically designed for low-level high-gain pre-amplifier
use, should not be expected to be non-microphonic and free from noise at low levels
when tested under such conditions.
In radio receiver factories the valves are usually tested in the chassis in which they
are to operate, the set being tuned to a signal generator with internal modulation, and
the volume control set at maximum. Any microphonic sounds which quickly die
away are not considered as cause for removal of the valve, but a sustained
howl is so considered. Such a valve may not be microphonic in another
position in the chassis or in another model of receiver. Actions to be
taken to reduce microphony have been described in Chapter 35 Sect. 3(iv). Not-
withstanding the considerations above, all valves cannot be expected to be non-
microphonic when placed directly in the acoustic field of, and close to, the loudspeaker
in a receiver, particularly in small cabinets.
Ref. S2.
(L) Audio frequency noise
The R.M.A. standard for audio frequency noise test is with normal voltages applied
to all electrodes, and the plate of the valve under test is coupled to the input of an
amplifier with a frequency range of 100 to 2000 c/s (±5 db of response at 400 c/s).
A dynamic loudspeaker with a rating of at least 2.5 watts is connected to the output
of the amplifier. The minimum external grid resistance is 100 000 ohms. The gain of
the amplifier and the plate load resistance of the valve under test are to be as specified.
The valve under test may be tapped lightly with a felt or cork mallet weighing not over
i ounce. Any objectionable noise heard in the loudspeaker, is cause for rejection
(Ref. S7). See also Ref. S2.
(M) Radio frequency noise
The R.M.A. standard test for radio frequency noise .is for normal voltages applied
to all electrodes of the valve under test ; the plate is coupled to the input of a r-f
amplifier (of a radio receiver) at a frequency within the range of 50 to 1600 Kc/s.
The minimum band-width is to be 5 Kc/s
at 10 times signal. The audio frequency
response is to be within ±5 db of the response at 400 c/s over the frequency range
from 100 to 2000 c/s. A suitable tuned transformer giving a resonant impedance of
50 000 to 200 000 ohms is to be used to couple the valve under test to the amplifier.
The external grid circuit impedance of the valve under test is to be from 5000 to 25 000
ohms. Other conditions of test are as for the audio frequency noise test (Ref. S7).
See also Ref. S2.
(N) Blocking
Tests on grid blocking are normally applied only to certain types subject to this
characteristic. A
valve may be tested for blocking by either of two methods. In the
first method a high positive grid voltage (say 100 volts) is applied instantaneously
with normal electrode voltages and the maximum value of grid resistance. The plate
current should return to its initial value on the removal of the applied voltage.
108 (iv) TRIODE, PENTODE, BEAM TETRODE CHARACTERISTICS 3.3
The second method (" cross-over ") is to apply a gradually increasing positive grid
voltage with substantially zero grid circuit resistance, and to plot the grid current
characteristic for positive values of grid voltage up to the point at which the grid
current changes from positive to negative (" cross-over " point). See Chapter 2
Sect. 2(iii).
VALVE
VOLTMETER
FIG.3.IIA ~ e
In Fig. 3.11 A the input and output circuits are typical high-impedance i-f trans-
formers with secondary tuning of the first and primary tuning of the second, adjustable
from the front panel of the tester to allow accurate alignment with varying capacitances
in the valves under test. The 1 megohm resistor represents the plate impedance of a
preceding converter stage and the 0.25 megohm resistor simulates the impedance of a
diode detector. Screen and bias resistors are designed to give the required voltages
with a valve of bogie characteristics, and the high impedance in the control grid
circuit allows the effect of reverse grid current to be evaluated.
The output meter is calibrated to show stage gain in db for a given input at 455 Kc/s
and limits are marked on the scale at a suitable number of db above and below the
stage gain of a bogie valve.
(P) Electrode dissipation
The dissipation of an electrode is determined by subtracting the power output
from that electrode— see Sect. 3(iv)I— from the d.c. power input to that electrode.
Where the power output from an electrode is zero, the electrode dissipation is then
equal to the d.c. power input,
(v) Specific converter characteristics
(A) Methods of operation including oscillator excitation
A converter valve essentially includes two sections, an oscillator and a mixer, which
may be either separate units supplied by independent cathode streams as in a triode-
hexode or combined to use a single cathode stream as in the pentagrid types. The
characteristics of a converter depend both on the electrode voltages of the mixer and
oscillator and on the excitation of the mixer by the oscillator.
For purposes of testing, the oscillator may be either self-excited or driven by an
external source of alternating voltage of suitable amplitude ; alternatively a limited
range of characteristics may be determined under purely static conditions with direct
voltages only applied to the electrodes. In general, the latter is not recommended for
routine testing erutside of valve factories, owing to the practical difficulties of correlating
characteristics with published characteristics obtained under oscillating conditions.
(1)Oscillator self-excited
This is the normal method of operation in most radio receivers, and although it has
much to commend it as a simultaneous test of both mixer and oscillator sections, the
/
This value divided by twice the peak value of the sinusoidal voltage applied to the
signal input electrode is taken as the mixer conversion transconductance. Specified
voltages are applied to the valve electrodes under specified circuit conditions and the
oscillator excitation voltage is adjusted to the specified value or to give the specified
oscillator grid current. Other methods of testing are acceptable if correlated with this
method.
The relationship may be expressed in the form
g<=-~ov
•elm
— (4b)
of the signal voltage. The grid coupling capacitor C x and grid resistor R t are provided,
with a meter to measure oscillator grid current through R t In the plate circuit of the
.
valve under test there is a by-pass capacitor C2 and iron-cored choke L to pass the
direct current I b from the plate voltage source E bb . The increase in plate current is
measured by the low resistance microammeter M
after the standing current I b2
has been " bucked out " by the bucking battery B and rheostat R 3 which should have
a minimum resistance at least 100 times that of the microammeter.
In order to obtain exact results, as indicated previously, very small signal voltages
are required, which produce only small incremental readings of plate current and demand
stabilized electrode voltage sources. In any particular case, the signal voltage may be
increased until the error due to the large signal voltage becomes measurable, and tests
should then be carried out at a somewhat lower signal voltage.
If a signal voltage of 1/2 V
2 volt (0.5 volt peak) is used, the incremental plate current
in milliamps then reads conversion transconductance in milliamps per volt. It seems
that values of transconductance frequently quoted in published data are obtained
using the above-mentioned value of signal voltage, as in many cases the true conversion
transconductance under the conditions published differs from this value. As a result,
3.3 (v) SPECIFIC CONVERTER CHARACTERISTICS 111
Side-band method
The side-band method of measuring conversion transconductance is shown by the
circuit of Fig. 3.13. The oscillator may be either self-excited at any convenient
frequency, say 1 Mc/s as in Fig. 3.13, or may be driven. A signal voltage E x at audio
frequency (say 1000 c/s) is applied to the control grid. The oscillator is adjusted to give
the required grid current through the specified grid resistor R z In the plate circuit there
.
FIG. 3.13
The voltage across the resonant circuit comprising the oscillator frequency, the signal
frequency and the two resulting sidebands are applied to a radio frequency amplifier
followed by a diode detector across whose diode load is connected a valve voltmeter
to indicate the amplitude of the audio frequency components. If an r-f amplifier is not
used, the region of non-linearity of the diode characteristic results in the calibration of
the system being dependent on the voltage developed across the tuned circuit and would
thus be unsatisfactory for valves of low conversion conductance. However, the r-f
amplifier may be omitted provided the signal applied to the diode is sufficiently high
to ensure linear rectification. Where this is not so, the simplified circuit may not be
suitable for measurements of low values of conversion conductance.
If the r-f amplifier is omitted, the signal voltage E t may be about 0.5 volt peak, and
R may be
x 10 000 ohms.
The tester must be calibrated against the standard phase reversal method and the
circuitmay be adjusted so that the meter is direct reading.
(e) Mixer plate resistance
This may be measured either with a self-excited or driven oscillator, the value of
plate resistance being not affected by the method used. Measurement of plate resistance
is performed as for a pentode, except for the excitation of the oscillator.
(f) Mixer transconductance
This may be measured as for a pentode valve, except that the oscillator should be
either self-excited or driven.
(g) Oscillator grid current
Theoscillator performance of a converter valve depends upon several valve and
circuit parameters that are not simply defined.
112 (v) SPECIFIC CONVERTER CHARACTERISTICS 3.3
The oscillator grid current may be used as the criterion of oscillator performance
in a self-excited oscillator, operating under specified conditions. The circuit should
be designed to draw typical peak and average total space currents. The Boonton
Converter Oscillator test circuit is widely used to check oscillator performance, owing
to its simplicity of design and ease of adjustment and control and, while not giving an
exact criterion of oscillator performance, does provide a dynamic test of the usual
parameters under conditions that simulate average receiver operation.
FIG. 3.14
The circuit (Fig. 3.14) is a series-fed Hartley having a fixed feedback ratio and having
the tank circuit impedance variable so that the magnitude of oscillation may be
adjusted. Normal voltages are applied to all electrodes.
It necessary to specify the oscillator plate voltage, oscillator plate series
is
resistor (if used), oscillator grid resistor (R„) the inductance of each section of the coil
(Li, Li), the mutual inductance between the two sections (M), the capacitance shunted
across the whole coil (C), the grid coupling capacitance (C„), and the resonant imped-
ance of the tuned circuit (2? d). Normally a coil having a higher reactance than the
specified value of resonant impedance is used and is shunted by a variable resistance
(Ri) to give the specified resonant impedance. Bias is obtained by means of a capacitor
and a wire-wound gridleak. The wire-Wound grid resistor is used because it has con-
siderably higher impedance to radio frequencies than to direct current. The high
radio-frequency impedance diminishes the shunting effect of the gridleak on the tuned
circuit. The rectified grid current is read on a microammeter (suitably by-passed) in
series with the grid resistor. Before the test oscillator is used, the relationship between
the tuned impedance of the tank circuit and the setting of the variable resistor must
be determined
The R.M.A. standard (Ref. S7) and JAN-1A (Ref. S2, sheet dated 19 July, 1944)
specify the component and coil design values as being : C=100 fifiF (mica) ; C„=
=
200 ppF (mica) ; 7J 1 =50 000 ohms potentiometer ; ,R B 50 000 ohms wire-wound
resistor ; L
x =83 f*H ; L
2 =48 fiH. : Af=23.3 fiH ; coil diameter= 1.25 in. ; winding
length =59/64 in. ; wire No. 30 a.w.g. enamelled copper ; turns =83 ; tap at 33
turns from anode end. See also Ref. S12.
The constants quoted above have been selected to simulate average circuit conditions
in broadcast receivers for composite converters having transconductances less than
1500 ftxnhos at zero bias. For valves having higher transconductances or for circuits
above broadcast frequencies, the circuit with the constants given may not be satis-
factory, as spurious oscillations may make it impossible to obtain correlation between
test readings and receiver performance.
The ability of a valve to oscillate when the shunt impedance of a tank circuit is low
is criterion of the value of a valve as an oscillator. The oscillation test is made by
one
applying the desired electrode potentials to the valve under test and reading the rectified
grid current at some known setting of tank-circuit impedance. A
valve that will not
with the tank-circuit impedance below about 9000 ohms is considered to be a
oscillate
weak oscillator. A valve that wttl oscillate with a tank-circuit impedance as low as
3000 ohms is considered to be a strong oscillator. The minimum tuned impedance at
which oscillation will start or cease as indicated by the rectified grid current will
depend on the oscillator characteristics of the particular type and will vary from type
to type.
3.3 (v) SPECIFIC CONVERTER CHARACTERISTICS 113
insure that the coupling to the oscillator is sufficiently small, reduce the coupling until
further reduction does not change the setting of Y
x for resonance. Record the cali-
G B
brated values of x and x for this setting.
Vary Y x on either side of resonance until the voltage Vx is reduced by a factor
(d)
1/V2. Record the calibrated values of this total variation of Yx between half-power
points as AG X and AB X In order to insure that the oscillator and detector are not
.
loading the circuit, reduce the coupling until further reduction does not change the
susceptance variation AB X The short-circuit input susceptance is then given by the
.
relation
B11 =-B1 (5)
and the short-circuit input conductance by the relation
yll =lAB 1 [(l+2r,*)i + v li-G1 (6)
orylx *ilAB x [l + 7i+ri*]-G x (7)
or even further by the relation
yu *s$AB 1 -G x (8)
if 7) is negligible.
FIG. 3.16
Fig. 3.16. Circuit diagram of equipment used for measurement of short-circuit input
admittance (Ref. 51).
Apractical form (Ref. 51) for the frequency range 50 to 150 Mc/s is shown in Figs
3.16 and 3.17. The valve under test is used as a part of a resonant circuit which includes
a continuously-variable inductor and a small concentric-cylinder capacitor built on a
micrometer head. The high-potential end of the inductor is connected to the high-
potential electrode of the micrometer capacitor inside a cylindrical cavity open at the
top. Fig. 3.17 also shows the positions of some of the by-pass capacitors used with the
octal socket. These are button-type, silver-mica capacitors of approximately 500 ^F
capacitance. The socket is of the moulded phenolic type. Terminals 1, 3, 5 and 7 are
connected directly to the mounting plate at a point directly below the terminal in each
instance. Terminals 2 (heater) and 6 (screen grid) are by-passed to ground, and a lead
is brought from each of these terminals through the mounting plate to a small r-f
choke and a second by-pass capacitor. Terminal 8 (plate) is by-passed and fitted
with a spring contacting the terminal for one of the circuits. Terminal 4 (grid) has
only the contact spring. A
similar arrangement is used with miniature valves. In
this case, the socket is of the wafer type with mica-filled rubber insulation. Terminals
2, 3 and 7 are grounded and terminals 4, 5 and 6 are by-passed to ground. Terminals
1 (grid) and 5 (plate) have contact springs. The by-p^ss capacitors are closer to the
mounting plate than in the case of the octal socket ; die capacitors at terminals 4 and
6 overlap the capacitor to terminal 5. A
10 ohm resistor, mounted inside a cylindrical
shield to minimize lead inductance, is connected between socket terminal 5 (plate)
and the by-pass capacitor. This component was added to suppress a parasitic oscilla-
tion observed with certain type 6AK5 valves. The resistor was found to have no
3.3 (vi) TESTS FOR SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS 115
FIG. 3.17
•LOCKING CAPACITOR
AT TCRMINAL OF SPLIT
VARIABLE IIIOUCTOft •pacing
KINO
CALIMATINC CAPACITOR
MOUNT IMC »U*STITUTCP
FOP. TUSC MOUNTING
Fig. 3.17. Physical arrangement of circuit elements of Fig. 3.16 (Ref. 51).
measurable effect on input admittance readings obtained with valves, either of the
6AK5 type or of other types, not subject to the parasitic oscillation.
In order to obtain susceptance values, the circuit must first be calibrated for the
capacitance required for resonance at each test frequency. The circuit is calibrated
by determining the inductor settings for resonance with each of a number of small,
disc-shaped, calibrating capacitors substituted for the valve. The insert in the lower
left corner of Fig. 3.17 shows a cutaway view of the cavity with one of the calibrating
capacitors in place. The length of the phosphor-bronze contact spring used with the
calibrating capacitors is approximately the same as that used with the valve. Thus,
the inductance of this lead is accounted for in the calibrating procedure. The reference
terminals for the valve are the socket plate and the grid terminal of the socket or,
possibly, a point on the grid terminal a little inside the body of the socket. The
calculated inductance of the contact spring is 4.5 milli-microhenries per centimeter of
length within about ±25 per cent., but the difference in effective lengths of the springs
for the socket connection and the calibrating connection is not more than 2 or 3
millimeters.
The range of the micrometer capacitor is sufficient for measurements of the circuit
with the calibrating capacitors, with most cold valves, and with some valves under
operating conditions. For other cases, adjustment of the inductor is required.
If the conductance being measured is small enough to be measured by the available
range of the micrometer capacitor, the susceptance and conductance variations between
1/V^ voltage points are given by
AB=<*AC
and JG=0
where <o is the angular frequency of measurement and A C is the micrometer capaci-
tance variation between the half-power points.
The calibration curves used at each test frequency are :
B ll =-B l (9)
as in (1) above, and
G ll = l/R (10)
where R is the standard resistance of a value that satisfies (10).
There are practical difficulties in obtaining standard resistors having negligible
reactance at frequencies of the order of 100 Mc/s or higher. Wire-wound resistors are
not usable at such frequencies The most satisfactory types available are the metallized-
.
circuited end, the admittance Y, at the open end of the line is given by the relation
1
Y, = y[sinh yx Y sinh yx
1 + - (11)
Qsinh yl
Y sinhy/ SinhyC/ x)
Conversely, the admittance t is
Y
the admittance that would have to be placed at the
open end of the line to produce the same effect there as the known admittance Y at the
position *. Equation (11) then represents the property of the transmission line of
converting admittance Y at position x into admittance Y.t at position /. This expression
can be simplified for a low-loss line having a characteristic admittance large com- Y
pared with the bridging admittance Y. Thus if >> Y, Y
I Y sinhyx . . ,, .1 "
klmhT^^-^H 1'
< 12>
and the real part of the propagation constant y of the line is small,
fsinh yxT [~sinh ft*
T n*
(13)
[slnT-y/J ^sfch^J
where p=2n/\ Equation (11;) then simplifies
simplifie: to
2
^yfsin ftc
y,=y["^£T
1
~|
(14)
\_sinpl]
If Y is a pure conductance of value \/R, then Y t is the pure conductance
G T ^±ls™^Y (15)
is taken. The transducer is removed and one of the standard resistors placed across the
line bridging the two conductors. The position of this resistor along the line is then
adjusted and the system is readjusted for resonance with the calibrated capacitor until
the voltage, as measured at the end of the line, is the same as before. By (15) we have
where R is the resistance of the standard placed x centimeters from the short-circuited
end of the line. It is evident that a resistor must be selected having a resistance value
near to but not larger than the reciprocal of Gn .
Since the transmission line should have low loss and low characteristic impedance,
a coaxial line is desirable. The line will require a longitudinal opening or slot in order
to permit one of the standard resistors to bridge the line at an adjustable position to
satisfy the required voltage condition. A
valve voltmeter is capacitively coupled
to the open end of the line across which the electron-tube transducer may be attached.
Socket and filter arrangements for wire-lead valves can be attached to this line.
Radiation difficulties arising from the longitudinal opening in the line, together with
the increasing difficulty in obtaining resistance standards at frequencies much above
300 Mc/s, appear to make this type of measuring equipment impracticable for measure-
ments at higher frequencies on surface-lead valves. Ref. S12.
(B) Short-circuit feedback admittance Cy 12)
Susceptance-variation method of measurement
See (A)l above for general description.
(a) With the input termination still set at the value for resonance obtained in step (c)
in (A) above, excite the output circuit through Y
c% In the event that oscillation diffi-
.
1.V121
^i^r(1+2r?av/2+ J (17)
vt \
2
or Lviil^-j (19)
r|pj|
where AGi and AB± are the values obtained in the preceding measurement of yu .
Ref. S12.
subscripts 1 and 2 are interchanged, all of the formulae concerning y 12 may be used to
relate y %1 to the measured data.
Ref. S12.
(E) Perveance
(1) Perveance of a diode
The perveance of a diode may be derived by plotting the current against the three-
halves power of the voltage, when the slope of the curve will give the value of G.
Voltages should be chosen sufficiently high so that such effects as those produced by
118 (vi) TESTS FOR SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS 3.3
contact potential and initial electron velocity are unimportant. If this is not possible,
a correction voltage « should be added to the diode voltage, where
€=(3/2)J> 6 -* 6
where r 6 — anode resistance of diode.
Ref. S12.
+(e„/n)
*
,
=e e
(20)
T+(T77)
Multi-grid valves may be considered, with sufficient accuracy for most purposes, as
triodes with the screen grid as the anode and the screen grid voltage as the anode
voltage.
Low
voltage correction— The effects of initial electron velocity and contact
potentialmay be represented by an internal correction voltage « that is added to the
composite controlling voltage, where
3I b (i ne c +e b
* 2£„0+l) m+1
The value of g m to be used is that obtained with all the electrodes except the cathode
and control grid tied together to form an anode which is held at the voltage ordinarily
used for the screen grid.
Ref. S12.
—-H3GRID
Fig. 3.18. Circuit for measuring electrode currents using single pulse generator method
(I = peak-reading
current indicatory E=
peak-reading voltage indicatory V=moving coil
voltmeter). If high accuracy is required, correction should be made for the voltage drop
across the current indicators. The regulation of the electrode supplies is not important
for point by point testing, provided that the shunt capacitors are sufficiently large.
One form of indicator is a diode type valve voltmeter with a high resistance load
shunted by a large capacitance. The use of this indicator for current-measuring
purposes may result in
serious errors if the electrode characteristic of the valve under
test exhibits any negative
slope.
A
cathode ray oscillograph may be used directly to measure peak voltage, or peak
voltage drop across a non-inductive resistor of known resistance, provided that there is
no negative slope in the electrode characteristics. If negative slope is likely to occur,
a linear horizontal sweep voltage, synchronised to the pulse generator frequency,
may be used to spread out the current trace. In this manner the detection of possible
errors is simplified. The vertical deflection corresponding to the maximum horizontal
deflection is the one required ; for characteristics having only positive slopes, this
vertical deflection will also be the maximum.
Amplifiers may be used
provided that they are designed with sufficient bandwidth
and phase-frequency response for the high-frequency components
sufficiently, linear
of the pulse. The attenuator should be capacitively balanced, making the ratio of
capacitance to resistance of all sections alike.
Reference to peak-reading indicators Ref. SI 2.
:
The plate voltage versus plate current characteristic may be traced by maintaining
the grid (and screen, if any) at constant voltage and by applying the pulse voltage to
the plate. This requires a peak voltage of several hundred volts for receiving valves,
together with high peak currents. The grid voltage must be maintained constant, the
regulation requirements being severe. The regulation requirements of the other
electrodes are not important, if large capacitors are used.
A method of showing the two axes for any single characteristic is described in Ref. 73
which makes use of a standard vibrator.
References to curve tracer methods : 37, 39, 69, 70, 71, 72.
(a) Visually inspect all valves 100 per cent, for mechanical defects.
(b) Test all valves 100 per cent, for shorts and open circuits.
(c) Select at random from the valves a representative sample (or samples) and
all
test for a suitable dynamic characteristic using established statistical acceptance pro-
cedure. The test selected should give a satisfactory indication of the overall per-
formance of the type in its normal application.
References to sampling inspection : Refs. 42, 43, 44.
)
(vi) Pre-heating.
(vii) Testing procedure.
R.O.H B
122 (ii) FUNDAMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS 3.5
and Oscillator g„
together with Noise
Gas
Out of a representative group of 22 modern service testers examined, 17 incorporated
some form of mutual conductance test, 7 incorporated an emission test other than for
diodes and 22 incorporated a diode emission test. One provided a plate conductance
all
test. With regard to the remaining tests, 8 incorporated a heater to cathode leakage
test, with 7 having a gas test and 7 having a noise test.
It seems to be generally admitted that an emission test alone is not a very satisfactory
dynamic test for all amplifying valves. The better types of testers have both mutual
conductance and diode emission ; they are deficient in that they do not provide a power
output test for power valves, or a.c. amplification for high-mu triodes and a-f
3.5 (iii) TYPES OF COMMERCIAL TESTERS 123
pentodes. The method of testing for mutual conductance with a high grid swing is
not the equivalent of a power output test. Neither mutual conductance nor emission
testing is a satisfactory substitute for a.c. amplification testing of high-mu triodes or
a-f pentodes.
It is obvious, therefore, that any ordinary commercial service tester does not give a
true indication of the condition of all types of valves, and its readings should be used
with discretion.
with short grid-base valves. Even those testers with reduced signal voltages have
quite appreciable errors with some types of valves.
On the other hand, all but one of the examined English mutual conductance testers
use a grid shift method. This introduces some errors due to plate supply regulation
and curvature of the characteristics, but these can be allowed for in the calibration.
(f) Plate conductance testing
This is used by one American tester only as a reasonably close equivalent of the
mutual conductance test, the amplification factor being assumed to be constant.
Pentodes are triode-connected. A moderately high signal voltage is applied, this being
possible with less error than with direct g m measurement owing to the slight compensa-
ting change of p with plate current.
(1)A.C. amplification
This test should be carried out with zero bias and a high value of grid resistor, as
described in Sect. 3(iv)H. No test with fixed or self-bias is able to determine how a
valve will operate with grid resistor bias.
(vi) Pre-heating
When more than one valve is to be tested, a pre-heating socket should be provided
to save time. If not incorporated into the tester itself, the pre-heater may be a separate
unit with one of each type of socket and a filament voltage switch and transformer.
No voltages need normally be applied to the other electrodes except in cases when the
valve is initially satisfactory but becomes defective during operation.
SECTION 6 : REFERENCES
1. Benjamin, M., C. W. Cosgrove and G. W. Warren. " Modern receiving valves design and :
27. Hoch, E. T. " A bridge method for the measurement of interelectrode admittance in vacuum
tubes " Proc. I.R.E. 16.4 (April 1928) 487. .
28. Loughren, A. V., and H. W. Parker. " The measurement of direct interelectrode capacitance of
vacuum tubes " Proc. I.R.E. 17.6 (June 1929) 957.
29. Jones, T. I. " The measurement of the grid-anode capacitance of screen-grid valves Jour. I.E.E.
74.450 (June 1934) 589.
30. Astbury, N. F., and T. I. Jones. " A capacitance attenuator and its application to the measurement
of very small capacitances " Jour. Sci. Instr. 13.12 (Dec. 1936) 407.
31. Barco, A. A. " An improved interelectrode capacitance meter " R.C.A. Rev. 6.4 (April 1942) 434.
32. Tillman, J. R., and A. C. Lynch. " Apparatus for the measurement of small three-terminal
capacitances " Jour. Sci. Instr. 19.8 (Aug. 1942) 122. „„,„„„
33. Proctor, R. F., and E. G. James. " Aradioifrequency and conductance bridge Jour. I.E.E. 92
Part III. 20 (Dec. 1945) 287.
34. : —
van Suchtelen, H. " Applications of cathode ray tubes iv the recording of diagrams Philips
35.
Tec. Rev. 3.11 (Nov. 1938) 339. , „ _. i
Douma, Tj., and P. Ziilstra. " Recording the characteristics of transmitting valves Philips Tec.
m . ^
Rev. 4.2 (Feb. 1939) 56. L „
36. van der Ven, A. J. H. " Testing amplifier output valves by means of the cathode ray tube
Philips Tec. Rev. 5.3 (March 1940) 61.
37. Millman, J., and S. Moskowitz. " Tracing tube characteristics on a cathode ray oscilloscope
Elect. 14.3 (March 1941) 36. , L
38. Easton, E. C, and E. L. Chaffee. " Pulse-type tester for high-power tubes Elect. 20.2 (Feb.
1947) 97.
39. Webking, H. E. "Producing tube curves on an oscilloscope" Elect. 20.11 (Nov. 1947) 128.
40. Herold, E. W. " An improved method of testing for residual gas in electron tubes and vacuum
systems " R.C.A. Rev. 10.3 (Sept. 1949) 430.
Kauzmann, A. P. " New television amplifier receiving tubes " R.C.A. Rev. 3.3 (Jan. 1939) 271.'
,
41.
42. Dodge, H. F., and H. G. Romig. " Single sampling and double sampling inspection tables
43.
B.S.T.J. Jan. 1941 20.1 (Jan. 1941) 1.
Dodge, H. F., and H. G. Romig (book). " Sampling Inspection Tables " (John Wiley & Sons
_
Inc., New York, Chapman & Hall, London, 1944).
44. Keeling, D. B., and L. E. Cisne. " Using double sampling inspection in a manufacturing plant
B.S.T.J. 21.1 (June 1942) 37.
45. Davies, J A. " Quality control in radio tube manufacture " Proc. I.R.E. 37.5 (May 1949) 548.
46. Harris, J. A. " On the co-ordination of circuit requirements, valve characteristics and electrode
design " J. Brit. I.R.E. 9.4 (April 1949) 125.
47. Slonczewski, T. " Transconductance as a criterion of electron tube performance B.S.T.J.
28.2 (April 1949) 315.
48. British Radio Valve Manufacturers' Association (booklet). " Radio Valve Practice (August 1948).
49. British Standard Code of Practice BS1106 (Feb. 1943). " The use of radio valves in equipment."
51. Application Note. "Input admittance of receiving tubes" (AN-118, April 15, 1947) Radio
Corporation of America.
52. " Tube Handbook " HB3, Radio Corporation of America.
53. " Radio Components Handbook " (1st ed. 1948, Technical Advertising Associates, Cheltenham,
Penn., U.S.A.). „
55. — , .
,
Hartkopf, R. E. " Simple valve tester checking insulation, mutual conductance and emission
. .
region by an oscillographic method " Proc. I.R.E. 21.8 (April 1933) 1082.
70. Chaffee, E. L. " Oscillographic study of electron tube characteristics " Proc. I.R.E. 10.6 (Dec.
1922) 440.
71. Schneider) W. A. " Use of an oscillograph for recording vacuum tube characteristics
" Proc.
72.
I.R.E. 16.5 (May 1928) 674. it _ ,, * „ ,„,^ „..
Chaffee, E. L. "Power tube characteristics" Elect. 11.6 (June 1938) 34.
73. Walker, A. H. B. " Cathode-ray curve tracer " W.W. 50.9 (Sept. 1944) 266.
74. Zepler, E. E. " Triode interelectrode capacitances W.E. 26.305 (Feb. 1949) 53.
75. Jones, T. I. " The dependence of the inter-electrode capacitances of valves upon the working
conditions " Jour. I.E.E. 81 (1937) 658.
76. Humphreys, B. L., and B. G. James. " Interelectrode capacitance of valves change with operating —
conditions" W.E. 26.304 (Jan. 1949) 26. •
^o
77. Young, C. H. "Measuring interelectrode capacitances" Tele-Tech 6.2 (Feb. 1947) 68.
78. Terman, F. E. " Radio Engmeew* Handbook " (McGraw-aHBc<)k Co., 1943).
79. Dawes, C. L. (book). " A
Course in Electrical Engineering Vol. 2 (McGraw-Hill Book Co.
Hickman' R., and F. Hunt. " The exact measurement of electron tube coefficients " Rev. Sci.
80.
P
81. Eastman, A? V. (book). " Fundamentals of Vacuum Tubes" (McGraw-Hm Book Co. 1937).
82. Albert, A. L. (book). " Fundamental Electronics and Vacuum Tubes (The Macmillan Co.,
New York, 1938).
.
83. Aiken, C. B., and J. F. Bell. " A mutual conductance meter " Comm. 18.9 (Sept. 1938) 19.
84. Millman, J., and S. Seely (book). " Electronics " (McGraw-Hill Book Co. 1941).
85. Suits, C. G. " A thermionic voltmeter method for the harmonic analysis of electrical waves " Proc.
I.R.E. 18 (Jan. 1930) 178.
86. Belfils, G. " Mesur du ' residu ' des courbes de tension par la methode du pont filtrant " Rev.
Gen. d'Elect. 19 (April 1926) 526.
87. Wolff, Irving. " The alternating current bridge as a harmonic analyzer " Jour. Opt. Soc. Amer.
15 (Sept. 1927) 163.
88. McCurdy, R. G., and P. W. Blye. " Electrical wave analyzers for power and telephone systems
Jour. A.I.E.E. 48 (June 1929) 461.
89. Ballantine, S., and H. L. Cobb. " Power output characteristics of the pentode " Proc. I.R.E. 18
(March 1930) 450.
90. " Curve generator for tubes " developed by M. L. Kuder of N.B.S., Elect. 23.7 (July 1950) 144.
91. " Heater-cathode leakage as a source of hum " Elect. 13.2 (Feb. 1940) 48.
92. Zepler, E. E. and S. S. Srivastava " Interelectrode impedances in triodes and pentodes " W.E
28332 (May 1951) 146.
93. Wagner, H.M. " Tube characteristic tracer using pulse techniques " Elect. 24.4 (Apr. 1951) 110.
Standard* Specification*.
51. Standards on electronics (1938) The Institute of Radio Engineers. U.S.A. See also S12.
52. Joint Army-Navy Specification JAN-1A (U.S.A.).
53. Joint Army-Navy Specification JAN-S-28 Sockets, electron tube, miniature.
54. RMA-NEMA* Standards for electron tube bases caps and terminals (Feb. 1949)— RMA
Standard ET-103A.
55. RMA-NEMA* Dimensional characteristics of electron tubes (Jan. 1949) -RMA Standard
ET-105A.
56. RMA-NEMA-JETEC Standard ET-106A (Feb. 1952) Gauges for electron tube bases.
57. RMA Standard ET-107 (Dec. 1946) Test methods and procedures for radio receiving* tubes. —
58. RMA-NEMA* (Dec. 1947) Standards for measurement of direct interelectrode capacitances
RMA Standard ET-109. „ ^
RMA-NEMA* (Feb. 1948) Standard for designation system for receiving tubes —RMA Standard
M
59.
ET-110.
510. RMA-NEMA* (Feb. 1949) Designation system for electron tube shells -RMA Standard ET-112.
511. "
" Tube Ratings -RMA Standard M8-210 (Jan. 8, 1940).
512. " Standards on electron tubes : methods of testing 1950 " Proc. I.R.E., Part 1, 38.8 (Aug. 1950)
917 ; Part 2, 38.9 (Sept. 1950) 1079.
THEORY OF NETWORKS
by F. Langford-Smith, B.Sc, B.E.
Section
1. Current and voltage
2. Resistance ... 130
3. Power 133
4. Capacitance 134
5. Inductance .. 140
6. Impedance and admittance 144
7. Networks 158
8. Filters 172
9. Practical resistors, condense ad inductors ... 186
128
4.1 (i) DIRECT CURRENT 129
Batteries (or cells) may be connected in series as in Fig. 4.2 and the total voltage
is then equal to the sum of the voltages of the individual batteries (or cells). When
calculating the voltage of any intermediate point with respect to (say) the negative
terminal, count the number of cells passed through from the negative terminal to the
tapping point, and multiply by the voltage per cell. When batteries are connected
in series, each has to supply the full load current.
ACCUMULATORS
Batteries (or cells) are occasionally
connected in parallel as in Fig. 4.3.
In this case the terminal voltage is
the same as the voltage per battery
(or cell). The current does not
necessarily divide uniformly be-
tween the cells, unless these all have
identical voltages and internal re-
sistances.
Most power supplies have frequencies of either 50 or 60 cycles per second (.c/s).
The period is the time taken by one cycle, which is 1/50 or 1/60 second, in these
two cases.
The precise shape of the wave is very important, and the sine wave has been adopted
as the standard a.c. waveform, since this is the only one which always has the current
waveform of the same shape as the voltage, when applied to a resistance, inductance
or capacitance.t In practice we have to deal with various waveforms, some of which
may be considered as imperfect (" distorted ") sine waves, while others are of special
shapes such as square waves, saw-tooth, or pulse types, or rectified sine waves. How-
ever, when we speak of a.c. in any theoretical treatise, it is intended to imply a dis-
tortionless sine wave. Other waveforms may be resolved by Fourier Analysis into a
fundamental sine wave and a number of harmonic frequency sine waves, the latter
having frequencies which are multiples of the fundamental frequency. This subject
is treated mathematically in Chapter 6 Sect. 8.
When deriving the characteristics of any circuit, amplifier or network, it is usual
to assume the application of a pure sine-wave voltage to the input terminals, then to
calculate the currents and voltages in the circuit. In the case of a valve amplifier
(or any other non-linear component) the distortion may be either calculated, or
measured at the output terminals. If the device is to operate with a special input
waveform (e.g. square wave), it is usual to resolve this into its fundamental and har-
monic frequencies, and then to calculate the performance with the lowest (funda-
mental) frequency, an approximate middle** frequency, and the highest harmonic
—
frequency all these being sine waves.
SECTION 2 : RESISTANCE
(0 Ohm's Law for d.c. («) Ohm's Law for ax. (iii) Resistances in series (iv)
Resistances in parallel (v) Conductance in resistive circuits.
t A
sinewave has its derivative and integral of the same form as itself.
•Preferably the geometrical meanfrequency which is given by Vfift where/i and/2 are the lowest
and highest frequencies. , _
•It is assumed that the resistance remains constant under the conditions of operation. For other
cases see Sect. 7(i).
4.2 (i) OHM'S LAW FOR DIRECT CURRENT 131
In a circuit containing more than one battery (or other source of direct voltage),
the effective voltage is determined by adding together those voltages which are in the
same direction as the current, and subtracting any opposing voltages.
Ohm's Law also holds for any single resistor or combination of resistances. The
voltage drop across any resistance R
ls no matter what the external circuit may be,
is given by
Voltage drop IR t = (4)
where / is the current flowing through t . R
(ii)Ohm's Law for alternating current
Ohm's Law holds also for alternating voltages and currents, except that in this
case the voltage (2s) and the current (7) must be expressed in their effective or root-
mean-square values of volts and amperes.
"3 Ra
If the battery has any appreciable internal resistance the circuit must be modified
to the form of Fig. 4.7 where Rt iSythe equivalent internal resistance. Here we have
four resistances effectively in series and / E/(R t Ri =
t a ). The+ +R +R
132 (iv) RESISTANCES IN PARALLEL 4.2
If R t is less than 1 % of (/?! + R + R a), then its effect on voltages is less than
t 1 %.
(iv) Resistances in parallel
When two resistances are in parallel (Fig. 4.8) the effective total resistance is given by
« = £h, «
When R,. = R„ R = RJ2 = RJ2.
When any number of resistances are in parallel (Fig. 4.9) the effective total resistance
given by
is
11 11,
i?-£ + * + * + ""
_
(7)
When two or more resistors are in parallel, the total effective resistance may be de-
termined by the graphical method of Fig. 4.10. This method* only requires a piece
of ordinary graph paper (or alternatively a scale and set square). As an example,
to find the total resistance of two resistors, 50 000 and 30 000 ohms, in parallel take
any convenient base AB with verticals AC
and BD at the two ends. Take 50 000
ohms on BD and draw the straight line j AD
take 30 000 ohms -on and draw AC
X
CB j draw the line Y from their junction perpendicular to AB. The height of
XY gives the required result, on the same scale.
I
.R? "3
Fig. 4.8. Two resistances in parallel. Fig. 4.9. Several resistors in parallel.
3O0OO
The same method may be used to determine suitable values of two resistors to be
connected in parallel to give a specified total resistance. In this case, select one
value (C) arbitrarily, mark X
at the correct height and then find ; if not a suitable D
value, move C to the next available value and repeat the process until satisfactory.
When a network includes a number of resistors, some in series and some in parallel,
convert all groups in parallel to their effective total resistances, then proceed
firstly
with the series chain.
SECTION 3 : POWER
(*') Power in d.c. circuits (») Power in resistive a.c. circuits.
instantaneous current at any point in the cycle. The curve of instantaneous power
(P) may be plotted point by point, and is always positive.
The heating of a resistor is obviously the result of the average or effective power,
which is exactly half the peak power.
"peak ~ -^max •mo* (3)
SECTION 4 : CAPACITANCE
(f) Introduction to capacitance (it) Condensers in parallel and series (Hi) Calcula-
tion of capacitance (iv) Condensers in d.c. circuits (v) Condensers in a.c. circuits.
Q = CE (1)
where Q — quantity of electricity (the charge) in coulombs,
C = capacitance in farads,
and E = applied voltage.
•The American standard term is " Capacitor." .....
tit is assumed here that the condenser is ideal, without series resistance, leakage, or dielectric lag.
—
—
The unit of capacitance—the Farad (F) is too large for convenience, so it is usual
to specify capacitance as so many microfarads (/*F) or micro-microfarads* (/t/*F).
Any capacitance must be converted into its equivalent value in farads before being
used in any fundamental equation such as (1) above
1 pF 1 X 10-« farad =
l/*/iF 1 x 10
-12 =
farad
Note : The abbreviations or mF mmF
should not be used under any circumstances
to indicate microfarads or micro-microfarads, because mF
is the symbol for miUi-farads
(1 x 10~ farad).
8
Some reasonable latitude is allowable with most symbols* but here
there is danger of serious error and misunderstanding.
The energy stored in placing a charge on a condenser is
© ©
c iL c J.
-iL
T T T
3
Fig. 4.12. Condenser connected to a battery.
Fig. 4.13. (A) Condensers in parallel. (B) Cjmdensers in series.
C= C + C +
x a C, + . • (?)
When two or more condensers are connected in series (Fig. 4.13B) the total capaci-
tance is given by :
1 1_ 1_ 1_
(4)
C Ci Cg Cj.
When two or more equal condensers (Cj) are connected in series, the total capaci-
tance is
C = Cx/2 for
2 condensers
and C = CJn for
n condensers.
Note The curved plate of the symbol used for a condenser indicates the earthed
:
(outer) plate of an electrolytic or circular paper condenser ; when this is not applic-
able the curved plate is regarded as the one more nearly at earth potential.
— AK
C (ifiF when dimensions are in centimetres
AK
H/xF when dimensions are in inches
4A5d
where A = useful area of one plate in square centimetres (or inches). The useful
area is approximately equal to the area of the smaller plate when the square root of
the area is large compared with the gap.
K = dielectric constant (for values of common materials see Chapter 38
Sect. 8. For air, = 1. K
d = gap between plates in centimetres (or inches).
T TIME
Fig. 4.14. Condenser charge and discharge (A) Circuit (B) Discharge current
characteristic (C) Charge voltage characteristic (D) Discharge vohage characteristic.
. E _, /rC (6)
4.4 (iv) CONDENSERS IN D.C. CIRCUITS 137
e = E - rt = E (1 - c-*/* ) :
7
(7a) s
and the curve (diagram C) is of the same shape as the current curve except that it
is upside down. The voltage never quite reaches the value E, although it approaches
it very closely.
The charge on the condenser is given by
q -= Q (1 - c-*/* 7
) (7b)
where — instantaneous charge on condenser
q
and Q = EC — final charge on condenser
which follows the same law as the voltage (eqn. 7a).
If we now assume that the condenser C is fully charged, switch S, is opened, and
switch 52 is closed, the discharge characteristic will be given by
,= _| €-^ (8)
which is of the same, form as diagram B, except that the current is in the opposite
direction.
The curve of voltage (and also charge) against time for a discharging condenser is
in diagram D, and is of the same shape as for current, since e Ri. These charge =
and discharge characteristics are called transients.
In order to make a convenient measure of the time taken to discharge a condenser,
we adopt the time constant which is the time taken to discharge a condenser on the
assumption that the current remains constant throughout the process at its initial
value. In practice, as explained above, the discharge current steadily falls with
time, and under these conditions the time constant is the time taken to discharge the
condenser to the point where the voltage or charge drops to 1 / e or 36.8% of its initial
value. The same applies also to the time taken by a condenser in process of being
charged, to reach a voltage or charge of (1 - 1 / e) or 63.2% of its final value.
The time constant ( T) is equal to
T = RC (9)
where T the time constant in seconds,
is
R is the total resistance in the circuit, either for charge or discharge, in ohms,
and C is the capacitance in farads.
This also holds when R is in megohms and C in microfarads.
i.C, * — dq/dt
But Ce = CE sin tat {
2. It has the same angular velocity (<o) and hence the same frequency as the applied
voltage.
3. It followsa cosine, waveform whereas the applied voltage has a sine waveform.
This the same as a sinewave advanced 90° in phase we say that the current
is —
leads the voltage by 90° (Fig. 4.15).
Considering only the magnitude of the condenser charging current,
Im u)CEm = (peak values)
Therefore I rmt = taCE rnu (effective values)
Where / and E occur in a.c. theory, they should be understood as being the same as
I rnu and E rmt .
This should be compared with the equivalent expression when the condenser is
replaced by a resistance (R):
Jrmt ~ R '
be seen that
It will R
in the resistance case, and
(1/wC) in the capacitance case, have a similar effect
in limiting the current. We
call (— l/a>C) the
capacitive reactance t (X c) of the condenser, since
it has the additional effect of advancing the phase of
the current. Wehere adopt the convention of
making the capacitive reactance negative, and the
inductive reactance positive j the two types of re-
actance are vectorially 180° out of phase.
Fig. 4.15. Alternating cur- The
relationships between the various voltages
rent through an ideal condenser. j^
currents are well illustrated by a vector
diagram*. Fig. 4.16A shows a circuit with and R C
in series across an
a.c. line with a voltage e =E
m sin cot. The instantaneous** values of voltage (e)
and current (t) are shown with arrows to indicate the convention of positive direction.
It is quite clear that the same current which passes through R
must also pass through
C. This causes a voltage drop RI across R
and (// <aC) across C
where / is the r.m.s.
value of the current. The relative phase relationships are given by the angular dis-
placements in the vector diagram. These are determined trigonometrically by the
peak values /„, RIm and I m /taC j for convenience, the lengths of the vectors are
marked in Fig. 4.16B according to the effective values J, RI and // coC. The current
vector is distinguished by a solid arrowhead ; it may be to any convenient scale since
there is no connection between the voltage and current scales. Since is purely R
resistive, RI must be in phase with /, but the current through C
must lead the voltage
drop across C
by 90°. This is shown on the vector diagram 4.16B where the direc-
tion of / is taken as the starting point ; RI is drawn in phase with / and of length equal
p
to the voltage drop on any convenient scale j I/&C is drawn so that / leads it by 90 ',
and the resultant (£) of RI and I/'taC is determined by completing the parallelogram.
E
The resultant is the vector sum of the voltage drops across and C, which must R
tA table of capacitive reactances is given in Chapter 38 Sect. 9 Table 42.
•See Chapter 6 Section 5(iv). ,_ ,„ N .
**It is illogical to show directions or polarities on die r.m.s. values of current (1) or voltage (£) since
these are the effective values of alternating currents.
4.4 (v) CONDENSERS IN A.C. CIRCUITS 139
therefore be the applied (line) voltage. It will be seen that the current/ leads the
voltage £ by an angle where <f>
e-E m siN<jt
Fig. 4.16. (A) Resistance and capacitance across ax. line (2?) Vector diagram of
voltage relationships (C) Vector diagram of impedance (Z) with its real component
(R) and reactive component -j (1/wC).
—
Using the j Notation
The operator j* signifies a positive vector rotation of 90°, while —j signifies a
negative rotation of 90°. Instead of working out a detailed vector diagram, it is
possible to treat a circuit problem very much more simply by using the j notation.
For example in Fig. 4.16, we may equate the applied voltage to the sum of the E
voltage drops across R and C :
E=RI-j^ (11)
the —/ indicating
90° vector rotation in a negative direction, which is exactly what
we have in diagram B.
It is sometimes more convenient to put —jl/ a>C into the alternative form +I/j<oC
which may be derived by multiplying both numerator and denominator by j (since
/=- 1). Thus
E = RI + I/joC (12)
From (11) we can derive
Z = E/I =R -j (l/o)C) (13)
For example, in Fig. 4.16A let R = 100 ohms and C = 10 /*F, both connected in
.series, and let the frequency be 1000 c/s.
Then <o = 2ir x 1000 = 6280
l/a>C = 1/(6280 x 10 X 10~«) = 15.9 ohms,
and Z = R —j{\/<aC)
= 100 - j 15.9 (13a)
Eqn. (13a) indicates at a glance a resistance of 100 ohms in series with a negative
reactance (i.e. a capacitive reactance) of 15.9 ohms. Values of capacitive reactances
•See Chapter 6 Sect, 5(iv).
140 (v) CONDENSERS IN A.C. CIRCUITS 4.4
for selected capacitancesand frequencies are given in Chapter 38 Sect. 9 Table 42.
Even if R = we
write the impedance in the same form,
0, still
Z -/ 15.9 = (13b)
Thus Z is a complex* quantity, that is to say it has a " real " part (JR.) and an " imagin-
ary" part (1/wC) at 90° to R, as shown in Fig. 4.16C. The absolute magnitude
(modulus) of Z is :
tan * - ~ d* (15)
which the same as we derived above from the vector diagram, except for the sign.
is
The negative sign in eqn. (15) is because is the phase shift of Z with respect to R.
<f>
Note that the power factor of any resistive component is always positive. negative A
power factor indicates generation of power.
The total power dissipated in the circuit (Fig. 4.16A) will be
P=EI cos <f>
=
EI x power factor (17a)
E*
= I2R == (17b)
rTTTXcVR*]
where P = power in watts
X = c 1/wC
and cos <f>
is denned by eqn. (16a) or the approximation (16b).
SECTION 5 : INDUCTANCE
(t) Introduction to inductance (iV) Inductances in d.c. circuits {Hi) Inductances
in series and parallel (i») Mutual inductance (w) Inductances in ax. circuits (vi)
Power in inductive circuits.
motive force is induced in the coil. This may be expressed by the equation :
dd> -8
e = -N -j- X 10 volts (1)
and —
d<f>
-
= rate of change (differential with respect to time) of the flux.
The direction of the induced e.m.f. is always such as to oppose the change of 'current
which is producing the induced voltage. In other words, the effect tff the induced
e.m.f. is to assist in maintaining constant both current and field.
We may also express the relationship in the form :
di
e = ~ Lj dt <2)
i=f(l-€- w /x ) (3)
.--!(«-*/*) (5)
L = Lx +L a + L9 + . . .
(6)
Inductances in parallel
The total inductance is given by eqn. (7), provided that there is no coupling between
them :
1 1
1_ J_
Li Lr\ Ltz Lii
e% (8)
dt
where et — voltage induced in the secondary,
—
dt
= rate of change of current in the primary in amperes per second,
and M =
mutual inductance of the two coils, in- henrys.
(Compare Equations 2 and 8.)
Af may be either positive or negative, depending on the rotation of, or connections
to,the secondary. M
is regarded as positive if the secondary voltage (e^ has the same
polarity as the induced voltage in a single coil.
The maximum possible (theoretical) value of is when M M=
being the V^L^
condition of unity coupling, but in practice this cannot be achieved. The coefficient
of coupling (k) is given by
k = Af/Vmr (9)
so that k is always less than unity.
If the secondary is loaded by a resistance R t (Fig. 4.17), current will flow through
the secondary circuit.
-== ®
Fig. 4.17. Two inductances coupled by mutual inductance (Af) with the secondary
loaded by a resistance.
Fig. 4.18. {A) Equivalent circuit diagram of practical inductance (B) Vector
diagram of voltage relationships.
(Fig. 4.18A). If there is any other resistance in the circuit, it may be added to the
resistance of the inductor to give the total resistance R.
If an alternating voltage is applied across L and R in series (Fig. 4.18A) the vector
diagram may be drawn as in (B). The current vector / is first drawn to any con-
venient scale ; the vector of voltage drop across R is then drawn as RI in phase with
/ ; the vector of voltage drop across L is then drawn as toLI so that / will lag behind
it by 90° —
hence toLI is drawn as shown ; the parallelogram is then completed to
give the resultant E — 2.1 with a phase angle such that tan = toL/R. <f>
energy is being taken by the circuit, while during other parts of the cycle energy is
being given back by the circuit. The latter may be regarded as negative power being
taken by the circuit, and is so drawn. The expression for the power is
P = E m sin tot x Im sin (»t — <f>)
From eqn. (15) the power is equal to the product of the effective voltage and current
multiplied by cos <f>, which is called the Power Factor, its value being given by
cos <f>
= R/VR* + («Z.) 2 .
When purely resistive, L -
the load is and the power factor = 1 ; the power is
therefore P =
E Tnu I Tm ,.
From (15) we may derive for the general case :
orP (16b)
~RW+j£r7R*T
Therefore R= P/I* (17)
where P= power in watts
mL = inductive reactance in ohms
R = resistance in ohms
and / = current in amperes.
In other words, the total pbwer taken from the line in the circuit of Fig. 4.18A is
the power dissipated by the effective total resistance R. There is no loss of power
in an ideal inductance with zero resistance, although it draws current from an a.c.
line, because the power factor is zero (<f> — 90°, therefore cos — 0). The product <f>
of / x E in this case is called the wattless power or reactive power, or more cor-
rectly the reactive volt-amperes.
The powerfactor at any given frequency gives the ratio of the resistance of a coil
to impedance and may be used as a figure of merit for the coil-. A good coil should
its
have a very small power factor.
The power factor is almost identical with the inverse of the coil magnification factor
%
Q (Chapter 9), and the error is less than 1 for values of Q greater than 7 :
Q = t»L/R = tan $
Power factor cos= <f>
= R/Z
tan ^ «^ 1/cos <f>
(error < 1% for <f>
> 82°)
Therefore Power Factor £» 1/Q for Q > 7.
This may be illustrated by means of a vector diagram (Fig. 4.20 B) where / is drawn
to any convenient scale. The voltage-drop vectors are then drawn, to the selected
voltage scale, RI in phase with /, jwLI at 90° in advance of I and —jI/<oC lagging
90° behind I. The simplest method of combining the three vectors is to take either
<»LI or I/wC, whichever is the greater, andjhen to subtract the other from it, since
these two are exactly in phase opposition. In diagram B, coLI is the greater, so that
I/u>C is subtracted from toLI to give (o>L — l/a>C)I. The two remaining vectors,
RI and/(«oL — l/wC)I are then combined by completing the parallelogram, to give
the resultant 2.1 which, of course, must be equal to the applied voltage E.
A special case arises when <»L = 1/coC in eqn. (1) ; the reactive component
becomes zero and Z = R. This is the phenomenon of series resonance which
is considered in greater detail in Chapter 9.
G3
§M
IS 1
os
+
ft! OS
fc Im t\« b l<s
=3 -H
I's
OS
•2
+ "ft
3
e
°
^
> h o M
+
1 +
">
II
1 In
1
i -n -r*
+ 1
•+
6« ,.
o +
OS
aN OS
+ +
OS
•a
os *4 +
os + a + + + +
OS
os os +
oj
s
CO
4.6 (iii) PARALLEL COMBINATIONS OF L, C AND R 147
General case with a number of arms connected in series, each arm being
of the form R + X
Arm (1) : 7L X = R x + jXt (i.e. R t in series with X
t)
% "I 1 JiiOfr-o)
Therefore Z
+>(» c -i) i->( wC -i;)
i2)
148 (iii) PARALLEL COMBINATIONS OF L, C AND R 4.6
SN +
o •-11 3
1 3 +
+ ~\c< ,-JftJ
i Id IN
fc
*i1 -H
fc
+1
1
HI
'
+
at
o
s* 3
•3^ «
N +
J
a
e
« s
CI
I 3 H-
+ +
1 J*- +
e.7 +
MN
+
+ ~|* -nlft!
ftj
ft!
| a?
ft*
4
(X,
4.6 (iii) PARALLEL COMBINATIONS OF L, C AND R 149
\Z\ = RX
(3a)
VX* + R*
u)LR
when X= a>L (3b)
V<o*L* + R-
R
whenX = 1/wC (3c)
Vi +
R {when L and C ~\
(3d)
VI +/? 1
l/wL) j are in parallel /
B
A table and a chart to find X, R or Z when a reactance FIG. 4. 20 E
and resistance are connected in parallel, is given in
Chapter 38 Sect. 9(iii) Table 43.
A simple graphical method for determining the re-
sultant impedance of a reactance and a resistance in
parallel is given in Fig. 4.20E where and OB repre- OA
sent Rand Xrespectively and OD
at right is drawn
angles to the hypotenuse. The length
represents OD
the scalar value of the resultant impedance, while the
angle DOA is equal to the phase angle <f> between the
applied voltage and the resultant current.
For other graphical methods for impedances in parallel
see Reed, C.R.G. (letter) W.E. 28.328 (Jan. 1951) 32 ;
Benson, F. A. (letter) W.E. 28.331 (April 1951) 128. 4.202:. Impedances
in parallel.
T »t 7 =
A + JB
CRi + R ty + (<oL - i/wcy (6)
and let us now determine the values of A and B :
ZiZiLi+i + *i)
(9)
(«! + K.) + y(«L - 1/*>C) (Kj +120 + ./(«»£ - 1/<»C)
where Zx = V#i 2 + o>*L*
and Z, = VR t * + l/<o*C*
' + <»*L*XR t * + l/<«> a C')"U
\Z\ = ft*
1 (10)
whence
4-«0 t + («i'-l/"'O 2 J
1
' [(/J 1
-1
The phase angle is given by tan B/A
- RS/vC - (L/C)(a>L - l/toC) l
VR x *a>L
= tan" (11)
[iV^CR* + R*) + R»to*L* + RJto*C* J
When LCto* = 1, eqn. (10) may be reduced to
,_ + (C/LXRS + *,') +
= L [1 (C7L«) Jgt »R,']*
(12)
Iz '
a rT+r,
or \Z\ tv {L/CXRi + RJ (13)
with an error < 1% provided Q > 10
where Q = toL/^ + R t ).
e-EmSINb>t
Fig. 4.21. C<4) Network incorporating 4 elements for impedance calculations (B)
Simplified network with 3 elements.
The magnitude
|Z|
|_a» s
J
R* + U *L*
C*R* + (to*LC
—
of the impedance derived from eqn. (10) becomes
-D a
I* (15)
(a) The effective reactance of eqn. (14) is zero (i.e. the power factor is unity)
when
CR* = L(l - to*LC)
i.e. when to*L*C = L - CR*
i.e. when to = sj __ _ _ (17)
This condition, namely that the effective reactance is zero, which may also be
expressed as the condition of unity power factor, is one of several possible definitions
of parallel resonance. This is the definition used in Chapter 9. It should be
noted that the expression giving the value of to is not independent of the resistance
in the circuit as is the case with series resonance.
4.6 (iv) SERIES-PARALLEL L, C AND R 151
If LCw* = 1, which is the condition for resonance if the resistance is zero, the
impedance is given very closely, when R is small, by
Z xa L/CR (19)
The
remaining possible definitions of parallel resonance are conditions to give
m
maxi um impedance. The condition of maximum impedance is sometimes called
anti-resonance. Maximum impedance occurs under slightly different conditions
for the variables C, L and at*.
... .
which occurs when
_
L =
1 + Vl -+—4a,
r^
C»U — a
1
8
(23)
a, = 2*f
V
= / V(2^ 1 »C/L)
LC
In practice, for all normal values of Q(= atL/R) as used in tuned circuits, these
+ 1 _ /V
L*
(28)
four cases are almost identical and the frequency of parallel resonance is approxi-
mately the same as that for series resonance.
We may summarise the resonance frequencies for the various conditions given
above:
Series resonance LCa>* — 1
Parallel resonance (a) LCat* = 1 - CR*/L
(b) LCa>* = 1 - CR*/L
(c) LCo)» = 1 + CR'/L
(d) LCa>* = Vl + 2CR*/L - CR*/L
Ple* of Radio Ba8to*crin8 " (McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York
and u£^,W3§ffv?3M*'^
152 (iv) SERIES-PARALLEL L, C AND R 4.6
Z "= (29)
(R t + RJ* + colL 8
Let X
t = o>Lt — 1/wCi
and X
2 = *»L 2 l/t»C 2—
then Z x = /?! + ;Xi ; Z a = R + jX2 2.
_ (J^K, - X X + j(JgiX + R XJ
X 2) a 2
(*!
•
The magnitude of the impedance may be derived by the method used for deriving
eqn. (10)
2
+x x «xu,» +x 8
2 )
(33)
= "* -i Xx(/g a
a
a ') XJJRS +X + + XS)
+ Xa «) + JWi" + X, 2 l
* &(«,» )
(-*-£)"
and
(36)
reactive
3. Determine the combined impedance
(Z) by adding the resistive
l_
R*
where A = /?, 4- !
Or,)'
+ (" c- - i)
. i E
>Ct —
— wL t
and B oLi — —jzr
a,)' + (-.-i,)*
The magnitude of the impedance is given by
\Z\ = y/A* + B* (38)
The phase angle <t>
is given by
4> = tan" 1 (B/A) (39)
where A and B have the same values as for cqn. (37).
o 1 1
B
:r. <»-
—
«
o—vwv^- nnTH^ /
'«.i/k c »| R «
FIG.4.2ID FIG. 4. 21
FIG.4.2IC
Fig. 4.21. (C) (D) (i?) Series-parallel networks for impedance calculations.
Z, ^ Z z Z8
11
Determine the impedance (Z) of the network from the relation
1
^
1
^
,,«,
Z
Note If there are more than two parallel branches it is more convenient to work
:
When there are a number of such arms in parallel, the resultant conductance is
B ~ >
R?fx? **°* ™
where Xi — (wLj — 1/oaCi).
[Inductive susceptance is regarded as positive. Capacitive susceptance is regarded
as negative.]
When there are a number of such arms in parallel, the resultant susceptance is the
sum of their separate susceptances,
B = B1 + Bt + B> + . . . (43)
When any arm includes only resistance, the conductance of the arm is l/Ri
and the susceptance zero,
i.e. G = x l/Ri #i = 0.
•An arm is a distinct set of elements in a network, electrically isolated from all other conductors except
at two points.
R.D.H.
—
When any arm has only inductance, the conductance of the arm is zero and the
susceptance is l/a»Lu
i.e. G =
t B =
t 1/coLj.
When any arm has only capacitance, the conductance of the arm is zero, and
the susceptance is — a>C,
i.e. G =
t B = -a>C
x
(46b)
thCrefore Y =
*«+(«L-l/„<y (50)
Values of admittance for various series combinations are included in the table in
Sect 6(iii).
G - R ~
Bxl (Xx = coL)
x
+ X -iJ R + Xx *
x
*
x
*
' x
*
G, = Rt X
,JB,= Ri + X t
(X, = - 1/«Q
Rt' + Xt a
t
*
Oohom * m £ 09 * » «
2 S 8 § S
S i g S
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
M 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Ol 0? 0-3 0* 0-5 O6 07 O-B 0-9 K> H 1-3 1.4 l-S 1-6 1-7 1-8 1-9 2-0
6 FIG. 4.21 F
Fig. 4.21F. Chart far conversion between resistance and reactance, and conductance
and susceptance
Z = (R±
jX) 10", jB) 10-». 7 = (GT
156 (v) CONDUCTANCE, SUSCEPTANCE, ADMITTANCE 4.6
CRS - L + <o*LC(L - CR 2
*)~
+ jf>
_(/?!* + «L 2 2
)(1 + o^C 2
*, 2
(52)
)
Y _ *i (Ki **) +
<o*L a s + -joLR
(54)
R 2 (R 1 * + a) 2 ! 2)
Example (D) : Fig. 4.21D.
Y = G - jB, = *i
1 1
+X —J
*i
2
X
2
*i
2
+ A"! 5
X,
Y = G — jB =
2 2 2
+X 2
*
J
/? + x2
Y = *1 X s
/V + x,T-f u f-*2 J
Ry 2
2
2 2 S
+X 1
i '
fl 2 2 + X2 *
finity, so the point Y moves from O (at zero frequency) through C to A (at resonance)
and thence through E to O again (at an infinite frequency). The angle is the angle <f>
by which the current i leads the applied voltage e ; when is negative the current <f>
lags behind the voltage. Thus when OY lies in the upper portion of the circle the
circuit is capacitive, and when it lies in the lower portion of the circle the circuit is
inductive.
When Y is at the point C, the admittance will be represented by and will OC <f>
be 45° the reactive and resistive components of the impedance will therefore be
;
equal. At zero frequency will be +90° and the admittance will be zero
<f>
at in- :
finite frequency will be —90° and the admittance will also be zero.
<f>
i::::
:::;
—
:^
:::::
¥SZ"^
ty'TJf
-y -5^-
y^z ~Mj
, rjpi =
f^
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TO
20
SERIES RESISTANCE R$
F»jp. 4.22C. Chart for conversion between series resistance and reactance and
equivalent parallel resistance and reactance.
158 (vi) CONVERSION: SERIES TO PARALLEL IMPEDANCE 4.6
X
These lines intersect at R p = 10.9 and p = 36, so the equivalent parallel connec-
tion requires a 10.9 ohm resistor and an inductor with a reactance of 36 ohms.
Example 2. Find the series circuit equivalent to a parallel connection of a 30 000
ohm resistor and a capacitor with a reactance of —8000 ohms.
Method Enter the chart on the arcs R p — 30 and p = 8. The intersection is
: X
at R, = 2 and X, = 7.5, so the appropriate series elements are R, = 2000 ohms and
X, = -7500 ohms.
SECTION 7 : NETWORKS
(i) Introduction to networks (») Kirchhoff's Laws (iii) Potential Dividers (iv)
Theveniris Thereom (w) Norton's Theorem (vi) Maximum Power Transfer Theorem
(tw) Reciprocity Theorem (vm) Superposition Theorem (ix) Compensation Theorem
(x) Pour-terminal networks (xi) Multi-mesh networks (jcw) Non-linear components
in networks (xiii) Phase-shift networks (xiv) Transients in networks (xv) Refer-
ences to networks.
•Thermistors are resistors with a high negative temperature coefficient. See Sect. 9(X)a.
tThyrite is a conductor whose resistance falls in the ratio 12.6 : 1 every time the voltage is doubled,
over a current ratio 10 000 000 to 1. See K. B. McEachron " Thyrite, a new material for lightning
arresters " General Electric Review (U.S.A.) 33.2 (Feb. 1930) 92.
.
1 1
ft + ft + -
If in any part of the circuit there are two or more elements of the same kind in
parallel (whether R, L, or C) the resultant should be determined and applied to the
equivalent circuit diagram.
An exception to this rule is where it is merely required to calculate the output
voltage from a passive resistive 4-terminal network. In this case it is sometimes
helpful to arrange the network in the form of a potential divider, or sequence of
dividers, and to use the method of Sect. 7(iii).
It is very important to mark on the equivalent circuit diagram the directions or
polarities of the applied voltages (whether direct or alternating) and the assumed direc-
tions of the currents } if any one of the latter is incorrect, this will be shown by a
negative sign in the calculated value. A
clockwise direction for the flow of current
around any mesh is conventional.
In some cases it may be found simpler to reduce a passive 4-terminal network to
an equivalent T — —
or « section see Sect. 7(x) than to analyse it by means of Kirch-
hoff's Laws.
Definitions
An element is the smallest entity (i.e. a distinct unit) which may be connected
in a network — e.g. L, C
or R.
An arm is a distinct set of elements, electrically isolated from all other conductors
except at two points.
A series arm conducts the main current in the direction of propagation.
A shunt arm diverts a part of the main current.
A branch is one of several parallel paths.
A mesh is a combination of elements forming a closed path.
A two-terminal network is one which has only two terminals for the application
of a source of power or connection to another network.
A four-terminal network is one which has four terminals for the application of
a source of power or connections to other networks. The common form of four-
terminal network has two input and two output terminals ; this term is used even
when one input terminal is directly connected to one output terminal, or both earthed.
i
Examples
An amplifier is a four-terminal active network.
An attenuator is a four-terminal passive network.
A conventional tone control is a two-terminal passive network.
16A t, sn.
*] VvWvW f VWV\Mr—
*olr MA
<
(2) The total rise or fall of potential at any instant in going around any closed
circuit is zero.
This is illustrated for d.c. in Fig. 4.23, taking each closed circuit in turn and pro-
ceeding clockwise in each case. Any voltage source is here regarded as positive if it
assists in sending current clockwise around the closed circuit (i.e. voltage rise). The
voltage across any impedance is regarded as negative if the current arrow is in the same
direction as the direction of travel around the closed circuit (i.e. voltage drop).
Circuit d a b c d: 6 16 iab — 10 i b e =
+ — (1)
Circuit d a b f g c d 6 16 iab : 8 i, b - 4
+ — (2) + =
Circuit / b c g f: 4 - 8 ifb - 10 i b „
+ (3) =
Applying Kirchhoff's first law to point b,
hb + ifb = He (4)
To find the values of the three unknown currents, it is necessary to apply three
suitable equations.
—
[Similarly for all other cases the total number of equations must be equal to the
number of unknowns. The number of equations based on Kirchhoff's first law should
be one less than the number of junction points ; those based on his second law should
equal the number of independent closed paths.]
Equations (1), (3) and (4) would be sufficient, since (2) merely duplicates parts of
(1) and (3).
From (4) tab — *bc *fb~
Applying in (1) : + 6 - 16(i be - i, b ) - 10 i bc =
Therefore + 6 - 16* 6e + 16 if b - 10i be =
Therefore + 6 - 26«» e + 16 if „ = (5)
Adding twice (3): + 8 - 20i be - 16 if b =
Therefore + 14 — 46 1b e =0
Therefore ib e = 14/46 ampere.
The other currents may be found by applying this value in (5) and then in (4).
Kirchhoff's Second Law is illustrated Here again, as in all
for a.c. in Fig. 4.24.
cases, it is assumed that we move around each loop of the network in a clockwise
direction.
The voltage across
a resistance is —Ri ~\
where i is in the clockwise direction around
an inductance is —ja>Li > the loop,
a capacitance is +j'(l/a>C)i J
Circuit d a b c d : e — +j (l/«>Ci)» ic =
Rii ab
Therefore Rjimh - ja/vCJh, = e (6)
Circuit b fg c b : -jt»L i b, — R i — j(\/o>C{)i be =
x 2 bf
Therefore (/*>/,! + Rt)i +/(l/a>C >" 6c = bf 1 (7)
Applying Kirchhoff's first law to junction b :
*ab — t bf — t be =0
Therefore i ao = i bT + i be (8)
Adding (6) and (7)
Riiab + 0'wZ.! + R )ibt = e 2
Applying (8), .R^, + Rii be + (ju>L + R )i = e r 2 bf
Therefore R i be + (R + R +ja>L )i = e
t t t l bf (9)
(—jRi<*>Ci), remembering that j — —
2
Multiplying (7) by 1,
R i be + (/^co'Lxd - jR R wC )i =
x 1 i l b/ (10)
Subtracting (10) from (9),
[(fix + R - UiW^Lxd) +K<oL + R^jwO]
2 1 »'«,/ = e (11)
which gives the value of i bf when e is known.
The value of i be may be found by substituting this value of i bf in eqn. (7) ; i ab
may then be determined by eqn. (8).
(iii)Potential Dividers
The fundamental form of potential divider (also known as voltage divider or poten-
tiometer) is shown in Fig. 4.25. Here a direct line voltage is " divided " into two E
162 (iii) POTENTIAL DIVIDERS 4.7
E =*
{rT+rJ e > (1)
and I = /, = E/(R + R )
x 1 t (2)
A
On load
When a current Ia is drawn from B, the simplest analysis is to consider the effective
load resistance Ra which will draw a current I3 at a voltage Et ', i.e. R a = Et '/Ia .
We now have resistances Ra and R a in parallel, and their total effective resistance is
therefore
R' = R*R a /(Rs + i? 3 ).
In this case the voltage divider is composed of R t and R' in series, and the voltage at
the point B is given by
**=\r7Tr'}
-o JR-iR* +
R tR a
RiR a + R»R»/
X
(3)
The first term on the right hand side is the no-load voltage Ea ; the second term is the
i
R2 >a 3
;*« l A >*s
F&. 4.26. Graphical method for determining the output voltage from a potential
divider.
Fig. 4.27. A potential divider with a load in the form of another potential divider.
Eqn. (3) may be plotted* as in Fig. 4.26 where, as a typical example, E — 250 V,
Rj = 10 000 and R a = 15 000 ohms, so that (/?! + R a) = 25 000 ohms. Fa, for
•Cutidy, P. F. " Potential Divider Design," W.W. 50.5 (May 1944) 154.
4.7 (iii) POTENTIAL DIVIDERS 163
*• = (5)
kT+k.'
" Regulation " is defined differently in American and British practice.
American definition : The percentage voltage regulation is the difference be-
tween the full-load and no-load voltages, divided by the full-load voltage and multi-
plied by 100
British definition The percentage voltage regulation is the difference between
:
the full-load and no-load, voltages, divided by the no-load voltage and multiplied by
100.
In the example above for a current of 10 mA,
Regulation =
150 — 90
j=t — —
x 100 = 40% by British definition.
The line BD in Fig. 4.26 may be called the " regulation characteristic " for the
conditions specified above.
To find the load current corresponding to a specified value qf Ex ', eqn. (3) may be
re-arranged in the form
(6)
'-£-*'(T«sr)
- '. - '- - (7)
*-'(W)
~*
Special Case 1
If it is known E
that the voltage drops from 2 at no load to % ' for a load current E /„
E
then the voltage x corresponding to a load current 7 X is given by
E m = Bt - (Et - EJXUh) (8)
Special case 2
If the voltages across the load (E xi E„) for two different values of load current
(lx) /*) areknown, the voltage at zero load current is given by
E = -J * ~ f Jm
t (9)
This is often useful for determining the no load voltage when the voltmeter draws
appreciable current. A
method of applying this with a two range voltmeter has been
described*, and the true voltage is given by
•Lafferty, R. E. "A correction formula for voltmeter loading " (letter) Proc. I.R.E. 34.6 (June 1946)
358.
164 (iv) THEVENIN'S THEOREM 4.7
= OS - 1) E,
E*
5 - (E x /E v )
(10)
where S = of the two voltmeter scales used for the two readings
ratio E x and E yi
E x — voltmeter reading on the higher voltage scale,
and =
E v voltmeter reading on the lower voltage scale.
If S = 2, then
E = <»)
*
2-{EJE y
)'
and E4 (13)
\R +R'J
3
For the proofs of this and subsequent theorems, see W. L. Everitt, Ref. 1 pp. 47-57.
4.7 (v) NORTON'S THEOREM 165
Z
In other words, if 9 is inductive, Z^ should be capacitive, and vice versa.
If the magnitude of the load impedance may be varied, but not the phase angle,
then the maximum power will be absorbed from a generator when the absolute value
of the load impedance is equal to the absolute value of the impedance of the supply
network.
See Ref 3 (References to networks). Sect. 7(xv).
new transfer impedance will have the same value as previously. In other words,
E being unchanged, the ammeter reading in the new position will be the same as
previously.
This theorem proves that a network of bilateral impedances transmits with equal
effectiveness in both directions, when generator and load have the same impedance.
breaks down under other conditions. It is therefore only applicable to valves when
these are being operated to give negligible distortion.
Fig. 4.30. A
generator, with
internal impedance Z
9 , connected
to a load Zh , to illustrate the
maximum power transfer.
z•A^C
Az ZyZ2 + zz + zz
z, =
f t z x z
zA +z B + z zc zx
c
The bridged T section of Fig. 4.33E may be reduced to the equivalent section T
of Fig. 4.33F, or vice versa, by using the same equivalent values as for equivalent T
and II sections (above).
4.7 (x) FOUR-TERMINAL NETWORKS 167
When these are known, the constants for the equivalent T and 77 sections are :
— y/Z 4£o\ —
Z„z Z,i)
Zt — ~y Zoi(Zol — Z,i)
suffixes indicating the meshes to which they are common. The applied alternating
voltages are also numbered lt E E
a , etc. where the suffix indicates the mesh number.
If there is more than one voltage source in any mesh, t etc. will indicate the vector E
sum of these voltages.
There must be the same number of mesh equations as there are meshes in the net-
work. The mesh equations are written in the general form for n meshes as
Zu /i + Z12I2 +Z
18 / 3 +
... lB /„ Ei Z =
Znli +Z 22 /2 +Z
ta I a +
... 2 »/„ Ei Z = (16)
j
I
Z n \i\ + Z„ I + Z n9 I
2 2 ... Z n „I n = E n J
3 -\-
impedance of the individual mesh, i.e., the impedance round the mesh if all other
branches of the network other than those included in the mesh in question were open-
circuited.
For example, in Fig. 4.33G—
Zu = + Z18 + Z12
Zxo
= + jXio + Ria + jXu + Rit + jXi%
Rio
— +j(wL 10 — 1/»C 10) + Rit +7(«^ia — l/wC„)
Rio
+ Rit +X<»Lu - l/«Clt )
E
»^>k/~^>
T *to
I
<A/WNA -VWW '
FIG. 4.336
FIG. 4.33 H
A simple example is the 2-mesh network of Fig. 4.33H. Applying eqn. (16) we
have
Zu = Rio +J[«L 1 , - 1/«C„] (18)
Z„ = R t0 +j[°>Lao - 1/«C„] (19)
Zl2 = Z21 =/(l/ W C 12) (20)
Since there are two meshes, there will be two mesh equations
Zuh + Z1S I2 - Ei \ (21)
Z„I + z2a / =
X 2 /
*The opposite definition is also used.
—
These linear simultaneous equations may be solved by elimination, but any more
complicated network would have to be solved by the use of Determinants, for which
see any suitable mathematical textbook.
The total current in any common branch may be determined by the difference
between the two mesh currents.
The method of handling mutual inductance is illustrated by the 2-mesh network
of Fig. 4.331. Here
Zxx = (R x0 + Rn) +/'("L 10 + <oL ia - 1/«>C10) (22)
Zu = (#12 + Rto) +X<»L lt + coLso ~ l/*>C*o) (23)
Z18 = ZiX — R xs -+-/(»£« ± a>Mia \ (24)
and the two mesh equations will be as eqn. (21).
M
The polarity of xt in eqn. (24) must be determined in accordance with the accepted
convention, as described in connection with eqn. (16).
A solution of eqn. (16) by means of Determinants shows that in the general case
the Determinant D
is given by
Zxx Zxi . . Z x ,
D= Z%\Zm . . . z s, (25)
Z n \Z n
and the current I k in the 6th mesh that flows as the result of the voltage E, acting in
the j th mesh is
Bik
T J?
(26)
o FOUR
PASSIVE *.© ~iT" TERMINAL
NETWORK PASSIVE
ttt 2 2
NETWORK
4-
FIG.4.33K
Fig 4.33J.
. Illustrating input impedance of network.
Fig. 4.33K. Four terminal network illustrating input and transfer impedances.
Transfer impedance =
Ex /I L — D/Bin (28)
where — determinant defined by eqn. (25)
D
170 (xii) NON-LINEAR COMPONENTS IN NETWORKS 4.7
and Bln is the minor of D obtained by cancelling the first row and «'* column,
and applying the factor (— 1)"+ 1 .
References to non-linearity
(other than those covered elsewhere)
Chaffee, E. L. "Theory of Thermionic Vacuum Tubes" (McGraw-Hill Book
Company, New York and London, 1st edit. 1933) Chapter 21.
Llewellyn, F. B., and L. C. Peterson. " Vacuum tube networks " Proc. I.RJE. 32.3
(March 1944) 144.
•It is assumed here that the impedance is not a function of time ; this occurs in the case of barretters
and lamp filaments.
tLarTerty, R. E. " Phase-shifter nomonraph," Elect. 19.5 (May 1946) 158.
4.7 (jriv) TRANSIENTS IN NETWORKS 171
SECTION 8 : FILTERS
(i) Introduction to filters (») Resistance-capacitance filters, high-pass and low-pass
{Hi) Special types of resistance-capacitance filters (iv) Iterative impedances of four-
terminal networks (v) Image impedances and image transfer constant of four-terminal
networks (w) Symmetrical networks (vii) " Constant k " filters (wn) Derived M
filters (ix) Practical filters (x) Frequency dividing networks (*») References to
filters.
High pass —transmission band from some specified frequency to very high
filters
frequencies. Attenuation for lower frequencies. all
1. The grid coupling condenser and grid resistor of an amplifier (high pass resist-
ance-capacitance filter).
2. The series condenser and variable resistor of a conventional tone control (low
pass resistance-capacitance, with adjustable attenuation).
3. The smoothing filter of a power supply, including one or two inductances and
two or three capacitances (low pass filter).
4. An overcoupled i-f transformer (tuned band pass filter).
5. tuned aerial coil or r-f transformer (tuned narrow band pass filter).
A
See Chapter 6 for mathematics.
#
Mi
= K.P f ,y
-f- JJi. e
where *.= ~ V2-/C.
Therefore (!)
"
a/F+X' Vl + (X/RY
If we select a frequency (A) at c then \E /E{
which \X = R,
0.707 which is
\ \
=
practically equivalent to an attenuation of 3 db. This frequency is the reference
Its value is
point used for design ; it is called the theoretical cut-off frequency.
giVH,byt
/,- 1 /(2.RC)c/s (2)
where R and C are inohms and farads (or in megohms and microfarads). The value
RC is called the time constant and is measured in seconds (see Sect. 4(iv)) so that
;k
e
n^^ ^etlrSne%hU^lT;iis
U
Ci £"
7
EC
I
Ei >R2
T
Co
specifying a time constant of so many
microseconds. If the time constant
is, say 3000 microseconds,
26 t 04 26— i RC = 3000 x 10
-6
seconds,
so that
Oneof these attenuation characteristics is shown in Fig. 4.36A together with the
straight line AB which is the tangent to the curve and has a constant slope of 6 db/
octave (or 20 db/decade). The point of intersection between AB and the zero db
line is point A which corresponds to the theoretical cut-off frequency ft For ease .
64 b/Oe ovc
Si ,/ ^jACTUAL
ATTENUATION
CHARACTE RIS nc
« 2
I-
-la 18
O-lf, Wi
FIG.4.36A
Fig. 4.36A. Actual and approximate attenuation characteristics, using the theo-
retical cut-off frequency fx as the reference frequency.
If C
in diagram (A) is shunted by a resistance R' t as in Fig. 4.35(C), the effect is
to limit the attenuation to that given by R' and R
as a voltage divider, i.e.,
E /Et —
R/(R R'). +The shape of the attenuation characteristic at low values
of attenuation is very little affected by R'.
The reactance of C in 4.35A causes a phase difference between E and Eit
Fig.
as shown by the vector diagram (D). The phase angle is given by
cos ^ = E /Et (3)
For an attenuation of 3 db, E /Ei = 0.707 and > = 45° thus E leads Et by 45°.
Fig. 4.37 shows a typical r.c. low-pass filter, as used
for tone control, decoupling in multistage amplifiers, or
smoothing filters fdf power supplies when a large voltage
drop in the filter is permissible. It is readily seen that 'I
c£
TEo
this is the same as Fig. 4.35A except that and R
have C
been interchanged. The theoretical cut-off frequency
X
fu at which e — R,is therefore unchanged and equal
to l/(2w/?C). Provided that the generator impedance
is zero, and that there is no load across the output ter- Fig. 4.37. Is a lorn pass
minals, the ratio of output to input voltages is given by resistance-capacitance filter
— :
,000
FREQUENCY C/S
Fig. 4.38. Shows ike attenuation characteristics for the low-pass filter of Fig. 4.37
for the values of and R C
shown below
R (ohms) C(mmF)
Curve A B C D E
400,000 10 20 40 80 160
200,000 20 40 80 160 320
100,000 40 80 160 320 640
50,000 80 160 320 640 1280
20,000 200 400 800 1600 3200
10,000 400 800 1600 3200 6400
Therefore
X t 1
(4)
VR*+Xc* Vi + (RVXc) s
If the generator has a resistance R then R in the
t, eqn. (4) should include R„.
Attenuation characteristics derived from this equation are given in Fig. 4.38 in a
form capable of adaptation to most problems involving limited attenuation.
The rate of attenuation approaches 6 db /octave, and the shape of the curve is a
mirror-image of that for the high-pass filter (Figs. 4.35A and 4.36).
If the filter is used as a smoothing filter, the ratio E
/Et is frequently 0.1 or less
and under these conditions (with a maximum error of 1%)
Ea \
1
(5)
E<r 2vfRC
r
fts -!£
C2'
WAW-
7!'
U
T "2
ZA
E t
40/* x rtjK.dC, w
(iii) Special types of resistance-capacitance filters
Animportant method of eliminating a particular input frequency from the output
voltage is the Parallel T Network as in Fig. 4.40. In the usual symmetrical form*,
R, = «, = 2R,i C, = C, 4C„; and R t - l/(2«/C,) ;
filter sections are to be connected together in a chain so that each section is a load
on the one preceding it. Under those conditions we call Z kl an iterative impedance
of the network
We must also adjust Z, to be equal to Z k2 , this being the second iterative impedance.
If the network is a single T section, as in Fig. 4.42, and f Z — Z i x 2 , then
+ Z,Z + |* (8a)
V 4
3
Z
z
---J -f +z ^-Y (8b)
If we now define a quantity P, called the iterative transfer constant, such that
log, (IJh) P = (9a)
where I x =
input current
and Is =
output current
the formulae for the section L may be written in the alternative forms
Zfcj — Z € fcl
Zx Z, + 2Z3
where cosh P — 1 + 2Z3 2i^3
(See Chapter 38 Sect. 21 Table 73 for hyperbolic sines, cosines and tangents.)
Scott, fit. H., " A new type of selective circuit arid some applications." Proc. I.R.E. 26.2 (Feb.
659.
tWolf. A. " Note on a parallel-T resistance-capacitance network," Proc. I.R.E. 34.9 (Sept. 1946)
See also Hastings, A. E. "Analysis of a resistance-capacitance parallel-T network and applications,
Proc. I.R.E. 34.3 (March 1946) 126P ; McGaughan, H. S. " Variation of an RC parallel-T null net-
work,"' Tele-Tech. 6.8 (Aug. 1947)48.
" The parallel-T resistance-capacitance network Proc. I.R.E. 40.12 (Dec. ,„,«„„
1952) 1712. „.,-,
tCowles, L. C.
4.8 (iv) ITERATIVE IMPEDANCES OF FOUR-TERMINAL NETWORKS 177
impedance (looking into the network from terminals 1, 2 with load connected) equal
NETWORK
Fig. 4.41 shows a four terminal network Z OR
*T
with generator and load. FILTER
toyf/i, and at the same time to give an output impedance (looking from terminals
3, with generator connected) equal to Z/2 . Under these conditions the impedance
4
on each side of terminals 1, 2 is an " image " of the other (since they are both identical)
178 (v) IMAGE IMPEDANCE 4.8
and similarly with the impedances on each side of terminals 3, 4. The two image
impedances are given by
Z -
n
Ztl J&a + zcX*A + zAzc + Z^c)
v (12a)
(z B + z c)
Z„
i.
= J&b + ZcXZ ^-^
V ZB + Z Z C + Z^c) A A
(12b)
Similarly a /I network as shown in Fig. 4.44A may have the values of the elements
adjusted so that the network is terminated in its image impedances. The two image
impedances are then given by
(Z, + Z )Z, 8
(13a)
(Zt + z xz + Z, + Z
a x g)
{Z + Zt)Z*
1
(13b)
(Z, + Z,)^ + Z, + Z.)
The two image impedances may also be expressed in terms of the open-circuit
and short-circuit impedances (Sect.7(ix))
Zn = Vz 01 Ztl (14)
Zjt = A/Z„^.a (15)
mWW-
Z
*a<
FIG. 4.44 B
F&. 4.44/1 w <z 5tfl|p/e77 section network terminated in its image impedances.
Fig. 4.44ft is a single L section network terminated in its image impedances.
The transfer of power is indicated by the image transfer constant whose value
is given by
(16)
When every section of a filter is working between its image impedances, there are
•no reflection effects. Fig. 4.45 shows a three section group connected on an image
impedance basis. This is equivalent to a single network having image impedances
Zn and Z/4 respectively,
and 6 = (&! + +a, a*) +j(j8 1 + /S, + ft) = a + jfi (16a)
where X = on + jp» etc.
The real x a, — a) of the image transfer constant
part (a + a, + is called the
image attenuation constant, and the im a ginary part (fit + P* + 0s = P) i* called
the image phase constant.
4.8 (v) IMAGE IMPEDANCE 179
Where the values of the elements of the and II networks are known, the valueT
of the image transfer constant is given by
T Network (Fig. 4.44) :
tanh d = J
V
Za(Z*
(Zx
+ z* + Z*>
+ Z )(Z + Z )
S 8 s
(16c)
< }
If the image impedances and transfer constant are known, the impedances of T,
TI and L
networks are given by
For T
Section (Fig. 4.44) :
Z c=^& ™
z *=^h~ z c
'
<"»
z,A = tanh
-%ra9 - Zcc < 17c>
Zji tanh Z3
1 1 (17f)
Zn tanh Z,
For an L Section (Fig. 4.44B) :
with zero resistance or vice versa. Some popular combinations are given below
Original (Zx ) Reciprocal (Z2)
L C = L/R*
L + r in series C = L/R % in shunt with R*/r
C+ r in series L = R*C in shunt with R*/r
L + C in series C = L/R* in shunt with Z/ = /? 2
C
r + L H- C in series /? */r in shunt with = L/# 2 C
and with L' = i? 2 C
Z' =/
V (22)
i zj*z " VTT~(zJ2Ry
+ z,/4z, t
A
and V=
Zj ,
R
(25)
Vl - {XJ2R)*
The image transfer constant 9 for either T or 77 sections is given by
cosh = 1 + (Z1 /2Z1) (25a)
Half sections have exactly half the image transfer constant of a full section.
In the pass band a — : (25b)
cos /3 = 1 + (ZX /2Z2) (25c)
In the stop band cosh a : = | 1 -+- (ZJ2Z£ \
(25d)
Phase shift = or ± 180° (25e)
Fig. 4.48 is a half-section terminated in its image impedances, which in this case
are unequal. Two such half-sections, with the second one reversed left-to-right, are
equivalent to a single T section.
Z1 — V
,/
'
^ ^- r
(25g)
1 + (Z /4Z 1 2)
An ideal filter in which the reactances have zero loss has zero attenuation for all
frequencies that make (ZJ4ZJ) between and
- 1 ; this range of frequencies is called
* /
the pass band. All other frequencies are attenuated and are said to lie in the stop
band (or attenuation band) of the filter.
U/2
® ©
_ L
-O* /THRP-
II* Zl.
^^N _*I
^ ic/s 0/27};
&
Fig. 4.49. 77iree varieties of low-pass constant k filters : {A) T section (2?) Half
section (C) 77 section.
With both T and 77 arrangements, the ideal filter has zero attenuation for frequencies
less than /„, a sharp cut-off at /„, and a very rapid attenuation immediately above f .
However the rate of attenuation gradually falls as the frequency is increased, and
approaches 12 db /octave for the single section at frequencies much greater than/ .
Both image impedance characteristics are purely resistive below and purely re-
active at higher frequencies.
The phase shift varies from zero at zero frequency to 180° at /<,, but is constant
at 180° for all frequencies higher than /„.
©
H( — o»
li, Ui-
FIC 4M
Fig. 4.50. Three varieties of high-pass constant k filters (A) T section (B) Half
section (C) 77 section.
Zi — joiL.
Now Z Z ~ R* therefore L/C = R s
Y Z 3 , where R may have any convenient value.
The mid-series image impedance is
creased, and approaches 12 db/octave for the single section for frequencies much less
than /„.
The phase shift varies from nearly zero at very high frequencies to 180° at / ,
but is constant at 180° for all frequencies lower than/ -
Both image impedance characteristics are purely resistive above /„, and purely
reactive at lower frequencies.
mL/2
© mL/2 mZ,/2
©
o-nnnpv-wT&TVo O—VWW-
-,mC
m> («!'
LOW PASS HIGH PASS
Fig. 4.51. (C) Low pass (D) High pass T section m-derived filters (E) m-derived
half-section for matching purposes.
Values of Zt and Zs are as for the prototype (constant k) filter. A low-pass section T
seriesm-derived filter is shown in Fig. 4.5 1G, and an equivalent high-pass section
in Fig. 4.51D. In both cases the shunt arm becomes resonant at a frequency fao
given by
Low pass /« = _ J J
.,^.
v ^ (30)
V(l - m*)LC
High pass /« = —
*"VLC
— . .
(31)
In the theoretical case when the reactances have zero loss, the shunt arm will have
zero impedance and therefore infinite attenuation at frequency fao .
The cut-off frequency /„ is given by
/„ - 1/(4* yXQ (32)
and the following relationships hold.
4.8 (viii) M-DERIVED FILTERS 183
Two forms of shunt m-derived filters are shown in Fig. 4.52. The 77 section (B)
may be joined at either end to a constant k section or half-section of mid-shunt image
impedance Z/. The T section requires the medium of a half-section to match' the
impedances before being so connected.
(A) ZIm = j
+ (1 _ m »)(Z1 /4Z2) (36)
The total attenuation or phase shift of the combined multi-section filter would be
given by the sum of the attenuations or phase shifts respectively of the individual
sections or half-sections.
When the design has been completed for all the sections in the filter, the practical
form will be obtained by neglecting the junction points between sections and by
adding together the values of the inductors in series in each arm, and those of the
capacitors in parallel in each arm. If capacitors are in series, or inductors in parallel,
the total effective value should be calculated and used in the practical form of the filter.
10-
20-
holf section
IC-V/AA
For further information on the design of m-derived niters, reference may be made to
Shea (Ref. 1) pp 244-285 j Guillemin (Ref. 4) Vol. 2, pp. 324-338 ; Johnson (Ref. 6)
226-238 ; Everitt (Ref. 3)
pp. 192-195, 204-228, 293-303 ; Terman (Ref. 2) pp.
6-33 to 6-62. References are listed
pp. 194-214 ; (Ref 6) pp. 130-152 ; (Ref. 7) pp.
in Sect. 8(xi).
rapid for
6db available with constant-resistance, but attenuation not sufiiciently
:
12db : available with either type, and very suitable for general use with loudspeaker
dividing networks. Fig. 4.53B shows the constant-resistance type. This
is a very popular arrangement.
Lx = R /(2\/2Vc) U = Ko/CVWc)
C = l/(V2*/^o)
x
C* = V(2a/2V^o)
43 (x) FREQUENCY DIVIDING NETWORKS 185
The filter type has identical circuit connections but the condensers and inductors
are unequal (see Chapter 21 Sect. 3).
18db : available with filter type. This is the maximum rate of attenuation normally
used with loudspeaker dividing networks (Fig. 4.53C).
Lt = R /(2nf e) L, = (1 + m)RJ(2irf e)
L, - 2K /(2ir/«) Lt = R /(2nf e)
L = *./(! + m)(2^«)
7 U = Ro/iWc)
C, = l/(2.r/^ ) C, - 1/i-nfeRo)
C, = 1/(4^/^0) Ct = 1/(1 +
«X2»/eRo)
C,= (1 + m)/(27r/ « ) e C, = l/(2tr/^ )
(L in henrys C in farads)
;
PARALLEL
Rot..r.
o
Rq
-I -<t-
RoH.r. RoHF.
4
£ TEX*4
*pCa
<§) Ro L
1
J
RoM.r.
"^
^ RO**'-
lu
•riTT? RQL.F.
INPUT l» ^L.r.
i. tt 4
4
RO"* *-l RoM.F.
o
Ffr. 4.53. Frequency dividing networks (A) 6db (B) iad* (O i8d& /or the octave
beyond the cross-over frequency. L.F. indicates low frequency, H.F. indicates high
frequency speakers.
London, 1937).
" " 1 and 2 John Wiley and Sons Inc. New
4. Guillemin, E. A. Communication Networks Vols.
York ; Chapman and Hall Ltd. London, 1931).
5. Johnson, K. S. " Transmission Circuits for Telephonic Communication " (D. van Nostrand Co.
Inc. New York, 1931).
6. " Reference Data for Radio Engineers " (Federal Telephone and Radio Corporation, 3rd ed. 1949).
7. Pender, H., and K. Mcllwain " Electrical Engineers' Handbook : Electric Communication and
Electronics " (John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New York ; Chapman and Hall Ltd., London, 1950).
(a) Tolerances
Every resistor has tolerances in resistance, and the price increases as the percentage
tolerance is made smaller. Composition resistors are usually obtainable with the
following tolerances :
± 5% For only
critical positions
± 10%
Desirable for semi-critical use in radio receivers and amplifiers (e.g.,
plate, screen and bias resistors)
±
20% For non-critical positions only (e.g. grid resistors).
" High stability " carbon resistors are available with resistance tolerances of
5%, ±
± 2% and ±1%
(Ref. A26).
Wire-wound resistors are available with almost any desired tolerances in resistance
(±5%, 10% are usual values in radio receivers).
Comment on tolerances in components
Whena manufacturer of resistors or capacitors selects simultaneously for large
quantities of each of three tolerances, 5%, ±
10% and ± ±
20%, there is a distinct
possibility that the ±
10% tolerance group may be nearly all outside the ± 5%
tolerances, and therefore in two " channels " differing by more than 10%. Similarly
with ±10%
and ±
20% tolerances. It is therefore good engineering practice to
design on the expectation of a large percentage of components lying close to the two
limits.
(b) Stability
The resistance of carbon resistors tends to drift with time. Ordinary composition
resistors may drift as much as ± 2%
during storage for 3 months at 70 °C and normal
humidity (Ref. A27). See also Ref. A35.
Some high stability carbon resistors are limited to a maximum change in resistance
of ± 0.5% after 3 months' storage at 70°C (Ref. A26).
(c) Dissipation
Composition resistors are usually available with nominal dissipation ratings of
i, h 4 and 5 watts (JAN-R-11). The English RIC/113 standard (Ref. A27)
1, 2,
includes ratings of 1/10, i, £, f, 1 and 2.5 watts. Other manufacturers produce i,
i, li and 3 watt ratings.
English high stability resistors are available with 1/10, i, I, £, }, 1, 1£ and 2
watt ratings (Ref. A26).
:
_
(£
where Rt
and Et are the resistance and voltage respectively at the normal maximum
rating, and R t and Et are the values at one-tenth of E{. Limiting values of the voltage
coefficient are (Ref. A27) :
to humidity tests (e.g., I.R.C. type BTA). See Chapter 38 Sect. 3(i) for humidity
tests and limits.
when / = ^ 0.3
p cycles per second where Cd = total distributed capacitance of rod j
or as an approximation, assuming C
t*a C d /3, when/ ?& l/lOC'R d „ cycles per second
where C= equivalent shunt capacitance at low frequencies (this is usually the pub-
lished capacitance of the resistor).
If C measured with the resistor in
is operating position in relation to other com-
its
ponents and metal parts, the proximity effects will be included.
C constant below 4 Mc/s (Ref. A29).
is
References A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, A9, A14, A29.
We give below some experimental values :
Ratio of effective resistance to djc. resistance
R (megohms d.c.) x / (Mc/s) ==0.1 0.5 1.0 5 10 20
I.R.C. type BTR (*W) 0.98 0.93 0.89 0.62 0.46 0.30
I.R.C. type BTA (1W) 0.95 .80 .71 .48 .37 .24
I.R.C. type BT-2 (2W) 0.80 .53 .40 .19 .14 .11
I.R.C. type BTS 1.00 .89 .79 .61 .57 —
I.R.C. type F (lower limit) — — — .84 .80 .75
Allen Bradley GB-1 0.85 .60 .48 .24 .17 .12
Allen Bradley EB£ 0.90 .68 .57 .46 .23 .15
Speer SCT i 0.92 .70 .60 .35 .27 .20
Reference A14.
(m) High stability cracked carbon resistors (Refs. A10, A26, A28)
These not only have high short and long period stability and close tolerances (up
to ±
1%) but also have low noise, low voltage coefficient and low temperature co-
efficient. They have practically no non-linearity of resistance and the inductance
is very low except for the higher resistance values. They are manufactured in Eng-
land with resistances from 10 ohms to 10 megohms and dissipations from I to 2 watts.
The extremely high resistance values are only obtainable in the higher wattage ratings.
See also and (g) above, and Chapter 38 Sect. 3(i) for standards.
(b), (e), (f)
The development, constructions and special features of cracked carbon
historical
resistors, with a very extensive bibliography, are given in Ref. A28.
These resistors are particularly suited for use in low-level high-gain a-f amplifiers,
and in r-f applications up to 100 Mc/s. The inductance varies from 0.001 /iH for
a small 100 ohm resistor to 2/*H for a large (spiral element) 1 megohm resistor.
The I.R.C. deposited carbon resistors have tolerances of ±1%, ±2%and ±5%.
The voltage coefficient is approx. 10 parts per million per volt. The temperature
coefficient varies linearly from — 0.025 to —
0.05 (10 MQ type DCH) or — 0.065
(10 M.Q type DCF). Maximum dissipations for high stability are i and i watt
when high stability is not essential the values are & and 1 watt.
Ambient temperature 20 °C 40 °C 60 °C 70 °C
8 ^F 350 V " micropack " plain foil 148 125 85 32 mA
16 fxF 350 V " micropack " plain foil 250 200 110 50 mA
8 fj.F 450 V etched foil 88 67 33 10 mA
16 j*F 450 V etched foil 162 122 62 20 mA
16 nF 450 V plain foil 300 260 160 85 mA
32 fiF 450 V plain foil 500 405 230 100 mA
With multiple capacitor units, only one of the units is normally intended for use
as the first filter condenser ; see catalogues for identification.
See Chapter 38 Sect. 3(x) for standard ratings.
in capacitances from 100 to 10 000 ppF in tubular form and from 0.02 to 4 /*F in
rectangular metal boxes (Ref. Bll).
Mineral oil is used as an impregnant for working voltages from 1000 to 25 000
volts and operating temperatures from 30° to —
71 °C (T.C.C. " Cathodray ")•
+
The insulation resistance of a mineral oil impregnated capacitor is greater than that
with petroleum jelly impregnation, in the ratio of 2.5 to 1 at 0°C, rising to 12.5 to 1
at 70°C (Ref. B13).
—
Paper dielectric condensers are made in two forms inductive; and non-inductive.
The former is limited to a-f applications, while the latter may be used at radio fre-
quencies.
Ordinary paper dielectric capacitors should not be subjected to high a.c. potentials.
Special types are produced by some manufacturers for use under these conditions,
for example with vibrator power packs and line filters.
For Standard Specifications see Chapter 38 Sect. 3(iii) and (iv).
A2. American R.M.A. Standards (see Chapter 38 Sea. 3(i) and (ii)).
aa
A4. SWb
I1 - - - G M
" Resistor ratings," W.W. 54.11 (Nov. 1948) 419.
British Standard BS/RC.G/110 " Guide on fixed resistors " (Issue 1) Aug. 1944.
by
To be super-
._ seded RC.G./110— see Chapter 38 Sect. 3.
aI' u, 8" o Behaviour of high resistances at high-frequencies," W.E. 12.141 (June 1935) 291.
£
A7 GWOH
««'» '
B -- ^^^
ioU r of hi h resis ance at high-frequencies';. W.E. I2.l41_(june 1935) 303.
? .
A8! '
A9.
A {°- Wilton, R. W. " Cracked" carbon "resistors"" FM* Mii
, „_ „„.„„ w „ llsnnl
*& "T?9T(FebT 1949) '29?
_^
298
Per ' * *' & R WH
A- Seymour " Temperature dependent resistors " W.E. 24.289 (Oct. 1947)
'
A13 F,ixedcomposition resistors (draft specification not complete) B.R.M.F. Bulletin 1.7 (July 1948)
-
A 22 "
-Prope^es and uses of negative coefficient resistors—thermistors " W.W. 55.10 (Oa 1949) 405.
'.'.
A26. The Radio IndustryCouncil, London, Specification No. RIC/112 (Issue 1, May 1950) Resistors,
nxed, composition, Grade *
1.
A27 Th e Radio ^dustry Council, London, Specification No. RIC/113 (Issue June 1950) Resistors,
« J
nxed, composition, Grade 2.
1,
A28- Coursey, P. R. " Fixed resistors for use in Communication equipment, with special reference
to
8, y 18t0r8 IEE" 96 ' Part 3Al (May 1949) 169- DiscUMion W. Part 3.44
»fov 1949)
'
4M
A29 U G R° & S E Church " Behaviour of resistors at high frequencies " TV Eng. 1.6 (June
'l95m 4'
* * '
A2?" °akes F
?
" Npisem variable resistors and potentiometers " Electronic Eng. 22.269
-
(July 1950) 269.
A31. Rosenberg, W. Thermistors " Electronic Eng. 19.232 (June 1947) 185.
A32. Oakes, F. "The measurement of noise in resistors " Electronic Eng. 22.273 (Nov.
1950) 464.
See also References Chapter 18 Sea. 2(ii)b.
3 681810" 8t radi ° t™*1 *acy-ch*r*cteristica of composi-
do^S ?" W.E.feMlVeb^'SsL
(B) REFERENCES PRACTICAL TO (books) CONDENSERS
York, 1946).
—
Bl. Brotherton, M. " Capacitors their use in electronic circuits " (D. Van Nostrand Co. Inc.
New
B2. Coursey, P. R. " Electrolytic Condensers " (Chapman & Hall Ltd. London, 2nd edit. 1939).
vr t Yk«\
McK
mecttolytoc Capacitors "
* (CorneU-Dubilier Electric Corp., South Plainfield,
N.J. 1938).
B4' 1945?***' A *
M
ThC Electrolytic Capacitor " (Murray Hill Books Inc. New York and Toronto,
'
B5a. Blakcy, R. E. " The Radio and Telecommunications Design Manual " (Sir Isaac Pitman
Ltd , London, 1938) Section 3. & Sons
B5b. Henney, K. " Radio Engineering Handbook " (McGraw-Hill Book Co. New York & London,
4tn ed. 1950).
OTHER REFERENCES
B6. Brotherton, M. " Paper capacitors under direct voltages," Proc. I.R.E. 32.3 (March 1944) 139.
B7. American and English Standard specifications see Chapter 38 Sea. 3.
B8. Roberts, W. G. " Ceramic capacitors " Jour. Brit. I.R.E. 9.5 (May 1949) 184.
—
B9. Gough, Kathleen A. " Choosing capacitors " W.W. 55.6 (June 1949) S.5.
B10. Cornell, J. I. " Metallized paper capacitors " Comm. (Jan. 1947) 22.
Bll. Cozens, J. H. "Plastic film capacitors" W.W. 55.6 (June 1949) S. 11.
B12. Trade catalogues and data.
B13. Bennett, A. £., & K. A. Gough " The influence of operating conditions on the construction of
electrical capacitors" Proc. I.E.E. Part III 97.48 (July 1950) 231.
B14. McLean, D. A. "Metallized paper for capacitors" Proc. I.R.E. 38.9 (Sept. 1950) 1010.
B15. Weeks, J. R. " Metallized paper capacitors " Proc. I.R.E. 38.9 (Sept. 1950) 1015.
B16. Fisher, J. H. "Metallized paper capacitors" Elect. 23.10 (Oct. 1950) 122.
B17. Whitehead, M. "New electrolytic capacitors use of tantalum for electrodes" FM-TV 11.2
(Feb. 1951) 26.
—
Additional references will be found in the Supplement commencing on page 1475.
CHAPTER 5
Section Page
1. Ideal transformers . 199
2. Practical transformers ... 204
3. Audio-frequency transformers 206
4. Magnetic circuit theory 229
5. Power transformers 233
6. Inductors, iron-cored 242
7. References 252
(i) Definitions
An Ideal transformer is a transformer in which the winding reactances are
infinite, and in which winding resistances, core loss, leakage inductances and winding
capacitances are all zero. In such a transformer the voltage ratio between any two
windings is equal to the turns ratio of the windings, under all conditions of loading,
as illustrated in Fig. 5.1. Also, in such a transformer the currents in any two windings
are inversely proportional to the ratio of turns in the windings under all load conditions
>N 2 By
>TURNS
Nx
h N,
199
200 (i) DEFINITIONS 8.1
istapped to give the required turns ratio, which may be greater or less than unity,
between primary and secondary. An ideal step-up auto-transformer is shown in
Fig. 5.2.
la
-»
Na
N2 E2
,
f
TURNS
I*
TURNS
FIG. 5-2
N2 I
'TURNSEg
FIG. 5-3
Fig. 5.4. Ideal transformer with primary centre-tap and loaded secondary.
As a practical example of the primary centre tap, consider the use of the trans-
former of Fig. 5.4 to feed a 500 ohm line (R % = 500 ohms). If the transformer has
an impedance ratio (NJNJ* equal to 10 1, the transformed load across the whole
:
of the primary, e.g., when the primary is fed by a push-pull amplifier, is 10 x 500 —
5000 ohms. If, however, only one half of the primary were used for connection to a
single-ended amplifier, the load presented to the amplifier would be 1250 ohms.
-OE
Rt = W /NABy.R AB
x
oxR t ={NJNBDyji BD
and so on.
Fig. 5.5. Ideal transformer with secondary tapped for load matching.
If, for example, the terminals A, B provide a match with a 10 ohm secondary load
with a total of NA B secondary turns, the number of turns N
AD required between
terminals A and D to provide a similar match to a 500 ohm line is given simply by
(NAB /NAB)* = 500/10 = 50, so that
nad/**ab = V50 = 7.07.
O n2
OTURNS
E2 E >*2
-i__5 Fig. 5.6. Ideal transformer
nmNso r with multiple loads.
gTURNS. *
W %
= watts in the load R s
= E^/R^
W 3 = watts in the load R 3 = Ea a /R 3
Then W x W a (since there are no transformer losses)
so that J?!
2
El + E a *
R*
= *lV™»Y + ^_y^?v .
R KnJ 2 R 3 W,/
We therefore have
1 1 l
R
so that the total load t presented by the primary is equal to the parallel combination
of the two transformed loads RJL^/Nd* and R^Mi/N,,)*.
If an additional winding of t turns is connected to a load N
t we obviously have R
in the same way
1 1 1 1
and so on, for any number of loads. are equally applicable whether Such expressions
the secondary windings used are separate windings or whether they form part of a
single tapped secondary. For example if, in the transformer shown in Fig. 5.5, we
R R R
have loads AB, AC and BD connected to terminals AB, AC, and respectively, BD
we will have
1 1 1
J.
Rx
~ R^NJN^y + R^NJN^y + R BD(NJNBDy
and so on.
A typical practical case is one in which a known power output W± from an amplifier
is fed into a known reflected impedance Rx with two secondaries feeding loads Rt
5.1 (iii) IMPEDANCE CALCULATIONS—MULTIPLE LOADS 203
and R3
(such as two loudspeakers) which are required to operate with power inputs
of W t and W W =W +W
a respectively, so that t a 3. The required transformer
turns ratios are then given by
R W = ES R W = E
so that R WJR W = Ef/EJ = AT,
and
t 1 l
X
W
t
t %* ; t = E** (6a)
(6b)
(6c)
t s
W = 4 watts R = 600 ohms
a 9
and PTj = 7 watts R = t 7,000 ohms
we have
NS _ 500 X 3 1_ Na 1
AV - 7000 x 7 ~
- 32.7 '
Thete£ore
Nl 5.7
and similarly N /N =
a t 1/4.5.
Expressions such as (6) may be written in the more general form
NJN = ViRJRiXWJWJ
t (7)
where N n = number of turns on secondary »,
Ni = number of turns on' primary,
R H — load applied to secondary n,
Ri = transformed total primary load, •
W
H = watts in load /?„,
and Wi — total watts input to primary,
but it must be noted that these relations hold only when all loads are connected so
that the specified input conditions to the primary do exist. Eqn. (7) is also applicable
to determine the turns ratios of two or more separate transformers feeding two or
more loads from a common amplifier which delivers x watts into a total load of R x W
ohms.
ri&s-a
Fig. 5.8. Ideal transformer with multiple loads and tapped secondary, which is
effectively identical with Fig 5.6.
It does not matter whether two or more secondary windings or a single tapped
winding is employed. The arrangement shown in Fig. 5.8 is effectively identical
with that of Fig. 5.6.
204 ft) GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 5.2
L2 r2
E|
T» Ci Ro ^*2 / T
x E2 £ R2
QOEA^TOANSFORMERj
FIG.5-9
Fig. 5.9. Equivalent circuit of a practical transformer.
In this equivalent circuit we have an ideal transformer with a turns ratio t /Ni N
(equal to the turns ratio of the actual transformer), with the incidental characteristics
of the actual transformer represented by separate reactances and resistances.
rx = the resistance of the primary winding
Li = the equivalent primary leakage inductance
rt = the resistance of the secondary winding
Lt = the equivalent secondary leakage inductance
~~
R = the equivalent core-loss resistance (including both hysteresis and eddy
current losses)
L = the inductance of the primary winding
C u C% = the primary and secondary equivalent lumped capacitances
C =
v the equivalent lumped capacitance between windings
R =
t input resistance of transformer on load
and£t = the load resistance across the secondary.
Such an equivalent circuit i& capable of representing a practical design with con-
siderable accuracy, but actual calculations would be tedious and in some cases very
difficult.
The reactances and resistances shown therein have varying effects on the input-
output voltage ratio according to the frequency of the signal which the transformer
is handling (RefI A10). In general, the equivalent circuit can be presented in three
distinct simplified forms for use when considering the transformer operating at low,
medium and high frequencies respectively (Figs. 5.10B,C,D).
Audio transformers can be conveniently dealt with in this manner, whereas power
transformers operating over a very limited frequency range can be more simply de-
signed on the basis of Fig. 5.10A.
The whole of the equivalent circuit of Fig. 5.10A can be referred to the primary,
as in Fig. 5.11 where the ideal transformer has been omitted and r, and R t multiplied
5.2 (i) GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 205
by the square of the turns ratio. This is often a convenient way of making calcu-
lations.
F,G.5,OA 11^1****°™*"!
Fig . 5.10A. Simplified equivalent circuit for calculating the effect of losses.
FIG. 5. tO
-vww- /%. 5.10B. Low frequency
R-
equivalent circuit.
JRl
Fig. 5. IOC. Medium fre-
quency equivalent circuit.
FIG. 5-11
However, the difference between the two definitions is quite small for small per-
centages of voltage regulation.
The regulation of audio transformers when operating over a limited frequency range
(say 200-2000 c/s), that is the ratio of EJE Xi is affected mainly by the copper losses.
At low frequencies, the reflected impedance is altered by the shunt effect of the
primary inductance, while at high frequencies, a similar change is caused by the
leakage inductance and winding capacitances. This is covered in Sect. 3(iii).
The damping of a loudspeaker, connected as a load to the secondary of an output
transformer, is also affected to some degree by the losses. Where an accurate in-
dication of the damping factor is required, these losses should be taken into account.
Refer to Chapter 21 Sect. 3.
tortion — (a) Interstage transformers (b) Low level transformers (c) Output transformers
Designing for low leakage inductance (v)
(ji>) Winding capacitance (vi) Tests on
output transformers (vii) Specifications for a-f transformers.
Operating level
This restricts the choice of core materials and determines the physical size. Suit-
able core alloys include and MUMETAL RADIOMETAL together with silicon
5.3 (i) GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS : .AUDIO TRANSFORMERS 207
Rigid cla mping is less important since there are no free laminations to vibrate under
load. For this reason also, combined with the somewhat discontinuous nature of the
material, the acoustic noise emitted by the block is considerably reduced, especially
at higher frequencies.
Dust cores generally suffer from low permeability and, to reduce eddy currents,
particle size has to be reduced ; this causes further reduction in permeability.
Other new ferromagnetic materials such as the ferromagnetic spinels and FERROX-
CUBE are described in Chapter 11 Sect. 3(v)E, and find their applications principally
at frequencies above the audio range.
^ 1 + (£)' (1)
In those examples, the primary inductance has remained constant, but the leakage
inductance has decreased over 4 times and 28 times respectively without any sectional-
izing of the winding or interleaving. This indicates the improvement possible with
the use of high permeability alloys.
Care must be taken, with the reduction in turns, that the flux density in the core
does not exceed safe limits from the point of view of distortion (see Refs. C7, C8, C9,
C10).
In the case of transformers working at low levels and hence, generally, a low flux
density, the distortion may not be a consideration. It is possible to achieve an im-
proved high frequency response, while keeping the distortion at the same level at
low frequencies, by increasing the core cross section and proportionately reducing the
turns. This however, increases the mean length of turn and also L„ so the nett
reduction of L, is not as great as would be anticipated. In addition, the cost of the
transformer increases, particularly if a high permeability alloy is used. Class B
input (driver) transformers are usually called upon to handle appreciable amounts
of power during part of the audio frequency cycle, but are designed on the basis of
open circuit working when considering primary inductance. Winding resistance
and leakage inductance must be kept low to avoid distortion (Refs. C2I, C22).
Q EH
sheet steel or thick cast iron outer cases are used. More often a special alloy, such
as Telcon 2129, is used. This material has magnetic properties similar to RADIO-
METAL, but is suitable for deep drawing. Inner shields are often of copper to give
shielding from electric fields (Refs. Cll, C12). Some improvement is possible if a
core type structure is used in place of a shell type, owing to the cancellation of stray
voltages induced in the winding by external fields.
As an example of the use of high permeability alloys, the following design problem
is presented. Calculate the primary turns for a 50 ohm to 50 000 ohm transformer
working at zero level (0 dbm). The frequency response must not fall more than ldb
below mid-frequency response, at 50 c/s Distortion must not exceed 1% at zero
level at 50 c/s. The source impedance is 50 ohms resistive and the secondary is
unloaded. Core material to be used is MU
METAL.
1st Step. Calculate primary inductance.
For 1 db attenuation, o>L =
22? (Eqn. 2).
L = 2R/w = 2 x 50/2 X n x 50 = 0.32 henry.
2nd Step. Calculate primary turns.
Assume square stack of Magnetic and Elec. Alloys No. 35 lamination. Length
of magnetic path, / = 4.5 inches
Cross sectional area = 0.56 square inches.
3.2A pN* L x 10 8 x /
L = Therefore N* =
8
10 x / 3.2 x A x u
0.32 x 10 8 x 4.5
N* = Therefore N= 90 turns.
3.2 x 0.56 x
10*
3rd Step. Calculate working flux density
Primary voltage E = W.R V
where W
= input power
Therefore E = Vl x 10~ 3 x 50 0.224 V
x 10
0.224
and B = 4.44 x 50 x 90 x 0.56
= 2000 lines per square inch
= 310 Gauss.
4th Step. Determine percentage distortion.
Referring to Fig. 5.13B and using curve
for <oL = 2R, it will be noted that the
percentage distortion is approximately
0.75%. This assumes that the perme- 5
ability value, p, is still 10 000 at the opera-
ting flux density. In practice n may ex-
ceed this figure and thus the distortion as
calculated above may be larger than would
be measured in a finished transformer. In
this problem, for simplification, no account
has been taken of the stacking factor, which
would modify the result slightly.
When the secondary of the transformer
is loaded, R in eqn. 1 then becomes R
4
as in eqn. 3 and R in Fig. 5.13B is read as
R A . The calculation for distortion then
follows in a similar manner to the unloaded
secondary example worked earlier.
mox — 9<iu»i
The response fells off from the mid-frequency gain by 3 db at a. low frequency
such that
»L = R A (3)
Attenuation is 1 db when
«L„ = 2R A (4)
„u^ p
where R
(r, + R W)R L
* - r, + Rw + RL
= plate resistance of valve
r9
R L — load resistance referred to the primary
and R w — total winding resistance referred to the primary.
The response falls off from the mid-frequency gain by 3 db at a high frequency
such that
a,L s = RB (5)
Attenuation is 1 db when
u»L s = 0.5 RB (6)
where RB — r„ + R^r + &L
and Ls = total leakage inductance referred to primary.
E pR,
The gain at the mid-frequency = =- = -=~ (7)
ti t Kg
where E =
t voltage input to grid of output valve
E — voltage output across L R
and p = amplification factor of output valve.
It is thus possible to specify the primary and leakage inductances permissible when
the frequency response requirements are known. An example will illustrate this.
Determine the minimum primary inductance and maximum leakage inductance
permitted in an output transformer designed to match a pair of Class 2A3 triode A
valves with a 5 000 ohm load. The response is to be within 1 db from 50 to 10 000
c/s. The plate resistance of each valve is 800 ohms. Neglect R w .
Make all calculations from plate to plate.
For a fall of 1 db at 50 cycles per second,
a»L = 2R A .
Now R * =
5000 x 1600
-
.^ t
1200 ohms approx.
5000 + 1600
wL = 1200 x 2 = 2400
L = 2400/2 x ir x 50
= 7.6 henrys approx.
This is the value that would be measured on a bridge at low induction.
For a fall of 1 db at 10 000 cycles per second,
OiLc = 0.5 Rg
Now R B = 5000 + 1600 = 6600 ohms.
<oL s = 0.5 x 6600 = 3300
L s = 3300/2 X n x 10 000
= .052 henry approx. = 52 millihenrys.
Note particularly that distortion requirements may necessitate an increase in L„
and a decrease in L s .
The following table indicates the relationship between the low frequency attenuation
and the ratio of a>L Q /R A :
TABLE 1
R
The inductances required for various values of A , for a bass response loss of 1
decibel are as follows, correct to two significant figures :
TABLE 2
Value of RA Bass response down 1 db at
ohms 150 c/s 100 c/s 50 c/s 30 c/s
800 H
1.7 2.6 H 5.1H 8.5 H
1200 2.6 H H
3.8 7.6 H 13 H
1500 3.2 H H
4.8 9.5 H 16 H
2000 4.3 H H
6.4 13 H 21 H
3000 6.4 H H
9.5 19 H 32 H
4000 8.5 H 13 H 26 H 42 H
5000 11 H 16 H 32 H 53 H
7500 16 H 24H 48H 80 H
10 000 21 H 32 H 64 H 110 H
15 000 32 H 48 H 95 H 160 H
20 000 43 H 64 H 130 H 210 H
50 000 110 H 160 H 320 H 530 H
where R A is approximately equal to the load resistance R L in parallel with the effective
plate resistance of the valve ; however see comments below. When the plate re-
sistance is very high, as for a pentode without feedback, R may be taken as being
A
approximately equal to R L .
For loss in bass response to be reduced to 0.5 decibel these inductance values should
be increased by a factor of 1 .9 times. For a reduction of 2 db the factor becomes 0.67.
Since the permeability of the core material varies with induction, the frequency
—
response will vary with signal level the limiting low frequency will usually extend
lower as the signal level is increased. It is therefore desirable that the inductance
values tabulated above be calculated or measured at low signal levels. In the case
of feedback from the secondary, this effect should be taken into account.
Table 2 gives the value of inductance to provide a nearly constant output voltage,
but this is only one of several requirements to be satisfied. The core distortion
A (this may be derived from equations 9 and 10) and
is a function of the ratio <oL„/R
for low distortion a high ratio of inductive reactance to R is required, and this
A is
equivalent to having a low value of bass attenuation (see Table 1). The bass attenua-
tion in Table 2 (1 db at specified minimum frequencies) is based on <aL /R —
A 1.94,
resulting in fairly low core distortion. Still lower core distortion would be achieved
by increasing the inductance and hence, incidentally, decreasing the bass attenuation.
The other important secondary effect resulting from a finite value of inductance
is the phase angle of the load presented to the output valve(s).
If the value of
inductance from Table 2 is used for bass response down 1 db at a specified frequency,
the phase angle of the load presented to the output valves will be between 45° and 90°
for a triode either without feedback or with negative voltage feedback.
This will
cause a pronounced elliptical load-line, normally resulting in severe valve
distortion
at this frequency, at full power output.
If R A in Table 2 is taken as being equal to
R L , the maximum phase angle of the load
will be less than 282-4or bass response 1 db down at the specified
frequencies. If
the factor 0.67, for bass response down 2 db, is applied to Table 2, the
maximum
phase angle of the load will be less than 38°. If the factor 2.0, for bass
response
down about 0.5 db, is applied to Table 2, the maximum phase angle of the load will
be about 15°. This appears to be a reasonable value for good fidelity.
Table 2 may therefore be used as a general guide to the choice of inductance
values
—
where more exact calculations are not required see below.
Summary of general application of Table 2
To give low core distortion, nearly constant output voltage and a total load im-
pedance effective on the valve which is not too reactive :
1. Take R
A = RL .
Where the source impedance is high, the high frequency fell off is determined
by L s and the winding capacitances as in the case of interstage transformers.
largely
Similar devices to that employed in the construction of interstage transformers can
be used to extend the range of output transformers. The use of RADIOMETAL,
specially annealed high silicon content steel (such as SUPERSILCOR), and grain
oriented steels, are all common in better quality output transformers (Refs. C14, 15).
It is feasible to " build-out
" a transformer into a half section filter and thus main-
tain the impedance, viewed either by the source or the load, constant over a wide
frequency range. In addition the phase angle variation is reduced towards the ex-
tremes of the range. This reduces distortion and maintains full power output to a
greater degree than otherwise possible.
This idea can be applied to interstage transformers and output transformers quite
successfully (Refs. C*19, C20). Even large modulation transformers and class B
driver transformers for broadcast equipment have provided improved performance
when treated in this way (Refs. C16, 17, 18).
" building-
In radio receivers and record players advantage can be taken of this
out " procedure, to limit the high frequency response to any given point, say 6000 c/s,
with rapid attenuation thereafter. This usually involves only one extra component
a condenser across the secondary winding of the output transformer. This is quite
an effective " top " limit, more so than -the normal tone control. The output trans-
former is designed to have the necessary amount of leakage inductance for the net-
work to function as intended.
The winding resistances are not of major importance in interstage transformers,
but assume greater significance in output transformers. An appreciable amount of
power may be lost unless the resistances of both primary and secondary are kept to
reasonable proportions. In the normal good quality transformer the total resistance
reflected into the primary side is approximately double the measured d.c.
resistance
vary be-
of the primary. The total winding resistance (referred to the primary) will
tween 10 and 20 per cent of the load resistance, which means an insertion copper loss
of 0.5 to 1 db. This extra resistance must be considered when choosing the
turns
ratio to reflect the correct load (see Eqn. 2, Sect. 2), otherwise an
impedance error
of 10 to 20 percent will occur. Core losses will not materially affect the
calculation
The resulting harmonic distortion with silicon steel has been calculated by Dr. N.
Partridge, and his results are embodied in the formula which follows (Refs. C24,
C25!
C26, C27).
Vn 109 / RA ( RA V
V, ~ 8** ^ NM'TV
~4Z;J
1
(8)
This formula can be modified to include the core stacking factor, 90%, and to use
inch units instead of centimetres. It then becomes
V, N*Af V ~ 4Z )
t
W
where Vh = the harmonic voltage appearing across the primary,
Vf = the fundamental voltage across the primary,
SH = the distortion coefficient of the magnetic material,
I = the length of the magnetic path,
N = number of primary turns,
= resistance (or equivalent resistance) in series with the primary, (refer
under eqn. 4/ Sect. 3),
A = cross-sectional area of core,
f
frequency of fundamental in cycles per second,
Z,impedance of primary at fundamental frequency *%* 2-nfL
and L = inductance of primary in henrys at chosen flux density.
In most cases the final term (1 — R /4Z,) can be omitted with a further simpli-
A
fication.
The hand side of this equation gives the value of the fractional harmonic dis-
right
tortion the percentage harmonic distortion may be obtained by multiplying this
;
value by 100. The formula holds only for values of R/Z between and 1 ; this
t
limits its application to output circuits having a maximum attenuation of 3 db.
SO X K3» 40 SO 60 70
Peak Flux Density (lines pu gq. ii$ FIG. 5.1 3C
Fig. 5.13C. The distortion coefficient of Silcor 2 as a function of B (Ref. C25).
Values of SH for Silcor 2 can be obtained from Fig. 5.13C. Similarly Fig.
5.13D
can be used to determine the permeability of Silcor 2 and hence the inductance of
the
primary from the formula
.
= —Wi—
2.88tf«i4/* L
heDTys (10)
where /x =
permeability at operating flux density
and core stacking factor is 90%.
216 (Hi) (c) OUTPUT TRANSFORMERS' 5.3
-M-
3
XK>'
I
*
If
1 .1
° ,40 50 60 7
9 o
a 30
FIG. 5. 1 3D p^,, nm Q^xy ( ltoo ^ ^k,.)
Both of these figures have been adapted from those published by Partridge (Ref.
C25).
An example is quoted to demonstrate the use of these formulae.
Determine the transformer distortion produced when a pair of KT66 valves (very
similar to type 6L6-G) connected as triodes are operated in conjunction with a trans-
former having the following characteristics.
Lowest frequency of operation 50 c/s.
Maximum flux density 40 000 lines/sq. in.
Core stack of M.E.A. 78 Pattern lams. Silcor 2 2 ins.
(Refer to Sect. 5 and also Fig. 5.18C for lamination data).
Operating conditions of KT66 valves
Plate voltage 400 volts
Plate resistance (per valve) 1450 ohms
Load resistance (total) 10 000 ohms
Power output 14 watts
1st step. Calculate primary voltage
374 x 10 8
~ = 1870 turns.
4 x 50 x 4 x 10* x 1.25 x 2
3rd step. Determine from Fig. 5.13D /t*
^ = 4300.
4th step. Calculate Zf («a 2nfL)
27r/2.88NM|it
Z' = 10 8/
A
2 x it x 50 x 2.88 x 1.87 x 1.87 x 10* x 1.25 x 2 x 4300
8
10 X 7.5
45 300 ohms.
5th step. Calculate RA (parallel resistance of plate and load resistance).
R. =
(r„ + Rw RL )
(see eqn. 4> Sect. 3)
i
+ RW + RL
assuming Rw = 400 ohms
5.3 (iii) (c) OUTPUT TRANSFORMERS 217
(2900
v + 400) 10 000
= njton .
but its value for the third harmonic (5 3 ) is very close to the r.m.s. sum of all harmonics
R.D.H. —
218 (iv) DESIGNING FOR LOW LEAKAGE INDUCTANCE 5 3
From eqn. (11) it will be seen that the insulation between the sections is the limiting
factor. Fig. 5.13E shows that the largest value of 2
N
for a given number of sections
is achieved when there is a half section at the end of each winding structure. Al-
though series connections are shown, similar results can be obtained by paralleling
the sections. In this case all- the turns in each paralleled section must be equal. An
36 A
push-pull output transformer is
to be wound on a former 1.875 inches
long and have a winding height of 0.4
HqfffcHflfl-w inch, allowing for clearance. The
mean length of turn is
£FEB HR^UU^ 9.5 inches.
primary and secondary turns are 2700
The
m$m ffl$8$m,Go
and 120 respectively. Insulation be-
tween sections is 0.015 inch. Assuming
LEAKAGE INDUCTANCE
INCHES
Na FIG. 5.I3H
Fig. 5.13H. Leakage inductance chart (Ref. C28).
Intercepts with the mean length of turn, 9.5 inches and winding width, b, of 1.875
inches gives a vertical of 0.012.
Assuming 270 turns, leakage inductance = 0114 millihenry, or 14 millihenrys for
2700 turns.
(v) Winding "capacitance*
This information assists in computing the various winding capacitances of multi-
layer windings used in the construction of audio-frequency transformers, chokes and
other equipment. They apply to windings in which turns are wound on layer by
layer, either interleaved or random wound, so that the P.D. between adjacent turns
belonging to consecutive layers will be much greater than that between adjacent turns
•Reprint of an article by Crowhurst, N. H., in Electronic Eng. (Ref. C29).
220 (v) WINDING CAPACITANCE 5.3
in the same layer. The capacitance effect between adjacent turns in the same layer
isneglected, only that between layers being considered. Capacitance between wind-
ing and core, and electrostatic screens, if used, must also receive attention.
Fig. 5.13J illustrates a cross section of a piece of winding in which layer inter-
leaving is used. It is seen that the dielectric between adjacent conductors in consecu-
tive layers is complex both in shape and material. The turns on the top layer shown
fall so that each turn drops in the space between two turns on the second layer, corru-
gating the interleaving material with a slight resulting increase in capacitance com-
pared with that between the middle and bottom layers shown. Due to the spiral
form of each layer, the position of turns in consecutive layers to one another will
change at different points round the direction of winding, thus the capacitance be-
tween any pair of layers will automatically take up the average value. The composite
dielectric is made up of conductor insulation, most commonly enamel, interleaving
material and the triangular shaped spaces left between adjacent turns and the inter-
leaving material. These spaces will be filled with dry air if the windings are dried
out and hermetically sealed, or with impregnating compound if the windings are
vacuum impregnated. The latter procedure will give rise to a somewhat higher
capacitance.
Copper Conductors
In practice the major controlling factor determining the total capacitance between
two adjacent layers of winding is the thickness of the interleaving material, thus dis-
tributed capacitance may conveniently be estimated in terms of the thickness of inter-
leaving material, giving this material a value of dielectric constant empirically ob-
tained, allowing for the average effect of the other dielectrics in the composite arrange-
ment.
(x/l)*C.dx = I l.C.
J 3
Thus the effective capacitance of such a two-layer winding is one-third of the capacit-
ance between two layers measured when their far ends are unconnected.
Take now a winding consisting of n whole layers : there will be (n —
1) adjacent
pairs of layers throughout the winding and the effective capacitance of each pair of
layers, referred to the whole winding, will be a capacitance of (2/n) 2 times their capacit-
5.3 (v) WINDING CAPACITANCE 221
ance referred to the high potential end and considered as a pair. Thus the capacit-
ance of n whole layers referred to the whole winding becomes
'
CI
3 »»
For large values of n the capacitance becomes inversely proportional to the number
of layers. Fig. 5.13Q illustrates a typical winding shape together with the d imensions
as used in the related diagrams. The capacitance per layer, given in the foregoing
formula as CI, is proportional to the product of the length per mean turn L mt, and the
length of layer L w .
Although physically the winding will have the same overall cross-sectional dimensions
its self-capacitance will be equivalent to that of a winding having 1/N X layer length
and N x n layers, where N
is the number of vertical sections. The distributed
capacitance of the winding due to such sectionalizing thus is reduced by the factor
1/N*. Note that this rule applies only to referred interlayer capacitance and does not
apply to capacitance between the top and bottom of the winding and adjacent wind-
ings or screens. The various reduction factors for vertical sectionalizing are given
in Table 4.
TABLE 4
1 1 1 0.5
2 0.25 0.75 0.25 0.125
3 0.111 0.704 0.185 0.185
4 0.0625 0.6875 0.1875 0.219
5 0.04 0.68 0.168 0.24
6 0.0278 0.676 0.176 0.255
00 0* 0.667 0.167 0.333
*The method of winding is here changed so that for the purposes of this column,
the dimensions L„ and Tu will change places.
Effect of mixing windings
In the design of a transformer it is often necessary to mix the primary and secondary
windings in order to reduce leakage inductance. This arrangement will generally
be a disadvantage as regards minimizing winding capacitance, since it exposes greater
surface area of winding in proximity to either the other winding or an earthed screen.
If the ratio of the transformer is fairly high, then from the high impedance winding
the whole of the low impedance winding appears at common audio potential, usually
earthy. But if the ratio of the transformer is not very high, capacitance between
222 (v) WINDING CAPACITANCE 5.3
points at differing audio potentials in the two windings may have serious effects, and
it isgenerally best to arrange the windings so as to avoid such capacitance.
Fig. 5.13N shows a cross-section suitable for an inter-valve transformer designed
to operate two valves in push-pull from a single valve on the primary side. The H.T.
end of the primary is earthy and is therefore diagrammatically earthed. The high
potential end of the primary is adjacent to the earthy end of one of the half secondaries
so that the capacitance between windings at this point is effectively from anode to
earth. The two high potential ends of the secondary are remote from the primary
and so minimize the possibility of unbalanced capacitance transfer from primary to
cm
one half secondary.
(o)
u Half Secondary
00
/ / _ Half Secondary
-Grid
FIG. 5.I3M
Fig. 5.13M. Arrangements using vertical sectionalizing.See Table 1 (Ref. C29).
Fig. 5. 13N. Push-pull secondary intervalve transformer secondary arrangements
(Ref. C29).
Another problem which often arises is in the design of push-pull output trans-
formers, particularly for Class AB or Class B circuits, where it is essential that each
half of the primary be well coupled to the whole secondary. From the viewpoint
of leakage inductance and winding resistance, it is unimportant whether the secondary
sections are connected in series or parallel. Fig. 5.13P illustrates three arrangements
for a transformer of this type, each of which may be best suited under different cir-
cumstances. At (a). is an arrangement which gives minimum primary capacitance,
but suffers from the defect that leakage inductance and winding resistance are unequal
for the two primary halves. For Class A
operation using valves requiring an optimum
load of high impedance this arrangement is sometimes the best. At (b) is an arrange-
ment intended to equalize winding resistance and leakage inductance from each half-
primary to the whole secondary as well as primary self-capacitance. This arrange-
ment is particularly suited to circuits employing low loading Class AB or Class B
operation. The alternative arrangement shown at (c) results in a slightly lower re-
ferred capacitance across one half only of the primary. In general this unbalance is
not desirable, but if leakage inductance is adequately low, the coupling between all
the windings may be so good that the reduction in capacitance may be apparent across
the whole primary.
—X. -1
Anode-
tt 13
fa) <t>) (<0
FIG. S.I3P
TABLE 5.
CAPACITANCE CAPACITANCE
WINDING WINDING FACTOR
FACTOR
One Centre On* Centre
ARRANGEMENT ARRANGEMENT
lidl point tide paint
t CONNECTION earthy cor thy
• CONNECTION earthy earthy
_
^Q — •25
AT — 4 iJ
- •2S
M3 L
1 •S
i
1 «- i i _3 —iL
t-ll II
i
1
•22 •OSS
f i -I i
2-11 •611
L_
" •
i gin S — X
L-f- — *-*
1
—H— —
1-5 •5 3 l-S
4-lfUl l_
+Q J •5
+P W t-r
0" m •44
+lfjlp
2 1
Iff ttL. rr „JnL
K7S •25
Random winding
In what is known as random winding, no
interleaving material is used. For ideal
5
3
I
i .
I 2 3 4 6 S » 20-04 -06-Ot-l
LENGTH OFMEAN TURN Lm» INCHES
DIELECTRIC CONSTANT
Fig. 5.13R and 5.13S. For distributed capacitance due to layer winding (Ref. C29).
Refer length of winding L K,on their respective scales, to intercept at then along the A
horizontal reference lines to intercept with the thickness of dielectric material T&
at B. From this point refer along the slanting reference lines to intercept with the
empirically determined value of dielectric constant k, at C, then along the horizontal
reference lines to the unity reference vertical at D. From this point refer down the
slanting reference lines to intercept with the number of layers n, at E, whence the
referred capacitance is read off on the scale at the right.
For interwinding, or winding to screen capacitance : As above, for the winding
dimensions and dielectric thickness to a point corresponding to D, whence, for winding
to screen capacitance, or inter-
winding capacitance when the
1 i i' i nun jir/jrst
other winding is all at low poten-
tial, refer down the slanting re-
ference lines to intercept with the
section capacitance factor ob-
tained from Table 4. For inter-
winding capacitance where there
is appreciable potential in the
adjacent portions of both wind-
ings, individual attention will
be necessary for each interwinding
space, and the turns factor scale
will assist here.
5.3 (v) WINDING CAPACITANCE 225
random winding the be built up so that at all times during winding the
layers should
top surface Failure to do this will not greatly affect the self-capacitance,
is level.
but will result in increased danger of breakdown due to electrical or mechanical
stresses. As the number of layers is always large, it is convenient to reduce the cal-
culation to simple terms of the winding dimensions.
The essential variables are length of winding wi length of mean turn L mt,
: L
winding thickness T
w (see Fig. 5.13Q), and number of turns, T. Considering variation
of each of these quantities in turn, the others being taken as constant : variation
of L m will vary the referred capacitance per layer as before, and additionally the
effective number of layers will vary inversely as L vl ; variation ofL mt simply varies the
•mt Turns
w -?$
y^z 7^-
"/
fl
/" rf VftTTT.
T| tz^^ik
-^-S'
random winding. Refer length of poind-
ing L„, and length of mean turn L mi>
on
A
their respective scales., to intercept at
then along the horizontal reference
lines to intercept with the vertical line
for thickness of winding Tvi at B.
<r.
lr''*
W
w?.
r-fejl i^l'
^^'flt'
From here refer up the slanting reference
lines to the right-hand edge of the data
sheett and then back along the horizontal
lines to intercept with the vertical
lines for the number of turns at C
from
'///. HI/ S^-ILL
which referred capacitance is read
off along the slanting lines at C
p.
226 (v) WINDING CAPACITANCE 5.3
WWrr
C -
TjTi
*
Figures 5.13T and 5.13U are based on this relation and empirical values obtained
from average results with random windings.
Example 1
A push-pull output transformer is arranged as at Fig. 5.13N primary winding :
(b) 0.5 ; (c) 0.375. Thus the total capacitance referred to the whole primary for each
method of connexion is,
(a) 300 fifiF + 240 nnF = 540 ^F.
(b) 600 n/iF + 240 fifiF = 840 fifiF.
(c) 450 fifiF 240 fifiF = 690 ^F.
+
Example 2
An intervalve transformer, to operate from push-pull to push-pull, uses a simple
arrangement having both windings all in one section L w = 0.6 in, L mt = 2.5 in, :
secondary. By making the earthy end of primary and secondary at opposite ends of
the vertical groups, interwinding capacitance coupling effects are minimized.
TABLE 6
The loss of a speaker matching transformer is the inverse ratio of the power
delivered by the secondary of the transformer to a pure resistance equivalent to the
rated load impedance, to the power delivered by the same source if the transformer is
replaced by an ideal transformer of the same impedance ratio, expressed in db. For
measurement, the transformer shall be connected as for distortion measurement (see
above).
The impedance presented by the ideal transformer to the source shall be taken as
The power delivered to the secondary load is (yTS i /R TI) where V TS is the voltage
across the load resistance Rtl-
The power delivered to the ideal transformer is (K n V^n) where V T1 is the voltage
across the load resistance Tl . R
The loss is given then by
Lo»-ioiofc *>;ff* .
Y TS f^TL
The loss shall be measured at 400 c/s and at a value of source voltage at which rated
power is delivered to the ideal transformer. The loss shall not exceed 2 db (equival-
ent to 63% minimum efficiency).
(h) Minimum
resonant frequency.
(i) —
Insertion loss in db frequently quoted at 400 c/s.
(j) Permissible phase characteristics at lowest and highest frequencies of interest.
(k) Direct currents in windings.
(1) Magnetic and electrostatic shielding.
(3)Output transformers
As (2) above. Where multiple secondary windings are employed the power to be
delivered to each should be stated.
5.4 (i) FUNDAMENTAL MAGNETIC RELATIONSHIPS 229
AIR GAP
r
IRON
FIG. 5-14
A typical magnetic circuit is shown in Fig. 5.14 where we have the greater part of
the magnetic circuit through iron, and a short length (the air gap) through air. In
this case the total reluctance is the sum of the reluctances of the iron-circuit and the
air gap. The flux ^ is caused by N
turns of wire carrying a current / amperes and
producing a magnetomotive force given by
F =
(4tt/10) NI *t 1.257 NI (2)
where F =
magnetomotive force in gilberts,
N—number of turns,
and J =
current in amperes.
Thus 1 ampere turn on 1.257 gilberts. (3)
Instead of considering the total flux, it is often more convenient to speak of the
flux density, that is the number of lines (maxwells), per square inch or per square
centimetre (c.g.s. electromagnetic unit 1 gauss = =
1 maxwell per square centimetre).
B = flux density, either in lines per square inch or in gauss (maxwells per
square centimetre),
and A =
cross sectional area of magnetic path (practically equal to the cross
sectional area of the core in the iron section), in square inches or square
centimetres respectively.
The magnetizing force (also known as the magnetic potential gradient or the
magnetic field intensity) is defined as the magnetomotive force per unit length of
path :
230 (i) FUNDAMENTAL MAGNETIC RELATIONSHIPS 5 4
H= F// (5)
where H = magnetizing force in oersteds (or gilberts/centimetre),
F = magnetomotive force in gilberts,
and / =
length of path in centimetres.
Alternatively, if F is expressed in ampere-turns, H may be expressed in ampere-
turns per inch or per centimetre.
M = B/H (6)
where B = flux density in gauss (maxwells per square centimetre),
P = permeability*,
and H — magnetizing force in oersteds.
In air, H is numerically equal to the flux density (JB).
""^
X
/ *
relationship between B, H
and p is shown by the „0>,o »-
>i j ' />
1
is the value of B
divided by the value of at that H -,m
1/
point.
d* •yj \ 1
Strictly speaking, M is measured in gauss per oersted, but it is common practice in engineering work
to speak of the permeability as a pure number which is the ratio between p and Mo where /* is the
permeability of vacuum, and has a value of unity. . _
" cyclic condition " is not reached until after a number of cycles have occurred, in
t Actually this
the early cycles the position of A falls slightly each cycle. . vmm
^metncal
»,rir nl
densuy_,* used for
{This strictly applies only to the initial cycle ; the term residual flux
cyclicallymagnetized conditions. The. latter term is also sometimes used when it is not desired to
distinguish between the initial and cyclic conditions.
—
Point D is that at which the applied negative magnetizing force brings the value of the
residual magnetism to zero.
The length OC is called the coercive force (strictly this applies only for symmetrical
cyclically magnetized conditions).
The average permeability is the slope of the straight line EOA (shown dashed
in Fig. 5.16).
The locus of the extremities (A or E) of the normal hysteresis loops of a material
is called its normal magnetization curve ; this is trie-same as the B-H curve of
Fig. 5.15.
When alternating current is passed through the winding, the iron will pass through
the hysteresis curve ACDEFGA
(Fig. 5.16) each cycle. The maximum value of H
is called H
ma xi and the corresponding value of B is called B ma x> the curve being norm-
ally symmetrical in the positive and negative directions in the absence of a direct
current component.
When dealing with alternating currents 5 it is usual to quote ampere-turns per inch
in r.m.s. values ; the corresponding values of flux density may be quoted either in
terms of B or B max . It is obvious that Hmax = V2H, but B max is normally greater
than\/2JB-
2. That the flux is uniformly distributed over the cross-sectional area of the iron.
In Fig. 5.14 we therefore have :
The reluctance of the iron path is not constant, so that the best approach is graphical.
The magnetic potential difference (U) is the equivalent of potential difference
in electrical circuits. The sum of the potential differences around any magnetic
circuit is equal to the applied magnetomotive force.
Applying this to Fig. 5.14,
F = Uiron + Uair (8)
232 (ii) THE MAGNETIC CIRCUIT 5.4
ibo*
and slope is -(l/R aiT). The intersection of the "loadline" and the curve at
its
point P gives the operating point. Therefore ON
represents the magnetic potential
difference along the iron path, while NM
represents the magnetic potential difference
across the air gap.
It will thus be seen that variation of the air gap merely changes the slope of the
" loadline " PM and moves point P, without changing the base line OM.
In order to be .more generally applicable, the scales of Fig. 5.17 may be changed
vertical scale from
: to B <f>
(Note = Ba) <f>
8-H
(iii) Magnetic units and \RO£
conversion factors
The basic units generally adopted
are the c.g.s. electromagnetic units
such as the gauss, the oersted and the
gilbert, with the centimetre as the
unit of length. Practical units
such as the lines per square inch and
ampere-turns per inch are widely
used in engineering design. More
recently, the Giorgi M.K.S. system,
with its webers and webers per
square metre, has achieved consider-
able popularity. The full range of
these various systems of units is
Hx MAGNETIZING FORCE.
(GILBERTS PER INCH, OR AMPERE -
given in Chapter 38 Sect. 1. TURNS PER INCH). *
FIG.5M8A
Thefollowing table of conversion
be helpful in converting
factors will Fig. 5.18A. Flux density versus magnetizing
from one system to another. force, with air loadline,
5.4 (Hi) MAGNETIC UNITS AND CONVERSION FACTORS MS
Magnetic Units —Conversion Factors
Multiply by to obtain
F in ampere-turns 0.4» =
1.257 F in gilberts
F in gilberts l/0.4w 0.796 = F in ampere-turns
F in pragilberts* 0.1 F in gilberts
F in gilberts 10 F in pragilberts*
F in ampere-turns 4*r 12.57 - F in pragilberts*
F in pragilberts* 1/4tt 0.0796 = F in ampere-turns
H in ampere-turns/in. 0.4ir/2.54 0.495 = H in oersteds
H in oersteds 2.54/0.4* 2.02 = H in ampere-turns/in.
H in praoersteds* 10 -»
H in oersteds
H in oersteds 10* H in praoersteds*
/J in ampere-turns/in. 495 H in praoersteds*
H in praoersteds* 0.00202 H in ampere turns/in.
B in maxwells/sq. in. 1/6.45 0.155 = B in gauss
2? in gauss
B in maxwells/sq. cm.
1-6.45 B in maxwells/sq. in.
B in webers/sq. metre* 10* B in gauss
B in gauss 10 -« B in webers/sq. metre*
£ in maxwell/sq. in. 10~V6.45 = 0.155 x 10 "« B in webers/sq. metre*
B in webers/sq. -metre' 6.45 x 10* B in maxwells/sq. in.
in maxwells
<f>
lines of flux
\io-» <£ in webers*
^ in
^ in webers* 10» ^ in maxwells
(i) General
The generaldesign principles of power transformers have been dealt with in detail
elsewhere (Refs. Dl, £>2, D3, D4) but an outline is given below of the design pro-
cedure for small power transformers for use in radio and electronic equipment. For
transformers of this kind, efficiencies ranging from 80 to 90 per cent are common.
The ratio of copper to iron losses is usually about 2 to 1 Winding capacitances have.
little effect on circuit operation and are usually neglected. For radio receivers it is
common practice to provide some form of electrostatic screening between the primary
and the other windings. This can be achieved in one of several ways (Ref. D5) :
(a) By using a turn of shim copper or brass of full winding width between primary
and secondary, taking care to insulate the ends to avoid a shorted turn. This shield
is then earthed.
By winding the earthed low voltage filament between primary and secondary.
(b)
By winding the high voltage secondary in two separate halves, one on top of the
(c)
other, over the primary. The innermost and outermost leads are joined and become
the centre tap which is then earthed. The two leads from the middle of the winding
then become the high tension outers, and are connected to the rectifier plates. In
this way the capacitance from primary to secondary is made very small. It is im-
portant in this method of construction to ensure that adequate insulation is used be-
tween the two plate leads within the winding, as the whole of the potential difference
of the high tension winding appears between them.
With the normal method of construction the leakage inductance between either
half of the secondary and the primary is uneq ual. In large transformers this becomes
important and, to maintain balance, the primary is wound between the halves of the
secondary or the latter are wound side by side over the primary.
TRANSFORMER STEELS
Silicon
Content* M. and E.A. Baldwin Sankey Allegheny Armco
4% Silcor 1 Quality 5 Super Stalloy Transf. C Trancor 2
3*% Silcor 2 Quality 4 Stalloy Transf. D Trancor 1
2*% Silcor 3 Quality 3B 42 Quality Electrical Spec. Elec.
1% Silcor 4 Lohys
Quality 1 Armature Armature
This applies exactly to Silcor (Magnetic and Elec. Alloys Ltd.).
The core losses for the various Silcor grades measured at 50 c/s. with 0.014 inch
sheet, at two different values of flux density are shown below.
Watts lost per pound
•"mo 36
Silcor 1 Silcor 2 Silcor 3 Silcor 4
10 Kilogauss 0.59 0.63 0.89 1.32
13 Kilogauss 1.04 1.07 1.51 2.24
It will be observed that for small changes in flux density the core loss varies as the
square of the flux density. For radio power transformer work, core materials similar
to Silcor 2 are commonly used. Measurements of losses can be made with a low
power factor wattmeter, or by the three ammeter method. A
system suitable for mass
production testing has been described recently (Ref. D9).
Cold per cent silicon steels are becoming of increasing
rolled, grain oriented 2.7
"
importance. Typical trade names for this material are " Hipersil " and " Crystalloy
(Ref. 10). Flux densities in excess of 110 000 lines per square inch (17 kilogauss),
can be employed- without high core loss. Owing to low core losses at such high flux
densities, the application of this material to small transformers for electronic equip-
ment is increasing. It can be used in strip form, being wound around the winding
in one method of assembly. In another method, the strip core is sawn in half and the
two halves clamped together around the winding. Either method results in a con-
siderable saving in material and labour over the present method of punching lamina-
tions and hand stacking the winding with them.
The most popular laminations in current use are the E and / " scrapless " variety
(Refs. Dll,
12, 13, 14). These are so dimensioned that the / is punched from the
window of the E thus avoiding wastage. The usual ratio of dimensions of these
laminations are as follows Window height 1, tongue 2, window width 3, /-length 6,
:
Laminations for small power transformers are generally 0.014 inch thick j thicker
laminations up to 0.025 inch are occasionally used, but result in increased losses and
shortened lamination die life.
To determine the core size, it is first necessary to estimate the power requirements.
Then we may apply the empirical relation
A =VvJL <*>
5.58
where A = cross-sectional area
in square inches
and VA = voltamps output.
For ease of production an approximately square stack is ^desirable. Thus having
determined A, the tongue size can be estimated from A. Where high voltage V
windings, or windings operating above ground, or at a high potential between other
windings, are used, it becomes necessary to employ a lamination which has a different
ratio of dimensions from those quoted earlier, die window height being increased
to allow room for extra insulation. The input current taken by a transformer on
no-load is commonly called the magnetizing current. In fact, it consists of two
components in phase quadrature. The in-phase component, usually small, is the
iron loss plus a very small copper loss. The quadrature portion is the true magnetizing
current. Their vector sum does not normally exceed about a third of the full load
current.
N = AMfBA <2)
For 240 volts 50 c/s 230 volts 50 c/s 117 volts 60 c/s
A A * A
where A =
gross cross-sectional area of core in sq. ins.
The flux density employed depends on the application, the power rating, the core
material and the frequency. For oscilloscopes and pre-amplifiers, densities of
40 000 to 50 000. lines per square inch (about 7 000 gauss) are used. For small
transformers below about 50 watts, densities up to 90 000 lines per square inch (14 000
gauss) are used, gradually decreasing to about 65 000 lines (10 000 gauss) as the
transformer size increases to several hundred watts.
Having chosen a suitable flux density, the turns required for each secondary winding
.may be calculated.
It can be shown that, approximately,
£, .N t
JV2 = fr j=r- where v = transformer efficiency.
Ei v V
•
_
As a first approximation it may be assumed that 17 = 0.85 and vS = 0.92.
The values thus obtained for the secondary turns may be checked by more
detailed
calculations once wire gauges have been chosen and winding resistances calculated.
For this purpose the equivalent circuit of Figure 5.11 may be used.
If a secondary is to feed a rectifier and the d.c. output of the valve is specified,
reference should be made to Chapter 30 or a valve data book to determine the required
236 (iii) PRIMARY AND SECONDARY TURNS 5.5
secondary voltage. Allowance must be made for any voltage drops due to the d.c.
resistance of the rectifier filter.
Condenser input filter : The r.m.s. current in each half of the transformer
secondary may be taken approximately as 1.1 times the direct current to the load.
For further details see Chapter 30 Sect. 2.
Choke input filter The r.m.s. current in each half of the transformer secondary
:
may be taken approximately as 0.75 times the direct current to the load. For further
information, see Chapter 30, Sect. 4 (also Sect. 3). With half-wave rectification
there will be a d.c. component of the current which will affect the transformer design
if the total d.c. ampere turns are considerable. For half-wave battery chargers using
bulb rectifiers, this must be taken into consideration when selecting core size and wire
gauges (Ref. D15).
In the case of transformers supplying full-wave rectifiers, the full load primary
current can be estimated by calculating the total secondary loading in voltamps,
allowing an efficiency of 85% as a first approximation. This is then the primary
input in voltamps which, when divided by the primary voltage, will give the desired
current. Where secondaries feed a resistive load, the loading is the product of the
voltage and current. Where a secondary feeds a full-wave rectifier the load is the
product of the direct current and the direct voltage output from the rectifier plus the
power lost in the rectifier. This latter can be calculated, for a condenser input filter,
from data presented in Chapter 30, Sect. 2. It should be noted that indirectly heated,
close-spaced rectifiers such as the 6X4, are more efficient than types such as the 5Y3-
GT, with its heavier filament power and lower plate efficiency. This is one reason
why the former are almost exclusively used in the majority of small a.c. radio receivers.
The primary input current as calculated above should be accurate to within 10%
for small transformers.
silk, varnish and wire enamel (Reft. D16, 17). The temperature rise in the winding,
as measured by the change of resistance method, will be about 10°C lower than the
maximum (hot spot) temperature. Thus with an ambient temperature Of 40°C
(104°F) plus a margin of 1Q°C for the difference between measured and hot spot
temperature, it will be seen that the maximum permissible rise is 55 °C, as measured
by the change of resistance.
It is common practice to allow 10°C margin for change in line voltage, frequency,
or operation in situations with restricted ventilation. Thus 45 °C is generally accepted
as the maximum permitted rise above ambient when measured by resistance change.
The temperature difference between winding and core varies between 10° and 20 °C
according to the distribution of losses. This means that even with an ambient tem-
perature of 25°C (77°F), the core temperature may be 60° (140°F). This will feel
quite hot to the touch, although the internal temperature may be well under the per-
mitted maximum. Measurement of the core temperature may be made with a spirit
thermometer if good thermal contact is maintained between the core and the thermo-
meter bulb.
The winding temperature rise can be calculated by measuring the cold resistance,
i?o at an observed temperature TV After a heat run at full load the hot resistance R
is measured and the ambient temperature 7*8 is again measured.
Taking the temperature coefficient of resistivity (a) of copper as 0.003 93, the tem-
perature rise T is found from the formula
T — **~ ^°
R a
To correct -for any changes in ambient temperature during the heat run it is neces-
sary to subtract the difference 7*g 7\ from — T
to find the actual rise. An example
will illustrate this.
The primary resistance of a transformer measured when cold was 30 ohms at an
ambient temperature of 20 °C. After an 8 hour full load run, the resistance was 36
ohms, while the ambient temperature was then 18°C. It is required to find the
winding temperature rise.
36-30 _ 6 _gic r
30 x 0.00393 ~ 30
"~
x 0.00393
Now Tt - Tx = (18 - 20)°C = -2°C.
Winding temperature rise = [51° - (-2)]°C = 53°C.
Standard methods of testing small radio receiver power transformers have been
published (Refs. D18, D22). The cooling area of a transformer for the " scrapless "
type laminations with standard ratio of dimensions is
A = T(7.71T + US)
where A — cooling area
T = width of tongue
and S — height of stack.
For a square stack 5 = T and A = 18.71 T* (Ref. 11).
Having calculated the iron and copper losses and the total cooling area, it is possible
to estimate the temperature rise before a sample transformer is wound. The watts
lostper square inch of cooling area is first calculated. Reference to Fig. 5.18B will
then show the temperature rise to be expected with an accuracy of approximately
± 10%.
(vi) Typical design
(Refs. D19, D20, D21, D23).
Specifications :
Primary 240 V 50 c/s
Secondary (i) 63 V 2.6 A
Secondary (ii) 300 V+ 300 V r.m.s. for full wave 6X4 rectifier with condenser
input filter to deliver 60 mA d.c.
Secondary loading
Secondary (i) 6.3 V 2.6 A or 16.5 watts
D.C. output 343 V 0.06 A or 20.5 watts
238 (vi) TYPICAL DESIGN 5.5
i With a flux density of 13 kilogauss (84 000 lines per square inch) and a stacking
factor of 0.9,
N p = 8
240 x 10 /4 x 50 x 84 000 x 1.125 x 1.125
= 1130.
Secondary (ii)turns :
N = E N /E P V'n = 300
t l J> x 11 30/240 V085
= 1530 + 1530.
Turns per volt = NJEj. = 1530/300 = 5.1.
Secondary (i) turns = (6.3 x 5.1) = 32.
Wire gauges :
CM 0-2 OS 04 OS 06 0-7 OS OS IO
W — Warn per Sq.inch Surfoc*
Fig. 5.18B. Temperature rise versus loss per square inch of cooling surface for
ambient temperature 25 C (Ref. D.l.)
5.5 (vi) TYPICAL DESIGN 239
Efficiency
Efficiency =
Power output/(power output plus losses)
=
39/(39 + 6.5) x 100 = 86%.
Regulation) calculated from British definition :
FIG.5.I8C
LAMINATION AND COIL DATA
*KL»
EXAMPLE:
*24E WIRE ON SQUARE l.25~CORE
T~* LAMINATION
SIZE 1.25*
K «"
OVERALL 3JS"X 3.
4 HOLE MTG.--3.tt" X 8.3*
mI
CORE
M WEIGHT
7%_, AREA
2.95LBS.
1.56 SQ"
MAGNETIC RATH 7.5-"
C0H.-*24E •
Lamination Width
Sixc Center Leg, tn. A 0.500 0.625 0.750 0.875 1.000 1.12.5 1.250 1.375 1.500
Area, So,. In. BxD 0.250 0.292 0.422 0.573 0.750 0.950 1.17 1.42 1.69
Window
Dimensions
Length, In. D 0.812 0.937 1.125 1.31 1.50 1.69 1.87 2.06 2.25
Width, In. B 0.312 0.312 0.375 0.437 0.500 0.562 0.625 0.687 0.750
Build, Max. In. S 0.256 0.256 0.315 0.367 0.430 0.483 0.538 0.590 0.646
Coil Length
Overair, In. P 0.750 0.875 1,06 1.25 1.44 1.56 L75 1.94 2.12
DimemioM
Length
Winding, In. R 0.500 0.625 0.750 1.00 1.12 1.25 1.37 1.56 1.75
Core Tube Thickness, In. T 0.035 0.035 0.050 0.050 0.050 0.050 0.050 0.050 0.060
"E" ft "1" Piece Length, In. F 1.62 1.87 2.25 2.62 3.00 3.37 3.75 4.12 4.50
Overall
Dimensions Width, In. M 1.31 1.62 1.87 2.19 2.50 2.81 3.12 3.44 3.75
2 Slot Width, In. G 1.62 1.95 2.16 2.44 2.78 2.94 3.12
Mounting
Dimension! Pram End, In. K 1.12 1.31 1.50 1.69 1.87 2.06 2.25
Width,
"B- Piece Overall, In. E 1.06 1.25 1.50 1.75 2.00 2J25 2.50 2.75 3.00
Diiainaiona Width, Outer
Leg, In. C 0.250 0.312 0.375 0.437 0.500 0.562 0.625 0.687 0.750
"1" Piece Width, In. L 0.250 0.312 0.375 0.437 0.500 0.562 0.625 0.687 0.750
Volume,
Area x h 0.810 1.46 2.54 4.03 6.00 '8.55 11.70 15.60 20.20
Cu. Inches
Por Vol.
Squire Stick Weight. X
Pounds Density 021 0.37 0.64 1.05 J.50 2.14 2.95 3.90 5.06
Center Lee
Area,
Sq. Inches A»A 0.250 0.390 0.562 0.766 1.000 127 IJ6 1.90 225
Magnetic
Path Length. In. 1 3.25 3.75 450 5.26 6.00 6.75 7.50 8.24 9.00
242 5.6
(i) General
Iron cored inductors fall into several different categories depending upon the cir-
cuit requirements. In some applications these inductors may have to carry a.c.
only, in others, both a.c. and d.c. They may have to work over a wide range of
frequencies, or at any single frequency up to the ultrasonic range. Iron-cored
inductors are employed as smoothing and swinging chokes in power supplies, as
equalizer elements in audio frequency equipment, as modulation chokes and as filter
elements in carrier equipment, to mention a few varied applications.
To design such an inductor it is therefore necessary to know some or all of the
following specifications
(if)Calculations—general
The inductance L of an iron-cored coil may be calculated using the relation
— 3.2 x N x /* x a
2 .
f
L TZi
10" X /
; henrys K*)
The effective permeability depends on the type of steel used, on the a.c. and d.c.
FIG. 5.19
>ATH OF MAGNETIC CIRCUIT
Fig. 5.19. Magnetic cores, showing method for calculation of length of magnetic path.
flux densities in the core, and on whether the core laminations are interleaved or
whether there is an air gap in the magnetic circuit.
The length of the magnetic circuit is the length measured around the core at the
centre of cross section of each magnetic path. Referring to Fig. 5.19, the path taken
will be along the centre of each leg except where there are two windows, when each
path through the centre leg will be along a line one-quarter of the way across the leg.
In this latter case only a single path round the window is considered in calculating
the magnetic circuit length.
Eqn. (1) is properly applicable only when the cross-sectional area of the core is
uniform throughout the magnetic circuit. Where the cross section is non-uniform,
a conservative value of L will usually be obtained by using for a the minimum value
of the cross-sectional area. For more accurate calculations in such cases reference
should be made to a suitable text-book (e.g. Ref. El).
(iii)Effective permeability
For any given sample of lamination steel the effective permeability depends primarily
on the a.c. and d.c. flux densities in the core.
Irrespective of the presence of air gaps in, the magnetic circuit, the maximum a.c.
flux density B
ma x in the core is determined by the cross section of the core, the number
of turns in the coil, the alternating voltage across the coil and the frequency, and may
be calculated directly from the relation derived from eqn. (2) in Sect. 5,
_ E x 1Q8
max ~ 4.44 fNa (2)
The magnetizing force in the core depends on the total number of d.c. ampere-
d.c.
turns, less the number of ampere-turns absorbed in any air gap, divided by the length
of the magnetic circuit in inches (see Sect. 4).
Fig. 5.20 shows the variation of effective permeability with variation of a.c. flux
density and d.c. magnetizing force for typical electrical sheet steel. It will be observed
that the effective permeability increases up to a maximum as the a.c. flux density
increases, and then drops rapidly due to saturation of the core. For any particular
value of a.c. flux density the effective permeability decreases as the d.c. magnetizing
force increased.
is
Where the a.c. flux in the core is much less than the d.c. flux, it is convenient to
refer to the effective permeability as the incremental permeability since it depends
on the characteristics of the core material in relation to small changes in the total flux.
This term is therefore generally used in dealing with filter chokes and other inductance
coils having a relatively large number of turns and carrying a relatively large direct
current.
Aini9V3WH3d
Fig. 5.20. Effective permeability (/*) of silicon steel versus a.c. maximum flux
density, for various values of d.c. magnetising forceH (by courtesy of Allegheny
Ludlum Steel Corporation).
5.6 (iv) DESIGN WITH NO D.C. FLUX 245
10 8 ./
X
(1/n + a//) W
and this expression may be used for calculations. Alternatively, it will be clear that
if the air-gap is large, so that 1//* << a/7, eqn. (3) approximates to
L = 3.2N* a/10 8 <x .
(4)
FIG. 5.21
JTT "'TTTT
Jtt nil
lit
nil
lit ii'i
Iff nil
i III
itn
5 HI in
ill
,
ii
HI hi
M Ow-» UI Ull
Ttit
TTTr£££* a
1
Jill
*"»3Sab
ft* mi
[2*2#*fa mi
M S2l£ mi
^2»/>#L.
>K* tf
*£L^
_
*& ^"o
fUEQi
«6'»« Ji-fTn^o^rf
Tl '«$01
'!5^ _r
\*'
^t* *lV
1fl >«5 IN
VkWjl
l-<
1
"
K^tf00
52*tmm\
S
v>-sS
IIJliI 'i\o .^^ 1
1
- Ox
o2t™f Core Cots of the Material »k Eftratts per pound
1 II i| iiiiiiiii
II II
1
1 II in nil!
1 1
1
Fig. 5.21. Experimentally determined curve showing values of " a" as a function
of frequency for several magnetic materials (Ref. E2).
(v) Design of high Q inductors
This sub-section follows S. L. Javna (Ref. E2) and is set out in a step-by-step form
for ease of working. The following table defines the symbols used by Javna in the
formulae presented here.
A = Effective cross-sectional area of magnetic-flux path, in sq. in.
A, = Gross cross-sectional area of magnetic-flux path, in sq. in.
a — Empirical constant, see Fig. 5.21.
B = Maximum flux density in the core, in lines per sq. in.
F = Fraction of core-window area occupied by copper wire of coil
/ = Frequency, in cycles per second.
g = Actual gap length, in inches.
k = Empirical constant, see Fig. 5.22.
L = Inductance of iron-cored coil, in henrys.
/ = Mean length of magnetic path, in inches.
m = Mean length of a turn of the coil, in inches.
246 (v) DESIGN OF HIGH Q INDUCTORS 5.6
=
/ 6.0 ins
to = 1.5 lbs.
A„ = 1.0 sq. in. \- from Fig. 5.18C
A = 0.9 sq. in.
s = 0.75 sq. in.
m = 5.5 ins. from Fig. 5.18D
F «y 0.3, a typical value for this lamination
"
k = 1.3 x 10 8 from Fig. 5.22.
a = 1.987 from Fig. 5.21.
tt/± is found from Fig. 5.20.
Calculation :
1.74mF 10 \ 4 7 l ^a + 2>
.(\aktt>f L*A*sF7
l
48.6 lines /sq. in.
Turns /layer using 33 A.W.G. enam. 133 from winding data chart, =
thus number of layers 5150/133 39. = =
Interlayer insulation from winding data chart 0.0015 in., =
thus winding build 39 (0.0078 =
0.0015) 0.363 in. + =
Former thickness 0.05 in. =
Insulation under and over winding 0.02 in., =
thus total coil build (0.363 0.05 = 0.02) 0.433 in. + + =
Max. build from Fig. 5.18C 0.43 in., =
thus the winding should fit the window satisfactorily.
It should be noted that R a t and R d are usually' very nearly equal and where a
. . . «,.
square stack of scrapless laminations is used, m will approximate /. Due to the large
air gap the inductance will remain practically independent or voltage and frequency.
The basic design equations may be used and applied to almost any magnetic material.
The constants, a and k for other magnetic materials can be obtained from graphs
drawn from measurements made in accordance with the method mentioned in the
5.6 (v) DESIGN OF HIGH Q INDUCTORS 247
FIG. 5.22
Fig. 5.22. Experimentally determined curve showing values of " k" as a function
of frequency for several magnetic materials (Ref. E2).
Such data may be obtained using the methods given in " Magnetic Circuits and
Transformers " (Ref. A3) Ch. 7, which sets out the general methods suitable for
calculation of inductance with d.c. flux in the core.
The method developed by Crowhurst (Ref. E18) makes a considerable saving in
time by the use of charts, particularly when a number of inductors are to be designed.
However, when the a.c. flux density is very small, as for example in many filter
chokes, the method developed by Hanna may be used.
soo — i
o-o oT
i
HX
V
2S0
t
1
Oi 103
ISO
100
OjOPI
so
\
(x,5*) ro
T FIG. 5.23
Fig. 5.23. LP/V plotted against NI/l with various gap ratio intercepts
{Ref. £13).
r.d.h. —
250 (viii) INDUCTORS FOR CHOKE INPUT FILTERS 5.6
per inch of core path length. The peak a.c. voltage, of double mains frequency,
across the choke, may be taken to be about two thirds of the d.c. voltage at the input
to the filter.
(3) Using Fig. 5.20 note the change in permeability fj. when maximum d.c. load
current flows through the choke and check that the value of inductance under these
conditions is sufficient. If it is not sufficient an increase in turns may be satisfactory
and this can be checked by repeating the procedure above. If this is not satisfactory
a small air gap may be necessary, but calculations then become complex.
A choke so designed is commonly referred to as a swinging choke because its
inductance varies with the direct current through it.
(ix) Measurements
Measurements of inductances of iron-cored coils must be made under conditions
similar to those under which the coils are to be used, because the value of inductance
depends to a marked degree on the a.c. flux density in the core and also on any d.c.
flux set up in the core by direct currents in the windings.
Bridge methods are desirable for accurate measurements of inductance but must
be arranged to simulate the operating conditions of the coil being measured. Owen
and Hay bridges are widely used when there is a large flux due to direct current
(Refs. E15, E16).
For many purposes it is satisfactory to determine the effective inductance (or more
accurately, the impedance) of a coil by measuring the current through the coil when
the rated a.c. voltage is applied to it ; but this method is not usually feasible when a
d.c. component is also present.
B ± f
-5—«-A/WW-
FIG. 5.24
When a d.c. flux must be produced in the core to simulate operating conditions,
the circuit arrangement of Fig. 5.24 may be used to determine the a.c. impedance
of the coil. Avalve voltmeter is used to adjust the a.c. voltage drop across the known
variable resistance R
to equality with the a.c. voltage drop across the inductance L.
The required value of direct current through the coil is obtained by adjusting the
tapping on battery B R
and the rheostat x (or by adjusting any other variable direct
current source), the current being measured by a d.c. ammeter or milliammeter.
The required alternating voltage across the choke coil is then adjusted by varying
the tapping on transformer T, the voltage across the coil being read on the valve volt-
meter ; this adjustment is not usually critical. The resistance R is then varied until
the same reading is obtained on the valve voltmeter when it is connected across R
5.6 (ix) MEASUREMENTS 251
The value Z obtainedfor the impedance of the coil will differ from its reactance
owing to but for most purposes it will be satisfactory to assume that it is
coil losses,
equal to the reactance. If the frequency used is /, the value of inductance is given
approximately by
L fin Z/2nf.
or Lea Z/314 Henrys, for/ = 50 c/s.
an Z/376 Henrys for/ = 60 c/s.
where Z is numerically equal to the value of R for balance.
For choke coils carrying direct current, and operating with a high a.c. flux density,
reference should be made to the method of approximate measurement given by F. E.
Terman (Ref. E15) Fig. 40 and pp 57-58.
SECTION 7 : REFERENCES
(A) GENERAL
Al. Still, A. (book) " Principles of Transformer Design " (John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1926).
A2. Still, A. (book) " Elements of Electrical Design " (2nd ed. McGraw-Hill Book Co. 1932).
A3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (book) " Magnetic Circuits and Transformers " (John
Wiley and Sons, New York ; Chapman and Hall, London, 1943).
A4. Blume, L. F. and others (book) " Transformer Engineering " (John Wiley and Sons, New York,
1938).
A5. Terman, F. E. (book) "Radio Engineers' Handbook" (McGraw-Hill Book Co. 1943).
A6. Lee, R. (book) " Electronic Transformers and Circuits " (John Wiley and Sons 1947).
A7. Beatty, R. T. " Radio Data Charts " (Iliffe and Sons Ltd.).
A8. Roters, H. C. (book) "Electromagnetic Devices" (John Wiley and Sons 1941).
A9. Miner, D. F. (book) " Insulation of Electrical Apparatus " (McGraw-Hill Book Co. 1941).
A10. Connelly, F. C. (book) " Transformers " (Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons Ltd. London, 1950).
All. Crowhurst, N. H. "Winding space determination" Electronic Eng. 23.282 (Aug. 1951) 302.
Additional references will be found in the Supplement commencing on page 1475.
(B) REFERENCES TO
PRACTICAL TRANSFORMERS
Bl. Honnell, P. M. " Note on the measurement of transformer turns ratio " Proc. I.R.E. 33.1 1 (Nov.
1945) 808. See also Refs. Al to A10 inclusive.
(C) REFERENCES TO
AUDIO FREQUENCY
TRANSFORMERS
CI. Harrison, E. B. " Notes on transformer design " Elect. 17.2 (Feb. 1944) 106.
C2. Koehler, G. Audio-frequency amplifiers included in Henney's " Radio Engineering Handbook "
" "
Chapter 8, p. 355, 4th ed., 1950 (McGraw-Hill Book Company).
C3. Webb, E. K. " Response of a.f. transformers at high frequencies " Proc. I.R.E. Aust. 5.3 (Jan.
1944) 3.
C4. Klipsch, P. W. " Design of a.f. amplifier circuits using transformers " Proc. I.R.E. 24.2 (Feb.
1936) 219.
C5. Rohner, A. J. (Chapter) " Ferrous-cored inductors " (" Elec. Eng. Handbook " Edit, by Pender
and Mcllwain 4th ed. 1950) Communication and Electronics, Sect. 3-42.
C6. Wrathall, E. T. " Audio-frequency transformers " W.E. 14.6, 7, 8 (June, July, August 1937).
C7. Sowter, G. A. V. " The properties of nickel iron alloys and their application to electronic devices
"
J. Brit. I.R.E. 2.4 (Dec. 1941— Feb. 1942) 100.
C8. Peterson, E. " Harmonic production in ferromagnetic materials at low frequencies and low flux
densities." B.S.T.J. 7.4 (Oct. 1928) 762.
C9. Story, J. G. " Design of audio-frequency input and inter-valve transformers " W.E. 15.173 (Feb.
1938) 69.
C10. Roddam, T. " Distortion in audio-frequency transformers " W.W. 51.7 (July 1945) 202.
Cll. Terman, F. E. "Radio Engineers' Handbook" 1st edit. (1943) p. 131.
C12. " Telcon Metals " Booklet Pub. by Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Co. Ltd., Green-
wich, London 1948.
C13. Terman, F. E. (book) " Radio Engineering " (3rd edit. 1947) p. 291.
C14. BaxandaU, P. J. " High quality amplifier design " W.W. 54.1 (Jan. 1948) 2.
C15. Lee, R. "Recent transformer developments "Proc. I.R.E. 33.4 (April 1945) 240.
C16. Strong, C. E. " Final stage class B modulation " Elect. Comm. 16.4 (April 1938) 321.
C17. McLean, T. " An analysis of distortion in class B amplifiers " Proc. I.R.E. 24.3 (March 1936) 487.
C18. Lee, R. (book) " Electronic transformers and circuits " 1st edit. (1947) p. 163.
C19. Terman, F. E. " Radio Engineers' Handbook " (1st edit. 1943) p. 392.
C20. Mortley, W. S. " The design of low frequency transformer coupled amplifiers " Marconi Review
No. 45 (Nov. Dec. 1933) 25.
C21. Preisman, A. (book) " Graphical Constructions for Vacuum Tube Circuits " (1st edit. 1943
•
McGraw-Hill) p. 195.
C22. McLean, T. ,f An analysis of distortion in class B audio amplifiers Proc. I.R.E. 24.3 (March
1936) 487.
C23. Sah, A. P-T. " Quasi-transients in Class B audio frequency, push-pull amplifiers " Proc. I.R.E.
24.11 (Nov. 1936) 1522.
C24. Partridge, N. G. R. " Distortion in transformer cores " W.W. 44.25 (June 22, 1939) 572 ; 44.26
(June 29, 1939) 597 ; 45.1 (July 6, 1939) 8 ; 45.2 (July 13, 1939) 30. . .
C25. Partridge, N. G. R. " An introduction to the study of harmonic distortion in audio frequency
transformers " J. Brit. I.R.E. 3.1 (June- July, 1942) 6. „„,„,, «»„ ,«.
C26. Partridge, N. G. R. " Harmonic distortion in audio frequency transformers W.E. 19.228 (Sept.
1942) 394 : 19.229 (Oct. 1942) 451 ; 19.230 (Nov. 1942) 503.
C27. Partridge, N. G. R. " Transformer distortion " W.W. 48.8 (Aug. 1942) 178.
C28. Crowhurst, N. H. " Leakage inductance " Electronic Eng. 21.254 (April 1949) 129.
C29. Crowhurst, N. H. " Winding capacitance " Electronic Eng. 21.261 (Nov. 1949) 417.
C30. Harrison, E. B. " Test methods for high quality audio transformers " Tele.-Tech. 9.3 (March
1950) 40.
C31. " Reference Data for Radio Engineers " Chap. 11 (Federal Telephone and Radio Corp. N.Y.
3rd edit. 1949).
C32 Lord, H. W. "Design of broad-band transformers for linear electronic circuits" E.E. 69.11
(Nov. 1950) 1020. „ . ....... _,
C33. Williams, T., and R. H. Eastop Harmonic distortion in iron-core transformers
„ Audio
& . _
Eng.
.
D3 M.I T* Staff (book) " Magnetic Circuits and Transformers " (John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New
'
York, 1943).
5.7 REFERENCES 253
D4. Reed, E. G. (book) " Essentials of Transformer Practice " (McGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc. New
York 2nd edit. 1927).
D5. Ledward, T. A. " Transformer screening" W.W. 50.1. (Jan. 1944) 15.
D6. "British Standard Specification for Steel Sheets for Transformers for Power and Lighting"
B.S. 601-1935 (British Standards Institution, London).
D7. " Standard Methods of Test for Magnetic Properties of Iron and Steel " A-34 (1940). American
Society of Testing Materials, N.Y.
D8. Partridge, N. G. R. " Harmonic distortion in audio frequency transformers " W.E. 19.8 (Aug.
1942) 180.
D9. Medina, L. " A
device for the measurement of no-load losses in small power transformers " Proc.
I.R.E. Aust. 7.9 (Sept. 1946) 13.
D10. Horstman, C. C. " Rolled steel cores for radio transformers " Elect. 16.6 (June 1943) 110.
—
Dll. Partridge, N. G. R. " Lamination design influence of shape on the cost and weight of trans-
formers and chokes " W.W. 48.12 (Dec. 1942) 286.
D12. Mawson, R. " The design of stampings for L.F. transformers " Electronic Eng. 16.195 (May
1944) 514.
D13. " Dry Type Power Transformers for Radio Transmitters " R.M.A. Standard TR-102 Nov. 1947.
—
D14. "Power Transformers for Radio Broadcast Receivers Core Laminations, Vertical and Hori-
zontal Channel Frames." R.M.A. Standard REC-120 Oct. 1948.
D15. Prince, D. C, and P. B. Vogdes (book) " Mercury Arc Rectifiers " (McGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc.,
New York, 1927).
D16. " British Standard Specification for Electrical Performance of Transformers for Power and
—
Lighting " B.S. 171 1936 ; Amendment No. 3, Jan. 1948 (British Standards Institution, London).
D17. American Standards
—
C57.10 1948 Terminology for transformers, regulators and reactors.
—
C57.ll 1948 General requirements for transformers, regulators and reactors.
—
C57.12 1949 Distribution, power and regulating transformers other than current limiting.
—
D18. "Power and Audio Transformers and Reactors Home Receiver Replacement Type" C.16.9
(1943) (American Standards Association, New York).
D19. " Reference Data for Radio Engineers " Chapter 11. (Federal Telephone and Radio Corp. N.Y.
3rd edit. 1949).
D20. " Engineering a transformer." Booklet (Standard Transformer Corp. Chicago).
D21. Roesche, C. " Practical transformer design and construction " Radio News 37.6 (June 1947) 60 ;
38.1 (July 1947) 58; 38.2 (Aug. 1947) 60.
D22. Radio Industry Council, London, Specification " Transformers, Power, up to 2 KVA Rating "
No. RIC/214 (Issue No. 1—Feb. 1951).
D23. " Components Handbook " Vol. 17 of M.I.T. Radiation Lab. Series. Chapter 4 " Iron-Core
Inductors" (McGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc. New York, 1949).
D24. Hamaker, H. C, and Th. Hehenkamp " Minimum cost transformers and chokes " Philips Re?.
Rep. 5.5 (Oct. 1950) 357; 6.2 (April 1951) 105.
D24. R.C.S.C. Standard RC.L/191 Cores, magnetic.
D25. R.C.S.C. Standard RC.L/193 Cores, magnetic, strip wound.
D26. R.C.S.C. Standard RC.S/214 Specification for transformers, power,
also A10.
MATHEMATICS
By F. Langford-Smith, B.Sc, B.E.
Section
1. Arithmetic and the slide rule ... ... . . 255
2. Algebra 259
3. Geometry and trigonometry 272
4. Periodic phenomena 278
5. Graphical representation and notation ... j ... 279
6. Complex algebra and De Moivre's Theorem 285
7. Differential and integral calculus ... 289
8. Fourier Series and harmonics 299
9. References 304
Mathematics, to the radio engineer, is merely a tool to be used in his design work.
For this reason it is often used in a slovenly manner or with insufficient precision or
understanding.
There are normally three stages in the solution of a problem—
1 Transferring the mechanical or electrical conditions into a mathematical form.
2. Solving the mathematics.
3. Interpreting and applying the mathematical solution.
The first stage is Chapter 4 ; the second stage
dealt with in is the subject of this
chapter, while the third stage requires careful consideration of all the relevant con-
ditions. A
solution only applies under the conditions assumed in stage one, which
may involve some approximations and limits. In all cases the solution should be
checked either experimentally or theoretically to prove that it is a true solution.
This chapter not a textbook on mathematics, although it is in such an easy form
is
that anyone with the minimum of mathematical knowledge should be able to follow it.
It has been written primarily for those who require assistance in " brushing up
"
their knowledge, and for the clarification of points which may be imperfectly under-
stood. It is " basic " rather than elementary in its introduction, and could therefore
be read with advantage by all.
Sufficient ground is covered for all normal usage in radio receiver design, except
for that required by specialists in network and filter design.
Reference data have been included for use by all grades
254
6.1 (i) FIGURES 255
(i) Figures
A figure (e.g. 5) indicates a certain number of a particular object—e.g. five resistors.,
or five radio receivers ; or else five units of a particular scale e.g. five inches, five —
microfarads or five ohms. No matter what we may do with adding, subtracting}
multiplying or dividing, if we begin with ohms we must finish with ohms, and so on
with any other unit. We cannot add together dissimilar objects without identifying
each type, and similarly with any other mathematical process.
(iii) Logarithms
We may write 100 10 2 =
or we may express this in different language as
2 log 10 100=
which is spoken of as " log 100 to the base 10."
Here 2 is the logarithm of 100 to
the base 10.
Tables of logarithms to the base 10 are given in Chapter 38 Sect. 20, Table 71.
They are useful in multiplying and dividing numbers which are too large to handle
conveniently by the ordinary procedure.
. ;
A typical logarithm is 2.4785. Here the figure 2 to the left of the decimal point
is called the index, and the figures 4785 to the right of the decimal point are called
the mantissa.
(1) The index of the logarithm of a number greater than unity is the number which
by one than the number of digits (figures) in the
is less integral* part of the given
number ; for example the index of the logarithm of
57 640 is 4
5 764 is 3
576.4 is 2
57.64 is 1
5.764 is
If the number is less than unity, the index is negative, and is a higher number by
one than the number of zeros that follow the decimal point of the given number ; for
example the index of the logarithm of
.576 4 is -1
.005 764 is -3.
To denote that the index only is negative, die minus sign is usually written above it
e.g.7, 3.
(2) The mantissaof the logarithm is found from the tables. Proceed to find the
first figures in the left hand column of the table, then pass along the horizontal
two
line to the vertical column headed by the third figure. To this number add the
number in the difference column under the fourth figure of the given number. The
mantissa is the result obtained by this process with a decimal point before it.
sum = 4.3353
The number whose log = .3353 is 2164.
The decimal point should be placed so as to give 4+1=5 digits to the left of
the point j i.e. 21 640.
•With slide rules having no special mark, use 10 on the C scale as the " mark."
258 (iv) THE SLIDE RULE 6.1
In a complicated calculation, especially with very large and very small numbers,
highly desirable to arrange die numerator and denominator in powers of 10.
it is
For example
75 000 x 0.0036 x 5900 7.5 x 10* X 3.6 x 1Q-* x 5.9 x 10 s
160000 x 0.0000017 ~ 1.6 x 10 5
x 1.7 x 10"«
7.5 x 3.6 x 5.9 x 10 5
~
1.6 x 1.7
The slide rule does not indicate the position of the decimal point, and it is necessary
to determine the latter by some method such as inspection this is much easier when the ;
individual numbers are all between 1 and 10 as in the example above. It is also possible
to keep track of the decimal point by noting how often the manipulation passes from
end to end of the rule.
To find the logarithm of a given number, move the 1 on scale to the number on C
the D
scale, then turn the rule over and read the logarithm on the scale against L
the mark (this will be a number between and 1).
To find the decibels corresponding to a ratio, proceed as for the logarithm, but
multiply by 10 for a power ratio or 20 for a voltage ratio.
To find the sine or tangent of an angle, first set the angle on the S or scale to the T
mark, then read the value on the B scale, below 1 on the scale, and divide by 100. A
There are countless special types of slide rules, and in all such cases the detailed
instructions provided by the manufacturers should be studied.
y/x ± 8 sy y/x ± V **
3(^ *)*
^66 = ^64~+~2:« ^64 + T -?- i¥2 ^ 4.042
3 x 4
For more accurate approximations see Sect. 2 eqns. (82) and (83).
When (a i)— =
1, the second term in this expression becomes J and we have the
exact application :
3 h x 4h = 16 - i = 15 J (exact).
Another application is illustrated by the example
98 x 102 = 100* - ](4) 2 = 10 000 - 4 - 9996.
(e)To multiply by 11
To multiply a number by 11, write down the last figure, add the last and last but
one and write down the result, carrying over any tens to the next operation, add the
last but one arid the last but two and so on, finishing by writing down the first
SECTION 2 : ALGEBRA
(»') Addition(it) Subtraction (m) Multiplication (iv) Division (u) Powers
(w) Roots Brackets and simple manipulations (viii) Factoring (ix) Proportion
(vii)
(x) Variation (xi) Inequalities (x») Functions (xiii) Equations (xiv) Formulae
or laws (xv) Continuity and limits (xvi) Progressions, sequences and series (xvii)
Logarithmic and exponential functions (xviii) Infinite series (xix) Hyperbolic
functions (xx) General approximations.
(i) Addition
If a, by and c are all values of the one unit (e.g. all resistances in ohms) we can add
them together to find the sum d, where d will also be in the same unit,
. d =a +b + c
For example, if a = 5, b = 10, c — 15 ohms,
then d = 5 + 10 + 15 = 30 ohms.
(ii) Subtraction
Subtraction is the opposite of addition, or negative addition, and can only be applied
when the quantity to be subtracted is in the same unit as the quantity from which it
is to be taken. For example let
a = b — c
where a, b and c are all voltages.
If b = 6 volts and c = 2 volts, then
a = 6 — 2 = 4 volts.
As another example, mdc
be readings of a thermometer in degrees say
let a, b —
b = 10°C and c = 20°C, 10°- 20°= - 10°C. This is commonly de-
then a =
scribed as " 10 degrees below zero " or " a temperature of minus 10 degrees." Thus
a negative temperature has a definite value and is readily understood. Its magnitude
is given by the figure, while its direction above or below zero is given by the positive
or negative sign,
Similarly a negative current is one with a magnitude as indicated by the figure but
with a direction opposite to that of a positive current. In most cases the direction
of a positive current is arbitrarily fixed, and if the answer comes out negative it merely
indicates the actual direction of current flow is the opposite of the direction assumed.
The same principle holds in all cases.
(iii) Multiplication
Multiplication is continued addition
4 x a = a + a + a + a
and commonly written as 4a. In the general
is sense we can write ba where b is any
number ; this has the same value as ab,
i.e. ab = ba or a.b — b.a.
It should be noted that
4 x (— a) = — 4a
and(- 1) x (- 1) = + 1.
(iv) Division
Division is the breaking up of a number of things into a given number of groups, e.g.
6a -z- 3 (2a 2a =
2a) -r- 3 2a. + + =
We may write this in the alternative forms
6a
—r- = 2a, or 6a/3 = 2a.
(v) Powers
Powers are continued multiplication,
e.g. a = aaa — a x a x a
8
am = a x a x a x a .(w factors) . .
an = axaxaxa...(n
factors)
Therefore a m x a" = a (m + n) (1)
We can write, as a convenience,
an
—
in the form a~ n
where the — n is not a true index (or exponential) but merely a way of writing 1/a".
Therefore ~ = am
a*
x a"" = am ~ n (2)
which indicates that the —n can be treated as though it were a true index.
6.2 (v) POWERS 261
©"" = ©" =
t-a)« = (-1)" x a"
£ W
= +a n if n is even t ya;
(vi) Roots _
= a or V<* = a
y/ a x a 2 (10)
so that a m,n is
m
the nth root of a ._
Note that l/Va=Vl/a} 1/Va = Vl/a ( 16)
ax + bx _ (a + b)x _ a + b x _ a + b
(22)
~cx~+ dx ~ (c +d)x~ c +d x~~ c + d
(a + &) = (a + i)(a + t) = o(a + &) + Ka + *) (23)
= a* + 2 a& + b* (23a)
(a - 6)* = (a - &)(« - 6) = o(a - 6) - K* - 6) (24)
= a - 2 at + 6* 2 (24a)
(a + fc)(a - 6) - a(a - b) + b(a - b) = a - 6
8 s
(25)
(a + &)(* + y) = ax + ay + bx + by (26)
(a + b + c) = a* + b* + c* + 2ab + 2bc + 2ca
s (27)
—a
— = —
b
— a ——-12ac = -3c; a-j62 = a
b
j
4a a
3
,
oa
(28)
v
a
a x = ; - = infinity* = <» (30)
— a. _ ad ^ bc a ± a o(d ± c)
±.*c~
_ * a
± -d~ J?
± d~ (31)
c cd ''
c ~c~~'' c cT~
The sign ± means either plus or minus. are used on When ± and/or T signs
both sides of an equation, the upper signs in both cases are to be taken in conjunction
as one case, while the lower signs are to be taken as the other case.
a c ac a ac
J *d = bd
;
b^bc~ (32)
a c a d ad
b d b 'c br (33)
X a + b + d) y/a + b'
x(c
y c + d ~ y(c + d) y\c + d (34a)
t
x(c + d) - y(a + b)
y(c + d) < 34b >
(viii) Factoring—Examples
6ab + 3ac = 3a(2b + c) (35)
x* - Ixy + 12^. = (x - 4y)(jc - 3y) a
(36)
2xa + Ix + 6 = (2x + 3)(x + 2) (37)
x*y - 4y 3 = y(x* - 4y*) = y(x + 2y)(x - 2y) (38)
(ix) Proportion
a
(1) If ~7 then =- b (39)
J c d
also
a
b-d-°
c . ,
therefore
ad
—rg
—
—= bc
(40)
(2) If — =- and s
6 rf / h
then (42)
bf^~dh
(x) Variation
If .y = £x, then y cc x
i.e. jy is directly proportional to x.
(xi) Inequalities
The letter symbols below are positive and finite.
(xii) Functions
We may describe 3x + 4 as " a function of x " because its value depends upon the
value of x. This is usually written as
F(x) = 3x + 4.
Other x are
typical functions of
2x2 + 3x + 5 ; x(x* + 3x) ;
cos x ; log x ; 1/x.
(xiii) Equations
An equation is a statement of conditional equality between two expressions con-
taining one or more symbols representing unknown quantities. The process of
determining values of the unknowns which will satisfy the equation is called solving
the equation.
An Identical Equation is one which holds for all values of its Jetter symbols.
A Linear Equation is one in which, after getting rid of fractions, the independent
variable only occurs in the first degree (e.g. x).
Example y = 5x + 3.
:
A Quadratic Equation is one in which, after getting rid of fractions, the inde-
pendent variable occurs in the second degree (e.g. x2 ) but not in higher degree.
Example y = 4x2 + 5x + 3.
:
A quadratic equation in one unknown has two roots, although both may be complex
(i.e. with an imaginary term).
Note x and y are usually taken as unknowns ; a,b,c and d as known constants.
:
2. A term can be moved from one side to the other provided that its sign is changed.
Example If a = b ; then a — b = 0.
:
Warning
If both sides of an equation are squared, or if both sides are multiplied by a term
containing the unknown, a new root may be introduced.
Solution of equations
(1) Linear equations with one unknown
Example ax + b — 0.
:
Solution x = — b/a.
:
(46)
(2) Linear equations with two unknowns
Any linear relation between two variables, x and y, can be written in the general form
ax + by + c = (47)
or (provided that b is not zero) in the alternative form
y = mx + n (48a)
This type of equation is not limited to one or two solutions, but has a corresponding
value of y for every possible value of x. It is very helpful to plot the value of y against
the value of x on squared paper—see Sect. 5(i). With any equation of this type, the
graph will be a straight line, and it is only necessary to determine
(1) one point on the line
(2) the slope of the line at any point.
The most convenient point is usually x = 0, and in eqn. (48a)
this will give y = n
or in eqn. (47) this will give y c /b = —
The slope of the line is given by the difference of the y values of two points, divided
by the difference of their x values.
In eqn. (47) the slope is — a/b
while in eqn. (48a) the slope is m.
A particular form of eqn. (47) is
*
-+y = 1 (48b)
J
and in this case the line cuts the x axis at x = a and cuts the y axis at y = b. The
slope is equal to b/a. —
An equation of the form
a b
H+f-< (49)
may be solved by regarding 1/x and 1/y as the unknowns, then following a similar
procedure as for an equation in * and y, and solving for 1/x and 1/y.
(3) Simultaneous linear equations (two unknowns)
«x* + b# = cx -\
_ ~ c bi
«,», t
x
? — a4>
a xb z x
<**x + b*y = c2 J - a&r-
a lCa
y = —£ —
flxOa — ^8»i
x
(50b)
provided that (a x& 8 —
aj> x) is not zero.
Alternatively the solution may be derived by determining x in terms of y from the
first equation, and then substituting in the second.
Checking solutions :
After any solution has been found, particularly with more than one solution, it is
highly desirable to check these in the original equation.
(4) Three simultaneous equations (three unknowns)
Given fax + by + cz + d — 0.
< a x x + b xy + c x z + d t =
^a 2 x + bay + c t z + d % =
6.2 (xiii) EQUATIONS 265
Then
(b tC!
dibtC! —- b^t) d^bCi —
b^a) + dy(bCj - bjC)
btp) + d
dt(biC - be
(b c — bc Q) 2 r r "|
a(b —~ bfCi)
(b t c 2a bc ) + a (bci — b c)
fli(&aC — be*)
btCi) + ai(psc a 2 x
aib^t — O + atibtc —
fc abc + a^bc^ — b c) 2) r
This type of equation is not limited to one or two solutions, but has a corresponding
value of y for every possible value of x. It is helpful to plot part of the curve on
—
squared paper see Sect. 5(i). The curve may cut the x axis at two points, or it may
touch at one point, or it may not touch it at all. Let y — 0, then
ax* + bx + c =
and the points at which the curve cuts the x axis will be
- b ±Vb* - 4ac
x (54)
Ta
If b* > 4ac3 the curve will cut at two points.
If b* = 4acy the curve will touch at one point.
If b* < 4ac, the curve will not cut the x axis.
K= 7E and/ = ^E
Another example is
*.-
2nfC
•
'and as R L is made very much greater than r„, the value of r„/R L becomes very small
although it never actually reaches zero. We may express this in the form
Lt
R L-+<*< Or)
x , Vi
=° <56)
which may be stated " the limit of (r p /R L ), as R L approaches infinity, is zero." The
limiting value of A, as R L approaches infinity, is therefore
Lt A = n (57)
R L~+co
(xvi) Progressions, sequences and series
A Sequence is a succession of terms "so related that each may be derived from one or
more of the preceding terms in accordance with some fixed law.
A Series is the sum of terms of a sequence.
Arithmetical Progression is a sequence, each term of which (except the first) is
the " arithmetical mean." The arithmetical mean between a and b is i(a + b).
Geometrical Progression is a sequence, each term of which (except the first) is
4, -2, + 1, -i (r= -
With the general form above,
the wth term = ar n ~ 1 (60)
and the sum of the first n terms is
/*.n _ 1 \
-(£H) (61)
When three numbers are in Geometrical Progression, the middle number is called
the Geometrical Mean. The Geometrical Mean of two numbers a and b is y/db.
If the ratio r is less than unity, the terms become progressively smaller, and the
sum of a very large number of terms approaches
S^y^—t -
(62)
—a111
reciprocals
r* ~
>
b c
» etc.
Note that the Arithmetical Mean between two numbers is greater than the Geo-
metrical Mean, which in turn is greater than the Harmonic Mean.
With any form of progression or sequence, we are often concerned with the sum of
a number of terms of which the general term is .given. It is possible to write this
sum in a shortened form, for example
k — n
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + . . . + k + . . . + n = 2S *
k - 1
where the Greek letter capital sigma is used to indicate the sum of a number of terms ;
k is merely the general term and the values of k are to be taken from k ^ I (beneath
,•
Some properties of e
The value of e is given by the right hand side of eqn. (86).
Values shown below in brackets are to four decimal places.
€ = 2.71828 (= 2.7183)
l/€ = 0.367879 (= 0.3679)
logic € =
0.43429 (= 0.4343)
log e 10 =
2.30259 ( 2.3026) =
log e 10 == l/log 10 e
lpg 10 e" =
n x 0.43429 (= n x 0.4343)
Some manipulations with logarithmic functions
log a/b = log a — log b (64)
log 1/a = - log a (65)
log.y B = n x log.y (66)
log y l = - log y (67)
= (m/n) x logy
logy m '«_ (68)
log Vy_ = log y* = (1/2) log y (69)
log^jy = logy 3 = (1/3) log y 70)
To fin d the cube root of 125
^125~= (125)
1'3
If r = 10 and x = 3
Then y =*= 10 8 = 1000.
This may be handled by the logarithmic form of the equation,
x — log, y =log io 1000 3 as before. =
Logarithmic decrement : If the equation is of the form
y = ae~ bx
where '(— b) is negative, the value of y decreases as x is increased, and (— b) is called
the Logarithmic Decrement.
Casel :
j. >"(m
- 1) . . . (m - n + 2)x* ~ 1
± („ - i) !
,
+ '
'
• <&>
which holds for all values of * if m is a positive integer, and for all values of m provided
that x is numerically less than 1.
The Binomial Theorem is useful in certain approximate calculations. If x is small
compared with 1, and m is reasonably small,
(1 + x) m (& 1 + mx "|
(1 — *)
-
m wl-mx I
(1 + a) "* *t 1 — mx f
(81)
(1 — x)-n em 1 + mx. J
To a closer approximation (taking three terms),
(1 *)
m «rf 1 + mx i m(jn + + — 1) x% ~\
(1 - x) m fa 1 - mx + i m(m - 1) xa 1 (82)
(1 + x)~ m en 1 - mx + J m(m + 1) x*
(1 — *)-"* » 1 + mx + i m(m + 1) x* J
[
1 1 "
^220 - (216 + 4>»/« ~ {216(1 + ^e)} '*
= e(i + ^j)
Applying the approximation from the Binomial Theorem,
(1 '+ x)
m f$i I + mx
to the evaluation of the quantity above, we may make x = 1/54 and m = 1/3, from
which
/ 1 V/» 11
«i +r54~ + m~
1
L00617
(1 + 54)
x
Approximation
-4—,
a + 1
= (a + 1)
_1
« -(
a\
1 - - ) when a >
a/
1 (84)
When x =
( IV
1 this becomes
111 1
The right hand side of this equation is the value e, which is equal to 2.71828 (to five
places of decimals). Taking the xth power of each side of this equation,
Therefore e* = (l + -)
log e (1 + x) = x- *-
+ f- - ~ + . . . (88)
cos x = - - |j +
fy +-|y
1 . . . (90)
Xs 2x 6 17x? 62x h
For derivation of eqns. (89) and (90) see Sect. 6, eqns. (17) and (18).
e« + €~ m
-x is called the hyperbolic cosine of x, designated by cosh x,
270 (xix) HYPERBOLIC FUNCTIONS 6.2
Note
= 1/tanh x
€-14 1111
j| 4 2f + 3! + 41 + • • ^ 2718 28 ( 92)
The following may be derived :
cosh 2 * —
sinh 2 * = 1 (93)
sech 2 * +- tanh * = 12
(94)
coth 2 * — cosech 2 * = 1 (95)
sinh ( - *) = — sinh * ; cosh ( — *) = cosh * ; tanh (—*)"= — tanh * (96)
smh * -
^^~ tanh *
x
= Vcosh 2 * -
;
1 (97)
(99)
x —y x + y-
sinh * — sinh.y = 2 sinh — ^ cosh • -
(101)
* -4- x — y
—y cosh — —
cosh * 4 cosh y — 2 cosh ^ x (102)
— -+ y —y
cosh * — cosh y = 2 sinh
x
— sinh
x
-
w (103)
tanh * ± tanh v
sinh (* ± y)
=
----.-- -~^--
cosh * cosh y
— ,.«,.
(104)
tanh- * 1
= £ log e [-+-•*-- (108)
= cosh" 1 —-=.=-
y/l
1.
- x*
=* sinh" 1 —:=
VI -
x
*2
(109)
g*± g~ *j
sinh (* ± .y) = — »
=
•
—= *'
sinh * cosh y ± cosh * sinh y (110a)
e x± v — e~ r± ( v)
tanh * ± tanh y
tanh (* ± y) = -prr+J^T, " T± ^anhlTtanh^ (111)
1 4- tanh 2 *
cosh 2* = cosh 2 * 4- sinh 2 * = .
_ -V; (113)
ranh2* = r—
1 4
—-rr-
2 tanh *
tanh 2 *
(114)
sinh x = * + |y 4-
^ + . (115c)
6.2 (xix) HYPERBOLIC FUNCTIONS 271
cosh x =
|r + !+ 6l +
+ J ' '
'
(115d)
su^ (1)
± jy) =
- y^n cosh x cos y ± j sinh
,
x
^Q.y^u
sin y (119)
(120)
1 - 8 On 1 + 3 ' l—T-i:^
1 + 8
1 - S 122)
1 + 8 X
I + 81-81 123)
1 + 8 8
(1 ± 8)"
)
n *; 1 ± n8
On , . . . , ,
I where n may be integral, f 124)
j
^,1Tb8 f fractional or negative \ 125)
(1 dzo) J
Vl + 8 on 1 + J8 Vl - ^ - £8 8 1 126)
«s* 1 - £8 « + £8
, 1 127)
Vl - 8
.
Vl + 8
(1 + 8) fe 1 + 28
2
(1 - S) 2
«=* 1 - 28 128)
(x ± 8)" <=« x* ± nx n ~ 1
8 129)
Eqn. (129) used in Sect. l(v)b for approximations with powers and
is roots.
e*/*
c «=j 1 + t/RC € -t/*c ^ _ 1 t /Rc 134)
Eqn. (134) has an error less than 0.6% when t/RC does not exceed 0.1.
log € (x ± 8) an log e x ±
8
- - /SV 135)
£(^-J
logc(l ±
8)«* 8 £8* - 136)
sinh 8 an 8 cosh 8^1 tanh 8 «s* 8 137)
-1
sinh 8 8 ^ tanh_1 8 «* 8 138)
sinh (x +
8) an sinh x 8 cosh x + ; sinh (x —
8) an sinh x — 8 cosh x 139)
cosh (x +
8) an cosh x 8 sinh x + ; cosh (x —
8) an cosh x — 8 sinh x 140)
tanh (x +
8)an tanh x 8 seen 2 x + ; tanh (x - 8) an tanh x — 8 sech* x 141)
When I is a large quantity
sinh L an £e i cosh L an $eL tanh L an 1 (142)
Trigonometrical relationships
When 8 is an extremely small quantity, so that an angle of 8 radians is a very small
angle, and x is an angle very large compared with 8,
272 (xx) GENERAL APPROXIMATIONS 6.2
a* + b* = c a
(7)
a = V(c + b)(c — b) = Vmc (8)
a = c sin A — b tan A (9)
b = V(c + a)(c — a) = -\/nc (10)
b — c cos A = a cot A — a/tan A (ID
c = Va + b = m + n2
/
2
(12)
c = a cosec = a/sin /t = 6 sec ^ = i/cos vi
./i (13)
Area = % ab — \ a cot A = i 6 tan ^4 2 a
(14)
= i c sin 2A = i 6c sin ^4 = i ac sin 2?
2
(15)
The perpendicular (p) to the hypotenuse is the mean proportional (or mean geo-
metrical progression) between the segments of the hypotenuse,
m P =
n
P -y
(16)
P
m a n b
also (17)
a c b c
Any triangle inscribed in a semicircle, with the diameter forming one side, is a right
angle triangle.
Equilateral Triangle (Fig. 6.2a)
Each side = a
Each angle = 60°
m = J a
h = VI m = ( V3/2)a f=a 0.866a (18)
a b_
(21)
sin A sin J3 sin C
a 2
= fc 2tc cos A
! - (22)
6* = c + a — 2ca cos B
J 2
}
c» = a + b* - 2ab cos G
%
(23)
a = cos C fc c cos 2? -f- (24)
b = c cos yl + a cos C }
FIG. 6. 38 c = a cos B + b cos y4. (25)
Rectangle (Fig. 6.3)
Area = a& (26)
d — diagonal — V<*2 + b* (?7)
Parallelogram (Fig. 6.4)
Area = bh — ab sin C
; a —c ; b =
d. (28)
Angle A = angle C angle B =
j angle D (29)
Trapezoid (Fig. 6.5).
Side d is parallel to side b.
Area - \{b + rf)/r.
Trapezoid rule
Area = dQy t + y 2 + y 3 + + y n -i + ten) (53)
where d = width of each strip
and y i , y 2 , y 3 y „ are measured lengths of each of the equidistant parallel chords.
. . . .
Note that the first (3*1) and the last (y n ) do not cut the area, and may be zero if the
surface is sharply curved.
Simpson's Rule
Area = ~ (y x + 4y 2 + 2y 3 + 4jy, + 2y h . . . + 2y„_ 2 + 4jy„_ 1 + y n) (54)
Rectangular prism
(length = /, breadth = b> height = h)
Volume = Ibh (58)
Surface area = 2(lb + Ih + bh) (59)
Diagonal = Vb 2 + I* + hT (60)
Surface area == 4w r 2 = w d2 (f 8)
Examples of angles in alt four sectors are shown in Fig. 6.12. It will be seen that,
for any angle A, the position of OP
is the same for a movement of angle in a positive A
direction, or for a negative movement of (360° A) j for example, —
330° + (360° = -
330°) 30° - = -
In the case of angles greater than 360° we are generally only, concerned with the final
position of OP, so that for these cases we may subtract 360°, or any multiple of 360°,
from the angle so as to give a value less than 360°. For example 390° 360° + 30° ; =
800° =720° + 80° j 1125° = 1080° 45°. +
In trigonometry it is also necessary
to define the polarity of the three *
Z
^\ >l
sides of the triangles from which A \*
we derive the sine, cosine and /+ + \
tangent. The hypotenuse (OPj) * 2- + *'
cU 1
cosec cot"
10. sin i<4 = ± VK1 - cos"^)" = ± (i\/l + sin A - iVT sin A ) (99)
cos i^4 = ± V«l + cos /4) = ± (i^ (100)
1 — cos A sin A
tan \A — (101)
sin A 1 + cos A
278 (iii) TRIGONOMETRICAL RELATIONSHIPS 6.3
The motion of the point X, as it oscillates about O between the extremes A and A'
is called Simple Harmonic Motion.
Angular velocity (usually represented by the small Greek letter omega— w) is the
number of radians per second through which the point P travels. In each revolution
(360°) it will pass through 2» radians, and if it makes / revolutions per second, then
the angular velocity will be
to = 2itf radians per second
where / = frequency in cycles per second.
In most mathematical work it is more convenient to write u> than to write 2w/.
(i) Graphs
Graphs are a convenient representation of the relationships between functions.
For example, Ohm's Law
E = RI
may be represented by a graph (Fig. 6.17) in which / is plotted horizontally (on the
X axis) and E vertically (on the Y axis)' for a constant value of R.
Any point P on the plotted " curve " has its position fixed by coordinates. The
horizontal, or x— coordinate
(OQ) is called the abscissa, while the vertical, or
y — coordinate (QP) called the ordinate.
is The position of the point is written as
a, b, thus indicating that x a and y =
b, where a =and b QP. = OQ =
Any function of the form
y = mx -f n {m and n being constants)
isa linear equation, since the plotted curve is a straight line. It only passes through
the origin (O) if n =
In the general case, the FIRST
axes extend in both direc- QUADRANT
P
The tangent at any point (e.g. in Fig. 6.19A) is a straight line which is drawn so
as to touch the curve at the point. The slope of the tangent, which is the same as
that of the curve at the point, is defined as the tangent of the angle 8 which it makes
with the X
axis. Between points B and C
on the curve, 6 is positive, therefore tan
is positive and the slope is called positive. Between points and the angle 6 is B A
negative, and the slope negative. At point B, 6 = and the slope is zero. It is
important to remember that the curve normally extends in both directions indefinitely
unless it has limits, or turns back on itself. It is therefore advisable, when plotting
an unknown function, to take very large positive and negative values of * and cal-
culate the corresponding values of y, even though the points cannot be plotted on
the graph paper. This will indicate the general trend of the curve beyond the limits
of the graph paper.
X
Hyperbola
7~ 2
b
2- (7)
accommodates a range of 10 1, and may be drawn by hand, using the whole of the
:
C scale, or half the B scale on a slide rule. Two " cycle " log paper accommodates
a range of 100 1, and may be drawn with the whole B scale on a slide rule. Each
:
of the " cycles " has the same linear length. Additional " cycles " may be added as
desired (for examples see a.v.c. characteristics in Chapter 27).
FI0.6.I9B
If E =
b 250 volts, the plate current in milliamperes will be
Ib = io-* (20 x E, +
250) 8 /* mA
If Ee = 0, I b = 10" 8 (0 +250) 8 /* =
10" 2 (250) 8 '* (*t 39 mA
Ee = - Ib =4, +
10-* (- 80 = 250) 3 /* 10"* (170) 8 /* «* 22 mA
e E = -
8, I b = +
10-* (- 160 = 250)*/* 10-* (90) 8 /* on 8.5 mA
e E = -
12, I b = +
10-* (- 240 = 250) 8 /* 10"* (10) 8 /* on 0.3 mA
These points have been plotted in Fig. 6.20, and a curve has been drawn through
them marked E b — 250 V.
Similarly, for B % = 150 V,
If E e = 0, I b = 10-* (0 + 150) 8 /* = 10-* (150) 8 2 18 '
^ mA
E e = - 2, I b = 10-* (- 40 + 150) 8 /* = 10-* (110)*/* (& 11.5 mA
E e = - 4, I b = 10-* (- 80 + 150) 3 /* = 10-* (70) 8 /* 5.8 mA ^
E e = - 6, I b = 10-* (- 120 + 150) 8 /* = 1(T* (30) 8 /* ?v 1.6 mA
Cut off occurs at E = —
e (150/20) = — 7.5 volts.
B.D.H. —10
282 (iii) THREE VARIABLES 6.5
These points have been plotted and a smooth curve drawn through them. Similar
curves could be drawn for any other plate voltage, thus forming a " family " of curves.
This is actually a three-dimensional graphical diagram reduced to a form suitable
for a flat surface.
Subtraction of vectors
The vector to be subtracted is reversed in
direction, and then the vectors are added.
FIG.6.23
where a b indicates the multiplication of two vectors. From Fig. 6.23 it will be
.
seen that the scalar product is the product of the magnitude of one vector and the
" projection " .of the other on it.
8.5 Civ) VECTORS AND j NOTATION 283
Components of a vector
Any vector can be resolved into two component vectors in any two desired directions.
For example, in Fig. 6.21 the vector c can be resolved into the component vectors
a and b. If the component vectors are at right angles to one another they are called
rectangular components ; in such a case they are usually taken horizontally (along
the Xaxis) and vertically (along the Y axis). The vector OA in Fig. 6.24 can be
resolved into two rectangular components OB and OC where
|OB| = |OA| cos 0, |OC| =-- |OA| sin 6.
Polar coordinates
An alternative form of defining a vector OP is
OP = r /_
where r is the magnitude of OP, and L 9 indicates that there is an angle 6 between it
•Snowdon, C. "A vector calculating device," Electronic Eng. 17.199 (Sept. 1944) 146.
••Also called " radius vectors." In pure mathematics " i " is used in place of "j."
284 (iv) VECTORS AND j NOTATION 6.5
3
—V — 1 (same as operator — j)
\
—j
~~ V— 1 (same as operator j)
See Chapter 4 Sects. 4(v), 5(v) and 6 for the application of the j notation to a.c.
circuits.
The direction of any vector can be denned in terms of they notation. In Fig. 6.25,
OX represents the axis of reference, OP the vector, and 6 the angle of rotation of OP
from OX. The perpendicular PA may be drawn from P to OX
and then, by the
simple theory of vectors, OP
is the sum of the vectors OA
and AP. Using,/ notation,
we may say that
= a + jb
OP
which means that the vector OP
is the vector sum of a and b, where a is in the direction
of the reference axis OX
and b is rotated 90° from OX. In other words, a is the
component of OP in the direction OX, and b is the component of OP in the direction
OY. The values of a and b are given by
a —
OP cos 0, b =
OP sin 0,
where — tan- * b/a.
This is sometimes called the Argand Diagram.
In theory (Chapter 4) it is well known that the current through
electrical a.c. circuit
an inductance behind the applied voltage, while the current through a capacitance
lags
leads the voltage. This is most clearly shown,by rotating vectors. It should be borne
in mind that all the vectors are rotating at the same angular velocity one revolution—
per cycle of the applied voltage—and that the pictorial representation is for any one
instant. Fig. 6.27 shows the vector diagram for peak a.c. current (J) flowing through
a resistance (R) and an inductance (L) in series. The current vector (I) may be placed
—
in any convenient direction say horizontally (Fig. 6.27) ; a solid arrow head is used
to distinguish.it from voltage vectors. The peak voltage drop (RI) in the resistance
must be " in phase " with the current, and is so shown. The scale to which the
voltage vectors are drawn has no connection with the scale to which the current (I)
is drawn —
in fact we are here only concerned with the direction of I. The peak
voltage drop across L is mil = X I, and this vector is drawn vertically so as to lead
Z
the current I by 90°. The total peak voltage drop (E) is found by " completing the
parallelogram of vectors " as previously. It will be seen that I lags behind E by the
angle 0.
= Cw, -(yly^r^j
""
C*^ + x^i) (2)
Division of complex quantifies
The denominator should be made a real number by multiplying both the numerator
and the denominator by the conjugate of the denominator (i.e. the denominator with
the opposite sign in front of the j term).
*i +jyi (*i
= /yiX*i +
/Vi) *i*a— _ +Jyi* -Jxiyt + 2 yiy z
xz + hi (x t + jy - jy )
2 )(x a xj + y 2t
2
+ y ) J \ xf + y )
t
2
s
t
2
2
W
Similarly
_i _ aXx-zy) = (
_x_ \ _ J/ j>
^
...
K
X +jy (x +jy)(x -jy) \x 2 +y 2
) \x* -f y2 ) '
Therefore (x2 - y 2) = a
and 2xy = i.
Modulus = r = Va + 2 &*
Square of modulus of (x + jy) = x2 + y 2
Therefore x2 + y* = r
But x2 — ,y 2 = a (see above)
Therefore x 2 = $(r + a) and y 2 =. i(r ~ a)
Therefore x = ± a) and y - ±
The signs should be checked to see which are applicable
VW+ VW~- a) (5)
Therefore e^ =
cos 9 +7 sin (8)
Thus the pure mathematical polar form is
|a|€*
and is called the Exponential Form.
The vector can thus be written in the various forms
a =
b +jc (9)
a =.|a| L9 (10)
a = \a\ €* (11)
a = \a\ (cos + /sin 0) (12)
a = |a| cos 9 + j\a\ sin (13)
A graphical method for converting from the complex form (jb +
jc) to the polar
form and vice versa has been described. 4 '
It will therefore be seen that there is a
connection with the operator j :
Snowdon, C. "A vector calculating device" Electronic Eng. 1~ '"O (Sept. 1944) 146.
288 (iii) DE MOIVRE'S THEOREM 6.«
Thus, in the general case, the trigonometrical operator (cos0 + j sin 0)* gives a
rotation of an angle nO which, as explained above, is equivalent to a trigonometrical
operator
(cos 116 +j sin n0).
We have, in this way, proved De Moivre's Theorem for the case when n is a positive
integer, and indicated the significance of the Theorem.
1. To express cos nd and sin nd in terms of cos and sin 0, where n is a positive
integer.
Cos nO + y sin n0 = (cos + j sin 0)"
+ - —r— j*. cos*-8
jj/_ j\
= cos" + nj cos"^ 1
0. sin ' 0. sin* + . . .
Then equate the real and imaginary parts of the equation, giving
„
cos n0 = cos"0 -
n(n 1) ——--
. „ . „
cos"- 8 0. sin8
vin - l)(n - 2X» - 3) ._, „
cos"-*0. + -~—
sin*0 + ... (15)
sin n — n cos
"- 1
0. —
sin — cos"
-8
+ 0. sin 8
n(n
_Jb
- 1)(»
£ - 2)(n
*> - 3)(n
* - 4) .„..-.+6 5
cos*- 0. sin
.'
(16)
5!
2. To express cos and sin in terms of 0, write in the form n( 0/n) and expand
the sine and cosine as in eqns. (15) and (16). When n becomes large, cos (0/n)
may be taken as unity and sin ( 0/n) as ( 0/n) itself. In the limit as n tends to
infinity it can then be shown that
0* 0* 0«
=
COS ' 1
-2T + 4!-6! + -'- (1?)
0» 7
o* e
sin 8 = - 3J-+ gj- y| + ... (18)
and cos = —
e'0 4- e-'O
ir* (20)
—
If the line QP
in Fig 6.32 is rotated approximately 90° in the counter-clockwise
direction, the result will be as shown in Fig. 6.32A, the angle 6 being more than 90°.
The vertical projection is RS and the horizontal projection is DE. The slope is there-
fore RS/DE or OF/GO, the latter applying to the segment FG. It is important in
all thiswork to consider the directions as well as the magnitudes of the lines : is OF
in a positive direction but GO
is in a negative direction. We
can therefore replace
GO by — OG; the slope of QP will then be given by —
(OF/OG) which is described
as a negative slope. The loadlines on
valve plate characteristics are examples of
lines with negative slope (e.g. Fig. 2.22).
When a line is curved, its slope varies
from point to point. The slope at any
point is given by the slope of the tangent at
that point. In Fig. 6.33 the curve is QPR,
and the slope at P is given by BP/CB or
tan 0.
Rate of change
One of the most important relationships
between the variables in any law, formula
or equation is the rate of change of the
whole function with its independent vari-
able.
290 (i) SLOPE AND RATE OF CHANGE 6.7
Definition
The rate of change is the amount of change in the function, per unit change in the
value of the independent variable. The rate of change of the function is therefore
the ratio of change in the function to the change in the variable which produces it.
Consider the equation for a straight line
y ax b = +
where a and b are constants. Let us take two values of x, one equal to x x and the other
(x x + Ax), where J* is a small increment of x.
Point 1 : x xt = .'.yt ax x b— + (1)
Point 2 : x —
(x t +
Ax) :.y t a(x l =Ax) +. b + (2)
Subtracting (1) from (2), (y 2 y t) —
a. Ax =
Putting (j>t — y t ) Ay, — Ay a. Ax =
Ay
Dividing both sides by Ax, (3)
Ax
Here Ay is the amount of change in the function for a change Ax in the independent
variable. The " rate of change " is denned as the amount of change in the function
per unit change in the independent variable, that is
rate of change = Ay/ Ax (4)
Referring to Fig. 6.34, we have a graph of y = ax + b which is, of course, a straight
line cutting the Y axis at a height b above the origin. The first point (x u y t ) is at P,
and the second point {x t + Ax, y x +
Ay) is at Q. In the preceding argument we
found that Ay/ Ax = a. In Fig. 6.34 Ax = PR and Ay = RQ, so that Ay/ Ax =
RQ/PR, which is the slope of the line y = ax + b. Thus
RQ
~ Ay
slope = = -j = a (5)
p x
Equations (4) and (5) prove that the rate of change is the same as the slope
for a straight line.
We now proceed to consider the general case when the function is not linear. In
Fig. 6.35 there is plotted a function which may be of the form
y — ax 2 + bx + c
where a, b and c are constants. As before, the independent variable (x) is plotted
horizontally, while the dependent variable (y) is plotted vertically. The vertical
coordinate of any point P (i.e. AP in Fig. 6.35) represents, to its proper scale, the value
of ax* + bx + c which is a function of x, while the horizontal coordinate (OA) re-
presents, to its own scale, the value of x.
As with the simpler case of the straight line, take a second point (Q) with its x
coordinate increased by Ax. Also, as before, call the increment in the y coordinate
Ay. It will therefore be seen that, commencing at point P, an increment {Ax PC) =
in the value of x results in an increment {Ay —
CQ) in the value of y.
The average rate of change over this increment is, as before, Ay/ Ax which is
the slope of the chord PQ and the tangent of the angle 2 which PQ makes with the
horizontal. If now, leaving point P unchanged, we gradually move Q
along the curve
. : : —
towards Q
P we will see that, as approaches P, 8 approaches X until in the limiting
case the slope of the chord approaches the slope of the tangent (PT). The tangent
to a curve at any point shows the instantaneous slope of the curve at that point and
therefore the instantaneous rate of increase of the function at that point.
(ii) Differentiation
We may express the foregoing argument in the mathematical form of limits
Lt (Ay/ Ax) = tan e x (6)
Ax-*
which says that the limit (as Ax is made smaller and approaches zero) of Ay/ Ax
is tan d 1 or the slope of the tangent PT, which is the instantaneous rate of increase
at point P.
This given the symbol dy/dx which is " the differential coefficient (or de-
is
r , i y _
rfy dx dx
dx~ (22)
dx V*
10. Differentiation of a function of a function
[^ = M where m
2 = ex 2
+ b] : dy/dx
'dx = 2(ax 2
+ b)(2ax) (24)
292 (ii) DIFFERENTIATION 6.7
cPy
r~i = »(» — l)x*"2 second derivative F"(x)
d*y
-j^ = n(n - 1)(» - 2)x"^» third derivative F"'(x)
Application of differentiation
The plate current versus grid voltage characteristic of a triode valve (for constant
plate voltage) is a function of the grid voltage, and follows approximately the law
/„ =*(,*£, + £„)»'*
where K, n and E p are constants. The derivative with regard to Ea is dI p /dE„
which is the mutual conductance. The second derivative is the rate of change of the
mutual conductance with regard to E B> and is useful when we want to find the con-
ditions for maximum or minimum mutual conductance.
In Fig. 636 there is a curve with a maximum at point and a minimum at M
point N. It will be seen that the instantaneous slope of the curve at both points M
and N is zero, that is dy/dx — 0.
Part of curve : P to M M M to N N N to Q
Slope (dy/dx) : +ve O -ve O + ve
d*y/dx* : — ve + ve
A maximum is indicated by : f dy/dx =
\d*y/dx* negative
A minimum is indicated by : T dy/dx =
\d*y/dx* positive
% x measured in radians.
- - .
"Positive sign if sin 1 x lies in first or fourth quadrant, negative sign if sin 1 * lies in second or third
quadrant. ...»_. * •_
fNegativesignif cos-i x lies in first or second quadrant, positive sign if cos ~i* lies in third or fourth
quadrant.
6.7 (ii) DIFFERENTIATION 293
d*y/dx* =
Curve concave upwards indicated by : d*y/dx* positive
Curve concave downwards indicated by : dty/dx* negative
Fz
dz
,
(50)
(iii) Integration
Integration is merely the inverse of differentiation. For example
d
Differentiation— -r- (4x 8
+ 2) = 12x 8
Integration— f 12x* dx = 4x n + C
The sign (called '•
integral ") before a quantity indicates that the operation of
J
integration is to be performed on the expression which follows.
The dx which follows the expression is merely a short way of writing " with respect
to x." Just as the constant 2, in the function above, disappeared during the process
of differentiation, so it is necessary to replace it in the inverse procedure of integration.
But when we are given the integral alone, we do not know what was the value of the
constant, so we- add an unknown constant C, the value of whieh may be determined
in some cases from other information available.
(w ± v) dx = j
u dx ± I v dx (similarly for more than two) (53)
a* dx — (a71og e a) + C (55)
e* dx = e» + C Jc" dx j
«- (1/a)*"* +C (56)
dv C du
u—dx = .
uv — IVj-dx (integration by parts) (58)
—=
dx rl
I- dx = lag^x +C— lOgcCX (59)
a* log c adx = +C
a* ; j
log„ x dx — x log, (x/<) +C (60)
(ax + b) n+l
9. {ax + by dx - ^
a (n
,";
+
'
1)
+C (» ^ - 1) (61)
* m > 0.
6.7 (iii) INTEGRATION 295
**
10. f = -~-,dx = (1/a) log e (ax + b) + C (62)
J ax + b f ax
J o -\r
11. f
J ax
--^T=
+ * f
J
—
ax T-r
+o
dx = (1/a2 ) [ax + b - * log € (ax + *>)] + C (63)
= fr4r™. = ^r^rr* + + c
a \_ax + b +
i2. fr-^^rr,- <** l0s< (a * *>1 (64)
+ J (ax + b)
2 2 2
J (ax p) J
= Rax - +^ —
2 2 2
„ r x dx r x J 1 ft) „,. ,,
13. r-j— = r-r- dx -J 2b(ax + 6) +
,
J ax + b J ax + b a8 L 2
6 2log e (ax + b)~\ + C (65)
14.
C
J x2
dx
-=-7— T =
+ a2 J
r
-r-
x2
1
+ — a2
.
,
ax = 1
-
a
tan" 1 -
, *
a
^ = - -1
+ C a
*
a
~
cor 1 - + C
, ,
(66)
r dx [ 1 , 1, x —a _ 1, a — x _
J^-~T= JV-^T* - C " C ,
x"+^ + 2a ^a-T~x +
15- l0g l0 (67)
2a
f a"x r 1
16. a* = sin" 1 (x/a) + C= - cos" 1 (x/a) + C (68)
J Va — 2
x2 J Va — 2
x2
/dx /* 1
20.
J
tan axi/x = — (1/a) log € cos ax + C= (1/a) log e sec ax + C (72)
27. j
cosh x dx = sinh x (82)
JF(x)dx = /F(x)^d«.
296 (iii) INTEGRATION 6.7
Areas by integration
If the area under a given portion of a curve is A (Fig. 6.37), then a small increase
Ax on the horizontal axis causes an increase AA in area, where
AA = Ax{y + iAy).
As Ax and Ay are made smaller, in the limiting case as Ax approaches zero, the value
of (v + iAy) approaches y,
j.e.
Lt
2 fAA~\
Ax
Therefore —
dA = =
ax
y F(x)
Example
To find the arei under the curve y = 3x* from x = 1 to * = 4.
A = J3x* dx = x* + C
when x — 1, A = 0, therefore x* + C = 0, therefore C— — 1
when * = 4, A= xs — 1 = 48 - 1 = 63.
Definite integrals
When it is desired to indicate the limits in the value of x between which the integral
is desired, the integral is written, as for the example above,
r* = 4 r 4
I 3x* dx or I 3** dx.
J X — I J I
These limits are called the limits of integration, and the integral is called the de-
finite integral. For distinction, the unlimited integral is called the indefinite
integral.
The definite integral is the difference between the values of the integral for * = b
and x = a —
,
/(*) dx = \F(x)l = F(x = b)- F(x = a) (84)
J fl
Owing to the subtraction, the constant of integration does not appear in definite
integrals.
f(x)dx= \f(x)dx+
f(x)dx+ fb f(x)dx
\
(86)
JI a J a J
Examples
•tt/2 ir/2
sin dd .= - cos = [- cos n/2 + cos 0] = + 1 = 1 (87)
i;o
6.7 (iii) INTEGRATION
V/
Cif/2
2 r -iw/2
I cos 9 d = sin = [sin »r/2 - sin 0] = 1 - = 1 (88)
en ~\ v
cos? nO.de = c* (1 - sin* nOdO)dO =
r
- tt/2 = w/2 (94)
Jo Jo L Jo
The following may also be derived* where m == »
/*2t 2ir
1. y — 3x* from x = 1 to x = 4.
y av =
rh-J!
* d* = s[*'] *- s [*->]- f - 21 -
E av = E m -
n
I sin dO = En - - cos = - E,
jo *L Jo ff
This the average value of a sine wave voltage. It was taken from
is to it since
range over which it is positive. The other half cycle is similar but negative,
this is the
so that the average over the whole cycle is zero.
= —
2t
2-n
[17 0-0+0]
2
7
This is the root mean square value of the current with sine waveform.
X a (x — a)* (x — aY
/(*) =f(a) + j, y v»' -r 2! ' w 1
3!
(x — a)"
-1 (x — a)",
(» - 1)1
J
, ,
w
, v
-
'
»!
, v
(100)
The final term is called the remainder ; if this can be made as small as desired by
making n sufficiently large, the series becomes a convergent infinite series, converging
to the value /(x).
Another form of Taylor's Series is :
"
Ka + h) = /(a) + n /'(a) + jf^ + 3\ f Xa) + ' "
"
"~
• • + (irri)! f Ka)
+ Ti
/n(a) + •
' (101)
The sum of the first few terms of Taylor's Series gives a -good approximation to /(x)
for values of x near x — a.
Examples of the use of Taylor's Series :
. . . (102)
(2) Similarly
/»» h* h*
(a
4- h) = cos & — h sin a — _-, cos a + ^ sin a +
.
/(x) = cos x
( X2 X4 X6
x =
cos x 4- j sin -61+ •
..M.
px 3
X2 X3 X4
log e (1 + X) = x — —
2
4- -r—
3 -4 +' (108)
2 2 3 3 4 4
x y x x
and c ix = 1 4-jx 4- j ;j~ ~*~
y
+ 4T +
] 3 !
Special
(1) F(0) is an even function .
called an
If thewaveform is symmetrical about the y axis (e.g. Fig. 6.39), F(0) is
even function and A n =0, giving the simplified form
F(0) = B„/2 + Bt cos + B, cos 20 + B» cos 30 + . <A> . .
introduced by valves.
This is the equation which applies to all types of distortion
(2) F(0) is an odd function
If the waveform is such that the value of y is equal in
magnitude but opposite in
of * Fig. 6.40), F( is called an odd function and
sign for plus and minus values (e.g. 6)
+ . W
FIG. «.4Q V c
FIG. 6.41
\tt
/,y,
1 X.-TT o r i
\ 1 x, D
. . . W
taken at A
or if the origin
F(0f=B x sm
is
-B s
y
equations (7) and (8) are measured on the scales of angles for the harmonics
+ + (9)
y ' 3 ' 5 •)
V
A 1
E
o
1
-*|9l*,i*j«*4
|-«-'TT-*f*-TT-*J
302 (i) PERIODIC WAVES AND THE FOURIER SERIES 6.8
y
E/
- - (l + -y- + —3 2d
n cos 2 cos 2 cos
^
15
40
+
2 cos 60
35
l) ni2+1
(- rfTZT\ cos nB • • •') (» even ) (13)
D
-H f-
m- n n
WA
Fi«. 6.43
1 I |
A
T
° i
i i
methods for carrying out the calculations have been described. Some are based on
equal divisions of time (or angle) while others are on equal divisions of voltage.
In the harmonic analysis of the distortion introduced by valves on resistive
loads, it is possible to make use of certain properties which simplify the calculations :
(1) All such distortion gives a waveform which is symmetrical on either side of the
vertical lines (ordinates) at the positive and negative peaks.
(2) It is therefore only necessary to analyse over half the cycle, from one positive
peak to the following negative peak, or vice versa.
(3) Even harmonic distortion results in positive and negative half cycles of different
shape and area, thus causing a steady (" rectified ") component.
(4) Odd harmonic distortion results in distorted waveform, but with the positive
and negative half cycles similar in shape.
(5) Even harmonics are in phase with the positive fundamental peak, and out of
phase with the negative peak, or vice versa ; they are always maxima when the funda-
mental is zero.
(6) Odd harmonics are always exactly in phase or 180° out of phase with both
positive and negative fundamental peaks, and are zero when the fundamental is zero.
H
The relative phases pf the fundamental (H x) and the harmonics (up to & ) are shown
in Fig. 6.45. The fundamental and third, fifth and higher order odd harmonics
have zero amplitude at 0°, 180° and 360° on the fundamental scale. The second,
fourth, and higher order even harmonics reach their maximum values (either positive
or negative) at 0°, 90°, 180°, 270° and 360° on the fundamental scale.
:
The amplitudes of the harmonics as drawn in Fig. 6.45 have been exaggerated for
convenience in drawing, while their relative magnitudes are quite arbitrary. Their
relative phases are, however, quite definite.
In proceeding with Graphical Harmonic Analysis it may be shown that it is possible
to select thirteen points on the X
axis which will enable the exact values of the first,
second, third and fourth harmonics to be calculated (Ref. C9) on the assumption that
there arc no harmonics of higher order than the fifth, or that these are negligibly small.
These points are limited to the range from 90° to 270° on the fundamental scale, as in
Fig. 6.45. They may be expressed in terms of the grid voltage E c , the static operating
point being — E e and the operating point swinging from E c = on the one side
to 2E, on the other side.
It is only necessary to determine the plate currents .at the specified grid voltages,
to insert these into the formulae given in the article and to 'calculate the values of the
harmonics.
The preceding exact method has been approximated by R.C.A. (Ref. CIO) to give
greater ease in handling. In the approximation there are eleven specified points
in place of 13 in the exact form, the values of the grid voltages being (see Fig. 6.45) :
0; -0.19LS,; -0.293£ e ; -0.5E e ; -0.69L£ e ; -E e \ -1.309£ e j -1.5*.;
-1.707£ e ; -1.809£ c ; -2.0£ c .
These have been approximated by R.C.A. to the nearest decimal point, and the
approximate values have been used in the " eleven selected ordinate method " of
Chapter 13 Sect. 3(iv)D and Fig. 13.24.
The equation giving the second harmonic distortion —eqn. (28) in Chapter 13 Sect.
3(iv) —only requires the values of plate current at three points. This is an exact
form and is used for triodes in Chapter 13 Sect. 2(i) eqns. (6) to (7b) inclusive and
Fig. 13.2.
The "five selected ordinate method," described in Chapter 13 Sect. 3(iv)A
and used for calculating second and third harmonic distortion in pentodes, is exact
provided that there is no harmonic higher than the third. It is, however, a very close
approximation under all normal conditions. The same remarks also apply to the
simple method for calculating third harmonic distortion in balanced push-
pull amplifiers, described in Chapter 13 Sect. 5(iii) eqn. (23) and Fig. 13.37.
An alternative method, based on equal grid voltage divisions, has been devised
by Espley (Ref C6). This gives harmonics up to one less than the number of voltage
points. Two applications are described in Chapter 13 Sect. 3(iv)F-Sve ordinates
giving second, third and fourth harmonic distortion, and seven ordinates giving
up to sixth harmonic distortion.
When the loadline is a closed loop, as occurs with a partially reactive load, these
conditions and equations do not apply, or are only approximated.
SECTION 9 : REFERENCES
(A) HELPFUL TEXTBOOKS ON MATHEMATICS FOR RADIO
Elementary :
Sawyer, W. W. " Mathematician's Delight " (a Pelican Book, A121, published by Penguin Books,
England and U.S.A. 1943). Possibly the best introduction to mathematics.
Cooke, N. M. and J. B. Orleans, " Mathematics essential to electricity and radio " (McGraw-Hill,
New York and London, 1943). Highly recommended for general use. 418 pages.
Everitt, W. L. (Editor) " Fundamentals of radio " (Prentice-Hall Inc. New York, 1943). Chapter 1 only.
" Radio Handbook Supplement " (The Incorporated Radio Society of Great Britain, London, 2nd ed.,
1942). Chapters 2, 9.
" Radio Handbook " (10th edit., Editors and Engineers, Los Angeles, California). Chapter 28. (Not
11th edition.)
Basic :
Colebrook, F. M.>* Basic Mathematics for Radio Students " (Iliffe and Sons Ltd., London, 1946).
Complete textbooks, commencing from elementary level
Dull, R. W. " Mathematics for Engineers " (McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York and.London, 2nd edit.
1941). Covers whole ground. 780 pages.
Cooke, N. M. " Mathematics for Electricians and Radiomen " (McGraw-Hill Book Coy.. New York
and London, 1942). Generally at lower level than R. W. Dull and less comprehensive. Useful
for those with limited mathematical background. 604 pages.
—
Smith, Carl E. " Applied Mathematics for Radio and Communication Engineers " (McGraw-Hill Book
Coy., New York and London, 1945). Excellent treatment in limited space. 336 pages.
Wang, T. J. " Mathematics of Radio Communications " (D. van Nostrand Coy., Hew York, 1943}.
371 pages.
Rose, W. N. " Mathematics for Engineers " Parts 1 and 2 (Chapman and Hall Ltd., London, 2nd
edition 1920).
Textbooks commencing at higher level :
Warren, A. G. " Mathematics Applied to Electrical Engineering " (Chapman and Hall, London, 1939).
384 pages.
Sokolnikoff, I. S. and E. S. " Higher Mathematics for Engineers and Physicists " (McGraw-Hill Book
Coy., New York and London, 2nd edit., 1941). 587 pages.
Toft, L., and A. D. D. McKay " Practical Mathematics " (Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons Ltd., London,
2nd edit., 1942). 612 pages.
Jaeger, J. C. " An Introduction to Applied Mathematics " (Oxford University Press).
Limited application :
Sturley, K. R. " Radio Receiver Design " Part 1 (Chapman and Hall, London, 1943). Appendix 1A
/ notation ; 2A —
Fourier Series.
Golding, E. W., " Electrical Measurements and Measuring Instruments " (Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons
—
Ltd., London, 3rd edit., 1944). Chapter 15 Wave forms and their determination.
Lawrence, R. W. " Principles of Alternating Currents " (McGraw-Hill Book Coy., New York and
—
London, 2nd ed., 1935). Chapter 4 Non-sinusoidal waves.
Eshbach, O. W. " Handbook of Engineering Fundamentals " (John Wiley and Sons, New York ; Chap-
—
man and Hall, London, 1944). Section 1 Mathematical and Physical Tables : Section 2—
Mathematics.
Also other handbooks.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK
By F. Langford-Smith, B.Sc, B.E.
Section Page
1. Fundamental types of feedback 306
2. Practical feedback circuits 316
3. Stability and maximal flatness 356
4. Special applications of feedback 389
5. Valve characteristics and feedback 390
6. References 399
7. Overloading of feedback amplifiers 1475
INPUT OUTPUT
°< 1 AMPLIFIER
E LOAD
AMPLIFICATION A
0±1 Fig. 7.1. Block diagram of an
F
L amplifier with feedback.
1
* °
*If ^ffy is much greater thin £,, then the gain wilt theoretically be reduced irrespective of the sign in
front of (3/i
u.
306
7.1 (i) FEEDBACK, POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE 307
an amplifying valve into an oscillator (see Chapter 24). Negative feedback is used
mainly in amplifiers, both at radio and audio frequencies, although this Handbook
covers only low frequency applications.
The voltage pE may be proportional to E , in which case it is described as voltage
feedback ; or it may be proportional to the current through the load, when it is
called current feedback. These two are, of course, identical if the load is a constant
resistance, since the voltage and current are then proportional.
Bridge feedback is a combination of voltage and current feedback.
A network may be inserted in the feedback circuit to change the phase of the fed-
back voltage, or to change its magnitude and/or phase so as to discriminate between
different frequencies.
Use of symbols
Black (Ref. Al) and others use the symbols /*£ to indicate the same quantity
which is here indicated by &A. Some authorities use the symbols ^4/3, but in certain
equations (e.g those involving effective plate resistance) it is necessary to introduce
ftp or n/3 where p is the amplification factor of the final valve. The latter form might
be confused with Black's pfi which has an entirely different significance. Hence the
use of j8/l in this chapter. A
further, but minor, advantage from the use of fiA is
that the beginner, in considering operation at the mid-frequency, is able to regard the
magnitude for /3 as being simply a fraction.
s
fjfo
tLG AMPLIFICATION"-^
L0AO LOAO
AMPLIFICATION- + A
-t
v * i
?«• 7-20
FIG. 7.2C
The magnitude of p is equal to l?i/(#i + R a). In all cases, for negative feedback,
PA must be negative and the feedback network must be arranged to give this result.
An method of applying the feedback voltage to produce degeneration
alternative
(Fig. 7.2C) connects the feedback voltage in shunt with the input voltage. In
this case the amplification must be negative, that is to say there must be an odd number
of stages unless a transformer is incorporated (Ref. A 17), and p must therefore be
positive.
A still further variation is when the feedback voltage is applied to the cathode
of one of the stages in the amplifier (Fig. 7.2D). In this case the amplification
must be positive, for example an even number of r.c.c. stages with the feedback
returned to the cathode of the first stage, which must have some impedance between
cathode and earth. Alternatively the feedback may be returned to the cathode of the
penultimate stage of a multi-stage r.c.c. amplifier. The value of j3 should be con-
sidered as negative on account of the method of connection of the feedback loop.
The following treatment is based on the circuit of Fig. 7.2B but the results may
also be applied to any amplifier with the feedback applied externally to the amplifier
and in series with the input voltage. It is understood that in all cases the polarity
of the feedback voltage is arranged to give negative feedback.
(for chart showing relationship between A' and A see Ref. A21),
and if \pA\ >1
then A' ** l/(- p) (2c)
The value of j3 is given by
P = - RJ^ + RJ (3a)
The effect of feedback on gain is therefore
A EJEt 0E„
~ -
~A~'
'E /(E< - PE )
l ~ Ei
l ~PA (3b)
A' = — j£
— (3 C)
Vl + \PA\* -2|jM|cos*
[which becomes A' = A/Q. - PA) when = 180°] 4>
where <t>
— phase angle displacement of amplifier and feedback circuit loop.
(C) Effect of feedback on harmonic distortionf
E
Let the input voltage t ' be expressed in the form Eim '
cos oit.
•Scone authorities call PA the feedback factor, and care should therefore be taken in the use of this
term.
^Treatment adapted from K. R. Sturley.
7.1 (u) (C) EFFECT OF FEEDBACK ON HARMONIC DISTORTION 309
= (Eim + pE 0m) cos co* + pEtm cos 2a>t + pEtm cos 3tot.
'
Eim = (1 - PA)E 0m /A
'
(6)
Equating the second harmonic components in (4) and (5),
Etm = pAEtm + A(Eim' + pE 0m)Ht .
E 0m -1~ PA (8)
That is, the magnitudes of all the harmonics (and of course the intermodulation
products) introduced by the amplifier are reduced by negative voltage feedback in the
same proportion that the gain is reduced.
This result is based on the assumptions :
(2) that the amplification A is the same for the harmonics as for the fundamental
(3) that the intermodulation voltages are negligibly small. The presence of
intermodulation* has no effect on the second harmonic, but in certain cases
the higher order harmonics can increase owing to a small amount of negative
feedback ; when the feedback is raised sufficiently these harmonics will
decrease again. When t 0, H = H
3 with feedback will be as indicated by
eqn. (8). In any case, the effect is small if the amplifier distortion is initially
fairly small.
=
A(Eim PE m) cos t»t +
PAE nm ' cos co n t + + E nm cos a)„t (10)
Equating the fundamental components in (9) and (10),
E m — A(Eim + E 0m)-
Therefore Eim ' = (1 - pA) E 0m /A (11)
Equating the noise components in (9) and (10),
E nm\l - pA) = E nm
Thus the feedback reduces noise or hum voltages introduced by the amplifier in
the same proportion that the gain is reduced, provided the following conditions are
fulfilled :
(1) That the signal input voltage is increased with feedback, to maintain the
signal output voltage constant.
(2) That P and A
have the same values for the hum (or noise) frequency as for
the signal frequency.
(3) The voltage fed back does not include any voltages other than the fraction
of the amplifier output voltage. In many circuit arrangements this con-
dition is not satisfied ; the most important of these are covered in Sect. 2.
When all noise is considered as originating at the input (e.g. thermal noise), the
signal-to-noise ratio is unchanged by the feedback.
The following treatment is based on a single stage, but may be applied to any ampli-
fierprovided that the values of p and r v are as defined below.
Fig. 7. 3 A shows the equivalent circuit of the amplifier without feedback :
/ */._\ 03)
E = jiE,^ + R J
ti r v -r Kl
where /a =
amplification factor (i.e. amplification with an infinite load resistance)
and r„ =
plate resistance of final stage.
If the amplifier has more than one stage /* must be defined by
M =
A^, (14b)
where A =
amplification between input and grid of final stage (with due regard to
t
phase reversal)
and /a 2 =
amplification factor of final stage.
:**
Fig 7 3B shows the equivalent circuit of the amplifier with voltage feedback
j^fid^,)
""Based on B. D. H. Tellegen " inverse feed-back " Philips Tec. Rev. 2.10 (Oct. 1937) 289.
-
7.1 (ii) (E) EFFECT OF FEEDBACK ON OUTPUT RESISTANCE 311
E{
But E = A'Ei — from eqn. (2b).
iX/A) - P
Applying the value of A from (14a),
(16)
E ° = \~^J (17)
rJ\7
foJ \rj{\ t -Pti+R ;)
which is the same as eqn. (15) except that
v- — (18)
0M
«* r/.j-f^. (19)
Equations (18) (19) give the effective amplification factor and plate resistance
and
respectively with feedback. It will be seen that these are each equal to the corres-
ponding value without feedback divided by, (1 /3^), whereas the gain, internally —
produced hum or noise, and distortion are divided by (1 ftA). If the amplifier —
has more than one stage, the value of /* must be as defined by eqn. (14b), while the
plate resistance r„ will be that of the final stage.
However, it is important to remember that the actual valve characteristics are not
changed by feedback, since feedback is external to the valve j while the optimum
value of load resistance is also unchanged by feedback except under certain very
special conditions.
It may be shown that negative voltage feedback as a method for reducing the
effective plate resistance, when compared with a transformer giving the same reduction
of gain, is more effective than the transformer with low feedback factors, is equally
effective with a particular feedback factor, and is less effective than the transformer
with feedback factors greater than this value.
Example : 6V6-GT with p = 218, and A = 17.
•
Transformer
Gain l/M| IM rjr 9 '
impedance
ratio'
RL
R* =
r,'
rv
— RL
+R L- - r,+
t vRl
(1 - j8 M)
(19a)
If r P '
is very much less than RL , eqn. (17) becomes
E fi& r--
-0/x (20)
1
that is to say, the output voltage is independent of the value of RL . This is an in-
dication of good regulation.
Then r, = Et /Ix .
— —
With feedback, the same current will flow, but the input voltage will be
E{ = Ell - PA)
Therefore r/ = B{ II = (^/A)(l -
X pA)
Therefore r{ = r,(l - PA). (21)
Thus in this case the input resistance is increased by feedback in the same proportion
that the gain is decreased. This applies to all cases in which the feedback voltage
is applied in series with the input voltage, including the current feedback case of
Fig. 7.4, as will be shown later.
On the other hand, if the feedback voltage is applied in shunt with the input voltage
the input resistance will be decreased as proved below for Fig. 7.2C
The input resistance of the amplifier without feedback is
U = Ei/h.
With feedback, the current It will be unchanged, but there will be an additional
current is through R t and of direction such as to increase the current from the source,
which will therefore become (/x + h)- The input voltage applied to the input
terminals of the amplifier will be the same as without feedback
Therefore r/ = ry -= -—=-
*i ~r *z
which is less than r t .
AMR FACTOR*/*
C
FIC.7-4 FIC. 7S
Fig. 7.4. Block diagram of an amplifier with negative current feedback, The
resistance R s is very much smaller than the load impedance.
Fig. 7.5. Block diagram of an amplifier with bridge feedback.
. _ E± = pR L
(22)
Ei r„ + R% -+- Ri
With current feedback,
— v R l
Therefore A' (23)
(^t + 1)R> + r, + Ri
= A (24a)
Therefore A'
1 + AR,/R L 1 + fHJ(r P +R a + Rj)
It is sometimes helpful to substitute
Y = R*/R L
-
where y has an application similar to that of |3 in the case of voltage feedback, Eqn.
(24a) may thus be put into the form
A' = A/iX - yA). (24b)
Equation (23) indicates that for a single stage amplifier
: —
(A) the amplification factor with current feedback is the same (p) as without
feedback
(B) the effective plate resistance with current feedback is
r P' rv = (^ +
1)K 8 + (25a)
and r v '/r v l =
(M +
l)R,/r v •
+ (25b)
The increase in plate resistance (eqn. 25b) is proportionally greater than the decrease
in gain (eqn. 24a).
When the voltage is fed back over more than one stage, the effective plate resistance
with feedback is given by
r/ -r„ t (/x a +Al)/? 3 , + (25c)
where t A —amplification between input and grid of final stage (with due regard to
. phase reversal)
and ft t = amplification factor of final stage.
The " lookrag-backwards " output terminal impedance of the amplifier is
equal to r,' in parallel with R LS
*•-r p '+* z - r, + ( M + 1XR. + R foT Sm*le 8ta*e
———— ——-
r
or K = —-—
r„ + A +
;
With feedback
~ -
'
h h ~Ti
Therefore r/ r£l =
AR,/Rj) = r£l - YA) + (30)
which indicates that with this circuit the input resistance is increased with negative
current feedback in the same proportion that the gain is decreased (eqn. 27) and the
effect is therefore the same as with Fig. 7.3.
(F) Harmonic distortion with negative current feedback
It may readily be shown that, as with negative voltage feedback, the harmonic
distortion is reduced in the same proportion that the gain is reduced, subject to the
conditions enumerated above (following eqn. 8) :
Etm Hi
eg " = Hx
E 0m ~ 1 + AR,/R~ T~^yA < 31)
R.O.H.
—
Therefore ^' = AE — {
== __-^^_—AEi
^—^-^-^
Therefore A= % + ^^ ^ + ARJ^-
Comparing this with (2b) and (24a), it will be seen that the denominator in (32)
(32)
includes the second terms of the denominators of both (2b) and (24a). Equation (32)
may be put into the alternative forms
^L
fL
A' (33")
K }
*, + (/* + D*» + *l(i + vRM&x + RJ
and A = rn^j^T^) v; + + dr, ~r~ c 34)
o*
L
1 + mRi/(«i + RJ
Equation (34) indicates that
(1) the amplification factor is reduced by the factor
r.
1 + Tr-rm
pRi/(Ri + ?rr =rz
Rz) 1 —
^
p>
— which is the same as for voltage feedback
Compare this with equation (25a) for current feedback alone and (19) for voltage
feedback alone.
If the amplifier has more than one stage, /* must be defined as
= /* Axto (35b)
where A = t amplification between input and grid of final stage (with due regard to
phase reversal)
and f*s
= amplification factor of final stage, thus giving the expression for effective
plate resistance
, _ + r„ (4tlH l)R» r„ + (A lfH _
lXyRz)
" - + (35c s}
r
* ~ - 1 Aitf 1 xV -A K
4
where y = — R»/R L .
used in amplifiers because the positive current feedback increases the harmonic dis-
tortion. However, it is possible to combine negative feedback in the output stage
with positive feedback in an earlier stage to give very useful results see Sect. 2(»). —
This somewhat resembles one form of the balanced feedback in (v) below, except
that the design is less restricted.
(C) Negative current feedback may be combined with positive voltage feedback
to give very high effective plate resistance.
This arrangement is shown in the simplified block diagram of Fig. 7.6. The effect
of positive feedback on A x is to increase its gain from A x without feedback to A' with
positive feedback. The effect on the whole amplifier, so far as effective plate resist-
ance, distortion in the final stage and gain are concerned, is the same as though A x
with positive feedback were replaced by another amplifier without feedback but with
gain A'. The positive feedback in A x will increase the distortion of this stage, but
\L EFFECTIVE
l" GAIN A' T. !
will decrease the distortion of the whole amplifier provided that the initial distortion
inA x is small in comparison with that in s A . A
general purpose triode may be used
in the first stage, and yet have an effective stage gain greater than that of a pentode
with a plate load resistor of 0.25 megohm.
Practical amplifiers using this principle are described in Sect. 2(xi).
The effect on the input resistance depends on the method of applying the input voltage.
316 (vi) COMPARISON BETWEEN TYPES OF FEEDBACK 7.1
* Applies only to circuits such as Fig. 7.2A or 7.2B in which the feedback voltage is applied in series
with the input voltage.
tOver single stage.
JIf the amplifier has more than one stage, the amplification factor must be defined by fi = A^i t
where A\ — amplification between point at which feedback is introduced and grid of final stage
and f* 2
= amplification factor of final stage.
••Applies only to circuits such as Fig. 7.4 in which the feedback voltage is applied in series with the
input voltage.
7.1 (i) THE CATHODE FOLLOWER 317
fore frequently referred to as " cathode loading " in distinction to the conventional
" plate loading." As a result of 100 per cent, negative voltage feedback inherent in
a cathode follower, both the distortion and the output impedance may be very low.
The basic circuit of a triode cathode follower is shown in Fig. 7.7. It is understood
that the input circuit must be conductive to provide a grid return path, and that a
suitable grid bias value is achieved by inserting an appropriate battery at, say, point D.
The input voltage is applied between grid and earth while the load resistance (/?*)
is connected between cathode and earth. The voltage developed across * is the out- R
put voltage, and the maximum output voltage is slightly greater than for the con-
ventional case with R
* as the plate load resistor. The stage gain, however, is neces-
sarily less than 1 since the input voltage is equal to the grid-to-cathode voltage plus
the output voltage (with a medium-mu valve the voltage gain normally approximates
0.9). Since the stage gain is always less than unity, the input voltage is always
greater than the output voltage. Thus the input voltage may be very much greater
than the grid bias, but grid current will not flow until the instantaneous difference
between the input and the output voltage exceeds the bias.* In some cases the input
voltage will be very high as, for example, when, a high power output is required from
a cathode-loaded low-mu triode operated with a high plate voltage. In extreme
cases there may be difficulty in obtaining sufficient voltage in the preceding stage to
excite fully the cathode follower.
>*—^ 1
Fig. 7.7. Basic circuit of
a ^.
z a cathode follower.
|»K a
D
o —oO
Since a cathode follower does not amplify the input voltage it might, at first sight,
be thought that the arrangement fulfilled no useful purpose. Its principal usefulness,
however, lies in its- impedance characteristics. The input impedance is high while
the output impedance (i? is low, and the whole device may therefore be regarded
A cathode follower will work into practically any value of load resistance, although
there is a broad optimum value for any particular application.
The of interelectrode and wiring capacitances on the gain
effect is generally negli-
gible up to a frequency of 1 Mc/s.
It is important to remember that all electrode voltages must be stated with respect
to the cathode ; these will normally have the same values as for plate loading.
R* + rv
The value of the transfer coefficient j8 will be J3
— — 1 . /
•More precisely, the difference between the bias and the voltage of the grid current cross-over point.
—
A-- -A.
A 1 - Jk4
~ 1 +d-
A
Therefore A' = ~^~.
-.
(/x + DRk +
— rv
(la)
A ~ K* + r,/(f. + 1)
m + 1
' ^ '
l + gi>J<k
Rk the resultant of all resistances between cathode and earth, whether internal
is
or external to the amplifier itself. There is very little increase in gain through making
R k greater than about twice r„ ; provided that /* is not less than 10, then the increase
of gain through any further increase in R k is always less than 5 per cent. (It is as-
sumed that the input voltage is small enough to avoid grid current and/or plate current
cut-off).
If pvery
is much 1, greater than
then r/«* \/g m (*)
with an error not exceeding 5 per cent, if /* is not less than 20.
As with the gain, so too with the effective plate resistance, there is very little change
brought about by an increase in R k beyond 2r„, provided that ft is not less than 20.
Chart of r„' (approx.)—Ref. C24.
For 250 volts between plate and cathode, /t = 20, g m = 1900 micromhos and
r„ = 10 500 ohms. The value of R k for greatest power output may be assumed
to be approximately equal to 2r „ so that a value of 20 000 ohms may be adopted
(see Sect. 5 for graphical treatment). The effective plate resistance is therefore
r,' =
r,/(»* if 1) = 10 500/21 = 500 ohms,
'
20000 —
AA' A 03
(21/20)(20 000) + 525
With 250 between plate and cathode, /* = 9.6, g„ =-• 4000 micromhos and
volts
r, = 2400 ohms. If R k is made equal to 5000 ohms we have
'
t (r„ R = k)/p +R
k /A (1 =R
k /r J) )g n = +R (4e)
where A =
y.R k /(r v k) +R
=
amplification of valve with plate loading.
'
Example : Type 6J7 (triode connection)
Ib = 125/30 500 = 4.1 mA
E k = 125 x 20 000/30 500 = 82 V
E = - 250/40 = - 6.25 V
e
E gm = *£»»/(/* + 1) (4j)
and the optimum value of bias resistor R % is given by
so that the valve may be considered perfectly biased by the whole of its cathode re-
sistor Rk .
km Q4m;
r,[r, (M l)R k ] (^ +
1)» 1 + + +
where Rk
is neglected in comparison with r„ and n k /r v =R .
The ratio of the output voltage with correct bias (eqn. 41) and that with self bias
from cathode resistor (eqn. 4m) is given by
2
Ratio = . . (4n)
+ , ,
1/m« 1
p = r* R* ^*
'
Therefore R = '
^^-^ (5b)
If r 9 >R k, R '
^ .
1 + gmKk
,
* (6)
In special cases, where a very low value of R is required, it may be convenient to '
obtain it by decreasing the value of R *, even though this results in a serious reduction
in maximum power output. For example, with type 6V6 (triode connection) under
the conditions given above, where r,' = 226 ohms,
when R k 2400, =
1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 ohms.
then Ro 206, =
184, 156, 105, 69, 41 ohms.
Charts :
R ' (approx.) based on R k and g m Ref. C23. —
R ' (approx.) but with correction factor to give exact value Ref. C22. —
(F2) Resistance-capacitance coupled cathode follower
An alternative form of load is illustrated in Fig. 7.8 where R k is the d.c. load re-
sistance, C c the coupling condenser, and R„ the a.c. shunt load resistance. In cal-
FIC.7-8
and that when these conditions are fulfilled the power dissipated in R t is given by
P max = -Ei
2
/93r„
where E =
l plate supply voltage E
bb less the voltage where the tangent to the
E —
e characteristic cuts the axis (point B
in Fig. 7.8A)
and rP = plate resistance of valve at junction of d.c. leadline with e E =
characteristic (point D
in Fig. 7.8A).
of a transformer, and the secondary of the transformer may then be loaded, e.g. by
driving the voice coil of a loudspeaker or other electrical network (Fig. 7.9). In
this case the full supply voltage, except for the small resistance loss in the transformer
primary, is applied between plate and cathode.
•
—
ric.7-9 T
The maximum power output with the same load resistance as for plate loading will
be approximately the same. The distortion and the output resistance will, however,
be very much lower than for plate loading, and the damping on the loudspeaker will
be greater.
A special case of some importance is when V x is the driver valve of a Class B power
amplifier (see Chapter 13 Sect. 7).
The optimum load resistance may best be calculated graphically (see Sect. 5).
The resistance of the transformer primary will provide at least part of the voltage
for grid bias ; the balance may be supplied by a suitable resistance (shunted by the
322 (i) THE CATHODE FOLLOWER 7.2
usual by-pass capacitance) between the cathode and the upper transformer primary
terminal.
Alternatively, the primary of the transformer may be connected in place of R
g
in Fig. 7.8, and C
c may be adjusted to tune the primary to a suitable low frequency
to extend the frequency band to lower frequencies or to give bass boost (Ref. CI 4).
(H) Grid circuit arrangements and their effect on input resistance and R '
If the voltage drop in R k is greater than the desired grid bias, then a convenient
arrangement is to return the grid resistor (/?„) to a tapping point (X) on the cathode
load resistor, the position of X being adjusted for optimum operating conditions
(Fig. 7.10') j the bias will be
E = RJ
tl b (7)
where E is theel bias in volts, R
expressed in ohms and I b the plate current in
t is
amperes. The total load resistance is (R t R,) which corresponds to R k in Fig. +
7.7. The correct value of C should always be selected on the basis of the input re-
,
fig 7ii
Fig. 7.10. Cathode follower with grid bias supplied by a tapping point (X) on the
load resistance.
Fig. 7.11. Cathode follower with separate resistances for bias (R 2 by-passed by
C) 2 and load (i?,).
Fig. 7.12. Cathode follower with alternative form of grid bias circuit.
Thus R/ = EJi
where E = the input voltage
t
E{ EiR ER
Therefore R —
e f Q
'
E - Ex t
t Ei [1 - A'RJ(RX + R 2 )]
Special cases :
As a practical example take type 6J7 (triode connection) with the same conditions
as previously (Example 1). The cathode load resistance (/? a 2) is therefore +R
20 000 ohms. The cathode current (from the published data) is 6.5 while the mA
grid bias is —8 volts. The resistance of t is therefore 1230 ohms and x is 18 770 R R
ohms. If R9 is taken as 1 megohm the input resistance will be
1 20 000
*/ = 1 - 0.93 x 18770/20000 20 000-17 500
= 8 megohms.
The " looking-backwards " output terminal impedance with the circuit of
Fig. 7.10 becomes (Ref. C28)
—
R* (10)
gi [-* R,+ R„ R + Rt
t
Ri
+ Ri
1
+ Rs
+
j_
rt
F¥l »»
Fig. 7.13. Cathode follower with positive grid bias from voltage divider across
B+yin order to counteract the too-great negative bias from JR fc .
Fig. 7.14. Direct coupling to the grid of a cathode follower.
Fig. 7.15. Triode cathode follower showing capacitances.
(I) Input capacitance (purely resistive load)
The capacitance from grid to plate (C„ p) is effectively across the input (Fig. 7.15).
The effect of the capacitance from grid to cathode is reduced by the ratio of the voltage
from grid to cathode to the voltage from grid to earth. Thus
C/ = C BP + (1 - A')C„ k (11)
or
where
CA = C„
P C,*/(l +
A) +
has the same meaning as with plate loading, being the stage gain without
(12)
,
feedback, and A' is the actual stage gain, being always less than 1 (eqns. la and lb).
Note the reversed Miller Effect whereby the 3k is reduced by the factor 1/(1 C A). +
In a typical case, using type 6J7-GT (triode connection) :
to cathode (C» *) are across the output (Fig. 7.15). The voltage across the capacitance
from grid to cathode (C„0 is (1 — C
A'fa and the current through gk is, therefore*
(1 — C
A') et .ja>Cg k . The current which would flow through g k if connected directly
across R
k is A'ei.jwCgt. Therefore, the effect of C
gk connected between grid and
cathode is the same as that of a capacitance of [(1 — A') /A'] Cgk = Cgh /A con-
nected across R k . It is assumed that the source of input voltage has a resistance and
a reactance each negligibly small in comparison with the reactance of C gk With
.
this assumption the effect of the capacitance from grid to plate (C„„) is zero, since
it merely shunts the input voltage.
Thus, the output capacitance (C ') under the assumed conditions is given by
Co' -
C pk C hk Cgk IA
+ + (13)
This capacitance is effectively shunted across R* (see eqiL 5).
In the case of type 6J7-GT (triode connection), C vk = 17,0 nnF, C hk *= 10.5 ppF
(approx.), Cgk = 2.6 j*/*F, and A' = 0.93 (see Example 1).
Therefore C ' =
17.0 + 10.5 2.6 (0.07/0.93) = 27.7 ^F.
+
This is effectively in shunt with the output resistance (R ') of 487 ohms. In the
plate-loaded case there would be a capacitance of 17.6* /tjiF shunted across 6900 ohms.
In all practical cases, both for input and output capacitances, it is necessary to make
allowances for stray capacitances in addition to the valve capacitances.
Fig. 7.17. Voltage relationships in pentode around as the screen being 20 volts ne-
cathode follower. gative to the cathode. The result is
:
plate-current cut-off and severe distortion, which can only be avoided by a reduced
output voltage. In the case of pentode operation, with the screen by-pass condenser
returned to the cathode (Fig, 7.16) this type of overloading cannot occur.
When valves having high mutual conductance are connected as triodes, it may be
found that parasitic oscillation occurs at a very high frequency. This may be pre-
vented by connecting a 100 to 500 ohm non-inductive resistor in the link between
plate and screen, using short leads.
'-nrar
where m =
..
pentode mutual conductance under operating conditions in mhos.
.
<
2)
g
In Example 1, the pentode g m may be taken as being (/&//*) x triode g m ; i.e.
0.8 x 1900 = 1520 micromhos.
With R k = 20 000 ohms,
1520 x 20 000 x 10-«
A' — = nn97_
1 + 1520 X 20 000 X 10-« * '
Values of A' up to about 0.99 are practicable with pentodes, using higher values of
load resistance.
(M) Input capacitance with pentodes, screen by-passed to cathode (Fig. 7.16)
The input capacitance with pentode operation is different from that with triode
operation of the same valve. The capacitance from grid to plate may be neglected,
and the total input capacitance is approximately given by
d' = (1 —A') x pentode input capacitance (14)
In the case of type 6J7-GT the pentode input capacitance is 4.6 /*/xF and with a stage
gain {A') of 0.97 the input capacitance will be 0.03 x 4.6 =
0.14 /ijuF. This is
less than one fourteenth the input capacitance of the same valve with triode con-
nection under similar conditions (previously shown to be 1.98 /*/*F).
If the screen is by-passed to earth the input capacitance will be the same as
for triode operation.
in the plate circuit, and the cathode bias resistor has the
p .
Alternative to
th% cathode followery giving
same value as for normal operation. It has the disad- similar results, with input
vantage that neither input terminal is earthed, and applied between grid and
transformer input is necessary. plate.
326 (i) THE CATHODE FOLLOWER 7.2
^ttt^j^t^t-
A.
^\l+ *
i
gmR k J
(l6)
where >
/i 20
f = frequency at which the gain is calculated,
/„ = l/2nR k C k
- The
'-•""--(nribr.)
expression within the square root sign in eqn. (16) is known as the relative
gain, and has been plotted graphically (Ref. C6b, Data Sheet 39). The phase angle
9 has also been plotted (Data Sheet 41).
References C6, C9 j Reich (Ref. A30) pp. 166-168 equations 6-34 to 6-34F.
The transient performance under pulse conditions is given in Refs. Jl, J5, J6.
( 17 )
Input capacitance
C/ « CU9 + C„ fc
il+gmRky +(f/foy
when . > 1 (18)
References C6, C9, C20, J7 ; Sturley (Ref. C34) Vol. 2, pp. 119-120.
7.2 (i) (V) PLATE RESISTANCE WITH CAPACITIVE LOAD 327
R
more than /* times greater (it is assumed that k is not less than r p), and the advantages
of the cathode follower are lost. It is therefore essential to ensure that plate-current
cut-off never occurs. This effect occurs with a rectangular waveform, a steep saw-
tooth waveform or with a high frequency sinewave input.
References C13, C15, J3, J4, J5, J6, J9
A ~ K<aM)
0* l)R k+ + rv + RL
For pentodes
•For graphical treatment see Sect. 5(v) and (vi).
—
g mRi
(20b)
g mR* + (r„ + R L)/r v
Ratio of gain with and without feedback
From equation (24a) Section 1,
A[_
= 1__
A 1 + fiR k /(r P + Rk + R£) (21)
or as a rough approximation for triodes
A' IA =R
L /(R L + pR k ) (22)
An alternative exact form is
X
A' IA = (23a)
1 + g mRkrJ(j P + R k + Rj)
or as a rough approximation for pentodes
A
A' I *v 1/(1 mR k) +g (23b)
From equations (24a) and (24b) of Section 1 :
*_____± 1
A 1 - yA pyR, (24)
1
r„ + R L(1 r)
where - y = R k /R L .
Input resistance : R
As the grid resistor a (Fig. 7.20) is returned to earth, the input
resistance is R„. If it had been returned to cathode, eqn. (30) Sect. 1 could then be
applied, putting R t in place of r t :
FIG 7 24 "•
Fig. 7.22. Cathode degenerative amplifier with a small degree of current feedback.
Fig. 7.23. Cathode degenerative amplifier with a large degree of current feedback.
Fig. 7.24. Cathode degenerative amplifier with an alternative method of obtaining
grid bias.
If a higher degree of feedback is desired there are several alternatives. In Fig. 7.23
(R t + RJ = Rk for signal frequencies, but only R
t is effective in producing grid
bias. Cx should have a reactance much lower than (i? 3 + R t). As a slight modi-
fication, Cj may be returned to any tapping point along Rt and R u to give any desired
degree of feedback between zero and maximum. An alternative modification is to
by-pass R 2* and to return Ct to any tapping point along R t Finally, the arrangement
.
of Fig. 7.24 provides a positive voltage from the voltage divider R& R & which may be
adjusted to give the correct bias voltage from grid to cathode.
R R
When L and k are not purely resistive, they may be replaced by L and k in Z Z
the expressions for gain which then become vectors.
Current feedback is undesirable in transformer loaded amplifiers for it tends to
stabilize the output transformer's magnetizing current (i.e. make it sinusoidal) and
thus produce a distorted output voltage.
FIC. 72S
The gain to either output channel is then
Fig. 7.25.
phase
Conventional
splitter.
A '
( 2)R L
M + rP
L
+
— (28)
= Ra
Ti
1 - A'RJ&t + R t) (29)
—
"
and
«> - r. +
of the order of 1000 ohms.
is
gi + 2)
Hence the
<34
in that the voltage across the voice coil may not be great enough to provide sufficient
degeneration. It is important to avoid accidental reversal of the secondary terminals.
This, and all its modifications, may be treated as pure voltage feedback following the
formulae of Sect. 1, at least in the middle frequency range where is equal to UTJT
m
the transformer turns or voltage ratio. It has the properties of aintainin g constant
the voltage across the secondary, thereby avoiding the effects of transformer leakage
inductance at high frequencies, and of reducing the transformer distortion. Un-
fortunately, at very low and very high audio frequencies, the phase angle introduced
by the output transformer tends to cause instability, the tendency being more pro-
nounced as the feedback is applied over 2 or 3 stages. This subject is treated in detail
in Section 3.
FIC. 7 26 *
The push-pull form is merely a mirror image of the single-ended variety, and
involves two separate secondary windings on the input transformer, and a centre-tap
on the secondary of the output transformer, which is earthed.
In either case, if the feedback voltage is greater than desired, the connection may be
taken from a voltage divider across the voice coil (or each half of the transformer
secondary).
A form suitable for feedback over two stages is shown in Fig. 7.27 where the feed-
back voltage is reduced by the voltage divider R t R 2 and applied to the cathode of Vx .
The voltage divider total resistance (R t + R 2) should be at least 20 times the voice
coil impedance, while R t should preferably be less than one tenth' of R 3 , otherwise
there will be an appreciable amount of negative current feedback* in V x Here
.
avoids d.c. through the secondary winding,' but the impedance of the preceding stage
(R ) affects the value of )3,Abeing unchanged,
. In this case the input resistance is decreased because the feedback voltage is applied
in shunt from grid to cathode,
r,' = RJ(\ -pA). (37b)
This principle is also incorporated in Fig. 28.3 where feedback is taken from the
secondary to a tapping on the volume control.
Afurther modification, in which the amount of feedback decreases as the volume
control is increased, is described in Chapter 35 (Fig. 35.3).
See Sect. 2(vi) below for an analysis of a two stage amplifier with feedback from
the secondary of the output transformer.
This arrangement reduces the amplitude distortion resulting from saturation of the
output transformer core at low frequencies, and improves the low-frequency response.
It does not, however, counteract the effect of leakage reactance at high frequencies.
A = voltage gain of valve from grid to plate
P = R 1 /(R 1 R t)
+
and r/ is extremely high, being unchanged by the feedback (valve input impedance
alone).
The same method may be applied to a push-pull stage, but a transformer is required
having two separate secondaries, and each valve must have its own feedback network.
This circuit is not suitable for use with resistance coupling.
(v) —
Voltage feedback from plate r.c.c. input
If it is desired to employ negative feedback from the plate to a resistance-capacitance
input coupling, it is impossible to apply the feedback voltage in series opposition to
the signal voltage. The only manner of applying it is, so to speak, in shunt with the
input signal.
V
The simplest circuit is Fig. 7.30 in which Vj is r.c. coupled to 2, and a feedback
path /Jjd is provided from plate to grid of Vs .For normal applications dis merely
a blocking condenser to isolate grid and plate for d.c. The resistance R x acts as a
shunt path for signal frequencies in much the same way as the Miller Effect ; the
circuit behaves as though an additional shunt resistance equal to Ri/(A a + 1) were
connected from grid to earth, A 2 being the numerical voltage gain of V8 .This de-
creased input resistance causes a reduction in overall amplification. The amplifica-
tion of V« is not affected, but Vx now has a heavy a.c. shunt load, leading to increased
distortion and possible overloading. As an example, for the gain to be reduced to
7.2 (v) VOLTAGE FEEDBACK FROM PLATE 333
As a modification of Fig. 7.30, R t may be made zero and Ct may have a capacitance
of about 10 to 100 m/xF to provide degeneration principally at high audio frequencies.
This has been used very successfully in small receivers with very little margin of gain,
but is only fully effective when no plate by-pass capacitor is used.
An improved circuit is Fig. 7.31 (Refs. El, E3) in which /? x and R t form a voltage
divider across the primary of the output transformer, R L being connected to the
junction (X). If (2? x Rt) is at least 10 times the load resistance of V 2 , the divider
+
will have little effect on V 2 It is obvious that the degree of feedback can be adjusted
.
An electrically equivalent circuit is Fig. 7.32 (Ref. E2) in which the two resistances
R3 and Rt take the place of the three resistances R L, /? x and Ri of Fig. 7.31. For
identical operating conditions :
(K x + RJR L and Ri = R 3 R)
(39)
R ' * R3 — Rl
1111
z
Fig. 7.31. Voltage feedback applied in series with the load resistor. The reduction
in effective resistance occurs in the load resistor itself.
Fig. 7.32. Electrically equivalent circuit to Fig. 7.31, using one less resistor.
Both these circuits (Fig. 7.31 and 7.32) have the effect of reducing the effective
V
load into which x works. This has the merit of extending the response to higher
audio frequencies. In Fig. 7.31 the effective value of R L becomes
Rl = Rl/(\P\** 1) where 101 + *i/(*i **) = +
and A* V
the numerical voltage gain of 2 . For example if |]8|
is 0.1 and %
= A =
17,
the effective load resistance changes from R L without feedback to 0.37 R L with feed-
W
back. The load R L' into which r works is, however, not constant because A
z varies
due to distortion. This circuit is usually limited to values of |j2| not greater than say
0.05 to 0.1 for typical applications.
Asimilar effect occurs with the equivalent circuit Fig. 7.32 in which the feedback
causes the effective value of 2? 4 to change to RJ(A 2 1). +
In both circuits x is V
preferably a pentode, although a high-mu triode may be used with less effectiveness.
334 (vi) VOLTAGE FEEDBACK OVER TWO STAGES 7.2
Mezger (Ref. E4) has shown that it is equally valid to regard the plate resistance of
Vi (and consequently its amplification factor) as being reduced by feedback, leaving
the external resistors unchanged.
This is a form of Duerdoth's multiple feedback see Sect. 3(v)E and the two — —
feedback voltages must be added together to determine the performance. The
subsidiary feedback increases the stability by reducing the slope of the PA characteris-
tic over a wide range of very low and a wide range of very high frequencies.
FIG 733
-
FIG. 7.34
Fig. 7.33. Amplifier with voltage feedback from the plate of t to the cathode of V
V„ also incidentally incorporating negative current feedback due to the unbypassed
resistor Rk .
E = E» t1 + R
<
+ R k + r, +
R+R*\r^
^R
^A (41h>
Eq — A\A%E — A*E9
Also 9\
R+R k + r pl
'
\R +R k + rrJyR+Rt+rn + nRt+pAMR+R^r^))
= E ,( A^R
AtHtR \
*
\R
^R + ( Ml
(Mi + l)R k
1)^* + r pl + PAiA^R + R k + r Pl )J
At^R
Therefore E = E/
Also when Rk =
N^f^ ')—
there is no current feedback
1 «][t + *u] (41i)
E = EtjK ^-
+ r pl
(41 j)
Therefore ~J A "lR
(R+Tjei)
A
M^^O^-H™-] \AtHxR /
^
Therefore
.
Output impedance
The
A'
A-r-
effect of the
=
~ W-tf&*h* +>-][*
unbypassed cathode
R + r
resistor
^
depends on the resistance of the
<41m)
source (/?,).
Let 8 = R a /(R, + R„) (42a)
Let voltage E be applied
across Lt R from an infinite impedance source with no
input voltage applied to the amplifier.
TtoI.*+^
K + -^+2*^
K K « r Pi -+-
k r Pt -+-
( 42b)
Lt f i8
The final term in eqn. (42b) is the effect of the voltage E os a fraction of which is
fed back across R to and amplified by Vt and applied to the grid of V2 The effect .
in the plate circuit of V2 is the same as though a voltage were applied to a E^hA^
series connection of r pi and R L2 -
Thus the " looking backwards " output terminal impedance is given by
E° -
- ~r~ — 1
/?
*<o
'
— (42c)
1 ,
1 1 /8Mi/*i
RL t r r2 R, + Rk [
r p2 + R^
i.e. the effect of the feedback is to add another impedance,
r,« + RL 2
pSAiPi
in parallel with the output, as shown in Fig. 7.41.
Input impedance
r PiR* "]
„, B{ E + R + Ru + r pl + PA A *j *
'A} (42d)
// E tl /R 9
(42C)
Therefore R = R sl [l + re
t
' ***
R- + /<>.
Rk +
l. -t- -+- r~
r Plt
+ M^lJ
—
**'
Therefore |1= 1 +R+ + ^ + MlA (42f)
where J?« is defined as the input resistance when R k = 0.
Conclusions
Eqn. (41m) shows that the effect of feedback in reducing gain in this circuit (Figs.
7.33 and 7.34) is not given simply by the product of the current feedback gain re-
duction and the voltage feedback gain reduction, each considered separately.
Eqn. (41h) indicates that the two feedback voltages are effectively added so far as
their effect on gain is concerned. This is in line with Duerdoth's multiple feedback
theory in Sect. 3(v)E.
V
Eqn. (42c) shows that the effective plate resistance of t differs from that of an
equivalent amplifier without current feedback only on account of 8. When the
source impedance is zero, 8 has the value unity, and the effective plate resistance of
V t is identical with that of an equivalent amplifier with voltage feedback only.
It is obvious that current feedback in V
x cannot directly affect the plate resistance
of %V . The only indirect effect (through 8) is the result of partial application of the
V
feedback voltage to the grid of u which must also affect the gain. In other words,
the impedance of the input voltage source affects the gain, the effective plate resistance
and the output resistance \ R
If the source is reactive, some non-linear frequency characteristic will occur
for example, if the source is a crystal pickup there will be some measure of bass
boosting.
The circuit of Fig. 733 tends to produce peaks at low and high frequencies in the
response characteristic unless the feedback factor is low. An analysis of the peaks
has been made by Everest and Johnston (Ref. H5) based on the ideal condition of
zero-impedance screen circuits and unbypassed cathode resistors ; it also omits any
complications arising from an output transformer. Methods for reducing or elimina-
ting these peaks are described in Sect. 3(vi) and (vii).
C
The condenser x in the feedback network of Fig. 7.33 is normally only a blocking
condenser ; it may, however, be designed to produce a fixed degree of bass boost.
Alternatively, C
x may remain as a blocking condenser and a second condenser inserted
at point X
to provide bass boosting j the latter may be shunted by a variable resistance
to form a continuously variable tone control (see Chapter 15 Sect. 2 and Fig. 15.11).
It will be demonstrated in Sea. 3 that feedback over two stages of r.c. coupling is
normally stable ; this does not necessarily hold if cathode or screen by-pass condensers
are used or if an iron-cored transformer forms any part of the feedback loop.*
The feedback loop is the complete path, commencing from the point to which the feedback is re-
turned, through the amplifier to the point from- where the feedback is taken, back through the feedback
network to the starting point.
fThe Editor is indebted to Mr. E. Watkihson for the calculation of this example.
:
Similarly the reactance of the output transformer primary at 50 c/s is equal to the
plate resistance of the 6AQ5 in parallel with the reflected load and winding resistances
(coupling 3).
FIG. 7.35
Movement of the input volume control is assumed to have no effect on the fre-
quency (12£ c/s) at which the reactance of the input condenser is equal to the resistance
in series with it, say 2.55 megohms (coupling 1).
The amplification factor, **, of the 6AV6 is 100 and its plate resistance, r p, 80 000
A
ohms, so the mid-frequency 6AV6 gain, x [see Chapter 12 Sect. 2(vii)] is
100 X 73 000
A —- _ AQ
1
80 000 + 73 000
where 73 000 ohms is the value of R e and R 7 in parallel.
The 6AQ5 m is 210 and its r„ 52 000 ohms so that the 6AQ5 gain
_ 210 x 5000 ~ _
8 ~~
52 000 + 5000
The output transformer impedance ratio is 5000/1.7 so that its gain.
Aa = V 1.7/5000 = 1/54.
Total gain from 6AV6 grid to voice coil
A =A x x Ai x Aa = 48 x 18.4/54 = 16 times = 24.1 dbvg.*
When the volume control is turned to its minimum setting, one half of the output
voltage is applied to the amplifier input, i.e. p = — J and the factor
1 1 l_
- PA ~ ~ "
1 16 x £
1 + 9
As the volume control is turned up, a smaller amount of the negative feedback
voltage is applied to the 6AV6 control grid, and when the control is 50 000 ohms
from its maximum setting only one quarter of the previously used feedback voltage is
effective (ignoring the shunting effect of s ). In this caseR
1 1_
1 - PA
~3 '
The low frequency response curves will be calculated for each of these volume
control settings, but it is first necessary to obtain the response of the amplifier without
feedback. This is done in Table 1 . Lines 1 and 2 of Table 1 are obtained from Figs.
12.9A and B with 12$ c/s taken as the frequency for 70.7 per cent, voltage gain (when
the reactance is numerically equal to the resistance) in line 1, and 50 c/s in line 2.
Thus for the 25 c/s response in line 1
Actual frequency _
Frequency for 70.7 per cent, frequency response
so that attenuation = 1 db and phase shift = 27°, and so on for each of the other
frequencies in the two lines.
Line 3 is obtained by adding twice the attenuation and phase shift of line 2 (because
there are two 50 c/s couplings) to line 1.
Line 4 is the result of adding the mid-frequency gain of the amplifier (24.1 db)
to the attenuation and phase shift at each of the tabulated frequencies. This gives
the frequency response as plotted at in Fig. 7.36. A
In line 5 the gain A
is expressed numerically, giving the actual gain at each fre-
quency^
*Gain expressed in decibels of voltage gain —see Chapter 19 Sect. l(vi)A.
^
: : *
Table 2 sets out the calculations necessary to obtain the modification of the fre-
quency response by the application of feedback when /J = — $. Line 1 results
from converting the attenuation expressed in db in line 3 of Table 1 to fractions, and
line 2 is obtained by multiplying the mid-frequency gain, the attenuation and phase
(for the frequency concerned) by jS. The result is ftA which is plotted in Fig. 7.37.
~
•ffl/k
- tftfttt : : :
ttf : ::.j.jj(|: =
- - -
fffljlj
- :: »A-o:
:::
"tlttttt""
:::m::
Efffig e;
""Fffi"
GAIN(db)
— — 1 llll
IS
— — ::M"-2:
4#lt
ItHt >:: :
10
" — — Ill
" TFTIT
::0A"-8:
S
""Srfttt'T
- - •I iiniT - -
-
-s
-
; ! I'll- - - -HI
o o o
o" l> Lines 3 and 4 are the values
o VO Ov Ov
CO
O
m
•<*
fH f— for the sine and cosine of the
s| S| s| sj angle of phase shift [see
tN
sl
CO
CO vq m l>
VO Chapter 38 Table 72 for magni-
i> CO
«N
1
d tude ; Chapter 6, Sect. 3(iii)
o o for sign]. Line 5 expresses
CO
o
00
tN
00
fH
CM
00
H
IN
00 1 — PA in the form a + jb.
co
U s| si sj sl Multiplying the magnitude of
vO 1-4 CO l> *!
fH PA in line 2 by the sine of the
fH
CN* d
i—i
tN
M f—
associated angle gives the j term
o o o O and multiplying by the cosine
CO
o m CO
l>
CO
and adding 1 (because of the 1 in
CO E
1 — PA) gives the real term. For
i—l
U vO
SJ Si si sj
"1* Si
00 in l> <*
1*
VO
vq example, at 100 c/s, 1 + 6.3 x
0.4848 = 4.05 and 6.3 x 0.8746
I— O*
o* fH
o o
o O = 5.5 so that 1 — PA = 4.05 +
CO CM
CO s 8
t-H
s
fH
s
fH j 5.5.
U si si Si Si Sj Lines 6 and 7 convert 1 — PA
o
CN
•*. in
00*
•*.
00*
l> °i to polar co-ordinates again (the
1-4 in
f— change to rectangular co-ordin-
o o CO
o
CO CO
ates was necessary to add 1 to
CO CO
VO
m m
f-«
m PA), line 6 being expressed in
O sj Si Si s] sl the form of the square- root of the
m
tN
© © q o\ sum of the squares of the two
fH in" o* CN
fH terms in line 5 at the angle whose
o o tangent is the imaginary term
o o
CO tN CN
00
f-
CO
m f-H
divided by the real term, e.g. at
O 100 c/s the angle is tan -1 5.5/
Si s| S| si Sl
m
©'
m in VO CO 4.05 = tan- 1 1.36 =
54° to the
co o* in
fH nearest degree. Where negative
o terms occur the appropriate
o
CO in
<* 1 o
f-H
s quadrant is determined from the
O s| sj si sj sl knowledge of the sign of the sine,
O
m CO © CO 00
cosine and tangent, all of which
o CO VO*
fH are known at this stage.
o o o Line 8 the reciprocal of line
is
CO fH
f-H fH
tN vO VO vO 7, so that magnitudes are divided
U Si
o Sj s| si sl into unity, and angles are re-
O
o © ft
q vq
versed in sign. In line 9 the
d c4
CN
CN
magnitudes are expressed in db,
CO
o
o o o and in line 10 the original gain A
CN
U fH CO CO CO at each frequency is multiplied by
sj sj si sj sj 1/(1 —
pA) to give the response
o CO VO in Ov
of the amplifier with feedback.
1 d d CO*
CN
1*
fH Since lines 9 and 4 are both ex-
pressed in db, the multiplication
o o o o o
J. « o O © O o is carried out by adding the
sj sj Sj sj sj values in decibels. Line 10 is
o o o vO
plotted in curve C
of Fig. 7.36.
tN Table 3 gives similar calcula-
X tions when p — —
1/8 and the
CO
+1 , result is plotted in curve B of
-'
5 Fig. 7.36, while the smaller PA
CN T3
II
^ polar diagram is also plotted in
fg .i3
***•
Fig. 7.37.
§•'3
1o
us it Uco^
H .
x 8
a Several interesting aspects
which are common to all feed-
back amplifiers are brought out
co>*§ ST in
>^f*
by these calculations and curves.
340 (vi)(B) FEEDBACK FROM OUTPUT TRANSFORMER SECONDARY 7.2
t»
« Ov
„ 00
u sj d
S s 1 „
00
s
8 8 ? 00
g d d d VO
sl
in
Nl
vo
Nl
d 1
1 1
d d r+ M d
**
00
< 8 en „
,o Sl H © 1 o o
in
00
00
<o
m § Sj
sl
I*!
Nl
§ d d d 9 9 •V*
Nl
« o
d 1 1 1
d d ci t^ OV
as
U
s h 8
Nl jQ d 8 i i
•M
00 00
o>
S>
? sl s| Ni 1
'"' s
••4 d <N
d 00
S S « Nl
00
d 1
d 1
d d •* m
<Tl
t»
s|
—u 3
d
| 8 + P P
8 Si 00 „d l 1
b
VO
p ? 8 Sl s) Nl Nl
d 8 d 8 d «
d 1
d 1
d > d m
o.
SJ
w m 9 w
w d <*l
» o "? + 1
sj 00
N| 1
ov
00 8 © sl
|
o Nj
«* oo J | d d d SJ
d 1
d 1 1
> d + pi
a
3 <o 1 Ov
t-
in
00
1
Nl
o si
00
00
in
§ g d g sl
d 1
d 1
d to d 1
vd
S*
m
w Sj „
"v.
U m * Tl"
m
in
8 J* in s 1
in + N|
P vo
«
Sj
P 1
00 | s
> 00 i Sl
d 1
© d «* vo d 1
iri
'
s
J»
"V.
xj o
CO
O Cvl
ifi
h h 1
1 Si + i
N|
to
sl
S!
1 i in
CO Sl
d 1
d d
i*>
i>J > 00 d 1
in
©
^ sl o
o o o Nl
o + Nj
si o
"I o 00 o
••
v
>
o>
N|
*
i4 1
o i-J Ov ov d 1
A J3
a •§ 1
3 3
Jfo
1
il
e
3
0Q.
5
eo. 3
CO.
^
QQ.
"<:
oa.
^
oa.
3 W '53
^
J O 1 1 1
a +
1 1
1
CO U
»+ ^ s § § § P ® S
o
7.2 (vi)(B) FEEDBACK FROM OUTPUT TRANSFORMER SECONDARY 341
OT %
S
u d
\| to
d 1
Nl § s in
T
d
1
d d si
d d Nj
d 00
d d d » pi
d 1
1 1
d d 1
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M N i
u
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d „ „ CI
vO ? o o
b 00
3 I to
o i in Nl SJ
«
r»
© d d d 00 .8 3
© 1 1 1
d d M •-4 ci
| 8
d
o | Nl 2? -? *•
j |
s
8 Nl 8 m N|
s|
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d 1
d 1
d d ri ri od
to
S|
.•» o
to
in <o 2 to
to
o d to
In in
Nl p + CO
1
g
C4
Nl 8 3 00
? $ Nl Si
1
si
d N|
00 d 9 s |d s 3
t»j
d 1
d 1
d <» d »-5 to
/
5<
09 sj
* S m 8 J,
m d * -4
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Nl a d + 5 1
S3
\J $ S m
in
? 9 Nl Nj
|
si
fO
d d to e» Nl
S
to
to
d 1
00
d 1
vO
d 1 d
,0-
a 8
sj
5 b
H 09
„ 3 to 00 b in
s « d in
o
w si d + s 1
t
1
Nl in Nl Nl si
d §
r»
d d d
3 p» S 00
<-«
2
d 1
d 1
d •-• i-3 d 1 -4
a
si
u
<o •* 2 8 8
s <o Si .-« + s i
Nl
i
h
"-'
Nl
00
in $ 3j £
p»
to
Nj Nj si
S 00 9 d 9 t«! °i
d 1
d d
p;
»H ? pi d 1
-H
s
si
<u o
d
o^
d
to
9?
o> d d
to S| d + 1
1 o
1
Nl
to ~ | s Nl N| a Nl
•n 5 s S 8 00
d 1
d d ci > ei d 1
b
s|
© b b b
Mid-
frequency b + o N|
b si p 0*
<*>
O Nl
Nl 1
o _ to > ^ d 1
<*
•i
1
3 I
to II
+ 21 ,3 .3 ^ ^ X
e* £ <&. oa. ea. -
1
°o.
-
1
oi ^ 1
L
1
+ i i
05.
!
i 1 1
~\i 1 >H
s 9 § » S
s § in
6 s
342 (vi)(B) FEEDBACK FROM OUTPUT TRANSFORMER SECONDARY 7.2
(1) The degree of degeneration (or regeneration) at any frequency marked on the
polar diagram Fig. 7.37 can be obtained by measuring the distance at the appropriate
frequency from the curve to the point 1,0. The same scale is used for the measure-
ment as for plotting fSA and the distance gives the amount of degeneration, e.g. the
50 c/s point on the /S/4 = —
8 curve is 3.66PA units from 1,0, so gain reduction
s= 3.66 times =
11.3 db (compare 11.4 db Table 2 line 9). Again at 20 c/s, distance
= 0.2 units so gain reduction =
0.2 times, i.e. gain increase =
5 times == 14 db (com-
pare 14.1 db Table 2 line 9).
It follows that atwhatever frequency the PA curve crosses the circle with centre
1,0 and radius the gain of the amplifier is unchanged by feedback. For example,
1,
with f3A = —
8, the locus cuts the circle with radius 1 unit at a frequency of 28 c/s,
which is therefore the frequency at which the gain of the amplifier is unchanged by
feedback.
The same result-may be obtained from Fig. 7.36 where the intersection of curves
PA =and pA — —
8 is at 28 c/s. At lower frequencies the feedback is positive.
(2) When PA = —
8 the low frequency peak is relatively much larger than when
PA = —2 (14 db when PA = —
8 and 2\ db when PA — 2) and it occurs at
=
a lower frequency. The reason can be seen from the polar diagram. When PA is
large the curve is increased in size so that lower frequencies on the curve come closer
to the 1,0 point.
(3) When PA = —
8, the angle of PA varies from 0° to 197° but the angle of
1 — PA varies from 0° to 113° to —
8° (Table 2). The reason can be seen from the
polar diagram. Note the rapid 1 —
PA phase shift near the regenerative peak and
the reason from the polar diagram.
(4) From the calculations it will be seen that, close to the mid-frequency, phase
shift correction is approximately equal to 1/(1 —
PA) e.g. when pA = —
8 at 200
c/s in Table 2, a phase shift of 32° is reduced to 4°.
(5) Although the feedback is regenerative as soon as the PA curve cuts the circle
with centre 1,0 and radius 1, there is phase correction until the PA curve cuts the
horizontal axis (between 18f and 16 c/s when PA = — 8).
The phase shift correction due to negative feedback is not directly obtainable from
Fig. 7.37, but a construction to illustrate this effect is given in Fig. 7.38. In the
diagram the larger curve (A = 16) is the polar diagram of the gain of an amplifier,
plotted as before, while the smaller curve (fiA = 8) is drawn for P = h (For con-
venience, P is here taken as positive).
E g represents the voltage applied between grid and cathode of the input valve, and
since it is drawn 1 unit in length, the amplification curve also represents the output
7.2 (vi)(B) FEEDBACK FROM OUTPUT TRANSFORMER SECONDARY 343
of V!. In the case of a 3 stage amplifier, the unbypassed cathode resistor could be
in the first or second stage. It is highly desirable, in general, for some such form of
subsidiary feedback to be used. It is normally desirable that the degeneration due
to the subsidiary feedback should not exceed say 10 per cent, of that due to the prin-
cipal feedback loop, since the subsidiary feedback increases the distortion in the
final stage. For further details and more complicated circuits see Sect. 3(v)E.
344 (vi) (D) MULTIPLE FEEDBACK 7.2
There are two general cases of interconnected feedback loops, the first in which
one loop completely contained within the other (Fig. 7.39) and the second in which
is
the loops overlap as in Fig. 7.40. In each of the circuits the gain of the valves Vu 2 V
V A A A
and s is u 2 and s respectively, and the size of the resistors R is such as to intro-
duce negligible current feedback.
For the circuit of 7.39 the gain reduction "factor is
1
1 — a.A xA%A % — fiAzA,
(with a subject to the same convention as 0) and the effective plate resistance of V9
becomes
r v*
t _
*8 ~~ 1 — xAxAsHs — flA a p a
For the circuit of 7.40 the gain reduction factor is
1
1 —
uAxAz — pA^A%
and the effective plate resistance of V3 becomes
PAiHa
1 — aA A x %
FIG. 7.42
tSJ7-<?T
WHJKmA
•on •yr
_1_ <>
<*»
MM ISO «A
too. -y.
/fs
ttfir «JOV. (NOOUm^ »»» v
53 i P.v.
1 I
»NOKMAL VALUE iO/Jpt.
Fig. 7.42. 30 watt push-pull amplifier with voltage feedback from one output
plate to the screen of the first stage. Stability is ensured by adjustment of condenser x. C
(A) Feedback from plate of V, to screen of Vt (Fig. 7.42)
This circuit is very satisfactory for push-pull amplifiers. As the feedback is taken
from one plate only, the output transformer should have very tight coupling between
the two halves of the primary (i.e. very low leakage reactance). The amplifier and
feedback network have been designed to give a flat response over a wide band of fre-
quencies, with the intention of introducing additional attenuation at one point only.
No instability has been experienced, and practically no rise in response, at low audio
frequencies. On a resistive load, die high frequency response has a slight peak at
about 40 000 c/s, while on a loudspeaker load the peak is much larger and occurs at
a lower frequency. Attenuation is provided by the condenser C t from the plate of
7.2 (vii) VOLTAGE FEEDBACK OVER THREE STAGES 345
the first valve to earth, with the results on frequency response shown in Fig. 7.43,
for resistive loading.
FIG. 7.43
-CTO.IS RH ttCoSf"
R.O.H. —12
346 (vii) (B) FEEDBACK FROM OUTPUT TRANSFORMER SECONDARY 7.2
Fig. 7.44 is the circuit of such an amplifier using push-pull triodes, with extra-
ordinarily low distortion. It is based on the design of Williamson (Refs. F4, F6).
The first triode (J^) is direct-coupled to the grid of a phase splitter (F2) which in
turn is r.c. coupled to push-pull triodes (V3 and VJ and thence to the output stage.
No by-pass condensers are used and the only reactances to cause phase shift at low
frequencies are the grid coupling condensers in two stages. The circuit has a number
of refinements which are described in the references.
Fig. 7.44. Amplifier employing voltage feedback from the secondary of the output
transformer, with push-pull triodes. The amplifier is virtually distortionless up
to an output of11 watts, and has a smooth overload up to 16 watts.
The original version used type L63 valves in place of each half of the 6SN7-GT,
and type KT66 as triodes in the output stage. The circuit shown (A515) gives almost
identical results, but type 807 valves are used in place of type KT66.
The specifications laid down by Williamson for the output transformer are as
follows :
supply. The input voltage is applied between the two grids (Ref. Gl).
If both Vx and Vt have identical characteristics and R Ll = R Li = R L , it may
be shown (Ref. C7) that
E AB = »EJl L /{R L + r„) (43)
where E, = signal input voltage applied between the two grids
and E AB = signal output voltage between points A and B.
Similarly, where E ,,
and EB aire the voltages from these points to earth,
4
*\R L + r„A
T C44)
R, + rv + 2( M + \)R k J
and EB = - U >*•*' V 1 - Rl + r,
*\R +rA
L RL + r, + 20. +
)
l)R k J
(45)
348 (viii) (A) CATHODE COUPLED PHASE INVERTERS 7.2
The two voltages thus differ by a small amount, which can be reduced by using a
large value of R
k and/or by using high valves. mu
If the remaining out-of-balance
is still serious, it may be eliminated entirely by making R
L1 slightly smaller than Lt R
so as to give exact balance.
may be taken from either A or B, A being 180° out of phase with the input, while B
is in phase with the input voltage.
Output from A r9
: Gain
L1
Ai =
p ,
—+—R= +-—r,R^n +uR —+
**
l)/[r„ p ,
/?*(/*
1VI (46)
.
1)]
it
,
+ ,
(48)
In the values of n and r p are not constant and not equal for the two units
reality,
in the twin triode. A
rigorous analysis (Ref. G
17) provides a straight forward method
for the accurate derivation of the amplification when the output is taken from B.
Outputs from A and B (special case of phase inverter).
The gain is somewhat less than with Fig. 7.45, but the circuit is often more con-
venient.
There are many applications of this circuit which are described in References
(G) also C7, D6 and J2 ; see also Chapter 12 Sect. °(iii).
(ix) Hum
The hum in a practical amplifier is not always reduced by the factor 1/(1 PA) —
as in eqn. (12), Sect. 1 but sometimes is decreased according to a different law, and
sometimes is even increased by the application of feedback. All hum arising from
sources within the amplifier and which is independent of the signal level, may be
represented by an equivalent hum voltage in series with the input voltage ; this is
reduced in all cases by the factor 1/(1 — PA).
(A) Hum originating in the grid circuit of a single stage amplifier will be reduced
by 1/(1 - PA).
(B) Hum caused by heater-cathode leakage is reduced by 1/(1 - pA) with
7.2 (ix) (B) HUM CAUSED BY HEATER-CATHODE LEAKAGE 349
Triode Pentode
Type 2A3 6V6-GT
M 4.2 215
ft (triode connection of pentode) 9.6
rP 800 52 000 ohms
Rl 2500 5000 ohms
A 3.2 18.8 times
Voltage feedback is taken as 2XP/ (i.e. p — — 0.2).
Current feedback is based on R* — 250 ohms.]
Case (1) Transformer-coupled output with voltage feedback from the
secondary (Fig. 7.26)
In hum is multiplied by the factor 1/(1 — pA) [= 0.61 for type 2A5
this case the
and 0.21 for type 6V6-GT]. The result is that the feedback reduces the hum slightly
in the case of a triode and very considerably in the case of a pentode. If a hum-
bucking coil is used, the number of turns will require readjustment for negative
feedback.
Case (2) Transformer-coupled output with voltage feedback from the plate
(Fig. 7.29)
In this case the feedback voltage is a fraction of the output voltage plus the bum
voltage across the condenser 2 C .
(51)
Since r P — r„/(l —
'
is less than r„, the hum with feedback is
/3/t) greater than the
hum without feedback :
Eho' RL rv _ + 1 — ft "*
. „
E h0 R L + rj ~ 1 - PA C52)
[Example E h0 '/E h0 = 1.12 for type 2A3]
:
If the screen is perfectly filtered, the second term in eqn. (54) becomes zero.
[Example E h0 ' = 0.81E h for type 6V6-GT.] The effect of feedback on the hum is
:
then given by eqn. (52) with the substitution of the correct values of ft and A [Example :
The second term in eqn. (57) is only approximate, since it is assumed that the
R is very nearly true when
shunting effect of taL^ on L has no effect on the gain ; this
toLi is at least equal to 10R L .
[Example If u>Lx
: =
25 000 ohms, and R =
4560 ohms as for type 6V6-GT, then
6= tan-- 1 5.48 79.7°. = Thus cos 6 0.179 and h0 (0.179 = l.96)E h E - -
= — 1.78E h . With screen filtering, this would be considerably improved.]
With feedback, h0 ' E
h J{\ fiA). =E - (58)
[Example : E
h0 '.= (- 1.78/4.8)E 0.37E h for type 6V6-GT.1
ft
= -
If L x is replaced by a resistor R, the necessary substitution for j'wL may be made in
the equations for hum. Similarly, the transformer-coupled load (R L ) may be re-
placed by a following grid resistor RB .
FEEDBACK
o—
INPUT
Fig. 7.47. Circuit of an amplifier with parallel-fed transformer output and negative
feedback supplied from the plate.
Fig. 7.48. Cathode follower with parallel feed.
from the plate, or from the primary or secondary of the output transformer.
Case (4) Cathode follower with parallel
feed (Fig. 7.48)
Mid the hum
In this case the plate resistance is reduced by the factor l/(/* + 1),
pentode is used, the screen
output voltage is decreased by the factor 1/(|» + 1). If a
7.2 (ix) (C) HUM ORIGINATING IN THE PLATE SUPPLY VOLTAGE 351
the hum with current feedback than without feedback. [Example type 2A3 :
is less
E h0 —0.54E h ]. With a pentode the total hum from plate and screen is always de-
'
where the first term is for the plate, and the second for the screen circuit
[Example E h0 = (0.04 + C.97)E h = 1.01E h for type 6V6-GT.]
:
'
> B+
INPUT
Case (6) Parallel feed, with feedback from an unbypassed cathode resistor
(Fig. 7.50)
With a pentode, the " plate " hum is increased by feedback from an unbypassed
cathode resistor, while the " screen " hum is the same as for transformer-coupling
(Eqn. 59) except for the sign.
r r„'+ ft t(M + 1) ^„ t pR L "I
•Eao' (60)
'IRj,
.
L r„
p R*{p
Rtin +r +
+ 1) L rP +
( M -[ n t t,)R R + + + J
The first term also applies to a triode. The approximation is from regarding * R
as the load, instead of R
* in parallel with t»L.
[Example of triode : h0
'
E =
0.46E h for type 2A3.
Example of pentode : h0
' = (0.95 E 0.97)E h 0.02E h .- = -
This gives almost exact hum neutralization.]
References to hum : B3, B4, B5, B7.
Summary—hum originating in the plate and screen supply voltages
With triodes, the output hum voltage is always less than the hum voltage from
the plate supply. In the examples given above, it varies from 46% to 85% of the plate
supply hum voltage with one exception. The exception is transformer-coupled output
with parallel-feed, feedback being taken from the plate, for which the output hum is
only 1.5% of the plate supply hum voltage (Case 3).
With pentodes or beam power amplifiers hum may exceed the plate
the output
supply hum voltage, owing to the This occurs with Case (2)
effect of the screen.
which is the conventional transformer-coupled output both without feedback and
with voltage feedback from the plate. The only circuit giving very low output hum is
Case (6) which applies to transformer-coupled output with parallel feed and with
feedback from an unbypassed cathode resistor. The second best is Case (1) with
feedback from the secondary, while the third best is Case (3) with parallel feed, having
feedback from the plate.
The examples given above have been tabulated for ease in comparison, including
some cases also without feedback, and some with the screen circuit perfectly filtered.
352 (x) SPECIAL FEATURES OF FEEDBACK AMPLIFIERS 7.2
C* 220 >l>>F
l( i
Fig. 7.51. Two stage amplifier using combination of positive and negative feedback
(Ref. F10). Tx ratio is 10,000 : 15 ohms.
and C V
since the plate resistance of } is relatively small, and the input resistance of
s
the grid of V
2 is high. The increase in gain due to positive feedback is about 26 db
V
at 400 c/s. About one tenth of the voltage on the grid of 4 is fed back to the grid of
V c. R
The resistance of t is therefore made about nine times that of i} and 2 has R C
about nine times the capacitance of x C
Because of the highly degenerative nature
.
of the phase inverter, the balance is not appreciably affected by the additional load
of the positive feedback network.
Some phase shift in the positive feedback is obtained at extreme frequencies in
the stages V 2 and V s due to electrode and stray capacitances, and due to the blocking
capacitors. The input capacilance of the grid of V 2 causes a further phase shift, so
that the polarity of the product ft A x reverses from positive to negative at extremely
high frequencies, where ft and A x apply to stage V2 The input capacitance of V2
.
is primarily Miller Effect due to feedback through its grid-plate capacitance at very
high frequencies where the overall feedback is positive or small.
In some designsit may be necessary to connect a small capacitor from the grid of
V to earth, or to use a more elaborate phase shift network to obtain a sufficiently
4
rapid phase turnover in the local feedback.
At extremely low frequencies most of the local feedback current flows through R,
C
instead of through 2> so that a phase shift is obtained, which together with the phase-
shifting action of the 0.03/xF blocking capacitors in stages 2 and V V
z , is sufficient to
cause the desired phase reveisal. In practice, the phase reversal frequencies are
placed as far outside the desired pass band as good stability permits.
The output transformer is quite small, the core area being onlyf in. by f in.
The maximum third harmonic distortion at 400 c/s is 0.24%, higher harmonics
being relatively small, at 8 watts output, measured at the secondary. At 100 c/s
the highest harmonic is the second, with 0.12% for 8 watts output. At 50 c/s, with
5 watts output, third harmonic distortion is 0.88%, while at 2000 c/s with 4 watts
output the third harmonic is 0.23%. The intermodulation distortion is 40% with
no feedback, 8% with negative; feedback alone and 1.9% with combined positive and
—
negative feedback under the following conditions output 8 watts, 4:1 ratio with
frequencies 60 and 7000 c/s. With frequencies of 100 and 7000 c/s the intermodula-
tion distortion is only 0.84%. The output circuit regulation is quoted as 0.1 db at
400 c/s as compared with 2.7 db for positive feedback disconnected, or 19 db with
no feedback (Ref. F10).
1
o»+
omit the by-pass condensers from the cathode bias resistors in the
It is possible to
final and penultimate stages of an amplifier or receiver (or any other two successive
stages) and to bring the gain back to normal by means of positive feedback, using only
one resistor coupling the two cathodes as in Fig. 7.51B.
he 7. SIB
This circuit (Fig. 7.51B) may also be used with any desired degree of feedback.
The effective plate resistance of Vs may be increased or decreased by the positive feed-
back as shown by the following analysis and Fig. 7.51C. Here R replaces R 7 and -R 8 x
IR 2 to IR a \p\A l(ii
'-!-- R R,
(61)
A ^A
where R = R& + + •Ks
*"
j>2
= R + r vt + R (n +
5 3 t 1)
PiRi
Ri + r} + J?2
R*
and |/3
R* + R*
From (61) we may derive
= E
1
R B -R^A^JLi/Rb
E
~ Ri + r« + 22 8 |> a + 1 - W\AiI**aV r b1 ,,,,,
PA U it is possible to obtain any desired value of effective plate resistance from very
high values to very low, even zero or negative values. If the resistor /?« is made
variable, the effective plate resistance may be varied over a wide range. The addition
of overall negative feedback will make the gain nearly constant for all settings of /?«,
and will also decrease the distortion and reduce the effective plate resistance to any
values desired (Ref. F17). See also Ref. J19.
The addition of positive feedback will increase the phase shift and may increase
the tendency towards instability at very low and very high frequencies ; care should
be taken to reduce to a minimum the phase shift within the positive feedback loop.
The general principles of designing for stability are the same as for negative feedback
—see Sect. 3.
It is normally inadvisable to return the positive and negative feedback loops to the
same point in the input circuit. If both are taken to the same electrode, a bridge
network may be used for isolating their effects. Each 6 db increase in gain due to
positive feedback will double i:he distortion in this stage ; for example 24 db increase
in gain will increase the distortion in this stage by 1 6 times. This will then be reduced
by the negative overall feedback in accordance with the usual relationship. Refer-
ences to positive and negative feedback—Refs. F10, Fll, F12, F13, F15, F16, F17 ;
Sect. 3(v)E.
AW—
FIG. 7.SIC •X. FIG. 7.SID
Fig. 7.51C. Analysis of circuit of Fig. 7.51B to determine the effective plate
resistance of V
t.
Fig. 7.51D. Choke coupled phase inverter (Ref. F14).
A '^ + 2)R 2 + r ]
V'hcicX>R '
( f. ,
and the phase shift between input and output is given exactly by
r R
where X = 2«(L + M).
X may be taken to include any self-capacitance or other stray capacitance.
As a result of the small phase shift, this circuit may readily be used in feedback
amplifiers.
/
of P may be regarded as a fixed negative fraction less than unity. We thus have the
value of PA t , and the phase angle displacement t may also be determined from die
<f>
phase angle curve. This may then be plotted as a radial vector from to PA 1} with
a leading phase angle displacement lt which implies that the phase of the feedback
<f>
Similarly for any higher frequency 2 ; we can plot PA 2 with a length proportional
to the amplification at this frequency, and a lagging phase angle displacement fa.
As the frequency increases still further, we have a smaller PA 9 with a larger phase
displacement, while in the extreme limit PA with <£ = =
90° lagging. At the
other frequency extreme (/ =
0) we have pA with <£ = =
90° leading. In this
this amplifier
case the shape of the locus is a circle which is all in the negative region ;
is therefore always stable.
Any amplifier may have its pA locus plotted by this method ; a typical case is
Fig. 7 53B for a 2 stage r.c.c. amplifier. Here pA t still has appreciable length with
fa greater than 90°, but pA when =<f>
=
180° either leading or lagging.
7.3 (ii) CONDITIONS FOR STABILITY 357
|L09
leo
9U
i i i
\^^^
€
3,
\ \
i^-""""!
i°
X
a
£. 90
1
L^^^i i
kcod
\/^\ |
i
X^ FIG. 7.52
Fȣ. 7.52. Voltage gain and phase angle shift of an imaginary amplifier, The
mid-frequency isf and the maximum voltage gain . A
Thedistance from any point on the locus to point is equal to (1 K PA) where —
is negative for negative feedback (see Fig. 7.53B).
If it is desired to find the magnitude and phase angle of PA at any frequency, it is
only necessary to measure the gain without and with feedback, to calculate the ratio
AJ A' between them, to draw a circle with centre and radius K A' units, then to AJ
draw a second circle with centre and radius equal to the measured fed-back voltage
\PA\. The line from the origin to the point of intersection between the two circles
is the complex number fiA.
For any amplifier to be stable, the PA locus must not include the point K
(1,0). It is also desirable for the locus not to cut the X axis beyond the point K,
FIG. 7. S3
Fig. 7.53. (A) Locus of pA vectors (" Nyquist diagram ") for a single stage
resistance capacitance coupled triode amplifier with fixed bias (B) Similar locus for a
2 stage amplifier.
358 (ii) CONDITIONS FOR STABILITY 7.3
amplifier is stable.
Another useful rule is that the maximum permissible value of PA is equal to
the maximum value of A (i.e. A ) divided by the value of A at = ± 180° <f>
Gain
\ 6 db gain reduction
increased I2db
95 db gain reduction
FIG. 7. 54
Fig. 7.54. Additional information furnished bv a " Nyquist diagram " {see also
Fig. 7.53 A and B.)
Certain aspects of the polar diagram for amplifiers with feedback are shown in
Fig. 7.54. Circles are shown with centres at point K (1,0) with radii of 0.25, 0.5,
1.0, 2 and 3 units. The circumference of the circle with a radius of 1 unit indicates
the locus of points at which the gain is unchanged by feedback. At all points outside
this circle, the feedback is negative and degenerative. For example, the circum-
ference of the circle with a radius of 2 units is the locus of points having a gain reduc-
tion of 6 db. At all points inside the circumference of the circle with a radius of
1 unit, the feedback is positive and regenerative although not necessarily unstable.
For example, the circumference of the circle with a radius of 0.5 unit is the locus of
points having a gain increase of 6 db.
Instability occurs when the point K
is included by the BA locus. Straight lines
are drawn radiating from the origin with stability margins of 15°, 30°, 60°, and 90°.
The 30° line is tangential to the circle with a radius of 0.5 unit, so that the point of
;
tangency has 30° margin and 6 db gain increase. At other points along this
stability
line the gain increase will be less than 6 db.
An example of the use of the polar diagram in connection with the design of nega-
tive feedback amplifiers is given in Sect. 2(vi)B and Figs. 7.37 and 7.38.
It would be permissible for an amplifier to have a $A locus such as
the line
OABCDEFG in Fig. 7.54 (see Ref. A29). Here the maximum increase of gain due
to positive feedback 6 db, which occurs between C and D. The feedback is nega-
is
fied is that the amplifier is a "minimum phase shift network." This condition is
satisfied by most amplifiers, the exceptions being (1) when it contains a transmission
line or equivalent circuit with distributed constants, and (2) when it includes an
allpass section, either as an individual structure or in a combination which, can be
replaced by an all-pass plus some other physical structure (kefs. H6,
filter section
H10, Hll).
Fig. 7.54A shows ultimate slopes of 6 and 12 db/octave and higher slopes. The
12 db/octave attenuation characteristic is the limiting value for stability, being on the
verge of instability. A
practical amplifier requires a safety margin between the slope
of its design characteristic and the limiting value of 12 db/octave. typical design A
slope is 10 db/octave, giving an angular safety margin of 30°.
Any single reactive element such as a grid coupling condenser, a shunt capacitance
or a shunt inductance in conjunction with a resistance provides an attenuation charac-
teristic with an ultimate slope of 6 db/octave. Such a combination is known as a
single time constant circuit. Attenuation characteristics are given in Fig. 4.36 (grid
coupling condenser or shunt inductance) and Fig. 4.38 (shunt capacitance), for a
single time constant in eac h case.
This applies to a resistive load only. With a capacitive load, instability is likely to occur,
t Plotted with logarithmic frequency scale.
360 (iii) PHASE ANGLE AND ATTENUATION 7.3
<s>-9
8f, I6f,
FIG. 7.54A
Fig. 7.54A. Attenuation characteristics for 6, 12, 18 and 24 decibels per octave
as given by the " asymptotic "' or ultimate characteristics of the amplifiers in their
simplest form. The region beyond 12 db/octave is unstable ; that below 10 db octave
isstable, and the region between 10 and 12 db/octave is a safety margin to allow for
discrepancies between the calculated design and the finished amplifier.
Cathode by-passing
The maximum slope of the attenuation characteristic and maximum phase angle
displacement are given belcw
B 2 3 5 10
Max. loss = 6 9.5 14 20 db
Max. slope = 2.25 2.6 3.6 4.8 db/octave
Max. angle = 20° 30° 42° 55°
K*0* + l) RrRo
where B = 1 + and R R, + R e
Screen by-passing
This has an effect similar to iJiat of cathode by-passing
B = 2.5 5 10 20
Max. loss — 8 14 20 26 db
Max. slope = 2.4 4 4.5 5.4 db/octave
Max. angle = 25° 42° 54.5° 64.5°
R,g,
where B. — 1 +
mn t (\ + R rJr,)
R, = series screen resistor in ohms
gm = mutual conductjince at operating point, in mhos
m = ratio of plate to screen currents
Ht = triode amplification factor
RL — plate load resistance in ohms
and r„ = plate resistance in ohms.
•W3 "-
-•«, . \
^
^^
S> »..^
-IS
s"-
S
y/ — ''" ....
» 1
40
O.
^<
,£? >^
"^«.
^•' '^/ »„
f
70
60'
£ 50*
6 e io 13 14 16 ia 30 23
Step Attenuation (db)
FIG. 7. S4C
362 (iii) PHASE ANGLE AND ATTENUATION 7.3
kx80
kx70*
OfA
r\
kx60* l
<%r
kxSO* Jig ^u\
v^
-'£ 10k
I3
C
kx40°
2
kx30*
kx20
kxlO*
.20k
•lf„ •2f« •4f« •6f„ ac 4f„
FIG. 7.5SA
Fig. 7.55A. Phase angle for attenuation characteristic as shown; h—\ for
6db/octave, k — 2 for \2db/octave etc. (Based on Bode, Refs. H6, Hll).
•A " semi-infinite " straight line is one commencing from a definite point and proceeding to infinity
More accurate results may be obtained in some cases by the use of phase angle
curves for attenuation characteristics having a sloping portion and a horizontal portion,
as given by Bode (Ref. Hll, Chapter 15).
"^
i i I
-3
^ ^v
-6
-9 Ob
-12
!
1
1
-IS
m
»
*>"
v?
7C?
I 1
1
— 1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
i
1
1
Ml
II 1
jf*'
s*
1
J/
Vu-V*Y irk
1 P^ij]
j
l
!
I
j
s
—
J-2i
1
- 18
< 60*
I
J*?
a \ j
4tf i
X?
acf
.-""^ y
irf
/
1
[
o 1 i
FIG. 7.S50
Fig. 7.55D " Straight line" approximate characteristics with an attenuation slope
of 6db/ octave (actual characteristics shown with broken lines) and corresponding
phase angle characteristics (Ref. HIS).
*
15
. T"
12
9
6
A* 3 db
*
'"-N- -3
\ \<2>
-6
-9
-12
-15
-18
V \JI>
-21
-24
V
"A
N -27
-30
\
X \,
-33
-36
-39
\
— -42
\ -45
"\ _ - -48
SI
*'o f ,ofo '00 f
, »'o *>'o
PIG.7.SSE
The broken line in Fig. 7.55F is the actual phase characteristic, indicating reasonable
accuracy for the method. In all cases the actual characteristic tends to " round the
corners " of the approximate characteristic.
The same curves (Figs. 7.55D,' E and F) may be used.for the low frequency attenua-
tion characteristics by inverting the frequency scales.
be the permissible feedback factor. One or both cathode by-pass condensers may be
omitted, or the by-passed section of R k may be reduced in resistance. One or both
screen dropping resistors may be reduced in resistance, or replaced by a voltage divider
with other consequential adjustments. The values of the cathode and screen by-pass
capacitors may be adjusted so that their frequencies of maximum phase angle are
" staggered," preferably in the ratio of at least 20 to 1.
The high frequency peak may be reduced by staggering the high frequency response
of the two stages, for example by shunting a capacitor from one plate to earth and
increasing the capacitance experimentally until the peak is sufficiently reduced.
For an exact design method see Sect. 3(vii) below.
phase angle displacement is increased by the inclusion of an iron-cored trans-
The
former within the feedback loop, also by any resonance effects, and such cases should
be treated by the method described for multi-stage amplifiers.
wo'
^--^
s
'-
^ s
*Vj
V> **
100
^
/
1
s
PHAS E CHARACTER ISTIC / '(0
,<2) :s)
.S
'
/IS
r
y
t
X
\ 4
"
X SUBTRACTE D
'
/
. —
J~± if ._• —
*> fB 100 f
•If, •3f« 3fa 10 f.
FIG. 7.55F
Fig. 7.55F. Phase angle characteristic derived from Fig. 7.55E {Ref. HIS).
Design tests
It is highly desirable to measure and plot bothnhe frequency response and phase
angle over a sufficiently wide frequency range j both curves may be plotted on the
same sheet of logarithmic graph paper. The required frequency range is the useful
frequency range of the amplifier plus (at each end) one octave for each 10 db of feed-
back plus at least one octave.
When it is desired to achieve the maximum degree of feedback it is essential to
plot the polar (Nyquist) diagram as in Figs. 7.53B and 7.54. For a method of measur-
ing the phase angle see Refs. H7, H19, H20.
An amplifier may be tested for transient response by applying a rectangular wave-
form to the input and observing the waveform of the output with a C.R.O. having
good frequency and phase characteristics up to the maximum test frequency. If
there is any oscillatory response or " overshoot " the feedback may be reduced or
some modification made to the feedback loop to provide the desired degree of damp-
ing.
Another useful design test is to overload the amplifier with input voltages of various
frequencies, and to determine the level to which the input must be reduced to return
to normal linear operation (Ref. A29 discussion).
A a> 3 B
"1
\
!
\
\ i
10
WORK NG !
20
FREQL ENCY R *N(;e
,,
f\!\ -t"
N.
Aft
«f
®,
FIG. 7. 56
Fig. 7.56A. —
Bode's method Curve (1) attentuation characteristic and (2) phase
angle displacement characteristic for constant 150° phase angle displacement above
upper working frequency f ; curve (3) constant slope 10 db/ octave {Ref. Hll).
2. Connecting a very small condenser from the plate of one of the earlier stages to
earth.
7.3 (v) DESIGN OF MULTI-STAGE AMPLIFIERS 367
M'»
Fig. 7.56B. Bode's method—Curve (I) as in Fig. 7.56A j (2) normal attenuation
characteristic of typical amplifier. Shaded portion indicates additional attenuation
required in the feedback loop.
For convenience in feedback design, Curve 1 has been redrawn in Fig. 7.56B with
db corresponding to|M = 1, for 30 db of feedback at the mid-frequency. Curve/ 4
I
and =
/2 frequency at which the actual attenuation is equal to (|j8o^4oi 10) db, +
then f = /
t 2 (lO/ii)
number of octaves between /„ and fx = |£o^4 |/10
» » » « fx and /2 = 3.32 log(n/10).
The frequency ratio may be derived from the number of octaves by the relation
frequency ratio = antilog (0.301 x number of octaves)
or by the use of the table below :
(low-pass or band-pass " Wheeler " networks) are described in Ref. A29. These
7.3 (v) (A) BODE'S METHOD 369
I*
e f/
&/
*— 30 B
|0A|
I
1e
D
S—40 * fc
< /
•
-SO
E
-60
(Has » »s S 10 30
Frequency FIG. 7.57
D
C and is made equal to the ratio of the slopes of DE
and AC, which is equal to
the slope of DE divided by 10. The line ABCDE, thus determined, is to be used
as a guide to the low frequency attenuation characteristic of the amplifier. In reality,
—
of course, the sharp corners will be rounded the important features are that the
slope of the AC region should not exceed 10 db/octave, and that the step should be
sufficiently long.
FIG. 7.58
Fig. 7.58. Three stage amplifier with negative feedback illustrating design method (Ref. tf9).
including the step, without using any resonant circuits. The tolerances on
teristics,
the frequency-dependent components (R and C) must be small.
The feedback loop does not include the plate circuit of the third stage, so that the
slope of the high-frequency attenuation characteristic is nominally 12 db/octave.
C
The resonant circuit (incorporating t) in the feedback path is employed to stabilize
the frequencies in this region by providing a step in the high-frequency attenuation
characteristic.
Corrective networks
The design of simple corrective networks is well summarized in Ref. H9. More
complicated designs incorporate LCR 2-terminal networks as the plate load imped-
ances and (some) cathode bias impedances (Ref. Hll). See also Ref. J16.
One of die simplest and most effective methods of providing the required step in the
high frequency attenuation characteristic is the RC
network shunting die plate load
resistor of the pentode Wt in Fig. 7.59A (based on Ref. H9). The ultimate attenuation
of the step in decibels is given approximately by
attenuation f*a 20 log (#! + R)/R*
The cut-off frequency is given by
fx = \I2*R X C
and the " flattening-out " frequency by
f2 fa l/2nRC
where R t = R LR t /(R L + R,)
and the " flattening-out " frequency is defined as the frequency at which the attenua-
tion is 3 db less than the ultimate attenuation of the step.
OB +
OB+
T FIC.7.S9A -=-
FIG. 7.596
The equivalent to Fig. 7.59A for the low frequency end is provided by Fig. 7.59B :
db/octave, the slope difference is 8 db/octave, and the phase angle between the volt-
ages istherefore 120°.
Take the intersection of the two characteristics as the origin (as in Fig. 7.60) and
assume that db =(say) 1 volt—both assumptions being for convenience.
Let x be the voltage contributed by the lower slope characteristic at a certain fre-
quency. It may readily be shown mat the voltage contributed by the high slope
characteristic at this frequency is x°, where a is the ratio of slopes in db/octave.
These two voltages, x and x° must then be added vectorially, the angle between them
being as given by the table above.
The magnitude of the combined characteristic may then be plotted as in Fig. 7.60,
and the values of the phase angle may be marked along it.
The method of deriving the magnitude and phase angle of the resultant is illustrated
by Fig. 7.61 for the condition where the higher slope characteristic has a slope of 12
db/octave, corresponding to 180°. Vector OA, having magnitude * and phase angle
Frequency of individual
characteristics
Frequency of combined cnocteristic fo 1°^
' 7.60
FJO.
As previously, the origin is the point of intersection of the two characteristics, and
its level is taken as db equal to 1 volt. The vector relationships are shown in Fig.
7.62.
Resultant = V* + 2
1 + 2ac cos a
x sin a
,.
Phase angle of resultant = />
9 = tan -1
i
1 + x cos a
where x — voltage at a selected frequency, on the sloping characteristic
and a = phase angle of sloping characteristic (i.e. angle in degrees - 15 x slope in
db/octave).
Angle a Resultant Phase angle of
Resultant
'
~1
30° Vx* + 1.73* + 1 tan
2TT73x"
i
90° V* + i 2
tan
-
x
1.73*
120° Vx -'*•+ 2
l tan
-
150° Vx - 2
1.73* + 1 tan
-
2 - 1.73*
0.26s
165° Vx - 3
1.93* + 1 tan-
0.97s
An example of the summation of two attenuation characteristics, one having zero
slope and the other having a slope of 10 db/octave, is given in Fig. 7.63. The re-
sultant is asymptotic to 10 db/octave and to the horizontal characteristic, but reaches
a minimum value at the frequency of the point of intersection O. The phase angle
is marked at points along the resultant, and at all frequencies the phase angle is less
than that of the 10 db/octave characteristic, the effect becoming more pronounced
147 B
v\.
'
-IS0° o
+ 15
1' »4^ N^
o
V^V 5
i 3rf"
$X
\
o
A.
1-8
b fc Volt*
\
»\.
<
> 122 z ero Sl< PC
i
_—
\
\-< 29° f.3°
_-i
w<
D is*
-ISO°
Fig. 7.63. Summation of two attenuation characteristics having slopes of zero and
10 db/octave.
at higher frequencies, particularly beyond point D. The fact that the slope of the
resultant in Fig. 7.63 exceeds 12 db/octave to the left of point D, has no effect what-
ever on the stability as indicated by the angles. It is therefore obvious that the re-
lationship between phase angle and slope of the attenuation characteristic which
applies to minimum phase shift networks, does not apply here.
A similar calculation has been made for a slope of 1 1 db/octave, Fig. 7.64.
The position of point D on the resultant characteristic is a function of the slope of
-IM •
ST
N
ii&%
-145°
^
\ ^ 1
fe, M
\ X* Waits
\
1
0>M
04 >fo OS fo ( e afo
FIG. 7.64
Thus the application of negative subsidiary feedback to the first stage increases
the distortion in the final stage in the same proportion that the gain of the first stage
is reduced, provided that the overall feedback loop is unchanged.
If, however, the subsidiary feedback is positive, the gain of the first stage will be
increased and the distortion in the final stage will be reduced further. The use of
positive subsidiary feedback need riot present any stability problems, since the stability
criterion is dependent on (fiiA t +
ptA). See Sect. 2(xi) and Refe. Fll, F12.
With multiple loop amplifiers, the usual Nyquist stability criterion applies to any
loop, provided that the amplifier remains stable when the particular loop is broken.
Even with amplifiers which are always stable, the Nyquist diagrams obtained by
measurements of the several loops in turn may have different shapes and the definition
of stability margin becomes meaningless. However, if a mesh of the amplifier can
be found which, if broken, simultaneously breaks all the loops, then there is no possi-
376 (v) DESIGN OF MULTI-STAGE AMPLIFIERS 7.3
bility of oscillation due to the disconnection and the definition of stability margin
remains applicable (Ref. A29).
When employing multiple feedback paths with summation of attenuation charac-
teristics and subsidiary voltages, the crossing point of the characteristics should be
controlled with considerable accuracy. The crossing point will be modified when the
gains of the various stages change owing to changes in the valve characteristics with
age, or to overloading caused by an excessive input voltage. The latter may be avoided
or reduced in more elaborate amplifiers by the addition of a cathode follower stage,
operating as a limiter, as part of the first stage. Precautions to be taken in design
are described in Ref. A29.
Some applications employing multiple feedback paths are described below. See
also Sect. 2(vi)A.
FIG. 7.65
(1) One simple application is the circuit of Fig. 7.65 where the signal voltage across
the unbypassed cathode resistor R k is added to the loop feedback voltage. This is
an application of the principle of summation of attenuation characteristics as shown
in Figs. 7.63 and 7.64. The voltage across R k is practically constant over the critical
region of the high frequency attenuation characteristic, so that its characteristic has
zero slope. This method may only be used when the phase angle of the fiA locus is
always less than 180°, i.e. the slope of the 0A attenuation characteristic is less than
12 db /octave. This method does not reduce the distortion in the final stage to the
same level as without subsidiary feedback, or to that using one of the alternative
methods below. For this reason the subsidiary voltage should be considerably smaller
than the loop feedback voltage. However, this method will improve the stability
margin of an amplifier and reduce the amplitude of the high frequency peak.
(2) One modification of this method, which has only small degeneration in the
working range, is shown in Fig. 7.66. This appears to have been first described by
Farren (Ref. A7) and applied to one of the stages inside the feedback loop. The
phase shift reaches maxima at low and high frequencies outside the working range,
beyond which it approaches zero in both directions. The -degeneration increases
gradually in both directions to the limiting design values provided by R x and R 2 .
This arrangement does not modify the fundamental phase shift between the input
and output voltages of the stage due to the phase angle of the plate load impedance.
7.S () (E) DUERDOTH'S METHOD OF MULTIPLE FEEDBACK 377
(3) A
further modification by Farren (Ref. A7) is shown in Fig. 7.67 which has the
advantage at very high and very low frequencies that it reduces the phase shift between
the input and output voltages of die stage due to the phase angle of the plate load
impedance which would be characteristic of the stage if there were no subsidiary
feedback.
+20
RE sultantA
L'lOCRV
4b
/ SUBSIOii MY
* FEEOBA
-»
-30
Mfo •Ofo
FIG. 7.69
Fig. 7.69. Summation of hop and subsidiary feedback voltages to provide improved
stability (Ref. A29).
(4) Two terminal networks of the form of Fig. 7.68 are described by Duerdoth as
cathode impedances for improving the stability of feedback amplifiers with an ulti-
mate attenuation of 12 db /octave. value of L — 10CR* may be used as a first
A
trial and m m
a ximu feedback and zero phase angle will then occur at a frequency of
approximately
/ = 0.048/CR
where C and R are in farads respectively. An example of the application
and ohms
of subsidiary feedback on an amplifier with an ultimate attenuation slope of 12 db/
octave is given in Fig. 7.69. In this example the peak of subsidiary feedback occurs
at twice the maximum frequency of the working band. The stability margin in the
critical region has been increased from 10° to 36° with subsidiary feedback, as shown
by the Nyquist diagram (Ref. A29).
It often happens that the addition of the subsidiary voltage results in an increase
in phase angle just above the working frequency band where the magnitude of the
OE bb +
4 Terminal FI6. 7. 70
Network-
Fig. 7.70. Three stage amplifier incorporating subsidiary feedback in the form of a
4 terminal network, m=
0.87. W=
" Wheeler " network (based on Ref. A29).
R.D.H. —13
378 (v) DESIGN OF MULTI-STAGE AMPLIFIERS 7.3
Hon of high and low the source impedance of the input voltage. If transformer
frequency subsidiary coupling is used, the secondary should be connected to points
feedback. A and B.
(7) In a three stage amplifier with an ultimate slope of about 18 db/octave, the
second stage being a phase splitter which introduces little phase shift, some reduction
in the total loop phase angle may be achieved by means of a phase shifting network
in the feedback line. A subsidiary feedback path is added from the plate circuit of
the phase splitter through a high-pass filter to the cathode of the first stage. This
voltage is suppressed in the working band by the filter, but above the working band
the loss of the network falls and the subsidiary voltage becomes the predominant
factor, thus reducing the ultimate slope to 6 db/octave. Complete stability is thus
achieved (Ref. A29 Fig. 26).
(8) A
third feedback voltage may be added, if desired, to give two subsidiary feed-
back paths.
(vi) Effect of feedback on frequency response
In the case of a single stage r.c.c. amplifier (assuming perfect cathode and screen
by-passing) the feedback merely widens the frequency range without changing the
shape of the voltage gain characteristics (Fig. 7.72).
With two such identical stages, the frequency characteristics are as Fig. 7.73. The
peaks, which occur as the value of PA is increased, are due to the reduction in effective
negative feedback and the development of positive feedback through phase angle
shift, which approaches 180° at very low and very high frequencies. F x and F % are
the frequencies giving 0.707 relative voltage gain for each single stage without feed-
back. Ref. H4.
These peaks may be reduced or eliminated entirely by designing the amplifier
with one stage having a much wider frequency range than the other. Design methods
to produce " maximal flatness " are described in Sect. 3(vii) and these may be modi-
fied to produce critical damping, if desired.
Alternatively a multiple feedback system may be adopted—for example one overall
feedback loop in conjunction with an unbypassed cathode resistor in the first stage
(Duerdoth's method) as described in Sect. 3(v)E.
See also Sect. 3(iv) and Sect. 2(vi) for the design of two-stage amplifiers.
A special application to a particular two-stage amplifier is Ref. H5.
See also Refs. J8, Jll.
7.3 (vi) EFFECT OF FEEDBACK ON FREQUENCY RESPONSE 379
Fig. 7.72. Relative voltage gain of a single stage r.c.c. amplifier without feedback
and with three selected values of feedback {Ref. H4).
Fig. 7.73. Relative voltage gain of two identical r.c.c. amplifier stages, without
feedback and with four selected values of feedback {Ref. H4i).
where * = —( ) (6)
n \<a
N.B. n must be greater than 2.
2 stages \{AJA)\ = Vl + ** _ (7)
= - tan-V2x/(l x
</>
2
) (8)
FIG. 7.74
where x
(13)
a» (14)
* -i^= (15)
+ </l
+ 2. /
= (16)
These equations have been plotted in Fig. 7.75 from which it will be seen that the
feedback factor has no effect on the shape of the curves for 1 or 2 stages, and only a
very slight effect for 3 or 4 stages (curves for limiting values of n are given). Although
the curves are shown only for the high frequency limit of the flat top, they may be
applied to the low frequency side by changing the sign of the -abscissae and, in the
case of phase angle, also changing the sign of the ordinates.
This method of design provides the maximum flat frequency response, but the
maximum degree of feedback only occurs at the mid-frequency and it falls off rapidly
outside the frequency band of the " selective " stage. The feedback becomes zero
near the knees of the flat top, and positive at still higher and lower frequencies.
This design ensures stability at all frequencies from zero to infinity.
This method also makes it possible to design for any desired response curve, within
the limits of the amplifier. The procedure is to commence with the desired response
curve and to determine the response (either modulus or phase angle) corresponding
7.3 (vii) (A) METHOD OF H. MAYR 381
FIG. 7.75
Fig. 7.75. Frequency response and phase angle of frequency response for 1,2,3,
and 4 r.c.c. stages designed for maximum flat response by Mayr's method {Ref. H13).
to two arbitrary frequencies (atjln) and (<a t /2ir)s one near the lower and the other
near the upper frequency limit. Then we read from the curves the values of x1
and xt corresponding to the two chosen response values ; the value of xx corresponding
to the lower frequency is, of course, negative.
The mid-frequency may be computed from
XjW! -XiO» 8 (19)
a>«" = (Uidi. •
x
x8 a>, — X1 <»1
and the ratio QJQ.% from equation (10), or (17) for 2 or 3 stages or
(Qi/Qs) = 3(« - 1) +V3(3n -4) for 4 stages.
1 stage : Q = <tfl
^0 (20)
CI>o o»i
nQi *i 9i
2 stages : Q t / ; Qi =
\I Qi ^!L_ ft»o (21)
co <I)
X
3 /»Q2
^«QT x,
*i
3 stages: Q, =Q
o.8 = /-= •
; Qi = Q,
V *"
;;
"i _... ° Qt (22)
<"i
382 (vii) FLAT FREQUENCY RESPONSE AMPLIFIERS 7J
4 stages: Q = Q3 = Q ^
2 4 7^
\ ill
• -^—
«>! Pig
; Ql =Q Ql
Q* (23)
oj o> r
Cp = £=
<»Wr lRo
i C =
e
<*wr lr<,
$= (24)
There are limits to the physically realizable values of C„ and C c which are quoted
in the article (Ref/ HI 3).
It is shown in (C) below that the condition of maximal flatness gives an oscillatory
transient response ; for instance when the input voltage is a unit step, the two-stage
amplifier has a response which overshoots 4.3%, while the three-stage amplifier
overshoots 8% (Ref. HI 5).
A maximal flatness 2 stage amplifier has
a small rise in the response at some high
frequency due to positive feedback, compared with the response without feedback.
For example, as may be shown by drawing a Nyquist diagram, a 2-stage amplifier
with <x 2 /a, = 10, A = 316, j3 = 0.016 has a rise of about 1.4 db due to positive
feedback at some high frequency.
In a two stage amplifier with a high frequency peak, the required staggering to
produce a peak of known value is given by
5 a = (F/2)(l - Vl - « 2) . ( 27 > .
where a = ratio of voltage gain at middle frequencies to that at the peak (a is less
than 1).
The
6=1
5=
results are
1
summarized in the following table
1.5 2
1.08
3
1.25 1.7
4
2.1
5
2.6
F = 2 2.3 3.1 *
5.8 8.8 13.5
For 1 db rise (Eqn. 27) :—
F = 3.7 4.3 5.7 10.6 16 25
For 3 db rise (Eqn. 27) :—
F = 6.8 8.0 10.7 19.7 30 46
Fig. 7.76 shows the frequency characteristics obtained with 2 stage amplifiers with
maximal flatness and for several other conditions. Here
x = toCR
and F =1 — fiA a — feedback factor.
k
DC
<"v CO '
•-—
*- -.
>>
P
'^
^
db
-to
\
9 • o4 Oa o4 O^ 1 i . 4
7T
FIG. 7.76 FIG. 7.77
If the condition of maximal flatness is to hold at the low as well as at the high fre-
quency end of the band, the centre-frequencies of both stages should be identical
(Ref. H13).
This finding is based on the assumption that the amplifier has maximal flatness ; it
isnot necessarily the most desirable arrangement under all conditions.*
The condition for maximal flatness is that
F _
~ l + 2>'
(J3 '
* '
2B* + 1 ( 28 >
10
7 IO 20 4o rotoo aoo
F
FIG. 7.78
OUTPUT
CIRCUIT
Fig. 7.80. Three-stage uncompensated amplifier with two time constants within
the feedback loop {Ref. HIS).
-£L.
10 100 ipoo
K -«£ t /«4, FI6. 7. 81
5 =--*i
+ <**
(36)
Comparing equations and (36), it will be seen that for any particular ratio of
(32)
a s/«i> the condition of critical damping permits a feedback factor of only one half
that required for maximal flatness of the frequency characteristic. The transient
response of the maximally-flat amplifier is therefore oscillatory.
A 2-stage critically damped amplifier will normally have a small amount of positive
feedback at high frequencies, although the rise in response in a typical case will be
less than 1 db above the zero-feedback curve.
a8 = .
*
===-* (37)
- Mo) - K +
.
2 V«i«2(l a 2)
where a x = l/^C^ a = l/R C 2 t t ; a8 = l/R a C3
and ft is negative for negative feedback.
Similarly if an inductance L is connected in series with R t in Fig. 7.80, and if g mR 4
is very much less than 1, then critical damping is obtained as indicated by eqn. (37)
where a 8 = RJL.
The inverse time constant for the amplifier is given by
« = V<W1- Mo) (38)
Using the value of a 8 given by eqn. (37) for the inverse time constant of the amplifier
with feedback, critical damping is obtained and the response to a step waveform of the
7.3 (vii) (C) CONDITIONS FOR CRITICAL DAMPING 387
feedback amplifier is made identical with that of an amplifier without feedback having
two stages, each having an inverse time constant equal to the geometrical mean of
feed-
the inverse time constants of the two stages multiplied by the square root of the
back factor (eqn. 38).
A particularly simple special case is obtained when
*2 = ai( l — Mo) >
then a = a8 = a2 = aa (l — ftA ).
Values of a s for critical damping may be derived from the curves of Fig. 7.82 and
values of a from Fig. 7.83.
Three-stage amplifier
Critical damping cannot be obtained in a three-stage amplifier with constant 0.
( 39 )
a = ( al + a2 + a s)/3 (40)
r?
•(,&,
*
\<PS
.e^
\^y^ -
*&r
i*S^
^y^
IjT
„
100
FIG. 7.82
*i/«<i
'
^
JL/*,
K> ^ P*
&*
"&*
'
{fig*
%^
_.
100
*»/*, FIG. 7.63
Fig. 7.83. Curves for determining a. for critical damping of two-stage compensated
amplifier (Ref. H 15).
Three-stage amplifier with two time constants in feedback path
Critical damping can be obtained provided that
^
l-PAo>
. . (*i + «a + aa)'
fl
—n^T a
(43)
and c = a 8 — a as a 8 1 .
When 1 — PA is less than the right hand side of eqn. (43) the transient response is
over damped and less rapid.
the output voltage of the amplifier relative to the input voltage, without feedback.
It is obvious that = tan"W«) and \A\ — V<** +
b*.
The amplification with feedback may be expressed in the. form
A _
_A a+jb _ a - (a* + b*)fi + jb
~ 1 -PA ~ 1 -(a+jb)p~ (1-aW + b'P
provided that there is no phase shift in the feedback network. The phase a.-.gle of
the output voltage relative to the input voltage, with feedback, is given by
•-^t^&Tw-^T^m^Tw C50)
^tan-i
1 -
.!"!=
+xm*d
fiAy/i
(5D
When is negative, as is the case when the feedback is negative, it is evident from
(51) that the angle a is less than the angle 0. Hence the phase shift of the output
voltage relative to the input voltage is reduced by negative feedback.
Although it is important to bear in mind that the application of feedback does not
alter the characteristics of a valve, yet there are certain features which
can best be
visualized by the graphical use of effective valve characteristics with feedback.
'^» .»
'.* IVr
»'*.
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50
I
.«
PLATE TO CATHODE
IOO
VOLTAGE
IP'<IIIIIII
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4. • -Vilf
<K
FIG. 7.85
Fig. 7.85. Cathode follower characteristics of small general purpose triode. The
solid loadline is for k R =
15 000 ohms, the dashed loadline is for the addition of an
ax. shunt load.
amplitude is 50 obvious that the opposite swing will extend to E e b
volts. It is 200 =
volts (point B) thus giving a peak-to-peak swing of 2 x 50 100 volts. =
It will be
seen that OAcorresponds to E c = —
5 volts, while OB corresponds to 5.7 voltSj —
but this is due to the improved linearity with the cathode follower. With plate loading
the loadline would be AD, so that cathode loading causes a longer loadline by the
amount DB, thus resulting in a slightly greater power output.
The voltage gain is given by
'E
A' » e Eb e A (3)
power output and distortion—there is the same advantage (as with plate loading)
in
keeping the loadline out of the region of bottom curvature.
It would be possible,
with the higher resistance load, to increase the input voltage so as
to extend the load-
line from OC to meet the E = curve.
c
If the load resistance R 4 is decreased, the loadline will rotate
about O to the position
(say) EF. If the input voltage is unaltered, the plate current will cut off at
F and the
valve will run into grid current at E, both resulting in distortion.
In this, the cathode
follower differs from a plate loaded triode, and it is important to
ensure that the load
resistance does not fell appreciably below the designed value.
Fortunately, a loud-
speaker has an impedance characteristic which, although it rises considerably
above
its nominal (400 c/s) value, does not drop appreciably
below it. A cathode follower
with a loudspeaker load is therefore a good combination from the loading
point of
view.
200 SCO
PLATE TO CATHODE VOLTAGE
FIG. 7.86
Fig. 7.86. Cathode follower characteristics of power triode (type 2A3) with
transformer-coupled load. Loadline AB is normal ; CD
is high resistance load line ;
EF is low resistance loadline illustrating grid current and plate current
cut-off.
If a low impedance driver is used, it is possible to drive a cathode follower into the
grid current region with considerably greater power output and efficiency. In the
m
ideal l i iti ng case, the conditions are :
Plate voltage E„ volts
Plate current I b amperes
Load resistance E b /I b ohms
Power output $E h I h watts
Plate efficiency 50%
If the cathode follower is to be used as a high-input-impedance voltage amplifier,
the conditions vary with the output level. At low output voltages, the operating
conditions are of no consequence (within reasonable limits) so far as voltage gain is
concerned, and R k may be equal to r „. For very high output voltages, the load re-
sistance should be as high as practicable (assuming a purely resistive load), say R k —
5r v , and the operating current should be as low as practicable without causing plate-
—
current cut-off. A somewhat lower load resistance may be used for fairly high output
voltages.
The transformer primary inductance should have the same value as for plate loading
power output is desired at low frequencies. A trans-
tinder similar conditions, if full
former with low primary inductance will give uniform gain at low level output, but
at high output it will cause plate-current cut-off and grid current as for loadline EF
in Fig. 7.86.
References C14, C16, C17, C29, Dl, D2, D3, D8, D9, D10, Dll.
(ii) Pentode cathode follower
A pentode (or tetrode) may be connected in several ways arising from the screen
supply and by-pass
FIG. 7.87 (A) Triode connection (screen tied to plate)
The published " triode " characteristics may generally
be used. If no triode characteristics are available, ascer-
tain the characteristics for the screen voltage corresponding
to the desired conditions (the plate voltage may be equal
or higher).
Then I k & Ib + 7 e2 (4)
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PLATE TO CATHODE VOLTS \.
FIG. 7.88
Fig. 7.88. Cathode follower characteristics of beam power tetrode and typical of all
pentodes. Loadline AOB
is normal ; CD
high resistance ; low resistance illus- EF
trating grid current and plate current cut-off. \
394 (ii) (C) SCREEN BY-PASSED TO CATHODE 7.5
1. To determine the maximum plate voltage and current for the operating point.
Here E b = 285 V and happens to coincide with the E c b = 300 V curve. If desired,
mark the value of E/ corresponding to point O.
2. Try several values of load resistance (i.e. slope of loadline) until an optimum
position for point A is determined, so as to make OA as long as possible, and at the
same time give OB = OA with B slightly above plate-current cut-off.
3. Determine E b for point A (in this case 50 V) A is then automatically on the —
Ecb — 50 V curve.
4. Draw the other limiting E cb curve (in this case E eb = 550 V, giving a peak
amplitude of 250 V
each way).
5. Calculate power output and distortion as for a power triode, using the loadline
AOB and the c b curves. E
When a higher resistance load is used with the same input voltage, the loadline
rotates about O
to (say) COD, where the power output is lower, the distortion slightly
less, and point C is well negative with respect to c 0. E =
When a lower resistance load
is used with the same input voltage, the new loadline may be (say) where E is well EOF
into the grid-current region and F is beyond plate-current cut-off. In this respect the
pentode is similar to the triode, but the pentode is rather more critical regarding low
load resistances ; it is, however, quite satisfactory with a speaker load.
If cathode bias is used, the procedure is as for a plate-loaded power pentode.
INPUT
Consider first the condition for E e to be zero. It is evident that the condition is that
E{ = \p\E i9 <&
where E b0 = value of E b when E„ = 0.
7.5 (iii) TRIODE WITH VOLTAGE FEEDBACK 395
Now consider the general condition when the grid is negative with respect to the
cathode. If the input voltage E/ is kept constant, then the grid-to-cathode voltage
E e will change when E b is changed. The relationship is
AE C \fi\(AE b ) =
when E- is constant.
Therefore AE h = AEJ\$\
Therefore E b = E b0 - AE b = E b0 - AEJ\fi\ (9)
Eqn. (9) may be used for the calculation of points on the constant E/ characteristics,
as for example :
a -Dill
«
value is critical. With constant input voltage (40 volts peak)
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PLATE VOLTAGE FIG. 7.92
Fig. 7.92. Feedback characteristics of small general purpose triode with 20%
negative voltage feedback (fi = -0.2).
396 (iv) PENTODE WITH VOLTAGE FEEDBACK- 7.5
ISO
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400
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PLATE VOLTS
FIG. 7.93
Fig. 7.93. Single input voltage curve for each of three values of voltage feedback
for beam power tetrode (6V6-GT with e2 E =
250 V), to illustrate effect of feedback.
Fig. 7.94. Feedback characteristics of beam power tetrode (6L6 or 807 with
E e2 =300 V) and 10% voltage feedback (0= -0.1).
7.5 (iv) PENTODE WITH VOLTAGE FEEDBACK 397
the valve will run into grid current as soon as the load resistance
either increases or decreases. It is therefore not suitable for
use on a loudspeaker load unless the input voltage is reduced, fig. 7.95
A 10% reduction in input voltage (19% in power output) would
be some improvement, but greater reduction is desirable, say
20% to 30% of the input voltage, depending on the operating
conditions. Even with an input reduction giving a power out-
put of only 50% maximum, the pentode is still less flexible
with regard to load resistance than an ordinary triode. This
position improves as the amount of feedback is increased.
See References D4, D12. Fig. 7.95. Basic
circuit of cathode
degenerative triode.
Fig. 7.96 shows the curves for a typical general purpose triode, with k 1000 ohms. R =
The input voltage curves are straighter than those without feedback, and the two
curves coincide only at I b 0. =
The 27/ curves have a lower slope, indicating a
higher plate resistance, than the e curves. E
Take the E/ = —
4 V
curve as an example of the calculations. know that We
R =
k 1000 ohms and t ' E = -
4 V. If I b 2 mA, then k =
2 and e E = V E =
£/-£t=-4-2=-6V.
«•••
Refer to the plate characteristics to find the plate voltage which will give a plate
current of 2 mA
at a bias of 6 —
—the value is E pk
V 144 volts. =
• •«• ••! •••••••
•• mil
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it
li
•••••••••••.>••• ••••a ••!;•
1
1
1 nfJ
IOO 200 3O0 400 SCO
PLATE VOLTS FIG, 7.96
Fig. 7.96. Current feedback characteristics of general purpose triode (6SN7-GT
single unit) with k
-- 1000 ohms.R
:
is taken in turn. The input voltage is actually (27* 27,.), but for convenience + the
point (E c =—
8) has been selected as the operating point, and so shown in the 27/
column.
E e Ek (27* +E) e 27/
64 64 34.7 Point A
-2 57 55 25.7
-4 50.2 46.2 16.9
-6 43.6 37.6 8.3
-8 37.3 29.3 Operating point (O)
-10 31.2 21.2 -8.1
-12 25.1 13.1 -16.2
-14 19.6 5.6 -23.7
-16 14.7 -1.3 — 30.6\Point B at E k = 11.9
-18 10.1 -7.9 -37.2 J and 27/ = - 34.7
-20 6.2 -13.8 -43.1
The values of 27/ may be
plotted against k and therefore also against E
b to give the E
dynamic but
this is usually unnecessary.
characteristic, Once the maximum input
voltage has been selected it is only necessary to mark the extremities on the loadline.
For example, if it is desired to swing to e E =
0, then the peak 27/ will be 34.7 volts
in each direction. The peak in one direction will be where e 0, and the other A E =
will be B, determined by interpolation
Diff. = 6.6
Also the difference between the desired value (— 34.7) and — 30.6 is 4.1. The ratio
is therefore 4.1/6.6.
Similarly with 27* : 14.7 - 10.1 = 4.6.
The value of 27* for point Bis therefore 14.7 - 4.6(4.1/6.6) = 14.7 - 2.8 = 11.9.
The voltage gain and power output may be calculated from E b — 527*, using the
values of 27* at 27/ = 34.7 (point A), 27/ = (point 0) and 27/ == -
34.7 (point B).
The second harmonic distortion may be found from the ratio AO/OB measured in
volts (2?*) ; i.e. (64 - 37.3)/(37.3 - 11.9) = 26.7/25.4 =
1.05. Therefore
H 2 «a 1%—see Chapter 13 Sect. 2(i).
FIG. 7.97
(E bb — RJct) as the effective plate supply voltage, and then by carrying on as for
the triode case.
For valves with a high plate resistance this method is not very satisfactory, and a
more practical method has been described by Pratt.
References Dl, Dll.
400 REFERENCES 7J
A6. Tellegen, B. D. H. " Inverse feedback " Philips Tec. Rev. 2.10 (Oct. 1937) 289 (General treatment
and stability).
A Z" £
arren» L - *• " Some Properties of negative feedback amplifiers " W.E. 15.172 (Jan. 1938) 23.
A8. Frommer, J., and M. Marinesco Getters) " Distortion in negative feedback amplifiers " W.E. 15.172
(Jan. 1938) 20.
A9. Mayer, H. F. " Control of the effective internal impedance of amplifiers by means of negative feed-
back " Proc. I.R.E. 27.3 (March 1939) 213 4
A10. Battels, H. " Input resistance of feedback amplifiers " (abstract) Elec. 13.1 (Jan. 1940) 74 (Eleck-
tnsche Nachrichten Technik, June, 1939).
All. Sandeman, E. K. " Feedback " W.E. 17.203 (Aug. 1940) 342.
A J2. Fairweather, A. "Equivalent circuits of feedback amplifier" W.E. 18.211 (April 1941) 151.
A13. Schulz, E. H. " Comparison of voltage and current feedback amplifiers " Proc. I.R.E. 31.1 (Jan.
A14. Erhorn, P. C. " Notes on inverse feedback " Q.S.T. 27.6 (June 1943) 13 : Correction 28.2 (Feb.
1944) 106.
A15. Mezger, G. R. " Feedback amplifier for C-R oscilloscopes " Elect. 17.4 (April 1944) 126.
A16. Crane, R. W. " Influence of feedback on source impedance " Elect. 17.8 (Sept. 1944) 122 ; Corres.
A17. Builder, G. " Negative voltage feedback " Proc. I.R.E. Aust. 6.2 (Aug. 1945) 3.
A18. Winternitz, T. W. " A variation on the gain formulae for feedback amplifiers for a certain driving-
impedance configuration " Proc. I.R.E. 34.9 (Sept. 1946) 639.
A19. Bode, H. W. (book) " Network analysis and feedback amplifier design " (D. Van Nostrand Co.
New York 1945).
A20. Ginzton, E. L. "Balanced feed-back amplifiers" Proc. I.R.E. 26.11 (Nov. 1938) 1367.
A23. James, E. J. " Negative feedback calculations " W.W. 54.9 (Sep. 1948) 326.
A24. Madler, M., and V. Toma (letter) "Degenerative feedback" Proc. I.R.E. 37.1 (Jan. 1949) 60.
A25. Sturley, K. R. " Combined current and voltage feedback " Electronic Eng. 21.255 (May 1949) 159.
A27. Winternitz, T. W. "Equivalent circuit method for feedback amplifier analysis " Coram. 29.11
(Nov. 1949) 14.
A32. Burwen, R. S. "Equivalent circuits to simplify feedback design" Audio Eng. 35.10 (Oct. 1951) 11.
A33. Jones, G. E. "An analysis of the split load phase inverter" Audio Eng. 35.12 (Dec. 1951) 16.
Charts
A21. " Graphic aid for the design of degenerative amplifiers " Elect. 12.11 (Nov. 1939) 64. Gives
A' for values of j3 from —0.01 to —0.95.
A22. Korn, T. E. " Stabilizing gain " Elect. 22.2 (Feb. 1949) 122.
A26. Felker, J. H. Calculator and chart for feedback problems " Proc. I.R.E. 37.10 (Oct. 1949), 1204.
"
A28. Keroes, H. I. " Considerations in the design of feedback amplifiers " Audio Eng. 34.5 (May 1950)
15 ; 34.6 (June 1950) 17.
A29. Duerdoth, W. T. " Some considerations in the design of negative-feedback amplifiers." Proc.
I.E.E. Part III. 97.47 (May 1950) 138.
Book*
This subject is covered more or less adequately by most radio text books. The following are
particularly helpful
A30. Reich, H. J. " Theory and Application of Electron Tubes " (McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1939).
A31. Valley, G. E., and H. Wallman (Editors) " Vacuum Tube Amplifiers " (McGraw-Hill Book Co.,
1948).
See also A19, H10, Hll.
(B) REFERENCES SPECIALIZING ON HUM AND
NOISE
Bl. Bell, D. A. Getter) " Signal/noise ratio of cathode follower " W.E. 19.227 (Aug. 1942) 360.
B2. Burgess, R. E. Getter) " Signal/noise ratio of the cathode-follower " W.E. 19.229 (Oct. 1942) 450.
B3. Macklen, F. S. " Feedback " (short note only on " improvement " in signal noise ratio using feed-
back) Elec. 16.4 (April 1943) 211 ; also letters J. T. Pratt and W. Palmer Elect. 16.6 (June 1943) 336.
B4. " Cathode Ray," " Negative feedback and hum " W.W. 52.5 (May 1946) 142.
B5. Builder, G. " The effect of negative voltage feedback on power-supply hum in audio-frequency
amplifiers" Proc. I.R.E. 34.3 (Mar. 1946) 140W.
B6. Burgess, R. E. "Aerial-to-line couplings—cathode-follower and constant-resistance network"
W.E. 23.275 (Aug. 1946) 217.
B7. " The effect of negative feedback on hum in the output of a-f amplifiers," A.R.T.S. and P. Bulletin
No. Ill (4 August 1941) 1.
(C) REFERENCES TO CATHODE
FOLLOWERS.
CI. Preisman, A. " Some notes on video-amplifier design " R.C.A. Rev. 2.4 (April 1938) 421.
C2. " "
Barco, A. A. An iconoscope preamplifier R.C.A. Review 4.1 (July 1939) 89 (especially appendix).
C3. Williams, E. " The cathode follower stage " W.W. 47.7 (July 1941) 176.
C4. Hanney, E. A. " Cathode follower again T' W.W. (July 1942) 164.
C5. Nordica, C. F. " Cathode-coupled amplifiers " Radio, No. 271 (Aug. 1942) 28.
C6 (a). Lockhart, C. E. "The cathode follower" Electronic Eng. 15.178 (Dec. 1942) 287; 15.180
(Feb. 1943) 375 ; 16.184 (June 1943) 21.
C6 G>). Data Sheets 39, 40 and 41 " The performance of the cathode follower circuit " Electronic Eng.
15.178 (Dec. 1942) 290.
Data Sheets 42, 43 and 44 " The cathode follower—Part 2 " Electronic Eng. 15.180 (Feb. 1943) 380.
C7. Richter, W. "Cathode follower circuits" Elect-. 16.11 (Nov. 1943) 112.
C8. Mitchell, C. J. " Cathode follower output stage " W.W. 50.4 (April 1944) 108 ; «lso letters 50.6
(June 1944) 188.
C9 Jeffery, C. N. " An analysis of the high-frequency operation of the cathode follower " A. W. A. Tech.
Rev. 6.6 (1945) 311.
C10. Moskowitz, S. " Cathode followers and low-impedance plate-loaded amplifiers " Coram. 25.3
(March 1945) 51.
Cll. Greenwood, H. M. " Cathode follower circuits
" Q.S.T. (June 1945) 11.
"
C12. Cathode Ray " The cathode follower—what it is and what it does W.W. 51.11 (Nov. 1945) 322. "
C13 Goldberg, H. "Some considerations concerning the internal impedance of the cathode follower
Proc. I.RJ2. 33.11 (Nov. 1945) 778 ; Discussion Proc. I.R.E. 35.2 (Feb. 1947) 168.
7.0 REFERENCES 401
C14. Schlcsinger, K. " Cathode-follower circuits " Proc. I.R.E. 33.12 (Dec. 1945) 843.
C15. Cocking, W. T. " Cathode follower dangers—output circuit capacitance " W.W. 52.3 (March
1946) 79.
C16. Mcllroy, M. S. " The cathode follower driven by a rectangular voltage wave " Proc. I.R.E. 34.11
(Nov. 1946) 848. Letter H. L. Krauss, Proc. I.R.E. 35.7 (July 1947) 694. "
C17. Rifkin, M. S. " A graphical analysis of the cathode-coupled amplifier " Comm. 26.12 (Dec. 1946)
16.
C18. Smith, F. W., and M. C. Thienpont " Electronic attenuators " Comm. 27.5 (May 1947) 20..
C19. Kline, M. B. " Cathode follower nomograph " Elect. 20.5 (May 1947) 136.
C20. Reich, H. J. " input admittance of cathode-follower amplifiers " Proc. I.R.E. 35.6 (June 1947) 573-
C21. Kline, M. B. " Cathode follower nomograph for pentodes " Elect. 20.6 (June 1947) 136. Letter
P. M. Hackett 20.8 (Aug. 1947) 250.
C22. Audio design notes, " The cathode follower " (output impedance graph and power output) Audio
Eng. 31.5 (June 1947) 39.
C23. Kline, M. B. " Cathode follower impedance nomograph " Elect. 20.7 (July 1947) 130.
C24. Houck, G. " Gain chart for cathode followers " Tele-tech. 6.8^ Aug. 1947) 54.
C25. E.M.I. Laboratories " Cathode-follower circuit using screen-grid valves," Electronic Eng. 19.229
(March 1947) 97.
C26. Yu, Y. P. " Cathode-follower couplings in d-c amplifiers " Elect. 19.8 (Aug. 1946) 99.
C27. Diamond, J. M. " Circle diagrams for cathode followers " Proc. I.R.E. 36.3 (March 1948) 416.
C28. Sowerby, J. McG. " Notes on the cathode follower '* W.W. 54.9 (Sept. 1948) 321.
C29. Parker, E. " The cathode-follower " Electronic Eng. (1) 20.239 (Jan. 1948) 12 ; (2) 20.240 (Feb.
1948) 55 ; (3) 20.241 (Mar. 1948) 92 ; (4) 20.242 (April 1948) 126.
C30. Diamond, J. M. " Circle diagrams for cathode followers " Proc. I.R.E. 36.3 (March 1948) 416.
C31. Amos, S. W. " Valves with resistive loads " W.E. 26.307 (April 1949) 119.
C32. Scroggie, M. G. " coupled power stage " W.E. 27.318 (March 1950) 81.
RC
Books
C33. Reich, H. J. " Theory and Application .of Electron Tubes " pp. 164-174.
C34. Sturley, K. R. " Radio Receiver Design " Vol. 2 pp. 118-120.
(D) REFERENCES TO VALVE CHARACTERISTICS WITH FEEDBACK
Dl. Pratt, J. H. "The equivalent characteristics of vacuum tubes operating in feedback circuits"
R.C.A. Rev. 6.1 (July 1941) 102.
D2» Shapiro, D. L. " The graphical design of cathode-output amplifiers" Proc. I.R.E. 32.5 (May
1944) 263. Correction 32.8 (Aug. 1944) 482.
D3. Schlesinger, K. " Cathode-follower circuits " Proc. I.R.E. 33.12 (Dec. 1945) 843.
—
D4. " Cathode Ray," " Negative feedback (2) its effect on optimum load and distortion," W.W. 52.3
(March 1946) 76.
D5. Middleton, R. G. " Graphical analysis of degenerative amplifiers Radio, 30.3 (March 1946) 23.
D6. Radio Design Worksheet No. 51 " Graphical analysis of the cathode-coupled amplifier" Radio
30.8 (Aug. 1946) 20.
D7. Radio Design Worksheet No. 53 " Graphics of negative feedback in cascade," Radio, 30. 10 (Oct.
1946) 17.
D8. Mcllroy, M. S. " The cathode follower driven by a rectangular voltage wave " Proc. I.R.E. 34.11
(Nov. 1946) 848. Letter H. L. Krauss, 35.7 (July 1947) 694.
D9. Krauss, H. L. "Graphical solutions for cathode followers" Elect. 20.1 Qan. 1947) 116 (with
bibliography).
D10. Huber, W. A. " Graphical analysis of cathode-biased degenerative amplifiers Proc. I.R.E. 35.3
(March 1947) 265.
Dll. Lonsdale, E. M., and W. F. Main "A method of graphically analyzing cathode-degenerated
amplifier stages " Proc. I.R.E. 35.9 (Sept. 1947) 981.
D12. Langford-Smith, F. " The Design of a high-fidelity amplifier, (2) Negative feedback beam power
amplifiers and the loudspeaker " Radiotronics No. 125 (May /June 1947) 53.
D13. Schade, O. H. " Beam power tubes " Proc. I.R.E. 26.2 (Feb. 1938) 137.
See also C31. '
Books
Sturley " Radio Receiver Design " Vol. 2 pp. 126-128.
F9. Williamson, D. T. N. "High-quality amplifier—new version " W.W. 55.8 (Aug. 1949) 282 ; 55.10
(Oct. 1949) 365 ; 55.11 (Nov. 1949) 423.
" Combin n
J- M- » g Positive and negative feedback" Elect. 23.3 (March 1950) 106.
cii* d^jj''
rll. —
Roddam, T. ' More about positive feedback applied locally it can improve negative-feedback
amplifier performance" W.W. 46.7 (July 1950) 242.
F12. Llewellyn, F. B. U.S. Patent 2 245 598.
F13. Shepard, F. H. U.S. Patents 2 313 096, 2 313 097, 2 313 098.
F14. Seymour, R. A., and D. G. Tucker " A choke-coupled phase-invertor of high accuracy " Elec-
tronic Eng. 23.276 (Feb. 1951) 64.
F15. Banthorpe, C. H. " Positive feedback in a.f. amplifiers " Electronic Eng. 22.273 (Nov. 1950) 473
;
correspondence 23.276 (Feb. 1951) 70.
£}£• £ ,
M
ro s ?> R - -
" Positive feedback in a.f. amplifiers " Electronic Eng. 23.276 (Feb. 1951) 70.
FJ7- Roddam, T. " Output impedance control " W.W. 56.2 (Feb. 1950) 48.
—
F18. Griffiths, E. "Negative feedback its effect on input impedance and distortion" W.W. 56.3
(March 1950) 111.
F19. Mitchell, R. M. "Audio amplifier damping" Elect. 24.9 (Sept. 1951) 128.
Hll. Bode, H. W. (book) "Network Analysis and Feedback Amplifier Design" (D. Van Nostrand
Co. Inc. New York, J945).
H12. Brockelsby, C. F. " Negative feedback amplifiers —
conditions for maximal flatness " W.E. 26.305
(Feb. 1949) 43.
Letters T. S. McLeod, W.E. 26.308 (May 1949) 176 ; 26.312 (Sept. 1949) 312 ; C. F. Brockelsby
26.310 (July 1949) 247 ; 26.314 (Nov. 1949) 380.
H13. Mayr, H. " Feedback amplifier design— conditions for flat response " W.E. 26.312 (Sept. 1949)
297.
H14. West, J. C. " The Nyquist criterion of stability " Electronic Eng. 22.267 (May 1950) 169.
—
H15. Flood, J. E. " Negative feedback amplifiers conditions for critical damping " W.E. 27.322 (July
1950) 201.
H16. Bothwell, F. E. " Nyquist diagrams and the Routh-Hurwitz stability criterion " Proc. I.R.b.
38.11 (Nov. 1950) 1345.
H17. Barter, L. D. " Graphical solution for feedback amplifiers" Elect. 23.11 (Nov. 1950) 204.
H18. Roddam, T. "Stabilizing feedback amplifiers" W.W. 57.3 (March 1951) 112.
H19. Ragazzini, J. R., and L. A. Zadeh " A wide band audio phase meter " Rev. Sci. Inst. 21.2 (Feb.
1950) 145. ,_., ,
H20. Baldwin, T., and J. H. Littlewood " A null method measuring the gain and phase shift of com-
paratively low frequency amplifiers " Electronic Eng. 23.276 (Feb. 1951) 65.
Also Al A6 A7 All
H21. Lynch,' W. A. "The stability problem in feedback amplifiers" Proc. I.R.E. 39.9 (Sept. 1951) 1000.
Additional references will be found in the Supplement commencing on page 1475.
CHAPTER 8
Section Page
1. Introduction to electromagnetic waves 403
2. Transmission of intelligence 405
3. References 406
403
404 (i) WAVE MOTION 8.1
WAVE MOTION -
(B)
(C)
FIG. 8.2
(i) Introduction
There are several methods of conveying information using the radiated waves.
By switching on and off the transmitter in accordance with a prearranged code, audible
sounds will be heard in a suitable receiver. This is known as radio telegraphy.
Alternatively the intelligence in the form of speech or music can be superimposed
on the transmitted radio frequency by a process of " modulation." This is referred
to as radio telephony. There are four major types of this latter system of transmis-
sion, known as amplitude, frequency, phase and pulse modulation (Refs. 17, 18, 33).
(iii) Radiotelephony
(A) Amplitude Modulation (A-M)
This is commonly used in local medium frequency and long distance shortwave
broadcast transmitters. The amplitude of the r-f radiated wave (the carrier) is
varied at an audio frequency rate according to similar variations of the intelligence
which it is required to transmit. This is usually accomplished by varying the plate
voltage of a r-f amplifier by the audio signal. The r-f amplifier may be in the final
transmitter stage, in which case a large audio power is required for complete modula-
—
tion 50% of the modulated r-f stage plate input power. This is called " high-
level " modulation. As an alternative, modulation can be employed at an early stage
in the transmitter, and linear r-f amplifiers used to raise the power level to that re-
quired. Much smaller powers are necessary for this "low-level" modulation
system, but the Class B linear r-f amplifiers are less efficient than the Class C counter-
parts used in the " high-level " method of modulation. Both systems are used ex-
tensively, but most high power transmitters employ " high-level " modulation. With
amplitude modulation, the power output of the transmitter varies, but the phase and
frequency of the carrier remain unaffected (Refs. 12, 13).
P-M is not yet in general use and will therefore not be considered further (Refs.
19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 31, 33).
SECTION 3 : REFERENCES
1. Dow, W. G. (Book) " Fundamentals of Engineering Electronics " Chapter 17. John Wiley and
Sons Inc. N.Y. 1937.
2. Everitt, W.L. (Editor) " Fundamentals of Radio " Chapter 9. Prentice-Hall, Inc. N.Y. 1943.
3. Stalling, H. H. (Book) " Fundamentals of Electric Waves " 2nd edit. John Wiley and Sons Inc.
N.Y. 1948.
4. Spectrum Chart " Electronics Buyers Guide " McGraw-Hill Book Co. N.Y. 19B.6B (June 1946) 80.
5. Bennington, T. W. (Book) " Short- Wave Radio and the Ionosphere ". Iliffe and Sons Ltd. London
1950.
6. " CRPL-D Basic Radio Propagation Predictions " Sup. of Docs. U.S. Govt. Printing Office Wash.
D.C.
7. " I.R.P.L. Radio Propagation Handbook " Part 1, 1943.
8. " Radio Propagation Bulletins " I.P.S. Commonwealth Observatory, Canberra, Australia.
9. " Handbook for use with Radio Propagation Bulletins " Radio Research* Board C.S.I.R., Australia,
1945.
10. Foley, W. R. " Forecasting Long Distance Transmission " Q.S.T. 30.2 (Feb. 1946) 36.
11. Nelson and Hornung (Book) "Practical Radio Communication " 2nd Edit. McGraw-Hill Book
Co. 1943.
12. Sandeman, E. K. (Book) " Radio Engineering " Vol. 1, 1st edit. Chapman and Hall London 1947.
13. Ladner and Stoner (Book) " Short Wave Wireless Communication.
14. Tibbs, C. E. (Book) " Frequency Modulation Engineering " Chapman and Hall, London, 1947.
15. Rider, J. F. (Book) " Frequency Modulation " Rider Publisher Inc. N.Y. 1940.
16. Hund, A. (Book) " Frequency Modulation " McGraw-Hill Book Co. N.Y. 1942.
17. Hund, A. "Amplitude frequency and phase modulation relations " Elect. (Sept. 1942) 48.
18. Smith, E. J. " Theoretical signal-to noise ratios "(comparison between various modulation systems)
Elect. 19.6 gune 1946) 150.
19. Tibbs, C. "Phase and frequency modulation" W.W. 48.9 (Sept. 1942) 210.
20. Farren, L. —
I. " Phase detectors some theoretical and practical aspects " W.E. 23.279 (Dec. 1946)
330.
21. Hund, A. "Frequency and phase modulation" Proc. I.R.E. 32.9 (Sept. 1944) 572.
22. Stockman, H» and G. Hok, Frequency and phase modulation " Proc. I.R.E. 33.1 (Jan. 1945) 66.
23. Jaffe, D. L.» D. Pollack, A. Hund and B. E. Montgomery (letter) " Frequency and rJhase modula-
tion " Proc. I.R.E. 33.3 (March 1945) 200 j 33.7lJuly 1945) 487. See Refs. 21,22731.
24. Crosby, M. G. " Exalted-carrier amplitude and phase-modulation reception " Proc. I.R.E. 33.9
(Sept. 1945) 581.
25. Deloraine, E. M., and E. Labin, "Pulse-time modulation" Elect. 18.1 (Jan. 1945) 100.
26. " Post war prospects for modulation pulse transmission " Elect. 18.7 (July 1945) 244.
27. "Pulse-width modulation—its basic principles described" W.W. 51.12 (Dec. 1945) 361.
28. —
"Pulse-time modulation an explanation of the principle" W.W. 52.2 (Feb. 1946) 45.
29. Roberts, F. F., and J. C. Simmonds " Multichannel communication systems " preliminary investi-
—
gation of systems based upon modulated pulses W.E. 22.266 (Nov. 1945) 538 ; 22.267 (Nov.
1945) 576. See (30) below.
30. Fitch, E., and E. R. Kretzmer, "Pulse modulation" (Ref. 29 above) letters W.E. 23.275 (Aug.
1946) 231 ; 23.277 (Oct. 1946) 288. „
31. Stockman, H., and G. Hok "A . ,
note on frequency modulation terminology" letter to Proc. I.R.E.
32.3 (March 1944) 181. See Refs. 21 and 22 above.
32. Armstrong, E. H. " A method of reducing disturbances in radio signalling by a system of frequency
modulation" Proc. I.R.E. 24.5 (May 1936) 689.
33. "Reference data for radio engineers " (Federal Telephone and Radio Corporation, 3rd ed. 1949)
.
CHAPTER 9
TUNED CIRCUITS
based on original chapter in previous edition written by L. G. Dobbie, JVLE.
Revised by G, Builder, B.Sc, Ph.D., F. Inst. P.
Section Page
1. Introduction 407
2. Damped oscillations 408
3. Series resonance 409
4. Parallel resonance 410
5. General case of series resonance 412
6. Selectivity and gain 412
7. Selectivity —graphical methods 416
8. Coupling of circuits 418
9. Response of stages in cascade 421
10. Universal selectivity curves 421
11 . Summary of formulae . . 423
12. References 427
SECTION 1 : INTRODUCTION
When a violin is tuned, the tensions of its strings are adjusted to permit vibration
at particular frequencies. In radio, when an arrangement of L, C, and R responds
to particular frequencies, it is called a " tuned " circuit.
In principle, the tuned circuit is similar to a pendulum or violin string, tuning fork,
etc. —has the property of storing energy in an oscillating (vibrating) state, regularly
it
changing from kinetic form (magnetic field when current flows through the coil)
to potential form (electric field, when the condenser is charged) and back again at a
frequency called the natural resonant frequency.
FtO.9.1
In Fig. 9.1 let the condenser C be charged. It will discharge its
energy through the inductance L, causing the current to increase all
the while, until it reaches the maximum when there is no potential
across C. At that instant the energy is, all magnetic, and the current
continues, fed by the magnetic field, to build a voltage of reversed
polarity across C. When all the energy has been transferred from L to C,
the voltage across C has its original value, but is reversed in sign, and the current is
diminished to zero. The process then reverses, and repeats itself indefinitely, cycle
after cycle.
407
408 DAMPED OSCILLATIONS 9.2
= VT - 1/(4Q*)
fn/fo (3)
a>oL
where Q — = 2-nfJL
r r
_ reactance of the coil at resonant frequency
coil resistance
This relationship shows that in practice there is little difference between these two
frequencies. Q must, for example, be less than four to make/» differ by 1% from
./„. Q normally exceeds fifty, for which value the two frequencies differ by about
one part in twenty thousand.
If now, in the equation for the current, t is increased by an amount 2tt/oi n3 the
period of one cycle, we arrive at the corresponding point in the next cycle. Let *'
denote the current at this point, so that
= -«(f+2V«>„).
y /o€ ms mJit + 2n/a)n)
-™-/ w »L =
or, i'/i = € , since a r/2L (4)
This gives the ratio of the amplitude of one cycle to that immediately preceding.
Logarithmic decrement, 8, is defined by
8 = nr/w nL = log c (*7*0 (5)
and is thus the naperian logarithm of the ratio of the amplitudes of two successive
cycles.
See also Sect. 11 Summary of Formulae.
9.3 SERIES RESONANCE 409
Thus ifan alternating voltage of frequency / be applied in series with the circuit,
when the value of r is fixed, we see that z is least, and hence the current reaches its
mtygimiimj when <>>L — 1/mC = 0, i.e. when <o = \/y/LC — « , the resonant
frequency.
If E be the r.m.s. value of the applied alternating voltage, the rjn.s. value J of the
current produced in the circuit is clearly
I-*-,
Z Vr> + [u»L - (1/oiC)] 8
(7)
The voltages across the several parts of the circuit under this condition of
series resonance are (Fig. 9.2a) :
rl =E
across the resistance (9)
<aJLI across the inductance (10)
and — (l/(i>„C)7 across the capacitance. (11)
The voltages across the inductance and capacitance are equal and opposite in sign,
thus cancelling each other, and usually they are large compared with the voltage
across the resistance. The voltage across the inductance may be expressed as
(a>oL/f)Es and therefore its ratio to the voltage applied in series with the circuit is
WoL/r. This ratio, usually denoted by Q, is the ratio of the reactance of the coil
at resonance to the resistance in series with it, and is called the magnification factor
or quality factor. Thus,
wj. 1 /L 1
Q--r=Wc~ZjcT a2)
It is shown in Chapter 4 Sect. 5(vi) that the power factor is approximately equal
to l/Q ; when Q is greater than 7 the error is less than 1%.
See also Sect. 11 Summary of Formulae.
The general treatment of series circuits with L, C and R is given in Chapter 4
Sea. 6(ii).
R.D.H.—14
;
'<
" 'jHh*
and the rjn.s. value of the current in C by
(13)
I e = coCE (14)
Adding the two currents, with due regard to their phase relation, the r.m.s. value of
the total current / is found to be
,+
-\/C >C ~ r- -Tt-L-) (r- + *,*L»y
(15)
When<oC = <oL/(r* + a>*L a), the total current J is in phase with the applied
voltage E, and has its minimum value
J = 2? < 16 >
r» + L'L»
This condition is termed " parallel resonance* ", as distinct from the " series
resonance " considered earlier. At resonance, the currents in the condenser and coil
are large compared with the current in the external circuit and they are very nearly
opposite in phase.
The value of a> at which parallel resonance occurs can be determined from the
equation
<o B = 1
— (17)
VLC Vl + (r*/a> e *L*
It was pointed out in the previous
section that wL/r, the ratio of the reactance of the
coil to the resistance in series usually greater than 50. Thus, with an error
with it, is
of about one part in 5000 at <oL/r Q = =
50 and correspondingly smaller errors at
larger values of Q, we find that the parallel resonant frequency /„ is given by
«» = 2nf aa l/y/LC.
This is the same result, to the accuracy indicated above, as that obtained in the series
resonance case.'
With a similarly small degree of error we may write the following simple relations
for the currents at resonance. The current in the external circuit (Fig. 9.26)
is given by
E.Cr
I*>E—r£&<*—*> Kw °* Ctr>
E 1 E.u).,C
a>oL Q Q
where Q =
taJL/r as before. The current in the inductance and resistance
is very closely equal in value to that in the capacitance,
IL ?v — I e &
E/caJL (& - a>„CE (19)
and isQ times larger than the current in the external circuit
The formulae given so far hold only when the condenser loss is negligible. In
order to generalize our expressions in a simple manner let us first consider the two
circuits shown in Fig. 9.3a and Fig. 9.3b. At (parallel) resonance for Fig. 9.3a we
have found that the current / in the external circuit is
7«y ECr/L at E/QcoJL etc.
* Parallel resonance may be defined either as
(a)the frequency at which the parallel impedance of the circuit is a maximum, or
(b) the frequency at which the equivalent reactance of the complete parallel circuit becomes zero
(i.e. when the impedance has unity power factor and acts as though it were a pure resistance at
the resonant frequency). This can also be expressed by saying that the parallel circuit has
zero susceptance at the resonant frequency.
For further details see Chapter 4 Sect. 6(iii) and (iv).
Definition (b) is used in this chapter.
9.4 PARALLEL RESONANCE 411
It has been shown that the circuit Fig. 9.3a with a condenser C having no losses
and an inductance L having series coil resistance r may be replaced by the equivalent
circuit Fig. 9.3b having an ideal tuned circuit LC, without losses, shunted by the re-
sistor R t having a value given by equation (20). It is obvious that the impedance
of the parallel combination LCR e in Fig. 9.3b at resonance is R «, this being the
" resonant impedance " of the circuit. At frequencies other than the resonant fre-
quency, the impedance will be less than the " resonant impedance."
The values of Q in terms of series coil resistance r and equivalent parallel resistance
R , are grouped below for convenience.
In terms of r :
~=
O
<*oL
= —^— =
1 1
-
/l
a/ ^
In the present case we have R in parallel with our equivalent parallel coil resistance
R of Fig. 9.3b. The resultant parallel resistance at resonance, which we will call
,
R° = (21)
1/R + Cr/L
Therefore, the resultant value of Q is
Note that at the resonant frequency the expression y/L/C is equal to the reactance
of the inductance and also that of the condenser, i.e.
cjJL = VL/C = l/u> C. (23)
FIG. 9.5
p/WW r
v
I
«* Fig. 9.5. Series resonance with losses in
t
|
R ^ inductive and capacitive elements.
the effect ofR at resonance is equivalent to that of a" resistance of value L/CR in
serieswith L. The resultant equivalent series resistance r' is thus equal to
r + (LC/R), and the resultant value of Q is o>oL/r'.
See also Sect. 11 Summary of Formulae.
where A is the voltage gain at the resonant frequency/,, and A the gain at frequency/.
Note that A /A is the ratio of current at resonance to that at frequency / in the
series case, and the ratio of total current at frequency / to that at the
resonant fre-
quency in the parallel case (see below).
The phase angle between the applied voltage and the total current is such that
-*-*<£-£) <25>
the positive sign pertaining to the series case and the negative sign to the parallel case.
The equation (24) leads to a simple method for determining from the response Q
curve. Wesee that when Q[(///») (/.//)] - = ±
1 the total current will be de-
of the resonance
creased by the factor y/l in the series case (i.e. decreased to 70.7%
and increased by the same factor in the parallel case. It will be
observed that
value),
this condition the phase angle is numerically
at either of the frequencies satisfying <f>
The condition
QU/fo -f /f)= ±1 ( 26)
may be written
f/fc -/»//= ;±VQ we u , ,
( 27>
and the current is decreased, or increased, by the factor y/2 at two frequencies ft
and ft, one on each side of the resonant frequency/,,, determined by
fl=f*-%>f*=f*+% (30)
Hence, Q^
/„/(/» -A) „ JL ^ C3J>
The frequencies f„ fx and /, may be found experimentally, and hence Q may be
calculated.
At frequencies very different from /„, so that A JA is greater than about 10,
the equation giving the response is very approximately
\.A a /A^Q(J/f -f /f). .
(32)
jVlso, the expression for the phase angle may be written in the alternative forms
I tan = ± QUISo - /„//)
<£ from equation (25)
±y /» l + (4/V/o) ^
;
f
Under these conditions we see that in the series case
(a) Across the coil
Voltage at resonance LwJ _MAl _ r>( 1 — f^-S r34V
Actual voltage when well off resonance
~ Lori Lfi \ f* J
and (b) Across the condenser :
- Voltage at resonance
~~
Curi _ n fP *\ ,~~
Actual voltage when well off resonance Cu>j \/o* /
Similarly, in the parallel case, we have
Impedance at resonance
Impedance at frequencies well off resonance
from which it can be shown that
-4H>) (36)
Q = L (o /r = l/rCw
2 x 0S
a», = lit x resonant frequency of secondary in cyJes per second,
414 (ii) COUPLED CIRCUITS—TUNED SECONDARY 9.6
e = output voltage,
and A = stage voltage gain (amplification).
When the secondary is tuned, its impedance (at a>„) is simply r, and it reflects into
the primary a resistance equal to 2
at
2
/r. The primary signal current /„ is, there- M
fore,
/„ = *m ' r -« (39)
VX + P * (r p + Af»»,VO"
where Xv is the reactance of the primary.
When the conditions are such that the primary reactance can be neglected, we have
Ipf^gm.r,. e /(r P + M*a> */r) t (40)
It follows that the secondary current I, is given by
_ Mo) Iv gm . et
/
r ~ (r/M<o e) + (M*> /r p )
{n)
Hence the induced voltage across L2 (and C), that is e Bi is
= g m e t Li<o . .
e„ (42)
(T/Mw ) + {MtoJrJ
- =A = &m
(43)
(l/Afo, Q + 2) (Af/r^L.)
_ g n kR DVLjL a
(44)
1 + k\R D /r p ) (LJL*) .
If the inductances Lx
and L 2 have the same ratio of diameter to length, or form
factor, and the turns are x and N
2 respectively, then y/LJL 2 in the above formulae N
may be replaced by 'NJN2 The plate resistance r„ in parallel with the primary is .
TIG. 9.7
Fig. 9.6. Amplifier stage using a high frequency transformer zoith a tuned secondary.
Fig. 9.7. Amplifier stage using a double tuned high frequency transformer.
high frequency transformer with tuned primary and tuned secondary. Intermediate
frequency transformers in super-heterodyne receivers are usually of this type. Very
thorough discussions of such transformers have been given from the theoretical point
/ .
j* = gnfii
UoCy
. .
LJCJif
1
+ VoWCiRJU
— (49)
e,
~ A °~ LJR'RiC* + w.'Af'd/L,
' 51
A — SmkoioVLJLz ,^2)
* k* + l/Q'Q*
gmVR'R*
or, AA = , . .. 7=» (53)J
v
VQ Q, +
,
k 7
lftkVQ'Qt
where, as before, k = M/VLJlT, and Q', Q 2 have their usual meaning, i.e. R'IL X <*
and RJLzWo respectively.
The expression for calculating the selectivity is lengthy and complicated and a
graphical treatment described later is preferable (Sect. 7).
As k is increased from low values, the gain ncreases until kyQ'Q = 1, after
i a
For values of k less than k ei the response curve (gain versus frequency) has a single
maximum at /<,, the resonant frequency of each of the circuits. When k exceeds
the critical value, however, the amplification curve becomes double-humped, i.e.
there are two frequencies of maximum response, and these are separated by equal
amounts above and below /„. The distance between these two peaks increases with
k, and very approximately we find that
Vt-fx)/foKtk (56)
While k largely determines the band-width, the depth of the valley and hence
at /„,
the uniformity of the response in the pass band of frequencies, is determined by the
relation of Q to k. For a constant value of k (above critical coupling) the dip be~
comes more pronounced as Q
is increased, while the frequency separation between
peaks becomes greater ; conversely as is decreased the dip becomes less pronounced Q
and the frequency separation between peaks becomes less. The ratio of the response
at/ to that at the two peaks is found to be 2.6/(1 b 2) } where b = k/k e + .
416 (iv) COUPLED CIRCUITS OF EQUAL Q 9.6
*-/[' 1
Q*Y %
+
+ k*Q U ^
T r
Ll
2Qy
+
i
k*Q*J
(57)
at which the two peaks just appear has been denned as the transitional coupling
factor by Aiken (Ref. C2). T he value of this coupling factor k t is
kt = VK1/Q'* + 1/Q* ).
2
(58)
The band width between peaks is found to be
(/ - hVfo = V* 2 ~ *«* (59)
This useful result is discussed in an editorial by G. W. O. Howe (Ref. C5). Further
it has been shown that here, as in the symmetrical case, the band width between the
points on the flanks, level with the minimum response in the " valley " between the
peaks, is V2
times the peak separation.
In this case, too, the selectivity curve remains symmetrical as k increases (above
k t). The amplitude of the peaks decreases, however, as k increases, and also as the
ratio of Ri/R t (or R t /Ri) increases. Aiken (Ref. C2) gives selectivity curves for the
three cases (i) R x —
10R 2, (ii) Rt = 50/?. and (iii) R t =
2O0R t with L x = L t and
Ci — C2 Some idea of the magnitude of this decrease in peak amplitude may be
.
In this table A opt is the optimum value of the gain, i.e. the gain at resonant frequency
with critical coupling (=j g mVRiRi/2).
The gain at/ when ^ >
k t is given by [26/(1 +
b*)lA 09t> where b k/k ei as —
in the case of equal Q's ; as the gain at the peaks is less than ovt however, the re- A
sponse curve is flatter in the present case.
See also Sect. 11 Summary of Formulae.
there occurs the maximum value of the response, and the gain falls away on both
sides. This curve may be computed from eqn. (24), namely
A JA = Vl + Q*Y\
and tan 4> — ± QY, from eqn. (25)
where Y = (///„- /„//).
These formulae, however, lend themselves to a simple graphical treatment as in-
dicated in Fig. 9.9.
The ratio of the gain A
at resonance to the gain A
at any other frequency may be
plotted as a vector quantity, OP in Fig. 9.9, having both magnitude and phase. At
resonance, when the frequency is/0J it becomes OP
in Fig. 9.9, where is of unit OP
length since A JA
is then equal to unity. At any other frequency/, the ratio A JA
is then given by OPwhere the point P is fixed by the relation
length PoP =Q(///o-/o//).
The phase angle is the angle P„OP.
Near resonance, when / is nearly equal to f„, this may be approximated by
length PJP «* 2QAf/f where Af=f-f
so that Af measures the amount of detuning. Thus, near resonance, the length P„P
is nearly proportional to the amount of detuning.
FIG. 9.8
FIG.9.IO
COUPLED PAIR Pi
graph to determine the gain, we first compute the quantity OX = 2QY/(1 + k'Q 1),
then from X
draw a line perpendicular to OX to cut the curve at P. The line OP
J
represents the gain {A A) while P„OP is the phase angle.
The form of the parabola depends upon the magnitude of kQ. It is found that
when OT < \/2, corresponding to kQ >
there are two frequencies of maximu
1, m
gain as shown by the two vectors marked OP' in Fig. 9.10. When the attenuation
is plotted against Afm as in Fig. 9.11, it becomes clear that a much flatter top may
be
obtained by using coupled pairs of circuits than by using single tuned circuits. Fig.
9.11 serves also to show the variation in band width with variations of OT
(i.e. changes
of kQ). It will be seen that the shape of the skirt of the curve is practically inde-
pendent of the value of kQ.
See also Sect. 11 Summary of Formulae.
418 (i) MUTUAL INDUCTIVE COUPLING 9.8
FIG. 9. 12 FIG. 9- 14
c, c_ 3
Cn
./clci
K
Cm
Fig. 9.12. High impe- Fig. 9.13. High impe- Fig. 9.14. Low
dance capacitive coup- dance inductive coup- impedance capa-
ling. ling. citive coupling.
A
fifth type is link coupling shown in Fig. 9.16A, in which a relatively small
coupling inductance L x ' is coupled to L x and similarly L 2 to L 2 and Z,/ is connected
directly in series with L 2 The behaviour of this circuit is the same as that to be
.
k = X fa
Xm when X± and X2 ^>X m
,
+ x m)(x + x m Vx x
.
V(*i 2 ) 1 2
k = J
V (X, +
Aj-Xg
X m)(X + X n 2 )
Vx,x
x n_
2
when Xj land X 2 «< X,
where X X
m is the coupling reactance and x and X% are the effective reactances of either
the coils or the condensers* with which the circuits are tuned.
*Xi and X 2 must be of the same " kind" (i.e. either inductive or capacitive) as Xm .
9.8 (ii) MISCELLANEOUS METHODS OF COUPLING 419
X X
The effective reactances t and 2 in the high impedance case are calculated by
regarding the actual tuning reactances (JL x <d and L 2 a> or \/Cx ut and 1/C2 a> ) as
being in parallel with the coupling reactance m ; while in the low impedance case, X
X X
Xi and 2 are calculated by taking m to be in series with the actual tuning reactances.
Mutual inductive coupling belongs to the low impedance coupling group ; here
X m = Ma> , Xx = L x u> oi X2 = L 2 (0 O ; so that k = Af/v^Lg, in agreement with
our previous definition in this particular case.
For a general analysis of the calculation of coupling coefficients see Chapter 26
Sect. 4(vii).
Application of the formulae given above to the circuits shown in Figures 9.12, 9,13,
9.14, 9.15 and 9.16A give the following results for the coefficient of coupling k :
Fig. 9.12
V(C + c m)(C + co 2
-7=-, when C m < (C, C)
Fig. 9.15
V(L + L m )(L + L m )
t 2 Vl^
., when L m < (L 15 L a)
Fig. 9.16A MM X 2
— * 8
, when individual coup-
L m-v/-LiL 2 lings are small.
-J&-&W-&
kik 2 k t k2, when individual coup-
V(l - V)(l ~ *.«) lings are small.
where L m = Lx + '
Z- 2 '>
1.
#1 = —7^ ,
^ &
and t
2 = M 2
VL L m 1 VL L m
8
When the coupling increases above k t for the tuned circuits shown in Figs. 9.12,
9.13, 9.14, 9.15 and 9.16A, the two peaks in the response curve of the secondary move
at unequal rates from the original resonant frequency (determined by LyC^^ =
C
L 2 2 u> z
= 1). For the first four of these examples in the special case L x £ 2, =
Cj — C 2 , and for the fifth generally, one peak remains approximately stationary
420 (iii) COMPLEX COUPLING 9.8
(at co ),while the other peak moves to one side : the shift of the semi-stationary
peak depends upon the series resistances of the two circuits and decreases with them,
being zero in the ideal case rt ra : = =
the second peak is lower in frequency in
Figs. 9.12 and 9.15, but higher in Figs. 9.13, 9.14 and 9.16A. The selectivity and
bandwidth (between peaks) may be calculated from the formulae (57) and (55) re-
—
spectively already quoted for transformer coupling—provided the appropriate value
of k is used. It is theoretically possible, although seldom convenient, to combine
two types of coupling in equal amounts to give symmetrical separation of the two peaks.
Normally, when this is required simple mutual inductive coupling is used.
It may be shown that for all types of coupling the centre frequency is determined
by the effective reactances obtained by taking the coupling reactance into account.
Thus, for example, for Fig. 9.15, (L, + LJCM af = 1, where w e corresponds to
the frequency of the minimum between the peaks j while for Fig. 9.16A,
(L t - M
t */L m)Ct <o e
* = 1.
;
c,/p fsc,
>L.
I—J— 1
U
/tnC l
FIG. 9.168
In practice, a reasonably constant band width over the tuning range can be obtained
by a suitable combination of the types of coupling already-described. Two common
arrangements are shown in Figs. 9.16B and 9.16C.
For the circuit shown in Fig. 9.16B the coupling reactance m = a>M + l/o>C m , X
while for that shown in the Fig. 9.16C it is
1
+• CH
o>CiCs
The corresponding coupling factors are respectively
k an
M + 1/«.»C„ (k < 0.05),
and
Oh VC C 1 1
<
Vc& +
kfist (k 0.05).
Aiken (Ref. C2) gives a practical design procedure for obtaining the values of the com-
ponents which give the best average results over the whole tuning range.
When k has been determined, the band width and selectivity may be calculated
from eqns. (55) and (57) given earlier. Also, for circuits with the same values of Q,
a suitable value of k is given by kQ = 0.5—as in the case of transformer coupling—
when the greatest possible selectivity without notable loss of gain is desired.
9.9 RESPONSE OF STAGES IN CASCADE 421
In Fig. 9.16D there is a combination of mutual inductive coupling and top capadtive
coupling, as commonly used in aerial and r-f coils, and, effectively, in i-f transformers.
The analysis is given in Chapter 26 Sect. 4 (vii).
See also Sect. 11 Summary of Formulae.
The phase difference between the currents in the primary and secondary circuits
can readily be obtained from Fig. 9.18. There we have plotted an angle 6 as a func-
tion of D for various coefficients of coupling, and the phase shift is 9 90°, the ±
positive si^i being taken when the coupling is negative, and the negative sign when
k is positive.
The parameter b, which is a measure of the coupling, becomes simply k/k e when
the tuned circuits have equal values of Q ; also, in this case, the variable becomes D
simply 2QAf /f For convenience, scales have been added to give A JA in terms of
.
These curves are for the case of two identical coupled circuits ; they show how the
maximum gain, band width and depth of the valley between peaks vary with the
ratio k/ke.
In all expressions using a, the Q mentioned is the secondary Q, namely
Qt .
II I ' '
180°
L-ftfiWSftw
150°
120°
90°
60°
30°
0°
004 0-1 0-2 0-3 0-5 0-7 1-0 Q 2 3 4- S 6 76 10
FIG.9-18 UNIVERSAL PHASE SHIFT CURVES FOR
TWO COUPLED CIRCUITS
9.11 SUMMARY OF FORMULAE 423
A = gain at frequency /
A = gain at frequency f
Q — magnification factor.
FIG. 9. 19
and VLC
—
Kc/s, where L is in microhenrys
C is in micromicrofarads.
(4)
in a vacuum as determined by Dr. Essen and others in 1951 (see Ref. El).
_ 300000
— —
m—
,
,_
300
Wavelength «^ j- ==—r *%* ^7—7-
frequency Kc/s frequency Mc/sm:
(7)
v ' :
1 1
(13)
o> Cr + l/RCoto Ty/c/L + VL/C/R
When L/CR< r:Qf*a u>JL/r *a l/w Cr. (14)
Ratio of the voltage across either reactance to the
111
Magnification factor (Q) :
VLC
• ,
Vl +
,
ryatSL*
... ^ VLC /t-=,' (15)
/s.ll SUMMARY OF FORMULAE 425
Magnification factor
Ratio of total circulating current to input current = Q (18)
(7) SELECTIVITY
(a) Series Resonant Circuit
iji = A /A=Vl+ Q (f/fo -/o//) = Vl + a a
Q*Y*. (19)
t**<l> = QY = QAfJf
*
.\±f£:i
lags behind i when/ > /„, and leads i when/ < f .
(20)
Selectivity
To determine selectivity, the effect of the resistance reflected into the secondary
should be taken into account when its value w<?M z /rp > of r. The effective 5%
series resistance r' is r 2
+
a) *Af /r, ; so that the effective value of Q 2 , Q t ' say, is
1
Qt = utoLi/r' = -j
j£
(32)
= mWSTRI (34)
Ao i
,
Vo^ + vi;
where 1/R' =
1/r* + 1/R X and 1/Q' = LnoJR' = a> L 1 /r P + 1/Q^
Maximum gain occurs when k = k e = 1/VQ'Qa the critical coupling co-
efficient, and is given by
A (tmx.) =g mVR'Rt/2. (35)
Also, when k =
k c /2, the value of A is approximately 0.8 of A„ (max.).
Identical circuits (L x = L 2J C x = C2 > R' = R 2 = #, Q' = Q 2 = Q)
Critical Coupling k c = 1/Q. : (36)
Maximum gain (at resonance) = g mR/2. (37)
= half gain of a single tuned circuit.
Band width between peaks (f\ and/2),
(/. - /i)//o = Vk* - k c *. (38)
Selectivity
8 2
A -'A
-Jb- and/ r+rb] + t^i] (39)
kt = VKi/Q' + 2
i/Qi»). (40)
Band width between peaks is
(/. - /a)//o = V* - V. 8
(41)
^*y
Selectivity
^
/Ti1
L
_
i +
Q^ y2 r
* 2
q'qJ
+ rLi2yv^^~ r
+ vq'q)
(42)}
c
AJA^y/T-W7IfW' (43)
LlL '
= for inductive coupling (Fig. 9.13) (45)
m
jss for inductive coupling (Fig. 9.15) (47)
where C m = couplusg^capacitance
^ and L m = coupling inductance.
Link coupling*
fe~
M'^ (Fig. 9.16A), (48)
X-mVLxLa
where A*! = mutual inductance between L x and L m,
and Mi = mutual inductance between L% andL m .
SECTION 12 : REFERENCES
(A) BOOKSDEALING WITH RADIO TUNED
CIRCUIT THEORY
Al. Mclhvain, K., and J. G. Brainerd, "High Frequency Alternating Currents" (John Wiley and
Sons Inc., New York, Chapman and Hall Ltd., London, 1931).
A2. Harnwell, G. P. " Principles of Electricity and Magnetism* (McGraw-Hill, New York and London.
1938).
A3. Terman, F.E. " Radio Engineering" (McGraw-Hill Book Company Inc., New York and London,
3rd ed. 1947).
A4. Everitt, W. L. "Communication Engineering" (McGraw-Hill Book Company Inc., New York
and London 2nd ed. 1937).
A5. Nilson, A. R., and J. L. Hornung, " Practical Radio Communication " (McGraw-Hill Book Com-
oany Inc., New York and London, 2nd ed. 1943).
A6. Henney, K. " Principles of Radio " (John Wiley and Sons Inc., New York, 4th edit. 1942).
A7. Glasgow, R. S. " Principles of Radio Engineering " (McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York and London,
A8. Henney, K. "Radio Engineering Handbook" (McGraw-Hill Book Company Inc., New York
and London, 4th ed. 1950).
A9. M Admiralty Handbook of Wireless Telegraphy " (His Maiesty's Stationery Office, London).
A10. Sturley, K. R. " Radio Receiver Design H (Chapman and Hall Ltd., London, 1943) Part 1.
All. Terman, F. E. " Radio Engineers' Handbook '' (McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York and
London, 1943).
A12. Reich, H. J. " Theory and Applications of Electron Tubes " (McGraw-Hill Book Company,
New York and London, 1944).
A13. Sandman, E. K. " Radio Engineering " (Chapman and Hall Ltd., London, 1947).
A14. Webby, V. G. " The Theory and Design of Inductance Coils " (Macdonald and Co., London,
1950).
A15. " Reference Dat* for Radio Engineers" (Federal Telephone and Radio Corp. 3rd ed. 1949)
pp. 114-129.
B19. Sabaroff, S. **
Impulse excitation of a cascade of series tuned circuits " Proc. I.R.E. 32.12 (Dec.
1944) 758.
B20. Amos, S.W. " Wavetraps—modern applications of a well-tried device " W.W. 51.2 (Feb. 1945) 43.
B21. Haworth, J. E. " The tapped inductor circuit " Electronic Eng. 18.223 (Sept. 1946) 284.
B22. Reed, M. B. " Frequency response of parallel resonant circuit T Eleet. 14.8 (Aug. 1941) 43.
'
B23. Brunetti, C, and B. Weiss a Theory and application of resistance tuning" Proc. I.R.E. 29.6
(June 1941) 333.
B24. Schade, O. H. " Radio-frequency-operated high-voltage supplies for cathode-ray tubes " (gives
summary of theory of coupled circuits) Proc. I.R.E. 31.4 (April 1943) 158.
B25. Blow, T. C. " Mutual inductance of concentric coils " Elect. 19.11 (Nov. 1946) 138.
B26. Tucker, D. G. "The transient response of a tuned circuit " Electronic Eng. 18.226 (Dec. i946) 379.
B27. Builder, G. "The graphical solution of simple parallel-tuned circuits y' Radio Eng. 16.8 (Auk.
1944) 20.
, 5 «? .
- -
W.E. 14.165 (June 1937) 289 j 14.166 (July 1937) 348 ; 9.108 (Sept.
1*32)' 486
;
C6. Buffery, G. H. "Resistance in band pass niters " W.E. 9.108 (Sept. 1932) 504.
C7. Beatty, R. T. "Two element band pass filters " W.E. 9.109 (Oct. 1932) 546.
C8. Oatley, C. W. "The theory of band-pass niters for radio receivers " W.E. 9.110 (Nov. 1932) 608.
C9. Wheeler, H. A., and J. K. Johnson " High fidelity receivers with expanding selectors " Proc. I.R.E.
23.6 (June 1935) 595.
C10. Cocking, W. T. "Variable selectivity and the i.f. amplifier" W.E. 13.150 (March 1936) 119
13.151(April 1936) 179 ; 13.152 (May 1936) 237.
Cll. Reed, M. " The analysis and design of a chain of resonant circuits " W.E. 9.104 (May 1932) 259 ;
9.105 (June 1932) 320.
C12. Baranovsky, C, and A. Jenkins, " A graphical design of an intermediate frequency transformer
with variable selectivity" Proc. I.R.E. 25.3 (March 1937) 340. "
C13. Loh, Ho-Shou, " On single and coupled circuits having constant response band characteristics
Proc. I.R.E. 26.4 (April 1938) 469 and errata 12 (Dec. 1938) 1430.
C14. Christopher, A. J. "Transformer coupling circuits for high frequency amplifiers" B.S.T.J.
. 11 (Oct. 1932) 608. _
C15. " Tuned impedance of i.f. transformers " (nomogram) Comm. 18.2 (Feb. 1938) 12.
,
C16. Roberts, W. Van B. "Variable link coupling " Q.S.T. 21.5 (May 1937) 27.
C17. "A generalised theory of coupled circuits " A.R.T.S. and P. No. 73 (May 1939).
—
C18. Landon, V. D. "The band-pass low-pass analogy" Proc. I.R.E. 24.12 (Dec. 1936) 1582.
C19. Nachod, C. P. " Nomograms for the design of band-pass r-f circuits " Radio Eng. 16.12 (Dec.
1936) 13.
C20. Erickson, C. V. " A graphical presentation of band-pass characteristics " Radio Eng. 17.3 (March
1937) 12 ; 17.4 (April 1937) 13. Also see 17.6 (June 1937) 19.
C21. Dudley, H. "A simplified theory of filter selectivity" Comm. 17.10 (Pet. 1937) 12.
C22. Everitt, W. L. " Coupling networks " Comm. 18.9 (Sept. 1938) 12 ; 18.10 (Oct. 1948) 12.
C23. Clifford, F. G. " The design of tuned transformers " Electronic Eng. Part 1, 19.229 (March 1947)
83 ; Part 2, 19.230 (April 1947) 117.
C24. Dishal, M. " Exact design and analysis of double and triple-tuned band-pass amplifiers," Proc.
I.R.E. 35.6 (June 1947) 606.
C25. Tellegen, B. D. H. " Coupled circuits " Philips Research Reports 2.1 (Feb. 1947) 1.
C26. Rudd, J. B. " Theory and design of radio-frequency transformers " A.W.A. Tec. Rev. 6.4 (1944)
193 with bibliography.
C27. " Theory and design of radio frequency transformers, A.R.T.S. and P. Bulletin (1) No. 134
(1st May, 1944) ; (2) No. 135 (12th June, 1944).
C28. Editorial " Coupled circuits " W.E. 21.245 (Feb. 1944) 53.
C29. Sturley, K. R. " Expression for the voltages across the primary and secondary of two tuned circuits
coupled by mutual inductance," Appendix 1 to article "The phase discriminator" W.E. 21.245
(Feb. 1944) 72.
C30. Sandeman, E. K. " Coupling circuits as band-pass filters W.E. Part (i) 18.216 (Sept. 1941) 361 ;
Part (ii) 18.217 (Oct. 1941) 406 j Part (iii) 18.218 (Nov. 1941) 450 ; Part (iv) 18.219 (Dec. 1941) 492.
C31. Korman, N. I. "Coupled resonant circuits for transmitters," Proc. I.R.E. 31.1 (Jan. 1943) 28.
C32. Sturley, K. R. " Coupled circuit filters —" generalised selectivity, phase shift and trough and peak
transfer impedance curves—W.E. (1) 20.240 (Sept. 1943) 426 ; (2) 20.241 (Oct. 1943) 473.
C33. Beatty, R. T. " Two-element band pass filters " W.E. 9.109 (Oct. 1932) 546.
C34. Editorial "Effect of stray capacitance on coupling coefficient" W.E. 21.251 (Aug. 1944) 357.
C35. Editorial " Coupling coefficient of tuned circuits " W.E. 22.256 (Jan. 1945) 1.
C36. Espy, D. " Know your coupled circuits " Q.S.T. 29.10 (Oct. 1945) 76.
C37. Williams, H. P. " H.F. Band-Pass Filters " Electronic Eng. (1) General Properties 18.215 (Jan.
1946) 24 ; (2) Similar Circuits 18.216 (Feb. 1946) 51 ; (3) Dissimilar circuits and miscellaneous
properties 18.217 (Mar. 1946) 89 ; (4) Practical example in band-pass design 18.219 (May 1946) 158.
C38. Duerdoth, W. T. " Equivalent capacitances of transformer windings " W.E. 23.273 (June 1946)
161.
C39. Tucker, D. G. " Transient response of tuned-circuit cascades " W.E. 23.276 (Sept. 1946) 250.
C40. Richards, P. I. " Universal optimum-response curves for arbitrarily coupled resonators " Proc.
I.R.E. 34.9 (Sept. 1946) 624.
"
C41. Spangenberg, K. R. "The universal characteristics of tnple-resonant-circuit band-pass filters
Proc. I.R.E. 34.9 (Sept. 1946) 629. .
C42. Sherman, J. B. " Some aspects of coupled and resonant circuits Proc. I.R.E. 30.11 (Nov. 1942)
505. »
C43. Varrall, J. E. " Variable selectivity IF amplifiers " W.W. 48.9 (Sept. 1942) 202.
C44. Ferris, W. R. " Some notes on coupled circuits " R.C.A. Rev. 5.2 (Oct. 1940) 226. "
C45. Adams, J. J. " Undercoupling in tuned coupled circuits to realize optimum gain and selectivity
Proc. I.R.E. 29.5 (May
1941) 277.
C46. Editorial " Natural and resonant frequencies of coupled circuits W.E. 18.213 (June 1941) 221.
C47. Mather, N. W. "An analysis of triple-tuhed coupled circuits " Proc. I.R.E. 38.7 July 1950) 813.
CHAPTER 10
CALCULATION OF INDUCTANCE
based on original chapter in, the previous edition by L. G. Dobbte, M.E.
Section Page
1. Single layer coils or solenoids 429
2. Multilayer solenoids 441
3. Toroidal coils 445
4. Flat spirals
'..
445
5. Mutual inductance 446
6. List of symbols 448
7. References 448
L, —
4ttN 2 A'/1 electromagnetic units (1)
where N 2
is the total number of turns, A' is the cross-sectional area in cm. and / is
—
For solenoids of moderate length more precisely, for those for which a/l is not
—
small compared with unity there is an end-correction, and we find that
-
Ls (0.100 28a 2 2 /DK, N (3)
where K
is a function of a/2, which approaches unity as a/l tends to zero. Values
of K, computed by Nagaoka (Bulletin, Bureau of Standards, 8, p. 224, 1912), are
shown by the curves in Fig. 10.1.
Theconcept of current sheet inductance is introduced because such (theoretical)
inductances can be calculated with high precision, and the formulae used in practical
cases can be derived from these results by making approximate allowances for the
deviations from the ideal case. In many cases these deviations are less than 1%.
429
430 (ii) SOLENOID WITH SPACED ROUND WIRES 10.1
FIG. K>. I
S.VXOVDVN
Fit*. 10. 1 . Nagaoka's Constant (K)for a wide range ofd/l.
10.1 (ii) SOLENOID WITH SPACED ROUND WIRES 431
This formula for L oi together with the values of A and B, have been taken from the
above quoted Bulletin of the Bureau of Standards. The value thus obtained for L
is given as correct to one part in a thousand.
The equation given above for L can be expressed in the alternative forms :
Fig. 10.2. Constants A and B as used in the formula for the correction of " current
sheet " formulae for application to round voire with spaced turns (eqn. 4).
:
i.-4>-«£*]-4»-£c< + «] (5)
Therefore A + B= 0.199.
The correction is, X 10 x 400 (0.199)
therefore, 0.0319
25.4 microhenrys. =
The total inductance L 32 815 25 = — =
32 790 microhenrys, and the error which
Would be introduced by calculating as a current sheet inductance is less than 0.08%.
A
t& 2.3 log10 1.7 5 (6)
where 5 =
D/Ps i.e. the ratio of wire diameter to pitch, with an accuracy of 1%
for all values of 5.
B ^ 0.336 [1 - (2.5/AT + 3.8/iV 2)] (7)
accurate to 1% when N exceeds four turns.
L '~ - 1(W8
fTO92a
(0)
This expression is accurate to 0.1% for all values of 2a/ 1 between 0.2 and 1.5.
(c) For solenoids whose length is small compared with the diameter
L
^ =
[9 -
—
(a/5/)] a + 10/
(10)
K
'
which is accurate to 2% for all values of 2a// up to 20. approaches + The error 2%
when d/l = 2.0 to 3.5 and at d/l 20. The error approaches — 2% in the range
=
d/l =
10 to 12.
Let us apply Wheeler's and Esnault-Pelterie's formulae to the solenoid already
considered, namely
a =
10 in., / 40 in., =
= 400. N
10 2 x400 2
Wheeler's formula gives L, =
32 650 microhenrys. =
9Q 4fjQ
Esnault-Pelterie's formula yields
10 2 X 400 2
L, = 0.1008 ,_ = 32 790 microhenrys.
40 + QO
,
9.2
These results agree, within- the stated limits, with the value 32 815 obtained pre-
viously.
10.1 (iv) DESIGN OF SINGLE LAYER SOLENOIDS 433
(A) Where it is required to design a coil which shall have a certain induct-
ance with a given length of wire, the dimensions of the winding and the kind
of wire being unrestricted within broad limits. This design problem includes
a consideration of the question as to what shape of coil will give the required inductance
with the minimum resistance.
We have the relations :
L. =
0.100 28a 8iSr«K// from (3),
/ =
NP» A = 2naN,
where A is the length of wire. Eliminating gives : N
A 8 /* / l2a\
U =0.004 50 T~\KW^-Jmicrohenrys (11)
This gives the inductance in terms of the length of wire, the pitch P, and the shape
2a//, as K
is a function of 2a/ 1.
From the graph of the quantity R\/2a/l against 2a//, its ma ximum value is found
to occur at 2a// = 2.46. Thus, for a given length of wire, wound with a given
pitch, that coil has the greatest inductance, which has a shape d/l = 2.46
approximately ; or to obtain a coil of a required inductance, with a minimum re-
sistance, this relation should be realized. Further, the inductance diminishes rapidly
for coils longer than this optimum value, but decreases only slowly for shorter coils.
The optimum value of d/l can also be obtained roughly from the approximate
expression for K :
K=1/(1 +
0.45 d/l).
Therefore Cd/l) ovt (1/0.45) = = 2.2 approximately (12)
(B) Given the diameter of the coil, the pitch and inductance, to determine
the length of the coil.
A suitable form of the equation is obtained by substituting for its value l/P in N
the formula :
L. =
0.100 28 a*N* K/l from (2) ;
we find
L, = 0.200 56 (a8 /P 8X*//2a) (13)
& 0.200 (a /P )/ 8 8 (14)
where/ = K(l/2a). The quantity/, clearly a function of 2a//, is shown by the curve
in Fig. 10.3.
For example, supposing we require a coil of 200 microhenrys to be wound on a
former of 1 inch diameter,- let us determine the length of the coil for a pitch of 0.02
inch.
From the equation,
8
200 x (0.02)
J ~ 0.200 x (0.5)
8
Then, from Fig. 10.3, the value of 2a// corresponding to / = 3.2 is 0.28. Hence
the length of the coil is
/ =
2a/0.28 1/0.28 =
3.6 inches. =
The number of turns required would be :
N=l/P 3.6/0.02 = 180 turns. =
The length of wire needed would be :
A = 2naN = wl80 565.5 inches. =
When the calculated length is too long, the turns per inch should be increased.
Let us consider the effect of using 100 T.P.I. in the above example :
8
200 x (0.01)
* 0.200 x (0.5)
3
434 (iv) DESIGN OF SINGLE LAYER SOLENOIDS 10.1
Therefore,
P = V0.200 x 0.688/500 = 0.0167 inch,
equivalent to 60 T.P.I.
Simple procedure for computing the length and total turns when the coil
diameter and pitch of winding are known for coils such that d < 3/.
Substituting in equation (17),
0.9(2a//)= - 1 + Vl + 1-8//,
where/ = 5L,P /a 3 = 5L,/n a\ n being T.P.I.
2 i
L ' ™ 9a + 10/'
the length / is eliminated by the substitution / = N/n, n being the turns per inch ;
(d) N
= 380 x 0.151 x (a/2.042 + 1) = 139 turns,
(e) / = N/n = 139/33 = 4.2 inches.
(C) Given the diameter and length of coil, value of capacitance and fre-
quency of resonance, to determine the number of turns.
See Chapter 38 Sect. 9(v)B.
for P/D = 0.95 and decreases steadily to - 0.7 for P/D = 0.25, while B = 0.114
at N N
— 2 and 0.336 at = 1000, and remains approximately constant for higher
values of N. Hence, for coils having P/D between 0.95 and 0.25 as most have — —
the value of (A + B) is less than 0.83 ; i.e.
P(A + B)/-naK <~(P/a) x (0.26/K).
Thus, when (2a//) = d/l < h K
> 0.82, so that P{A + B)/naK < 0.32 P/a.
436 (v) DIFFERENCE BETWEEN Ls AND L 10.1
•3 -A •& *e «e 1 2 3
LENGTH OF COIL IN INCHES FKS.IO.4
Pig. 10.4. Curves for the determination of Current Sheet Inductance (Ls) for small
solenoids, plotted against length of coil (/)• For other pitches refer to Fig. 10.5.
10.1 (v) DIFFERENCE BETWEEN L8 AND L 437
(vi) Curves for determination of the " current sheet " inductance
(A) Method of using the curves
Figure 10.4 applies to a winding pitch of 10 turns per inch only ; for any other
pitch the inductance scale must be multiplied by a factor, which is easily determined
from Fig. 10.5. The diameter of a coil is considered to be twice the distance from
coil axis to centre of the wire.
100
100 200
TURNS PER INCH PKJ. K>.S
Fig. 10.5. Winding pitch correction for Fig. 10.4.
438 (vi) CURVES FOR " CURRENT SHEET " INDUCTANCE 10.1
(B) To design a coil having required " current sheet " inductance
Determine a suitable diameter and length, and from Fig. 10.4 read off the " current
sheet " inductance for a pitch of 10 T.P.I. The required inductance may then be
obtained by varying the number of turns per inch. The correct number of turns
may be found by calculating the ratio of the required inductance to that read from
Fig. 10.4 and referring it to Fig. 10.5 which will give the required turns per inch.
Alternatively if the wire is to be wound with a certain pitch, a conversion factor
for that pitch may first be obtained from Fig. 10.5, and the required inductance
divided by that factor. The resultant figure of inductance is then applied to Fig. 10.4
and suitable values of diameter and length determined.
(C) find the " current sheet " inductance of a coil of known dimensions
To
Knowing the diameter and length, determine from Fig. 10.4 the inductance for a
pitch of 10 T.P.I. Then from Fig. 10.5 determine the factor for the particular pitch
used, and multiply the previously determined value of inductance by this factor.
(24)
where r and L are the resistance and the inductance of the coil in the absence of
the shield, and L t is the inductance of the shield. The expression for Z c ' may be
put in the forms :
Z =
e
'
r +/«(L. - MVLe), (25a)
= r +jo(l - AP/LJJ, (25b)
= r +ja>L '
(25c)
= (lr +ju>L
A ): - 2
(25d)
where L the effective inductance of the enclosed coil, and k is the coefficient of
'
is
coupling between the coil and the can. The presence of the shield thus lowers the
effective inductance, and we have
L,' =L (l - * 2 ), (26a)
or (L -L ')/L = k* (26b)
It has not proved possible to obtain a simple, accurate formula for the apparent
decreases in inductance of a shielded coil, but various estimates have been made by
Hayman, Kaden, Davidson and Simmonds, Bogle and others (see bibliography).
Here we review briefly some of the published work.
(A) H. Kaden
(Electrishe Nachrichten Tecknik, July, 1933, p. 277)
Kaden that the shape of the shield is not important.
first showed Then, in his
theoretical treatment, he replaced the actual solenoid in the concentric cylindrical
shield by a magnetic dipole placed at the centre of a spherical screen ; the dipole
having the same magnetic moment as the solenoid and the spherical screen a radius
equal to the geometrical mean of the three dimensions of the cylinder. In this way
he obtained an expression for the relative decrease in inductance of the solenoid.
TT = 3V t K'
V K
(27)
constant, and a is a constant which depends upon the permeability and the shield
and the dimensions. When the shielding is effective and the shield is non-magnetic,
a is approximately 1 and then :
only for very short solenoids; they indicate how the change in inductance of long
solenoids in spherical screens may be calculated, but it is clear that no simple formula
can be thus obtained.
Lp - L„' 1 fay
C31;
L 1 + 1.55g/l\b)
where b the shield radius, and g
is b = —
a, the distance between the coil and the
shield. It -is assumed that the shield length l t is not less than / 2g. An accuracy +
of 2% over a wide practical range is claimed for this simple result.
An investigation of this expression shows that it is useful in almost all practical
cases, the only restriction being the non-stringent one that the length of the coil must
not be very much less than the distance between the coil and the shield, i.e. g/l 1. >
For very long coils this formula shows that
(L -L/)/L. a*/** =
in agreement with theoretical expectations. It is in accord, too, with the R.C.A.
curves for k* in that the proportional change in inductance depends upon the two ratios
a/b and I/a, as can be seen by writing the formula in the form :
M 1 + !6-0
1.55=
(L - L.VL. = (1 - y {a/by
l/2I t (33)
It is true that there is fairagreement between Hayman's calculated and measured
values of Lo for a number of coils ; but, nevertheless, the useful range of eqn. (32)
must be somewhat restricted.
(F) Where the coil diameter and length are equal, the curves of Fig. 11.13 can be
used for a shield can with ends.
%
It is recommended that either the R.C.A. curves for k , reproduced in Fig.
10.8} or Bogle's formula be used. Comparison of the results obtained from these
curves and from the formula will be found to be in good agreement except for very
FIG. 10.6
Fig 10.6.
. Curves for determination of decrease in inductance produced by a coil shield
(reprinted by kind permission of Radio Corporation of America).
10.1 (vii) EFFECT OF CONCENTRIC SCREEN 441
small values of l/g where Bogle's formula should not be used. In the tables below
comparisons are made in a number of typical cases :
ance caused by a cylindrical screen for various ratios of coil diameter to screen
diameter.
(L -L ')/L
l/d = 10 lid = 1 11 d = 0.2
L = L;
t
, , 0.0319N*oc ,„ ^M
(0.693 + B,\ (1)
j
i0 - -y
L.-L.'U-' naK
'] (2)
The quantity B t for lie = = 1 ; it rises to 0.279 for l/c = 10, and then increases
very slowly, being 0.322 at l/c — 30
R.D.H. —1B.
: 1
When the dimensions / and c are small in comparison with a (see Fig. 10.7) the in-
ductance is given closely by Stephan's formula, which, for / > c, takes the form :
2
c2 V 8a Pyf
U = 0.031 93aN [2.303^ 12
+
l
yi + 16a 2-
(3)
while for / < c, that is for pan-cake coils, the formula becomes
L, = 0.031 93aN 2
[2.303 ( +
I
2
+
c2 Y 8a
+
c*y 3
v yi (4)
32a 2 96a 2 J"^ g' 16a 2
where g' = V
c 2 + I 2 and y ls y 2 and y s are functions of c/l
which are tabulated in the Bureau of Standards Circular
No. 74 (p. 285).
is appreciably greater than the diameter of the wire a correction term should be D
added to L, to give. L Thus . :
|_1
— (6)
a N f
2 2
aW 1
caN2
(8)
9a + 10/ IOtt/
aN 2 3.6a I c
when - or - lies between 0.35 and 1 (10)
13.5 y/jt
+ c* c /
aN 2 4.02a / c
when - or 7 lies between 0.15 and 0.35 (ID
13.5 y'/i
+ C2 c I
aN 2
4.55a I c
when - or 7 lies between and 0.15 (12)
13.5 y/p + c i c 1
These results are accurate to 5% as / and c approach a, and are increasingly accurate
as/ and c decrease compared with a. When l/a and c/a are both very small, it is
sufficient to use the approximation :
aN 2
,
4
13.5 y/t _|_ c*
for all values of the ratio l/c.
10.2 (iii) APPROXIMATE FORMULAE 443
aW
•
9a + 10/ + 8.4c + 3.2cl/a
C '
The range of usefulness of this formula can be best judged from its accuracy for various
coil dimensions given below :
Accuracy
For c/a 1/20= 1% for (2a//) up to 3 4% for (2a//) 5 =
For c/a 1/5 = 1% for (2a//) up to 5 2% for (2a//) =
10
For c/a = 1/2 1% for (2a//) up to 2 3% for (2a//) =
5
For c/a 1 = 1% for (2a//) up to 1.5 5% for (2a//) =
5
It is easy to verify that for long coils of a few layers Bunet's formula is approxi-
mately :
L$ **
aW _ aW(3.2c//a)
U* ;
9a + 10/ (9a + 10/)»
a*N* CaN* „^
*STi«"iSr (15)
in accord with the result given previously for this type of coil.
aN* 4.9a
^-ISS^T+T (16)
VFT"? ~ ~l+ J
°- 707( / + «) c
when / = 3c or c = 3/,
4.02a 4.02a 5.1a
V/» + c«
~ 0.792 (/ + c)
~"
/ + c
5
V/» + c>
~ 0.91 (/ + c) ~/+ c
:
Thus when +
c) is compared with the logarithms of these quantities the
log 4.9/(7
percentage difference found to be small. is
Another formula due to Wheeler (Ref. 22) which covers the shape of many universal
windings, is
_ 0.8q»Ar«
• ~9/ 6a 10c+ +
accurate to within about 1 % when the three terms in the denominator are about equal.
(iv) Design of multilayer coils
(A) Short coils
The Bureau of Standards Circular No. 74 gives two of the possible approaches to
the design of short multilayer coils.'
(1) The two forms of Stephan's equation given in eqns. (9) to (12) may be ex-
pressed as :
A6/ *
L «=pI7i C » (17)
444 (iv) DESIGN OF MULTILAYER COILS 10.2
where A is the wire length, P is the distance between centres of adjacent wires and G
isa function of the shape of cross section (l/c) and of the shape ratio of the coil (c/a).
The quantity G
is represented by means of curves. This equation is used, in cases
where the ratios l/c and c/a have been decided, to determine the necessary wire-
length for a given pitch, or vice versa. The mean radius of the winding is then
obtained from
V— P*
- '' (18)
2n I (c/a) 2
~~\J
and number of turns is given by
the total N
= A/2wc or lc/P 2 .
can be shown that, for a given resistance and coil shape, the square cross section
It
(l/c = 1) gives a greater inductance than any other form ; and, further, for a square
cross section, the inductance for a given length of wire is a maximum for c/a = 0.662.
(2) Stephan's formulae may also be expressed in the form :
P=*N
and A = 2iraN.
where r x is the inner radius of the winding, r 2 is the outer radius of the winding and h
is the axial depth of the winding.
The difference between L, and L for single layer toroidal coils is usually small.
Where high precision is required the value of L„ may be obtained from L, by using
the corrections shown in Bulletin, Bureau of Standards, 8 (1912) p. 125.
L =
0.0U7N 2 h' log 10 (Xz/n') (3)
where h'} r 2 ' and r t ' are determined as follows :
t 3 be the thickness of winding on the inside edge of the top and bottom faces,
and
14 be the thickness of winding on the outside edge of the top and bottom faces,
then
r2' = r2 + r 2 /3 ; r x ' = r x - tJ3 ; h' = h + (t 3 f 4)/3 + ;
for a put a (N + —
l)P/2, where 2a „ is the distance (Fig. 10.8) across the
centre of the innermost end of the spiral.
The correction for cross section is given in the Bureau of Standards
Circular No. 74 in the form :
L = L - 0.0319^0^ + BJ,
s
L = L - 0.03l9aN(A + B),
s
^1375
aN* .
108 —
4.9a
Wheeler has given an approximate formula for spirals where c > 0.2a. It is :
_ a2N *
*~ 8a + lie"
The first of these formulae is the more accurate as the ratio c/a decreases, while the
second is the more accurate the closer c/a approaches unity. The agreement between
them is quite fair :
There are few simple formulae which can be used for the more common practical
cases,such as are possible with self inductance. The following exact method may be
used for two windings on the same former with a space between them, both windings
being similar in pitch and wire diameter (Fig. 10.9).
These inductances may be calculated from the formulae given in earlier sections of
this chapter.
References to accurate methods : Refs. 2, 3, 5, 13, 14, 15, 18.
1
U .j... i I ,.4-t: *j=-r3=j
s»<*
.z
d
.4
.1
zs
.8
K
S«l
1.2
1.4
IjS
.01
5*
22
2.4
2.6
^-
2.8 n*
S«3
C> I 2 3\
FIG. 10.10
Fig. 10.10. Chart giving coefficient of coupling for a specified spacing between two
coaxial solenoids having identical dimensions. The quantities S and L are measured in
terms of coil diameters. (Ref. 56.)
448 (ii) APPROXIMATE METHODS 10.5
10. Simon, A. W. " Wire length of universal coils " Elect. 19.3 (Mar. 1946) 162.
11. Dwight, H. B. " Self inductance of a toroidal coil without iron A.I.E.E. Trans. v.Nov. 1945) 805 ;
discussion supplement A.I.E.E. Trans. (Dec. 1945) 999.
12. Blow, T. C. " Solenoid inductance calculations " Elect. 15.5 (May 1942) 63.
13. Di Toro, M. J. "Computing mutual inductance" Elect. 18.6 Qune 1945) 144. ..„—,-
14. Maddock, A. J. " Mutual inductance : simplified calculations for concentric solenoids W.E.
22.263 (Aug. 1945) 373. , J ^ ,_, „ (New „_ .
15. Grover, F. W. (book) " Inductance calculations : Working Formulae and Tables York,
D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc., 1946). Includes extensive bibliography. _ _
16. Dwight, H. B. (book) " Electrical coils and conductors Their Electrical Characteristics and
:
London, 1950).
NOMOGRAMS AND" CHARTS FOR SELF INDUCTANCE ,„„«„,. , nA „„„ „
26. Sabaroff, S. (letter) Nomogram for Rosa inductance correction Proc. I.R.E. 35.8 (Aug. 1947) 793.
27. Pepperberg, L. E. " Coupling coefficient chart " Elect. 18.1 (Jan. 1945) 144.
28. Data Sheets 32 and 33 " The inductance of single layer solenoids on square and rectangular formers
Electronic Eng. 15.173 (July 1942) 65.
29. Data Sheets 26, 27 " Skin effect" Electronic Eng. 14.170 (Apnl 1942) 715.
30. Date Sheets 23-25, 28 " The shunt loaded tuned circuit " Electronic Eng. 14.169 (March 1942)
677, and 14.170 (April 1942) 715.
31. " Inductance chart for single layer solenoids " G.R. Exp. 15.3 (Aug. 1940) 6.
32. Purington, E. S. " Simplified inductance chart " (inductance of multi-layer coils) Elect. 15.9 (Sept.
33. " Instructions for use of Federal Band Pass Nomographs A to C and 1 to 3," Federal Telephone
and Radio Corporation.
" A convenient inductance chart for single layer solenoids G.R. Exp. (based on Circular 74, U.a.
34.
Bureau of Standards) 15.3 (Aug. 1940) 6. .,„,,,.
35. Data Sheets 12-17 " Inductance of single layer solenoids on circular formers
t,
Electronic Eng.
14.164 (Oct. 1941) 447 and 14.165 (Nov. 1941) 495.
36. Shiepe, E. M. " The Inductance Authority " published by Herman Bernard, New York, 1933
(contains 50 large sized charts based on formulae and tables of Bureau of Standards Circular No. 74).
37. Seki, H. "A new Abac for single layer coils" Wireless Engineer, 10.112 (Jan. 1933) 12 (nomo-
gram based upon Hayman's formula).
38. Maynard, J. E. " Multilayer coil inductance chart " Elect. (Jan. 1939) 33.
39. Beatty, R. T. " Radio Data Charts " published by Iliffe and Sons, London.
40. Nachod, C. P. " Nomogram for coil calculations " Elect. (Jan. 1937) 27-28.
40a. Sabaroff, S. "Multi-layer coil inductance chart" Comm. 29.12 (Dec. 1949) 18.
40b. Sulzer, P. G. " R.F. coil design using charts " Comm. 29.5 (May 1949) 10.
40c. " Reference Data for Radio Engineers," Federal Telephone and Radio Corp., 3rd ed. 1949, p. 75.
40d. Wheeler, H. A. " Inductance chart for solenoid coil" Proc. I.R.E. 38.12 (Dec. 1950) 1398.
R.D.H. —15 i
CHAPTER 11
Section Page
1. Introduction 450
2. Self-capacitance of coils 451
3. Intermediate-frequency windings 453
4. Medium wave-band coils 459
5. Short-wave coils 463
6. Radio-frequency chokes 474
7. Tropic proofing 476
8. References 478
SECTION 1 : INTRODUCTION
The space available for coils in a radio receiver is invariably limited;, and part of the
design work on each coil is the obtaining of maximum Q in a minimum volume.
In the case of i-f transformers the volume is clearly denned by the shield used, and the
same applies to r-f coils in cans, but where shielding is not used with r-f coils the
increased Q obtainable from larger diameter formers is offset against the increased
damping from components and magnetic materials, such as the receiver chassis, ad-
jacent to the coil.
The resulting form factor winding requiring maximum Q and
for each individual
minimum self-capacitance is usually such that the length of the winding is very ap-
proximately equal to its diameter. To obtain this shape for i-f, broadcast and short-
wave coils the winding method is varied.
I-F transformers use universal windings, and wnere the Q and distributed capacit-
ance requirements are not severe a single coil wound with a large cam (perhaps | in.)
will be satisfactory, even without an iron core, if litz wire [see Sect. 5{i)Jl is used.
However higher Q values are usually required than are obtainable in this way and in
such cases each winding consists of two or more pies, perhaps with an iron core.
The same types of coils are satisfactory in the broadcast band, although in the case
of signal frequency coils which are tuned over a ratio of more than three to one it is
essential to use very narrow windings or two or more pies to reduce the distributed
capacitance of the winding. Litz wire and iron cores are commonly used to give a
secondary Q of 100 or more.
Another method of decreasing distributed capacitance is the use of progressive
universal windings in which the winding finger travels along the former in addition
to moving to and fro. Such coils are rarely built up to a greater height than five wire
thicknesses, and are equally useful with or without iron cores. Solenoids are also
used either with iron cores or on comparatively large diameter formers if an iron core
is not used.
450
11.1 INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN 451
At frequencies between 2 and 6 Mc/s (which are used in receivers providing con^-
tinuous coverage between the normal short-wave and broadcast bands, or for oscilla-
tors giving second harmonic mixing for the short wave band) the progressive universal
winding is particularly useful because the winding length of solenoids may be too great
with the usual range of former diameters, and the number of turns is insufficient to
allow them to be split into many sections.
A set of worm driving gears which spreads the appropriate number of turns over a
length approximately equal to the coil diameter is required. This usually necessitates
a faster worm drive than is used for broadcast coils. Litz wire with a large number
of strands is useful in obtaining maximum Q.
For the 6 to 18 Mc/s band the solenoid used, almost always with solid wire, and
is
this type of coil remains useful at least up to 100 Mc/s. Increased wire diameters
and spacings are used at higher frequencies to obtain form factors similar to those
used at low frequencies.
Short wave coils of enamelled wire on a solid former do not have serious dielectric
losses if good quality materials are used, but at broadcast and intermediate frequencies
the universal windings used have comparatively high-loss dielectrics and unless self-
capacitances are kept to a low value the reduction in Q may be appreciable.
In the case of coils which are to be tuned over a range of frequencies, comparatively
small values of shunt capacitance can have a large effect on the possible tuning range.
In all cases the self capacitance of a coil has an apparent effect on its resistance,
inductance and Q, and at frequencies considerably below the self resonant frequency
of the coil
apparent resistance = Ry 1 + pr )
and H
depends only on the length/diameter ratio of the coil. A table of values of H
is given below and when used in conjunction with a capacitance correction for the
" live " lead, Medhurst states that the accuracy should be within 5%.
TABLE 1
/ Length \ H Length \ H Length \ H
V Diameter/ ( Diameter/ ( Diameter/
50 5.8 0.70
5.0 0.47 0.81
40 4.6 0.60
4.5 0.48 0.77
30 3.4 4.0 0.50 0.50 0.72
25 2.9 3.5 0.45 0.52 0.67
20 2.36 3.0 0.61 0.40 0.54
15 1.86 2.5 0.56 0.35 0.57
10 1.32 2.0 0.50 0.30 0.60
9.0 1.22 1.5 0.47 0.25 0.64
8.0 1.12 1.0 0.46 0.20 0.70
7.0 1.01 0.90 0.46 0.15 0.79
6.0 0.92 0.80 0.46 0.10 0.96
Lead capacitance can be determined separately and added to the coil self-capacit-
ance. Fig. 11.1 (from Medhurst) can be used for this purpose.
—
x
1,
S 10 IS 20 2S 30 35 40 45 SO
LENGTH OF WIPE (em)
self-capacitance = '
r
A disadvantage of air cored i-f coils is that a trimmer capacitance is needed to re-
sonate the tuned circuit. The cheapest types of trimmers usually have poor stability
with respect to time, vibration, humidity and temperature, and satisfactory types may
cost more than a variable iron core with provision for adjusting it.
To obtain the greatest benefit from an iron core it is necessary to have all of the
turns close to the core. In particular cases, especially at high frequencies,
Q
may be
decreased due to increased distributed capacitance if the coil is too close (e.g. wound
on the core) but in normal i-f applications in which a former comes between coil and
core the thinner the former can be made, the better will be the
Q.
Also because of this effect it sometimes happens that by winding a coil with thinner
litz (fewer strands), and so bringing the top turns closer to the
iron and further from
the can, an increase in Q
is obtained.
Another benefit from bringing all of the turns as close to the iron core as possible
is that the range of inductance adjustment provided by the core is increased. If
fixed capacitors with ± 10% tolerance are used to tune the i-f windings, it is necessary
to provide at least ±15% inductance adjustment from the iron core to allow for
winding variations and changes in stray capacitances due to valves and wiring. It is
necessary to split the i-f winding into pies to obtain a variation of this order with
normal cheap i-f cores.
An additional advantage of splitting the winding is that at least half of the turns in the
coil are brought much closer to the core so that Q is increased above the amount to
be expected from the reduction in distributed capacitance.
To obtain the previously mentioned Q of 100 at an inductance of about 1 millihenry
with a small iron core, a coil can somewhat larger than one inch diameter would pro-
bably be needed with a coil wound in three pies of 5 strand 41 A.W.G. litz.
Much higher Q's are obtainable with special core shapes and materials, and a 455
Kc/s i-f transformer with a Q of 260 in the can is mentioned in Ref. A15. However
difficulty is usually experienced from instability even with valves of comparatively
low slope, such as the 6SK7-GT, if i-f transformers with a Q above about 150 are
used.
A possibility of increasing Q
with iron-cored coils which does not usually arise
with air-cored the coil is wound directly on to a non-adjustable iron core
coils is that if
or on to a small individual former, it can be mounted in different planes inside the coil
can. By mounting the coil with its axis at right angles to the axis of the can it is
possible to obtain an increase in Q of the order of 10% (depending on the diameters
of coil and can) and this method also has the advantage of making both cores adjust-
able from above the chassis. The chief disadvantage is that coupling between primary
and secondary takes place mainly between adjacent edges of the two windings and
variations in the height of the windings, due to variations in wire thickness, notice-
ably affect the coupling. In addition, trouble may be experienced from regeneration
because with this method of mounting the field of the bottom winding extends further
11.3 (ii) IRON-CORED COILS 455
outside the coil can. Unless a good joint is made between can and chassis this trouble
will be. further aggravated.
If the peaks are not symmetrical, undesired couplings are probably responsible.
All traces of regeneration must be removed and, because the stability requirements
are more severe than usual, unusual effects are liable to be uncovered. For example,
regeneration may occur due to coupling between a loop formed by the generator input
leads and the output of the i-f amplifier (twisting generator leads will cure this) or
coupling may occur between first and second i-f transformers within the steel chassis.
When this happens, rotating one or both transformers will probably give cancellation
but leave production receivers susceptible to the trouble. Additional spacing between
transformers is advisable with each primary and secondary wired for minimum re-
generative coupling.
The switch used for the tertiary winding should preferably be of the " break before
make " variety. A " make before break " switch momentarily short circuits the
winding during switching, giving a sudden reduction and increase in sensitivity
tertiary
which can be heard as a click.
Even after a satisfactory i-f selectivity curve has been obtained, the over-all curve
may be too narrow if a r-f stage is used in the receiver. In such cases the r-f stage
should also be expanded [Chapter 35 Sect. 5(iii)].
WIRE
FIG. 11.4
Symbols
d = former diameter (inches)
c = cam throw (inches)
n = nominal number of crossovers per turn (see Table 1)
q = number of crossovers per winding cycle, i.e. before wire lies alongside
preceding wire (see Table 1).
v = nominal number of turns per winding cycle (see Table 1)
R = gear ratio = former gear /cam gear
to = modified wire diameter (inches) -see Note below —
P = qc/(jo -f x) = an integer
x — smallest amount necessary to make (P + l)/v an integer (inches).
Note. For fabric covered wire, w = (measured diameter of covered wire) x 8/7.
If the wire is enamelled only, the same formula is used but the bare wire diameter is
multiplied by 8/7.
Procedure
(A) From n (2d/3c) determine the largest convenient value for n. Do not use
>
values of n less than 2 for bare enamelled wire. Obtain values of q and v from Table 1
below for the value of n chosen.
TABLE 1
112.2
n 4 2 1 2/3 * 1/3 f
q 4 2 2 2 2
v 2 3 4 6 8
(B) Determine a> from information given in the note above.
(C) Calculate P from P = qc/(w + x). „
(D) Obtain R from R = MP + 1V-P-
Example 1
Given d = £ in. and c — 0.1 in. determine the gears to wind a coil with 42 S.W.G.
enamelled wire.
(A) (2d /3c) = 1.0/0.3. Take n = 2, giving q = 2 and v = 1 from the table.
(B) The diameter of bare 42 S.W.G. wire is 0.004 in., so zo = 0.004 57 in.
(C) P = qc/(w + x) and (P + l)/i> must be an integer, i.e. P must be an integer
since — 1.
v
qc/vi= 200/4.57 = 43.7.
But P = qc/(v> +'x) = an integer.
Therefore P = 43.
(D) R = MP + 1)/P = £ X 2(43 + l)/43 = 44/43.
Example 2
Given rf = 1 in. and c = £ in. determine the gears to wind a coil with 0.016 in.
litz wire.
(A) 2d/3c 2/3. Take n = 2/3, giving q = = 2 and t; = 3.
(B) a> =
0.016 in. x 8/7 0.0183 in. =
(C) qc/w =
500/18.3 27.3. =
But (P l)/v + an integer. =
Therefore P = 26.
(D) R = MP + 1)/P = 1/3 X 27/26.
To obtain suitable gears :
in appreciable reduction in Q. Many artificial coverings have greater losses than silk,
but this is usually obvious when a sample coil is wound. Less obvious losses may
occur in details such as the material used to seal the end of a winding or in the placing
of shunt capacitors or even coil lugs close to the actual i-f winding. An assembly of
straight parallel wires between top and bottom of the i-f can may cause appreciable
decrease in Q, particularly if large blobs of solder are placed close to the windings.
To eliminate such losses it is advisable to check the Q
of a winding, sealed with
low-loss material and baked to remove all moisture, when suspended well away from
any substances which will introduce losses. The mechanical structure of the complete
i-f assembly can then be added, one section at a time, and the Q read at each stage,
a final reading being taken when the coil is mounted in the receiver.
Because of the closeness of the Curie point to room temperature (the Curie point
—
of Ferroxcube III is 110° 160°C) some change of permeability occurs with changing
temperature. For instance the permeability of Ferroxcube III can be almost halved
by an increase in temperature from 20°C to 80°C. However, the permeability of
Ferroxcube V is decreased less than 10% by a similar •temperature change under the
same conditions. Between 10° and 40 °C the change in permeability averages 0.15%
per 1°C for the various types of Ferroxcube.
In cases in which the magnetic circuit is normally completely enclosed, the high
permeability of Ferroxcube can be used to minimize losses by means of an air gap.
If the gap is such as to reduce the effective permeability to one tenth of its original
value (which could still be high), losses and the effect of heat on effective permeability
will also be reduced in the same proportion.
The properties of Ferroxcube allow considerable reductions to be made in the size
of such items as i-f transformers or carrier-frequency filters, and it is an excellent
material for magnetic screens or for permeability tuning. However its saturation
point is rather low and it is not used for power transformer or output transformer
cores.
Ref. A27 describes research on ferromagnetic spinels by the Radio Corporation
of America. These spinels are ceramic-like ferromagnetic materials characterized
by high permeability (up to greater than 1200), high electric resistivity (up to 10"
ohm cm), and low losses at radio frequencies. Wide ranges in these and other pro-
perties are obtainable by varying the component ingredients and methods of synthesis.
Ferrospinels are being used increasingly in electronic equipment operating in the
frequency range of 10 to 5000 Kc/s. At power and low audio frequencies the ferro-
spinels are not competitive with laminated ferromagnetic materials, and at very high
frequencies the losses in ferrospinels are excessive when high permeability is re-
quired. It is possible however to produce a ferrospinel, with low permeability, useful
at frequencies in the order of 100 Mc/s. The application of ferrospinels as core bodies
in the deflection yoke, horizontal deflection transformer and high voltage transformer
for television receivers is now finding wide acceptance. The ferrospinels are especi-
ally suited to television video frequencies as their use in these components results in
improved performance at lower cost and with smaller space.
In the standard broadcast receiver, the ferrospinels are expected to be used in the
radio frequency circuits as " trimmers " and as permeability tuning cores. With a
properly designed coil it is possible to tune a circuit, by the movement of a ferrospinel
rod, from 500 to 3000 Kc/s, or to cover the standard American broadcast band (540
to 1730 Kc/s) with only three eighths of an inch movement of the rod.
By using a ferrospinel with a high electric resistivity as the core body for radio
frequency inductances, the wire body may be placed on the ferrospinel without
additional insulation. In fact, the conductor may be affixed by the printed circuit
technique for some applications.
phase shift in the voltage fed back from the plate into the grid circuit. Consequently
an even larger reaction winding is required and the result may be reactance reflected
into the secondary circuit which makes it impossible to tune the required range
if the police band (U.S.A.) is to be included. In any case the reflected reactance,
which is a variable throughout the tuning range, complicates the tracking problem.
A method of decreasing the coupling inductance required, which is applicable to
progressive but not to ordinary universal windings, is to thread both secondary and
primary wires together through the winding finger, wind the required number of
primary turnsj terminate the primary and proceed with the secondary winding until
completed. This method is possible with progressive windings because of the gaps
which occur throughout the winding, whereas with a normal universal winding there
is no room for a primary between turns of the secondary.
For r-f and particularly for aerial coils the need for high Q is greater. The sensi-
tivity, signal-to-noise ratio and image ratio of a receiver are all governed by the aerial
coil Q.
Since the amount of wire used in an aerial coil secondary is so much less than in
the i-f transformers it is often possible to use more expensive litz.
Probably the most satisfactory method of coupling the aerial to the grid of the first
valve (or the plate of the first valve to the grid of the second) is by means of a high
impedance primary. This can take the form of a universal winding of the finest
wire the machines will conveniently handle, wound at an appropriate distance from
the secondary to give about 20% coupling (depending on the Q of the secondary,
the amount of mistracking that can be tolerated, and the types of aerial expected to
be used). In the case of progressive universal secondaries it sometimes happens that
the primary must be wound as closely as possible to the secondary to obtain the re-
quired degree of coupling.
The primary should be resonated by its own self-capacitance, or by an additional
capacitor, below the intermediate frequency so that no normal aerial can tune the
primary to the intermediate frequency and so cause instability. A typical value of
primary inductance is 1 mHand a 150 m^F capacitor would be suitable for use with it.
To increase, the aerial coil gain at the high frequency end of the broadcast band a
capacitor of the order of 4 h/j.F might be used between aerial and grid of the first valve.
Since the capacitor decreases image ratio at the same time as it increases sensitivity
and signal-to-noise ratio, some requirement other than flat sensitivity across the
broadcast band might be desirable.
Similar considerations apply to the coupling of the r-f valve except that primary
inductances are usually larger (say 4 mH) and their tuning capacitors may be increased
in size until the gain is reduced to the required figure.
The direction of connection for high impedance coils and oscillator coils is the same
as that already detailed for i-f transformers ; the grid is connected to the end of the
secondary further from the primary, to reduce capacitance coupling, and then, con-
sidering the secondary and primary to be one tapped coil wound in the one direction,
the aerial (or plate) is connected to the other extreme of the winding.
(ii)Iron-cored coils
The use of suitable iron cores greatly simplifies the problem of obtaining high Q
windings. In fact, for any reasonable Q requirement it is only a matter of obtaining
a suitable core.
Whilst for a given Q and coil size a coil wound on an iron slug will be less affected
by itssurroundings than an air-cored coil, owing to the concentration of the flux in
the core, high Q secondaries (e.g. 250) will be found to require very careful placement
if serious Q losses are to be avoided, particularly at the high frequency end of the broad-
cast band. Even an open circuited primary at the appropriate distance for correct
coupling may noticeably decrease the Q.
The primary should be wound on the opposite side of the secondary from the iron
core, which will not pass completely through the secondary because of the necessity
for leaving room for adjustment. Under these conditions movement of the core to
S
compensate for differences between individual receivers will not seriously affect the
coupling between primary and secondary.
To avoid losses due to adjacent components with high Q coils, iron cores can be
used which completely enclose the winding. These cores give higher Q's than the
more usual slugs with a similar winding and reduce the external field of the coil to
such an extent that in extreme cases it may be difficult to obtain sufficient coupling
between the secondary and an external high impedance winding.
An advantage of using an iron core in the oscillator coil is that, apart from giving
increased Q, it can greatly increase the coupling between primary and secondary,
thereby decreasing the primary reactance for a given amount of coupling.
Permeability tuning
(iii)
The increasing use of permeability tuning is an indication of the extent to which
the design and production difficulties associated with this type of tuning are being
overcome.
FIG. II.
N/ ©
X
\$ If"1
'WW-*- T — A.v.v-. —
A.V.C.
No gang condenser is needed, so that even with the added complication in the coil
assembly a cheap broadcast band tuning unit is possible. Gang microphony is auto-
matically eliminated, and a value of tuning capacitor can be chosen which will make the
effects of, for instance, capacitance variations due to valve replacement negligible
over the whole tuning range. This capacitor can be a low-loss type and it may be
given a suitable temperature coefficient if desired. The space saving owing to the
elimination of the tuning capacitor is appreciable, even taking into account the ad-
ditional space required for the iron cores and their driving mechanism.
By a suitable choice of coil and core constants the oscillator grid current can be
maintained at or very close to the desired figure at all points in the broadcast band.
Aerial coil gain can also be kept constant.
One of the most serious troubles in the design of a permeability tuning unit is in
obtaining satisfactory coupling between the aerial and the permeability-tuned aerial
coil. If a normal primary is used the coupling variations with changing core position,
as the coil is tuned over the broadcast band, are excessive. Similarly a tapped in-
ductor can not be used because the core alters the coupling between the two sections
of the winding too much. Fig. 11. 5A, B and C show three methods which have been
used.
The circuit of Fig. 11. 5A couples the aerial straight into the tuned circuit and gives
good when correctly aligned. However image rejection is poor and
aerial coil gain
the detuning effect when different aerials are connected to the receiver is considerable.
Improved image rejection is obtained from the circuit of Fig. 11. 5B but sensitivity
is lost because much of the voltage developed across the tuned circuit is not applied
between grid and cathode of the valve.
Fig. 11. 5C gives amore satisfactory solution (Ref. A24). There is no inductive
coupling between primary and permeability tuned secondary and the coupling between
primary and coupling coil is unaffected by the core position. A constant gain of
about three times over the band can be obtained from a coil with average effective
Q of 100, with satisfactory image ratios across the band and reasonable freedom from
detuning effects with different aerials.
462 (Hi) PERMEABILITY TUNING 11.4
(iv) Matching
Methods of coil matching depend on the type of coil and to a certain extent upon
the subsequent alignment procedure.
Air-cored solenoids can be wound with a spacing towards the end of the winding
equivalent to pne turn. The inductance is then increased by sliding turns across
the gap from the small end section to the main body of the coil, or decreased by sliding
turns in the opposite direction.
Air-cored pie-wound coils can be matched by pushing pies together to increase
inductance, but the method has disadvantages. Firstly, the coils are liable to be
damaged, even to the extent of collapsing completely, and secondly coils which are
rigid enough to withstand the pushing without damage may have enough elasticity
to return towards their original positions over a period of time, thus destroying the
matching. If coils matched in this way are to be impregnated it is necessary to re-
check (and readjust in many cases) after impregnation, and recheck again after flash
dipping, if a reasonable degree of matching accuracy is to be maintained.
Another method which has been used with air-cored coils is to wind each coil with
slightly too much inductance, bake, impregnate and flash-dip the coil and then seal
it in an aluminium can. A groove is then run in the can above the appropriate coil
and the depth of the groove is increased until the inductance of the coil inside the
11.4 (iv) MATCHING 463
(i) Design" 1
Much has been written on the subject of designing coils suitable for use on short
waves. A
number of references will be found at the end of this chapter. The work
by Pollack, Harris and Siemens, and Barden and Grimes is very complete from the
practical design viewpoint. The papers by Butterworth, Palermo and Grover, and
Terman are basically theoretical. Austin has provided an excellent summary and
practical interpretauon of Butterworth's four papers. Medhurst's paper gives the
results of measurements which in some cases disagree with Butterworth's theoretical
values. For coils whose turns are widely spaced the measurements of high-frequency
resistance are in good agreement but for closely-spaced coils the measured values are
very considerably below those of Butterworth. Theoretical reasons are given for
these differences.
(A) Pollack (Ref. G4) summarizes the procedure for the optimum design of coils
for frequencies from 4 to 25 Mc/s as follows :
1. Coil diameter and length of winding Make as large as is consistent with the
:
shield being used. The shield diameter should be twice the coil diameter, and the
ends of the coil should not come within one diameter of the ends of the shield.
2. A
bakelite coil form with a shallow groove for the wire, and enamelled wire may
be used with little loss in Q. The groove should not be any deeper than is necessary
to give the requisite rigidity. The use of special coil form constructions and special
materials does not appear to be justified (except for the reduction of frequency drift
due to temperature changes).
3. Number of turns Calculate from
:
N = VH102S + 45)/D
where 5 = ratio of length to diameter of coil,
D = diameter of coil in centimetres,
and L = inductance in microhenrys.
Wire size Calculate from
4. :
That is, the optimum wire diameter is l/V*^ times the winding pitch, measured from
centre to centre of adjacent turns.
(B) Barden and Grimes (Ref. G16) recommend for coils working near 15 Mc/s.
that No. 14 or No. 16 A.W.G. enamelled wire on a form not less than one inch dia-
meter at a winding pitch equal to twice the wire diameter is desirable. The screen
diameter should be not less than twice the coil diameter. comparison of coils of A
equal inductance on 0.5 in. and 1 in. forms in screens double the coil diameter in-
dicates that the value of Q is twice as great for the larger diameter coil. No. 24 A.W.G.
wire was used for the small diameter coil.
(C) Harris and Siemens (Ref. G21) quote the following conclusions :—
(1) Q increases with coil diameter.
(2) Q increases with coil length, rapidly when
the ratio of length to diameter is
small, and very slowly when the length
equal to or greater than the diameter.
is
(3) Optimum ratio of wire diameter to pitch is approximately 0.6 for any coil shape.
Variation of Q with wire diameter is small in the vicinity of the optimum ratio ; hence,
selection of the nearest standard gauge is satisfactory- for practical purposes.
(D) The shape of a coil necessary for minimum copper loss (from Butter-
worth's paper) is stated by Austin (Ref. D7) as follows :
(1) Single layer solenoids Winding length equal to one-third of the diameter.
:
(2) Single layer discs (pancake) Winding depth equal to one-quarter of the
:
external diameter.
(E) Butterworth's paper (Ref. Dl) deals with the copper loss resistance only, and
insulation losses must be taken into account separately. Insulation losses are
minimized by winding coils on low loss forms, using a form or shape factor which pro-
vides the smallest possible self-capacitance with the lowest losses. Thus air is the
best separating medium for the individual turns, and the form should provide only
the very minimum of mechanical support. Multilayer windings in one pie have high
self-capacitance due to proximity of the high and low potential ends of the winding.
The same inductance obtained by several pies close together in series greatly reduces
the self-capacitance and associated insulation losses. Heavy coatings of poor quality
wax of high dielectric constant may introduce considerable losses.
(F) In the section of Medhurst's paper (Ref.D6) dealing with h.f. resistance he
states that so long as the wire diameter is less than one half of the distance between
wire centres, Butterworth's values are applicable. An increasing error occurs as the
ratio of wire diameter to distance between centres increases, the values being 190%
too high when the ratio is 0.9.
A graph is presented giving variation in optimum wire spacing with variation in
the ratio of coil length to coil diameter (Fig. 11. 6A).
It is shown that a good approximation to the high frequency Q of coils of the type
measured is given by the simple expression
Q = 0.15R+VT
where R = mean radius of coil (cm),
/ = frequency (c/s)
and *!> depends on the length/diameter and spacing ratios.
A comprehensive table of
values is presented.
V'
(G) M. V. Callender (Ref. D9) points out that Medhurst's formula for Q can be
approximated within a few per cent by the equation
Q = V/K6.9/R + 5.4//)
where R = radius of coil (cm)
and / =" length of coil (cm).
An even simpler expression
Q= 0.15V7/(VK + 1/0
follows the data to a few per cent provided I R. >
The range of conditions under which this formula applies is the same as that to
which Medhurst's data refer in particular—
:
11.5 (i) DESIGN 465
(a) The ratio of wire diameter to wire spacing must approximate to the optimum
shown in Fig. 11. 6A.
(b) The formulae apply only for very high frequencies because of skin effect con-
siderations. However the following table, giving the thinnest wire for which the
formula applies within ± 10%, shows that most practical solenoids will be covered
'
(d) Dielectric loss is not allowed for. This is unlikely to be serious except where
the coil has a rather poor dielectric (bakelite or worse) and is used in a circuit having
a low parallel tuning capacitance.
IK)
|( fiA
Fig. 11. 6A. Variation of optimum spacing ratio with length /diameter (Ref. £>6).
(H) Afeyerson (Refs. G3 and Gil) gives the results of measurements on a large
number of coils tuned over a range between 25 and 60 Mc/s. The following informa-
tion is obtained from his work :
(a) Q any frequency within the band, and the frequency for maximum Q, both
at
increase with an increase in wire size for a given coil diameter. 10 A.W.G. wire (the
largest used) was nearly 10% better over the range than 12 A.W.G. wire on a one inch
diameter former.
(b) Maximum increases, and the frequency for maximum
Q Q
decreases, with an
increase in coil diameter for a given wire size, number of turns and number of turns
per inch.
(c) The coil diameter required for highest Q
throughout the tuning range decreases
with increasing frequency for a given wire size, number of turns and number of turns
per inch.
(d) Maximum Q
is obtained with a spacing between adjacent wires which is slightly
greater than the bare wire diameter.
(e) No variation in Q
was detected between coils wound with bare wire, enamelled
wire or silver plated wire.
On the other hand, cotton covering decreased by as much as Q 5%
at 50 Mc/s and
annealing of the copper wire increased Q
by less than one per cent.
(I) In Refs. G10 and G12 Meyerson gives details of work with frequency ranges
between 60 and 120 Mc/s on the Q
and frequency stability of inductors made of wire,
tubing and strip in various shapes e.g. disc, hairpin, folded lines, etc.
(J) Other points taken from various references are given below. Dielectric losses
present in the self capacitance of the coil are reduced by altering the shape to separate
the high potential end from all low potential parts of the circuit. These losses become
relatively more important the higher the frequency Thus, the shape of a solenoid
for minimum total losses may need to be increased beyond what would otherwise be
the optimum length.
The high frequency alternating field of a coil produces eddy currents in the metal
of the wire, which are superimposed upon the desired flow of current. The first
effect is for the current to concentrate at the outside surface of the conductor, leaving
the interior relatively idle. In a coil where theiw are numbers of adjacent turns carry-
ing current, each has a further influence upon its neighbour.
466 SHORT-WAVE COILS 11.5
In turns near the centre of a solenoid the current concentrates on the surface of
each turn where it is in contact with the form, i.e. at the minimum diameter. In
turns at either end of a solenoid the maximum current density occurs near the
minimum diameter of the conductor, but is displaced away from the centre of the
coil.
Thus most of the conductor is going to waste. Multi-strand or litz (litzendraht)
wires have been developed to meet this difficulty. Several strands (5, 7, 9, 15 being
common) are woven together, each being of small cross section and completely in-
sulated by enamel and silk covering from its neighbours. Owing to the weaving of
the strands, each wire carries a nearly similar share of the total current, which is now
forced to flow through a larger effective cross section of copper. The former tendency
towards concentration at one side of a solid conductor is decreased and the copper
losses are correspondingly reduced.
Litz wire is most effective at frequencies between 0.3 and 3 Mc/s. Outside of
this range comparable results are usually possible with round wire of solid section,
because at low frequencies " skin effect" steadily disappears while at high frequencies
it is large even in the fine strands forming the litz wire, and is augmented by the use
of strands having increased diameter.
Screens placed around coils of all tyrjes at radio frequencies should be of non-
magnetic good-conducting material to introduce the least losses. In other words,
the Q of the screen considered as a single turn coil should be as high as possible. In
addition, the coupling to the coil inside it should be low to minimize the screen losses
reflected into the tuned circuit. For this reason the screen diameter should, if pos-
sible, be at least double the outside diameter of the coil. A ratio smaller than 1.6 to 1
causes a large increase in losses due to the presence of the screen.
The design of coils for use with iron core materials depends mainly upon the type
of core material and the shape of the magnetic circuit proposed. Nearly closed core
systems are sometimes used with high permeability low loss material. More com-
monly, however, the core is in the form of a small cylindrical plug which may be
moved by screw action along the axis of the coil and fills the space within the inside
diameter of the form. The main function of the core in the latter case may be only
to provide a means of tuning the circuit rather than of improving its Q. When im-
provement in Q is possible with a suitable material, the maximum benefit is obtained
by ensuring that the largest possible percentage of the total magnetic flux links with
the core over as much of its path as possible ; the ultimate limit in this direction is
of course the closed core.
An excellent series of charts for the design of single-layer solenoids for a required
inductance and Q is presented by A. I. Forbes Simpson in Ref. G17. These charts
and the instructions for their use are reprinted by permission of " Electronic Engineer-
ing " and the author (Figs. 11.7 to 11.13 inclusive).
The use of the charts is simple and gives direct answers. As so many unascertain-
able factors govern the final inductance of a coil in position, no attempt has been made
to achieve an accuracy better than 1 per cent. The inductances indicated by the charts
assume that the leads to the coil are of the same wire as the coil and perpendicular
to it, and are each a coil diameter long.
Coils of this form have a low self-capacitance which is largely independent of all
save the coil diameter and to a lesser extent the wire gauge.
The capacitance may be expressed as
C= D(0.47 + a) /x/xF
where D iscoil former diameter in cms. and a is a constant depending on the gauge
of wire, lying between 0.065 for 42 S.W.G. and 0.11 for 12 S.W.G. wire, where one
lead of the coil is connected to chassis.
Use of charts
The charts shown may be used as follows :
If the desired Q is known, then reference to Fig. 11.8 will suggest a suitable diameter
of former.
11.5 (i) DESIGN 467
Example
--fcj U\ As an example* of the use of the curves, suppose
we have a variable condenser of 450 ft/xF swing and
Ologrom to illustrate use of Chart* desire to find a coil with which it will tune from
FIG. 11.7
12 Mc/s to 4 Mc/s. If the total capacitance at
Fig 11.7 n°gram to Ulus- nM be c rrF then
/
'
trate use of charts (Ref. G17).
If we choose a f in. former we find that the line corresponding to this in Fig. 11.10
cuts the L line at a wire diameter of 0.025 in. This line intersects T.P.I. at 23.8
and the " No. of turns " is 18.5 with a wire gauge of 22 S.W.G.
Referring to Fig. 11.8 —we find for L — 3.15 /xH :
•This example is presented in a different form from that in the original article.
8
•3 «4 >s -a 1 2 3 4 s 8 to 30 30 40 SO 80 100
L QMicrotanriej) FIG. 1 1.
Fig. 11.8. Q/L chart for obtaining suitable size of former (Ref. GY1).
11.5 (ii) MISCELLANEOUS FEATURES 469
middle of the coil. In this way the last half turn of the coil can be increased almost
to a complete turn or decreased to a small fraction of a turn. Both the first and last
half turns on the coil can be treated in this way, thereby providing a possible induct-
ance adjustment equivalent to approximately one complete turn of the winding.
When matching short wave coils it is essential that associated primaries, and any other
coils on the same former, be connected in a similar manner to their ultimate connection
in the receiver, i.e. earthed ends of coils should be earthed, and hot ends either earthed
or left open depending on which is more suitable.
oi oe
WIRE DIAMETER IN INCHES
Iron cores are widely used for adjusting the inductance of short wave coils. Be-
cause at higher frequencies increased losses in cores offset the advantage of increased
permeability, the cores in some cases do not increase the Q of a coil, but provide a
convenient method of inductance adjustment.
In shortwave oscillator coils an iron core also has the advantage of increasing the
coupling between primary and secondary for a given winding. Thus increased grid
current may be obtained although Q is not increased.
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(B) Self-capacitance
To reduce capacitances in a coil with an interwound primary winding without
—
noticeably decreasing the coupling, it is possible if the spacing factor of the secondary
—
winding allows it to wind the primary against the wire on the low potential side of
each space between secondary wires. A definite advantage is gained from this method
of- winding and at the same time the cause of appreciable random deviations in coil
capacitance is removed.
It is usually advisable to start an interwound primary winding just outside a tuned
secondary winding for a desired coupling with minimum secondary capacitance.
Best results will probably be obtained with the primary started between one half
100
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r.d.h —16
47 4 (ii) MISCELLANEOUS FEATURES 11.5
and one and one half turns outside the cold end of the secondary, close spacing being
used for parts of the primary outside the secondary and the external primary turns
being wound as close to the last secondary turn as possible
At frequencies below its natural resonance the impedance of a choke is due to its
inductive reactance, modified by the self-capacitance as shown in Sect. 2(i) of this
chapter, and so increases with frequency until self-resonance is reached. The choke
may have one or more resonances, series as well as parallel, as explained below, but
above some high frequency its impedance is approximately equal to the reactance
11.6 (i) PIE-WOUND CHOKES 475
(i)General considerations
The use of a suitable wax or varnish is not the only way in which the moisture
resisting properties of a coil canbe improved. The higher the impedance of a circuit,
the greater the effect of a certain resistance in parallel with it. Thus a leakage be-
tween coil terminals (or other appropriate parts of the circuit) due to moisture will have
a greater effect on a high Q circuit than on a low Q one. Depending upon the im-
portance attached to maintenance of performance in humid conditions, it may be de-
sirable to use low impedance (low Q and low L) circuits even at the expense of an
additional stage in a receiver.
Another aspect of the question is that the moisture absorption of a coil is governed
by surface area.
its High Q
coils usually have a larger surface (due to the use of pie-
winding for instance) and thus are more liable to deteriorate rapidly under humid
conditions.
This has been demonstrated in a test in which two sets of coils were used. The
consisted of 1
first set mH
coils wound in a single pie with a 3/8 in. cam, giving an
initial Q
of 75, the second set of 1 mH
coils were wound with three pies and a 1/10 in.
Q
cam giving a of 145. Both sets of coils were baked, impregnated, and flash dipped
and then exposed to conditions of high humidity. At the end of one week the single
pie windings had an average Q
of 65, and the three pie windings an average Q
of about
60. As the test continued the improved- performance of the single pie windings
became even more marked. In addition the variations between individual coils
were much less in the single pie windings, which may have been due to the more
variable nature of the flash-dip on the three-pie windings.
No coating or. impregnating treatment for coils prevents moisture penetration if
the exposure to high humidity is prolonged. On the other hand, some treatments
will delay the ingress of moisture much longer than others —
for instance the Q of a
coil with a single flash-dip will fall much more rapidly than that of a coil which has
been vacuum impregnated and flash-dipped twice. The corollary should not be
overlooked ; after prolonged exposure to humidity the coil with a single flash dip
will return to its original performance when the humidity is decreased more rapidly
than will the other. Conditions of use determine requirements, but it cannot be
taken for granted that the- treatment which gives the slowest deterioration in is the Q
best for all types of operation.
Apart from maintaining Q, moisture proofing is also required to maintain insulation
resistance between different windings or between windings and earth. This is
particularly important in the case of interwound coils (e.g. an oscillator coil) in which
one winding is earthed and the other is of fine wire with a d.c. potential applied to it.
Leakage between the two windings in the presence of moisture can produce elec-
trolysis and a consequent open-circuit in the fine wire.
(ii) Baking
which is to be applied to a coil,
Irrespective of the moisture proofing treatment
the requirement is to remove all moisture. This is done most conveniently
first
by baking at a temperature above the boiling point of water. Materials used in coil
winding are liable to be damaged at temperatures greatly in excess of 100 °C and a
satisfactory oven temperature is from 105° to 110°C.
Thetime required depends on the components being treated, and it is essential
for all parts of a coil to be raised to oven temperature and maintained at that tempera-
ture at least for a short time. Baking for a quarter of an hour is a minimum for simple
coils, and half an hour is a more satisfactory time.
11.7 (ii) BAKING 477
One detail of oven design which must not be overlooked is that provision must
be made for removing the water vapour as it is expelled from the coils. A current
of fresh air passing through the oven is satisfactory for this purpose.
Whether the baking is followed by impregnation or flash-dipping only, the next
process should begin before the coils have cooled.
(iii) Impregnation
Although vacuum impregnation gives the best penetration of the impregnant and
best removal of moisture vapour and gas, a " soaking " treatment is often used and
gives satisfactory results for commercial requirements.
A typical soaking treatment calls for the coils to be immersed in wax which is main-
tained at 105° to 110 °C for a period of from one quarter to one half hour, depending
on the type of winding, e.g. a thick universal winding needs more time than a spaced
solenoid. In any case the coil should be left in the wax until no more bubbles are
given off.
The temperature of the wax-tank needs accurate adjustment as apart from damage
to coils which may result if it is too high, the characteristics of the wax may be altered
by excessive heating.
Soaking in varnish (air-drying or oven-drying) is also possible but it is necessary
to keep a close check on the viscosity.
(iv) Flash-dipping
Flash-dipping is commonly practised without impregnation and properly carried
out it can be a satisfactory commercial treatment. The flash-dip should be of the
same type of material as normally used for impregnation.
A wax-tank for flash-dipping can conveniently be maintained at a lower tempera-
ture than one for soaking, and a suitable temperature is one at which a skin of wax
just develops on the surface of the tank on exposure to air. By keeping the top of
the tank covered when not in use the skin will not be troublesome and it can readily
be cleared away when necessary.
With the wax temperature low, a thicker coating is obtained on the coil when dipped
and the tendency for " blow-holes " to develop is minimized. This is partly due to
the thicker coating and partly because the coil itself is heated less by the wax and so
has less tendency to expel air through the coating of wax as it is setting.
Once a hole has developed it is desirable to seal it with a hot instrument. To
attempt to seal it with a second flash-dip usually results in failure as air is expelled
through the hole in the first coat as the coil is warmed up and this punctures the
second coating in the same place.
If flash-dipping alone is used for moisture proofing a minimum treatment might
be, first flash-dip, seal all blow-holes with wax, then second flash dip.
Similar troubles are experienced with holes when varnish sealing is used.
(v) Materials
The first requirement for an impregnating compound is good moisture resistance.
It is also important that its losses be low at the frequencies concerned, and it is quite
possible to obtain impregnants which can be used without noticeably affecting the Q
of the impregnated winding.
Because it is usually desirable to have minimum self-capacitance in a coil, the dielec-
tric constant should be low, and the temperature coefficient should also be known.
Waxes can be obtained with dielectric constants having a negative temperature co-
efficient and this is useful in offsetting the temperature coefficient of the coil itself,
v^hich is positive in all usual cases.
Apart from the resistance of a moisture proofing compound to moisture absorption,
its surface properties are important. A compound which does not wet easily is de-
sirable and tests on moisture proofing should be designed to separate the effects of
surface leakage from those of absorption.
478 (v) MATERIALS 11.7
Where flash-dipping only is carried out, some of the properties mentioned above
are not of such importance but they cannot be ignored completely.
Other points which must be considered when choosing a moisture-proofing com-
pound are that it must be capable of maintaining its properties over the range of tem-
peratures to which it is liable to be subjected. Melting of waxes is the trouble most
likely to be encountered, but crazing (and the consequent admission of moisture)
may be experienced at low temperatures.
Waxes and varnishes do not themselves support fungus growth, but they are
liable to collect coatings of dust which may do so. Suitable precautions to avoid
this may be desirable. More important is the avoidance in coils as far as possible of
materials which are subject to fungus attack. Some types of flexible tubing fall in
this category and should not be used, and the same applies to some cheap coil former
materials. The fabric covering of wires also may support fungi and should be com-
pletely coated with the wax or varnish to avoid this occurrence.
SECTION 8 : REFERENCES
(A) REFERENCES TO IRON CORES
Al. Nottenbrock, H., and A. Weis " Sirufer 4 " Radio Review of Australia 4.4 (April 1936) 5.
A2. Austin, O, and A. L. Oliver " Some notes on iron-dust cored coils at radio frequencies " Marcon
Review, No. 70 (July 1938) 17.
A3. Editorial " Iron powder compound cores for coils " W.E. 10.112 (Jan. 1933) 1.
A4. Editorial " Iron core tuning coils " W.E. 10.117 (June 1933) 293.
A5. Editorial " Iron powder cores " W.E. 10.120 (Sept. 1933) 467.
A6. Friedlaender, E. R. " Iron powder cores : their use in modern receiving sets " W.E. 15.180 (Sept.
1938) 473.
A7. Editorial " Distribution of magnetic flux in an iron powder core " W.E. 15.180 (Sept. 1938) 471.
A8. Welsby, V. G. " Dust cored coils " Electronic Eng. (1) 16.186 (Aug. 1943) 96 ; (2) 16.187 (Sept.
1943) 149 ; (3) 16.188 (Oct. 1943) 191 ; (4) 16.189 (Nov. 1943) 230 ; (5) 16.190 (Dec. 1943) 281.
Correspondence by E. R. Friedlaender and reply by V. G. Welsby Electronic Eng. 16.192 (Feb.
1944) 388.
A9. Cobine, J. D., J. R. Curry, C. J. Gallagher and S. Ruthberg " High frequency excitation of iro".
cores" Proc. I.R.E. 35.10 (Oct. 1947) 1060.
A10. Buckley, S. E. " Nickel-iron alloy dust cores " Elect. Comm. 25.2 (June 1948) 126.
All. Polydoroff, W. J. " Permeability tuning" Elect. 18.11 (Nov. 1945) 155.
A12. Bushby, T. R. W. " A note on inductance variation in r-f iron cored coils " A.W.A. Tec. Rev.
6.5 (Aug. 1944) 285.
A13. White, S. Y. " A study of iron cores " Comm. 22.6 (June 1943) 42.
A14. Friedlaender, E. R. " Permeability of dust cores " Correspondence, W.E. 24.285 (June 1947) 187.
"
A15. Fetherston, N., and L. W. Cranch " Powder metallurgy and its application to radio engineering
Proc. I.R.E. Aust. 5.9 (May 1945) 3.
A16. Tucker, J. P. " Apermeability tuned push button system " Elect. 11.5 (May 1938) 12.
A17. " Powdered-iron cores and tuning units " Comm. 21.9 (Sept. 1941) 26.
A18. Friedlaender, E. R. " Magnetic dust cores " J. Brit. I.R.E. 5.3 (May 1945) 106.
A19. Foster, D. E., and A. E. Newlon " Measurement of iron cores at radio frequencies " Proc. I.R.E.
29.5 (May 1941) 266.
A20. Jacob, F. N. " Permeability-tuned push-button systems " Comm. 18.4 (AprJ 1938) 15.
A21. Fetherston, N. " Magnetic iron and alloy dust cores " R. and E. Retailer (1) 22.2 (28 Sept. 1944)
18 ; (2) 22.3 (12 Oct. 1944) 20.
A22. Polydoroff, W. J. " Coaxial coils for FM
permeability tuners " Radio 31.1 (Jan. 1947) 9.
A23. Polydoroff, W. J. " Ferro-inductors and permeability tuning " Proc. I.R.E. 21.5 (May 1933) 690.
A24. Information supplied by Mr. L. W. Cranch of Telecomponents Pty. Ltd., Petersham, N.S.W.
A25. Samson, H. W. " Permeability of dust cores " W.E. 24.288 (Sept. 1947) 267.
A26. Bardell, P. R. " Permeability of dust cores " W.E. 24.281 (Feb. 1947) 63. "
A27. Harvey, R. L., I. J. Hegyt and H. W. Leverenz " Ferromagnetic spinels for radio frequencies
R.C.A. Rev. 11.3 (Sept. 1950) 321.
A28. Strutt, M. J. O. " Ferromagnetic materials and ferrites " W.E. 27.327 (Dec. 1950) 277.
A29. Snoek, J. L. "Non-metallic magnetic material for high frequencies" Philips Tec. Rev. 8.12
(Dec. 1946) 353.
A30. "Ferroxcube" Philips Industrial Engineering Bulletin, Australia, 1.5 (Jan. 1951) 18.
Additional references will be found in the Supplement commencing on page 1475.
(C) REFERENCES TO
SELF-CAPACITANCE OF COILS
CI. Morecroft, J. H. " Resistance and capacity of coils at radio frequencies " Proc. I.R.E. 10.4 (Aug.
1922) 261.
C2. Medhurst, R. G. " H.F. resistance and self-capacitance of single-layer solenoids " (1) W.E. 24.281
(Feb. 1947) 35 ; (2) W.E. 24.282 (March 1947) 80.
C3. Palermo, A. J. " Distributed capacity of single-layer coils " Proc. I.R.E. 22.7 (July 1934) 897.
C4. " The self capacity of coils its effect and calculation " Data Sheets, Electronic Eng. 14.7 (Jan.
:
1942) 589.
H4. Hartshorn, L., and W. H. Ward " The properties of chokes, condensers and resistors at very high
frequencies" Jour. Sci. Instr. 14.4 (April 1937) 132.
H5. Wheeler, H. A. " The design of radio-frequency choke coils " Proc. I.R.E. 24.6 June 1936) 850.
H6. Miller, H. P. " Multi-band r-f choke coil design " Elect. 8.3 (Aug. 1935) 254.
(I) REFERENCES TO UNIVERSAL WINDINGS
11. "
Simon, A. W. Winding the universal coil " Elect. 9.10 (Oct. 1936) 22.
12. Simon, A. W. " On the winding of the universal coil " Proc. I.R.E. 33.1 (Jan. 1945) 35.
13. Kantor, M. " Theory and design of progressive and ordinary universal windings " Proc. I.R.E.
35.12 (Dec. 1947) 1563.
14. Simon, A. W. " On the theory of the progressive universal winding " Proc. I.R.E. 33.12 Pt 1 (Dec.
1945) 868.
15. Simon, A. W. " Wire length of universal coils " Elect. 19.3 (Mar. 1946) 162.
16. Hershey, L. M. " The design of the universal winding " Proc. I.R.E. 29.8 (Aug. 1941) 442.
17. Joyner, A. A., and V. D. Landon " Theory and design of progressive universal coils " Comm. 18.9
(Sept. 1938) 5. -
18. Simon, A. W. " Universal coil design," Radio 31.2 (Feb. 1947) 16.
19. —
Simon, A. W. " Winding universal coils short cut procedures to obtaining exact self-inductance,
mutual-inductance and centre-taps" Elect. 18.11 (Nov. 1945) 170.
110. Arany, D., and M. Macomber, "Universal coil-winding graph" Comm. 29.10 (Oct. 1949) 28.
111. Simon, A. W. " The theory and design of ordinary progressive and universal windings*' Proc.
I.R.E. 37.9 (Sept. 1949) 1029.
112. Watkinson, E. " Universal coil winding " Proc. I.R.E. Aust. 11.7 (July 1950) 179. Reprinted
Jour. Brit. I.R.E. 11.2 (Feb. 1951) 61.
Section Page
1. Introduction 481
2. Resistance-capacitance coupled triodes 482
3. Resistance-capacitance coupled pentodes 496
4. Transformer-coupled voltage amplifiers 517
5. Choke-coupled amplifiers 521
6. Methods of exciting push-pull amplifiers 521
7. Push-pull voltage amplifiers 527
8. In-phase amplifiers 529
9. Direct-coupled amplifiers 529
10. Stability, decoupling and hum 535
11. Transients and pulses in a-f amplifiers 540
12. Multistage voltage amplifiers 541
13. References 542
SECTION 1 : INTRODUCTION
(i) Voltage amplifiers
A voltage amplifier is one in which the voltage gain is the criterion of performance.
To be strictly correct it is not possible to have voltage without power since infinite
impedance does not exist in amplifiers, but for all ordinary purposes a " voltage
amplifier " is one in which a " voltage " output is required. Voltage amplifiers
generally work into high impedances of the order of I megohm, but in certain cases
"
lower load impedances are used and there is no sharp demarcation between " voltage
and " power " amplifiers. In cases where transformer coupling is used between
stages, the secondary of the transformer may be loaded only by the grid input im-
pedance of the following stage and the numerical value of the impedance may not be
known. In such cases the transformer is usually designed to operate into an infinite
impedance, and the effect of normal grid input impedances on the transformer is
very slight compared with the primary loading.
It is important to bear in mind the reversal in polarity which occurs in any valve
when used as an amplifier with a load in the plate circuit. As a consequence, the
a-f voltage from grid to plate is
'
E 3V = E ak -f- E kp — E vk (l + A) (1)
where A is the voltage gain from grid to plate.
481
—
1. General purpose triodes with /* from 15 to 50, and plate resistance from
6000 to 10 000 ohms (with battery types somewhat inferior). These are also called
" medium mu " triodes.
2. High-mu triodes with p from 50 to 100, and plate resistances say from 50 000
to 100 000 ohms.
The load resistance (R L ) may be any value from a few ohms to many megohms,
but for normal operation R L should never be less than twice the plate resistance at
the operating point, with a higher value preferred. The load resistance should never
be greater than the following grid resistance CR„ 2 ) and should preferably be not more
than one quarter of R ei The following table is a good general guide, but capable
.
/x not greater than 40, a grid resistor up to 5 megohms may be used, provided that the
total resistance of the plate load resistor and the plate decoupling resistor is not less
than 0.1 megohm.
If grid-leak bias used, R a may be from 5 to 10 megohms.
is
The output grid resistor CR a2) may be the maximum recommended for the
—
following stage by the valve manufacturers usually 0.5 megohm for power valves
—
with cathode bias or as determined by eqn. (6) or (7) in Chapter 3 Sect. l(v)d.
Lower values are desirable to reduce the effects of reverse grid current in the follow-
ing stage, and there is no appreciable advantage in either gain or distortion through
the use of a resistance greater than 4 R L Calculation of the maximum grid resistance
.
For example, if R = 1 megohm and / = 50 c/s, the following results will be ob-
tained
db loss EJE XJR X e C
1 0.891 0.51 0.51 megohm 0.006 24 pF
2 0.794 0.76 0.76 megohm 0.004 19 /tF
3 0.708 1.00 1.0 megohm 0.003 18 nF
The phase angle shift is given by
^ = tan- 1 l/o»CR = tan- 1 \/2irfCR (lb)
In certain cases a low value of C is adopted intentionally to reduce the response
to hum arising from preceding stages. However, the use of a low coupling capacit-
ance, when the following grid resistor is 0.5 megohm or more, increases the hum
contributed by the following valve through the a.c. operation of its heater. A low
coupling capacitance should therefore not be used on a low-level stage. In high
fidelity amplifiers a fairly large value of C is generally adopted, thus not only improving
the low frequency response but also reducing phase shift and possibly also improving
the response to transients. However, excessively large values of C are undesirable.
The following table gives the approximate values of C for certain selected con-
ditions. Note that R must be as defined below eqn. (la).
COUPLING CONDENSER
Attenuation 1 db at 12.5 25 50 100 200 c/s
2 db at 8.5 . 17 34 67 134 c/s
3 db at 6.5 13 26 51 102 c/s
10.000
Fig. 12.3A. Frequency characteristics due to cathode by-pass condenser with general
purpose triode having p. = 20, r p =
10,000 ohms, R L =
0.1 megohm, R 9i = 0.5
megohm, R k 2700 ohms. =
If positive grid current is flowing the bias will be increased by I BR Bl .
The cathode by-pass condenser C k is only fully effective at high frequencies, and
it becomes increasingly ineffective as the frequency is decreased under these con- —
ditions there is degeneration (negative current feedback see Chapter 7). —
The
effect of R k and C k on the voltage gain at any frequency is given by the equation
\A' i + («>c kR k y
Vr>i+ m]-
\A
[ +( ^,, (2)
where A' — stage voltage gain at frequency / with self bias resistor Rk by-passed
by condenser Ck
A — stage voltage gain with R k completely by-passed
=• mid-frequency voltage gain
co = 2irf = 2tt x frequency of input signal
maximum slope of the curves in Fig. 12.3A is 1.4 db /octave ; the slope does not
normally exceed 3 db/octave when R k is the optimum value to provide bias.
The limiting loss of gain at zero frequency due to R k is given by
R' v +r
(3)
R' + rp + (n + l)R k
Examples of limiting loss of gate at zero frequency (based on equation 3)
Type Rl R Bi R Ri T A'/A
6J5 0.1M& 0.5MJ2 0.08MA 2700 18 17 000 0.65 3.7 db
6Q7 0.25MA O.5M0 0.17MG 3000 68 70 000 0.53 5.5 db
6SQ7 0.25MG 0.5M.Q 0.17MG 3900 100 100 000 0.40 8.0 db
*At operating point.
Vbluu of B
1-5
2
6 j>
2-S
3
10
a!
10
"k/Xk
"1
so 100 1,000
Frequency FIG. I2.3S
Fig. 12.3B. Universal attenuation curves with cathode bias (Ref. All Part 4).
Universal attenuation curves are given in Fig. 12.3B (Ref. All Part 4) in which
B ~ l
+ rp + R'
R' ~ RiRo2/(.Rl + Rat)
and X k = l/(a»C*).
(B) The phase angle shift is a maximum at the frequency where the slope of the
attenuation characteristic is a maximum,' and drops towards zero at zero frequency
I —
and at higher audio frequencies. The maximum value for any normal r.c.c. amplifier
does not exceed about 30°.
Universal curves showing phase angle shift are given in Fig. 12.3C in which the
symbols have the same meaning as in Fig. 12.3B.
(C) Choice of cathode bias resistor
The best method is to determine the grid voltage as for fixed bias see (iv) below —
and then to calculate R k A
fairly satisfactory approximation is to select /?* by the
.
following table.
Conditions : Plate supply voltage 200 to 300 volts. Values of n are the published
values.
-ni-WCf
.urf
^VALUES 3F B
\[0
\
^s
v.
s
s
j.%n°
s^ £N \^ v s
—
S 4.90°
0*1 •a 0- 4 •6 0-8
j-S
V
v
8
^
^ "•s^V^
4 6
Ho
j.m*
J—
1 i1 4\ (i 10 2 8C)I00
<„
—|-T ' '
I
10 so 500
*"" 1,000
rJSSxr c/« '^~ pic W.3C
Fig. 12.3C. Universal phase angle shift curves with cathode bias (Ref. All Part 4).
dividual point, the values of R k may be plotted against E e, and the desired value may
be selected.
For greater accuracy, particularly with relatively high values of cathode resistance,
the slope of the loadline in Fig. 12.4 should be that corresponding to (R L R k). +
(E) Maximum grid resistance with cathode bias
It may be shown that the maximum permissible grid resistance with cathode bias
is greater than that with fixed bias, as indicated by the approximation :
200 Soo"
PLATE VOLTS
Condenser C k is for by-passing R 2 , but as R 2 may have a fairly low value, thus necessi-
tating a large capacitance for C ki it is frequently economical to add R 3 and so permit
a smaller value of C k In addition, C kRt forms a useful hum filter for the bias volt-
.
age.
(B) The optimum grid bias (— E e) is a function of the input voltage ; the bias
should be the minimum (k{) which can be used without running into damping due to
positive grid current, with a margin for differences between valves, together with a
further margin (*») to allow for the effects of reverse grid current in the grid resistor.
If the input voltage is known,
E, = 1.41 E( + k t + k 2 volts (5a)
If the output voltage is known,
E c = (1.41 E /A) + ft! + k 2 volts (5b)
488 (iv) FIXED BIAS 12.2
The additional bias (k 2) provided to allow for the effect of reverse grid
current is of no great consequence with general purpose triodes, but it is
very serious with high-mu triodes
Case 2 : R ttl
=2R L ,
k2 = 0.15 volt for high-mu triodes
k2 = Q.06 volt for general purpose triodes.
Case 3 : R Bl = 4R L
k2 = 0.3 volt for high-mu triodes
k2 — 0.12 volt for general purpose triodes.
Thus with general purpose triodes operated as fixed bias r.c.c. amplifiers,
a grid resistor having a resistance of 1 megohm or even higher may be used without
serious effects. However, it is always desirable to keep the resistance as low as
—
practicable not more than four times the resistance of the preceding plate load
resistor, and not exceeding 1 megohm.
If the effect of reverse grid current on the operating point is to be kept small in
fixed-bias high-mu triodes, it is essential to use a grid resistor R gl (that is, its own
grid resistor) having a resistance not more than twice that of its plate load resistor.
This will restrict the maximum change of bias to 0.15 volt (i.e. k 2 0.15 volt). = For
example a load resistance of 0.47 megohm will permit the use of a grid resistor of
1 megohm, while a load resistance of 0.22 megohm will permit the use of a grid re-
sistor of 0.47 megohm.
(C) Cathode bias is preferable to fixed bias in that the shift of operating point
due to reverse grid current is minimized. With general purpose triodes employing
cathode bias there is no advantage in making any adjustment to the bias voltage as
calculated for fixed bias (eqns. 5a, 5b) but with high-mu triodes employing cathode
bias the value of k 2 may be taken as approximately
5 R
^2 ^
M\n o
1U0 K r
f° r high-mu valves with cathode bias.
Consequently, with high-mu triodes, the resistance of the grid resistor R gl may be
made 1.5 times that with fixed bias for the same effect on the operating-point.
These values of k\ are only typical, and are likely to be exceeded by some valves. In each case, a
value should be determined for the valves being used.
—
tThis is approximately trjie when the reverse grid current is nearly all due to ionization see Ref.
Gl, Fig. 1.
— —
«-<
R L - K(R L + r,)
(6a)
* - R L + * l+
Relation between K and
^ grid voltage
<*>
_ Pr l
Aa °-R Sm ....
m)
-
L + rv (1/r.) + tl/R£)
where there is no a.c. shunt load, and where /x, g m and r v
are the values at the operating
point, that the operating plate current.
is at Alternatively this may be calculated
from the loadline (Fig. 12.6) :
a = ^b2 — E bl
Ao (6e)
2E C1
where E b2 is plate voltage corresponding to negative peak grid signal voltage
E bl is plate voltage corresponding to positive peak grid signal voltage
and E cl is peak grid signal voltage.
When there is a following grid resistor R a2 the loadline must be rotated about
>
Q to a new position EQF with a slope of — (l/R L + l/R Bi The voltage gain for
).
A' = (6f)
where g p —
plate conductance at the operating point = 1/r,.
When there is a following grid resistor 9t the gain R is given by
^ - r^f^- (9b>
where R — R LR a2 /(R L + R a2 ).
The values of g m and g v may be derived from " G " curves (e.g. see Fig. 13.9B).
By this means the actual values of g m and g 9 at the operating point may be determined
with a good degree of accuracy without any assumptions or manipulations (Ref. A 15).
12.2 (vii) GAIN AND DISTORTION AT MID-FREQUENCY 491
Distortion
The percentage second harmonic distortion- -see Chapter 13 Sect. 2(i) — is given by
Ehfc
U . *bb . .
C bb E bb
lv A ,.
U,-04>
b/°"X
Ik,'0-25
el^-^.- I5V
Fig. 12.7. " Ideal " linear dynamic characteristics (A) for general purpose
triode
with \l =
20, r, =
10 000 ohms, L R =
Q.\ megohm and bb E
250 volts ; (B) for =
high-mu triode with /i 100, r„ =
0.1 megohm, = L 0.25 R =
megohm and bb 250 E =
volts.
Point C
at e E = has a plate current 7 M b b /(R L =E +
r„) which in this case is
0.91 Eb b /R L . A
This point and point may be used as the two basic points for plotting
the loadline. Alternatively, point B may be plotted, since FB bb /g m L =E
Point R .
The dynamic characteristic in Fig. 12.7B applies to a high triode with y. mu 100, =
r„ =0.1 megohm, L R =
0.25 megohm and E
bb =250 volts. The grid current
is taken as commencing at e E = —
0.75 volt. The usable part of the characteristic
extends from A
to G, and the operating point must be within the limits 0.25 and 0.5
multiplied by E
bb /R L . The upper limit would be somewhat extended if the load
resistance were increased to 0.5 megohm.
PLATE VOLTAGE
Fig. 12.7C. Approximate method for determining conditions for maximum output
voltage {Ref. A16).
The value of y for low distortion in a single ^alve is 0.5 ; values appreciably higher
than 0.5 are possible with push-pull operation. The value of e t is a function of the
valve characteristics, the load resistance and the plate supply voltage ; it is usually
less than 10 volts for R r not less than 0.1 megohm and E bb not greater than 300 volts.
Example Type 6J5,' r„ = 10 000 ohms, e x = 5 volts, E bb = 250 volts, R Bi = 0.5
:
megohm, I min = 0.2 mA, y = 0.5. We obtain x = 50, 8 = 0.008 17, y/x = 0.01,
and from the equations, R 7 «* 70 000 ohms optimum ; E = 186 volts peak-to-peak.
Output voltage and distortion
The maximum output voltage for a general purpose triode (e.g. type 6J5) for 14%
intermodulation distortion* and E bb from 180 to 300 volts is given approximately by :
For lower values of I.M. distortion, the preceding values of maximum output
voltage should be multiplied by :
I.M. L R =
0.1 megohm RL 0.25 megohm =
10% Factor 0.8 =
Factor 0.72 =
5% 0.48 0.36
2.5% 0.26 0.18
With a high-mu triode the voltage output for 14% intermodulation distortion is
only about 0.17 E
bb to 0.21 bb for L E
0.25 and R g2 R =
0.5 megohm. =
Note that with intermodulation distortion the ouput voltage is taken as the arith-
metical sum of the component voltages see Chapter 14 Sect. 3(ii). —
The intermodulation distortion of a triode and a pentode are compared in Fig.
12.16A [Sect. 3(ix)]. At low output voltages the pentode gives less distortion while
at high output voltages the triode gives less distortion. The triode is, however, less
critical than the pentode, and the distortion increases at a lower rate than with the
pentode when the bias is made more negative than the optimum value.
plate current I b
8 mo — published mutual conductance at plate current I b0
and F is given by the following table based on the equation
f = Vf~ = VTJT^.
/»// 60 1.0 0.8 0.7 0.6
0.9 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1
F 0.97
1.0 0.93 0.89 0.84 0.79 0.74 0.67 0.58 0.46
Alternatively, if the gain with resistance-coupled operation is known, the mutual
conductance at the operating point may be calculated from
M x voltage gain
8m (Uby
R(n - voltage gain)
where R = R LR /(R f + R„),g
and p = amplification factor at the operating point.
3. The plate resistance may be calculated from r„ —fi/g m . It is approximately
equal to rv <$I bQ /I b .
through Cgp is therefore (A + 1) times the current which would flow through the.
same capacitance when connected from grid to cathode. This is one example of the
Miller Effect which occurs in all amplifiers. For example take type 6SQ7 high-mu
triode with C ejI ==1.6 miF and A — 62". The effective input capacitance due to
C BP alone is therefore 63 x 1.6 = 101 /u^F.
The total input capacitance also includes the capacitance from grid to cathode plus
{A + 1) times any stray capacitance from grid to plate.
If the plate load is partially reactive the input impedance is equivalent to a capacit-
ance C
and a resistance R' in parallel from grid to cathode,
where C = C gk + (1 + A cos <f>) Cav ,
(12)
R' = - 1 /{2itfC„pA sin <f>) (13)
494 (xi) INPUT IMPEDANCE AND MILLER EFFECT 12.2
and =
angle by which the voltage across the load impedance leads the equival-
<f>
ent voltage acting in the plate circuit (<j> will be positive for an inductive load and
negative for a capacitive load)
When the load is capacitive, as usually with a r.c.c. amplifier, R' is positive and
there is some slight additional loading of the input circuit. When the load is induc-
tive, R' is negative and self oscillation may occur in an extreme case.
The cathode bias resistor is here assumed to be adequately by-passed at all signal
frequencies.
This equivalent circuit is the basis of the calculations of gain and phase angle
shift at all frequencies.
When f a and/» have been determined, the attenuation at any other frequency may
be found by reference to Fig. 12.9A.
The phase shift at any frequency may be determined from Fig. 12.9B ; the phase
shift at/ and/ 6 is 45° leading and lagging respectively.
Alternatively, if the low reference frequency is known, the gain at any frequency
/ is given by (Ref. Fl):
12.2 (xiii) VOLTAGE GAIN AND PHASE SHIFT 495
*
~c
6 & fcH
8 tf
r
flO *
f ry&j
812 i
§14 / faor'b
X
/
<I6
18
20 r
/ •5 -7 K> 7
2 3 S lO
Actuol
il Fream
Frequency
Frequency «M-707%<,voltogc join Frequency fer 707% voltage qoln
J7*?. 12.9(A). Attenuation in decibels for r.c.c; mode at low and high frequencies
(B) Phase shift at low and high frequencies. Values of phase shift for frequencies beyond
the limits of the curves may be estimated with reasonable- accuracy by taking the angle
as proportional or inversely proportional to the frequency.
gain at frequency /
cos tan -xb = (17)
gain at mid-frequency /
while the phase angle shift is given by
tan =/.//<f>
(18)
where /«, —
low reference frequency (3 db attenuation).
if the high reference frequency is known, the gain at
Similarly any frequency /
is given by
gain at frequency /
cos tan
-1
t~= (19)
gain at mid-frequency fh
while the phase angle shift is given by
tan =f/f b
<f> (20)
where f b - high reference frequency (3 db attenuation).
values of R L (of the order of 0.1 megohm) being somewhat better in this respect.
Plate supply voltage : As for triodes.
Screen supply : A from the plate supply voltage is generally pre-
series resistor
ferred. Valves in which the screen current has wide tolerances (e.g. some remote
cut-off types and most tetrodes) should be supplied from a voltage divider.
Following grid resistor As : for triodes.
Input grid resistor As for : triodes.
The effect of incomplete screen by-passing on gain is given by eqn. (1) on the
assumption of complete cathode by-passing (Fig. 12.10), the derivation being given
in Ref. B3 (see also Refs. All, A12, A13, B2\
12.3 (iii) SCREEN BY-PASS 497
— /l + R,*w 8
C,«
I
(1)
'sj B* +R t
*
where A' stage voltage gain at frequency / with screen resistor R, by-passed by
condenser C,
A = stage voltage gain with R, completely by-passed
mid-frequency voltage gain
27lf
R#* R.g«
B f* 1 + mp = 1 + (la)
t (1 + R L /r p ) mut
m = I hi 1 ex (assumed constant)
gm = mutual conductance at operating plate current [see Sect. 3(vii)]
FIG.l2Ml(A) r nq
10
.
' '
|
50
' '
"I
100
' r_i
n500 MOVING SCALE
FREQUENCY C/S
Fig. 12.1 1A. Curves for the frequency response of a resistance-coupled pentode
with screen dropping resistor R
s and screen by-pass reactance X, (= 1/coC,).
The value -of B
is given by eqn. (la). The frequency for R,/X s 1 is given by =
= R
f 1/2-n- S C,. The frequency scale should be traced and the tracing moved hori-
zontally until f corresponds to 3 /X, 1 (method after Sturley). R =
Eqn. (1) is plotted in Fig. 12.1 B versus R,/X, which is
1A for selected values of
equal to 2nfR,C, and therefore proportional to the frequency.
For most purposes it is sufficient to use the approximation, for a loss not exceeding
1 db at a frequency /
C, *s B/nfR, (2)
where B ^
1 + R,g m /m(i t
and m = I b /I ci .
For example, type 6J7 with R L = 0.25, R, = 1.5 megohms, g m = 850 ^mhos,
H = 20 and m = 4 has B
t m
16.5. For 1 db attenuation at / — 50 c/s, C„ sy 0.07 pF.
The limiting loss of voltage gain at very low frequencies is 1 /B ; in the example
above this is 0.06 (i.e. 24.3 db). If the screen had been supplied from a voltage divider,
the loss of gain at very low frequencies would have been much less.
498 (iift SCREEN BY-PASS 12.3
-
——
- 4 »"'
^c
sX
80°
f\
*
60 CO
C_ o
o
|?
_
1/
oy
.•<.
\^
_j
^-»
c
40° *
A
.1
o - 16 - / Pv*
C o
\ (>» «;
* <F
|-20 20°^
5 _
--"
y »
«;
v>
-24 O
- &
-28
0.01 005 0.1 0.5 LO 5.0 10 50
_t _ Actual frequency
+4 Frequency at which reactance of Cf equals Rf
FIG. 12. IIC
Fig. 12.11C. Magnitude and phase of factor for use in Fig. 12.11D (Ref: A12).
Reprinted by permission from RADIO ENGINEERS' HANDBOOK by F. E.
Terman, copyrighted iri 1943, McGraw-Hill Book Company Inc.
12.3 (iii) SCREEN BY-PASS 499
screen resistor of 20 ohms will give the same degree of degeneration as a 1 ohm cathode
resistor.
The effect of the screen by-pass capacitanceon phase shift is indicated by Fig.
12.1 IB. Under normal conditions with a high resistance dropping resistor, the
angle does not exceed 65°. This angle may be considerably reduced by reducing
R
the effective value of s , as for example with a voltage divider. Such action is norm-
ally only necessary with negative feedback.
(Lag) (Lead)
80° -60° -40 + 40 6 +• 60°
Fig. 12.1 ID. Curves front which the loss in gain and phase shift of output at low
frequencies resulting from resistance-condenser bias impedance RC
f f can be calculated
in a resistance-coupled amplifier for the general case where both screen and bias
impedances are of importance (Ref. A12). Reprinted by permission from RADIO
ENGINEERS' HANDBOOK by F. E. Terman, copyrighted in 1943, McGraw-Hill
Book Company Inc.
500 (iv) CATHODE BIAS .
,
12.3
R k is now Ik = I b +
I eii The effect of R k and C K on the voltage gain at any fre-
quency is given by the approximation (derived from Sect. 2 Eqn. 2)
~y
vA
1-4 1+ gmR y + CcoC^ (i k t)
a
(3a)
3. Apply magnitude of -q
this value of ///, to Fig. 12.11C, thus determining the
in db, and also phase angle.its
The combined effect of incomplete cathode and screen by-passing and of a grid
coupling condenser on gain and on phase angle displacement may be determined by
adding the attenuations in decibels and the phase angles in degrees, provided that
eqn. (3b) is used for calculating the attenuation due to the cathode impedance.
FIG. 12.12
£
I
2
^P*
^\U'
i V 4
«/^ V
# X °X~ °%- <$/_<&L
a a
c f
5
I.
5
f ¥
I,
Fi£. 12.12. Attenuation characteristics for selected values of cathode by-pass condenser
with valve type 6J7 and bh 250 volts, E L = 0.25, R g R =
0.5, R, 1.5 megohms, = =
=
R k 2000 oAws : screen adequately by-passed.
effectunder normal operation, provided that the screen voltage is adjusted to give the
correct operating plate current.
Optimum values may be calculated for any specific case by first finding the fixed
bias and then calculating k el /(I b R = E
I ci). +
Alternatively, the value of R
k may be determined by eqn. (5f) below.
The procedure for the calculation of the cathode bias resistor when a series screen
resistor is also used, is given in Sect. 3(vi)C, while the graphical method is described
in Sect. 3(xiii) and (xiv).
RL — 0.22 megohm
or higher.
However, generally advisable to limit the grid resistor to 2.2 megohms maximum
it is
for amplifiers having a reduced frequency range and 1 megohm or less for amplifiers
having a maximum frequency of 10 000 c/s or more.
known,
If the input voltage is
E cl = 1.41 E +k2t kx +
If the output voltage is known,
E n = (IAIEJA) + k t + k,
where E{ = r.m.s. input voltage
E = r.m.s. output voltage from plate to cathode
A = voltage gain of stage
kx= bias voltage to avoid damping due to positive grid current a value of —
1.0 volt maximum would cover all normal indirectly heated valves*
and k2 = increment of bias voltage to allow for the effects of reverse grid current
in the grid resistor (see below).
is used, and the grid resistor has the maximum value de-
If a fixed screen voltage
termined in below, then the value of k 2 may be taken as 0.1 volt for high slope valves
fa)
(e.g. 6AU6) with R L not less than 0.1 megohm, and the same value for low slope
valves with R L not less than 0.22 megohm. The value of k 2 may be taken as 0.2 volt
for low slope valves having R L less than 0.22 but not less than 0.1 megohm.
If a series screen resistor is used, and if the grid resistor does not exceed 1 megohm,
kt may be taken as 0.1 volt maximum.
With some valves, as the screen voltage is decreased, the grid current commence-
ment (or cross-over) point may tend to move to a more negative value in indirectly-
heated types, and to a less positive value (possibly even negative) in directly-heated
battery pentodes. Low screen voltages should therefore be avoided with zero-
bias operation of battery pentodes, particularly when a high plate load re-
sistance is used.
In this calculation the assumption was made that the ionization current is pro-
portional to the cathode current, which relationship only holds approximately and then
only when the grid leakage current is small compared with the ionization current and
provided that the latter does not increase during operation.
Values of K
p have been derived for three valve types-
Type 6J7 K, = 5.2 x 10^ _
Type 6SJ7 K,
Type 6AU6*,
=
=
5.8
5.7
x 10* \.™*»
x 10* J
and ifl Z f^ A
X
V -
Higher values may occur in a few cases, but are not typical. See also comments on triodes in Sect.
2(iv)B. For grid damping see Sect. 2(iv)D.
12.3 (v) FIXED BIAS 503
)0.38
V100
100 000 5.75
220 000 7.8
470 000 10.4
From which the following values
calculated may be :
where P = I et /I k
Et = gJJk/Ib) at the operating point,
R„ — t resistance of series screen resistor in ohms,
and gl9i =
ii.
" triode " amplification factor.
Ratios calculated from eqn. (4c) for typical valves, with a load resistance of 0.1
megohm or more, exceed 6 times, so that when a high-resistance series screen
resistor is used, the grid resistor may be at least 6 times the value quoted
above for fixed screen voltage.
However, it is generally advisable to limit the grid resistor to 2.2 megohms maxi-
mum for amplifiers having a reduced frequency range and 1 megohm or less for am-
plifiers having a maximum frequency of 10 000 c/s or more.
FIG. 12.13
Pig. 12.13. Dynamic characteristic of r.c.c. pentode for fixed screen voltage
(b) compared with mutual characteristic (a).
504 (vi) DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PENTODES 12.3
The values of g m and g md are normally within 10% provided that the operating
plate current does not exceed 0.8 E
bb /R L . Values of g m and g md for valve types
6J7 and 6SJ7 are given in (vii) below.
Pentodes from triodes in that there is an unlimited number of dynamic
differ
characteristics for any selected plate voltage and load resistance, there being one
characteristic for each value of screen voltage. Some typical dynamic characteristics
are shown in Fig. 12.14A from which it will be seen that these have much the same
general form, but that they are moved bodily sideways. Careful examination will
show that the curves for lower screen voltages are less curved than those for higher
screen voltages. As a general rule, the screen voltage should therefore be as low as
possible, provided that the correct operating point can be maintained and that positive
grid current does not flow.
F!G. 12. MA
3 -i
frftftffil o
GRID [Ccj] VOLTS
Fig. 12.14A. Family of dynamic characteristics for typical r.c.c. pentode (type 6J7
with E bb = 250 volts, R L f= 0.25 megohm).
bias resistor) and varying the screen voltage (or series screen resistor) or vice versa.
The effect of reverse grid current in the grid resistor is to decrease the effective grid
bias by an amount which may be appreciable with fixed screen voltage, but may
usually be neglected when a high-resistance series screen resistor is used. In the
former case, with fixed screen voltage, it is suggested that the design be based on a
value of half the maximum specified reverse grid current flowing through the grid
resistor.
The optimum value of K is not appreciably affected by either the following grid
provided only that the screen voltage is kept reason-
resistor or the electrode voltages,
ably low. The optimum value of K
for minimum distortion is, however, a function
of the output voltage as indicated below.
12.3 (vi) DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PENTODES 505
(C) Determination of series screen and cathode bias resistors when plate
and screen current curves are available
If curves of both plate and screen currents versus grid voltage under resistance
loaded conditions (e.g. Figs. -12.14A and 12.18) are available, the procedure is—
L Determine E n see (v) above". —
2. Determine the optimum value of K see (vi)B above. —
3. From the I b curves, determine E e2 to give the required values of E el and ; K
also determine I b at the operating point.
4. From the / e2 curves, determine I ci at the operating point.
5. Then R k = E cl /(I b I ci) + (5d)
and R, = (E eet -E e J/I e2 (5e)
(sn
3 - *> - £?£+ 1)
where E cl
— control grid voltage (taken as positive)
and m — I b / J ea .
r
5. Then R, & £=L-(E bb - E ea)
(5h)
Note : This procedure is based on several approximations (e.g. that m,g mi and Et
are constant) but is sufficiently accurate for all practical purposes for any pentode.
It will be seen that a single operating condition is incapable of giving optimum
performance for both low and high levels. For low level operation, E el may be taken
as — 1.3 volts, while for high level operation E may arbitrarily be taken as 0.24E bb
volts r.m.s. unless it is desired to determine some intermediate condition.
It will be seen from eqn. (5g) that the optimum screen voltage is a function, not only
of E el> but also of R —
a higher value of load resistance permits a lower screen voltage.
L
R.D.H. —17
- —
506 (vi) DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PENTODES 12.3
and I el may be taken as half the maximum specified reverse grid current (say 1 /*A) ;
i.e. (say) I el =
0.5 mA.
The increased value of cathode bias resistor is given by
R* R*= AR k + (6b)
AE el AE m—
i.
where 4R h =
aw, a = —2 el
* b + let lb m + 1
and E el is given by equation (6a).
Using the suggested value of I eli we have
»
K* '
= Rt
» + _i_
Ral x 05 x
j
10
~6
•
—m ,< N
(6c)
a = gm^R^r^^) « g m *R (8)
If the resistance of the following grid resistor R„ is limited, the gain maximum
on low input voltages is obtained when the load resistance is approximately equal
to the following grid resistance, i.e. R, R„. &
(D) Gain in terms of g m and gv
Eqn. (7) may be put into the alternative form
A a = gmR (9a)
1 +g*R
where R = RrR.W + R„) ,
Mutual conductance
For the general case see (x)A below. Fig. 12.14B gives an approximation to the
maximum value of g m with any load resistance for two typical pentodes. This value
is believed to be accurate within ±
10% for an average valve.
Slope of dynamic characteristic
The value of the slope of the dynamic characteristic at any point is given by
gm * = gJO- + R L /r P) (9b)
where g md = slope of dynamic characteristic at operating point
gm = mutual conductance at operating point
and r„ = plate resistance at operating point.
FIG. I2.I4B
Plate resistance
The value of plate resistance r„ at the operating point may be estimated from Sect.
3(xJ below.
Rl K Sm 5 md r» 5 m gma r*
MQ ju.mhos /xmhos MQ /{.mhos /imhos M.Q
0.1 0.78 1065 980 0.6 1390 1280 0.7
0.76 1080 1010 0.67 1380 1290 0.9
0.70 1130 1080 1.1 1370 1310 1.3
0.62 1120 1080 1.5 1340 1290 1.4
0.55 1100 1060 2.1 1335 1280 1.7
0.25 0.78 896 834 1.6 1050 990 1.7
0.76 880 836 1.9 1040 985 1.8
0.70 860 830 3.0 1000 960 2.4
0.62 820 790 3.3 940 900 3.3
0.55 790 765 3.7 920 845 3.4
0.5 0.78 670 640 3.0 720 660 3.0
0.76 660 630 3.6 710 660 3.0
0.70 647 620 4.5 650 648 3.7
0.62 595 575 5.2 590 580 5.0
0.55 550 540 6.0 519 495 5.4
curve is typical of the shape of all pentode dynamic characteristics which differ mainly
in the slope and the horizontal displacement of the curve. The effects of changes in
K
R L are largely overcome by the use of the factor in place of the actual plate current.
Comparison between triode and pentode dynamic characteristics
Both triode and pentode dynamic characteristics are shown in Fig. 12.15 in such a
way as to enable a comparison to be made between them. Over the region from
K K
= 0.4 to = 0.6 they appear to be very similar, but in the region from = 0.15 K
to 0.4 the pentode characteristic appears less curved than the triode, while in the
region from K
= 0.6 to 0.8 the triode characteristic appears less curved than the pen-
tode. ,
*The point of inflexion is the point at which the curvature changes from one direction to the other,
and is the point of greatest slope.
12.3 (viii) DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PENTODES & TRIODES 509
TRIODE// «-
— to
'//PENTODE
// A—STRAIGHT O9 0-9
I! LINE
06-08
0-7 01
03 0-3
02 02
STRAIGHT LINE
is obtained when R L is much less than R„. The following table is typical of r.c.c.
pentodes such as types 6J7 and 6SJ7, and also enables a comparison to be made with
triodes. The optimum value of K has been used throughout.
Intermodulation distortion* with E bb = 250 volts
Output voltagef 10 19 37 63
Valve type 6J7 Intermodulation distortion %
RL - 0.1 MQ Ra = 0.1 MQ 0.35 2.2 8.6
0.2 0.3 1.5 4.6 14.0
0.4 0.26 0.85 3.9 12.5
RL = 0.25 MQ R =t 0.25 MQ 0.65 1.9 7.4 37
0.5 0.5 1.6 4.4 17
1 0.35 1.4 3.5 15
RL = 0.5 MQ R„ = 0.5 MQ 1.0 3.7 14.0 54
1 0.8 2.6 9.5 32
2 0.5 2.0 6.5 19
Valve type 6SJ7
R L = 0.1 R„MQ = 0.1 MQ 1.0 2.9 12.0 —
0.2 0.9 2.2 8.3 24
0.4 0.8 1.5 5.9 20
RL = 0.25 MQ R =g 0.25 MQ 2.1 6.0 16.0 67
0.5 1.1 3.8 13.0 38
1 1.0 3.0 11.0 23
RL = 0.5 MQ Rg = 0.5 MQ 3.0 8.3 18.0 76
1 2.1 6.6 15.0 42
2 1.5 4.4 12.5 28
The maximum output voltage for limited intermodulation distortion ( r.m.s. sum)
is indicated below for type 6SJ7 pentode with t 4R L R = .
=
When .R, 2R L, the factors above should be multiplied by 0.87. When a L, R =R
the factors above should be multiplied by 0.7. The values are for b b 250 volts, E =
but hold closely over the range from 200 to 300 volts. Optimum operating con-
ditions are assumed.
Harmonic distortion
Type 6SJ7 with E bb = 250 volts, RL = 0.25 MQ, R„ = 0.5 Mi?
K 0.8 0.76 0.72 0.65 0.6 0.56
Eolr.m.,.} VoltS 8 16 30 52 62 78
^0(r.«. l .)/-B»6 0.03 0.06 0.12 0.21 0.25 0.31
0.3 0.9 2.6 3.5 5.4 4.4
H % a 0.24 0.19 1.25 4.2 5.0 12.0
H % 4 0.14 0.11 0.19 1.9 2.2 2.85
H> % 0.01 0.02 0.18 0.67 0.28 0.17
—
'Modulation method r.m.s. sum. For details and for relation between intermodulation and har-
monic distortion see Chapter 14 Sect. 3.
fThe arithmetical sum of the r.m.s. values of the two component waves.
124 (ix) MAXIMUM VOLTAGE OUTPUT AND DISTORTION 511
Comments
1. Type 6J7 g m = 1225 pmhos) has less distortion than type
(with published
6SJ7 (with published g m =
1650 pxnhos) under the same conditions.
The distortion for a given output voltage increases when a valve is replaced by
another having higher mutual conductance, although there are also differences be-
tween valve types having approximately the same mutual conductance.
2. Load resistance R L = 0.1 megohm provides lower distortion than higher values
of load resistance.
3. The distortion under any given conditions decreases when the resistance of the
following grid resistor is increased.
Comparison between triode and pentode
[Refer Sect. 2(ix)]
The comparison is based on intermodulation distortion with type 6SJ7 as both
triode and pentode, having L R =0.25 and t R =
1.0 megohm (Fig. 12.16A). Gener-
ally similar results are obtained with type 6J7 and with other load resistances (Ref.
B8).
1. At the level used in the first a-f stage in a typical receiver (E =
10 volts rjtn.s.)
the pentode gives only about one eighth of the intermodulation distortion given' by a
triode, when both are adjusted for minimum distortion.
2. The two curves in Fig. 12.16A cross, and the intermodulation distortion is there-
fore the same for both triode and pentode, at about 31 r.m.s. volts output.
3. At higher output voltages the pentode gives the greater intermodulation dis-
tortion, the ratio being 23 : 1 at 63 rjn.s. volts output.
4. The pentode, to give the minimum value of distortion, requires fairly critical
adjustment. Under the working conditions recommended in this section, however,
the distortion with a pentode is likely to be less than with a general-purpose triode at
output voltages up to about 20 volts r.m.s.
There are considerable variations between different valves, and some may have
plate resistances less than half these values, while others may have higher plate re-
sistances.
(C) Conversion factors applied to whole amplifiers
If one set of operating conditions is available, it is possible to calculate others.
Given: E bb RL Rk R s R„ A E
300V 0.1 M.Q 450 Q 0.5 M.Q 0.25 MQ 82 81 V
Example :
and screen circuits are assumed to be adequately by-passed at all signal frequencies,
«r the effects to be separately calculated.
FIG.I2.I6 B
G
!*Et9m c
-K—r —— r r~° G»
rE* V, r
p<
Rt
|+
e v,
Fig. 12.16B.
circuit of
Exact ax. equivalent plate
a rx.c. pentode.
t -ok,
The high frequency response [Sect. 2(xiii), eqn. (16)] will normally be lower
than that for a triode, owing to the higher value of R" due again to the higher plate
resistance. The valve output capacitance is usually greater for a pentode than for a
triode, this being a further contributing factor. The high frequency response may
be extended to higher frequencies by reducing the resistance of the plate load resistor,
although at the cost of gain. A similar result may be achieved by the use of negative
voltage feedback.
12.3 (xiii) SCREEN LOADLINES 513
The effect of the screen and cathode by-passing has been covered in (iii) and (iv)
above.
curves and the loadline, to a second curve in which E n is plotted against E From e2 .
the latter, the values of E el corresponding to the screen voltages of the dynamic
characteristics (Fig. 12.14A) are determined, and transferred direcdy to the plate
dynamic characteristics, and the screen loadline drawn as a smooth curve (Fig. 12.19).
« *'-.<,
• -I
J&JL2.
FIG. 12. 17
100-
III
/
III
/ /"**
/-'»
/"'*
^^"^C *
<) s'o ido 140 200 240 Ee ,M
Then draw a smooth curve (CD in Fig. 12.18) through the plotted points. The
values of E
el corresponding to the points
of intersection are then transferred directly
to the plate dynamic characteristic, and the loadline drawn as a smooth curve (Fig.
12.19).
«J7 Cean
R^STiMn. IOO,
90,
R L-0-25MA 80/ 70
E bb «250V
CCC-2S0V
j
*7 50
HJ
FIG. 12.18
Jo
cA
yy;
Eq, (VOLTS)
Fig. 12.18. Screen I c2 versus E cl characteristics for type 6J7 ; static curves are for
E bb = 250 volts, RL — 0.25 MQ. A screen loadline is shown.
"
R, & (14)
e ciISk>lts)
Fig. 12.19. Plate dynamic characteristics for type 6J7 with screen loadline.
of a series screen resistor with a resistance equal to mR t (or slightly above this value)
assists in maintaining the constant current ratio.
(xiv) Combined screen and cathode loadlines and the effect of
tolerances
(A) Cathode loadlines
The method normally adopted is an approximate one but very convenient, since
it =
may be used direcdy with the plate dynamic characteristics. Provided that / b /I eS
m = R k will be (m + 1) / so that it is necessary to
constant, the current through 6,
use a " conversion factor " of m/(w + 1) in respect to both the current and slope of
the loadline. For example if m = 4, the loadline for a cathode bias resistor of 2000
ohms would have a slope of — 1/2500 mhos. The effect of any error in the value of
m is minimized through the screen current being only a small fraction of the cathode
current.
Fig. 12.20. Plate dynamic characteristics for type 6J7 with curves of constant
plate to screen current ratio. The shaded area has within m ±5%.
Fig. 12.21. Cathode loadline (OF) with single plate dynamic characteristic for
type 6J7. The broken lines show the limits of ±
10% tolerances in k. R
The method is illustrated in Fig. 12.21 where only one plate dynamic characteristic
is shown, with a cathode bias loadline OF
having a slope of m/(m —
l)R k . The +
static operating point is at P, the intersection of OF
with the dynamic characteristic.
Owing to the very large plate load resistors commonly employed, there is very litde
rise in plate current due to rectification effects, so that P may be regarded as the
dynamic operating point.
The effect of ± 10% variation in Rk is illustrated by lines OF" and OF' respec-
tively in Fig. 12.21.
It may readily be shown geometrically that ± 10% variation in Rk has less effect
on I b than ±..10% variation in E n .
Fig. 12.22. Plate dynamic characteristics of type 6J7 with screen and cathode loadlines,
showing the effect of ±
10% tolerances in both R, andR k .
for a high output voltage, the resistors may beneficially have closer tolerances or be
selected so that high
L , highR s and high R R
k go together, and similarly with low
values.
The supply voltage may be varied by a ratio up to 2 1 in either direction without
:
very serious effects in normal operation and without necessarily making any change
in R L , R, or R k .
(i) Introduction .
N =
primary turns
t
and 2 N =
secondary turns.
The gain with loaded transformers is dealt with in (xi) below.
(c) Low operating plate current—reduces the direct current through the trans-
former primary and thus increases the effective inducjance compared with
a
valve having a higher plate current. If necessary, any valve may
be over-
biased so as to bring the plate current to a suitable value—5 mA is quite usual.
(d) High maximum plate voltage— only desirable if a high
input voltage is required
by the following stage (e.g. push-pull low mu triodes, or cathode follower).
(viii) Fidelity
Distortion caused by the valve is usually very low in the vicinity of the mid-fre-
quency with unloaded transformers of high impedance about 1% to — 2%
second
—
harmonic with maximum grid swing but it increases as the transformer is loaded,
up to about 5% second harmonic and 2% or 3% third harmonic. At frequencies
below 1000 c/s the impedance steadily falls, while the loadline opens out into a broad
ellipse at low frequencies. The valve distortion may be considerable at high output
levels under these conditions [see Chapter 2 Sect. 4(vi)].
The transformer (core) distortion is usually quite appreciable and may cause serious
intermodulation distortion [see Chapter 5 Sect. 3(iii)].
The maximum peak output voltage in this example is (E„ E b0)T (250 65) — = —
T— 185 T volts =
0.74 E b T. This is reduced as the load becomes less, and a value
of about 0.65 E
b T is fairly typical,
siderably less than the supply voltage and this may restrict the maximum output
voltage. If a high output voltage is required, the supply voltage may be increased
up to the maximum rating. It is generally desirable to make L a resistance of 3 or 4 R
times the plate resistance of the valve. Higher values of L result in increased dis-R
tortion at low frequencies due to the elliptical load-line. Lower values of L result R
in lower gain and increased distortion at all frequencies.
C
The optimum value of is dependent upon the transformer primary inductance,
and the following values are suggested
L = 10 20 30 50 100 150 henrys
C = 4.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 0.5 0.5 pF.
These values of capacitance are sufficiently high to avoid resonance at an audible
frequency. Use is sometimes made of the resonance between and the inductance C
of the primary to give a certain degree of bass boosting. By this means a transformer
may be enabled to give uniform response down to a lower frequency than would other-
wise be the case. It should be noted that the plate resistance of the valve, in parallel
with RL , forms a series resistance in the
resonant circuit. The lower the plate re-
sistance^ the more pronounced should be the effect [see Chapter 15 Sect. 2(iii)GJ.
It is frequently so arranged that the resonant frequency is sufficiently low to pro-
duce a peak which is approximately level with the response at middle frequencies,
thereby avoiding any obvious bass boosting while extending the frequency range to a
maximum.
For mathematical analysis see Ref. A13 pp. 38-41.
In all cases when making use of any resonance effects involving the inductance of
the transformer primary, it is important to remember that this is a variable quantity.
—
Not only are there considerable variations from one transformer to another, but there
are large variations of inductance caused by the a.c. input voltage (see Chapter
5).
The series resonant circuit presents a low impedance to the v valve at the resonant
frequency, thus tending to cause serious distortion, particularly when the valve is
being operated at a fairly high level. Fot these reasons the resonance method is not
used in good design.
-JUjU
Fig. 12.25. Circuit diagram of parallel-fed auto-transformer coupled voltage amplifier.
Fig. 12.26. Choke-capacitance coupled voltage amplifier.
(xiv) Applications
The cost of a transformer having linear response over a wide frequency range is
considerable and, since equally good response may generally be obtained by a very
simple resistance-coupled amplifier, the transformer is only used under circum-
stances where its particular advantages are of value. Some of these are
(1) High output voltage for limited supply voltage,
(2) Stepping up from, or down to, low-impedance lines,
(3) When used with split or centre-tapped secondary for the operation of a push-
pull stage, and
(4) When a low d.c. resistance is essential in the grid circuit of the following stage.
either with the transformer primary in the cathode circuit or with parallel feed (see
Chapter 7 Sect. 2(i)G).
(b) 28 volt operation : see Reference B4.
12.5 CHOKE-COUPLED AMPLIFIERS 521
(i) Performance
A typical choke-capacitance coupled amplifier is shown in Fig. 12.26. The opera-
tion and design are
similar to those of a transformer-coupled amplifier (Fig. 12.23)
with a transformer ratio 1 : 1 except that C
must be designed as in a r.c.c. amplifier
to avoid additional low frequency attenuation. An amplifier of this type produces
a higher maximum output voltage than a r.c.c. amplifier but less than that with a step-
up transformer.
(ii) Application
It is occasionally used with valves having rather high plate current, for which a
suitable transformer may not be available. It was also used with tetrode valves of
old design, the inductance being several hundred henries, shunted by a resistance of
about 0.25 megohm.
Normally we begin with a single-sided amplifier, and then at some suitable level
a stagemay be inserted having a single input and a push-pull output. In a radio
receiver such a stage 'usually immediately precedes the output stage, but in more
ambitious amplifiers there may be several intermediate push-pull stages. In this
section we consider the methods of exciting push-pull amplifiers.
upon the quality of the transformer. This method may be used with almost any type
of amplifier, and the arrangement illustrated is merely typical. For example, fixed
bias operation, or operation with triodes in place of pentodes could equally well be
adopted.
Fig. 12.27. (A) Triode valve (Vt ) followed by transformer (T) having centre-tapped
V
secondary and exciting the grids of the push-pull stage (V2, 3). (B) Modified form with
non-centre-tapped transformer, using two resistors to provide an equivalent centre-tap.
522 (i) METHODS INVOLVING IRON-CORED INDUCTORS 12.6
Fig. 12.28. Triode valve with parallel feed and centre-tapped choke exciting the
(VJ
grids of the push-pull stage.
Fig. 12.29A. Modified form of phase splitter giving full gain without degeneration.
The input is from grid to cathode and cannot be earthed. The cathode resistor is by-passed
to provide full gain.
An analysis of the balance with equal load resistors and shunt capacitors is given
in Ref. C27, indicating that under these conditions the balance is perfect at all fre-
quencies. However, in practice, the total shunt capacitances across the two channels
differ slightly and there is a slight (and generally negligible) unbalance at high fre-
quencies ; see also page 330.
If a high gain amplifier placed between the phase splitter and the output stage,
is
hum may be troublesome.Part of the hum is due to the difference of potential
between the heater and cathode. This may be reduced by operating the heater of
the phase splitter from a separate transformer winding which may be connected to a
suitable point in the circuit at a potential approximating that of the cathode.
It is normal practice to assume a maximum r.m.s. output voltage (grid-to-grid)
•In an experimental test it is important to reverse the phase of the input from the B.F.O. when the
valve voltmeter is moved from one output to the other.
12.6 (ii) PHASE SPLITTER 523
<HW
Fig. 12.29B. Phase (V£ using high input impedance to increase the gain of the
splitter
preceding stage (Vx) by about six times.
Fig. 12.29C. Phase splitter using pentode with unbypassed screen and suppressor grid.
The d.c. load resistance in the plate circuit of Vx is R x R z 0.29 megohm, while + —
the dynamic load is the input resistance of V
ts i.e. [see Chapter 7 Sect. 2(ii)B]
U' =
R„K1 - A')
where R„ = R xR a /(R x R») +
167 000 ohms =
and A' i=a 0.9,
so that in this example, r/ = 1.67 megohms.
The gain of x is given V by
gm 950
_
1
~ (1/r,)
(1/r/) +
1/4 1/1.67
~ '
+ ~ 1120
which is about 6 times the gain under normal conditions.
The circuit is nearly balanced if i? 4 e and
= R
fill PiRg ~'Re
E0i /*2^» + r p2 +R e
where R e = RJlsKRi + RJ.
524 (ii) PHASE SPLITTER 12.6
In order to visualize the operation of this circuit consider firstly the situation with
V t removed. Resistors R B and R , in series form the load on valve Vlt and the voltage
at the point will be in proportion to the voltage at the grid of V a
X When V% is .
replaced, the voltage initially at point will cause an amplified opposing voltage to be X
applied to resistors R-, and R ». If resistor jR 7 is slightly greater than # 5, it will be
found that the point X is nearly at earth potential. If the amplification of V% is high,
then R-, may be made equal to R 6 and point will still be nearly at earth potential. X
The point X is therefore floating, and the circuit a true Paraphase ; the derivation
of the name " Floating Paraphase " is obvious.
FIG. 12.32
PIG. 12.31
INPUT
Fig. 12.31. The Floating Paraphase self-balancing phase inverter with cathode bias.
Fig. 12.32. The Floating Paraphase circuit with fixed bias in the following stage.
with R = 0. 9
E z R ^ A z \ ^ Rt
t Rj (3)
Fig. 12.34. " Seesaw It is desirable for A* to be greater than 40, thereby
self-balancing phase inverter
giving an out-of-balance less than 7%. References
C9, CIO, C17.
{Ref. C9).
When R 3 = R^ then
EJE% = 1 + 2/(Af + 2) (7)
while for perfect balance, R t = R a [1 + 2/{A a - 1)] (8)
References C9, CIO.
K <&&+++*&+*
1
")
i
INPUT
; ^c-oi»iF
OB- OB-
Fig. 12.35. Modified " see-saw " self-balancing phase inverter {Ref. CIO).
Fig. 12.36. Practical " Schmitt " common cathode impedance self-balancing inverter
using type 6C8-G tzvin triode (/* =
36). C^ and C
2 should have high insulation resistance.
(viii) Cross coupled phase inverter Fig. 12.37. Two stage self-balancing
The cross coupled phase inverter (Ref. C25) phase inverter with common cathode
employs two twin triodes, the circuit impedance.
being that of the second and third stages of Fig. 15.43A. In this application the
single input may be connected between either of the two grids and earth, the other
being connected to earth. The hum level from the plate supply is low because hum
voltages balance out.
(i) Introduction
A push-pull voltage amplifier stage is one having push-pull (3 terminal) input and
push-pull output. Two separate valves (or one twin valve) are required. The two
valves are each treated as for a single-ended amplifier, whether resistance- or trans-
former-coupled.
centre-tapped primary, or the so-called " phase compressor " see (v) below. The —
same also holds true when feeding into a single-ended stage.
Many push-pull transformers are designed to operate with an out-of-balance plate
current not exceeding about 1 or 2 mA, thus necessitating matched valves, or adjust-
ed bias, or parallel feed.
FIG. 12.39
If there is no cross-coupling (e.g. from a cathode
resistor common to both sides) y = y — 0.
In a linear amplifier
= Ae - y'e/ x (5)
= A'ei - ye 1 (6)
ential gain = (c — 0/(«i — «i') 2 (7)
Fig. 12.38. 6 terminal = \{A + A' + y + y') (8)
push-pull amplifier.
In-phase gain = 2 4- e^')/{e +
(<?
OB +
In an amplifier without cross-coupling, y = y — :
FIG.I2.40
The most elementary form is Fig. 12.40 in which thcplate of x is coupled to the V
grid of Vg through a bias battery to provide the correct grid bias. As it stands it is
of litde practical use, owing to the " hot " bias battery.
A more practical circuit is Fig. 12.41 in which all the batteries may be at earth
potential. Tapping point B has to be adjusted to give the correct bias between grid
The abbreviation d-c amplifier is used in this Handbook to indicate a direct-coupled amplifier.
530 (i) ELEMENTARY D-C AMPLIFIERS 12.9
INPUT OUTPUT
INPUT OUTPUT
Fig. 12.-42. Direct-coupled amplifier with only one source of voltage (E bb).
Fig. 12.43. Direct-coupled amplifier with one source of voltage and one voltage divider.
Pentodes may be used, if desired, in all these circuits by making suitable provision
for the screen voltages. V
In Fig. 12.43 the screen of x may be taken to a tap on ktt R
provided that either the screen is by-passed to cathode, or jR is by-passed ; the m
amplifier would then be limited to audio frequencies only (Ref. D40).
When the first amplifier stage is a pentode, its load resistor may be increased to
values much greater than those conventionally used, provided that sufficient negative
voltage feedback is applied to secure an acceptable high frequency response (e.g.
Ref. D40).
A pentode may also be used with another pentode as its plate resistor. By this
means a gain of several thousand times may be obtained, but this is only useful in
electronic measuring instruments.
—
Such circuits (Figs. 12.40 12.43) are generally limited to two stages. If any in-
crease is made, there is distinct danger of slow drift occurring in the direct plate
current, due to variations in battery voltages and valve characteristics. These may
be minimized by voltage regulators and controlled heater voltage or current, or may
be avoided by one of the special methods described below (viii to x). See also Refs.
D36, D39.
Negative feedback may be applied to any d-c amplifier in the normal manner.
(ii)Bridge circuit
The bridge circuit (Fig. 12.44) may be used with any number of stages in cascade
from a single B supply. The basic design equations are :
WW 1
Fig. 12.46 an alternative arrangement in which the positions of the two triodes
is
are reversed. This input circuit was primarily for use with a phototube (Ref. D19)
but could be adapted to any other requirement.
In the form shown, the output circuit has a direct potential difference, being in-
tended for coupling directly to the screen of the 6V6 following.
See also Section 6(vi).
References Dl, D19 ; also Chapter 7 Refs. (G).
(iv) Cathode follower
The cathode follower may also be used as a d-c amplifier. One circuit is Fig. 12.47
in which the cathode load is R k
total +
R^i 7 /{R t R 7 ). The value of
+ R 7 isequal
to E e /J b so as to eliminate the undesired direct voltage across R 6 .
FIG. 12.47 A
3Qg00O!>
45V 42501*
Fig. 12.47A. Cathode follower used as d.c. amplifier {Ref. D15).
Fig. 12.47B. Direct-coupled amplifier with r-c pentode exciting phase inverter {Ref. D14).
532 (v) PHASE INVERTER 12.9
(vi)Screen-coupled
The preceding stage may be directly-coupled to the screen of a cathode follower
pentode (Fig. 12.48). This a voltage gain of 30 db with 0.5% total har-
circuit has
monic distortion at 0.85 volt p«.ak output. Output terminal A
has a d.c. potential
of — 1.5 volts, which may be used as bias for the following stage.
Screen-coupled cathode followers are stable, with a wide-band frequency response,
but the distortion is higher than with normal operation owing to the non-constant
ratio of plate to screen currents. About 85% of this distortion can be cancelled by a
push-pull arrangement.
References D14, D19.
C' 4-SV .
A
INPUT P^.|.|»to
Fig. 12.48. Two stage amplifier with the plate of the first stage directly-coupled to the
screen of the second stage (Ref. D14).
Fig. 12.49. Two stage amplifier with gas tube coupling from the plate of the first stage
to the grid of the second stage.
and the input impedance of the cathode follower is so high that it does not affect the
gain of the first stage. Almost all the signal voltage drop occurs across R„. The
design of the first stage is independent of the d.c resistance of the V.R. tube, but R„
must be much larger than the dynamic impedance of the V.R. tube. Negative feed-
back for improved stability is provided by R k in the second stage.
The gas tube introduces noise, hence should not be used in low-level amplifiers.
For design, see Reference D13.
output
1
1 (4)
+
g mfo + l)R L "
/*(** + 1)
Eqn. (4) may be compared with the ordinary form for expressing amplification,
namely
A, 1
L_
J_
g mR L M
and it will be seen therefore that from equation (4)
+ 1)
m(m (5)
For example, consider a twin triode with = 20 and r„ = 10 000 ohms under
ft
resistance-coupled conditions. A suitable value for the load resistance is 2/x x 10 000
= 400 000 ohms—say 0.5 megohm.
From eqn. (5) : ft' = 20 x 510 000 = 412
'21 x 500 000 -^
From eqn. (6) :
gm ' = /*/r„ = 20/10 000 =
2000 /imhos.
From eqn. (7)
r v' : =21 x 10 000 x 500 000
--r- 510 000 = 206 000 ohms.
A high-mu triode would show even higher values of amplification factor and plate
resistance, resembling those of a sharp cut-off r-f pentode.
Curves have been drawn for some typical twin triodes
operating as cascode amplifiers ; they resemble the
curves of pentodes except that the rounded knee has
been replaced by a nearly straight, sloping line (Ref.
D35).
One special application is as a low-noise r-f amplifier
(Refs. D33, D35).
Another application is as a voltage stabilizer (Refs.
D32, D34).
The cascode amplifier has been used as a direct cur-
rent amplifier responding to zero frequency (Ref. D35).
Two cascode amplifiers have been used in a " float-
ing paraphase " push-pull amplifier operating with
single-ended input, to deliver a balanced output. In
two high-mu twin-triode type 6SL7-GT
this application,
valves were used each as a cascode amplifier, to deliver Fig. 12.51B. Funda-
an output of about 30 volts peak, each side. Only one mental circuit of cascode
coupling capacitor was used in the whole stage, thus amplifier.
simplifying the design of the feedback circuit (Ref D41).
References to cascode amplifiers : D32, D33, D34, D35, D36, D41.
References to direct-coupled amplifiers (general) Refs. (D).
Ref. D36 is particularly valuable as it gives a detailed examination of the whole
subject, including all causes of " drift." See also Chapter 2 Sect. 2(vii) Drift of
characteristics during life, and (viii) Effect of heater voltage variation.
12.10 (i) COMMON IMPEDANCE IN POWER SUPPLY 535
between the path through C and the path through the B supply in the ratio
Si — ^ d ~^~ ^4 (1)
The dynamic operating conditions (gain, voltage output etc.) may be determined
by referring to the published data for a supply voltage the same as that for point M
(Fig. 12.53). The voltage from to earth is given by M
EM = E bb- /*/?<, ( 3)
where I b = KE bb /R L
and the value of (for low K
level operation) may be taken as approximately
K =0.75 for general purpose triodes and pentodes
K =0.6 for high-mu triodes
[for more exact values see Sects. 2 (vi) for triodes and 3 (vi) for pentodes].
A R
good general value of d for most purposes is one fifth of L . If the stage is R
operating at low level, d may be increased up to R about the same resistance as L R
to give better decoupling. If the stage is operating at high level, d should be reduced R
maintained. This
as much as possible provided that sufficient decoupling can be
may be assisted by increasing C, but the cost and size of paper condensers may set
Elec-
a limitation. Two stages of decoupling can sometimes be used to advantage.
trolytic condensers should be used with caution, since their leakage currents are
appreciable and they tend to cause noise if used in low level stages. They
should
never be used with values of R d above 50 000 ohms, and very much lower
values
are desirable.
plate decoupling circuit of Fig. 12.53 has the effect of increasing the
bass
The
response, since at extremely low frequencies the total plate load becomes very
nearly
(R, +R
d). If Vi is a triode, and L is greater than 5 r„, R
then the effect is slight.
effect may be appreciable.
R
If V
x is a
pentode, or a triode with L less than 5 r„, the
The increase of gain and the phase angle are both identical in form (except for the
sign) with the loss of gain and phase angle caused by the
cathode bias resistor and by-
also Ref E3
pass condenser—see Section 2 (iii) for triodes and 3 (iv) for pentodes ; .
for curves.
The limiting increase in gain is given by
i
\a \
_ .
+,
L_ (4)
\a\ (R L */R&l/r 9 + 1/1?,) + R L (1/r, + l/R. + 1/R*)
or if r, > RL as for pentodes,
A'\ RgRd (5)
** l + R (R + R d + R.)
I L L
—
common impedance Z, of the plate supply balance out at the junction points Jl, J2.
The screens and plates of the preceding valves are supplied from J2 and Jl through
pairs of resistances R, R and R u R t in order to balance out undesirable ripple.
The need for decoupling is less when push-pull operation is used, although there
is still the possibility of motor-boating arising from the effect on earlier stages of plate
supply voltage variations caused by the final stage. The latter are small when pure
Class A operation is employed.
Chokes may be employed instead of resistors for decoupling, and are frequently
—
used when the plate currents are large e.g. power amplifiers.
It is desirable in all cases to reduce the internal resistance of the power
supply, so that even at very low frequencies there may be no tendency towards the
production of relaxation oscillations ("motor-boating"). Power supplies having
good regulation have low effective internal impedance ; thermionic valve type voltage
regulators are highly desirable for special applications and have the feature of re-
taining low internal impedance characteristics down to the lowest frequencies, if
correctly designed.
Motor-boating in transformer-coupled amplifiers may frequently be cured by
reversing the transformer connections on either primary or secondary. This has the
effect of providing degeneration instead of regeneration, and may have an adverse
effect on the frequency response (Ref. E3).
FIG. 12.54
Fie. 12.54. Special circuit giving plate decoupling vrithout decoupling condensers
{Ref. E4).
R.D.H. —18
538 (v) GRID CIRCUIT DECOUPLING 12.10
Fig. 12.55.
cuit decoupling with
Grid cir-
F„ ,„c£
*' 12 \56
.
r>
,?
nd
-
-j
ctrcmt decoupling
transformer input and
cathode bias. "»* fi* ed btas -
In a normal r.c.c. amplifier, such as Fig. 12.1, the hum voltage passed on to the
following stage is given by-
E h = E hr 9 /(R + r„)
'
(9)
where E h — hum voltage across the plate power supply
E h — hum voltage across R v2
'
If r„ is very much less than R, the hum voltage passed on to the following stage is
much less than E h On the other hand, if r p is greater than R then E h may approach
.
t
'
Eh .
In the case of parallel-feed (Fig. 12.24) the expression becomes, in vector form,
E h ' = E h Z\Z' + R L) (11)
where Z' = r v Z/(r v + Z) «y r„.
The hum passed on to the following stage is normally only a small fraction of E h .
The hum voltages of successive stages are usually out of phase, thus resulting
in some cancellation, but this is very slight if the same degree of filtering is provided
for all stages. In such a case the hum of the first stage is the only one to be con-
sidered.
For amplifiers using negative feedback, see Chapter 7 Sect. 2(ix).
12.10 (vi) HUM IN VOLTAGE AMPLIFIERS 539
(B) Hum from the screens may also be reduced by screen decoupling. The
hum from the screen out of phase with the hum from the plate, but the screen hum
is
predominates. For amplifiers using negative feedback, see Chapter 7 Sect. 2(ix).
(C) Hum from the grid bias supply may be reduced in some cases by grid
decoupling. This hum voltage may be either in phase, or out of phase, with the
plate circuit hum, depending on the source.
where r pl = plate resistance of V1 (preceding stage) and the other values are marked
on the diagram. This circuit gives neutralization both for hum and for low frequency
regeneration.
There are other methods which may also be used for hum neutralization or re-
duction (see Chapter 31 Sect. 5).
t— —OB*
4—OB
(ii)Rectangular pulses
The design of special pulse amplifiers is beyond the scope of this handbook, but
amplifiers are frequently tested with a rectangular input voltage (" square wave ")
and their performance under these conditions is of interest.
|—T*)'
In the case of a single r.c. coupling (Fig. 12.59), the voltage across R is given by
e = Be-"™ (1)
where E — amplitude of pulse voltage input
R = R„ + rJl L /(r 9 + R L t* R„ )
and = time measured from commencement
t of pulse, in seconds.
If t is small compared with RC, we may write the equation as the approximation
(Ref. Fl)
e f* (1 -
t/RCjB (2)
or E/(E -
e) ph RC/t (say) = X (3)
the error being negligible if t is not greater than 0.1 RC.
The value of the time constant RC
to give any desired value of at the end of aX
pulse is given by
RC tv TX (*)
where T = time length of pulse,
and X = E/{E - e),
12.12
*
MULTISTAGE VOLTAGE AMPLIFIERS 541
For example, if X is required to be 20 (i.e. the amplitude of the square top falls by
5% at the end of the pulse) and if T = 0.01 second, then RC
tut 0.2 second. If
R — 0.5 megohm, then C = 0.4 /*F.
If the pulses are repeated periodically with the length of pulse equal to the time
between pulses, and if the applied voltage is zero during the period between pulses
(as Fig. 12.59),
then RC f* X/2fr (5)
where /i =*= frequency in cycles per second.
With sine-wave input, the frequency (/„) at which the response of a single-stage
rx.c. amplifier falls by 3 db is given by
/, = l/(2nRC) (6)
By using a square wave input, and noting on a C.R.O. the frequency /t at which
there is (say) 10% drop at the end of the pulse (i.e. 10), it is possible to calculate X=
the frequency for 3 db attenuation with sine-wave input
/ *t A/10ir [for 10] (9) X=
Vice versa, by measuring the frequency f at which the sine-wave response is 3 db
below that at the mid-frequency, it is possible to calculate the frequency /x at which
the square wave shows a specified drop at the end of the pulse :
= /i Xrrfo (10)
where X = E/(E - e).
Equations (9) and (10) may also be used in connection with multi-stage amplifiers.
SECTION 13 REFERENCES :
C9. Scroggk. M.G. " The See-saw circuit : a self-balancing phase splitter " W.W. 51.7 (July 1945)
194.
—
C10. Carpenter, R. E. H. " See-saw or paraphase " origin of the circuit—W.W. 51.8 (Sept. 1945)
263, with reply from M. G. Scroggie.
Cll. Saunders, L. A. Getter) "Phase splitter" Electronic Eng. 18.216 (Feb. 1946) 63. Reference
Chart " Methods of driving push-pull amplifiers " 17.214 (Dec. 1945) 816.
C12. Wheeler, M. S. " An analysis of three self-balancing phase inverters " Proc. I.R.E. 34.2 (Feb.
1946) 67P.
C13. E.M.I. Laboratories " Balanced output amplifiers of highly stable and accurate balance " Elec-
tronic Eng. 18.220 (June 1946) 189.
C14. R.C.A. "Application Note on a self-balancing phase-inverter circuit " No. 97 (Sept. 28, 1938).
—
C16. " Resistance-coupled push pull Floating paraphase circuit " Radiotronics No. 83 (January 1938)
97.
C17. E.M.I. Laboratories "Balanced amplifier circuits" Electronic Eng. 17.209 Quly 1945) 610.
C18. Jeffery, E. " Push-pull phase splitter—a new high gain circuit "—W.W. 53.8 (Aug. 1947) 274.
,r
C19. Crawley, J. B. " Self-balancing phase inverter Elect. 20.3 (March 1947) 212. U.S. Patent
2383,846 Aug. 28, 1945.
C20. Beard, E. G. " A new high gain phase sphttingcircuit " Philips Tec. Com. No. 8 (Sept. 1947) 10.
C21. Cocking, W. T. " Push-pull input circuits," W.W. (1) General principles W.W. 54.1 (Jan. 1948)
7 ; (2) Cathode follower phase splitter 54.2 (Feb. 1948) 62 ; (3) Phase reversers, 54.3 (Mar. 1948)
85 ; (4) The anode follower, 54.4 (April, 1948) 126 ; (5) Cathode-coupled stage, 54.5 (May 1948)
183.
12.13 REFERENCES 543
C22. Johnson, E. "Directly-coupled phase inverter," Elect. 21.3 (March 1948} 188.
C23. Sulzer, P. G. " Applications of screen-grid supply impedance in pentodes. Comm. 28.8 (Aug.
1948) 10.
C24. Sowerby, J. McG. " The see-saw circuit again " W.W. 54.12 (Dec. 1948) 447.
C25. Van Scoyoc, J. N. " A cross-coupled input and phase inverter circuit " Radio News 40.5 (Nov.
1948) 6.
C26. E. E. Carpentier, U.S. Patent 2,510,683 described by R. H. Dorf " Audio Patents—Phase in-
verter improvement" Audio Eng. 35.2 (Feb. 1951) 2.
C27. Jones, G. E. " An analysis of the split-load phase inverter " Audio Eng. 35.12 (Dec. 1951) 16.
(D) REFERENCES TO DIRECT COUPLED AMPLIFIERS L<
Dl. Miller, S. E. " Sensitive d.c. amplifier with a.c. operation " Elect. 14.11 (Nov. 1941) 27. Stable
dc amplification" W.W. 483 (May 1942) 111.
D2. " A novel dc amplifier Electronic Eng.
" 14.170 (April 1942) 727.
D3. Hay, G. A. " High sensitivity dc amplifier—another application of the C.R. tuning indicator" W.W.
49.1 (Jan. 1943) 9.
D5. Merger, G. R. " A stable direct-coupled amplifier " Elect. 17.7 (July 1944) 106.
D6. Lawson, D. I. " An analysis of a d.c. galvanometer amplifier " Electronic Eng. 17.198 (Aug. 1944)
114.
D7. Goldberg, H. " Bioelectric-research apparatus " Proc. I.R.E. 32.6 (June 1944) 330.
D8. Artzt, MV" Survey of D-C Amplifiers fi Elect. 25.8 (Aug. 1945) 112, with extensive bibliography.
D9. Williams, J. A. " Crystal-driven modulator for d-c amplifiers " Elect. 18.12 (Dec. 1945) 128.
D10. Middleton, R. G. " An analysis of cascode coupling ** Radio 30.6 (June 1946) 19. >
Dll. Lampitt, R. A. "A d.c. amplifier using a modulated carrier system" Electronic Eng. 18.225
(Nov. 1946) 347.
D12. Noltingk, B. E. " D.C. amplifiers " aetter with reply from R. A. Lampitt) Electronic Eng. 18.226
_
(Dec. 1946) 389.
D13. Iannone, F., and H. Bailer " Gas tube coupling for d-c amplifiers " Elect. 19.10 (Oct. 1946) 106.
D14. Yu, Y. P. " Cathode follower coupling in d-c amplifiers " Elect. 19.8 (Aug. 1946) 99.
D15. Ginzton, E. L. " D.C amplifier design technique " Elect, 17.3 (March 1944) 98.
D16. R.C.A. " Application Note on special applications of the type 79 tube" No. 28 (Nov. 9th, 1933)
—
Fig. 5, d-c amplifier.
D18. Mezger, G. R. •'Feedback amplifier for C-R oscilloscopes " Elect. 17.4 (April 1944) 126.
D19. Scully, J. F. " A phototube amplifier " Elect. 18.10 (Oct. 1945) 168.
D20. " Balanced modulator," U.S. Patent, 1,988,472 (Jan. 1935).
D21. Whitaker and Artzt " Development of facsimile scanning heads—Radio facsimile (R.C.A. In-
stitutes Technical Press, Oct. 1938). _
D22. Black, L. J., and H. J. Scott " A direct-current and audio-frequency amplifier," Proc. I.R.E.
28.6 (June 1940) 269.
"
D23. Goldberg, H. " A high-gain d-c amplifier for bioelectric recording E.E. 59 (Jan. 1940) 60.
D24. Richter, W. "Cathode follower circuits" Elect. 16.11 (Nov. 1943) 112.
D25. Shepard, W. G. " High-gain d-c amplifier " Elect 20.10 (Oct. '947) 138.
D26. Aiken, C. B., and W. C. Welz " D-C amplifier for low-level signal,, " Elect. 20.10 (Oct. 1947) 124.
D27. Anker, H. S. " Stabilized d-c amplifier with high sensitivity " Elect. 20.6 (June 1947) 138.
D28. Gall, D. C. " A direct-current amplifier and its application to industrial measurements and con-
trol" Jour. I.E.E. 89 Part 2, 11 (Oct. 1942) 434.
D29. Offner, F. F. " Balanced amplifiers " Proc. I.R.E. 35.3 (March 1947) 306.
D30. Lash, J. F. " Feedback improves response of d-c amplifier " Elect. 22.2 (Feb. 1949) 109.
D31. Bishop, P. O. " A note on interstage coupling for d.c. amplifiers " Electronic Eng. 21.252 (Feb.
1949) 61.
D32. Hunt, F. V., and R. W. Hickman " On electronic voltage stabilizers " Rev. of Sci. Instr. 10.1
(Jan. 1939) 6.
D33. Wallman, H., A. B. Macnee and C. P. Gadsden, " A low-noise amplifier " Proc. I.R.E. 36.6
(June 1948) 700.
D34. Sowerby, J. McG. " The cascode amplifier " W.W. 54.7 (July 1948) 249.
D35. Sowerby, J. McG. " The cascode again " W.W. 55.2 (Feb. 1949) 50.
D36. Valley, G. E., and H. Wallman (book) " Vacuum tube amplifiers " (M.I.T. Radiation Laboratory
Series, McGraw-Hill Book Co. New York and London, 1948).
D38. Harris, E. J., and P. O. Bishop " The design and limitations of d.c. amplifiers " Electronic Eng.
21.259 (Sept. 1949) 332 ; 21.260 (Oct. 1949) 355.
D39. Sowerby, J. McG. " Reducing drift in d.c. amplifiers " W.W. Part 1 : 56.8 (Aug. 1950) 293
Part 2 : 56.10 (Oct. 1950) 350.
D40. Volkers, W. K. " Direct-coupled amplifier starvation circuits " Elect. 24.3 (Mar. 1951) 126.
D41. Passman, B., and J. Ward " A new theatre sound system " Jour. S.M.P.T.E. 56.5 (May 1951) 527.
Additional references will be found in the Supplement commencing on page 1475.
SECTION 1 : INTRODUCTION
(0 Types of a-f power amplifiers («) Classes of operation (Hi) Some characteristics
of power amplifiers (iv) Effect of power supply on power amplifiers.
544
13.1 (i) TYPES OF A-F POWER AMPLIFIERS 545
—
Critical load resistance Pentodes are much more critical than triodes as regards
—
the effects of variation from the optimum value of load resistance this holds with
or without feedback in both cases. See Sect. 2(iv), Sect. 3(viii), Sect. 5(ii), Sect. 6(ii),
and summary Chapter 21 Sect, l(iii).
— A
Distortion Single Class x triodes are usually operated with 5%
second harmonic
distortion at mflvitrmtw output, while the third and higher order harmonics are small
under the same conditions. All published data for such valves are based on 5%
second harmonic unless otherwise specified. With push-pull Class A
x triodes the
even harmonics are cancelled and only small third and higher order odd harmonics
remain. Push-pull class At triode operation is regarded as providing the best fidelity
obtainable without the use of feedback.
As the bias is increased towards Class AB X operation the odd harmonic distortion
increases only slightly until cut-off is just reached during the cycle (i.e. up to Limiting
Class A operation), beyond which point a kink appears in the linearity (transfer)
characteristic, and the distortion is more displeasing to the listener than is indicated
by the harmonic distortion.
Power pentodes operated under Class Ax conditions on a resistive load may have
very slight second harmonic distortion but from 7% to 13% total distortion. This
is largely third harmonic with appreciable higher order harmonics. When operated
into a loudspeaker load the harmonic distortion is much more severe at low and high
frequencies due to the variation of loudspeaker impedance with frequency. Negative
feedback may be used to reduce distortion at all frequencies.
With a load of varying impedance, such as a loudspeaker, there is a selective effect
on the harmonic distortion. For example, if the impedance of the load is greater
to a harmonic than to the fundamental, the harmonic percentage will be greater than
with constant load resistance equal to that presented to the fundamental. See Sect.
ll(iii) and Fig.
13.54, also Sect. 2(iv) for triodes, Sect. 3(viii) for pentodes.
Owing to the fact that the dominant harmonic with power pentodes is the third,
there is very little reduction of distortion due merely to push-pull operation. If,
however, the load resistance per valve is decreased, the effect is to increase the second
harmonic per valve (which is cancelled out in push-pull) and to decrease the third
harmonic, and thus to improve the fidelity.
Some of the distortion occurring with Class AB 2 or Class B operation is due to the
effect of grid current on the input circuit. The design of such amplifiers is treated
more fully later in Sections 7 and 8.
Normally the harmonic distortion is stated for full power output, but the rate of
increase is also of importance. Second harmonic distortion (Class A t triodes or
beam power tetrodes) increases more or less linearly from zero to full power. Third
harmonic distortion in pentodes increases less rapidly at first, and then more rapidly
as full output is approached. Higher order odd harmonics show this effect even
more markedly.
Beam power amplifiers in Class A x have considerable second harmonic, but less
third and higher order harmonics. When operated in push-pull the second harmonic
is cancelled, and the total harmonic distortion on a constant resistive load is small.
On a loudspeaker load, however, the same objections apply as for pentodes, and ne-
gative feedback is necessary in all cases where good fidelity is required.
For further information on fidelity and distortion see Chapter 14.
13.1 (iii) SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF POWER AMPLIFIERS 547
= *(**/*«> + l
/
Jr
4.606KR L C log10 A
m K }
where K = /»,/(/„ + h)
R, = resistance of voltage source
Ri = E b0 /I b0
C — shunt capacitance
(1 -K)
A = (1 _ K - \K(R
) L /R,) + 1]*/100
E b0 = direct voltage across C
Jbo — direct plate current of valve
/„ = peak signal current through valve plate circuit
and x = fall of supply voltage between beginning and end of positive half-cycle,
expressed as a percentage of E b0 .
The only approximation in eqn. (1) is that the voltage across the condenser at the
commencement of the positive half-cycle is taken as being E b0 .
The maximum grid swing which can be used is 20 volts, that is from A (E e =0)
to B (E c
= - 20 volts) since the E =
curve is the border of the grid current region.
f
Actually a slight grid current usually flows at zero bias, but this is generally neglected.
INPUT
-E.+
The power output may be calculated from a knowledge of the maximum and
minimum voltages and currents along the loadline, assuming a sinewave input voltage
(Fig. 13.2):
Power Output an \(JE max — E min) <J max ~ Imin) (*)
RL == (E max -
E min)/(I max I min) - (fa)
== (E b /I b )(l - E min /E b)
(5b)
The percentage second harmonic distortion
x 100 (6)
I O
in
2nd Harmonic Distortion
DB/BC
%01.0
5
1.22
10
1.5
15
1.86
/
20
2.33
If the valve is to be operated with a known plate voltage, the usual
procedure is to take as the operating point (Q) the intersection of the
vertical line E E
through b with one of the c curves such that Q
is either
on, or below, the " maximum plate dissipation curve " (Fig. 13.2).
If the latter is not included in the published curves, it may readily be
plotted over a small range. This dissipation curve only affects the
operating point Q, and there is no harm if the loadline cuts the curve.
In general, if the plate voltage is fixed, a triode gives greatest output
when it is operated at the maximum permissible plate current, with
the limit of I b = iE b /r v (see eqn. 22).
If there is no predetermined plate voltage, a triode gives increasing
power output as the plate voltage is increased, even though the plate
current is limited in each case by the dissipation.
FK». 13.4
Fig. 13.4. 5%.distortion rule for use in calculating the power
output of triodes.
13.2 (ii) GENERAL GRAPHICAL CASE 551
Fig. 13.5. Alternative form of distortion rule for application to triode loadlines (Ref. 2J1\
Fig. 13.6. Plate characteristics of triode exaggerated to show rectification effects.
It will be observed that D" does not correspond to the intersection of the loadline
and the static bias curve. Point P" is not the quiescent point (which is Q) but may
be described as " the point of instantaneous zero signal voltage on the dynamic load-
line." Point P" must therefore be used in the calculations for harmonic distortion
at maximum signal. The loadline A"D"P"B" provides the data necessary for the
calculation of power output, second harmonic distortion, and average direct current.
All these will, in the general case, differ from those indicated by the loadline AQB.
Summary :
1. Power output is calculated from the loadline A"B" in the usual manner.
2. Second harmonic distortion (per cent) at maximum signal = (2D"P"/A"B")
x 100.
3. Average d.c. current at maximum signal = l b" = IQ + AI b " = current for
point D".
The graphical method above is accurate, within the limits of graphical construction,
but rather slow. Approximate results may be calculated from the original loadline
by the equations
Mb"
V« :
Alternatively, cathode loadlines may be drawn on the plate characteristics, but they
will be curved [for method see Chapter 12 Sect. 2(iii)].
slightly
Rectification effects with cathode bias may be determined entirely from the
plate characteristics (Fig. 13.8). The loadline corresponding to maximum signal
conditions is A"B" (as for Fig. 13.7) while point P" is the point of instantaneous
zero signal voltage. The maximum signal plate current is l b " as for fixed bias. For
the sake of comparison, the zero signal loadline AQB for fixed bias has also been
added. From D" a straight line is then drawn to E bb where E b is the total supply
voltage across both valve and R k ; this line will have a slope of — 1/R k .
The cathode bias loadline must pass through the point R on the E el curve at which
the plate current is I b ", because R k = E e JI b ". The R k loadline also passes through
O as shown ; it intersects the sloping line through E bb at point S with plate current
/»'. This point S is the quiescent operating point with cathode bias and has a plate
voltage E bi which is slightly greater than E bl .
The change in average plate current from no signal to maximum signal is given by
AI b for cathode bias and Al b " for fixed bias. It is obvious that AI b is always less
than AI b ". More specifically,
AI b ' rv E el
FIG.I3.9A
3. Take the point of intersection (Q) and draw a vertical line to the horizontal axis.
This will give the quiescent plate-to-cathode voltage bl , and E
will be the Q
quiescent operating point, with grid bias el
—E .
4. Through Q
draw a loadline with the desired slope from e to E =2E cl E = —
—
this will be AQB. Mark the point of average plate current (D).
e
signal loadline. Obviously B' will be intermediate between B and B", and
its position may be fixed approximately by joining BB" and making B'
the point
of intersection with the new loadline. The rise in plate current from the quies-
cent condition (I ) to the maximum signal condition (I ) is given
Q b by AI '. b
* '
If desired to make allowance for the transformer primary resistance, the slope
it is
of D"E bb in Fig. 13.8 should be 1/(R' k ) where R' primary resistance. — +R =
In general, any single.Class triode may be operated either with fixed or cathode A
bias as desired. The maximum value of grid circuit resistance frequently depends
on the source of bias. When it is permissible to use a value of cathode bias resistor
which provides the same grid bias as required for fixed bias, the load resistance,
distortion, and power output will be identical. When it is necessary, on account of
plate dissipation, to use a higher value of 2?*, then the conditions in the two cases will
be different.
Cathode by-passing —
It is important for the by-pass condenser to be sufficiently
large to maintain the bias voltage constant over each cycle any fluctuation leads to —
increased distortion and loss of power output. When operating at low levels it is
usually sufficient to ensure that the reactance of the by-pass condenser, at the lowest
frequency to be amplified, does not exceed one tenth of the resistance of the cathode
bias resistor.
At high operating levels it is necessary to ensure that the direct voltage from B +
to cathode remains substantially constant over each half-cycle. This may be treated
in the same manner as the by-passing of the power supply see Sect. l(iv) and Eqn. (1). —
The network comprising the resistive elements R, and k and the capacitive ele- R
ments C C
and k may be replaced by its equivalent network comprising C\ in parallel
with R connected from B+ to cathode. In the special case when C/C k = R k /R,
lt
we have /2 = R, + R k and C = CC k /(C + C k but the general case is more in-
X x ),
P"
~]
/
'
/ _ j
7 Jt i ^T-
t a. j. ~*zi' —i i
/ o '1 t "'' -i 3
J] / rp' / S?>, "'A el'' L L -2
°/ *' 1 '^^ '/ '
m.-''' i
'° *5
L f,f \/ AJ'-gfHt* I J d -j/
i ' • *^\
T '* i •""
w i i
<^
\ i
^k '
"l '1 '\L 1 «
2" ""
k
^ T 1
F »/- o^s'J- l^"' J / J'
^^ i 'T .'
'
^oSn^f' " ^/ ^gLz^'J.
S/ V / / sC^*^ k '/ " / £>/
r* t. 'T T ^v *^° "/ 9 '' ^L- \!J -4 *
i
- ^ "PI
'*'''
/ l*-**r^f '
-!&^~\t- jJ^""*A
L* +J , \J\ a-"^c J •"''t\ i -•" *»7 'i
— X/~ -i^
j- ~/\
i - '^ ' 'ir "pWk-"^ i».^ "T" " J^Ut*' X^-S 1 * >
r '"* **
^ "1 J^T'T'r^ illEf- "*/j t^"l"fm -^ £
—
-
d
iv"
—
^«^»" J
-''•*' Hi ^-"ifl---
/ .-- "^-'"13Lr!"""^ -tf ^ I2'v>rt J ^T^ ifi»w
£--~^2j^ "' jf-"fi~ ^ -j^-'/mWi rir
Tt ^^ r>f* <a4""\P
jj^** to
/
S
U*"'"
2-±Zs ^zi^er^sw^'--<a A** ZF*z5t&y^*-^\ ,fc
P/a« characteristics type 6J5 toithg m andg, curves and loadljnes (Ref. B5).
Fig. 13.9B.
13.2 (ii) (F) METHOD USING G^ AND G P CURVES 555
A' = KA t + A 2) (19C)
Second harmonic distortion per cent = 25(A l — A 2 )/(A 1 -f- A 2)
where A' = amplification with maximum input signal
A = x amplification at maximum positive excursion
and A = a amplification at maximum negative excursion.
The values of A x and A a may be calculated, using eqn. (19B), from the values of
g m and g„ corresponding to the relevant points on the loadline which may be derived
from Fig. 13.9B for type 6J5. Alternatively, the values of g„ and g„ may be derived
by measurement or graphically at the points of maximum positive and negative ex-
cursion on the loadline. By this means it is possible to calculate amplification and
distortion with high signal inputs from measurements made at low inputs.
This method may be used for cathode followers by using eqn. (19D) in place of
(19B) :
A = g mR k /[l
+ te m + g P)R k] (19D)
It may be used for degenerative amplifiers by using eqn. (19E)
also
A = - g mR L /\\ + (g m + g p)R k + g p R L -\
(19E)
References B5, B7, B8, H17.
- (2r tl + R Ly ( 21 >
FIG.I3.IO
FIG. 13.11
21[ bo
kl
o 1
* /
bo
h s. I
/^v./
I \
F 1
II i
it il T ^till
x k. -
bi
1 i Hit
Fig. 13.10. "Ideal" plate characteristics of triode to illustrate choice of optimum
loadline.
Fig. 13.1 1. " Ideal " plate characteristics of triode with fixed plate voltage to illustrate
choice of optimum loadline.
which the extended straight portion of the characteristic cuts the axis.
13.2 (iii) OPTIMUM OPERATING CONDITIONS 557
(1) No change R L = rp .
(2) No change R L = 2r p .
(4) The optimum value of load resistance for maximum power output
is given by
FIG.I3.I3
Type 2A3 E =
35 volts approx.
t
Type 45 E, =
40 volts approx.
Note At voltages above about 180 volts,
: the grid bias will have to be increased
to reduce the plate dissipation.
When a triode is being operated at the optimum plate current, the load resistance
should be approximately 2r p . Fig. 13.14 shows the variation in power output, and
second harmonic distortion, of a typical small power triode indicating that maximum
pWer output occurs at slightly less than 2r„. The percentage third harmonic
distortion is usually between one third and one tenth of the second harmonic dis-
tortion up to 5% of the latter ; the ratio decreases as the load resistance is increased.
S58 (iv) LOUDSPEAKER LOAD 13.2
When is being operated at a plate current which is less than the optimum,
a triode
then RL
be greater than 2r"„ for maximum power output. Refer to Case (3),
will
eqns. 23, 24 and 25.
FIG. 13.14
2 l0
z
I-
o
•fc
I *o,
£
»-
% \°'
7
5
5 X.
O
a \*
8
0.
•
<M
3
H2.
MMC BC<
>0/3 00 30,poo
40/ IOO
doc
P
RATIO Ri/rH 25 SO 60
The plate dissipation in a Class A triode is greatest with zero input signal. If there
are no power input remains constant and the power output is
rectification effects, the
simply power transferred from heating. the plate to useful output. With normal
rise of plate current for 5% second harmonic distortion, the plate dissipation is more
nearly constant, but it is still sufficient to base the design on the zero-signal condition.
The quiescent operating point may be limited by one or more of the following :
1. Maximum plate dissipation.
2. Maximum plate voltage.
3. Maximumplate current.
Fig. 13.16 is an example including all three. The dissipation curve may be plotted
from the relationship I b —P
/E b . The horizontal line AB
is the maximum plate
current, while the vertical line CD
is the maximum plate voltage. The quiescent
operating point must not be outside the area ABCD.
FIG. 13.15
EbEft,,
input
(ix) Overloading
A triode has no " cushioning " effect such as occurs with a pentode when the peak
signal voltage approaches the bias voltage. There is therefore no warning of the
impending distortion which occurs when grid current flows. The distortion may
be minimized by the use of a low-plate-resistance triode in the preceding stage, a
low grid circuit resistance or a grid stopper resistor (10 000 ohms is normally satisfac-
tory, but values from 1000 to 50 000 ohms have been used).
(i) Introduction
Multi-grid valves include pentodes, beam power amplifiers and similar types, and
space-charge valves. All of these have a family resemblance, in that they have higher
plate circuit efficiencies and greater power sensitivities than triodes, but on the other
hand they have higher distortion, particularly odd harmonic distortion. Their
advantages over triodes generally outweigh their disadvantages, particularly as the
distortion may be minimized by negative feedback, and they are almost exclusively
used in ordinary commercial radio receivers. Reference should be made to Chapter 7
for amplifiers incorporating negative feedback.
The basic circuit of a power pentode with transformer-coupled load is Fig. 13.18.
A choke-capacitance coupled load may also be used, as for a triode (Fig. 13.17). The
13.3 (ii) IDEAL PENTODES 561
only essential difference from a triode is that provision must also be made for a constant
voltage to be applied to the screen. In some cases the screen is operated at the same
voltage as the plate, so as to avoid a separate screen voltage supply.
In a practical circuit the screen, the plate return and the grid return should each
be by-passed to the cathode.
Po = kEJ b (2)
D.C. power input = EI b b (3)
Plate circuit efficiency = iE b I b /E bI b = 50% (4)
E el = E et /2p t (5)
where E t% = screen voltage
and fi t = triode amplification factor = /*«»*•
For any value of load resistance :
Po = lIb*R L when R L is less than E b /I b (6)
P = iE b */R L when R L is greater than E b /I b (7)
(It is assumed here that the signal voltage is reduced for other than optimum RL
in order to avoid distortion.)
FIG. I3.20
FIG. 13.1
A ^"0. c
2 *fc.
1
Ik.
D
\{« E c--E e , !e
Ec-aE^^i 8
i
•'
2E-
RL *, 0.9 E b /I b (8)
which usually correct within
is ±
10% for maximum power output. Eqn. <8) is
safe to use under all circumstances, although an adjustment may be made experi-
mentally or graphically to secure the best compromise between distortion and power
output.
(B) The power output is always less than \E b I bi and may be calculated graphically
[see (iv) below].
(C) Owing to rectification effects, the direct plate current may rise or fall from
zero signal to maximum signal [see (v) below].
Q
(D) The plate circuit efficiency usually between 28% and 43% for total har-
is
monic distortion less than 10%. . Of course,
the screen current is wasted, so that the
total plate +
screen circuit-efficiency is lower. The plate dissipation is equal to the
d.c. watts input less the signal power output. The screen dissipation is equal to the
d.c. screen input.
(E) Screen current : In a pentode, if the control grid bias is kept constant and
only the plate voltage varied, the total cathode current (plate +
screen) will remain
nearly constant, decreasing slightly as the plate voltage is reduced down to the knee of
the curve. Below this plate voltage the screen current increases more rapidly until
zero plate voltage is reached, at which point the screen current is a maximum (Fig.
13.21). It is evident therefore that if a dynamic loadline cuts the zero bias curve
below the knee, the screen current will rise rapidly and the screen dissipation may be
exceeded. The average maximum-signal screen current may be calculated from the
approximation
*e« av **» Va
X*A T
+ Vc
V- (9)
where I A =
screen current at minimum plate voltage swing and zero bias (point A),
and In —
screen current at no signal and normal bias.
The screen dissipation is therefore P gt where
P„ = EMI +
A Vq) ( 10 >
The variation of screen current with change cf control grid voltage is such that the
ratio between plate and screen currents remains approximately constant provided that
the plate voltage is considerably higher than the knee of the curve. This ratio may
be determined from the published characteristics.
A pentode, or beam power tetrode may be used as an amplifier with the plate voltage
in the region of the knee of the curve of the e E =
characteristic, that is somewhere
about one fifth of the screen voltage, provided that care is taken to keep both plate
and screen dissipations within their ratings. This gives operation very similar to that
of a triode with a non-critical and low value of load resistance, which may be useful
in some special applications (Ref. C6). This method of operation is not here de-
scribed in detail.
e.O
"•ci^
FIG. 13.22
-0-2? 7 ^i
--'
/ S
\ 'hi
^-HWI^
' "
\-2E„
J ,„_,,„
*b«*ct
With type 807, a stopper resistor of 100 ohms (non-inductive) may be connected
directly to the screen terminal of the valve, and a by-pass condenser (0.01 /*F mica)
taken from the end of the resistance remote from the screen, directly to earth.
(I) Overload characteristics —Owing to the crowding together of the charac-
and below the knee of the curves, a pentode tends to give a smoother over-
teristics at
load characteristic than a triode. There is no point at which the distortion begins
sharply, but rather a gradual flattening effect on the top, or top and bottom, of the signal
current wave. Pentodes or beam power amplifiers with negative feedback lose most
of this " cushioning effect," and more closely resemble triodes as regards overload.
The distortion due to grid current may be minimized by a low impedance (triode)
preceding stage and a fairly low value of grid resistor ; this will then leave the dis-
tortion due to the characteristics as the predominant feature, and provide a reasonably
smooth overload.
(iv) —
Graphical analysis power output and distortion
The choice of loadline for a pentode is usually made by firstly selecting the screen
voltage and then selecting a convenient plate voltage. The third step is to note the
grid voltage which allows a small plate current to flow, and to divide this voltage by
—
2 to obtain the grid voltage for the working point thus determining the quiescent
operating point Q. A
scale is then swung around Q
(a small pin is helpful as a pivot)
until the two parts of the loadline are equal. If the scale is calibrated in millimetres,
the 10 cm. calibration may be held at Q
and the two parts compared directly by eye.
When the two parts are equal, the second harmonic distortion will be zero, and the
loadline is a first approximation for maximum power output.
In the case of some pentodes, and particularly beam power amplifiers of the 6L6
class, the loadline for zero second harmonic is obviously far from the knee of the curve.
In such a case the loadline should be taken to the knee of the curve, if sharply defined.
To determine the exact loadline for maximum power output, it is necessary to take
several angles, and to calculate the power output for each. The final choice of load-
line is usually a compromise between power output and distortion ; in such a case the
load resistance is always less than the one giving maximum power output.
Load resistances higher than that giving maximum power output are to be avoided
because they give greater harmonic distortion, less power output and higher screen
current. It is better to err on the low side, particularly with nominal loudspeaker
loads.
Owing to the presence of appreciable percentages of third and higher order odd
harmonics, the formulae for triodes are not suitable for pentodes. There are several
methods for pentodes, the choice depending on whether third harmonic only is re-
quired, or third and higher harmonics. Reference should be made to Chapter 6
Sect. 8(iii) " Graphical Harmonic Analysis."
The treatment here is based on a working loadline. If the amount of second
harmonic is very small, the rise of plate current due to rectification may be neglected.
If there is an appreciable amount of second harmonic, it is necessary to use the method
of Sect. 3(v) for drawing the corrected loadline ; the formulae below should then be
applied to the corrected loadline.
(A) Five selected ordinate method (For second and third harmonics only)
This method makes use of the plate currents corresponding to grid voltages — 0.293
and —
1.707 E
el in addition to the three currents used with Class A
2 triodes. If
—
these are all available, the loadline of Fig. 13.22 is all that is required if not, it will
be necessary to plot the dynamic characteristic as in Fig. 13.24.
Po = [/-.. -
/„.*„ +
1.41 (Ix -
I¥)VR L /32 (11)
^jr, = (Emax ~
Emitd/Umax ~ /»(») (12)
%
% 3* —
2nd harmonic = -r
max
-
7
_"7
1
*»i»
+
;::;:£;££:% x »»
"-
^"^(f
/ y)
x 10° < 13>
<.«
564 (iv) GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS 13.3
where Ix — 0.293 E el
plate current at —
Iy = 1.707 E cl
plate current at — .
Eqns. (11) to (14) are exact provided that there is no harmonic higher than the third.
The power output is that for fundamental frequency only, but the power output for
10% harmonic distortion is only 1 of the fundamental power output. %
The presence of third harmonic distortion has a flattening effect on both the posi-
tive and negative peaks, thus increasing the power output for a limited value of I m a „ —
J m{n For example, 10% third harmonic reduces the value of I max by 10% while
.
it increases the total power output by 1 %. If there were no distortion, and the value
of I max were maintained at 90%, the power output would be only 81%. Thus the
ratio of power output with and without 10% third harmonic distortion is 101/81 =
1.25, on condition that I max — I min is kept constant. In simple language, for the
same plate current swing, 10% third harmonic distortion increases the total power
output by 25%. This will be modified by the presence of fifth and higher harmonics
[see iv(D) below ; Sect. 7(iii)].
(B) Five equal-voltage ordinate method (Espley)
For second, third and fourth harmonics only.
The previous method requires characteristics for 0.293 and 1.707 eU which — — E
are often not directly available. The following method is usually more convenient
and is exact provided that all harmonics above t are zero (see Fig. 13.23 for symbols). H
P = (/, - ./,., + /,., - IlJ'Rl/IB (15)
**' 2Il +
% 2nd harmonic - 7 '% ^l "x 100 (16)
- - 4^.5 +
—7—7+ 1 /2
(/p 4/ 6/j.Q
%
«/ AU harmonic
4th u =
. 5
?
r~
. )
x 10° ( 18 '
777
%1 "T JO'S
— *1-S ~ -«2-0,J
A third harmonic scale may be prepared for reading the third harmonic percentage
(Ref. A14 pp. 71-72).
(C) Seven equal-voltage ordinate method (Espley)
is exact for harmonics up to the sixth, provided that higher harmonics are
This
zero. It is sometimes more convenient than the five ordinate method, when there are
no — 0.5 and — 1.5 E el curves, even when the higher harmonics are of no interest.
The symbols have the same significance as in Fig. 13.23 with the subscript indicat-
ing the grid voltage.
P =
(167/„ + 252/ .,3 - 45/ ., 7 + 45/^33 - 252/l., - 167/2 . )
2
RJB19 200 (20)
H % =25(559/
t
+486/ .33 - 1215/ ., 7 +340/x a - 1215A,,, +486/x 67 +559/2 . . . )// (21)
H3 %=250(45/ -36/ .33 -63/ 67 +63I1 33 +36I1 .„ -45/,.;)// . . (22)
#4%=450(17/ -42/ .,3 + 15/ 67 +20/1 + 15/1 .33-42/1 67 + 17/2 )//. . . . (23)
H,%=4050(/o-4/o.s S +5/o.«7-5/1 .33+4/1 67 -/2 .o)/J . (24)
H«%=2025(/o-6/o. S 8 + 15/o.67-20/1 .o + 15/1 .33-6/1 67 +/2 )// . . () (25)
where /= 167/ +252/ ., 8 -45/ ., 7 +45A 8S -252/i.e, - 167/2 . . .
Fig. 13.23. Calculation of pentode power output and distortion using the five equal-
voltage ordinate method.
Fig. 13.24. Calculation of pentode power output and distortion using the eleven selected
ordinate method.
The rectification effects with cathode bias may, like triodes (Fig.
13.8) be determined
from the an approximation is involved since D"E bb must
plate characteristics but
have a slope of — m/R k(m + 1) where m — I b /1 ei The value of I ei may be taken
.
as that for maximum signal, and a slight error will then be introduced when deriving
the zero signal condition. The cathode bias loadline should, ideally, be drawn as two
—
loadlines one for zero signal, and the other for maximum signal. For most pur-
poses, however, the maximum signal cathode loadline may be used for both conditions.
The zero bias lines are, in each case, above the lines for maximum signal, and the
difference in slope is of the order of 5%
to 10%.
In general, any Class Ax pentode may be operated either with fixed or cathode bias,
as desired, except for the limitations on the maximum grid circuit resistance [see
Sect. 10(i)]. It occasionally happens that a condition is permissible only with fixed
bias, owing to the rise in plate dissipation at zero signal.
For back bias, further details regarding fixed bias, and grid circuit resistance see
Sect. 10.
For cathode by-passing see Sect. 2(ii).
FIG. 13.26
FIG. 13.25
Fig. 13.25. Cathode loadline of pentode with additional bleed current passing through
the cathode resistor, plotted on mutual characteristics.
Fig. 13.26. Power output and harmonic distortion of typical pentode plotted against
load resistance. Valve type 6AK6, E b = E c2 — 180 V, E n = -9, peak signal = 9 volts.
Fig. 13.27. Plate characteristics of 6L6 or 807 beam tetrode with loadlines of optimum
resistance also ttvice,four times and eight times optimum. The loadlines have been corrected
for the rectification effect.
The impedance of a loudspeaker is, however, far from being resistive (see Chapters
20 and 21), having a reactive component varying with frequency, which must be com-
bined with the shunt reactance of the transformer primary at low frequencies and -that
of the shunt capacitance from plate to earth at high frequencies. The combined
reactive components increase the distortion and reduce the power output [see also
Chapter 5 Sect. 3(iii)c and Chapter 2 Sect. 4(vi) ; Ref. C4].
The published values of power output apply to highly efficient output transformers.
The available power output from the secondary of a normal power transformer is
equal to t\ times the published value, where t\ is the efficiency [see Chapter 5 Sect.
2(ii) and Sect. 3(vi)]. Typical efficiencies are from 70% to 95% (depending on the
price class) for well-designed transformers.
I
FIG. 13.28
Fig. 13.28. Plate characteristics of 6L6 or 807 illustrating method of correcting the
loadline for rectification. The corrected loadline is A" B".
'
The procedure is :
— 15 volt curve (for E c% = 300 volts) with the current ordinates multiplied
by the factor 0.86. ^_______
For conversion factors see Chapter 2 Sea. 6 and Fig. 2.32A.
13.3 (ix) EFFECTS OF PLATE AND SCREEN REGULATION 569
Fig. 13.29. Plate characteristics of 6L6 or 807 giving graphical method for deriving
the effect of internal resistance in the voltage supply source.
R.D.H. —10
570 (xii) PARTIAL TRIODE OPERATION OF PENTODES 13.3
Fig. 13.30. Power output and distortion of type 6L6 beam power amplifier plotted
E =E =
against load resistance, for h et 250 volts, E = -14 volts, peak signal 14 volts.
el
1. The two valves should be placed closely together, with very short leads between
grids and plates (and screens in the case of pentodes).
2. A grid stopper should be connected directly to one or both grids. It is usually
— —
cheaper and just as effective to have one grid stopper of, say, 200 ohms than
two stoppers each of 100 ohms.
3. Screen stoppers (50 or 100 ohms for each screen) are very helpful, particularly
with types 6L6 or 807 [see Sect. 3(iii)H].
N.B. Plate stoppers are less helpful, are wasteful of power, and are generally
unnecessary.
The advantages of parallel operation lie principally in the elimination of the phase-
splitter or input transformer required with push-pull operation. The disadvantages
are :
1. The necessity for handling the heavy direct plate current. This necessitates
either a special output transformer or a choke (say 20 henrys) with parallel feed
to the output transformer.
2. The higher distortion—this is not serious if negative feedback is used, and in
any case is no worse than that of a single valve.
(»') Introduction (n) Theory of push-pull amplification (iii) Power output and
distortion (iv) Average plate current (v) Matching and the effects of mismatching
(vi) Cathode bias Quii) Parasitics.
(i)Introduction
(A) Fundamental principles of push-pull operation
The fundamental circuit of a push-pull power amplifier is Fig. 13.31. Abalanced
(push-pull) input voltage must be applied to the three input terminals, and a balanced
^ vi/ ^*\
r
I
teP connected to E hb+. For the best results
jT \— / **> ojll the input voltage must be exactly balanced,
the valves must have identical characteristics
and the output transformer must be exactly
i» *AS\ ""
N 3IIC f balanced between the two sections of the
o 1""""*) '
y* primary, with perfect coupling between them.
*>!' Under these conditions, any even harmonics
I
—^-^ [
1
introduced by the valves will be cancelled,
but the odd harmonics will not be affected ;
Fig. 13.31. Fundamental cir- the flux in the core due to the d.c. plate
cuit of push-pull power amplifier. currents would be zero.
The load resistance R 2 is connected across the secondary, and the reflected resist-
ance* across the whole primary is
R, UlziNS/Nt*
•See Chapter 5 Sect. l(ii).
572 (i) (A) FUNDAMENTALS OF PUSH-PULL OPERATION 13.5
R L = ±*£ = **OVW)
'
»m =• <*o
— fli«» + a&g* — a,«„» + a^, 4 — a 6e„ 5 + (3)
where i M == instantaneous plate current of V %i
—a• +
ciiEfi cos pt +
a x Eg cos qt + E
a 2 h * cos 2 pt -f a 2E„ 2 cos 2 qt +
EE
2a 2 h a cos ?r cos pt 4-
Similarly
*m c= +
aiCE* cos/tf 2?„ cos qt) — a 2 (E h cos pt — Eg cos ?r) 8 4-
+
a= + E
a t h cos pt a^E", cos qt — a 2E h 2 cos 2 pt a 2E„ 2 cos 2 ?r —
+ +
E
2a2 hE„ cos #r cos pt . + .
Therefore i d =
i M t 62 — 20!^,, cos gt = 4a ajB»£„ cos $r cos pt +
=
20^,, cos $r[l +
2(a /a 1 )£' A cos />r] !! (6)
Eqn. (6) has the form of a carrier (2a 1 E„ cos $r) modulated to the depth 2(a 2 /a 1 )f? A
by a hum frequency cos pt.
The effect of hum in the plate supply voltage is similar to its effect on the grid bias
supply, that is to say the hum frequency modulates the signal frequency. It should
be noted that these modulation components appear in single-ended amplifiers to the
same extent, but in combination. with the fundamental and harmonics of the ripple,
which latter are absent with push-pull operation.
—
Summary Push-pull operation tends always to reduce the effects of hum in
either the grid bias or plate supply voltage.
(C) Effects of common impedance
The fact that no fundamental component is found in the total plate current i t
(eqn. 5) prevents any fundamental signal voltage from being fed back to earlier stages
as the result of a common impedance in the plate voltage source. As the even har-
monics are fed back, each will again result in higher order harmonics, so that there
can be no instability caused by feedback around a push-pull stage.
General deductions
1. Because the d.c. components of the plate currents cancel each other, no steady
flux is maintained in the core of the output transformer.
2. Because the even harmonics are zero, the limit placed on single-ended ampli-
fiers no longer applies. It is usual to design push-pull amplifiers for maximum
power output without primarily con-
sidering the odd harmonics ; when dis-
tortion is objectionable, this may be re-
—
duced at the expense of power output
by increasing the load resistance.
The effectsof the regulation and by-passing
of the power supply are covered in Sect. 5(i).
idHi — Hi
— (7)
Thus a " composite " characteristic may be
drawn for the fixed grid voltage — E e by
subtracting the currents in the two valves.
At the quiescent plate voltage E bb} both
valves draw the same plate current and
therefore id = 0. The composite charac-
teristic must therefore pass through the
point E = E bb
b , id = 0. At other plate
Fig. 13.32. The derivation of the
voltages the value of i d is given by i 61 — i b2 composite characteristic for matched
when the plate voltage of one is increased push-pull valves.
13.5 (ii) THEORY OF PUSH-PULL AMPLIFICATION 575
by the same voltage that the other is decreased. This may be applied graphically
as shown in Fig. 13 32 ; the upper half includes the E e characteristic for Vl (ACDE)
while the lower half includes the E e characteristic for V2 but inverted and placed left
to right (FGHJ). Point C on the Vx characteristic is the quiescent operating point,
and point B corresponds to the plate voltage E bb The V2 characteristic is placed
.
(volts)
Fig. 13.33. Family of composite characteristics for two type 2A3 modes.
576 (ii) THEORY OF PUSH-PULL AMPLIFICATION 13.5
Fig. 13.34. Method of deriving the loadline on an individual valve (AQV) from the
composite characteristic AOB.
We may write
= -^60 + A' M and i bi = 7» — Ai b%
*»t (9)
where I b0 = quiescent plate current of either valve
Ai bx = change of plate current in valve Vx
and Ai bi = change of plate current in valve Va .
The impedance seen by V x is the impedance of the circuit to the right of the line
ab, which is called r ab .
It may be shown (Ref. E7) that
r ob = R L '(1 + r pX /r p2) (11)
The dynamic .plate resistance of the composite valve may be expressed
ra =
Ae bx /i d (12)
From (10) i d = Ai bx + Ai b2 .
Now Ai bx = Ae bl /r pl (13)
and Ai bz = Ae b Jr 92 (14)
From (12), (13), (14), r d = r Mr^/fy^ + r ya) (15)
This indicates that the plate resistance of the composite valve at any instant is equal
to the parallel combination of the individual plate resistances of Vx and V% For .
The value of load resistance to provide maximum power output may be determined
approximately from the plate characteristics of one valve (Fig. 13.36). Since the
E e = characteristic approximately follows the 3/2 power law, it may be shown
(Ref. E5) that maximum power output occurs when the loadline intersects the E e =
curve at 0.6E bb The plate current at this point is I bm and the other values are
. :
H, 1% 2% 3% 5% 7% 10%
Factor 1.02 1.04 1.15
1.06 1.23
1.11
It is here assumed that fifth and higher order odd harmonics are negligible.
The loadline slope is unaffected by the grid bias, but the two extremities are slightly
—
affected as the grid bias is decreased, the point A
(which is really the intersection
of the loadline with the composite characteristic) moves slightly towards B. Thus
with Class A x the output will be slightly less than indicated by eqns. (20), (21) and (22).
FIG. 13.36
*b
Ibm /a
Half
Loadline
\B
Fig. 13.36. Method of deriving the approximate power output and load resistance of a
Class AB X from the characteristics of a single valve. The method may also be
amplifier
used with poorer accuracy for Class t A .
Fig. 13.37. Calculating third harmonic distortion with balanced push-pull. Curve A
is the dynamic characteristic.
The dissipation atmaximum signal may be calculated from the product of the plate
supply voltage E bb
and the average plate current [see (iv) below], minus the power
output. The normal procedure is firstly to select a grid voltage such that the plate
dissipation is slightly below the maximum rating at zero signal, then to adjust the
loadline so that it approaches as closely as possible the value for maximum power
output, without exceeding the plate dissipation limit at maximum signal.
Simple method for calculating third harmonic distortion
This method is only accurate in the absence of all distortion other than third har-
monic ; a close approximation under normal conditions provided that all even
it is
harmonics are zero.
The procedure is to draw the loadline on the plate characteristics, then to transfer
this to the mutual characteristics in the form of a dynamic characteristic (Fig. 13.37).
13.5 (iii) POWER OUTPUT AND DISTORTION 579
Curve A is the dynamic characteristic while B is a straight line joining the two ends
ofA and passing through O. Al b is the difference in plate current between curve A
and line B at one half of the peak grid voltage. The percentage of third harmonic
is given by
limiting Class A
x , and considerably greater
taming the average from the plate current Fig. 13.39. Plate current (both valves)
curve over one quadrant is therefore given. with 10° angular increments.
580 (iv) AVERAGE PLATE CURRENT 13.5
This method is illustrated in Fig. 13.40 which shows the total plate current for both
valves over one-quarter of a cycle. Grid voltages are shown as fractions of the peak
grid voltage. The plate currents corresponding to grid voltages of 0, 0.17, 0.34, 0.5,
0.64, 0.77, 0.87, 0.94, 0.98 and 1.0 times the peak voltage are shown as I , J 17 etc. .
2 •9*
I|.o
FIG. IS.40
1 .
v4
X -200 •• '
f
i
1.94
& l-*7
<& •64
K> 1.77 Fig. 13.40. Plate current {both
£ ISO 1-64 quadrant
g valves) plotted over one
• r I -SO
§ IOO for the calculation of average plate
1.3*
current.
-i
it?
0. SO
I
'2 -3 •* »5 -6 -7 -8 >9 K>
TIMES PEAK GRID SWING
ated under single valve conditions as regards grid bias. There will be only a slight
effect on the maximum power output or the odd harmonic distortion, but there will
be some second harmonic distortion and some out-of-balance flux-producing current
in the transformer. The second harmonic distortion will normally be small, par-
ticularly if the plate-to-plate load resistance is not much less than 4r v0s and for most
purposes it may be neglected with valves of ordinary tolerances. The maximum
out-of-balance plate current should be provided for in the design of the output trans-
former and this additional cost should be compared with the- alternative additional
cost of using valves which have been stabilized and matched for quiescent plate current
only. There is normally no real need for matching for any other characteristic.
In order to demonstrate the effects of abnormal mismatching, composite charac-
teristics have been drawn in Fig. 13.41 for two valves of entirely different types. It
has been shown by Sturley (Ref. E27) that the method of deriving composite charac-
teristics also holds with mismatching.
Type 2A3 45
Amplification factor 4.2 3.5
Mutual conductance 5250 2175 /amhos
Plate resistance 800 1610 ohms
is a difference of 12% in amplification factor, while there is a ratio exceeding
There
2 : for the other characteristics. The selected operating conditions are :
1 E = b 250
volts, e E = — R =
50 volts, L 5800 ohms (plate-to-plate). It will be seen that the
composite characteristics (dashed lines) are not quite parallel, although they are very
nearly straight. On account of the unmatched condition, rectification occurs, leading
to a shift of the loadline, and the corrected loadline may be derived by the method
of Sect. 2(ii)D and Fig. 13.7. The second harmonic distortion on the corrected load-
line is only 5%.
e bl (voi«)
200 300
Fig. 13,41. Composite characteristics for two different valves (2A3 and 45) in Class
A x push-pull. E
b1)
=
250 volts, E =e -50 volts, LR = 5800 ohms plate-to-plate.
582 (v) MATCHING AND THE EFFECTS OF MISMATCHING 13.5
The fact that two valves so different in characteristics can be used in Class Ax push-
pull to give what is generally classed as good quality (5% second harmonic) indicates
the wide latitude permissible, provided that the bias is retained at the value for a single
valve and also that the load resistance is not much less than the sum of the single
valve loads (or 4 times the average plate resistance).
A
For Class x triodes it has been suggested (Ref E8) that the following are reasonably
.
Quadrature component = 3%
These are easily achieved by attention to the phase splitter or other source (see Chapter
12 Sect. 6). When testing for balance with a C.R.O. on the grids of Vx and V2i it is
important to reverse the connections of the B.F.O. when changing from one grid to
the other.
(vii) Parasitics
Parasitic oscillations in the plate circuit may occur with Class AB
X operation when
the plate current is cut off for an appreciable part of the cycle, as a result of the trans-
former leakage inductance and the rapid rate of change of current at the cut-off point
see Sect. 5(i)C. They may usually be cured by the use of a RC
network shunted
—
across each half of the primary of the output transformer see Sect. 7(i) and, if —
necessary, by the use of a transformer with lower leakage inductance —see Chapter 5
Sect. 3(iii)c.
Parasitics in the grid circuit are not usually troublesome except when the valves
are driven to the point of grid current flow. Grid stoppers up to 50 000 ohms are
often used with both Class A
and AB
X operation to give a smoother overload without
parasitics.
13.6 PUSH-PULL PENTODES—(i) INTRODUCTION 583
(i) Introduction
Push-pull pentodes follow the same general principles as triodes (see Sect. 5) al-
though there are some special features which will here be examined. Provision must
be made for the supply of voltage to the screens, and for it to be maintained constant
with respect to the cathode. For economy, the screens are often operated at the same
voltage as the plates. If the screens are to be operated at a lower voltage, the alter-
natives are the use of a separate power supply, or a low resistance voltage divider.
The Mcintosh Amplifier may also be used for Class A or AB X operation see Sect. 8. —
Quiescent push-pull pentodes are covered in Sect. 7(vii).
so that the el E =
characteristic is the same as the e t characteristic. Even with
ordinary Class A
x the error due to the
approximation is small. The loadline may
therefore be drawn (AB in Fig. 13.43) and the plate-to-plate load resistance will be
4 times that indicated by the slope of AB. With valves of the 6L6 class, the third
e K .(voitO
harmonic is so small that its effect on the power output may be neglected, so that
Po = UbmiEbb — Emin)
#
(1)
which is the same as for triodes. With pentodes the power output will be somewhat
higher than indicated by eqn. (1) owing to the third harmonic distortion. In general,
the third harmonic distortion is slightly less FIG. 13*43
than half that with a single valve, owing
to the effect of the lower load resistance.
If it is desired to calculate the harmonic
distortion, it will be necessary to plot at
least portion of the composite characteris-
tics.
FIG. 13-45
Fig. 13.44. Push-pull circuit using phase inversion in the power stage.
Fig. 13.45. Push-pull circuit using screen resistance coupling from V x to the grid of Vt .
The signal voltage on the grid of Va must first pass through V1 where it is dis-
torted, then through V
t where it will be distorted again. Thus the second harmonic
willbe the same as for a single valve, and the third harmonic will be approximately
twice the value with balanced push-pull. The balance, if adjusted for mavim nm
signal, willnot be correct for low volume, owing to the third harmonic " flattening."
(B) Screen resistance coupling (Fig. 13.45)
This is a modification of (A) being an attempt to obtain from the screen a more
linear relationship than from the plate. No comparative measurements have been
published. R, may be about 1500 ohms for type 6V6-GT or 2500 for type 6F6-G,
—
with E b = E et — 250 volts the exact value should be found experimentally ; Cs
may be 0.002 /*F. For better balance an equal screen resistor might be added for Va .
Ref. E10.
13.46)
i?x and R 2 in series provide a common cath-
ode coupling impedance [see Chapter 12
Sect. 6(vi)]. R 2 may have a value of, say,
1000 ohms to give an approach towards bal-
ance, but necessarily must carry the plate cur-
—
rents of both valves say, 70 or 80 mA and —
will have a voltage of, say, 70 to 80 with a dis-
sipation around 6 watts. Care should be
taken to avoid exceeding the maximum heater-
cathode voltage rating. Fig. 13.46. Push-pull circuit with
See Reference E23. common cathode impedance coupling.
—
V ^3 + g =mR/2 1
„
N =N
For U
N = g mR
+—rr- and
1
balance, r^
Nt 2
t 2
--jq^nn nnnn-
vWWA
^y
Fig. 13.46A. Basic circuit of Parry Cathamplifier, (B) Modified circuit, (C) With
both a.c. and d.c. balancing, (D) Keeps circulating screen current out of cathode circuit
{Ref. E30).
13.« (ix) EXTENDED CLASS A 587
(i) Introduction
A Class B amplifier is an amplifier in which the grid bias is approximately equal
to the cut-off value, so that the plate current is approximately zero when no signal
voltage is applied, and so that the plate current in a specific valve flows for approxi-
mately one half of each cycle when an alternating signal voltage is applied.
—
Class B amplifiers are in two main groups firstly Class B t (otherwise known as
quiescent push-pull, see below) in which no grid current is permitted to flow, secondly
Class B, (generally abbreviated to Class B) in which grid current flows for at least
part of the cycle.
Class B 2 amplifiers have inherently high odd harmonic distortion, even when the
utmost care is taken in design and adjustment. This distortion frequently has a maxi-
mum value at quite a low power output, making this type of amplifier unsuitable for
many applications. They are also comparatively expensive in that a driver valve and
transformer together with two output valves form an integral part of the stage, and
together give only the same order of sensitivity as a pentode.
The one outstanding advantage of a Class B 2 amplifier is in the very high plate-
circuit efficiency, although the current drawn by the driver stage should be included.
The principal applications are in battery-operated amplifiers, public address systems
and the like.
The grid bias must be fixed (either battery or separate power supply) and special
higb-mu triodes have been produced to permit operation at zero bias to avoid the
necessity for a bias supply. In the smaller sizes, twin triodes are commonly used.
For the best results, accurate matching of the two valves is essential. If they are being
operated at a negative bias it is possible to match their quiescent plate currents by
adjusting the bias voltages separately. If the dynamic characteristics are not matched,
a difference of 10% in the two plate currents, measured by d.c. milliammeters under
operating conditions, will produce roughly 5%second harmonic distortion (Ref. E18).
The matching of valves is covered in Sea. 5(v).
Well regulated plate, screen (if any) and bias supplies (if any) are essential.
The rate of change of current in each half of the output transformer at the plate
current cut-off point is considerable, often resulting in parasitics
Parasitics in the grid circuit may be eliminated by the use of a driver transformer
having low leakage inductance [Chapter 5 Sect. 3(iii)a] and,.if necessary, by connect-
—
ing a small fixed condenser from each grid to cathode a typical value is 0.0005 /*F—
see (iv) below.
—
Parasitics in the plate circuit may be eliminated by the use of an output trans-
—
former with low leakage inductance see Chapter 5 Sect. 3(iii)c—together with a
series resistance-capacitance network connected across each half of the primary or
alternatively from plate -to plate.
Typical values for connection across each half of primary :
of a single valve (e.g. Fig. 13.48). The power output as calculated by eqns. (1) and (2)
is modified by the presence of harmonics and
should be multiplied by the factor
F = (1 + H -H +H -
8 6 7 H, ny + H (10)
where H =
z third harmonic distortion (i.e. 78 /A)j
and H =
8 fifth harmonic distortion (i.e. 7 8 /A)> etc.
13.7 (iii) POWER OUTPUT AND DISTORTION 589
The various harmonics are unpredictable, but at maximum power output H3 usually
predominates, and a purely arbitrary approximation is to take
F = (1 + 0.6//s ) 2 .
\6 FIG. 13-48
Fig. 13.48. Plate and grid characteristics of a typical small battery-operated Class B
triode (1J6-G).
dissipation is the only limiting factor, six times more output may be obtained from the
same valves in Class B than in Class A.
a positive grid bias voltage E cm . The peak grid input power is then given by
* am == E'gm'-am (.*"/
and the minimum grid input resistance is given by
Tgmin == '-•ami •* am \*"y
[Note : The minimum variational grid resistance is derived from the slope of the
/„ curve — it is always less than r gmin .]
The driver valve has to supply this peak power, plus transformer losses, into a half-
secondary load varying from infinity at low input levels to r gmin at the maximum
input. The basic driver circuit is shown in Fig. 13.50A, where x is the driver valve V
and Tx the step-down transformer with a primary to half-secondary turns ratio x /N2 N .
In practice, the transformer has losses, and it may be represented by the equivalent
circuit Fig. 5.9 (omitting Cjp).
The efficiency is usually calculated (or measured) at 400 c/s where r 15 r 2 and R
are the principal causes of loss. An efficiency of from 70 to 80% at peak power is
typical of good practice. The voltage applied to the grid of 2 , provided that the V
iron losses are small, is approximately [Chapter 5 Sect. 2(ii)].
EvrtNM) (20)
where 17 = percentage efficiency -=- 100,
and E„ = voltage applied across primary.
The load presented to V± is roughly as calculated for an ideal transformer [Chapter 5
Sect. 2(ii)] driving the same grid.
At high audio frequencies, the effects of L x and 7. 2 (Fig. 5.9) become appreciable,
causing an additional loss of voltage during the time of grid current flow, and a tend-
ency towards instability. The instability is brought about by a negative input re-
sistance which some valves possess over a portion of the grid characteristic [Chapter 2
Sect. 2(iii)]. It is therefore important to reduce the leakage inductance of the trans-
former to the lowest possible value. Fortunately the bad effects of any remaining
leakage inductance may be minimized by connecting a small condenser across each
half of the secondary so as to resonate at a frequency about 1.5 times the highest fre-
quency to be amplified (Ref. E18). The condenser and leakage inductance form a
half-section of a simple two-element constant k type low-pass filter [Chapter 4 Sect.
8(vii)].
—
The effect of the varying load resistance on the driver valve is shown by the curved
loadline in Fig. 13.50B. The horizontal portion corresponds to the conditions
without grid current flow, while the slope at any other point corresponds to the
variational grid resistance at that point. The broken line joining the two extremities
2
has a slope corresponding to a resistance of r, min (iSri/Na) ; this should not be less
than 4r pl . The driver valve should preferably be operated near its maximum rated
plate voltage and dissipation.
FKS.I3.50B
As the output valves are driven harder, the driver valve is called upon to provide
increased power into a decreased minimum grid resistance ; this necessitates a greater
step-down ratio in the transformer. The extreme limit is when the " diode line "
is reached. As a guide which may be used for a first trial, the minimum plate volt-
age may be taken as twice the " diode line " voltage at the peak current level; The
diode line is shown in many characteristic curves, and is the envelope of the character-
istics —
it is the line where the grid loses control, in other words the minimum plate
voltage for any specified plate current no matter how positive the grid may be.
The cathode follower makes an excellent driver for, all forms of amplifiers drawing
grid current, having very low effective'plate resistance and low distortion see Chapter —
7 Sect. 2(i).
A cathode follower has been applied as a transformerless driver, one 6SN7-GT twin
triode being used as a push-pull driver to the grids of two 6L6 valves giving an output
of 47 watts (Ref. E22). However, this is not usually the most efficient arrangement
see Chapter 7 Sect. l(ii).
592 (v) DESIGN PROCEDURE—CLASS B a AMPLIFIERS 13.7
7. Check the plate dissipation and the peak plate current to see that they do not
exceed the maximum ratings.
8. Determine the maximum positive grid voltage E
cm from the loadline and l bm .
9. Determine the peak grid current I gm corresponding to extreme point of the
loadline.
10. Calculate the peak signal grid voltage : Egm = E em + E c.
11. Calculate the peak grid input powerPgm = E gm Igm
: .
13. Repeat steps 1 to 12 for several other values of R L and select what appears to
be the best' compromise, with a view to the lowest driving power
14. Assume a reasonable peak power transformer efficiency —say 70%. This value
is used in the following step.
15. Select a driver valve with a maximum power output at least 0.9P tm under
typical operating conditions (this makes allowance for the higher load resistance).
16. Select a driver load resistance twice the typical value or at least four times the
plate resistance.
17. Draw the assumed (straight) driver loadline on the driver plate characteristics
and determine the maximum available peak signal voltage Ptn . E
18. Determine the transformer ratio from primary to half-secondary :
Nt/Na = ttE vm /E tm .
19. Calculate the" driver resistance " from eqn. (21) using values for r and r
x a
indicated* from similar transformers. These resistances are usually less than 1900
and 350 ohms respectively for 10 watt amplifiers, or 2700 and 500 ohms respectively
for low power battery amplifiers.
20. Check the " driver resistance " to see that it is less than 0.2r gmin for high-mu
valves or 0.1r„ m4n for other cases (this assumes that r gmin is approximately twice the
minimum variational grid resistance).
•Alternatively the driver transformer may be tentatively assumed to have 10%
primary and 10% secondary copper losses, and 10% iron losses. On this basis,
r8 =
r amin p
and rx «* r, M<tt(N1 2
8 )/9. VN
(vi) Earthed-grid cathode-coupled amplifiers
A cathode-coupled output stage, with earthed grids, has the advantages of a much
more nearly constant input resistance than a Class B stage, but it requires more driver
power for the same output. It is more suited to high-power amplifiers or modulators
than to conventional a-f amplifiers (Ref. E15). The increase in plate resistance due
to feedback is disadvantageous.
(vii) Class
Bt
Bx amplifiers —Quiescent push-pull
amplifiers do not draw any grid current whatever, but in other respects
Class
resemble Class B» amplifiers. Either triodes or pentodes may be used, the latter being
—
more popular they are used as " quiescent push-pull pentodes " in battery receivers.
The two valves (or units) must be very accurately matched, and an adjustable screen
13.7 (vii) CLASS Bi AMPLIFIERS 593
voltage is desirable. A
high-ratio step-up input transformer is used to supply the
high peak signal voltage, nearly equal to the cut-off bias. Both the input and output
transformers should have low capacitance and leakage inductance. The output trans-
former should have its half-primary inductance, and its leakage inductance, accurately
balanced. Condensers (0.002 to 0.005 /*F) are usually connected across each half
primary (Ref. E4).
Class AB, amplifiers closely resemble Class B, amplifiers, but the valves are biased
as for Class AB X operation. Consequently they are less critical with regard to match-
ing, and the distortion which occurs in the plate circuit is much the same as for Class
ABj. The plate circuit efficiency is intermediate between Class AB! and B, operation
— typical values for triodes are from 40 to 48%. The variation in plate current from
zero to rnqgi"""" signal is less than with Class B operation, being of the order of 1 : 2.
The matching of valves is covered in Sect. 5(v).
Pentodes and beam power amplifiers may be used quite successfully in Class AB,
operation.
Fixed bias is essential.
Type 6L6 or 807 beam power amplifiers may be used in Class AB, with plate circuit
efficiencies of about 65% (or 61% including screen losses). The peak grid input
power does not exceed 0.27 watt for power outputs from 30 to 80 watts. The total
harmonic distortion under ideal laboratory conditions is 2% at maximum signal and
less than 2% at all lower output levels (this assumes a low-distortion driver stage).
Well regulated plate, screen and bias power supplies are essential.
(ii) Bias and screen stabilized Class AB2 amplifier (Ref. E26)
Fig. 13.50C gives a circuit with 807 valves operated in Class AB, with stabilization
of the bias and screen supply provided by the driver valve. Two high tension sources
are used, obtained from separate windings on the power transformer, and neither
needs good regulation, so that condenser
FIG. I3.SOC input filters can be used.
The circuit offers three types of com-
pensation, the combined effect being to
allow the output valves to draw a
minimum of plate current in the no
signal condition, although still being
capable of delivering an output of 60
watts for small distortion. The three
types of compensation are
Rx. This is minimized by a d.c negative feedback circuit giving several times reduction
of the effect, and by a corresponding increase in 807 screen voltage.
is offset
(c) Any tendency for the 807 screen voltage to fall and for the bias voltage to increase
with rising 807 screen current due to signal input is minimized by the same negative
feedback circuit. -
Referring to Fig. 13.50C, the voltage divider from the positive side of the 600 volt
supply to the negative side of the 300 volt supply has values to provide a suitable bias
for the triode-operated 6V6 so that it draws about 45 mA
with a standing plate voltage
of 250 V. A
decrease in the 807 plate voltage causes the 6V6 grid to become more
negative, decreasing its plate current which also flows through Rt and so decreases
the 807 bias. The low voltage power supply is deliberately given poor regulation
with resistive filtering so that the decrease in 6V6 plate current appreciably increases
its plate voltage and 'thus the 807 screen voltage.
The 807 grid current at large output levels increases the negative potential at C
and also at A and B and thus increases the 6V6 bias. This reduces the 6V6 plate
current which makes point C less negative and minimizes the increase in 807 bias,
and at the same time increases the 807 screen voltage thus off-setting the bias increase.
The 807 screen current rises with increasing signal input and this tends to decrease
the screen voltage and increase the 807 bias. However the increased bias is also
applied to the 6V6, reducing its plate current and thus tending to restore the 807 bias
and screen voltages to their original values.
Between no output and full output the 6V6 plate current falls from 45 mA
to 25 mA
but the valve is still well able to provide the small power required to drive the 807's.
An additional feature of the circuit is that a very large input reduces the ability of
the driver to overload the output valves, and after full output is reached very effective
limiting is provided.
VOLUME CONTROL
PRE-AMPLIFIER
—— 1
OUTPUT PLUG
OHMS CONNECT TO STRAP
—6 its
4 1
2t6
1-4 1ts
B 3»4
16 1-6 2tS
INPUT I
32 1-4 345
600 7-B NONE
+ 420V
+ 440V
O
INVERTER
AMPLIFIER
FIS. I3.SOE
Fig. 13.50E. Circuit diagram of complete 50 watt Mcintosh Amplifier (Ref. E28).
ance is 4000 ohms and the total impedance of each primary winding is 1000 ohms ; the
impedance from each cathode to earth is only 250 ohms. These low impedances
reduce the effects of capacitive shunting and thereby improve the high frequency
performance.
The voltage from each screen to cathode is maintained constant by the unity coupling
between the two halves of the bifilar windings, no screen by-pass capacitor being re-
quired. This arrangement, however, has the limitation that it can only be used for
equal plate and screen voltages.
The driver transformer 7\ makes use of the same bifilar winding method adopted
in the output transformer. The primary impedance in this design is above 100 000
ohms from 20 to 30 000 c/s, while the response of the whole transformer is within
0.1 db from 18 to 30 000 c/s. These high performances are made necessary by the
inclusion of this transformer in the second feedback path of the whole amplifier.
The method of loading the output stage, with half the load in the plate and half in
the cathode circuit, provides negative feedback as a half-way step towards a cathode
follower. Additional feedback is achieved by connecting suitable resistors between
the cathodes of the output valves and the cathodes 6f the phase inverter stage. The
complete amplifier (Fig. 13.50E) has a typical harmonic distortion of 0.2% from 50
to 10 000 c/s, rising to 0.5% at 20 c/s and 0.35% at 20 000 c/s, at an output level of
50 watts. The frequency response under the same conditions, measured on the sec-
ondary of the transformer, is level from 20 to 30 000 c/s, —
0.4 db at 10 c/s and
— 0.3 db at 50 000 c/s. The phase shift is zero from 50 to 20 000 c/s, 10° at —
20 c/s and -f- 4° at 50 000 c/s.
596 CATHODE-FOLLOWER POWER AMPLIFIERS 13.9
The output resistance is one tenth of the load resistance, thus giving good damping
and regulation
These same principles may be applied to any type of push-pull output whether triode
or pentode, with any class of operation, A, AB W AB 8 or B.
The high power output of the Mcintosh amplifier as described above is due to the
operation of the screens at voltages greater than 400 volts, which is very considerably
in excess of the maximum rating of 270 volts (design centre) for type 6L6 or 300 volts
(absolute) for type 807. It is unfortunate that the Mcintosh amplifier is limited to
operation with equal plate and screen voltages, but these should always be within the
maximum ratings for the particular valve type.
See also Refs. E31, Gl.
The principle of combined plate and cathode loading is applied in some high-
fidelity Class A
amplifiers, e.g. Acoustical QUAD,
Refs. H4, H6.
—
flow through the gricUcathode circuit see Chapter 2 Sect. 2(iii), also Chapter 3
Sect. l(v)d, and Chapter 12 Sect. 2(iii)E, (iv)B, (iv)C, (iv)D j Sect. 3(iv)C, (v).
Typical values (e.g. type 6V6-GT) are :
With cathode bias 0.5 megohm (maximum)
With fixed bias 0.1 megohm (maximum).
If the heater is operated, even for limited periods, more than 10% above its average
rated voltage, the grid circuit resistance must be reduced considerably ; this holds in
automobile receivers.
If partial self-bias operation (" back bias ") is used, the maximum value of grid
circuit resistance may be found from the relation :
In cases where the maximum value of grid resistance for a particular application
is not specified, the procedure of Chapter 3 Sect. l(v)d should be followed, using
eqn. (6) for pentodes or tetrodes, or eqn. (7) for triodes. The value of mavimnn^
reverse grid current ( J/ ei) should be obtained from the specifications or from the valve
manufacturer ; failing this, a value of 2/*A may be tentatively assumed for valves of
the 6F6, 6V6 class, and 4/xA for valves having higher cathode currents.
If either the value of R gl for cathode bias, or that for -fixed bias is specified, the value
for the other may be calculated from Chapter 3 Sect. 1 eqns. (8) to (13).
FIG. 1331
11 11%
Voltage stabilized grid bias supplies are sometimes used (see Chapter 33).
It is sometimes convenient to have two plate voltage supplies, one to provide for
the plates of the output stage only, the other for the earlier stages together with the
screens of the output stage and grid bias. The second supply is loaded by a heavy
current voltage divider (say 150 mA
total drain) tapped near the negative end and the
tapping connected to the cathodes of the output stage ; one section provides grid bias,
and the other section provides the positive potentials.
Back bias is intermediate between cathode bias and fixed bias, so far as its con-
stancy is concerned. With this arrangement, the whole return current of a receiver
or amplifier is passed through a resistor between the cathodes (which are generally
earthed) and -E
bh (Fig. 13.52). R
The value of t is given by el /I where el is E E
598 (ii) GRID BIAS SOURCES 13.10
each separate bias system. [Note that the curved plate of an electrolytic condenser
represents the negative terminal ; while on a paper condenser the curved plate re-
presents the outside electrode.] Back bias works best in large receivers where the
total current is much greater than the cathode current of the power amplifier.
An alternative form having fewer components is shown in Fig. 13.53. Here the
field coil is in the place of R
x in Fig. 13.52. The bias on Vx is equal to the voltage
drop across the field coil multiplied by RJ{R% +
0.5 megohm). The filtering in
this circuit is not so complete as in Fig. 13.52.
Fig. 13.53. Alternative form of back bias, with the speaker field coil
in the negative lead.
(i) Introduction
While every amplifier must be built up of individual stages, the purpose of the design
is to produce a complete amplifier having specified characteristics in regard to over-
all gain, maximum power output, frequency range, output resistance, distortion, hum,
noise level and special features such as overload characteristics and tone control.
A designer's job is to produce the required results at the minimum cost within any
limitations imposed by space or by the availability of valve types.
With and the use of negative feedback it is possible to make the total
careful design
harmonic distortion of the amplifier less than 0.1 %
and the intermodulation distortion
less than 0.5 %. This has been achieved in the circuit of Fig. 7.44 and in the William-
son amplifier on which it is based (the new version of the Williamson amplifier is
given in Figs. 17.35 B, C, D, E, F, G), also in the Leak amplifier. See Refs. Fl,
F4, F5, H4, H15, H16..
An example of category C is given in Figs. 7.42 and 7.43.
Undoubtedly one of the best and most versatile single-ended amplifiers incorporat-
ing negative feedback (and, if desired, also tone control) is the circuit Fig. 7.33. The
feedback should be as high as permissible, being usually limited by the sensitivity
required by a pickup. The only serious limitation is that Vx cannot be a combined
second detector and amplifier.
The Lincoln Walsh amplifier with automatic bias control (E24, E25) is quoted
as having intermodulation distortion of 0.2% at 5 watts, 0.6% at 10 watts and 1.7%
at 25 watts, the power in each case being the low frequency power only (50 c/s). The
valves used in this amplifier are type 6B4-G (similar to 2A3).
The Mcintosh 50 watt Class AB, amplifier (Fig. 13.50E) has harmonic dis-
0.5% from 20 to 30 000 c/s, with exceptionally
tortion less than flatfrequency res-
—
ponse and low phase shift see Sect. 8(iii).
References to complete amplifiers Refs. (F) and (H).
:
iwur
10* -~ id*
FREQUENCY C/S
Fig. 13.54 Harmonic distortion of amplifier having type 6J7 pentode coupled to 2AS
grid resistor 0.5 megohm triode loaded by a loudspeaker on a flat baffle. The distortion
was measured by a wave analyser connected across the voice coil. The bass resonance
frequency is 70 c/s.
SECTION 12 : REFERENCES
(A) REFERENCES TO OPTIMUM LOAD RESISTANCE DISTORTIONAND
Al. Brain, B. C. " Output characteristics of thermionic amplifiers W.E, 6.66 (March 1929) 119.
A2. Notthingham, W. B. " Optimum conditions for maximum power in Class A amplifiers Proc.
I.R.E. 29 12 (Dec 1941) 620.
A3. Editorial " Optimum conditions in Class A amplifiers
.,
" W.E. 20.233
_„
L mnM
(Feb.
__ m
1943) 53.
M
A4. Hadfield, B. M. Getter) " Optimum conditions in Class A amplifiers," W.E. 20.235 (April 1943) 181.
A5. Sturley, K. R. " Optimum load, Ra or 2Ra " ? W.W. 50.5 (May 1944) 150.
A6. Sturley, K. R. (letter) *"" Optimum conditions in Class A amplifiers W.E. 20.235 (April 1943) 181.
"
—
A7. - • "
BradshaWjE. *
(letter) Optimum conditions in Class A amplifiers " W.E. 20.237 (June 1943) 303.
A8. Benbam, W. E. (letter) '" Optimum conditions in Class A amplifiers " W.E. 20.237 (June 1943) 302.
"
A9. Gladwin, A. S. (letter) Optimum conditions in Class A amplifiers W.E. 20.240 (Sept. 1943) 436.
'
A10. Date, W. H. (letter) " « Optimum load," W.W. 50.7 (July 1944) 222.
'
A14. Sturley, K. R. (book) " Radio Receiver Design " Part II pp. 56-64 (Chapman and Hall, London,
1945).
A15. Warner, J. C, and A. V. Loughren " The output characteristics of amplifier tubes " Proc. I.R.E.
14.6 (Dec. 1926) 735.
A16. Kilgour, C. E. " Graphical analysis of output tube performance " Proc. I.R.E. 19.1 Qan. 1931) 42.
A17. Lucas, G. S. C. " Distortion in valve characteristics " W.E. 8.98 (Nov. 1931) 595. Letter P. K.
Turner 8.99 (Dec. 1931) 660.
A18. Nelson, J. R. " Calculation of output and distortion in symmetrical output systems," Proc I.R.E.
20.11 (Nov. 1932) 1763.
A19. Ferris, W. R. " Graphical harmonic analysis for determining modulation distortion in amplifier
tubes " Proc. I.R.E. 23.5 (May 1935) 510. m r
A20. Mouromtseff, I. E., and H. N. Kozanowski " A short-cut method for calculation of harmonic
, . .
distortion in wave modulation " Proc I.R.E. 22.9 (Sept. 1934) 1090.
A21. Hutcheson, J. A. " Graphical harmonic analysis " Elect. 9.1 (Jan. 1936) 16.
A22. Harries, J. H. O. " Amplitude distortion " W.E. 14.161 (Sept. 1937) 63. „„..„. .
A23. Kemp, P. ** Harmonic analysis of waves up to eleventh harmonic Electronic Eng. 23.284
(Oct. 1951) 390.
See also References to Graphical Harmonic Analysis Chapter 6 Sect. 9(C).
Jt.D.H. —20
602 REFERENCES 13.12
(C) REFERENCES TO MULTI-GRID AMPLIFIERS
£i* if ? '.^ 5; ''Experimental audio output tetrode" Elect. 20.8 (Aug. 1947) 121.
1 11
n «tk in%.
C3. Schade, ^Jv
O. H.
?Space-charge tetrode amplifiers" Elect. 21.3 (Mar. 1948) 96.
Beam power tubes " Proc. I.R.E. 26.2 (Feb. 1938) 137.
/4* i«°?j ' *' L> H* Pentode and tetrode output valves " Philips Tec. Com. No. 75 July 1940) 1.
Advantages of space-charge-grid output tubes " (Review of paper by N. C. Pickering) Audio
cog. 31.9 (Oct. 1947) 20.
C6; Hadfield, B. M. " Amplifier load impedance reduction," Tele-Tech 7.5 (May
1948) 33.
oee also B5.
C7. Hafler, D., & H. I. Keroes "An ultra-linear amplifier" Audio Eng. 35.11
(Nov. 1951) 15.
0>) REFERENCES TO PARALLEL AMPLIFIERS
Dl. Jones, F. C. " Parallel tube high fidelity amplifiers " Radio 29.10 (Oct. 1945) 27.
uz. Jones, F. C. Additional notes on the parallel tube amplifier " Radio (June 1946) 26.
m
l.K.c. zl.4 (April 1933) 591.
u ii r' j
h lu^SPF ? 1
SECTION 1 : INTRODUCTION
(0 Fidelity («) Types of distortion {Hi) Imagery for describing reproduced sound.
(i) Fidelity
True fidelity is perfect reproduction of the original. In the case of an amplifier,
true fidelity means that the output waveform is in all respects an amplified replica of
the input waveform.
In acoustical reproduction) true fidelity is achieved if the listener has the same aural
sensations that he would have if present among the audience in the studio or concert
hall.
603
604 (i) FIDELITY 14.1
(i) Non-linearity
A distortionless amplifier has an input voltage versus output voltage characteristic
that is a straight line passing through the origin (OA in Fig. 14.1), the slope of the
line indicating the constant voltage gain. When non-linearity occurs, as may happen
with curvature of the valve characteristics, the input-output characteristic becomes
curved as in OB, thereby indicating that the gain of the amplifier is a variable quantity.
606 (ij) HARMONICS 14.2
(ii) Harmonics
One effect of
this non-linearity is the production of harmonic frequencies in the
output when a pure sine-wave input voltage is applied, hence the name harmonic
distortion. For example, if the input voltage is a pure sine wave of frequency 100 c/s,
the output may consist of a fundamental frequency 100 c/s, a second harmonic of
200 c/s, a third harmonic of 300 c/s, and so on. Only the fundamental frequency
is present in the input, and the harmonics are products of the non-linearity (for mathe-
matical treatment see Chapter 6 Sect. 8).
Inpvt Volt09<
Harmonics themselves are not necessarily displeasing, since all musical instruments
and voices produce complex sounds having many harmonics (or overtones). But all
sounds have certain relationships between the fundamental and harmonic frequencies,
and it is such relationships that give the sound its particular quality*. If certain
harmonics are unduly stressed or suppressed in the reproduction, the character of the
sound (i.e. the tone) will be changed. For example, it is possible for a displeasing
voice to be reproduced, after passing through a suitable filter, so as to be more pleasing.
The critical ability of the human ear to distinguish harmonic distortion depends
upon the frequency range being reproduced and also upon the volume. Thus, with
wide frequency range, the limit of harmonic distortion which can be tolerated is
noticeably lower than in the case of limited frequency range, for the same volume level.
If the amplifier does not amplify the harmonics to the same extent as the funda-
mental, the effective harmonic distortion will be changed. Bass boosting reduces
the harmonic distortion of bass frequencies, while treble boosting increases the har-
monic distortion of fundamental frequencies whose harmonics are in the frequency
range affected by the boosting.
The shape of the audibility curves for the ear, which has maximum sensitivity at
about 3000 c/s (Fig. 19.7), indicates that there is some effective boosting of harmonics
compared with the fundamental for harmonics up to about 3000 c/s, and an opposite
effect for fundamental frequencies above 3000 c/s. This effect, however, is quite
small at frequencies up to 1500 c/s, at the usual maximum listening levels (say 65 to
80 db on a sound level meter). At lower listening levels the effect will be appreciable,
but the distortion is normally fairly low at these levels in any case. With fundamental
frequencies above 3000 c/s there is an appreciable reduction of harmonic distortion
at all levels (this effect has been referred to by Ladner, Ref. El 4). For example,
with a fundamental frequency of 3000 c/s, at a loudness level of 80 phons, the second
harmonic will be attenuated by 9 db and the third harmonic by 15 db.
Harmonic voltages or currents may be expressed in the form of a percentage
of the fundamental voltage or current. For example, if the fundamental voltage is
100 volts, and there is a second harmonic voltage of 5 volts, the second harmonic
percentageis 5%.
Some harmonics are dissonant with the fundamental and (unless at a very low level)
are distinctly unpleasing to the listener as regards their direct effect, quite apart from
These remarks apply to sounds which have slow attack and recovery' times. In the case of most
orchestral instruments this effect is largely overshadowed by the more prominent effects of transients.
Many sounds (e.g. vowels) have an inharmonic content in addition to the harmonic content (Ref. E14).
14.2 (ii) HARMONICS 607
the secondary effect on intermoHulation. The following table gives the relevant
details when the fundamental frequency (C) is taken for convenience as 250 c/s.
Harmonic Harmonic Musical Effect
frequency scale*
2nd 500 a
3rd 750 G
4th 1000 C"
5th 1250 E
6th 1500 G
7th 1750 dissonant
8th 2000 Cm
9th 2250 D dissonant
10th 2500 E
11th 2750 dissonant
12th 3000
13th 3250 dissonant
14th 3500 dissonant
15th 3750 B dissonant
16th 4000 C iv
17th 4250 dissonant
18th 4500 D dissonant
19th 4750 dissonant
20th 5000 E
21st 5250 dissonant
22nd 5500 dissonant
23rd 5750 dissonant
24th 6000 G
•Natural
25th 6250 G# dissonant
(just) scale. See Chapter 20 Sect. 8(iv).
With a single pentode the weighted values of the higher order harmonics are quite
— —
appreciable. The values of distortion columns 1 and 2 are derived from Olsonf
for type 6F6 (Ref. E3).
Harmonic level percentage weighting weighted
(db) factor}: distortion^
2nd -20 10 1 10%
3rd -25 5.6 1.5 8.4%
4th -35 1.8 2 3.6%
5th -45 0.56 2.5 1.4%
6th -62 0.08 3 0.24%
7th -62 0.08 3.5 0.28%
8th -63 0.07 4 0.28%
9th -65 0.06 4.5 0.27%
10th -73 0.022 5 0.11%
11th -74 0.02 5.5 0.11%
12th -73 0.022 6 0.13%
13th -67.5 0.04 6.5 0.26%
14th -74 0.02 7 0.14%
t These are based on the ideal theoretical condition for equal intermodulation distortion ; they may
diner considerably from the true effect on the listener.
With any system of amplification other than Class B, the percentage of total har-
monic distortion, as defined in (iv) below, decreases as the power output level is re-
duced. Moreover, the percentages of the highest order harmonics decrease more
rapidly than those of the lower order harmonics, as the power level is reduced.
The use of negative feedback* merely reduces all harmonics in the same propor-
tion and does not affect their relative importance, except when the overload point is
approached.
Comparative tests have been carried out by Olson (Ref. E3) which indicate
1. That slightly greater distortion is permissible with speech than with music.
2. That a higher value of total harmonic distortion is permissible with a single
triode than with a single pentode, for the same effect on the listener.
3. That the permissible distortion decreases as the cut-off frequency is increased.
However the rate of change varies considerably with the three categories of distortion,
as given below.
4. Perceptible distortion (for definition see below).
Distortion becomes perceptible when the measured total harmonic distortion
reaches the level of 0.7% for music, and 0.9% for speech, with a frequency range of
15 000 c/s and a pentode valve. Even with the very limited frequency range of
3750 c/s a total harmonic distortion of 1.1% on music, and 1.5% on speech, is per-
ceptible with a pentode valve. The difference between pentode and triode is negli-
gibly small.
5. Tolerable distortion (for definition see below).
The measured total harmonic distortion to give tolerable distortion on music, with
either triode or pentode, increases about four times when the frequency range is re-
duced from 15 000 to 3750 c/s. The value of tolerable distortion with a pentode is
1.35% total harmonic distortion with a frequency range of 15 000 c/s, and 5.6% with
a frequency range of 3750 c/s or music, and 1.9% and 8.8% respectively on speech.
The amount of permissible total harmonic distortion with a triode is greater than that
with a pentode for the same level of tolerable distortion, in the approximate ratio of
4 to 3.
The effect of frequency range on tolerable distortion is much greater than on per-
ceptible distortion.
6. Objectionable distortion (for definition see below).
Objectionable distortion, on music, with either triode or pentode, increases about
5.5 times when the frequency range is reduced from 15 000 c/s to 3750 c/s ; the
fBy kind permission of the author and of the publishers and copyright holders, Messrs. D. Van
;
effect offrequency range on objectionable distortion with music is thus greater than
on tolerable distortion and much greater than on perceptible distortion. The
its effect
values of total harmonic distortion to provide objectionable distortion are 2% with a
frequency range of 15 000 c/s and 10.8% with a frequency range of 3750 c/s for
music, and 3% and 12.8% respectively for speech, with a pentode. The value of
total harmonic distortion with a triode to give the same level of objectionable distortion
as a pentode is approximately in' the ratio 5/4.
—
Definitions Perceptible distortion is denned as the amount of distortion in the
'
distorting amplifier which is just discernible when compared with a reference system
of very low distortion. Tolerable distortion is the amount of distortion which could
be allowed in low-grade commercial sound reproduction. Objectionable distortion
isthe amount of distortion which would be definitely unsatisfactory for the reproduc-
tion ofsound in phonograph and radio reproduction. The two latter are dependent
upon personal opinion.
—
Test conditions Information derived from these tests has been tabulated below,
the conditions being
Triode single 2A3, power output 3 watts.
:
If the distortion is small, the percentage of total harmonic distortion is given ap-
proximately by
D &
V(H2 %)* + (H 3 %y + . . . (2)
where (i/2 %) = second harmonic percentage, etc.
with an error not exceeding 1 %
if D does not exceed 10%.
The measurement of total harmonic distortion is covered in Chapter 37 Sect. 3fii).
610 (v) WEIGHTED DISTORTION FACTOR 14.2
W.D.F. = J / +
%/ E + E^ + E * +
t
+ 7T7
(2*' )2
*
^
harmonic relationship
A
:
. .
~
.
(3)
Subjective More
Classification R.M.S. drasticf
System of Sum of Weighted* Weighted Linearity
Distortion Harmonics Distortion Distortion Curvet
output. Tests should also be made on the same amplifiers for intermodulation dis-
tortion, using both r.m.s. and peak sum methods, with suitable test frequencies.
In all cases, any distortion measurements should be supplemented by
(1) An oscillographic inspection of the waveform, and
(2) An oscillographic inspection of the linearity (input versus output) characteristics
for sharp " kinks."
From these results it should be possible to derive a system of harmonic weighting
such that the weighted harmonic distortion is a true criterion of the subjective effects
of the distortion.
(i) Introduction
Intermodulation distortion is one of the effects of non-linearity when more than one
input frequency is applied. It is evident to the listener in two forms, amplitude-
modulation of one frequency by another, and the production of sum and difference
frequencies. See also Chapter 2 Sect. 9(iv).
An example of amplitude-modulation is the effect of a non-linear amplifier on the
reproduction of a choir with a heavy organ bass accompaniment. The choir is am-
plitude-modulated by the organ—a displeasing effect to the listener. This effect is
negligibly small in amplifiers if the total harmonic distortion is less than say 2%, but
it is apparent with some loudspeakers (see Chapter 20 Sect. 7).
The formation of sum and difference frequencies is the second and more serious
form of intermodulation distortion. These frequencies are normally in-harmonic
and are the principal cause of the distorted reproduction noticed by any listener—
sometimes described as harsh, buzz, rough or unpleasant.
In actual operation there are very many input frequencies applied simultaneously,
but it is possible to make comparative tests using only two frequencies. Tests for
—
this handbook unless otherwise indicated), and the stronger is usually lower in fre-
quency than the other*. The sum and difference frequencies are usually expressed
in the form of the percentage modulation of the weaker (high frequency) fundamental
voltage. For one pair of sidebands the modulation percentage is given by
2 x sideband amplitude x 100/fundamental amplitude.
When testing, in order to make a fair comparison with single-frequency conditions,
the input should be adjusted so as to give the same peak output voltage as under
single frequency conditions. With the 4 1 ratio of the two input voltages, the
:
•With a-f systems with peaked response in the middle-to-high frequency range, such as high effici-
ency speech systems and hearing aids, better results are obtained by having the higher input frequency
stronger than the lower frequency (Ref. B13). The two methods of measurement will, of course, give
different results.
14.3 (ii) MODULATION METHOD—R.M.S. SUM 613
provided that the operation is restricted to the normal low-distokion region (Refs
B7, Bll). The ratio tends to increase as the distortion increases. These ratios may
increase suddenly as the amplifier reaches the overload point. They are also affected
if a lower I.M. frequency is selected which gives appreciable 'attenuation. The
ratio is increased if there is any second harmonic cancellation in successive stages in
the amplifier or any attenuation of harmonics. In practice therefore, with many
—
disturbing factors, the ratio may vary from less than 1 to more than 6 see summary
Ref. B19.
The usual test frequencies are 40, 60, 100, 150 or 400 c/s and 1000, 2000, 4000*
—
7000 or 12 000 c/s. It is helpful to make tests at two low frequencies one of these
(40 or 60 c/s) should approximate to the low frequency limit of the amplifier ; the
other may be 100 or 150 c/s. The distortion at the lower of these two frequencies
is largely influenced by any iron-cored transformers, while that at
the higher of these
two frequencies gives a more normal overall value. The upper frequency may ap-
—
proximate to half the upper frequency limit of the amplifier this does not, however,
give a stringent test of the distortion at high frequencies.
Intermodulation distortion may be visually observed with a C.R.O. (Refs. B9, B19)
—see also Sect. 3(vi) below.
Reliable intermodulation measurements may be made in the presence of consider-
able noise since the latter is excluded by filters to a greater degree than with harmonic
distortion. It may also be successfully applied in the case of restricted frequency
range where the harmonics would be outside the range of the amplifier. In such a
case it is important to remember that the distortion is not zero merely because the
harmonics are not reproduced.
Permissible intermodulation distortion
The following is an arbitrary grouping which may be useful (Modulation method
r.m.s. sum)
Extremely high fidelity a-f amplifier (40 c/s) I.M. less than 2%
High fidelity a-f amplifier (40 c/s) I.M. less than 4%
Good fidelity a-f amplifier (60 c/s) I.M. less than 8%
Fairly good fidelity a-f amplifier (60 c/s) I.M. less than 20%
—
Typical radio receiver a-f amplifier only (150 c/s) I.M.less 40%
than
The values quoted are only a rough guide, since so many factors are involved. They
apply to the equivalent single frequency maximum power output, and the lower test
frequency is given in brackets.
See also comments in (vii) below.
Tests with 1 1 voltage ratio
:
More stringent tests at the higher frequencies may be made by the use of a 1:1
voltage ratio.
If all significant sidebands are measured, the distortion may be recorded in accord-
ance with the peak sum modulation method see (v) below. —
(v) Modulation method of measurement
This newer method of defining and measuring intermodulation distortion (Ref.
—peak sum
B16) has outstanding advantages over the older method based on the r.m.s. sum. This
peak sum method will measure the arithmetical sum of the amplitudes of the modula-
tion products involved, with no discrimination against the weaker modulation pro-
ducts.
In accordance with this method, the percentage intermodulation is defined as the
arithmetical sum of the amplitudes of the " in phase " modulation products divided
by the amplitude of the high frequency carrier,
i.e. percentage mtermodulation = — -^ — x 100
A
Where A x and A _ x are the peak amplitudes of the modulation products of frequencies
'"'A
_ _ _ _ — — ^m^^_
Notch »
Fig. 14.1A & B. Envelope of oscilloscope images without intermodulation {A), and with
intermodulation (B). Ref. B19.
Fig. 1 4. 1 C.Definition of notch depth (Ref. B 19).
Intermodulation results in an envelope such as Fig. 14.1B. Normally, the inter-
modulation causes a " notch " or notches in the envelope and the notch depth is de-
fined by Fig. 14. 1C. The experimental relationship which has been determined
between notch depth and intermodulation (using the normal modulation method of
— —
measurement r.m.s. sum as in Ref. B2) is shown in Fig. 14.1D. This curve is
practically linear below 50% notch depth (i.e. 10% intermodulation), so that a scale
may be used directly on the screen for measuring the value corresponding to each
notch. If there is more than one notch, Le Bel defines total notch depth as the arithmetical
14.3 (vi) LE BEL'S OSCILLOGRAPHIC METHOD 615
100
^ 80
o 60
40
£ 20
u
(X.
UJ -
6 50 \Q0 150 200 250 300
PERCENT NOTCH DEPTH FIG. 14.1 D
Fig. 14. ID. Relation between notch depth and per cent, intermodulation (Ref. B19).
FIG. 14.1 E FIG. 14.1 H
20
20 30 40 50 60 70
sum of the individual notch depths. Each notch in the low frequency cycle on top
and/or bottom of the envelope is counted. Some typical envelope patterns are shown
in Figs. 14. IE, F and G. If a peak instead of a notch occurs at any point5 this in-
dicates regeneration.
The harmonic and intermodulation* distortion characteristics of a push-pull
amplifier are shown in Fig. 14.1H. At low output levels the intermodulation is less
than the harmonic distortion, while at high output levels the reverse is true. This
*In accordance with Le Bel's oscillographic method.
—
'Various authorities place this figure from 400 000 to 640 000.
—
4400 c/s. It would therefore be possible to reduce the frequency range of an ampli-
fier from 15 000 c/s (say the limit of hearing in a particular case) to 1 1 000 c/s without
a non-critical listener noticing the restriction. The same principle also holds in re-
verse, when widening the frequency range. (See also Ref. A9).
1. Very wide frequency response —possibly higher than the limit of audibility.
2. No
phase distortion.
3. " hang-over." The duration should not be greater than the original pulse.
No
" Hang-over " effects are caused by insufficiently damped LC circuits such as may
occur with a-f transformers, tone correction circuits and filters see Chapter 15 —
Sect. l(ix). Loudspeakers are particularly prone to this effect, and it is desirable
for them to have heavy acoustical and electro-magnetic damping, with reduction of
mass of moving parts.
Some measurements of the phase shift introduced by microphones and loudspeakers
are given in Ref. A40.
References : A40, A41, El.
Acoustical power and preferred listening levels (iv) Volume range in musical repro-
duction (v) The effect of noise.
V
>
y\
\\ Fig. 14.2. Threshold of audi-
\
bility curves for average and
very critical {5% most acute)
listeners in the absence of
noise. Reference level db =
.AVERAGE LISTENCN
0.0002 dyne per sq. cm.
Curves by courtesy of Jensen
/ / Radio Manufacturing Com-
CMTICAlUST / pany, based on Fletcher (Ref.
,<'
t
A3).
III
IOO 200 900 1000 2000 5000 10000 20000
FREQUENCY, CYCLES PER SECOND
most
A symphony orchestra, with a peak dynamic range of up to 70 db providestothe
a power This range is equivalent
difficult problem for the reproducing equipment.
ratio of 10,000,000 : 1.
p . .
i
Fig. 14.3. Masking levels g
for noise in average and very J AV :rage RESIDENCE
i
The maskingt effect of shown by Fig. 14.3 for average and for very
room noise is
quiet residences. These curves may be applied directly to the hearing characteristics
of Fig. 14.2. The result is shown in Fig. 14.4 for average conditions and in Fig. 14.5
The10 db ratio is given in Ref. A51, quoting Refs. E7, E16. The 20 db ratio is mentioned in Sect.
6(ii),based on Refs. E15 and A3. . . . .
tThe masking level is the level of pure tones which can just be perceived in the presence of noise.
The masking level is higher than the noise (spectrum) level at the same frequency by a margin of 15db
up to 1000 c/s, increasing to 28 db at 10 000 c/s (Ref. A53).
14.7 (i) VOLUME RANGE AND HEARING 621
for a very critical listener level (these latter are the extreme con-
and low room noise
ditions for high fidelity). In each case the room noise reduces the effective hearing
over a frequency range from about 150 to 6000 or 9000 c/s.
The effect of noises other than room noise is covered in (v) below.
ICO
I
\
\ 1
\ ftigSBiV&7?&L<43 db,
UJ
120 —
\> 1 |
.
1 1
* « ase
W'
\
;
!
>TO
iU' 72*
-so
KM *» 500 WOO 2000 $000 10000 20000
FREQUENCY, CYCLES PER SECONO
(ii)Frequency range
When listening to the rapidly varying intensity levels which occur with speech or
music, the ear appears to integrate these varying sounds over about 1/4 second in-
tervals. When considering frequency range, the measurements of the sound levels
created by the various types of musical instruments should therefore be reduced to
their equivalent sound levels in 1/4 second intervals.
If we compare the loudness of a narrow band of thermal noise with that of a pure
tone having the same intensity, the two will be judged to have equal loudness if the
width of the transmitted frequency band of noise is limited to a critical value called
the critical bandwidth (Ref. A3). For this reason, measurements on the sound
levels of musical instruments should be reduced to intensity levels which would have
been obtained if the frequency bandwidths used in the filters had been equal to the
critical bandwidths (Ref. A3).
The integrated sound energy in a critical band over a 1/4 second interval will sound
as loud as a pure tone in the same frequency band which produces the same sound
energy in each 1/4 second interval (Ref. A3).
622 (ii) FREQUENCY RANGE 14.7
Fig. 14.6 gives the maximum r.m.s. intensity levels in 1/4 second intervals in critical
frequency bands for certain musical instruments and an orchestra at a distance of 20
feet from the sound source, together with the threshold of audibility curve for average
listeners, indicating that a frequency range from 40 to 15 000 c/s meets all normal
requirements for an average listener to an orchestra.*
Fig. 14.7 (highest curve) shows the same " orchestra " curve as Fig. 14.6, but com-
bined with the threshold of audibility curve for a very critical listener, indicating that
the maximum possible frequency range is from 32 to 21 000 c/s. These are the
most extreme conditions to be taken into account for high fidelity reproduction.
If this orchestra is reproduced at lower levels as indicated by the lower " orchestra "
curves in Fig. 14.7, the frequency range is more restricted, particularly at the lower
end. The values for both average and critical listeners are tabulated below :
levels.
*The bass drum, played solo and very loudly, and the loud organ have frequencies in the vicinity of
30 c/s audible to an average listener.
—
The curves of Fig. 14.6 and the orchestra curves used in Fig. 14.7 are only suitable
for determining the audible frequency ranges of the various sound sources they —
cannot be used for calculating the peak power.
Programme
Public Music- Engineers En-
Individual variations varied from 60 to 97 db for symphonic music, but in all cases
50% of the subjects were within "± 4 db of the mean. Increasing age showed a pre-
ference for lower listening levels.
The following table gives an approximate guide for home listening :
Sound-level Normal
Loudness meter reading r.m.s. peak
Very loud 80 db 90 db
Loud (serious listening) 70 db 80 db
Medium (as a background) 55-65 db 65-75 db
Fig. 14.8 shows the extreme conditions for high fidelity reproduction, with the
threshold of audibility curve for a very critical listener, combined with the masking
624 (iv) VOLUME RANGE IN MUSICAL REPRODUCTION 14.7
120
1,000. 00
200 ' apoo ^.qooo**
F)G> ua
.
FREQUENCY, CYCLES PER SECOND
Fig. 14.8. Effective hearing characteristic jar very critical listener with low room noise
level, showing 70 db dynamic range for orchestra in a concert hall. Minimum orchestral
level based on Ref. E13.
effect oflow room noise. The 70 db dynamic range of an orchestra in a concert hall
is shown, with the minimum orchestral level of 30 db well above the masking level
of the noise. In this case it would be possible to reproduce the full dynamic range
at a level 15 db lower than the level in the concert hall, without loss due to noise.
With an average listener and average noise level, however, the reproduction could not
be more than 5 db below the level in the concert hall without loss due to noise. Any
further reduction in level will result in the masking of the softest passages by the noise.
(B) Volume range broadcast or recorded
The volume range actually broadcast or recorded is frequently less than that of the
original.
Source Volume range
F-M broadcast (direct) at least 60 db (F.C.C.)
A-M broadcast (direct) at least 50 db (F.C.C.)
Transmission over telephone lines 40-50 db*
ditto (special lines) 50-75 db*
Lateral-cut disc records :
•Itis assumed that the room noise can be treated as random noise. Random noises are additive.
tBased on Chapter 20 Sect. 6(ii)B.
{For measurement of amplifier noise see Chapter 19 Sect. 6.
626 SCALE DISTORTION 14.8
FIG. 14.9
db
90 pnom
O
-a
-4 Fig. 14.9. Loss of bass and high audio
-6 frequencies caused by reproduction at a
-8
J loudness of 70 phons as compared with
-IO the original at 90 phons {based on
-12
Fig. 19.7).
-14
On the other hand, the reproduction is louder than the original, the bass (and to
if
some extent the be accentuated. This commonly occurs with the human
treble) will
voice when reproduced at a high level, unless some correction is applied in the studio
amplifier.
It is for this reason that orchestral or organ music, when reproduced at normal
room volume, sounds weak and uninteresting. The application of the correct amount
of bass boosting assists considerably in maintaining realism and tonal balance. This
application of bass boosting may be made automatically with the adjustment of the
volume control, provided that maximum setting of the control corresponds to maxi-
mum volume from the loudspeaker on musical peaks (Chapter 15 Fig. 15.59). This
provision makes a second (semi-fixed) volume control desirable in reproduction from
—
records it calls for an exceptionally flat a.v.c. characteristic in a receiver, in addition
to the double volume control. If the automatic arrangement is adopted without
these precautions being taken, it is only partially effective, and many users prefer a
manually operated bass-boost. The automatic arrangement is only satisfactory when
the tonal balance is correct at the maximum setting of the volume control ; it merley
boosts the bass when the setting of the control is lowered.
Refs. A7, A29, A30, A33, A34, A56.
(iii)Listener fatigue
There is no doubt that listening to reproduced music causes listener fatigue much
more rapidly than listening to the original. This listener fatigue is caused by the
necessity for mental processes arising from the unnatural effects in the hearing system.
: "
Probably the creation of synthetic bass, intermodulation distortion and transient dis-
tortion play important parts in producing this fatigue.
An excessively high background noise level, whether caused by hum, record scratch
or any form of extraneous noise, is also an important factor contributing to listener
fatigue.
Ref. C7.
(iv) Summing up
The tests by Chinn and Eisenberg indicated that, under their conditions of test,
the majority preferred a restricted frequency range. The tests by Olson indicated
that, under his " all acoustical " listening conditions the majority preferred an un-
restricted frequency range. Obviously the conditions of the tests are of vital im-
—
portance see discussion (i) above, also summing-up by Olson, CIO.
Subsequent amplifier tests by Olson have indicated that an audience was able to
perceive a value of 0-7% total harmonic distortion (see Sect. 2 and Ref. E3). reason- A
able inference is that the reduction in frequency range preferred by listeners in the
Chinn and Eisenberg tests was caused by distortion present in the sound system.
It has been pointed out (Ref. CI 4) in connection with the Chinn and Eisenberg tests,
that the choice between " wide " and " medium " (at 60 and 70 db) and between
" medium " and " narrow " (at 50 and 60 db) was complicated by inadequate dis-
criminability.
(ii) Articulation
The articulation of speech is defined as the percentage of syllables interpreted
correctly (Ref. D8). The results for an average listener receiving syllables at optimum
intensity are given below (Ref. A3) :
tA more recent test gave 34 microwatts for men and 18 microwatts for women (Ref. D5).
14.11 (ii) ARTICULATION 629
Columns 2 and 3 are the results of separate tests with a high-pass filter and a low-
pass filter respectively. They cannot be combined to give a pass-band with the
limiting frequencies as tabulated, except as a rough approximation for high percentages
of articulation (> 90%) ; in this case the two articulation values should be multiplied
together (e.g. 96% x 96% = 92% articulation approximately for a pass band from
570 to 5000 c/s).
Those who are interested in the intelligibility of speech either with or without
noise interference should read Refs. D10, ,D11, and D12.
Experiments have shown that intelligibility is impaired surprisingly little by the
type of amplitude distortion known as peak clipping. Conversation is possible
even over a system that introduces " infinite " peak clipping, i.e., that reduces speech
to a succession of rectangular waves in which the discontinuities correspond to the
crossings of the time axis in the original speech signal. The intelligibility of the rect-
angular speech waves depends critically upon the frequency-response characteristics
of the speech transmission circuits used in conjunction with the " infinite clipper."
A word articulation value of 97 was obtained using firstly a filter providing a frequency-
response characteristic rising. 6 db/octave, followed by the infinite peak clipper,
followed in turn by a filter with a characteristic falling at the rate of 6 db/octave
(Ref. D13).
References to articulation : A3, D3, D8, D10, Dll,- D12, D13, D19.
tBased on total' noise 18 db above masking level of noise at 1000 c/s. For measurement of noise
see Chapter 19 Sect. 6.
14.12 (ii) PRACTICABLE HIGH FIDELITY 631
This raises the question whether such high standards are essential. The principal
characteristics in question are variation in output, distortion, and frequency range.
Variation in output over the frequency range
A tolerance of the order of ± 5% appears to be generally acceptable for the overall
electro-acoustical performance of a sound system.
SECTION 13 : REFERENCES
(A) REFERENCES
"
TO DISTORTION AND FIDELITY—GENERAL
an audio reproducing system Proc.
Al Massa, F. Permissible amplitude distortion of speech in
I.R.E. 21.5 (May 1933) 682.
"
A2 ' Wheeler, H. A. High fidelity problems
._,„„,.„
" Hazeltine
•
Corporation T u
Laboratory r>
Report,
•
. a
reprinted
in A.R.T.S. and P. Bulletin No. 7. . . „
A3. Fletcher, H. " Hearing, the determining factor for high-fidelity transmission Proc. I.R.E. 30.6
A4. Ebel? A ^'^Characteristics of high fidelity systems " Comm. (1) 23.4 (April 1943) 38 ; (2) 23.5
A5 ' Hartley, H. A. " Aesthetics of sound reproduction—high fidelity or judicious distortion ?" W.W.
50 7 (July 1944) 198 ; W.W. 50.8 (Aug. 1944) 236.
A6. " Aesthetics of sound reproduction—replies to queries" W.W. 50.10 (Oct. 1944) 318.
A7 Stevenson, P. "" Scale distortion and visual "analogies Electronic Eng. 17.200 (Oct. 1944) 207.
A8. Hanson, O. B. Comments on high fidelity Elect. 17.8 (Aug. 1944) 130.
A9.' " Frequency range and power considerations in music reproduction Technical Monograph No. 3,
Jensen Radio Mfg. Co., Nov. 1944. .„,„.
:" J. Bnt. TI.R.E. « <? «-»_ ™
« t, 5.5 (Oct.-Dec. ,«.«•» ion
1945) 190.
A10. Discussion "High fidelity reproduction of music
All. Toth, E. "High fidelity reproduction of music " Elect. 20.6 (June 1947) 108.
A12. Haynes, N. M. (letter) " Listening tests "Elect 20.6 June 1947) 268.
A14. Williamson, D. T. N. " Design for a high-quality amphfier" W.W. 53.4 (April 1947) 118.
All! GoodeU, J. D., and B. M. H. Michel ^Auditory perception" (with bibliog.) Elect. 19.7 (July
1946) 142
" Electronic Eng. 14.169 (March 1942) 686.
A16. Amos, S.' W. " Distortion in radio receivers " Radio 28. 1Q (Oct. 1944) 37
A17. Hanson, O. B. " Down to earth on high fidelity * W.E. 16.192 (Sept., 1939) 444.
A18 Vander Ven, A. J. Output " stage distortion
AR Webster, N. D., and F. C. McPeak "Experiments. in listening" Elect.. 20.4 (Apnl, 1947) 90.
— W.W.
A20. "What is good reproduction? Discussion by British Sound Recording Association,
5 " Diallist " p. 36.
A21 " Suoereonic hiirfi fidelity ? " W.W. 54.1 (Jan- 1948) 23 ; Comments by
A22i mISSX L^NolsfmeLurements," "
oimm. 28.2 (Feb. 1948) 28.; 28.7 (July 1948) 21.
Acous. Soc. Am. 19.5
A23. Mathes, R- C., and R. L. Miller Phase effects in monaural perception J.
A24. Mutter, J. " Audio distortion and its causes " F.M. Radio Handbook (1946) 94.
band width B.S.T.J.
A25. Gannett, D. K., and I. Kerney The discermbihty of changes in program
"
23 (Tan 1944) 1
speech and music reproduction" (review)
A26 Glover, R. P. "The problem of frequency range in
j. Acous. Soc. Am. 17.1 (July 1945) 103.
A27. Hilliard, J. K. "Audio quality— intermodulanon tests" (review of I.R.E. paper)x m
.-.
Elect. ia a
19.4
(
A28 Lloyd, M
G. and P. G. Agnew " Effect of phase of harmonics upon acoustic quality " Nat. Bureau
of Standards ScL Paper No. 127, 6 (1909) 255.
A29 " Cathode Rav " ' Scale distortion " W.W. 41.13 (Sept. 24, 1937) 318
A3a "^^^""I^dst^ker versus orchestra^ W W.« 10(March 10, 1938) 210
'^Oithode Ray " " Scale distortion again " W.W. 54.11 (Nov. 1948) 392.
A33. Audio Eng. 33.1 (Jan.
" Psycho-acoustic aspects of higher quality reproduction
A34. Le Bel, C. J.
A^s/^rJistortion—does it matter?" Further discussion by LEE. Radio Section, W.W. 55.1 (Jan.
1
" " Review of paper by E. A. Vetter " Some
A36. oUhyappreciation W.W. 55.2 (Feb. 1949) 52.
A37 tjSSg J cT" HSSft affit^distortion upon the intelligibility of speech » J. Acous.
'Soc. Am. 18.2 (Oct. 1946) 429.
14.13 REFERENCES 633
"
A38. Nixon, G. M. " Higher fidelity in sound transmission and reproduction J. Acous. Soc.
Am. 17.2
(Oct 1945) 132
"
A39. What constitutes high fidelity reproduction ? (Review of papers presented at Acoustical Society
meeting) Audio Eng. 32.12 (Dec. 1948) 8. ._
A40. Wiener, F. M. "Phase distortion in electro-acoustic systems J. Acous. Soc. Am. ii.i <.uct.
1941) 115
A41. Powell, f . Getter) " Phase bandwidth " Audio Eng. 33.6 (June 1949) 6. .
A42. Hilliard, J. K. " Phase distortion " being chapter 13 of book " Motion picture sound engineering
(D. Van Nostrand Co. New York, 1938). . . . . „ . ...
ampli-
A43. Institute of Radio Engineers, U.S.A. " Standards on radio receivers—methods of testing
tude modulation broadcast receivers " (1948).
A44. Information kindly supplied by the Radio Corporation of America. ^«^.^
A45. Shorter, D. E. L. " The influence of high-order products in nro-hnear distortion Electronic
278-
Eng. 22.266 (April 1950) 152. Correspondence 22.272 (Oct. 1950) 443 ; 23.281 (July 1951)
279
A46. Salmon, V. Getter) " Types of reproduced sound " J. Acous. Soc. Am. 21.5 (Sept. 1949) 552.
A47. Canby, E. T. " Record revue—better audio " Audio Eng. 34.7 (July 1950) 30. i
A48. Salmon, V. " Imagery for describing reproduced sound " Audio Eng. d) 34.8 (Aug. 1950) 14
(ii) 34.9 (Sept. 1950) 14. ;..»..„ .»..,« «-»_ ,«« a*.
A49. Voigt, P. G. A. H. " A controversial idea from England Audio Eng. 34.10 (Oct. 1950) 40.
A50. Canny, E. T. " The other side of the wall " Audio Eng. 35.1 (Jan. 1951) 24. „ _ .. _v
A51. Olson, H. F., and A. R. Morgan A high-quality sound system for the home Radio and T.V.
"
News 44.5 (Nov. 1950) 59. " Audio
A52. Souther! H. T." Design elements for improved bass response in loudspeaker systems
Eng. 35.5 (May 1951) 16.
A53. Fletcher, H. " Auditory patterns " Review of Modern
.
Physics
.„ ,,
12 (Jan. 1940)
^M ._
47.
A54. F.L.D. "Approach to high fidelity" W.W. 57.7 (July 1951) 289. ,„^ „„
A55. Snyder, R. H. " Towards a more realistic audio "Audio Eng. 35.8 (Aug. 1951) 24.
Additional references will be found in the Supplement commencing on page 1475.
ers m ,
C2. Chinn, H. A., and P. Eisenberg " Tonal-range and sound intensity preferences of broadcast listen-
ers* * Discussion, Proc. I.R.E. 34.10 (Oct. 1946) 757.
C3. Moir, J. " Perfect v. pleasing reproduction " Electronic Eng. 19.227 (Jan. 1947) 23.
C4. Wells, L. V. Getter) '^Acoustic preferences of listeners " Proc. I.R.E. 35.4 (April. 1947) 378.
C5. Powell, T. Getter) " Tonal-range and sound-intensity preferences of broadcast listeners Proc.
I.R.E. 35.4 (April 1947) 378.
C6. Moir, J. (letter) " Distortion and acoustic preferences " Proc I.R.E. 35.5 (May 1947) 495.
C7. Le Bel, C. J. " Psycho-acoustical aspects of listener preference tests " Audio Eng. 31.7 (Aug. 1947) 9.
C8. " High audio frequencies—are they necessary, are they nice ? " W.W. 53.11 (Nov. 1947) 415.
C9. Haynes, N. M. " Factors influencing studies of audio reproduction quality," Audio Eng. 31.8
(Oct. 1947) 15. „ ,
C10. Olson. H. F. " Frequency range preference for speech and music " J. Acous. Soc. Am. 19.4 Part 1
(July 1947) 549.
Cll. Olson, H. F. " Frequency range preference for speech and music " Elect. 20.8 (Aug. 1947) 80.
C12. Somerville, T., and S. F. Brownless " Listeners* sound-level preferences " B.B.C. Quarterly 3.4
Jan. 1949) 245.
C13. Chinn, H. A. and P. Eisenberg " Influence of reproducing system on tonal-range preferences
Proc. I.R.E. 36.5 (May 1948) 572. Discussion Proc. I.R.E. 37.4 (April 1949) 401.
C14. Stuntz, S. E. " The effect of sound intensity level on judgment of tonal range and volume level
Audio Eng. 35.6 (June 1951) 17.
It.D.H.—21
634 REFERENCES 14.13
i H V;
}
nJ" of„?
ne ?
, « a pf speech communication .
1 esl
systems" Proc. I.R.E. 35.9 (Sept. 1947) 880.
Acoustlc considerations in 2-way loudspeaker communications " Comm. 24.6 (June
1944) 33.
D5 n ) hite, " Statistical measurements on conversational speech "
'
Anu"ll3' aan 19«)) 278 J. Acous. Soc.
SS" Hlf»h0rft ??• £•" Room noise at subscribers' telephone locations," B.S.T.J. 12.1 (July 1940) 183.
°°m nOWe spectta at subscribers' telephone locations " B.S.T
499 J. 12.4 (April 1941)
no s!Sf« #
er Hi' •?*£ J - £' Steinber ." Articulation testing methods," B.S.T.J. 8.4 (Oct. 1929) 806.
f
Spee h I,0 ,er and
KiTJ' ' ts measurement " B.S.T.J. 8.4 (Oct. 1929) 646.
D10
DU S^
J. Acous!
R,
1 5 T iCM
5 e
Am i{(Jan.^47) §§
be g° Vermng *' tadB « ih ^^of "P-* "»»* "
D13
u^n . fAiiiL R and L PoU»c,^ ^ffects *£ differentiation, integration and infinite peak clipping
k de
rt
intelhgibility of speech -i'-. <- * " J Acous.
t'
r»l4 ££,£?. Soc. Am. 20.1 (Jan. 1948) 42.
CS Audltory maskin8 of multiple tones by random noise " Acous.
Soc?An£ 21.4 au?y 1949) ?93 J.
D15
A^2 L5*(Septn< 1949A496 ebStCr " S °mC determinants of ""eraural phase effects "
h
J. Acous. Soc.
D16 ™
01 16 Theory of speech asking b V reverberation "
Am! "'.^"(Nov'
Soc!'
"
testing' methods " Audio Eng.
M^T? J. Acous.
SEE*.^
a*1 1 ? £' D unn »and S -«P' Y1"" "Absolute amplitudes and spectra of musical instru-
"' -
ct Si k r
5
AcouVf Sot' Am 5^'(o'ct 1933 82
M
n LOUdneSS, 'tS definition> measurement and calculation" J.
E9 ' A Muns°n " Relation between loudness and masking " J. Acous. Soc. Am.
^aSy'lMTM^" "
E1
?
b
'
C C O m and M B Gardner "Results of the World's Fair hearing
°'t«tst B*STJ 'l94 6c^ ?940 533 ' ' »
E11 '* T
,^
mm er J D
Vr »
nd ?• A Fi estone "**An investigation of subjective tones by means of the steady
,
' "' -
i;
Hi* ?? SJ^i^c! J< Ac°us. Soc. Am. 9.1 (Julv 1937) 24.
aunTl949) 15 (3) 33$ (j^i9!^s5
,gi,,eeri,,g
';
AU<UO El>g 33 5 ,
" "
W ' (MaV 1949) ** J (2) 336
Be kaboratories Record, June 1934 page 315.
pil* !i
1949) 379*"
W '
" The analysis and synthesis of musical sounds" Electronic Eng. 21.260 (Oct.
Section Pa S e
1. Introduction ••• 635
2. Bass boosting • •
640
3. Bass attenuation ** ••• 649
4. Combined bass tone controls 653
5. Treble boosting 653
6. Treble attenuation 655
7. Combined treble tone controls 658
8. Combined bass and treble tone controls ... < 658
9. Feedback to provide tone control 669
10. Automatic frequency-compensated tone control 672
11. Whistle filters
673
12. Other methods of tone control 676
13. The listener and tone control 677
14. Equalizer networks 677
15. References 677
SECTION 1 : INTRODUCTION
(i) The purpose -of tone compensation («) Tone control (in) General considerations
(iv) Distortion due to tone control (v) Calculations involving decibels per octave (vi) ^
Attenuation expressed as a time constant (vii) The elements of tone control filters
{viii) Fundamental circuit incorporating R and C (ix) Damping of tuned circuits
(x) Tolerances.
flat response. Thus any input source may be connected to any amplifier or amplifiers^
and the overall result will be flat, since each unit in the chain is flat.
A different approach is usually adopted in complete units such as home gramo-
phones where the whole is always used as one unit, and where we are only concerned
with the overall performance.
635
636 (i) THE PURPOSE OF TONE COMPENSATION 15,1
the plate circuit of the power valve, in the coupling circuit between the first a-f ampli-
fier valve and the power valve, or in the grid circuit of the first a-f valve.
On the other hand, any form of treble boosting will increase the effective distortion
at any frequency so long as the harmonics are accentuated by the treble boosting with
respect to the fundamental ; the same also applies to intermodulation distortion.
This is one of the reasons why treble boosting is not widely used, or is limited to a
very slight rate of boosting.
If an amplifier naturally has treble attenuation, and is equalized by the correct
some
amount of treble boosting, the distortion will be the same as though the amplifier had
a naturally flat characteristic. However, in the case of a radio receiver, effectively
having a treble attenuation through side-band cutting, the distortion at the output
terminals will be greater than that at the second detector if treble boosting is used,
even if the a-f amplifier distortion could be zero.
Bass boosting gives a reduction in harmonic distortion provided that the funda-
mental frequency is amplified more than the harmonics, which condition holds over
a limited frequency range.
Bass attenuation gives increased distortion over a limited frequency range where
the harmonics are amplified more than the fundamental.
References to distortion : 3, 61.
Note. A table relating frequency ratio, octaves and decades is given on page 368.
638 (v) CALCULATIONS INVOLVING DB/OCTAVE 15.1
FREQUENCY C/S
MICROSECONO 0E- EMPHASIS CURVE
7S
Fig. 15.1. De-emphasis curve with time constant of 75 microseconds, a% used in
F-M receivers.
15.1 (vii) THE ELEMENTS OF TONE CONTROL FILTERS 639
(x) Tolerances
In all cases where a tone control, tone compensating network or filter is required
to have specified frequency response characteristics, the elements of the network
must be specified within narrow tolerances, and should preferably also be tested
after delivery by the component manufacturer. Even in cases where the response
characteristic is not specified, the effect of normal tolerances with capacitors, resistors
and inductors is to cause a wide " spread " of response characteristics since the toler-
ances are sometimes cumulative.
When a single item of equipment is being built, it is important to check either the
values of the critical components or the overall response characteristic, or preferably
both.
640 BASS BOOSTING—(i) GENERAL REMARKS 15.2
FC.15,3
The resistor R t is intended to reduce distortion through low a.c. load impedances
connected to the plate circuit of Vx ; it may be omitted if the stage is operating at a
low level or if R t is not less than twice the plate resistance of x . A suitable value is V
not less than 2r v in the case of a triode or not less than 2R L in the case of a pentode.
The resistor i? x also has the effect of decreasing the gain at high frequencies more
than at low frequencies, thereby increasing the ratio of gains at low and high fre-
quencies.
may be shown
^
It that
Gain
where R'
at high frequencies
= R R t /(R + R
t t
=
(1
t)
+ r ^ )(1 + + r>>/^ (D
Boost 6 15 10 20 db
RJR? 0.1 0.02 0.05 0.01 approx.
Using this approximation, we may determine the value of R^ to provide any desired
ratio of gains, that is the bass boost expressed as a ratio (B)
R
R t /(
R* f(l/r, l/R^Ri 1 + R*/R>\ + -
t s& "}
B- \(l/r, +
1 l/R^ +RJ
+ 1 (4)
(4) to calculate the value of R t to give the desired boost, using eqn. (4).
(5) to determine a suitable value for C (this may be done by following Chapter 12
Sect. 2(ii), assuming /? x+R a to be the effective value of R g J.
(6) to determine the value of Ca to give the required position of the boosting curve
on the frequency characteristic, as described below.
Frequency characteristics
The shape of the frequency characteristic is determined solely by the amount of
the total boost in db (Fig. 15.4). It is convenient to consider the frequency at which
each characteristic reaches half the total boost in decibels, and to call this the " half-
*As normal Class At amplifier. Higher values are to be anticipated for resistance-coupled conditions.
—
20
18
Vo
~\a
\'°
\*
V*
.a
\<r Half Total Boost
""v 1
1
£
X
'
1
6
V_T
SAT . ./....
2
'^^•
3 4 20 30 40 SO 60 80 100
R/X
I I
1
—— SO
i i
I I
1
I I
100 FIG. IS. 4
Frequency c/s (Adjustable, Scale)
Fig. 15 A. Bass boosting frequency characteristics. These are quite general and may
be applied to any r.c. boosting provided that the value of the total boost in db is
known. See text for value (Ref. 10). R/X
boost point." It will be seen that the frequency of the " half boost point " (/ ) in-
creases as the total boost increases.
Total boost 20 15 10 6 3 db
Half-boost 10 7.5 5 3 1.5 db
Boost ratio (23) 10 5.62 3,16 2.0 1.41
R/X for half-boost* 3.16 2.37 1.78 1.41 1.19
Cat 3.16/ coR 2.37/ wR 1.78/<o2? lAl/a>R 1.19/0)/? F
* (R/X) = s/B at half-boost point.
t C2 = =
1/(<oX) o> = 2nf
(,R/X)/(.(oR) and
where R = [r PR L /(r v + R L)] + R t + R t (Fig. 15.3)
and /o = frequency at half-boost point.
The slope of the frequency characteristic at the half-boost point, which is
very nearly the point of maximum slope, is approximately :
Total boost 20 15 10 6 3 db
Slope at half-boost point 4.9 4.1 3.0 2.0 1.0 db/octave
If a tangent is drawn to the curve at the half-boost point, it will be seen that the
slope of the frequency characteristic does not fall off to any appreciable extent from
the half-boost point to the three-quarters boost point (i.e. 75% of the total boost in
db). The falling off in slope does not cause a difference of more than 1 db between
the curve and the tangent up to 90% of the total boost in db, the reading of 90% being
taken on the tangent.
This circuit may be applied to continuously variable bass boosting by using a variable
resistor in place of R t , but this has the effect of varying the amplifier gain at the middle
audio frequencies and hence varying the apparent loudness. One possible alternative
which avoids this defect, is to put a high variable resistor (say 0.5 megohm logarithmic
taper) across C2 This method gives a variation in total boost without much change
.
in level of the middle frequencies, but the shapes of the frequency characteristics
are not the most desirable for tone control purposes Fig. 15.5 ; see also (D1 below. —
15.2 (ii) (A) CONVENTIONAL BASS BOOSTING CIRCUIT 643
Several values of C2 may be selected by means of a tapping switch, leaving the total
boost unchanged, but this merely moves the frequency characteristic horizontally
and is not satisfactory, on its own, for tone control purposes.
fig. is.s
X
FREQUENCY C/S
Fig. 15.5. Frequency characteristics with conventional bass boosting circuit, having
variable resistor across C a (Ref. 9).
A modification which has some advantages is shown in Fig. 15.6. Here R has been t
moved from the grid circuit of V to reduce the shunting effect on £ 4 and C
z
The 8.
"
_— ,..._._
~[ BlXSS BOOST
'*>
^ft,
^^P'/rr,
*• ^•o
^SS^V
rs_
-s
ipoo topoo
FREQUENCY (C/S) FI6. IS. 8
Fig. 15.8. Frequency characteristics with the circuit of Fig. 15.7, V — 6J7,
x
R, = 0.05 MQ, Ri = 0.2 MQ, R k = 2000 Q, C k = 25 fiF, R, = 1.5 MO,
C = 0.1 nF, C = 0.02 pF, R„ = 1 MQ.
s
*»-
Fig. 15.9. Bass boosting with parallel resonant tuned circuit in plate circuit.
Fig. 15.10. Bass boosting with parallel resonant tuned circuit in grid circuit.
In all circuits of this type, it is advisable to select a high L/C ratio in order to give
the highest gain for a fixed amount of boosting.
Q= o> CR, (5)
L = inductance in henrys
and C — capacitance in farads.
Typical values for a resonant frequency of 70 c/s are L = 51.5 H, C =0.1 /*F, :
x x
Li —the value given above on the assumption that the winding resistance is zero.
is
An alternative arrangement which has the advantage of avoiding direct current flow
through the inductor is —
Fig. 15.10 this has the resonant circuit in the grid circuit
of Vs . As a result, it is possible to use a higher value of L
and to shunt the tuned
circuit by a variable resistor as a =
control. Typical values for / 70 c/s are :
R L = 0.1 MQ, R,. = 50 000 S2,R* = 50 000 Q, L 2 = 250 H, C = 0.02 /*F, and 2
R — 0.5 M.Q maximum. In this case the winding resistance of L t must be taken
t
into account.
Let ra = winding (series) resistance of L 2
R = equivalent
e shunt resistance corresponding to r2
then R ~L 2/C2r.
e (7)
The total shunting on the tuned circuit is therefore R e in parallel with R, in parallel
with (R L +R +R t t).
If r a is 10 000 ohms*, then
R e = 250/(0.02 X 10 -« x 10 000) = 1.25 megohms
R, = 0.5 megohm (max.)
{Rj + R + R t ) = 100 000 + 50 000 + 50 000 = 0.2 megohm.
t
_
Then I ~
1 1 1
loudspeaker, and decreasing the stage gain, This device is usually avoided on ac-
count of its short-comings.
FIG. IS. 13
+IS
I
'
-s
SO ICO SCO 1,000 spoo J
FREQUENCY (C/s) IO.OOO
Another possible circuit is Fig. 15.13 (Ref. 36) in which the feedback is taken from
the plate to the grid through C and x R
The response is given by.
o /2ir =
250 c/s when a = 0.25. The resistance of VR t and VR 2 should be high,
preferably with VR 2 greater than VRx and Rz — VR t .
Still another possible circuit is Fig. 15.14A in which feedback is taken from the
cathode of the second stage to a resistor at the earthy end of the volume control feeding
the grid of the first stage (Ref. 65). It is stated that this gives 10 db of negative feed-
back at middle and high frequencies and 3 db of positive feedback at low frequencies,
equivalent to 13 db bass boost.
15.2 (iv) (C) DECREASED FEEDBACK AT BASS FREQUENCIES 647
FIG. 15.13
Fig. 15.13. Single stage amplifier giving bass boosting with adjustable frequency
characteristic (Ref. 36).
Fig. 15.14A. Two stage amplifier giving 13 db effective bass boost (Ref. 65).
In Fig. 15.14B a capacitance is inserted in the feedback network from the plate
of V2 to the plate of V
1} with r.c. coupling between
the stages. This capacitance
provides a fixed amount of bass boosting which is generally limited to about 6 db maxi-
mum (Ref. 68).
-OOSjiF 0-75 MA
A circuit using an inductor in the feedback network is Fig. 15.54 this may be —
used for bass boosting only by omitting C2 and 2? 4 .
T so
" Ma iMftl
200 *
I*
- ~ FIG. IS. IS 40 6C ICO 2CO SCO 1,000 2J0CO
FREQUENCY Cc/s")
of the response curve and the lower the gain between 100 and 500 c/s.
Coupling condenser C bt may be considered as regulating the amount of coupling
between C,„ and C„ m with some effect on the shape of the lower end of the curve.
DO
40 f 1 P
Y
'\ Dmthmtl
Mhowt fvc+of
vA*Tn1 tl vatV*
for Agi 1
A:< c* xs Mt \
A:C. -O.0SJ%t
h-
— F
,
>s
1 1
Curve Cm '-'gm c,
v-F mf mF MF ohms ohms
A 0.45 0.1 0.1 100 000 7000
B 0.45 0.1 0.1 100 000 100 000
C 0.45 0.1 0.2 100 000 7000
D 0.25 0.02 0.2 100 000 7000
E 0.25 0.1 0.05 0.2 40 000 7 000
F 0.25 0.02 0.05 0.2 100 000 7000
G 0.45 0.1 0.1 100 000 7000
H 0.45 0.02 0.1
0.1
100 000
100 000
7000
7000
J 0.25 0.1 0.05
Fig. 15.18 (A and B). Bass boosting characteristics produced by circuit of Fig.
15.17 (Ref. 2).
15.3 BASS ATTENUATION— (i) GENERAL 649
-2
*2
«2» —4 2
/ffifj
h
3
a
7" "
^ '---a'
i-
3
O -6
it :::
-IO
:::
-12
K3 JO SC IOO 200 SOO I.OC
FIG. 15.19
Fig. 15.19. Bass attenuation versus frequency characteristics : (1) Single grid
coupling condenser (R = J megohm, C=
0.005 /itF) / (2) Two tta^e* eacA o»?fc
identical values of time constant RC
; (3) Three stages each with identical values
R =
of time constant ; (4) R.c.c. pentode with by-passed cathode resistor (6J7,
L 0.25
MQ, R — k 2000 fl, C*. =
0.5 pF) onii screen adequately by-passed.
desired to vary the cut-off frequency of an a-f transformer with parallel feed,
If it is
a variable resistormay be inserted to adjust the equivalent source impedance (Rt in
Fig. 15.20). The low frequency attenuation (Ref. 51) is
attenuation in db = +
10 log10 [1 (R/XJ 2 ] (1)
where R = R + [r^R^r, + R$\
t
Xi= a>Li
and L = x
primary inductance in henrys.
Fig. 15.20. Amplifier, giving variable low-frequency cut-off using a-f transformer
and parallel feed.
Fig. 15.21. Amplifier providing bass attenuation by negative feedback (Ref. 23).
FIG. 15.29
c,
-\&*~
OJnA/W WVVA'
'
l U( j- \ ) H-
R
*i§ '^ C t 9S > '^
Fig. 1 5.22. Amplifier providing bass attenuation by Parallel- network (Ref, 59). T
Fig. 15.23. Frequency characteristics of arr^lifier Fig. 15.22 when x typical V —
r.c.c. pentode, C =x 0.001 /*F, 8 C =
0.004 /*F, 3 C =
0.02 **F, x 2 2 At Q,R =R =
R =
L 0.2 MQ R =
S v 0.5 The MQ.
frequency for infinite attenuation is 56 c/s.
Switch position (1) Fidelity (2) Bass attenuation (Ref. 59).
Q
8"F
>20,000<£
(2)
We may determine the value of Ri for any desired value of B from the equation
Rt = (B- 1)(R S + R") (4)
In the case of pentodes, R" approximates to R L .
The frequency characteristics for treble boosting have been plotted (Ref. 51 Fig.
9.18 ; also Refs. 9,55) but for most purposes it is sufficient to work on the " half-
boost " points as for bass boosting, the curves being approximately symmetrical S
curves about these points. The values of RJX for the half-boost point are identical
to those for bass boosting, and not the inverse as might be expected.
Total boost 20 15 10 6 3 db
Half boost 10 7.5 5 3 1.5 db
Boost ratio (B) 10 5.62 3.16 2.0 1.41
(Ri/X!) for half boost* 3.16 2.37 1.78 1.41 1.19
3.16/a)/?! 2.37/ j)Ri 1.78/ uRi 1.41/ J»R 1 1.19/o.l^F
i
».
fe-Hf— v,
In the case of amplifiers incorporating negative feedback, the filter to provide the
attenuation must be outside the feedback loop.
This forms part of the usual " tone-control " in many radio receivers of the less
expensive class, as illustrated in Fig. 15.31. The control is in the form of a variable
resistance in series with the capacitance which limits its attenuation. A
suitable
656 (ii) ATTENUATION BY SHUNT CAPACITANCE 15.6
maximum value for the resistance is 10 times the load resistance. In some cases a
fixed capacitance only is used—typical values are from 0.005 to 0.02 /t*F for
a loud-
speaker load resistance of 5000 ohms. In this application the " effective resistance "
for the calculation of the attenuation will be the loudspeaker impedance
in parallel
with the output resistance (R ) of the amplifier.
Tone control by shunt capacitance, when used with discrimination, is fairly satis-
factory with a flat amplifier operating fronvan equalized source. It is far from satis-
factory in selective radio receivers in which the high audio frequencies are
already
heavily attenuated ; this effect is minimized when variable selectivity i-f
amplifiers
are used. One reason for the popularity of shunt capacitance tone control is that the
intermodulation frequencies produced by the distortion in the pentode or beam power
amplifier valve are much reduced, and listening thereby made less fatiguing.
If
methods are taken to reduce the distortion, e.g. by negative feedback, the tone control
may preferably take the form of bass boosting.
In order to achieve the desired treble attenuation, a shunt capacitance may be
placed
across the source (radio receiver, pickup or microphone), from any grid to earth,
from
any plate to earth or across the output terminals of the amplifier. In each case the
effective resistance (R in eqn. 4 of Chapter 4 and Fig. 4.38) is the resultant
a.c. re-
sistance between the points across which the shunt capacitance is connected.
In
the case of a r.c.c. pentode it is approximately the load resistance in parallel with
the
following grid resistor, and it does not make any appreciable difference whether
the
capacitance is shunted across the plate load resistor or the following grid resistor,
owing to the coupling through the grid coupling condenser. Even if no shunt con-
denser is added, the output capacitance of the valve plus the dynamic* input capacit-
ance of the following valve plus wiring capacitances provide appreciable treble attenua-
tion—see Chapter 12 Sect. 2(xi). The effect on treble attenuation may be reduced
by reducing the plate load resistance ; it may be increased by increasing the plate
load resistance or by adding shunt capacitance. A
typical r.c.c. pentode followed by
a similar stage has only slight attenuation at 10 000 c/swhen the load resistance is
less than 0.25 megohm. In the case of a r.cc. triode the effective resistance is the
plate resistance of the valve (under r.c.c. conditions) in parallel with the load resist-
ance and the following grid resistance.
In the general case the effective resistance is given by
R=R.+ R L 'r ,/(R L ' + r„) (1)
where R, = resistance in series with C as part of the tone control,
R L ' = R LRJ(R L + R,)
RL — load resistance
Re = following grid resistance
and r„ = plate resistance of valve.
With a high-mu triode such as type 6SQ7 the effective input capacitance is of the
order of 100 ppF. If this capacitance is shunted across an effective resistance of
0.5 megohm, the attenuation is about 10 db at 10 000 c/s.
The total attenuation at any frequency will be the attenuation at that frequency
prior to the amplifier plus the sum of the attenuations of the stages in the amplifier
at that frequency plus the attenuation by the shunt capacitance at that frequency, all
expressed in db. It is not sufficient to assume an attenuation of 6 db/octave from each
stage in the amplifier unless all the stages have the same cut-off frequency. In the
general case it is necessary, for design purposes, to calculate the attenuation of each
stage or filter for convenient frequencies, e.g. 10 000, 14 000, 20 000, 28 000, 40 000
c/s and then to add the values in db to determine the overall attenuation characteristic.
The latter will, eventually, almost reach a slope of 6 db/octave per stage or per shunt
capacitance, but the knee of the curve will be very rounded unless the cut-off fre-
quencies are identical.
•Under operating conditions, including the " Miller Effect " capacitance from the plate.
—
L/C = R 2
^see Fig. 4.49C for symbols)
/o = l/w\/LC where /o = cut-off frequency.
L 5 3 t 0.0001, Ca = 0.0002
and C =
3 0.0004 /*F, the cut-off fre-
quencies mil be (1) none (2) 10 000 els
(3) 7000 c/s (4) 5000 c/s. '
FIG. IS.35A
Fig. 15.35A. Amplifier with variable treble attenuation due to negative feedback.
Fig. 15.35B. Amplifier with negative feedback providing treble attenuation or
treble boosting (Ref. 67).
FIG. IS..36
An alternative form using a 5 position switch is shown in Fig. 15.36 (Ref. 33). The
switch positions are
1. heavy bass attenuation and very limited treble attenuation for very distant re-
ception, no feedback.
2. normal bass, heavy treble attenuation, no feedback.
3. bass attenuation, medium treble attenuation, half feedback.
4. normal bass, slight treble attenuation, half feedback.
Note Positions 1 to 4 inclusive are for use with narrow i-f bandwidth.
:
•I||F
Treble
Control
OUTPUT
Fig. 15.37A. Simple universal tone Fig. 15.37B. Step-type tone control
control not using inductors. not using inductors (Ref. 70).
An improved given in Fig. 15.37B and its frequency characteristics in Fig.
form is
15.37C (Ref. 70). 15 /*ftF max. trimmer capacitor is for the purpose of com-
The
pensating in the "flat " position for the loss of high audio frequencies caused by stray
shunt and Miller Effect capacitances when the following stage is a triode.
FKJ. IS .37C Increased rate of boost-
30 ing and attenuation is
obtainable by connecting
1
-VWV <WV1
ttflOO
»
15,000 rpr
Fig. 15.38. Networks giving selected values of decibels per octave for boosting and
attenuation (.Ref. 50).
15.8 (iii) TONE CONTROL NOT USING INDUCTORS 66]
MIN CONTROL
^8i 1
1 1 1
B? **K.. 1
1
J '"
e^^ .
t AS 5 '1 t
1
- .5r~
B^--'
1
1 1 1 1 1
III 1
llll 1
Mill ft
1 1 1 . l lllllll 1
mi i I ini II
10 20 90 100 200 500 WX>0 2.000 WOO 4050 200
FREQUENCY IN CYCLES
100 900 I.0O0 2000
FREQUENCY M CYCLES
9.000 IQOO0 ZQ0OI
^^
Fig. 15.39. Step-type tone control system not using inductors (Ref. 50).
RESP. CONTACT.
CURVE. 7 8 9 10 11 12
T\ R Z AA BB NC CC
T2 S NC Z BB NC CC
7/3 T Z AA NC NC BB
TA U NC Z NC NC BB
T5 V Z NC NC NC AA
T6 Y NC NC NC NC Z
77 X NC NC NC Z DD
T8 X NC NC NC z EE
T9 X NC NC NC z FF
no X NC NC NC z GG
Til W NC NC NC z HH
RESP. CONTACT
CURVE. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Bl J I A B NC C
B2 K NC / B NC C
B3 L I A NC NC B
£4 M NC I NC NC B
B5 N I NC NC NC A
B6 P NC NC NC NC I
B7 P NC NC NC I D
B8 P NC NC NC I E
B9 P NC NC NC I F
BIO P NC NC NC I G
Bll Q NC NC NC I H
(iv)Universal step-type tone control using inductors
The treble boosting circuit of Fjg. 15.30 may be used, combined with treble attenua-
tion by shunt capacitance and conventional bass boosting and attenuation.
A typical example is Fig. 15.40 (Ref. 64
see also Refs. 17, 54, 55). The nominal ;
slope is 6 db/octave for all positions, but the capacitances and inductances may
be
selected to give any desired frequencies for the commencement of attenuation
or
662 (iv) TONE CONTROL USING INDUCTORS 15.8
FIG . IS.40
0-04 jjF
0-2MA
Mil< OUTPUT
Ot*-0—— —0y»O " Of * o
/est /
02)iF
~ Cut
<X»2S(iF
Booit Boost
i5,oooa;
Cut
4 s°»$
"
f
"•"
+2S0V t_.BoJJ
£_-B<JJJ — -/' t.Twbta
boosting. The inductor may be wound with an air-core as under Former diameter :
f Length between cheeks f in. Winding wire 40 S.W.G. (or 36 A.W.G) SSE.
in.
Total turns 6740, tapped at 4520 turns. Layer wound. Total radial depth of wind-
ing say 0.6 in.
One defect of this method of treble boosting is the tendency for the inductor to
pick up hum.
FIG. IS.4I B+
FIG. 15.42
0-25MA
Fig. 15.41. Circuit giving fixed bass Fig. 15.42. Single control continu-
and treble boosting (Ref. 7). obsly variable tone control (Ref. 22).
(B) Another example is Fig. 15.43 (Ref. 62) which is capable of giving treble
boost
18 db at 10 000 c/s and bass attenuation 6 db at 50 c/s in one extreme position ; bass
boost 4 db and treble attenuation 21 db in the other extreme.
(C) An interesting circuit which gives simultaneous bass and treble boosting, linear
response, or simultaneous bass and treble attenuation is Fig. 15.43A (Ref. 86).
The
CROSS- COUPLED STAGE
IT
BALANCED
OUTPUT.
FIG. I5.43A
Fig. 15.43A. Tone control circuit using cross coupled input stage (Ref. 86).
100
90
"Ti
E s ..8 t,* AX
UJ
£60
E,*.6Et MAX.
a t_ E 3 ».5E t MAX.
S«o
o
UJ 1 1
E 3 '. 4 E.MAX.
_1 Ej*i! E 2 M AX
UJ
E,0
10
20
f/f FIG. 1 5.43
at/// = 1, where /„ = l/2nRC. The frequency of the peak in the curve may be
determined by choice of R and C ; in the circuit shown, this frequency is adjustable
from 360 to 4000 c/s by means of a dual 1 potentiometer. A choice of
M# = 600
to 800 c/s is pleasing in many cases.
FIG. IS.44A
output \poon-
Fig. 15.44A. Simple duo-control circuit giving individual control of bass and
treble. Typical values are : Rt 0.25 = ; R, MQ 3 0.5 =R =
; i? 4 0.25 MQ =
MQ; R = s .R 6 =
0.5 Mil; C, =
0.01 fiF ; 2 C =
0.001 pF (Ref. 22).
Fig. 15.44B. Simple tone control giving bass and treble boosting (Ref. 41).
C,k lOOwtF
ssfiooai
KR a
R KR
l F KPOOtl -82MA
j?
Jt tVWWW^VWA-
> ooosH r'f> /
R.D.H.—tS
666 (x) (E) TWO-STAGE BASS AND TREBLE TONE CONTROL 15.8
(E) Two-stage bus and treble tone control (Fig. 15.48, Ref. 41)
This employs a twin triode with the treble boost control in the coupling from Vx
to Vt and the bass boost control in the coupling from the plate of V2 to the following
stage.
MTOOOA
it**!?" FIG. IS. 49
«apooA 4r ?6B/x»n
* sM* 'IMA
'H F IfiF
IMA
•IjiFJ_ S-*— — to-
Direct to
CridofNnt
Volvt
4,700Ai (No GrM
SOjiF J Ruittor')
• 5MA «2SMA'
Fig. 15.48. Two-stage bass and treble Fig. 15.49. Simple two channel
tone control (Ref. 41). amplifier (Ref. 22).
it is desired to add treble attenuation, the filter circuit of Fig. 15.51 may be used. This
gives a flat response when the moving arm of the potentiometer is at the centre tap.
fig. is. so
FIG. 15.51
FIG. 15.52
INPUT
Fig. 15.51. Modification to Fig. 15.50 to provide treble attenuation (Ref. 31).
Fig. 15.52. Resonant plate loading to provide bass and treble boost (Refs. 26, 54).
plate load resistance R 3 Control of the bass is given by R and of the treble by R t
. x
.
The Q of each of these circuits should not exceed 1 —see Sect. l(ix).
(I) Negative feedback incorporating L and C in cathode circuit (Fig. 15.53,
Ref. 26)
Feedback provides degeneration across Ri and 2? 2J which determines the gain at
middle frequencies. With L and C R
connected directly across Ri and is the feedback
is decreased at low and high frequencies respectively and the stage gain is consequently
greater at these frequencies. L may require shielding to reduce hum pickup.
ftG. 15.53
\(r-
Fig. 15.53. Bass and treble boosting due to negative feedback incorporating
L and C in cathode circuit {Ref. 26).
Fig. 15.54. Bass and treble boosting due to negative feedbaok incorporating
C
L and (Ref. 15).
V <%>*
l^s^^^l
* -8 8 8 R 8 8 R R 8 !
Fig. 15.56A shows the response characteristics without provision for bass or treble
attenuation ; Fig. 15.56B shows the response with bass and treble attenuation.
If desired, step switches may be arranged to give a wider choice of frequency charac-
teristics by changing the values of the filter condensers.
FIG. IS.S7A
(L) Two-stage universal tone 50,000/1
control (Fig. 15.57A, Ref. 77) r |<r -SI MA
This is a very effective arrange- 03^F
ment incorporating a twin triode, J6SN7
which gives entirely independent
control of both bass and treble
with control extending over a wide
range of boosting and attenuation in ipoon
each case (Fig. 15.57B). The
overall gain of the amplifier of Fig.
15.57A at 800 c/s is only slight.
Fig. 15.57A. Two stage universal tone control
(Ref. 77).
15.8 (x) (L) TWO-STAGE UNIVERSAL TONE CONTROL 669
(i) Introduction
Simple feedback circuits to give tone control have been described above (Figs.
15.11, 13, 14A, 14B, 15, 35B). See also Ref. 80. Tone control may be achieved
by incorporating a suitable frequency selective network in the feedback loop, but
this involves the question of stability if the feedback is over 2 or more stages in this—
case the design should be based on Chapter 7 Sect. 3.
The general principles have been covered very fully in the literature e.g. Refs. 16,
19 (see also References Chapter 7).
In any amplifier in which negative feedback tone control is to be used, maximum
freedom in other aspects of the design is desirable. For example it should be possible
to alter the feedback factor, and a variation in the feedback over the a-f range should
be acceptable. It is also desirable not to be limited to a specified value of output
resistance. The feedback should preferably be applied over a small number of stages.
In the case of fidelity amplifiers, there should be sufficient negative feedback at the
bass resonant frequency of the loudspeaker to give adequate damping.
Most tone-control amplifiers are only stable for values of jS up to a limiting value.
One good experimental test is to determine the maximum of j3 before instability occurs.
The working value of /3 should be less than this limiting value by a comfortable margin
(say 8 to 10 db) to allow for all variable factors and for tolerances in the various com-
ponents.
This is an example of a well designed amplifier with feedback taken from the second-
ary of the output transformer over three amplifying stages, having RC
networks in
the feedback loop to provide bass and/or treble boosting. Vt is a Schmitt type phase
—
inverter Chapter 12 Sect. 6(vi)A Vz is a similar stage but operating with push-pull
input, V
3 and V t are push-pull beam power amplifiers. The total voltage gain
from the first grid to push-pull output load is 87.7 dbvg, giving full output with a peak
input to the first grid of 17 mV
without feedback or 0.14 V
with feedback (0 =
— 0.0066). The maximum bass boost is 26 db, and treble boost 11.7 db. The treble
boost operates at a low impedance level where die effect of stray capacitances is negli-
gible, while the bass boost, which is less sensitive in this respect, operates at a high
impedance level.
V t V
2 are type ECC32 (approx. 6N7) while
and a and V V
K are type KT61 (high
slope output tetrode). 7\ is a miniature screened line-to-grid transformer to match
25-600 ohms on input. T2 is an output transformer with 22 1 turns ratio to match
:
10 000 ohms plate-to-plate to 20 ohms voice coil. Total primary inductance not less
than 60 henrys
(C) Modified " straight " feedback amplifier to provide bass boosting
In many cases a " straight " feedback amplifier may have a capacitive impedance
added to the feedback loop to provide bass boosting. This decreases the feedback
at bass frequencies, thereby causing the amplifier to lose some of the advantages of
feedback ; the arrangement is less desirable than a special circuit such as Fig. 15.58A
which has been specially designed for tone control.
For example, a capacitor of 0.1 /*F may be inserted in series with the 5000 ohm
resistor in thefeedback circuit in Fig. 7.44 (as in Ref. 69) ; alternatively a switch
giving a choice of several values of capacitance may be used.
FIG. I5.58A
swc
Fig. 15.58A. High gain amplifier with overall feedback giving bass and treble
boosting (Ref. 42).
15.9 (ii) (D) FEEDBACK TO PROVIDE SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS 671
rp**IMA rp—IMA
INPUT
FIG.IS.SBB
Fig. 15.58B. Use of feedback to provide special attenuation characteristics at
low frequencies. The total effective resistance across x primary is taken as T
1000
ohms. Switch S
x normal ; S % tone control {low frequency attenuation). Switch S'
controls feedback.
HP
sponse over the desired fre- j
C
/
12
quency range (Curve C). /
In the example, 20 db of 16 / .'
/ £.= -
feedback is used, and the 20
'
f
combined effect is to give an
attenuation of 18 db in the J«
5 in8
octave from 100 to 50 c/s. 3 *
ii ii
£ 32 1
5 mini
(b) To provide optional 36 lit
1niiii
bass boosting *0 ill
1 II llll
If now the tone control is 44 till
iii ii
switched out of circuit, there |[
i
iii
48
,
(i)Introduction
Owing to the special characteristics of the human ear, it is necessary for bass boosting
and (to a less extent) treble boosting to be applied to music or speech when repro-
duced at a lower level than the original sound, if it is desired to retain the full tonal
qualities of the original. Provision is therefore often made in the better quality
receivers and amplifiers for this to be done automatically as the volume control is
adjusted. For this to be fully effective, the volume with the volume control at its
—
maximum setting should be the same as that of the original sound a condition which
it is rarely possible to fulfil in radio reception. One possible way of achieving an
approach to the true condition would be to fit two auxiliary volume controls one —
with settings for say (1) speech (2) orchestral and (3) solo instrument, and the other
to be adjusted to bring the reading on some form of level indicator to a predetermined
value. The of these auxiliary controls is necessary because the various original
first
sounds differ in second control to provide for imperfect a.v.c. in the re-
level, the
ceiver and variations in percentage modulation between stations. These complica-
tions are not likely to be popular. However the intelligent listener should have a
second volume control which may be pre-set to give a desired output level for maxi-
—
mum volume this is particularly important in reproduction from records.
In practice, some form of simple automatic frequency-compensated volume control
is found beneficial, in spite of its technical imperfections. One reason for this popu-
larity is that it permits a considerable degree of bass boosting to be used at low volume
but not at maximum volume-control setting. It is therefore more fool-proof than
m anual ly-operated bass boosting, and less likely to cause overloading of the power
amplifier.
A
more satisfactory result over a wider range of volume levels can be obtained by
using a volume control with two tappings (e.g. at one sixth and one third of the re-
sistance) as in Ref. 88.
A more elaborate type of continuously-variable control has been described (Ref. 79)
but requires a special volume control.
Another more elaborate type (Ref. 82) uses three ganged volume controls which
are not tapped.
Fig. 15.60. Step-type tone-compensated volume control for bass correction only
(Ref. 43).
FIG. IS. 61
I MO. •5MA
TO GRID OF
NEXT STAGE
Fig. 15.61. Inverse volume-expansion circuit tvith 3 channel amplifier for automatic
frequency-compensated volume control (JRef. 21).
given by
AJA r = (R' + R 1 )/R 1 FIG. 15.62
least 8 db over a frequency range from approximately 8000 to 12 000 c/s when/, =
10 000 c/s. Thus the filter cuts such a serious hole in the amplifier frequency charac-
teristics that it is not a satisfactory solution. It is reasonably satisfactory for a maxi-
mum attenuation of 6 db, but this may not be sufficient to eliminate the whistle.
For theory and curves see Refs. 17, 51, pp. 52-54.
35L6-GT Output
F«. 15.64
Another circuit (Ref. 87) has a supplementary channel with a distorting valve (triode
6SF5) functioning effectively only below about 100 c/s. Grid distortion is produced
through zero bias operation. A plate load resistor of 0.5 M.Q is used, and the plate
coupled to the grid of the output pentode. It is stated that the loudspeaker
bass
resonance should preferably be less than 60 c/s, and that the results
sound unnatural
is about 150 c/s.
to the ear on music when the loudspeaker resonance
The principles of synthetic bass are given in Chapter 14 Sect. 3(viii).
15.13 THE LISTENER AND TONE CONTROL 677
(a) Variable resistance and fixed shunt capacitance (this has obvious short-
comings).
provided that the
(b) Bass boosting only (this is quite satisfactory in its class
bass boosting is limited to about 6 db total).
(c) Continuously-variable control giving, say, bass boosting in one direction
and treble boosting in the other.
(d) Step-type control in the form of a " quality switch."
3. The most elaborate radio receivers and amplifiers may be fitted with two controls,
one for bass and the other for treble. In addition, many equipments in this class
will be fitted with automatic frequency-compensated volume control, thereby
limiting the degree of manual bass boosting which is necessary (say 6 db maxi-
mum).
Anything which can be done to assist the listener to obtain the best results with the
least trouble is to be commended.
SECTION 15 : REFERENCES
1. Light, G. S. " Frequency compensating attenuators " Electronic Eng. 16.195 (May 1944) 520.
2. Barcus, L. M. " New bass, boosting circuit " Elect. 16.6 (June 1943) 216.
3. Colebrook, F. M. " A
note on the theory and practice of tone-correction " W.E. 10.112 (Jan. 1933) 4.
4. " Universal equaliser provides a-f amplifier design data " Elect. 16.8 (Aug. 1943) 120.
5. Widlar, W. L. " Compensating audio amplifier for three channels " Coram. 23.8 (Aug. 1943) 28.
7. Amos, S. W. " Improving headphone quality ; simple correction circuits for use with conventional
diaphragm-type earpieces" W.W. 50.11 (Nov. 1944) 332.
8. Austin, K. B. "A
Bass and Treble Booster" U.S. Patent 2,352,931 Radio Craft 16.4 (Jan. 1945) 230.
9. Patchett, G. N. " A
new versatile tone control circuit" (1) Basic principles of tone control W.W.
51.3 (Mar. 1945) 71 ; (2) " Bass and treble lift without variation of middle frequencies " 51.4
(Apr. 1945) 106.
10. Sturley, K. R. " L.F. Amplification (7) Increasing l.f. response " Electronic Eng. 17.207 (May
1945) 510.
11. Winget, D. (letter) " A
new versatile tone control circuit " W.W. 51.6 (June 1945) 182.
13. Smith, H. " Tone compensation amplifier " Australasian Radio World (July 1945) 20.
14. Shepard " Improved bass for small radios " Elect. 18.7 (July 1945) 224.
15. Sands, L. G. " More highs—more lows " Radio Craft (1) 14.10 (July 1943) 596 ; (2) 14.11 (August
1943) 662.
16. Hendriquez, V. C. " The reproduction of high and low tones for radio receiving sets " Philips
Tec. Rev. 5.4 (April 1940) 115.
17. Scroggie, M. G. " Amplifier tone control circuits " W.E. 9.100 (Jan. 1932) 3.
19. Fritzinger, G. H. " Frequency discrimination by inverse feedback " Proc. I.R.E. 26.1 (Jan. 1938)
207.
20. Design Data (5) " Low-frequency correction circuit " W.W. 52.6 (June 1946) 199.
21. Goodell, J. D., and B. M. H. Michel " Auditory perception " Elect. 19.7 (July 1946) 142.
22. Wortman, L. A. " Tone control circuits " Radio Craft (Aug. 1946) 763.
23. Reference Sheet " Fundamental Tone Control Circuits " Electronic Eng. 18.223 (Sept. 1946) 278.
j
25. Powell, E. O. " Tone control " W.W. 46.14 (Dec. 1940) 491.
26. Cutler, S. " Audio frequency compensating circuits " Elect. 15.9 (Sept. 1942) 63.
27. Haines, F. M. " High fidelity bass compensation for moving coil pickups " Electronic Eng. 18.216
(Feb. 1946) 45.
28. " Cathode Ray " " Working out tone control circuits " W.W. 43 (Sept. 22, 1938) 269.
29. Naiork, J. " Why
bass boost " Service 17.6 (June 1948) 18.
31. HilL J. M. " Wide range tone control-circuit suitable for correction at low volume levels " W.W.
5Z12 (Dec. 1946) 422.
32. Case, N. " All purpose receiver " Comm. 7.1 (Jan. 1947) 34.
F-M A-M
33. Beard. E. G. " Aquality switch in lieu of a tone control" Philips Tec. Com. No. 2 (Feb. 1947) 8.
Based on Philips C.A.L.M. Report No. 7.
34. Stevens, P. " The control of tone " Australasian Radio World 11.8 (Jan. 1947) 13.
35. Moody, W. " Audio amplifier equalization methods " Service 16.1 (Jan. 1947) 11.
36. Ellis, J. " Bass compensation—a system using negative feedback " W.W. 53.9 (Sept. 1947) 319.
37. " Negative feedback tone control used by R.G.D/' extract from review Radiolympia 1947, W.E.
24.290 (Nov. 1947) 335.
38. Schlesinger, K. " Low frequency compensation for amplifiers " Elect. 21.2 (Feb. 1948) 103.
39. Banthorpe, G. H. " A
simple tone control circuit " Electronic Eng. 20.241 (March 1948) 91.
40. Winder, N. " A
bass correction circuit for moving-coil pickups Electronic Eng. 20.244 (June
1948) 187.
41. Sugden, A. R. " Pre-amplifier tone control" Australasian Radio World 13.2 (July 1948) 11.
42. Whitehead, C. C. " Quiet high-gain amplifier—tone control by negative feedback " W.W. 54.6
June 1948) 208.
43. Bomberger, D. C. " Loudness control for reproducing systems " Audio Eng. 32.5 (May 1948) 11.
44. Bonaira-Hunt, N. " Direct-coupled amplifier " W.W. 54.7 (July 1948) 266.
45. Dahl, H. M. " RCcircuits as equalizers " Audio Eng. 32.6 (June 1948) 16.
46. Childs, P. A. " A9 Kc/s whistle filter " ElectronicEng. 20.248 (Oct. 1948) 320.
47. Gerry, C. C. " Feedback and distortion " W.W. 54.9 (Sept. 1948) 347.
48. Savory, W. A. " Design of audio compensation networks " Tele-Tech (1) 7 : 1 (Jan. 1948) 24
(2) 7 : 2 (Feb. 1948)27 j (3) 7 : 4 (April 1948) 34.
49. MitcheU, I. A. " circuit equalizer "
AF FM
and T. 8.6 (June 1948) 28.
50. Lurie, W. B. " Versatile tone control " Elect. 21.12 (Dec. 1948) 81.
51. Sturley, K. R. (book) " Radio Receiver Design " (Part 2) (Chapman and Hall, London, 1948)
41-55.
52.
app.
Bass boosting " Radiotronics No. 73 (February 1937) 14.
53. Lynch, W. A. " Video amplifier 1-f correction " Comm. 23.4 (April 1943) 16.
54. Scroggie, M. G. " Flexible tone control " W.W. 41.11 (Sept. 10th 1937) 263.
55. Cocking, W. T. " Tone control systems " W.W. 44.23 (June 8th 1939) 532.
56. Jaffe, D. L. " Paraphase bass-treble tone control " Radio 30.3 (March 1946) 17.
57. Rogers, G. L. " Simple re filters for phonograph amplifiers " Audio Eng. 31.5 (June 1947) 28.
58. " Radiotron receiver RC52," Radiotronics No. 117 (Jan. /Feb. 1946) 3.
59. " Applications of a Parallel-T network," A.R.T.S. and P. Bulletin No. 118 (Jan. 1942) 1.
60. " The design of high-pass filters for bass tone control " A.R.T.S. and P. Bulletin No. 117 (Dec.
1941) l7^
61. Callendar, M. V. " Problems in selective reception " Proc. I.R.E. 20.9 (Sept. 1932) 1427.
62. " Tone Compensation and tone control " A.R.T.S. and P. Bulletin Nos. 27 and 28 (April and May
1936).
63. " Tone control," review in W.W. 46.8 (June 1940) 314 ; British Patent No. 516286, June 20th 1938,
Milliard Radio Valve Co. Ltd. and R. G. Clark.
64. " Frequency compensation in audio amplifiers " Radiotronics No. 114 (July 1941) 43.
65. Gustafson, G. E., and J. L. Rennick " Low cost FM-AM
receiver circuit " Tele-Tech 7.10 (Oct.
1948) 36.
66. Austin, K. B. "A bass and treble booster " U.S. Patent No. 2,352,931 j Reviewed Radio Craft
16.4 (Jan. 1945) 230.
67. Williams, W. N. " Two high gain amplifier circuits " Radio and Hobbies, Australia (June 1942) 19.
68. Williams, W. N. " An 807 amplifier*' Radio and Hobbies, Australia (April 1947) 42.
69. Williams, W. N. " Using a new amplifier " Radio and Hobbies, Australia (April 1948) 49.
70. Williams, W. N. " A
new tone control unit " Radio and Hobbies, Australia (March 1949) 25.
71. Wolff, I., and J. I. Cornell " Acoustically compensated volume control " Elect. 6 (Jan. 1933) 50.
72. D'Oris, P. A., and R. de Cola " Bass compensation design chart " Elect. 10.10 (Oct. 1937) 38.
73. " A synthetic bass note circuit " Radio Electronics 20.1 (Oct. 1948) 37.
74. Childs, P. A. " A9 Kc/s whistle filter " Electronic Eng. 20.248 (Oct. 1948) 320.
75. Krauke, J. E. "
"
A 10 KC
suppressor " Radio News 37.3 (March 1947) 46.
76. James, E. J. Simple tone control circuit " W.W.55.2 (Feb. 1949) 48.
77. Sterling, H. T. " Flexible dual control system " Audio Eng. 33.2 (Feb. 1949) 11 ; letter J. J. Faran
33.6 (June 1949) 31.
78. Window, J. " Full-range loudness control " Audio Eng. 33.2 (Feb. 1949) 24.
79. Turner, J. W. " Construction details of a continuously variable loudness control " Audio Eng.
33.10 (Oct. 1949) 17.
80. Edwards, J., and T. J. Parker " An application of frequency selective negative feedback " Tele-
Tech 8.12 (Dec. 1949) 30. "
81. Osram Valve Technical Publication TP4 " Radio receiver for use with high fidelity amplifiers
(The General Electric Co. Ltd. of England).
82. Johnson, E. E. " A ^
continuously variable loudness control " Audio Eng. 34.12 (Dec. 1950) 18.
83. Nevin, R. B. " An effective frequency rejection circuit " Audio Eng. 35.2 (Feb. 1951) 20.
84. Fling, W. D. " Acontinuously variable equalizer " Audio Eng. 35.3 (March 1951) 16.
85. Dunn, S. C. (letter) " Twin-T circuits "W.E. 28.332 (May 1951) 162.
86. Van Scoyoc, J. N. " A
cross-coupled input and phase inverter circuit " Radio News 40.5 (Nov.
1948) 6.
87. Exley, baffles " W.W. 57.4 (Apr. 1951) 132.
K. A. " Bass without big Letters 57.7 (July 1951)
264 j 57.8 (Aug. 1951) 321 ; 57.9 (Sept. 1951) 369; 57.10 (Oct. 1951) 408.
88. Brooks, W. O. A
two-tap bass and treble compensated volume control Audio Eng. 35.8 (Aug.
1951) 15.
89. Toth, E. " The design of compensated volume controls " Audio Eng. (1 ) 36.1 (Jan. 1952) 13 ; ( 2)
36.2 (Feb. 1952)14.
90. Lavin, C. J. "A scratch filter
„...,..„
with continuously variable cut-off point" Audio Eng. 35.11 (Nov.
Section Page
1. General principles ... 679
2. Volume compression 681
3. Gain control devices 684
4. Volume expansion ... 686
5. Public address a.v.c. 693
6. Speech clippers 693
7. Noise peak and output limiters 694
8. References 699
(i) Introduction
The maximum volume range of any sound reproducer is the difference in decibels
between the maximum sound output and the level of masking by background noise
which lattermay include hum, random noise, needle scratch or microphone noise.
The volume range transmitted by a broadcast station may vary from a- low value
up 60 db for a F-M transmitter (F.C.C.), the value depending on the type
to at least
of programme. In the case of an A-M transmitter the maximum volume range is
—
about 50 db see Chapter 14 Sect. 7(iv).
If the original sound has a volume range greater than the maximum volume range
of the transmitter, it is usual to compress it in some way. The compression may be
accomplished manually by the control engineer, or automatically by a device known
as a peak limiter or a volume compressor.
A similar case arises with recorded music, where the maximum volume range may
be as low as 35 db for shellac lateral-cut disc records.
Many types of programme have a maximum volume range less than 35 db, and
therefore do not require compression. However, most broadcast transmitters have
an automatic peak limiter permanently operating, while it has even been found bene-
ficial to use volume compression in F-M broadcasting (Ref. 29).
If reproduced music is to have the same volume range as in its original form, some
kind of volume expander is required. But, as will be shown later, volume expansion
cannot be applied indiscriminately and cannot be perfect.
One advantage of the use of volume expansion is that it reduces the background
noise, other than room noise. This is a considerable advantage when the source is
a disc record.
A serious shortcoming of automatic volume expansion is that the circuit can never
duplicate the original volume range because it has no way of knowing what these
679
680 (i) INTRODUCTION 16.1
—
were it will make the loud portions louder and the soft portions softer,
original levels
but always by the same amount for a given input level. Thus the expander circuit
might increase every signal that is 10 db above the average volume level to 15 db above
the average, but the level in the studio might have been higher or lower than this.
The amplitude ratios of a soft and a loud note when rendered simultaneously can-
not be compressed or expanded by any system. If the loud note causes a certain
compression in the transmitter, the soft note will be compressed in the same ratio
and may fall below the noise level (Ref. 33).
References to General Principles : 3, 20, 29, 33, 34, 45, 48, 59.
(iv) Distortion
Apart from the harmonic and intermodulation distortion and extraneous noises
produced by the compressor and expander, which may be kept low by good design,
there are some special features which require consideration. Some of these are de-
scribed in Sect. 2(iv) in connection with volume compression.
(i) Introduction
In this Section it is intended to approach the subject from the point of view of the
radio receiver or amplifier designer.
Volume compressors may be divided into three groups :
S 1
i* Y Compr«t»ion
in db
.£
T Id ol
i
-J
gai n r«d uctio «
y c,-
T-
D
-1
2
A
6
ui
>
5
/
UI
O
/ 2 4
RfLA TiYB
6„ 8 IO
1*
12
PUT
14
LEVEL
16 10
4b
20 22 24 26
Some static limiter characteristics are shown in Fig. 16.1. Curve OA is the curve
of a linear amplifier. Curve OTD
is that of an " ideal " limiter, with point as T
the threshold of limiting. It will be seen that the output does not rise above a level
of 12 db, no matter how great the input may become.
Curve OTB is that of a practical peak limiter, the curve TB indicating by its slope
a compression ratio of 10 to 1 (both being measured in db). The compression in
db at any point is as indicated by the arrows.
Curve OC is that of a peak limiter having " over-control " (Refs. 36, 40, 44) which
does not exceed 100% modulation (line TD) until the compression reaches 12 db.
With peak limiters a volume expander cannot be used to give correct compensation
for the compression.
Most of the earlier and simpler forms of peak limiters have a comparatively slow
" attack " time, that is the time taken for the limiter to operate on a sudden increase
—
in input level usual times are 1 or 2 milliseconds. A slow attack time results in
overmodulation and distortion for short intervals following each transient. More
"
recent examples of good design (Refs. 36, 38, 40, 44, .63) claim to have " attack
times than 100 microseconds, while some (Refs. 36, 40, 44) incorporate a time
less
delay in the signal circuit which is claimed to permit almost instantaneous opera-
filter
tion. Tests have been carried out under dynamic conditions to demonstrate the
performance of various types of limiters (Refs. 4, 40, 63). It is good practice for the
" attack " time of a peak limiter to be less than 200 microseconds, while still shorter
times (e.g. 100 microseconds or less) are desirable.
The recovery times in most cases are manually controlled, with times up to 2 or
even 3 seconds, but automatic control has also been used to lengthen the recovery
time so as to avoid " pumping " when several programme peaks occur in rapid suc-
cession (Ref. 36). The recovery time is not made longer than necessary, since it
causes reduced modulation percentage.
One. design (Ref. 86) has a subsidiary series CR circuit that has only a slight effect
with a single sharp peak, thereby giving a fairly short recovery time (0.33 sec.) but
with a sustained peak the recovery time increases to 2 seconds.
If a fixed value of recovery time is used, the most suitable range is from 0.5 to 1.5
seconds, and " pumping
" may be avoided by restricting the limiting action to 4 or
16.2 (U) PEAK LIMITERS 683
(iii)Volume limiters
These are very similar in most respects to peak limiters, and the same general
remarks hold for both. Examples of volume limiters are Refs. 12, 29.
(C) Thump
Control current surges caused by rapid changes in input level may or may not be
audible as a thump. Careful design is necessary to reduce the trouble. One design
is claimed to have a very high signal/thump ratio (Refs. 36, 40, 44).
(E) "Pumping"
This has already been described above.
Volume compression is distinguished from limiting' in that it extends over the whole,
or a substantial part of, the entire operating range. The compression characteristic
may either be a straight line (A) or a smooth curve (B) shown typically in Fig. 16.2 ;
in both examples an input range of 60 db is compressed to an output range of 40 db.
684 (v) VOLUME COMPRESSION MJ
Either type of compression charac-
teristic may be used satisfactorily
in conjunction with an expander
provided that the expansion char-
acteristic is the inverse of the com-
pression characteristic.
36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 44, 63, 66, 69, 85, 89.
Gain control devices are used in both volume compressors and expanders to pro-
vide a gain which is a function of the input signal.
circuit using suitable selected remote cut-off pentodes, gives the most satisfactory
control performance. Thiscontrol stage must be followed by a " combining circuit
such as a push-pull transformer or centre-tapped-choke, either in the plate circuit
—
or in the following grid circuit the latter being preferable. See also remarks in
Sect. 4(iv).
16.3 (ii) PENTAGRIDS AND TRIODE-HEXODES 685
By this means the effective plate resistance with feedback becomes approximately
l/g m .Thus a valve with a range of mutual conductance from 2000 to 2 micromhos
may be used as a resistance varying from 500 to 500 000 ohms, The ratio between
output and. input voltages is given by
R L /(g mR R L +
l Ri + RL ).
FIG 16 4
.
With thevalues given in Fig. 16.3, a varia-
tion approaching 33 db is obtainable when
V x has
a maximum g m of 2000 micromhos
(Ref. 62). The dominant (second) harmonic
£60 distortion is less than 0.2% for an input
X voltage of 2 volts.
o
(i) Introduction
Volume expansion is very similar to volume compression, and the same control
methods are used for both, but the control voltage is of opposite polarity. In fact,
an expander /compressor may be designed with a switch to change from one to the
other (Pig. 16.14).
The desirable characteristics which a volume expander should have are :
4. The expansion should result in the upwards expansion of loud passages and the
downwards expansion of soft passages.
find lamps with characteristics suitable for all applications. It is not possible for the
listener to control either the amount of expansion or the time constant. The degree
of expansion falls rapidly as the operating level is reduced, and an appreciable amount
of expansion can only be achieved at maximum power output. The more complicated
designs overcome a few of these defects.
A lamp with a 40 mA
current has an attack time of about 30 milliseconds and a
recovery time of about 150 milliseconds (Ref. 45).
Fig. 16.5. Simplest form of volume Fig. 16.6. Bridge type of volume
expander using a lamp expander using lamps.
FIG. 16.7
Expanders incorporating
(iv)
"a " °
©
remote cut-off pentodes
This is the oldest type of volume
expander and a very satisfactory one,
the valves being types suitable for
use as i-f amplifiers or audio a.v.c.
stages in receivers. It is possible
to obtain a good control characteris-
tic and any reasonable degree of
expansion, to provide independent
volume and expansion controls, and
to arrange the time constants of the
circuit to give the desired attack and
recovery times. In order to avoid
non-linear distortion, the controlled ©
stages should operate with input
voltages not greater than 0.15 volt,
with a load resistance of 50 000
ohms. The controlled stages are
nearly always arranged in push-pull
— this eliminates even harmonic
distortion and reduces intermodula-
tion distortion. Push-pull opera-
tion is particularly valuable in re-
ducing " thump " with large tran-
sients ; it also reduces any residual
Fig. 16.9. Volume expander using negative
ripple that may come through from feedback {A) amplifier (£) circuit for supply-
;
the rectifier. A further advantage ing control bias to the" amplifier {Refs. 22, 24).
of push-pull operation is that cath- V = V = V = V = SP41
x t 3 t ; V, and V t
J^T
Fig. 16.10. Volume expander incorporating remote cut-off pentodes {Ref. 23).
Controls- = balance, B = volume, C = input level, D = expansion, E = time
constant.
may be omitted, thus eliminating time delay in the adjustment of electrode voltages.
Valves used in each push-pull pair must be very carefully matched for plate current and
mutual conductance at several points over the operating range of grid bias voltages.
Owing to the limited input-voltage which may be used, there should be one voltage
amplifier stage between the controlled stage and the power amplifier.
An example of good design is Fig. 16.10 (Ref. 23). The minimum attack time is
about 10 milliseconds and the recovery time of the order of 1 second. The expansion
curve (db versus voltage) is approximately linear up to a d.c. control voltage of 20
volts, which gives 10 db expansion. The 6SC7 stage is common to both sections.
The 6SK7 push-pull stage is the controlled stage ; this is followed by the 6N7 voltage
amplifier stage which is coupled to the 6V6-GT power amplifier. The signal to feed
the rectifier is taken from the plate circuit of the 6SC7 stage, amplified in two stages
(6F8-G), the second being a cathode follower, and rectified by the 6H6. The direct
voltage from the 6H6 filter circuit is applied to the signal grids of the 6SK7 valves.
In any expander of this general type, whatever may be the method of controlling
the gain, it is necessary to prevent the transients in the output of the individual ex-
pander valves from becoming so large as to cut off the following stage. This can be
accomplished by transformer coupling, by a direct-coupled phase inverter (as in
Fig. 16.13) or by the use of low values of load resistances and coupling capacitances
(as Fig. 16.10). With the third method it is necessary to incorporate an equalizing
network to give a flat overall frequency response.
Refs. 22 (Part 1), 23.
LjUTrS *
?**?-
YAW t *.
ton*
I
ff I 1 * t 1
FAST ISLO*
S&oL
Fie 16 12.
' Single-ended surgeless volume expander incorporating suppressor-grid
control (Ref. 27).
16.4 (vii) EXPANDERS INCORPORATING VALVES WITH FIVE GRIDS 691
Fig. 16.13. Volume expander incorporating push-pull 6L7 control valves (Ref. 21).
TIME CONSTANT
, „ CONTROL
COMPRESS
AGC CONTROL
FIG 16.15
_ 10,0000.
O * *WW « YW i.
Fig. 16.15. Volume expander incorporating plate resistance control (Ref. 43).
far enough in phase to increase appreciably the peak amplitude of the wave. At the
bass end, satisfactory results are obtained if the response following the clipper stage
is attenuated 3 db or less.
The Plex amplifier (Ref. 37, Fig. 3) is capable of 20 db p|eak clipping before the
distortion becomes serious. The average increase in; power level is about 12 db.
An alternative design of speech clipper incorporated in a speech amplifier is given
in Fig. 2 of Ref. 28.
FIG. 16.16
Fig. 16.16. Simple form of speech clipper suitable for an amateur transmitter.
The 3.75 H choke must have low d.c. resistance and good a-f characteristics (Ref. 28).
A much simpler form of speech clipper, but one good enough for use with amateur
transmitters, is shown in Fig. 16.16 (Ref. 28).
" Infinite " peak clipping has been used successfully, giving articulation from 50
to 90%. If preceded and followed by suitable frequency-tilting filters, the articu-
lation may with a quality sounding very much like normal speech.
reach 97% See
Chapter 14 Sect, Ref. 71 of this chapter.
ll(ii), also
References to speech clippers 28, 37, 63, 71.
:
General remarks.
(i) Introduction
Limiters are restrictive devices to mitigate the effects' of undesired electrical dis-
PIG. '16717
turbances of an impulsive nature
such as static and ignition noise
on the output of an A-M re-
ceiver.
precaution.
A circuit giving lower hum is
HEATER BUS
(B) Series-type noise limiter
In
with threshold adjust-
ment
this form the limiter thres-
I ?
hold can be varied from about
65% modulation down to sub-
stantially zero, on half of the
modulation cycle (Fig. 16.19).
Diode P 3 may be added to buck
the thermionic potential of the
limiter diode and thereby im-
prove the effectiveness at low "6 ±
carrier levels ; this is at the cost
of increased distortion.
Fig. 16.18. Hum-reduction version of simple series
limiter with equivalent circuit to show bridge con'
figuration (Ref. 30).
our -4-
Fig. 16.19. Series-type noise limiter with threshold adjustment
(Ref. 30).
696 (ii) (C) LOW-LOSS SERIES-TYPE NOISE LIMITER 16.7
FIG. 16. 20
u
C| lOO^f
©:SECON0
OETECTOR
-K
50.000 IOO.OOO 400.000
—Wft^- -*N+/*- -*W- Fig. 16.20. Low-loss series
R3
, linriter. (Ref. 30).
B 4 500,000
CsstOOl C2
II—
^
Ol
02 ; 500,000
C4
-tt-
LIMITER
*6
150,000
^&.
R|
C1C2
220/*l:T220/rFJ
47.000
*2 1
fi.
Ccspoom*
FIG. 16.23
Fig. 16.23. Balancing-type noise limiter Fig. 16.24. Triode shunt-type noise
(Ref. 30). limiter (Ref. 30).
82.000
for the values shown. This form is R4 220,000
FROM FIRST
I-F AMPLIFIER
SECOND iiiii)
AVC DIODE
SYSTEM AND
SECOND NOISE
LIMITER
AMPLIFIER
l-F AMP
"\M
R-F
TO SECOND
DETECTOR
CHOKE
FIRST NOISE
On
LIMITER
AMPLIFIER
1 50 HnF
r
>600A X-OSfjF
J_-'
vww-
•IMA
"5 O •os^
Fig. 16.27. Degenerative noise limiter, acting between first and second i-f stages
{Ref. 30).
?IG 16. 28
V2 (6K6-GT)
A-F OUTPUT AMP
OOI
INPUT FROM "'
DETECTOR OR
1ST A-F
AMPLIFIER
SECTION 8 : REFERENCES
1. McProud, C. G. " Volume expansion with a triode " Elect. 13.8 (Aug. 1940) 17.
2.
3.
—
Schrader, H. J. U.S. Patent 2,343,207 (1944) Improved voltage limiter.
" Contrast expansion etc." (letters) A. H. King W.W. 48.12 (Dec. 1942) 290 ; J. R. Hughes 49.1
(Jan. 1943) 29 j J. Moir 49.3 (Mar. 1943) 92 ; D. T. N. Williamson, W.W. 49.5 (May 1943) 151 ;
J. R. Hughes 49.8 (Aug. 1943) 240 ; C. E. G. Bailey 49.10 (Oct. 1943) 313 ; J. R. Hughes 49.12
(Dec. 1943) 382 ; A. A. Tomkins 50.5 (May 1944) 152.
4. Hilliard, J. K. " A limiting amplifier with peak control action" Comm. 23.5 (May 1943) 13.
5. Lewis, R. " A. peak-limiting amplifier for recording " Q.S.T. 27.9 (Sept. 1943) 26. Letter 28.8
(Aug. 1944) 55.
7. Williamson,
delays " W.W.
D. T. N. " Contrast expansion unit
49.9 (Sept. 1943) 266. Corrections
—W.W.
design giving unequal pick-up
49.10 (Oct. 1943) 315.
and decline
9. Miller, B. F. " Sibilant speech sounds " Electronic Eng. 16.185 (July 1943) 69.
10. Williamson, D. T. N. " Further notes on the contrast expansion unit " W.W.
49.12 (Dec. 1943) 375.
12. Herrick, G. Q. " Volume compressor for radio stations " Elect. 16.12 (Dec. 1943) 135.
13. Felix, O. "
M. New —
contrast expansion circuit applying the principle of the cathode follower"
Newman 505 (May 1944) 152
W.W. 50.3 (March 1944) 92. Letters W. C. ; D. T. N. Williamson
50.6 (June 1944) 187.
14. " Simple volume expander " Australasian Radio World (April 1944) 11 based on R.C.A.
circuits —
(E. W. Herold) Patent 264, 942 (March 30, 1939) U.S.A.
16. —
Ingham, W. E., and A. Foster " Variable contrast expansion control of contrast range without
change of average level " W.W. 50.8 (Aug. 1944) 243.
17. —
Roddam, T. " New thoughts on volume expansion contrast should be proportional to size of room "
W.W, 50.9 (Sept. 1944) 286.
18. Cosens, C. R. "RF volume expansion" W.W. 50.12 (Dec. 1944) 381.
19. Hansen, I. C. " Contrast without distortion " Australasian Radio World (April 1945) 15.
20. Crane, R. W. " Suggestions for design of volume expanders " Elect. 18.5 (May 1945) 236.
21. —
Weidemann, H. K. " A volume expander for audio amplifiers reducing time constant for more
rapid response" Q.S.T. 29.8 (Aug. 1945) 19.
22. —
White, J. G. " Contrast expansion the use of negative feedback ; its advantages over earlier
methods " W.W. 51.9 (Sept. 1945) 275 ; 51.10 (Oct. 1945) 309 with bibliography.
23. Ehrlich, R. W. " Volume expander design " Elect. 18.12 (Dec. 1945) 124.
24. White, J. G. " Contrast expansion—some practical results using negative feedback " W.W. 52.4
(April 1946) 120.
25. Moses, R. C. " A
volume expander compressor preamplifier" Radio News 35.6 (June 1946) 32.
27. Butz, A. N. " Surgeless volume expander " Elect. 19.9 (Sept. 1946) 140.
28. Smith, J. W., and N. H. Hale " Speech clippers for more effective modulation" Comm. 26.10
(Oct 1946) 20.
^
S
79 '
^J^ifS8',^ \l',Y?1ume compression for E
broadcasting—Raytheon volume limiter " F.M. and FM
T. 6.9 (Sept. 1946) 28. ,
30. Toth, E. "Noise and output limiters " Elect. (1) 19.11 (Nov. 1946) 114 : (2) 19.12 (Dec. 1946) 120.
8"*
f^ H
- «., and H. S. PoUock, " Compression with feedback " Elect. 13.2 (Feb. 1940) 19
Ii"
!?•
33. Sl??
rhol s
} «''r
- ' C W
Philips, "Volume expansion" Philips Tec. Com. 77 (Sept. /Oct. 1940).
A
hisih fidelity peak-limiting amplifier" Q.S.T. 28.5 (May 1944) 19.
34. rlennquez, V. C. "-Compression and expansion in transmission sound " Philips Tec.
Rev. 3. 7
(July 1938) 204.
35 '
" Application Note on xhc 6L7 ** a volume expander for phonographs " No. 53 (Nov. 27,
*hn^'
36. Maxwell, D. E. "Automatic gain-adjusting amplifier " Tele-Tech 6.2 (Feb. 1947) 34.
5o
an
«f ' " ' .
MH
The th?ory and design of speech clipping circuits " Tele-Tech 6.5 (May 1947) 62.
38. I^eUgoyerrung audio.amplifier " (W.E. model 1126C) Tele-Tech. 6.8 (Aug. 1947) 67.
39. Jurek,W.M andJ.H. Guenther " Automatic Gain Control and Limiting
AmpUfier " Elect. 20.9.
(aept. 1947) 94.
*°- 1 e E' " Dynamic Performance of peak-limiting amplifiers " Proc. I.R.E. 35.11 (Nov.
t£m i349'
41 " >X C G * '
" Ejtperimental voIume expander and scratch suppressor " Audio Eng. 31.7 (Aug.
*l94Ti Vi
42. Johnson, M. P. " Multi-purpose audio amplifier "Audio Eng. 31.7 (Aug.
1947) 20.
43. Pickering, N. C. High fidelity volume expander " Audio Eng. 31.8 (Sept. 1947) 7.
(Jul
1
'
1Q4T> 17
M ' Leeds " Performance and use of limiting amplifiers " Audio Eng. 31.6
45. Korn, T. S. " Dynamic sound reproduction " Elect. 21.7 (July 1948) 166.
Titans, A. A. " Surgeless volume expansion " W.W. 54.6 (June 1948) 234. Correction 54.9
laept. 1948) 347.
48. Tillson, B. J. " Musical acoustics," Part 5, Audio Eng. 31.9 (Oct. 1947) 25.
50. Weeden, W. N. Simplified volume expansion " W.W. 38.17 (24th April 1936) 407.
a ner'
5 R " H,J "",'• T - Dicldns " Inexpensive volume expansion " W.W. 38.21 (22nd May 1936)
5
52. Tanner, R. H. " Lamps for volume expansion " W.W. 39.7 (14th August 1936) 146.
53. payers, G. Notes on contrast expansion" W.W. 39.12 (18th Sept. 1936) 313.
n' W m
JiPProving the simplified volume expander "
kk
22' « N « Contrast amplification ; a new development " W.W.
aen» w> CT
'f2*
-
40.3 (15th Jan. 1937) 68.
W.W. 39.25 (18th Dec. 1936) 636.
ontrast ejtr>ansion unit " W.W. 41.24 (9th Dec. 1937) 590.
.
fS" «
S* c Contrast expansion unit ; a correction " W.W. 41.25 (16th Dec. 1937) 621.
,555P£i?' J* Low distortion volume expansion using negative feedback " W.E. 15.174 (March
1938) 143.
59.Amos, S. W. " Distortion in radio receivers " Electronic Eng. 14.169 (March 1942) 686.
ht
aV B«ber, -bulb „^
volume expander " Elect. 9.3 (March 1936) 9.
A. W. " Plate resistance control in vacuum tubes as audio gain control means " Comm.
l/.lO (VXt. 1937) 23.
63 ' N C Norman " Program-operated level-governing amplifier " Proc. I.R.E. 29.11
O^v l<94Li's?a
* '
64. Sinnett, C. M. " Practical volume expansion " Elect. 8.11 (Nov.
1935) 14.
65. Paro, H. Pubhc address avc " Elect. 10.7 July 1937) 24.
66. Cook, E, G. " A
low distortion limiting amplifier " Elect, 12.6 (June 1939) 38.
2o »*
68. Wheeler, L. &ET V "Contrast
J.
~' Volume compressors
««
sound recording " Jour. S.M.P.E. 52.1 (Jan. 1949) 49.
expansion" W.W. 55.6 (June 1949) 211.
for,
69. Singer, K. High quality recording electronic mixer" Jour. S.M.P.E. 52.6 (June 1949) 676.
p«selection of variable gain tubes for compressors " Jour. S.M.P.E. 52.6 (June 1949)
Ofcf"'
71. Ucklider, J. C R, and
Pollack "Effects of differentiation, integration and infinite peak cappme
I. clipping
„ SJP£VHr!?W£ S;,of>Pee?h "
a W Acous Soc J- A™- 20-i (Jan?1948) 42.
i *
£ /
A t**^ G51501 (Amalgamated Wireless
e
£.' i?-?F fi J V olumc
-
v A
-
Australasia Ltd.).
"
Junker for leased-line service Bell Lab. Rec. 23.3 (March 1945) 72.
-
aH^T' J- K.
W
. T.T
The
(March 1943) 143.
variable-density film recording system used at studios " Jour. S.M.P.E. MGM
75 '
%$%'£•
o.Al.r.H. 39
Eliinina
Fa (NOV.
)L
n
1942) 317.
^ ^t
re,ative spectral energy distortion in electronic compressors "
Jour.
76. Smith, W. W. " Premodulation speech clipping and filtering " Q.S.T. 30.2 (Feb. 1946) 46.
'
S DOt overnlodulate—it isn't necessary " Q.S.T. 30.11 (Nov.
1946TM
78. Smith, W. W. ''More on speech clipping " Q.S.T. 31.3 (March 1947) 18.
79. Mather, N.W." Clipping and clamping circuits" Elect. 20.7 (July 1947) 111.
80. Kryter, K. D., J.C. R. Locklider and S. S. Stevens " Premodulation clipping
mumcation " J. Acous. Soc. Am. 19.1 (Jan. 1947) 125. ~ voice com-
««* *•«"» v* •* in AM
ii*
82.
WmWer » M
R " Instantaneous deviation control " Elect. 22.9 (Sept. 1949) 97.
- -
U.S. patent appln. 793,916—H. E. Haynes, Variable gain amplifier (RCV 11688).
83. U.S. patent appln. 794,050—H. J. Woll Variable gain systems (RCV 11504).
84. U.S. patent appln. 768,319—W. W. H. Dean Peak clipper and indicator therefor (RCA 25944).
85. Hathaway, J. L. Automatic audio gain controls " Audio Eng. (1) 34.9 (Sept. 1950) 16
; (2) 34.10
,
86 '
r G A
' '
" Performance anA operation of a new limiting amplifier " Audio Eng. 34.11 (Nov.
^9?§ri 'l
87 ' Havn 8.',?- " New principle for electronic volume compression" Jour. S.M.P.T.E. 58.2 (Feb.
5 ?,•
1952) 137. Reprinted Radiotronics 17.8 (Aug. 1952) 136.
Additional references will be found in the Supplement commencing en page 1475.
CHAPTER 17
1. Magnetic recording includes magnetic wire and magnetic tape. See Refs.
258 (Chapter 29), 272, 316, 318.
2. Sound on film finds its principal application in cinema films. The Philips-
Miller engraved film system is used to a limited extent for broadcast transcription.
Film is also used for embossed lateral recording for some special applications. The
high cost of the film precludes the use of this medium in most other fields. See
Ref. 258.
3. Mechanical groove recording is used in various forms including
(a) the cylinder (e.g. dictaphone)
(b) the disc, which is the only type of recording considered in this chapter.
1. Vertical recording (" hill and dale "), which has had only a limited field of
application, and appears unlikely to be used extensively in the future.
2. Lateral recording which is the method used most generally, and is the subject
of this chapter.
Lateral recording is used with five types of discs —
(a) The 78 r.p.m, " shellac " pressings,
(b) The 33-1/3 r,p.m. fine groove, otherwise known as microgroove or long-
playing (LP) records,
(c) The 45r.p.m. fine groove records,
(d) Lacquerdiscs used for direct playback— see Sect. 8,
(e) Discs used principally for broadcast transcription recording, usually operated
at 33-1/3 r.p.m.— see Sect. 9.
701
—
Ma*. Slope
t
Peak Amplitude */
7 __jsk_i_^/zr.
/Peak t
\\
/ Amplitude A //
Centre line of
Groove *- WAVELENGTH
x *
Fig. 17.1. Unmodulated (left) and modulated (right) groove of lateral recording.
Fig.17.2. Motion of stylus tip with lateral recording.
If the recorded sound is of sine-wave form, the maximum transverse velocity of the
stylus tip will occur at O B
and zero velocity will occur at and B', the two extremities
of travel. This
an example of simple harmonic motion (see Chapter 6 Sect. 4).
is
The maximum transverse velocity is 2-nfA where / is the frequency in c/s and A is
the peak amplitude. The r.m.s. transverse velocity is given by 1.41 vfA.
The recorded level may be specified in terms of r.m.s. velocities at 1000 c/s,
or in decibels with a reference level db = 1 cm/sec. lateral r.m.s. stylus velocity.
The following tables are based on this usage.
(A) 78 r.p.m. —Cross-over frequency — 500 c/s
Velocity Peak Comments
Level r.m.s. amplitude'"
+ 10 db 3.16 cm/sec 0.56 mil R.M.A. Frequency Test Record No. 1(A)
+ 16 db 6.31 cm/sec 1.1 mils \R.M.A. Frequency Test Record No. 1(B)
+ 18 db 7.94 cm/sec 1.4 mils j max. velocity (1000 c/s).
+ 22 db 12.6 cm/sec 2.2 mils
+ 26.8 db 22 cm/sec 3.8 mils Max. instantaneous programme peak.
* Over constant amplitude portion.
—
. Max. Slop*
/-T"
^\>" f .if
u
/ J\ ^\*~f
/ \ -2f
/^ o
3 1/ \ j \
A
/ \ / -1 i
a.
2
•<
I
1
\ t
\/ j
Fig. 17.3. Diagram of constant velocity recording for two frequencies f and 2/.
Fig. 17.4. Diagram of constant amplitude recording for two frequencies f and 2f.
It may be shown that constant velocity recording has the following characteristics
for constant power at all frequencies
1. The peak amplitude is inversely proportional to the frequency.
2. The maximum slope of the curve is the same for all frequencies.
In the general case when the power is changing, the maximum velocity at any fre-
quency is proportional to the peak amplitude. With an " ideal " electro-magnetic
pickup, which inherently follows a constant velocity characteristic, the output voltage
for sine waveform is proportional to the maximum velocity at all frequencies.
Constant velocity recording is not suitable for use over a very wide frequency ratio,
owing to the large variation in peak amplitudes. For example, over a range of 8
octaves the ratio of maximum to minimum amplitude is 256 to 1.
" Constant amplitude " recording indicates that the maximum amplitude is
held constant when the frequency changes, for constant power output (Fig. 17.4).
It may be shown that the maximum slope is proportional to the frequency.
Constant amplitude recording is very suitable for low frequencies, but is not satis-
factory with large amplitudes at the highest audio frequencies because the transverse
velocity of the needle tip becomes excessive, leading to distortion in recording and in
reproducing. On the other hand, constant velocity recording is satisfactory over a
P =
0.025 A V^4 (1)
where p —
radius of curvature in inches
A =
wavelength of sine-wave curve in inches
and A =
peak amplitude of curve in inches.
Equation (1) may also be put into the form
A =
0.025 X«/p. (2)
Any stylus is unable to fit accurately an undulation in the groove with a radius of
curvature at the point of contact less than its own radius of curvature. Wemay there-
fore apply eqn. (2), taking p as the radius of curvature of the stylus, to give the maxi-
mum amplitude (called the critical amplitude) for correct operation,
A tTU =
0.025 A 2 /p (3)
where p =
radius of curvature of stylus, in inches.
But since the r.m.s. transverse velocity is equal to 1.41 irfA we can determine the
critical velocity in cm/sec,
Critical velocity rm.s. = 11.3 fA„ it cm/sec (4)
where A„ i% = critical amplitude in inches.
35 db. The most recent English shellac pressings have a maximum signal to noise
ratio* of 50 db (Ref. 88) for a new record. The best of recent American 78 r.p.m.
shellac recordings have a maximum signal to noise ratio* of 45 or 46 db when new
(Refs. 255, 254). The average post-war shellac record, taking into account all the
various types of records on the market, both English and American, has a rrjaxinyirn
signal to noise ratio* of about 38 db (Ref. 256).
A new vinyl fine groove record can have an average surface noise, measured on a
system whose response is flat on a velocity basis from 500 to 10 000 c/s, about 56 db
below the peak recording level ; if measured on a system whose response is the inverse
of the recording characteristic, the surface noise is approximately 62 db below peak
recording level. The B.B.C " D
Channel " recording has a weighted signal to noise
ratio greater than 60 db (Ref. 297).
The surface noise increases with the use of the record. After 100 playings with a
2 ounce pickup some shellac records showed negligible increase in noise level while
others showed 5 db increase, the average being about 2.5 db (Ref. 181). After 200
playings of a fine groove vinyl record (LP) the surface noise increased by 2 db (Ref.
308),
The cost factor limits the use of polyethylene (Ref. 181) which has a scratch level
even lower than that of vinyl. See also Sect. 9Cii) for the measurement of noise in
accordance with NAB
standards for transcription records.
(v) Processing
The processing of shellac pressings is described in Refs. 7, 10 and 25. The pro-
cessing of vinyl (LP) records is described in Ref. 308.
the advantage of not requiring adjustments for different inside diameters. It has the
disadvantage of requiring, in most designs, that the stylus, cartridge and arm operate a
spring tension as they move inwards. This presses the stylus against the outside wall
of the grooves and tends to produce differential wear as well as other undesirable
effects.
The second type of trip mechanism operates when the stylus reaches a specific inside
diameter, and the eccentricity of the inside groove has no effect. The disadvantage
of this arrangement is that there are large differences in the inside diameters of the
various types of records, so that an adjustable (preferably continuously-variable)
control is required. This method is used in 45 r.p.m. record changers, where there
is no eccentric inside groove.
The name vinyl is a general name coveting unfilled vinyl co-polymer resins, which may vary somewhat
in their physical characteristics.
o
CO
omm
c* -h
©
o
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00
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a 1 a a
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——
•021 iooi—. |
-030 ±-oo/
Fig. 17.5A. Cross-
sectioned view of R.C.A. „., .
Oait-oo>*—
,.,., ^> frrr
, , ,r~* n
, I
: i
WmoxJ
i. yyiv ,
O30+-00*
I
7 inch 45 r.p.m. record "| f |
1**
(Ref. 254). 3%%
Record to be -ooo to -oo* thicker at outer
FIG. I7.5A (a^ ( °' raited portion than ot inner cage.
The cross-sectional view of a record is shown in Fig. 17.5A. The outermost music
groove is 6f inch diameter, while the innermost music groove is 4.875 inches mini-
—
mum diameter the latter gives 10% intermodulation distortion and a groove velocity
of 11.5 inches per second.
The maximum playing time is 5£ minutes. A
lead-in groove extends from the
edge of the record and makes from 1 to 1 ± turns before entering the first music pitch.
There are from 1 to 1 J turns of unmodulated music pitch before the start of music.
There is from to J turn of unmodulated music pitch at the end of music. The
*For R.C.A. 45 r.p.m. Extended Play records see Supplement.
17.2 (ii) DIMENSIONS OF RECORDS AND GROOVES 709
lead-out groove makes from i to li rums from the music pitch to 1-15/16 inch radius,
beyond which it makes from 1 to 2 turns to the concentric circle (3-13/16 inch dia-
meter).
The central hole is 1.504 ±
0.002 inches in diameter.
References 254, 263, 264, 265.
(10 in.)
— 9-15/32 t
°
/64 in .
References to L-P microgroove : 159, 166, 178, 179, 232, 236, 255, 262.
(iii) Styli
(A) Styli used with shellac pressings are in five principal groups :
(1) steel needles which are ground to shape by the abrasive in the
Ordinary
record. The exact shape of the needle point when new is not so important as with
permanent or semi-permanent styli. For examples of record wear see Ref. 10 Part 4.
Semi-permanent needles such as chromium plated steel. The needle shape
(2)
isimportant and " shadow-graph " needles are recommended. For the best results
these should not be used for more than one playing of a 12 inch shellac record (for
photograph of wear see Ref. 274). Alloys such as osmium are also used.
'Columbia only.
—
(3) " Permanent " styli employ a jewel such as a diamond, sapphire or ruby,
usually in the form of a jewel tip. The tips of permanent needles should be accurately
ground to shape, and highly polished. Diamond tipped needles have a life of several
thousands of playings of shellac records for good fidelity. Tungsten carbide is also
used. For stylus wear see Sect. 2(vi).
(4) Fibre needles are used by some enthusiasts in the belief that they reduce
scratch and record wear. While it is true that they reduce scratch they do so by
attenuating all the higher frequencies, and they do this no more efficiently than an
electrical attenuator. The attenuation of a fibre needle at 4000 c/s is 19 db down
as compared with a loud tone steel needle in a typical pickup (Ref. 7). After the first
few grooves they wear sufficiently to occupy the whole of the groove and thereby
spread the weight of a heavy, stiff pickup of old design. If such pickups are used,
contrary to all good advice, then fibre needles are possibly the best compromise be-
cause a soft needle damps down the pronounced high-frequency resonance of the
pickup. There is evidence to indicate that abrasive particles from the record become
embedded in the fibre and thereby cause wear, even though the fibre itself is softer
than the record. With modern pickups having light weight and high lateral and
vertical compliance the wear from a well polished sapphire point is undoubtedly
less than that from a fibre needle.
For photographs of new and worn fibre needles see Ref. 274.
(5) Thorn needles are very much harder than fibre, but the amount of needle
wear is very much dependent upon the pickup compliance and stylus force. With
suitable lightweight pickups, the needle wear is reasonable up to 6 playings (Ref 309),
but some loss of high frequency response is inevitable If sharpened with the use of
very fine glasspaper, there is risk of glass dust becoming embedded in the needle
this danger may be avoided by the use of a very fine rotary cutting wheel (Ref. 309,
April 1951).
Since thorn needles are normally in contact with the whole of the bottom of the
groove, they will tend to remove all dust from the groove. It therefore seems pro-
bable that the noise from a record which has been played exclusively with thorn
needles will be no greater at the bottom of the groove than on the sides.
Fine point thorn needles have also been used with fine groove (LP) records
(Ref. 309).
The shape of the stylus tip to give optimum results with most English and
American recordings may be taken as (RTMA Standard REC-126-A, Ref. 260) :
at right angles to the centre-line of the groove, and will permit better response to high-
amplitude high-frequency recordings.
The N.A.B. " secondary standard " stylus (permanent point) has an angle of 40°
to 55° and a bottom radius of 2.5 ±0.1 mils. It provides a compromise suitable
for the reproduction of both transcriptions and shellac discs.
The use of larger styli (radius 4 mils) is advocated by some engineers (Refs. 223, 225)
but it does not appear to be the best all-round compromise.
Needles are made in various sizes. The ordinary steel needles used in mechanical
reproducers are used in the stiff heavy weight pickups whose frequency response
"
does not exceed about 6000 c/s ; they are also used in some " needle armature
"
pickups. For the best high frequency response the " loud tone " or " full tone
needles should be used, because of their smaller size and weight. " Soft tone " and
" trailing " needles (as used with acetate discs) cause severe treble attenuation when
used with typical pickups. Most light weight pickups with a frequency response
extending to 10 000 c/s or over use miniature needles to enable the armature resonance
to be at a high frequency. A
typical example is the H.M.V. Silent Stylus or Columbia
99 (chromium-plated long-playing). Thorn needles are also made of similar size.
Efforts have been made to develop a stylus tip suitable for both 78 r p.m and fine
groove (see Refs. 279, 281) but a considerable degree of compromise is necessary
and the best results are not obtainable from either type of recording.
(B) Styli for fine groove records
—
With a few exceptions, all styli for fine groove records are permanent types usually
jewels. Diamond tips are the only really satisfactory ones for long life, although
expensive to purchase in the first case. Sapphire tips are very common,
—
but wear rather rapidly see Sect. 2(vi) for stylus wear. Other materials used are
tungsten carbide, osmium and other metal alloys.
Dimensions of styli for fine groove records
(RTMA Standard REC-126-A, Ref. 260, for home phonographs)
Radius of tip 0.001 +
0.0001 —0.0002 inch
Included angle of tip 40° to 50°.
Note : With a 90° groove angle, a tip with a radius of 0.001 inch has an effective
radius of 0.0007 at the point of contact.
(C) Colour codes for styli
1. RTMA REC-126-A for home phonographs (Ref. 260). Needles with a 0.001
inch radius shall be colour coded red.
2. English Gramophone Equipment Panel of the Radio and Electronic Component
Manufacturers' Federation (Jan. 1951). Red—0.0010 in.; lemon—0.0020 in.;
— — —
green 0.0025 in. ; french blue 0.0030 in. ; orange 0.0035 in j violet universal —
—
sky blue oval tip. Material (marked by band on shaft) black—hard metal ; white
diamond ; no colour —sapphire.
(iv) Pinch effect
Owing to the fart that the cutting is done by a stylus having an effectively flat cutting
face, the width of the groove measured at right angles to the groove is narrower at two
places in each cycle (see Sect. 6). As a result of this effect, the stylus tip should rise
—
and fall twice in each cycle only a limited number of pickups, however, make ade-
quate provision for this movement.
The flexibility of the stylus, if mounted at an acute angle to the record, together
with that of the record itself, tends to prevent the needle from riding merely the peaks
of the vertical undulations. The pinch effect undoubtedly increases needle wear
and possibly also record wear (Ref. 212).
Various forms of "bent shank" needles have been developed to provide some
vertical compliance. All " bent shank " needles tend to give a drooping high-fre-
quency response the amount of which varies considerably from one make to another ;
it may, of course, be compensated if desired,
(v) Radius compensation
Radius compensation does not appear to be used with shellac discs, although it
is used with LP discs (R.C A. Victor) and in transcription discs.
:
the groove. At this point with a pickup having low stylus force, the wear apparently
stops. This wear does not produce any apparent change in quality of the reproduced
sound, although it can be seen as a light streak on the surface of the record. Both
lateral and vertical forces-must be considered in producing the wear (Ref. 155). Where-
ever there is excessive stylus wear, it is always accompanied by excessive record wear.
It is important to distinguish between visible wear and audible wear. Visible
wear does not necessarily cause any audible defect. It is possible that visible wear
may occur earlier with a diamond tip, but audible wear, which is caused by actual
widening of the groove at corners, will occur far more rapidly with a worn sapphire
or metal tip. The flats on the sides act as scrapers in attempting to negotiate sharp
bends in the record groove. A well polished spherical diamond or sapphire tip is
believed to cause less record wear than a metal alloy tip.
2 mil flats after 750 playings LThe effect of flats on distortion is covered
2.5 mil flats after 1500 playings J in Sect 6(iv)-
-
It is obvious that this pickup produces much greater wear than the one with high
lateral and compliance (GP20) described earlier. It is probable that the
vertical
greater wear is due principally to the lower lateral and vertical compliance, although
the increased stylus force would also be a contributing factor.
Some excellent photographs of stylus wear are given in Refs. 274 and 290.
The use of a test record at, say, 10 000 c/s to indicate wear of the stylus tip requires
careful interpretation of the results. The level of recording of the test record is lower
than that which may be reached with music, while the effect of wear of the stylus tip
is shown less prominently towards the outer diameter of the record than it would be
with a smaller groove diameter.
It is wise to avoid using sapphire or other permanent stylus tips on records which
have been played previously with steel needles. For a photograph of wear after 20
playings under such conditions see Ref. 274.
—
SECTION 3 : PICKUPS
(i) General survey (ii) Electro-magnetic {moving iron) pickups (Hi) Dynamic
(moving coil) pickups (iv) Piezo-electric (crystal) pickups (v) Magnetostriction pickups
(vi) Strain-sensitive pickups (vii) Ribbon pickups (viii) Capacitance pickups (ix)
Eddy-current pickups.
Pickups which have sufficient vertical compliance are sometimes fitted with needle
guards to reduce or prevent damage to the pickup from accidentally dropping it.
Pickup manufacturers sometimes quote the minimum vertical stylus force to pro-
vide perfect tracking. It is generally regarding as sound practice to adopt a stylus
force at least 1.5 times this minimum value, thus making some provision for warped
and eccentric records.
For stylij see Sect. 2(iii).
Single purpose pickups for home Use often incorporate a fixed spring counter-
balance. Dual purpose pickups usually apply a higher stylus pressure for 78 r.p.m.
than for fine groove records. In some cases the pickup head (or cartridge) includes
the additional weight for 78 r.p.m., in other cases this is provided by an adjustment
of spring tension or by a counterbalancing weight.
It is desirable in all cases to keep the moment of inertia about both vertical and hori-
zontal pivots to a minimum.
Where a spring counterbalance is used, it should be checked periodically for pres-
sure ; during weighing, the height of the stylus from the baseboard must be exactly
the same as the top of the record.
Up and down movements of the stylus tip, due to the pinch effect and small record
surface irregularities should be .absorbed by the vertical compliance of the stylus,
without generating any output noise.
Resonances in pickups
Most pickups have two major resonances. The arm resonance occurs at some
frequency below 100 c/s, while the armature resonance occurs at some frequency
about 3000 c/s. Both resonances have deleterious effects in increasing record wear.
The arm resonance tends to cause the pickup to jump out of the groove when a high
—
amplitude is recorded at the frequency of resonance the frequency of resonance
(if undamped) should be well below the lowest frequency for which acceptable track-
ing is required ; say from 15 to 25 c/s.
A recent development is the use of pickup arms with high viscosity oil or other
viscous fluid to damp arm resonance. The damping may be applied as a viscous
film in a ball and socket (hemispherical) joint between the pickup arm and the mount-
ing socket, and gives damping in both horizontal and vertical directions. The arm
is pivoted at a point which is the centre of both ball and socket, and above the centre
of gravity of the arm. The clearance between the two surfaces is about 0.006 inch.
By this means the resonant force is greatly reduced, improved resistance to external
shock is obtained and protection against damage from accidental dropping of the pickup
head is achieved. The amount of mechanical resistance is not a critical value
the upper limit is reached when it interferes with the tracking of records having reason-
ably small values of eccentricity or warpage. With the usual values of suspension
compliance and mass, this would occur at several times the amount of resistance neces-
sary to give critical damping of the arm resonance. Even if the damping is con-
siderably below critical, it still has quite a beneficial effect. The viscosity of the fluid
is a function of temperature, but the variation does not seriously affect the performance
over a reasonable temperature range. Ref. 311.
The armature resonance has a serious effect on needle scratch (see Sect. 1).
" During operation the needle is subjected to a continuous shower of blows, and
although highly damped by rubber buffers, it is in a state of perpetual oscillation at its
own resonance frequency " (Ref. 229). In any quality pickup, the armature resonance
with the recommended needle should be over 8000 c/s ; many light-weight pickups
—
have the resonance at a frequency over 12 000 c/s in some cases over 18 000 c/s.
Pickups tend to be rich in harmonics at frequencies in the region of half the armature
resonance frequency. In all cases the armature resonance should be effectively
damped. Damping material used to obtain smooth response characteristics may
adversely affect the tracking capabilities of the pickup, and therefore should be in-
vestigated carefully and used judiciously (Ref. 285).
The frequency of the armature resonance is affected by the record material for —
example, a change from a lacquer disc to a shellac pressing causes in one case an
increase in the resonant frequency in the ratio 1:2 approximately (Ref. 276). A
pickup with an armature resonance well outside the a-f range on shellac discs, shows
a much lower resonance frequency on vinyl— usually inside the a-f range. This is
an unfortunate characteristic of vinyl. The only pickups known to the author with
armature resonances above 15 000 c/s on vinyl fine groove recordings are of the ribbon
armature type.
There is a third resonance caused by the pickup head and arm rotating about the
arm. With heavy pickups this resonance occurs at frequencies between 100 and 400
c/s, but with light-weight pickups the frequency would be higher. This resonance
does not have any effect on the general tonal balance, and in any case should be very
slight with good mechanical design.
Crystal pickups have a fourth resonance which occurs at a high frequency the —
resonance of the crystal itself.
References to resonances in pickups : 10 (Part 2), 17 (second letter), 276, 283, 285,
311, 331.
The testing of pickups
The testing of pickups for frequency response characteristics is covered by R.M.A.
REC-125-A which record shall be R.M.A. Frequency Test Record
states that the test
17.3 PICKUPS—(i) GENERAL SURVEY 717
Pickups should be tested under the same conditions with which they will operate
in normal service. Pickups intended to be used on shellac records should be tested
on shellac discs ; pickups intended for use on vinyl records should be tested on vinyl
discs, while those intended for use on either type of disc should be tested separately
on each. Pickups which are satisfactory on vinyl discs give, in some cases, quite
poor results on shellac discs owing to the increased stiffness of the material and the
reduction in damping by the record. This also applies to pickups with very limited
vertical compliance —
while passable on vinyl, they are poor on shellac.
Thevariable speed turntable is sometimes used as an alternative to the standard
—
frequency records for the. calibration of pickups see Refs. 273, 295.
In the design and production of pickups it is usual to supply some form of electro-
mechanical calibrator such as in Ref. 284.
For distortion in pickups and the procedure for determining the " tracking "
capabilities of a pickup see Sect. 6(vi).
Some typical representatives in each group are described below. In most cases
the descriptions are based on published information supplied by the manufacturer.
The inclusion of certain models should not be taken as indicating their superiority
over types not included.
and the dynamic mass* is 0.8 milligram. The stylus force is 8-10 grams (standard)
or 4-6 grams (microgroove). The pressure is automatically corrected by weights
in the plug-in head.
• Dynamic mass (also known as equivalent mass or effective mass) is that mass which, if concentrated
at the stylus point, would possess the same inertance as that of the moving
system.
See also Refs. 248, 283.
7.3 (ii) ELECTRO-MAGNETIC PICKUPS 719
—
GJ2. variable reluctance pickup (American) standard and fine groove
This is a magnetic pickup having almost ideal characteristics except that the output
voltage is low (10 millivolts at 4.8 cm/sec). It has no " needle talk " and has con-
siderable resistance to shock. has a large degree of vertical compliance, while
It
vertical movement does not cause any
electrical output. The suspension is free from
any deleterious effects such as standing waves or cross-modulation, and the con-
struction is designed to reduce hum pickup. The frequency response is from 30 to
15,000 c/s. ±2 db. The inductance is 520 mH
for the home type, and 250 for mH
the broadcast types (RPX-046 and RPX-047) which also have a lower output (8 mV).
The normal stylus force is from I to li oz. (1 oz. on home type) with 78 r.p.m., or
6-8 grams on microgroove.
Dynamic mass of stylus 8 milligrams
Suspension compliance (lateral) 0.87 x 10~ e cm/dyne
Load impedance, normal 6800 ohms.
The cartridge is fitted with interchangeable styli, including 1 mil, both diamond
and sapphire. For a suitable pre-amplifier see Fig. 17.26.
—
R.C.A. Light weight pickup transcription and fine groove
Model MI-11874 pickup, MI-11875 arm. See Refs. 296, 313 and R.C.A. cata-
logues.
Aplug-in pickup head is used, permitting immediate change from 1.0 to 2.5 mils
without necessitating any adjustment of arm balance. Stylus force is 8 grams for
1.0 mil and 12 grams for 2.5 mil. Diamond styli are used. Tone arm resonances
are outside of the operating frequency range The vertical and horizontal pivots
have very low friction. Frequency response (1.0 mil) at output from filter 50 to
12 000 c/s ±
1 db, 40 c/s at —
4 db. Voltage output at 1000 c/s on open circuit
= 11 mVwith 6.1 cm/sec. test record. Output from filter — 64 dbm. Test record
460625-6. Humlevel — 139 dbm with magnetic flux density 1 milligauss. Output
pickup impedance 135 ohms at 1000 c/s. Filter output should be connected to
unloaded input transformer of amplifier, designed to operate from 250 ohm source.
Intermodulation distortion is low to the point where it is not possible to determine
accurately whether the distortion is in the record or the pickup.
—
E.M.I. Unipivot transcription pickup (English) standard and microgroove
This Model 17 pickup has interchangeable styli for standard t and microgroove,
and the arm has an oil damping system. Its impedance is 1 ohm at 1000 c/s, and the
output at the secondary of the transformer is 30 millivolts (high ratio), or 4 milli-
volts (600 ohms), or 2.25 millivolts (200 ohms). The frequency response is sensibly
level from 30 to 12 000 c/s with standard stylus (armature resonance above 15 000
c/s). Total harmonic distortion at 400 c/s is less than 5% for a recorded level of
+ 20 db (0 db = 1 cm/sec). The stylus force is 6 grams.
Audak Polyphase (American) two styli—
This has two separate styli, each with its own vibrating armature. One stylus force
(6-8 grams) is used for all records. Either sapphire or diamond styli may be used,
and may readily be replaced. Output is about 20 millivolts, and frequency response
30 to 10 000 c/s, level ± 1 db from 80 c/s upwards, with gradual rise to + 2 db at
30 c/s. Armature resonance is at 9000 c/s.
volts. Since the pickup is a constant-amplitude device, special methods are required
for frequency compensation. The pre-amplifier of Fig. 17.6 gives the required fre-
quency compensation with continuously-variable controls (see Ref. 336 for settings
forsome American records) and an output of about 2 volts with types 6AU6 and 12AU7.
The final stage is a cathode follower. Refs. 96, 303, 336.
provided by R^t. The capacitance pickup is connected between grid and plate,
and any variation in capacitance will affect the amount of feedback and therefore also
the amplitude of oscillation and the voltage drop across R t The latter, filtered by
.
RFC and C8, provides the a-f output which is of the order of 1 volt (Ref. 119).
References to capacitance pickups : 14, 45, 50, 119.
SECTION 4 : TRACKING
(*') General survey of the problem («) How to design for minimum distortion (m)
The influence of stylus friction.
Example of distortion
Consider the distortion with a 12 inch 78 r.p.m. record having 2° angular tracking
at the innermost groove, recorded with a sine wave having a peak amplitude of 0.002
inch at a frequency of 250 c/s (this being the cross -over frequency), the r.m.s. velocity
i
has been proposed (Ref. 228) that a suitable upper limit for tracking distortion
It
is 2% with 0.001 inch peak amplitude as for transcriptions or 4% with 0.002 inch
peak amplitude as for shellac discs ; it seems that 1% is a preferable limiting value
for good fidelity. On this- latter basis the maximum tracking error for 12 inch discs
will be 2.8° for 250 c/s cross-over frequency, or 1.4° for 500 c/s crossover frequency,
both measured at the innermost groove, or three times these values at the outermost
groove.
No additional record wear occurs due to tracking error with permanent needles
having spherical tips. Additional record wear may occur with steel needles or with
worn sapphire tips if the tracking error is serious.
A«S of
Pickup
Tanocnt to
Groovt
Optimum underhang
For 10 inch discs d opt
= d opt
3.04/L.
—
=
W + r f «)
(3)
These values for d ovt are critical, and should be measured accurately. It is safer
to keep below than to go above the optimum overhang.
The angular tracking error a at any position on the record is the angle between
the axis of the pickup and the tangent to the groove at the needle point. (Figs. 17.11
and 17.12).
With a straight arm, using any value of underhang (Fig. 17.11),
*~ 57 3
-
(2T+f) (4)
The optimum value of underhang is given by eqn. (3) ; using this value and also
the values of r, and r 2 as for 12 inch discs, with r r 2 (innermost groove) and L = 8 —
inches, the corresponding value of tracking error is approximately 18.6°. The dis-
tortion is therefore approximately 6.7% at this point, on the constant velocity charac-
teristic.
Fig. 17.12 shows a pickup with an offset arm
for the purpose of reducing dis-
tortion due to tracking error. This differs from the straight arm in that there is an
offset angle /3 between the axis of the pickup and the straight line joining the pivot
to the needle point. Note that this angle /J is not equal to the angle of the bend in
the arm. In this case minimum distortion is always obtained when the pickup is
" overhung," that is when the needle point passes beyond the centre of the record
by a distance — d, the optimum value df which is given below, on the assumption
that the optimum value of offset angle is used.
When a pickup is mounted to provide minimum tracking distortion when used
with ordinary needles, the use of bent-shank or trailing type needles will seriously
affect the tracking distortion. In cases where either type of needle may be used, a
compromise may be necessary. When bent-shank needles only will be used, the
increased length of arm should be allowed for.
Optimum overhang
For 10 inch discs
= -d 0Pt =
L[i(ri +\[y +
— d opt = 3.99/L.
^ <5>
yL —2
11.6
If L= 8 inches, 2nd harmonic distortion an 0.76%.
*A table of frequency ratios, octaves and decades is given in Chapter 7 Sect. 3(v), page 368.
728 (i) RECORDING CHARACTERISTICS 17.5
Cross-over frequency
The most popular cross-over frequencies are 250, 300, 350 and 500 c/s, and these
are compared in Fig. 17.13 on the basis of equal peak amplitude in the constant
amplitude sections. For convenience the 250 c/s cross-over point has been taken as
db The constant velocity section of the characteristic with 300 c/s cross-over
frequency is at a level of + 1.5 db, while that of the characteristic with 500 c/s cross-
over frequency is at a level of -f 6 db relative to the characteristic with a 250 c/s
cross-over frequency.
Thus it is possible to increase the level of recording of the constant velocity section
of the characteristic without increasing the maximum amplitude, provided that the
cross-over frequency is increased. This appears very attractive at first sight since it
increases the signal-to-noise ratio, but for an increase of 6 db above the cross-over
frequency it involves
Twice the recorded velocity,
(a)
(b) Twice the tracking distortion,
(c) At least twice the harmonic distortion from a given pickup,
(d) An additional 6 db of " equalizing " amplification of low frequencies, tending
to cause trouble with hum and rumble.
There is no " optimum " cross-over frequency because the choice is necessarily
a compromise. Where distortion is the principal criterion, a low cross-over fre-
quency from 250 to 350 c/s will be adopted for standard groove 78 r.p.m. Where
needle scratch is troublesome with 78 r.p.m. a high cross-over frequency of say 500
c/s «may be adopted. With fine groove recordings a cross-over frequency of 400 or
500 c/s is about the optimum choice.
In practice the sharp knee between sections 1 and 2 is rounded off ; the cross-over
frequency is then defined as the frequency of intersection of the two asymptotes,
provided that the recording characteristic at this frequency is not more than 3 db below
the point of intersection of the asymptotes.
If the recording characteristic includes high-frequency pre-emphasis, it is necessary
to re-draw the curve for the condition without high-frequency pre-emphasis before
determining the cross-over frequency as described above.
High-frequency pre-emphasis
The third section of the recording characteristic is the high-frequency pre-emphasis
curve. This may, in the ideal case, be taken as a straight line with a slope of, say,
3 or 6 db/octave as in Fig. 17.13. Of course in practice the sharp junction is rounded
off and the recording characteristic gradually approaches the
" ideal " straight line.
Alternatively the pre-emphasis may be specified in the form of a time constant such
as, say, 100 microsecond pre-emphasis. The latter method is covered in Chapter 15
Sect. l(vi) ; it is restricted to an asymptotic slope of 6 db/octave, but the time constant
determines the frequency at, which it becomes effective as tabulated below :
The second factor is the peak frequency spectrum characteristic of the music being
recorded. The effect of the decreased amplitudes at high frequencies in speech and
music has been investigated (notably Ref. 42) but there is insufficient information
available concerning the instantaneous distribution of energy within the recorded
spectrum. Curves based on the work of Sivian, Dunn and White indicate that " no
large increase in distortion occurs in reproducing the 16db pre-emphasized continuous
spectrum . . . yet the addition of a few prominent tones to this spectrum in the
region above 2000 cycles will result in intolerable distortion " (Ref. 42).
- ^-®
©- --
-<3
db
—
9< rS- \
'
O
'/A < :w **(T) E.M.I. 7(1 r.pjn.
©2 .
($) E.M.I. Studios
(5) Deceo ffrr
Special R«cordm )«
Fig. 17.14. Recording characteristics used by all English, Australian and the majority
of European record manufacturers for 78 r.p.m., together with B.B.C. transcriptions.
lb o o db
1,000
Frequency c/s FIG. 17.15
records. Curve 2 is the N.A.B. (lateral 1949) standard for transcriptions. Curve 3
is that used by R.C.A. Victor for 78 r.pjn. shellac discs, 45 r.p.m. and 33-1/3 r.pjn.
fine groove. Curve 4 is that used by Columbia for 78 r.p.m. shellac discs the cross- —
over frequency is 300 c/s. Curve 5 is that used for Orthacoustic transcription re-
cording —it follows very closely the N.A.B. curve from 60 to 10 000 c/s but is ex-
tended down to 30 c/s (— 20 db) and up to 15 000 c/s.
Standard Playback Curve
For many reasons it has been impossible to achieve a standard recording character-
istic, even in a single country and for a specified cross-over frequency. An entirely
different approach has been made by the Audio Engineering Society of U.S.A. which
has put forward a Standard Playback Curve with the idea of getting this adopted by
all designers of equipment for reproduction from records (Ref. 307). The onus would
then be on the record manufacturers to produce records which sound well when
played with such equipment. The curve (Fig. 17.15A) is based on the frequency
of 1000 c/s as a reference point, and the de-emphasis at 10 000 c/s is 12 db, being
less than the NAB. de-emphasis at this frequency. However the AES playback
curve is extended to 15 000 c/s with a de-emphasis of 15.5 db. Both the straight
portions of the curve have slopes of 6 db /octave, and the intersections of the extensions
of these straight portions with the reference axis occur at 400 c/s (the cross-over
frequency) and 2500 c/s.
This playback curve may be duplicated on a flat amplifier with two sections of RC
equalization, asshown in Fig. 17.15B, which is one possible arrangement. Alter-
natively the network of Fig. 17.15C may be used.
+ 20
"
'—
+ 10
-10
-20
. . 1 ,
20,000
100 1,000 10,000
1 —— J
FIG. 17.15 B
732 (i) RECORDING CHARACTERISTICS 17.5
It seems that this Standard Playback Curve is what is really needed by the designers
of equipment for reproduction from records. Even if record manufacturers do
not accept it, the error for any cross-over frequency from 325 to 500 c/s is not more
than 2 db, and no problems will be encountered in the reproduction of recording, NAB
all fine groove records and most 78 r.p m. discs except those with a cross-over fre-
quency of 250 c/s and without any high frequency pre-emphasis. The latter may be
covered by a separate network.
The C.C.I.R. (Geneva, June 1951) proposed a compromise characteristic with a 450
/xsec. curve below 1000 c/s and a 50 /usee, curve above 1000 c/s, giving turnover
frequencies of 360 and 2800 c/s, for radio programmes for international exchange.
z 1-3 c3 "2
(Ohms) (H) (hf) (Ohms) (Ohms)
ISO 0-545 24-08 123* 30
2SO 0-910 14-44 204 50
500 1-81 7-22 408 101
\A 1
64b/ Oc terni
20
"1 II
18
SO I
Two Identical S tagCf
\\
16
sm*<
St89«
14
12
I. i
3
e
t>
fc\ s^
X Oy_
*^*-s
O
20 25 30 50 70 100 125 ISO 200 250 500 750 IpOO
40 50 60 100 MO 200 250300 400 500 1/300 (500 2,000
Frequency in c/i FIG. 17.16
Fig. 17.16. Bass equalizer characteristics (A) " ideal " characteristic with slope of
6 db/octave (B) characteristic with single stage r-c equalizer having total boost of 20 db
and max. slope 4.9 db/octave (C) characteristic with two r.c. stages in cascade, each
having total boost 10 db and max. slope 3 db/octave (circuit as Fig. 17.17).
Total boost 20 15 10 6 3 db
Slope at half-boost point 4.9 4.1 3.0 2.0 1.0 db/octave
The desired slope is, 6 db/octave, so that there is an appreciable error even with
a total boost of 20 db or more. This is plotted in Fig. 17,16 for a total boost of 20
db with alternative frequency scales for 250 and 500 c/s cross-over frequencies. With a
cross-over frequency of 250 c/s the error is about — 1 db at 50 c/s and — 2.5 db at 30 c/s,
which is generally acceptable, even though there is inevitably some additional loss in
734 (iii) INTRODUCTION TO EQUALIZERS 17.5
the extreme bass, due to coupling condensers. In the case of a cross-over frequency
of 500 c/s, however, the error is —
3 db at 50 c/s and —
4 db at 40 c/s, here again
increased by the effect of coupling condensers. Some designers adopt a total boost
of as much as 40 db to provide a satisfactory characteristic for use with high cross-
over frequencies such as 800 c/s. In either case, it is good practice for the amplifier
to include a bass tone control which will permit an adjustment to suit the circumstances.
If no tone control is fitted, it is usually desirable to attenuate the extremely low fre-
quencies j a value of coupling capacitance may be chosen to give, for example, an
additional 3 db attenuation at 70 c/s and 5 db at 50 c/s.
In the circuit of Fig. 15.3 suitable values of components would be :
Vi = 6J5 (half 6SN7-GT) ; R L = 50 000 ohms j R t = 20 000 ohms ; R, =
1 megohm j Rt — 2800 ohms ; C = 0.25 /*F for very good bass response or
0.05 /*F for bass attenuation. Voltage gain at 1000 c/s =1.5 times = + 3.5 db.
Total boost =
20 db. a C =
0.2 /*F for cross-over 250 c/s or 1 /*F for 500 c/s.
Alternatively the total boost of 20 db could be obtained in two separate stages
each having a total boost of 1.1 db at the cross-over frequency. By this means a
maximum slope of 6 db is obtained at a frequency of 100 or 200 c/s with a cross-over
frequency of 250 or 500 c/s and more accurate equalizing is possible. The frequency
characteristic obtained is shown with a broken line (C) in Fig. 17.16, and the circuit
diagram is given in Fig. 17.17.
Fig. 17.17. Circuit diagram
of ttoo stage bass equalizing
amplifier tvith bass boosting
in each stage. Pin 4 of the
6SN7-GT should be used for
the input circuit. Total boost
is 20 db and max. slope 6
db/octave. C =0.25 pF
for good bass response or 0.1
pF for some bass attenuation ;
2C =0.1 pF for cross-over
250 c/s or 0.05 pFfor 500 c/s.
FIG. 17. 17
Voltage gain at 1000 c/s 22 =
times =
26.8 dbvg.
Instead of having two networks separated by a valve, the complete two-section
equalizer may be incorporated into a single network as in Fig. 17.18. The maximum
slope is 7 db/octave which is adjustable down to 3 db/octave by means of control 7i R
which should be tapered ; maximum slope is obtained with maximum value of 7 . R
The plate load resistors may be increased if it is desired to increase the gain. This
circuit provides 25 db bass boosting with a very close approach to the true 6 db octave
slope (when R
7 is correctly adjusted) and has the additional merit of incorporating
a tone control providing a total control of 13 db in the region 20 to 50 c/s depending
on the cross-over frequency. With an input voltage of about 50 millivolts, the output
will be about 1 volt.
O+300V
FIG. 17. 19 A
FIG. I7.I9C
\ Flat
5 4£
RC/
naq
^
3*>
1,000 10,000 {poo to/no
Frtqutneyfc/O Frtqucncy(c/s)
equalizing. The
principle is demonstrated in the circuit of Fig. 15.11 and the fre-
quency characteristics of Fig. 14.12, which are limited to a maximum boost of 12 db.
Increased bass boosting could, of course, be ^obtained by increasing the feedback.
With the value of capacitance used in Fig. 15.11 (0.005 pF) a satisfactory compromise
is obtained for a cross-over frequency of 250 c/s ; half this capacitance would be
suitable for 500 c/s.
This same principle is used in the circuit of Fig. 17.19A to produce the low fre-
quency characteristics of Fig. 17.19B (Ref. 239). The low-frequency control is a
shorting type, while the 10 megohm resistors are click suppressors. This circuit also
provides four values of high frequency de-emphasis (curves Fig. 17.19C).
Another variation of the same general principle is incorporated in Fig. 17.20 (Ref.
144). It is suitable for use with the GE
variable reluctance pickup, or any other low
level electro-magnetic pickup which has been equalized to give a constant-velocity
characteristic. The values of components are designed for a cross-over frequency
of 500 c/s and a high-frequency hinge frequency of 2000 c/s with a slope of
6 db/octave.
736 (iii) INTRODUCTION TO EQUALIZERS 17.5
27j0O0A isyoooA
vww*-r H,/WW-OB+(90-450y)
DESIGN CENTRE
•39MA 20fiF ^20fiF ;>ISMA 300V
2»2MA ' •! uF
.ww $y- H£-® OUTPUT
©
20HH F;
inputs^1 zx±
. 6SC7or7F7-
OUALTRIOOE
A
different form of frequency-selective feedback is used in Fig. 17.21 which pro-
vides correct equalizing for English (H.M.V.) records from 25 to 8500 c/s within
2.5 db. V
x is the first pre-amplifier valve having a series tuned circuit L Y X (with a C
minimum impedance below 25 c/s) in its cathode circuit so that at higher frequencies
an increasing proportion of the input signal is fed back. The condenser 2 in series C
with R
3 serves to flatten the response above 1000 c/s ; no provision is made for
de-emphasis. The level between 250 and 1000 c/s is flattened by the network L 2 Z A CR
in which L 2 and C
8 are tuned to 250 c/s. R
t and L 2 carry the plate current of the
valve, and the value of R
% primarily determines the degree of feedback at 1000 c/s.
FIG. 17.21
FIG. 17.22
Fig. 17 21. Frequency selective negative feedback Fig. 17.22. Boss equalizer
used to provide equalizing for English records. C
incorporating L, and R
(Ref. 199). x V = MH4
(ft =
40, r„ •= 11 000 {Ref. 188).
ohms)} load resistance 50 000 ohms. =
Bass equalizers incorporating L, C and R
A network incorporating L, C and R may be used to provide a very close approach
to the 6db /octave ideal characteristic, or even higher values if desired. The simpli-
fied circuit isshown in Fig. 17.22 in which L x is tuned by Cx to the -cross-over fre-
quency, R 2 controls the shape of the band and i? 4 controls the slope of the characteris-
tic.
Suggested values for a cross-over frequency of 400 c/s are L t = 2.9 henrys ;
C = x 0.07 /*F ; C3 = 1.0 /xF ; R 2 = 6800 ohms ; R t 2200 ohms. =
For a slight change in cross-over frequency only Ct and R 2 need be altered (Ref. 188).
References to equalizers (general) : 15, 54, 106, 108, 109, 113, 117, 120, 126, 127,
133, 144, 187, 188, 197, 198, 199, 209, 220, 226, 239, 240.
(B) High-frequency equalizers (de-emphasis)
A shunt capacitance provides for attenuation at the nominal rate of 6 db/octave
(see Chapter 15 Sect. 6). The attenuation is 3 db when the reactance of the shunt
condenser is equal to the resistance of the circuit across which it is connected, that
is when
C = l/(2nfJD (1)
—"
or capacitance in microfarads =
157 000/(/„R) (2)
where C = shunt capacitance in farads
So = frequency at which the attenuation is 3 db (it is also the " hinge point
of the ideal 6 db/octave line)
and R = resistance of circuit across which C is connected, in ohms.
If it is desired to limit the attenuation to a specified value, while approaching the
nominal slope of 6 db/octave, the circuit of Fig. 17.23A may be used. Here Rx
represents the resistance of the input circuit ; R 3 should be as high as is practicable
it is assumed to be very much greater than R 2 The maximum attenuation in decibels
will be given by
max. attenuation (x db) = 20 log10 [.R 2 /CRi # 2)]+ (3)
Eqns (1) and (2) may be used with reasonable accuracy for maximum attenuations
—
not less than 10 db at lower values the attenuation at the " hinge point " frequency
f will be less than 3 db (the actual values are 2.4 db for 10 db total boost, 2 db for 6 db
total boost, 1.2 db for 3 db total boost). The frequency characteristic is indicated
in Fig. 17.23B.
O—WW
Fig. 17.23. (A) Circuit providing high-frequency attenuation with a specified limit to
the attenuation (B) Frequency characteristics.
If the maximum attenuation is 10 db, the maximum slope (which occurs at half
maximum attenuation) is 3 db/octave. This may therefore be used to provide a
3 db/octave de-emphasis characteristic within the limitations of its range.
High frequency equalizers are incorporated in the circuits of Figs. 17.19, 17.20,
17.27.
For general treatment of equalizers see Ref. 258.
FIG.I7.24A * t p[
0-30H 0-40H ^^jv
|6
I^OOOIl
Tolerance * 2%
738 (iv) HIGH-FREQUENCY ATTENUATION 17.5
6Kc/> IO-6KC/J
IMA .|MA~1
FIG. 17. 34 B
Fig. 17.24B. Circuit of pre-amplifier and filter circuit with high attenuation at 10 000
c/s (Ref. 113),
now, a variable resistance is also connected in shunt with the pickup or across the
secondary of the transformer, there will be found a value at which the resonance peak
just disappears — this value of shunt resistance is the maximum which can be used to
permit the condenser to act purely as an attenuator. For an analysis of this effect
on the E.M.I. No 12 pickup see Ref. 109 and for that on the Pickering and G.E.
variable reluctance pickups see Ref. 117. The inductance of the E.M.I. No. 12
pickup is of the order of 1 mH. The inductance of the Pickering pickup is approxi-
17.5 (v) EQUALIZERS FOR ELECTRO-MAGNETIC PICKUPS 739
mately 100 mH and that of the G.E. pickup 120 mH * The correct value of shunt-
resistance is given by
R (ohms) = 1.2 /„ for the Pickering pickup
and R (ohms) = 0.9 /„ for the G.E. pickup
where /„ is the frequency at which the attenuation is 3 db. Beyond this frequency
the rate of attenuation is approximately 15 db /octave.
The shunt capacitance required for various values of the cut-off frequency is :
+ IOOV 6e»OOOA°2P F
pWW
33.000A
f-vVW l ( o
OUTPUT
68,00011 •
k
33fWOiJL 6SC7_
l6|iF
Fig. 17.26. Pre-amplifier and equalizer
for use with the G.E. pickup (Ref. 187).
>6yBO0A
«G. 17.36
I
J
CONTROL
INPUT I
0.
s
so
6<Jb N\
K
V\
I2d >
>
N
40 V
s> >
ItM b
30
24db
40db
•«
*'v
M^^ ^
s,
s
a? s i ; ;; ::^w
>
^s s^
20
Fig. 17.27. (A) Circuit of
s
\
continuously variable equ-
10 \
alizing
Variation
pre-amplifier
in
(B)
attenuation
\\
a 1 1*7 * 1 1 ! • 7 It > 1 1 t «7 i» a
in low frequency control .100 ipoo 0,000
FREQUENCY (C/S) FIG. I7.27B
(C) Variation in attenua-
tion in high frequency con- ..
Si 30
Z
2 \id
"ss: *-.
*»
ISdb
Ul +.
a 20 s
s \ ~* »
<.,24db
\ ^»40db
channel. Outputs from the three channels are added in a single valve feedback sum-
ming amplifier j potentiometers which add flat loss in the auxiliary channels permit
control of the resultant transmission characteristic. The input allows for the con-
nection of two G.E. variable reluctance pick-ups simultaneously. The maximum
output is of the order of 1 volt, and the pre-amplifier may be used at a moderately (
values are : R x =
5 megohms, R 2 0.125 megohm, Cx = = 100 nnF. The resultant
response curve is shown in curve D.
A more flexible equalizer suitable for use with a high-fidelity crystal pickup is
shown in Fig. 17.31 (Ref. 127). This gives a choice of three load resistors, thus giv-
ing some control of the bass, and three values of capacitance suitable for three, cross-
over frequencies.
An improved equalizing circuit suitable for use with the Acos GP12 high-fidelity
pickup is shown in Fig. 17.32 (Ref. 120). This gives correct equalization for H.M.V.
records within + 2.5 db, — 3.5 db from 30 to 8000 c/s.
An equalizer suitable for use with the Brush high-fidelity pickup is shown in Fig.
17.33 (Ref. 106). Position (1) is for quiet shellac records with a 500 c/s cross-over
&
®
°1ft lJL
^a^w
.
-10
+ 10
«?F-~ »' —
" ®*^^ —-~ ^
5*6 .«_
ioA"*
-
^-^eSgw
-10
+ 10 -JE^*Oa.
~% 0< b*( •14
t
-^f^-.
-10
0, t«c
_® .
^ i\
FIG. 17.31
^.TRANSITION
/C^REOOENCV
500HH F
oosuf Vo,
y
m« Control
FIG. 17.32
Fig. 17.31. Flexible equalizer for high-fidelity crystal pickups {Ref. 127).
Fig. 17.32. Equalizer for Acos GP12 high fidelity crystal pickup, for 250 c/s cross-over
frequency {Ref. 120).
frequency j (2) for scratchy and noisy shellac records ; (3) good Orthacoustic trans-
criptions and (4) noisy transcriptions. The low frequency filter reduces rumble and
hum.
See also Sect. 5(x).
IO- r jOfW\AAf-»
4^L
^u >
•
2MA |
i
I > 300 (ff F
\ ^~] [\
I
Switch for
L-F Filter
FIG. 17.33
Fig. 17.33. Equalizer for use with Brush high-fidelity crystal pickup {Ref. 106).
Input transformers
Although input transformers are not necessary with electro-magnetic pickups,
they have some distinct advantages. The step-up ratio provides useful gain, while
they permit the use of a balanced-to-earth input line which gives improved signal-
744 (viii) DETAILS REGARDING EQUALIZING AMPLIFIERS 17.5
To Cathode
Rumble
Rumble may be reduced, if necessary,
by a filter which cuts off sharply below,
say, 50 c/s. The cut-off frequency and
attenuation necessary are dependent
upon the motor, turntable and amount
of bass boosting in the equalizer and
tone control. One example is incor-
porated in Fig. 17.35B.
ww^o
350V
Output to Tone
Compensation Stages
o° fwwi-ww-
ff
w»« cr
•• C„ R i4 R„ R„
FIG. I7.3SB
Fig. 17.35B. Williamson pre-amplifier including equalizer and high-pass filter (rumble
attenuator). Ref. 270. In the original amplifier 1? lt lb V = V = V =
type EF37.
V19 and V
lt may be replaced by type 6J7 or 1620 tf 1X 1600 Q. R =
Type Rating Tolerance
All resistors ma;y be \W rating, to* erance 20% unless otherwise specifit>d.
May require adjustment.
(V d.c.
„ 1
working)
Cbo 0.5 /iF 1 Paper l 250 20%
cn 50 /tF i Electrolytic '
12
746 (ix) COMPLETE AMPLIFIERS 17.5
FIG. I7.3SC
Fig. 17.35C. Williamson tone compensation and filter unit (Ref. 270). In the original
amplifier 9 V = V10 = Vn = type FF37. All may be replaced by type 9002, or by
type 6AU6 with a slight increase in gain, or by type 6J7 (or 6J5 triode) with a slight
decrease in gain.
Rating Tolerance
100000 a 1PF
Ru 2200 Q
Rn 0.1 MQ 10%
R*u 0.47 MQ 10%
R*» 0.47 MQ 10%
R»o 33 000 Q
Rn 100 000 Q
Rta 3300 Q
R Sz 1 MQ
R** 0.1 MQ 1% or matched
Rbt 0.1 Affl 1% or matched
R&* 50 000 Q 1% or matched
Rn 100 £
Rating
Type (V d.c. Tolerance
working)
Switches —
Si Single pole single throw.
St Double pole single throw.
S a Single pole single throw.
S t 5 bank, 5 position selector switch.
7. Ahigh frequency attenuator or filter for worn or noisy records (may be omitted
if a sufficiently flexible tone control is fitted). One very effective form of filter is a
capacitance connected across the secondary of the output transformer —see page 214.
An example of a complete amplifier is given in Fig. 17.35A. This is a 25 watt
amplifier suitable for operation from a G.E. variable reluctance pickup, or Pickering
120M. The total harmonic distortion is under 1 %. The pre-amplifier consists of
a triode with proper compensation in the output circuit. Bass boosting is obtained
by the use of frequency-selective negative feedback in the second and third stages.
Hum from the heater is reduced to the vanishing point by making the heaters of
the first two twin triodes part of the cathode resistor of the output stage. The output
stage draws approximately 300 mA, which is the correct current for the heaters of
the 6SL7 valves, and the additional bias required for the output valves is obtained
by a resistor (Ref. 240).
Another example of a complete amplifier is that due to D. T. N. Williamson (Ref.
270) shown in Figs. 17.35 B, C, D, E, F and G. The main amplifier (Fig. 17.35F)
is a new version of the earlier Williamson amplifier of which one adaptation is Fig. 7.44.
The circuit differs in minor details only from Fig. 7.44 ; the balancing adjustment
on V-l and V2 has been omitted as unnecessary, provided that R 6R 7 R tl and R ia have
the specified values and tolerances, while a transitional phase-shift network R M C10
has been added to increase the margin of stability at high frequencies.
—
Output transformer specifications (3.6 ohm secondaries) Williamson Amplifier :
Core If in. stack of 28A Super Silcor laminations (M. and E.A.). The winding
:
consists of two identical interleaved coils each 1 J in wide on paxolin formers li in.
x If in. inside dimensions. On each former is wound :
5 primary sections, each consisting of 440 turns (5 layers, 88 turns per layer)
of 30 S.W.G. enamelled copper wire interleaved with 2 mil. paper,
alternating with
4 secondary sections, each consisting of 84 turns (2 layers, 42 turns per layer)
of 22 S.W.G. enamelled copper wire interleaved with 2 mil. paper.
Each section is insulated from its neighbours by 3 layers of 5 mil. Empire tape. All
connections are brought out on one side of the winding, but the primary sections may
be connected in series when winding, two primary connections only per bobbin being
brought out. Windings to be assembled on core with-one bobbin reversed, and with
insulating cheeks and a centre spacer.
Curves showing the loop gain and phase-shift characteristics of the main amplifier
are shown in Fig. 17.35G.
The pre-amplifier Fig. 17.35B has a voltage gain of 250 times from the grid of the
first valve to the voltage across the output terminals. The input grid voltage must
not be less than 0.8 mV ; this minimum voltage can readily be provided by a suitable
transformer from any pickup. Care should be taken to avoid overloading the pre-
amplifier by too high an input voltage. The overall frequency response, when
tested with an ideal " velocity " pickup on an English Decca disc is level within
1 db from 20 to 14 000 c/s ; below 20 c/s there is attenuation at the rate of 30 db/
octave to eliminate rumble. For the English E.M.I. characteristic, switch 5X should
be opened. Other recording characteristics can be handled by the use of the tone
compensation unit.
This overall frequency characteristic, which provides bass boosting and high-
frequency de-emphasis to suit the recording characteristic, together with a rumble
filter, is provided by a careful combination of
(1) bass boosting by Via together with the feedback network C54 C55 R tB R 6i .
(3) Feedback over Vlis through the parallel-T network. This provides a peak at
20 c/s which is used to give a sharp knee to the frequency characteristic instead of
the gradual attenuation produced by the inter-valve couplings. (Note that the
recording characteristic contributes 6 db/octave to the slope below 20 c/s).
The final stage V1S is merely a cathode follower to permit the use of long leads
between the pre-amplifier and the tone-compensation unit.
If a high-impedance output is permissible, and an attenuation of 8 db at 10 c/s is
sufficient to reduce the rumble, stage V1Z may be used as a single stage pre-amplifier
with a gain of 11 times. Under these circumstances C63 = 0.05 a*F, C 64 = 4000
fjLfiF, R tt = 22 000 ohms, R e6 = 2.2 Mfi, R S7 is omitted, and the output is taken from
the junction of C63 and RM .
In the cathode circuit of V13> closing the switch Ss reduces the gain to zero in about
1 second for use while changing records.
The noise level, with R„ adjusted for minimum hum, is about 3 to 5 i*V at Vlt
grid, excluding the noise due to the pickup transformer and auxiliaries. The total
harmonic distortion of the pre-amplifier and tone compensation units combined, is
considerably less than 0,1%.
The tone compensation and filter unit Fig. 17.35C provides
o " 3
II
s_
llv
a.
z
f\
<
- FILTER K smon till
\ I1
1
£ -20
5
a
r
-40 \
l/X» 10,000 30,000
FREQUENCY (c/s)
FIG. I7.3SD
Fig. 17.35D. Measured overall response of low-pass filter {stage Vu in Fig. 17.35C
together with network controlled by switch S*). Ref. 270.
t •_
Uiert<i* S»* Dccrca •TcH/*
\a < V
SaRitcS i,Ri»€
< HI
o 1 40»Aiti R^Min.
111
>
< S, Foil
T '*
,Foll
~"~Ii crease C»i
S V
i
r-
1
i,
i
X
OtereQIC Cjj
-20
ipoo 10,000 20/300
FREQUENCY (c/»)
FIG.I7.3SE
F&. 17.35E. Response curves of the tone compensation circuit following % in Fig. V
17.35C. Curves are limiting positions for continuously-variable controls {Ref. 270).
750 (ix) COMPLETE AMPLIFIERS 17.5
(1) A
universal tone control (switches 2 S a and controls S
toR*d with frequency R
characteristics as Fig. 17.35E. The curves may be shifted bodily along the hori-
zontal axis by modifying the capacitance values shown by the arrows in Fig. 17.35E.
(2) A
low-pass filter with nominal cut-off values of 5000, 7000, 10 000 and 13 000
c/s, together with a flat position (switch. S
A ) providing response characteristics as
Fig. 17.35D. This characteristic is provided by a parallel-T network in the feed-
back loop of V1X which gives a symmetrical valley at the frequency of resonance.
A capacitor from the grid of Vn to earth introduces a lagging phase shift which gives
Rx 1 MQ i watt ±20%
Rz 33 000 Q 1 watt ± 20%
R* 47 000 Q 1 watt ± 20%
Rt 470 Q i watt ± 10%
Rs» Ri 22 000 Q 1 watt ± 5%
(or matched)
R» 22 000 Q 1 watt ± 20%
Rs> R» 0.47 MQ £ watt ± 20%
Rio 390 Q i watt ± 10%
Ru> Ria 47 000 Q 2 watt ± 5%
(or matched)
Ri*» Rjt 0.1 MQ i waw ± 10%
*M5> °20 1000 Q i watt ±, 20%
Rw Rih 100 Q 1 a>att ± 20%
Rii> Rn 100 Q 2 wa» wirewound variable
Rn 150 Q 3 watt ± 20%
Rii 1200 Q x V'speech :oil impedance
1
\ watt
Rn 4700 Q i watt ± 20%
t"u Cg, C5, Cj 8 fiF 500 V wkg.
C3i C t 0.05 ixF 350F wkg.
Cti ^7 0.25 /*F 350F wife.
c„ 8 pF 600K wkg.
^10 200 fJLixF 350F «>*£.
CH X 30H at 20 mA
CH t 10H at 150 mA
T Power transformer
10*
Frequency (c/t)
Fig. 17.35G. Loop gain and phase-shift characteristics of Williamson main amplifier
(Ref. 270).
positive feedback below resonance and negative feedback above resonance, thereby
unbalancing the characteristic and giving a sharp knee before the attenuation com-
mences. The addition of an independent RC
network controlled by S iA gives
further treble attenuation and leads to the final result in Fig. 17.35D.
(say up to 15 feet) from the receiver. The most desirable arrangement is a Record
Player in the form of a small cabinet enclosing the motor, turntable, pickup, and
(possibly) volume control, pre-amplifier and equalizer, with the top of the cabinet
about 20 inches from the floor so as to be accessible from an easy chair.
The design problem hinges on the use or otherwise of a pre-amplifier. If no pre-
amplifier is permissible, on account of cost or other factors, it is necessary to
employ a pickup delivering a high output voltage or whose output voltage is capable
of being stepped up by a high ratio transformer.
When pickup terminals are fitted to receivers, they usually provide a resistive load
of the order of 0.5 megohm, with some capacitive shunting. The input voltage
*
required to give full power output is usually about 0.25 volt, although some receivers
require a higher voltage. If a receiver is being designed specially for good perform-
ance with a pickup, full power output should be obtained with an input voltage
not exceeding 0.1 volt. This usually demands a pentode first a-f amplifier, especially
if negative feedback is used.
the plane of the record to give a brilliant pattern. The eye should be directed vertic-
ally downwards on to the side of the record nearer to the lamp, and should be as fat
above the record as possible.
A pair of dividers may be used
to measure the width of the reflected light pattern
for each frequency ; the width of the light pattern is proportional to the voltage
output from a perfect constant-velocity pickup. This method becomes increasingly
less accurate below the cross-over frequency, although it is very satisfactory at higher
frequencies.
The theoretical analysis and calculation of errors is given by Ref. 243.
References 25 (Part 5), 99, 219, 243, 258, 293.
Record A /o (cross-over) /.
English
Decca flrr K1802 14 000 c/s 10 c/s
K1803 14 000 c/s 300 c/s 10 c/s
American
R.C.A. 12 in. (12-5-5) 10 000 c/s 500 c/s (-1.5 db) 30 c/s
London (album LA-32)
T-499612in.78r.p.m. 14 000 c/s (+8 db) 250c/s(-ldb) 100 c/s (-5 db)
T-499712in.78r.p.m. 14 000 c/s (+8 db) 250c/s(-ldb) 10 c/s (-33 db)
Universal D61B Band 1 10 000 c/s (0 db) 500 c/s (0 db)
Band 2 500 c/s (-7 db) 200 c/s (-7 db)
Band 3 200 c/s (-14 db) 50 c/s (-14 db)
Columbia XERD281 12
in. 10 000 c/s 500 c/s 50 c/s
h / -(cross-over) h
R.M.A. Standard REC-128 78 r.pjn.
No. 1 Side A 10 000 c/s 500 c/s 30 c/s
Constant frequencies 1000 (+10 db),
10 000, 9000, 8000, 7000, 6000, 5000,
4500, 4000, 3500, 3000, 2500, 2000, 1500,
1000, 700, 500, 400, 300, 250, 200, 180,
160, 140, 120, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50,
40,30.
No. 1 Side B Voice announcements.
Constant frequency 1000 c/s at levels
+ 10, +12, +16, +18 db.
+14,
Then and constant fre-
alternate gliding
quencies from 3000 to 30 c/s at level
+ 16 to +18 db (1000 cM
754 FREQUENCY TEST RECORDS
(xi) 17.5
E.M.I. Australia (ED1190) 13 000 (-1.2 db), 12 000 (-1.3), 11000 (-0.4),
10 000 (-0.2), 9000 (-0.2), 8000 (-0.2), 7000 (+0.4),
6000 (+0.2), 5000 (+0.2), 4000 (+0.7), 3000 ( 1.2), +
2000 (+0.6), 1000 (0 db arbitrary level), 500 (+0.2),
250 (-2.9), 140 (-6), 100 (-8.9), 70 (-10.4), 50
(-12.8), 35 c/s (-14 db).
E.M.I. Studios JG449 (1) 20 Kc/s, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4.5, 3.5, 2 Kc/s (0 db) ;
500 c/s (-1), 160 c/s (-5.5), 70 c/s (-12 db).
(2) 19 Kc/s, 17, 15, 13, 11, 9, 7, 5, 4, 3, 1 Kc/s (0 db) ;
250 c/s (-3), 100 c/s (-8.5), 50 c/s (-14 db).
Columbia LOX-650 1000 (0 db), 10 000 (-1), 9000 (-1.6), 8000 (-1.6),
7000 (-1), 6000 (-0.8), 5000 (-0.8), 4000 (-0.8),
3000 (-0.8), 2000 (-0.8), 1500 (-1), 800 (-0.8),
500 (-0.8), 300 (-3.4), 200 (-5.2), 150 (-7.1),
100 (-9.4), 70 (-11.2), 50 (-13.6 db).
Decca Z718 f 50, 70, 100, 160, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, c/s
\ -14 -11 -8-4 db
\0 00
/ 3000, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 6000 c/s
Odb
Decca K1804 14 000 to 400 c/s (constant velociry) 250 to 30 c/s
(constant amplitude); in steps. Level +10 db at
1000 c/s.
American
R.M.AvStancUuxn No. 2(A) Constant frequency bands at same frequencies as
REC-128 1 Side A without announcements.
No.
y
78 r.p.m. J No. 2(B) 8000, 6000, 4000, 2000 (+10 db) ; alternate gliding
and constant frequencies 3000 to 30 c/s (+16 to 18
db); 8000, 6000, 4000, 2000 ( + 10 db).
R.C.A. (12-5-19) 12 in. Approx. const, vel. 10 000 ; 9000 ; 8000 ; 7000 ;
78 r.p.m. 6000 ; 5000 ; 4000 ; 3000 ; 2000, 1000 ; (0 db =
Unfilled vinyl, SF 8.6 cm/sec. approx.) 800 c/s ; 500 ( — 1.5 db) ; Const,
ampl. 300 ; 200 ; 100 ; 50 ; 1000 (-2 db) ; 10 000.
R.C.A. (12-5-25) 12000 (-2.5 db); 11000 (-3); 10000 (-1.5);
(=460625-6) 12 in. 33-1/3 approx. const, vel. down to 700 (—0.5 db) ; 400 (1.2
r.p.m. Unfilled vinyl, SF db below const, ampl.) ; 300 (0.6 db below const,
ampl.). Also 400 and 4000 c/s tone for intermodula-
tion testing. Groove has bottom radius less than 0.5
mil. Max. stylus radius 3 mils.
R.C.A. (12-5.-31) 7 in. 45 Approx. const vel. 10 000 (-0.5 db) ; 9000 ; 8000 ;
r.p.m. 7000 (-1); 6000; 5000 (-1.3); 4000; 3000
Unfilled vinyl, D.F. (-1); 2000; 1000 (0 db = 5.2 cm/sec); 700
(Opposite side of 12-5-29) (—0.5); 400 ( — 1.5); approx. const, ampl. 400;
300 ; 200 ; 100 ; 50 ; 1000. Velocity at 1000 c/s
= 5.2 cm/sec.
17.5 (xi) FREQUENCY TEST RECORDS 755
Columbia
TL-1 LP microgroove 10 000 ( + 12 db) j + 12) ; 8000 (+11.5) ; 7000
9000 (
33-1/3 r.pjn. (+11); 6000 ( + 11);
5000 ( + 10); 4000 (+7.5);
3000 (+5.5); 2000 (+3); 1500 (+2); 1000 (0 db =
1 cm/sec. r.m.s.) ; 800 ( - 1) ; 500 ( -2.5) ; 400 ( -4) ;
300 (-6); 200 (-8.5); 150 (-10); 100 (-11);
70 ( — 12); 50 ( — 13). This record is cut with the
microgroove recording characteristic including high-
frequency pre-emphasis.
TL-2 LP microgroove 10 000 (+5.5 db) ; 9000 (+5.5) ; 8000 (+5) ; 7000
33-1/3 r.p.m. (+5.5); 6000 (+5); 5000 (+7); 4000 (+7.5) ; 3000
(+7) ; 2000 (+4.5) ; 1500 (+6.5) ; 1000 (+7.5) ;
800 (+7.5) ; 500 (+7.5) ; 400 (+6) ; 300 (+3.5) ;
200 (-0.5) ; 150 (-3.0) ; 100 (-6) ; 70 (-7.5) ;
50 (-10.5) ; 30 (-12 db). db = 1 cm/sec. r.m.s.
RD-103 LP microgroove 10 000 (+5 db); 9000; 8000; 7000 ; 6000 (+5);
33-1/3 r.p.m. 5000; 4000 (+7); 3000; 2000 (+5) ; 1500; 1000
12 in. Bands (+7.5); 800; 500 (+7.5); 400; 300; 200 (0 db) ;
150 ; 100 (-6) ; 70 ; 50 ; 30 c/s (-12) ; db =
1 cm/sec. Essentially flat over constant-velocity
portion, with cross-over 500 c/s.
RD-103A LP microgroove 10 000 ( + 12 db) ; 9000 ; 8000 ; 7000 ; 6000 ( + 10
33-1/3 r.p.m. db); 5000; 4000; 3000 (+5); 2000; 1000 (0 db) ;
12 in. Bands 800; 500 (-2.5); 400; 300 (-6); 200; 100 (-11);
70; 50 c/s (-13 db). db = 1 cm/sec. Levels
arranged to reproduce ± 2 db of " flat " on correctly
equalized LP reproducing system.
(10003-M) 78 r.p.m. 1000 c/s ; 10 000 (-7 db) ; 9000 ; 8000 ; 7000 ;
—
standard LP pre-emphasis 100 ; 1000 ; 3000 ; 6000 ;
10 000 c/s. Band 2—100 and 7000 c/s intermodula-
tion test, with 7000 c/s 12 db lower than 100 c/s, on
;
R.C.A. Victor
(12-5-1) 10 in. 78 r.p.m. Unmodulated grooves at normal recording pitch with
Shellac DF lead outand eccentric' Same both sides.
(12-5-3) 12 in. 78 r.p.m. Unmodulated grooves at normal recording pitch with
Shellac DF lead out and eccentric. Same both sides.
(12-5-7) 12 in. 78 and On 78 r.p.m. bands 2300 ; 1000 c/s. On 33-1/3 r.p.m.
33-1/3 r.p.m. Shellac 1000 j 433 Frequencies constant within 0.2%
c/s.
DF instantaneous (12-5-5 on opposite side).
(12-5-9) 12 in. 78 r.p.m. — —
Band 1 silent ; 2 400 c/s at 5.9 cm/sec. ; 3 1000 —
Shellac SF —
c/s at 9.6 cm/sec ; 4 silent. Frequencies constant
within 0.2% instantaneous.
(12-5-11) 12 in. 78 r.p.m. Landing area with no lead-in spiral ; at least one un-
Shellac DF modulated normal pitch groove ; steep blank spiral
normal pitch inside groove ; lead out and eccentric
Same both sides.
(12-5-13) 10 in. 78 r.p.m As for (12-5-11). Same both sides.
Shellac DF
(12-5-15) 12 in. 78 r.p.m. Warble frequency bands, sweep rate 5.5 c/s. Band
Unfilled vinyl DF (1)500—2500 c/s; (2) 750— 1250 c/s ; (3)1250—1750
c/s ; (4) 1800—2600 c/s. Same both sides.
(12-5-17) 10 in. 78 r.p.m. As (12-5-15). Same both sides.
Shellac DF
(12-5-21) 12 in. 78 r.p.m. For checking automatic record changers. Three
Unfilled vinyl DF modulated bands with large eccentric groove. Bands
define standard 10 and 12 in. landing areas without
lead in grooves. Inner band 936 c/s (1 minute) for
checking wow.
(12-5-23) 12 in. 78 r.p.m. Various modulated bands joined by spiral grooves to
Unfilled vinyl DF indicate limits of standard recording dimensions
(12-5-21 on other side).
(12-5-29) 7 in. 45 r.p.m. For checking landing and tripping action of changer
Unfilled vinyl DF mechanisms. Bands 1000 ; 400 ; 1000 c/s.
(12-5-35) 7 in. 45 r.p.m. For checking landing and tripping action of changer
Unfilled vinyl DF '
mechanisms ; for checking pickup sensitivity, turn-
table flutter and rumble.
(12-5-37) 7 in. 45 r.pm. Bands of 400 and 4000 c/s signals combined, the
Unfilled vinyl DF (RL- 4000 c/s being 12 db below the 400 c/s level. Peak
419) velocities from 3.8 to 18 cm/sec. in approx. 2 db steps.
db = 6 cm/sec. Intermodulation distortion in the
record is less than 4%. For testing pickup " track-
ing" at various levels and stylus forces (Ref. 285).
(12-5-39) 12 in. 78 r.p jn. Bands of 400 and 4000 c/s signals combined, the 4000
Unfilled vinyl DF (RL- c/s being 12 db below the 400 c/s level. Peak re-
420) corded velocities run from 27 to 4.4 cm/sec. in approx.
2 db steps. db = 9.1 cm/sec. Intermodulation
distortion in the record is less than 3%. Groove has
small bottom radius suitable for testing with 1.0 or
3 mil styli. Same use as 12-5-37.
17.5 (xi) FREQUENCY TEST RECORDS 757
(12-5-41) 12 in. 33.3 or 78 For routine testing of record changer operation with
r.p.m. Unfilled vinyl DF 1.0 or 3.0 mil styli. Standard R.M.A. landing areas
for 10 and 12 inch records are denned by short inter-
rupted tones. Short bands of 400 and 1000 c/s tones
are included for routine pickup sensitivity measure-
ments.
Clarkstan
1000 A 12 in. 78 r.p.m. Sweep frequency record for oscillographic observation
vinylite SF of equipment response. Frequency range 70 to
10 000 c/s, flat within ±
1 db. Sweep frequency rate
20 times/sec. Crossover 500 c/s.
1000 D 12 in .78 r.p.m. Sweep frequency record as 1000A but covering range
vinylite SF. from 5000 to 15 000 c/s.
EJV1.I. Studios
JH138 10 in. 78 r.p.m. Side 1 : 400 c/s (+22.5 db) with approx. 4000 c/s
for use with 2.5 mil (+10.5 db) superimposed additively for I.M. testing of
radius stylus. pickups. Peak lateral velocity of combined wave is
equal to that of a sine wave at a level +24.5 db. The
succeeding 10 bands have levels of both tones reduced
2 db below those of the foregoing band.
Side 2 :60 c/s (+8.6 db) with 2000 c/s (+10.3 db)
superimposed additively. When the 2000 c/s is
reduced in the pickup bass correction equalizer by the
correct amount relative to 60 c/s (i.e. 13.7 db), its
effective level will be —3.4 db, i.e. 12 db below the
60 c/s tone. On a velocity basis, the peak lateral
velocity of the combined wave is equal to that of
a sine wave at a level +15.5 db. The peak combined
amplitude is equivalent to that of a 60 c/s sine wave
having a level of +10 db. The succeeding 10 bands
each have the level of both tones reduced by 2 db below
those of the foregoing band. db = 1 cm/sec. r.m.s.
(Ref. 310).
of record warping (iv) Distortion due to stylus wear (v) Noise modulation (vi)
Pickup distortion (vti) Acoustical radiation (viii) Distortion in recording.
in the reproduction of records because of the fact that the curve traced by the centre
of the tip of the reproducing stylus is not an exact replica of the modulated groove.
Detailed mathematical analyses of tracing distortion have been made (Refs. 41 and
213, 42, 224, 264) and some popular articles have been written (Refs. 40, 146). The
distortion arises from the shape of the cutter, which has a chisel edge, so that a spherical
—
tipped needle follows a different path in other words it introduces harmonic dis-
tortion. Odd harmonics are shown up in the lateral movement of the needle, while
even harmonics make their presence felt through vertical movement of the needle
the "pinch effect."
* See also Chapter 37 Sect. 1 (vi) N for I.R.E. tests on phonograph combinations?
758 (i) TRACING DISTORTION AND PINCH EFFECT 17.S
L*M<{l - M- + . .
.} - 73^8*M'{l -...} + (1)
768
.J
+
~^RwU
6144*^ V
- '
\
*/ ™-R>A'U -
- 368640*^
V '
"
\
'/ - W
(4)
where A = 2na/X
R = 2nr/X
a — amplitude of lateral modulation of groove, measured in the plane of
the record
r = stylus radius
and A = wavelength of sinusoidal modulation measured in the direction of an
unmodulated groove. _
These formulae only hold when RA does not exceed y/2.
Example Groove : velocity 10 inches/sec, lateral groove velocity 2 inches/sec
for/ = 4000 c/s,
r = 2.3 mils.
Wavelength = X = 10/4000 = 0.0025 inch.
Amplitude = a = 2/2^(4000) = l/4000w inch.
A = 2n a/X = 0.2.
R = 2tt(0.0023X400) = 1.84*.
From (1) : Fundamental amplitude = 0.1839 (this is 91 9% of the groove ampli-
tude).
From (2) : Third harmonic amplitude 0.0113. = —
Percentage third harmonic with constant velocity pickup =
3 x 0.0113 X 100/0.1839 18.4%. =
From (3) Fifth harmonic amplitude
:
0.0035. = +
Percentage fifth harmonic with constant velocity pickup =
5 X 0.0035 X 100/0.1839 9%. =
Total r.m.s. distortion 20%. =
Intermodulation tracing distortion
The harmonic distortion so far discussed implies the existence of intermodulation
distortion which causes the most distressing effects on the listener and is still audible
when the offending harmonics are inaudible. The ratio of intermodulation distortion
<
Fortunately, owing to the smaller amplitudes which usually occur in both speech
and music at the higher frequencies, the actual distortion under the prevalent listening
conditions is usually less than the values given above. In addition, the yield of the
record material reduces the distortion (Ref. 265) ; this is appreciable with vinyl,
but negligible on shellac records. A
further effect is the translation loss which may be
about 6 to 8 db at 10 000 c/s at IUO 1
ID-Mi- 33 V, HO 4-44 Ml
reduced. All these subsidiary
\ 33^i 2-:1 4-44 l-ll
effects tend to decrease the actual
tracing distortion. \
»
45 K > 4-44 III
However, the deterioration in 1
78 3-<) 7-04 1-76
\
fidelity is
critical listener as the groove
radius decreases towards the end y
of a record ; this applies to 78 z
°
r.p.m., transcriptions and all 1-
<
10
,0
:
h \,
\\
types of fine groove recording.
3
[
\
V TlJi PM
R.I
The effect of recording char-
o \
-•"*? •3 Mils
acteristics on tracing dis- 2 v\
tt \
tortion u i
6
\\ 5
Over the- range of constant z
velocity recording, the tracing
45 R.P.M.
f
1 Mil —\ V ,
\
33<*RRM\
1
i
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
This relationship will, however,
RECORD DIAMETER IN INCHES
not hold at any other point. For FIG. 17. 37A
example, at frequency /2 where Fig. 17.37A. Variation
of calculated inter-
f% — 2/i, the amplitude at Q' modulation tracing distortion with record diameter
will be twice that at Q and the (based on Ref. 292).
760 (i) TRACING DISTORTION AND PINCH EFFECT 17.6
Frequency (c/s)
FIG. 17. 378
where m = fjfi
ft = recorded frequency
/x = hinge frequency of pre-emphasis
and the pre-emphasis and de-emphasis are both at the rate of 6 db /octave above fx
If/s = fx tn= 1 Ratio of H% =
a 1/3
ft = 2fx m = 2 Ratio of H% =
a 4/3
ft = 4/i m = 4 % =
Ratio of if8 16/3
Other distortion effects
In the foregoing treatment it is assumed that the pickup stylus and armature are
able to follow ideally the sharp and sudden changes in the modulation of the groove
all
which occur with complex sounds. In many cases this is obviously not the case, so
that additional causes of spurious intermodulation products (mainly inharmonic)
arise. These are reduced by the use of a really good pickup but in most cases it is
probably true that the best available pickup will introduce distortion additional to
the theoretical tracing distortion.
The distortion arising from overmodulation at high frequencies due to a high value
of pre-emphasis has already been covered in Sect. 5(i). Similar effects may occur
at low frequencies with organ music, but may be avoided by the use of a low frequency
limiter in the recording amplifier.
The effect of finite size of needle tip on the reproduction of the fundamental re-
corded frequency is covered in Sect. 2(i), also translation loss.
The pinch effect has already been mentioned. It causes increased combination
products, forced vibration of the armature at its high resonant frequency, increased
noise in the output voltage and needle talk. Fortunately these bad effects may be
considerably reduced by the introduction of vertical compliance either in the needle
(bent shank or trailer type) or in the pickup itself.
References to tracing distortion, intermodulation distortion and pinch effect
11, 40, 41, 42, 47, 110, 146, 193, 212, 213, 223, 224, 225, 248, 264, 265, 285
channel " limit is ± 0.05% (Ref. 297). In reproduction, most turntables used in
combination sets suffer from an appreciable slowing down on heavily recorded pas-
sages. This effect is reduced by the use of a light-weight pickup with high lateral
compliance. The effect may be noticed, in severe cases, by a movement in the pattern
produced on a stroboscopic disc at the commencement and end of a heavily recorded
passage.
A warped disc or wobbling turntable will produce greater wear and eventually
greater scratch level on the high portions of the record. This is much less with well-
designed light-weight pickups than with older models. However, it is important
that the stylus force should be considerably more than the minimum for correct
tracking on a perfectly flat record. A
record with warp in excess of 1/16 inch is
likely to cause trouble.
An eccentric disc or turntable will tend to cause wow ; a very small amount of eccen-
tricity is sufficient to be noticeable in recording (max. ±
0.002 inch N.A.B. ; also
English—Ref. 235). This will produce a tonal pitch variation of 0.1 % on reproduc-
tion (10 or 12 inch records).
Flutter is similar to wow but at a high frequency ; the ear is very sensitive to this
form of distortion. This also may occur both in recording and in reproduction.
References to wow etc. in recording : 84, 90, 193, 231.
Reference to tests on wow in phonograph combinations 267. :
See also Chapter 37 Sect. 1 (vi) N for I.R.E. tests on phonograph combinations,
(iv) Distortion due to stylus wear
All theoretical work on disc reproduction assumes that the needle point is perfectly
spherical. A
jewel or other form of permanent tip suffers wear on two opposite faces.
The wear is usually measured in terms of the width of the nearly flat portion. The
distortion arising from the worn stylus is independent of amplitude, and consists
principally of odd harmonics. The distortion is a function of d/l
where d = width of flat on needle
and / = wavelength of recorded tone.
The following table has been calculated from published data (Ref. 59) for standard
groove constant velocity recording
at innermost groove
d/l fundamental H, H,
/= 1000 c/s /= 10000 c/s
The distortion becomes very severe before there is any appreciable attenuation of
the fundamental caused by the needle wear. Although the harmonics of the higher
frequencies may be outside the frequency range of the equipment, the intermodulation
products will be apparent.
If the recording characteristic is constant amplitude (6 db /octave high frequency
pre-emphasis followed by de-emphasis) the values of distortion in the table should
H
be divided by 3 and 5 for H» and s respectively. In this case pre-emphasis : de-
emphasis shows to considerable advantage over constant velocity, in that styli last
longer before requiring replacement, for the same distortion.
It is obvious that, for high fidelity, no observable stylus fiat is permissible. This
seriously limits the life of sapphire styli, even when using a good quality pickup with
high lateral and vertical compliance—-see Sect. 2(vi).
(v)Noise modulation
The noise level is usually measured as the high-frequency noise developed by an
kd.h.—as
762 (v) NOISE MODULATION 173
unmodulated groove. When a high degree of noise is present and the groove is
modulated by a single-frequency signal, it is found that the signal tends to modulate
the noise. The noise modulation reaches a maximum twice each cycle, and the peak
amplitude may be over ten times the peak amplitude of the measured noise in an
unmodulated groove. The use of pre-emphasis de-emphasis is to reduce the noise
:
itself but to increase noise modulation. This effect is not apparent when the inter-
modulation is less than 4%.
This effect may be minimized during recording, by special means suggested in the
article.
Reference 145. See also Ref. 193 (proposed standards).
Ref. 193.
—
input voltage characteristic is approximately horizontal for an input up to, say, 0.5
volt ; this may be accomplished by means of a network incorporating voltage-delayed
diodes (such as 6H6) or germanium crystal diodes. The distortion products (all
harmonic and most of the intermodulation) are eliminated by splitting the high fre-
quency part of the amplifier into channels each covering only one octave. Some
possible combinations are
1. 0-3000 c/s j 3000-6000 c/s (2 channels).
2. 0-2000 c/s ; 2000-4000 c/s ; 4000-8000 c/s (3 channels).
3. 0-1500 c/s ; 1500-3000 c/s ; 3000-6000 c/s j 6000-12 000 c/s (4 channels).
Filters are used which provide attenuation at the rate of approximately 30 db/octave
at both ends of each channel, except the low frequency end of the first channel. A
filter network for two channels is given in Ref. 115, while one for four channels is
given in Ref. 138.
The only known defects are that signals below the threshold value are lost, and
that there are some intermodulation products.
OUTPUT
Fig. 17.38. Simple Scott dynamic noise suppressor {Ref. 251 based on Ref. 114).
17.7 (vi) SCOTT DYNAMIC NOISE SUPPRESSOR 765
adjusted for minimum output at 9000 c/s, but it was found preferable to tune C x and
L t for minimum output at 7500 c/s to avoid too great a rise in output between the two
frequencies of maximum attenuation. This simple circuit cannot provide a response
extending above about 6000 c/s. .
A more recent model with minimum output at 10 000 c/s is described in Ref. 184.
Performance data of a more flexible dynamic noise suppressor built into a complete
amplifier are given in Ref. 173.
A modified circuit for home use is that used in the Goodell radio-phonographs
(Ref. 133 Fig. 1). This includes provision for a switch to short-circuit the high-
frequency filter (LiCi in Fig. 1738) ; the sharp cut-off is at a frequency from 10 000
to 16 000 c/s. This and the Scott amplifier (Ref. 173), are to be preferred to the earlier
circuit of Fig. 17.38.
A more elaborate circuit, which also includes a pre-ampiifier suitable for use with
a low-level electromagnetic pickup, a 3 stage power amplifier, frequency-compensated
volume control and bass and treble tone controls, is described in detail in Ref. 250.
See also Ref. 188 for further information.
A simpler modification is described in Ref. 165 in which a combined equalizer
suitable only for use with low-level electro-magnetic pickups (such as G.E. or Picker-
ing). This uses one 12SG7 valve and two 12SL7 twin triodes, with d.c. heater supply.
Much more elaborate dynamic noise suppressors for use in broadcast stations are
described in Refs 114, 133, 275.
An analysis of the filter characteristics for the dynamic noise suppressor are given
in Ref. 140.
References to Scott dynamic noise suppressor : 83, 114, 133, 165, 173, 184, 188,
250, 275.
To obtain the best results from the dynamic noise suppressor requires intelligent
attention from the operator, using the minimum degree of suppression rather than
the maximum. The level should be controlled at some point after the suppressor
(see comments, Ref. 149).
A comparison between the Scott, Fisher and Goodell versions of the dynamic noise
suppressor is given in Ref. 182.
(ii)Recording characteristics
The most generally used cross-over frequency is 500 c/s. It is usual to adopt a
close approach to the N.A.B. pre-emphasis characteristic (+16 db at 10 000 c/s)
followed by de-emphasis. The soft coating material causes some loss of higher
frequencies during playback, so that a smaller amount of de-emphasis is required
than would be used with hard discs, such as shellac.
17.8 (iii) CUTTING STYLUS 767
(iii)Cutting stylus
The usual cutting stylus has a tip radius of about 2 mils with an included angle of
about 90°. The depth of cut is usually between 1.5 and 2.5 mils. Steel cutting
styli arecheap, but give poor performance all round, and only last for about 15 to 30
minutes of recording. Sapphire cutting styli are very much to be preferred ; they
may be reground when necessary Some alloys (e.g. stellite) approach the sapphire
performance, and are readily re-ground.
The shape of the cutting stylus is vitally important ; it normally has burnishing
facets to produce a noise-free polished groove (Refs. 95, 222).
A hot stylus recording technique has been developed to reduce the noise level by
12 to 18 db while retaining good high-frequency response. No burnishing facets
are required (Refs. 288, 289, 315).
(vii) Amplifier
The amplifier should be capable of an output of at least 10 watts, with low dis-
tortion and good frequency response. The noise and hum level should be at least
768 (viii) PICKUPS FOR LACQUER DISCS 17.8
45 to 50 db below maximum power output (40 db is an extreme limit for poor re-
cordings). The amplifier should preferably have push-pull triodes with negative
feedback, although triodes without feedback or beam power valves with feedback may
be used.
(i) Introduction
Reproduction from transcription discs follows the same general principles as other
disc reproduction, and will only be dealt with briefly. The special features of trans-
scription disc recording and reproduction have been adequately covered in the litera-
ture, to which a number of references have been given.
The principal characteristics of NAB. (Ref. 237) and B.B.C. (Ref. 214) 16 inch
33-1/3 r.pjn. transcription discs are given below
Some 10 inch and 12 inch discs are also used, but these have been covered in Sect. 2.
The pickups to be used with transcription discs should have a stylus force not
exceeding 1-1/2 ounces (42 grams). Only permanent points should be used.
The total harmonic distortion on an original recording at 1000 c/s or less, in accord-
ance with good practice, would be less than 2% (Ref. 219).
Intermodulation distortion measured on recordings made by three recording heads,
with low frequency peak amplitudes of 2.5 mils and high frequency velocity 12 db
lower, were approximately 1.0, 9.2 and 52% (Ref. 269). The first head is one giving
exceptionally low distortion, while the second is representative of good practice.
The readings were very little affected by the choice of low or high frequency. When
the level was reduced 6 db, the I.M. distortion was reduced to 23% with the third
recording head (say 6% harmonic distortion).
References to transcription recording (general) : 4, 7, 63, (92, 99, 163), (135, 205,
146), 189, 214, 216, 218, 219, 230, 237.
Standards : Refs. 2, 87, 214, 237 : Specifications : 185 ; Bibliography : 105.
The N.A.B. (1949) standard for signal to noise ratio states that the noise level
measured with a standard volume indicator (ASA Standard C.16.5-1942) when re-
producing a record on a flat velocity basis over a frequency range between 500 and
10 000 c/s shall be at least 40 db below the level obtained under the same conditions
of reproduction using a tone record of 1000 c/s having a peak velocity of 7 cm/sec.
Response of the system at 500 c/s shall be 3 db below the response at 1000 c/s, and
the response shall fall at the rate of at least 12 db /octave below 500 c/s. Response
of the noise measuring system at 10 000 c/s shall be 3 db below the response at 1000
c/s and the response shall fall at the rate of at least 12 db /octave above 10 000 c/s.
The standard N.A.B. pre-emphasis will increase this value by approximately
8 db, resulting in an effective signal to noise ratio (under minimum conditions) of
48 db. The peak signal to noise ratio will be at least 10 db better than this figure,
—
with normal programme material say 58 db. Lacquer discs (direct recordings)
under similar conditions may have peak signal to noise ratios up to 68 db or even higher
(Ref. 63).
speed varies from 27 to 13.1 inches per second. As the groove diameter approaches
7-1/2 inches there is a progressive loss of high frequencies and increase in harmonic
distortion during both recording and play-back. For an analysis of the radius of
curvature see Ref. 146. For tables giving groove/land ratios see Ref. 205.
The B.C.C. have a maximum radius compensation of 10 db, but the frequency at
which it reaches 10 db is decreased as the diameter becomes smaller (minimum 8-3/4
inches).
There is that with certain kinds of music it is impossible to apply the
no doubt
full NAB. pre-emphasis of 16 db at 10 000 c/s together with the necessary amount
of radius compensation to provide a nearly leyel frequency characteristic without
serious over-modulation and distortion. The only answer seems to lie in the use of
fine groove recording.
References 4, 99, 189, 214, 227.
10. Voigt, P.G.A.H. " Getting the best from records " W.W. (1) The recording characteristic 46.4
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11. Burt, A. D. " The reduction of record noise by pick-up design " Elect. 16.1 (Jan. 1943) 90.
14. Beers, G. L., & C. M. Sinnett " Some recent developments in record reproducing systems
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15. Brierley, J. " Pick-up accessories " W.W. 49.4 (April 1943) 100.
16. Hay, G. A. " Needle armature pick-up ; design giving good frequency response and low amplitude
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17. Brierley, J. " moving coil pick-up " W.W. 48.7 (July 1942) 154; G. A. Hay (letter) W.W. 48.9
A
J. H. Mole (letter) W.W. 48.8 (August 1942)
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21. Scroggie, M.G. " Gramophone needle scratch " W.W. 46.1 (Nov. 1939) 3.
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25. de Soto, C. B. " recordings are made " Q.S.T. (1) Principles of disc recording 26.7 (July 1942)
How
30 : (2) The recording 26.8 (Aug. 1942) 56 ; (3) The amplifier 26.9 (Sept. 1942) 65 ; (4) Playback
26.10 (Oct. 1942) 54 ; (5) Tests and trouble shooting 26.12 (Dec. 1942) 51.
29. W.W. Brains Trust " Future of the Disc " W.W. 50.1 (Jan. 1944) 8.
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40. — .
Devereux, F. L. " Gramophone needle buzz an inherent form of distortion : Possible cures
W.W. 50.10 (Oct. 1944) 290. . „„„„„,„
41. Hunt, F. V., &
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42. Lewis, W. D.,<& F. V. Hunt " Theory of tracing distortion in record reproduction" J. Acous.
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45. Miessner, B. F. " Frequency modulation phonograph pickup " Elect. 17.11 (Nov. 1944) 132.
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50. 'Miessner, B. F. " Capacity phono pick-up " Radio Craft (Feb. 1945) 282.
52. Bauer, B. B. " Tracking angle in phonograph pickups " Elect. 18.3 (Mar. 1945) 110.
53. Glover, R. P. " record-saving pick-up " Electronics, 102 (Feb. 1937) 31.
A
54. Bird, J. R., & C
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55. Knapp, D. G. " The offset head crystal pickup " Comm. 18.2. (Feb. 1938) 28.
56. Olney, B. " Phonograph pickup tracking error " Elect. 10.11 (Nov. 1937) 19.
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59. Bauer, B. B. " Calculation of distortion due to phonograph needle wear " Elect. 18.77 (July 1945)
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62. Bauer, B. B. " Crystal pickup compensation circuits " Elect. 18.11 (Nov. 1945) 128.
63. Brooker, V. M. " Some aspects of sound recording " Proc. I.R.E. (Aust.) 6.3 (Sept. 1945) 3.
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71. " Anew moving coil pickup " (" Lexington ") Electronic Eng. 18.221 (July 1946) 224.
76. Rich, S. R. " Torsional magnetostriction pickup " Elect. 19.6 (June 1946) 107.
82. Scott, R. F. " Magnetostriction pickup " Radio Craft (Nov. 1946) 16.
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84. Furst, U. R. " Periodic variations of pitch in sound reproduction by phonographs " Proc. I.R.E.
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85. MacDonald, G. E. " The reduction of tracking error " Comm. 21.1 (Jan. 1941) 5.
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A
91. Martinson, B. K. " Phono pickups " Service 15.8 (Aug. 1946) 12.
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5Cf
nn ?SSf K
en/ * '*»
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*
*• »• J°hn " Phonograph pickup using strain gauge " Electronic Industries
*7 '
F" * N E Payne
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^ffiffrbF'
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^^
106.
109. Francis, E. H. " Moving iron pickups T' W.W. 53.8 (Aug. 1947) 285.
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,,.,
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™°' .
ZPtSrZJkh'^ K -
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ill*
Mitt U B e
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J22'
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//? ^TiL-vM?*"^
" Mu8»cal acoustics" (refers to recording frequency ranges) Audio Eng. 31.9
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J38'
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C c*fn' **• - " Filter characteristics for the dynamic noise suppressor " Elect. 21.4 (April
1948) 114.
142. Kahn, A. " Torque-drive phono pickup " Service, 17.6 (June 1948) 32.
144. Burwen, R. S. "Feedback preamplifier for magnetic pickups " Audio Eng. 32.2 (Feb. 1948) 18.
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150. Pnce, S. L. " Bala nced clipper noise suppressor " Audio Eng. 32.3 (March 1948) 13.
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153. Maxfield, J. P., & J. K. Hilliard " Notes on pre-equalization for phonograph records " Audio
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15Z* !
158. Modern crystal phonqpickups " Radio Electronics 20.1 (Oct. 1948) 29.
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!??•
161.
S* ?
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162. Queen, I. " New magnetic pickups " Radio Electronics 20.1 (Oct. 1948) 55.
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J55*
166-
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'
"Columbia LP microgroove records " Audio Eng. 32.8 (Aug. 1948) 24.
170. Harris, H. " Making phonograph record matrices " Audio Eng. 32.7 (July 1948) 14.
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178. Hector, L. G., 4 H. W. Karen " Ceramic phonograph pickup " Elect. 21.12 (Dec 1948) 94.
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210. —
Griffin, E. E. " Embossing at constant groove speed a new recording technique " Elect. 13.7
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211. McProud, C. G. " Experimental volume expander and scratch suppressor " Audio Eng. 31.7 (Aug.
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'
212. Begun, S. J., & T. E. Lynch " The correlation between elastic deformation and vertical forces fa
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„„„,«„„ TT t
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223. Reid, J. D. " A large radius stylus for the reproduction of lateral cut phonograph records " J. Acous
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229. McLachlan, N. W. (book) " The New Acoustics " (Oxford University Press, 1936) p. 88.
230. Dorf, R. H. (book) " Practical Disc Recording " (Radcraft Publications Inc., New York, 1948).
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a Annexure to recorded talk on disc-recording standards " delivered to I.R.E.
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237. " N.A.B. Recording and reproducing standards " Engineering (May 16, 1949)
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254. Data kindly supplied by Radio Corporation of America, R.CA. International Division.
255. Date kindly supplied by William S. Bachman, Director of Research, Columbia Records Inc
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258. Frayne, J. G. &
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260. R.M.A.
'
(U.S.A.) Standards and other data REC-103 (Oct. 1946) : Dimensional characteristics—
ah records for home use.
REC-105 (June, 1947) : Disc home recording.
REC-125-A (July 1949) : Phonograph pickups.
REC-126-A (Oct. 1950) : Playback needles for home phonographs.
REC-128 (May, 1949) : Standard frequency test records.
261. Andrews, D. R. * Importance of groove fit in lateral recordings " Audio Eng. 33.7 (July 1949) 18.
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263. Carson, B. R., A. D. Burt &
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A ^^
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265. Roys, H. E. " Analysis by the two-frequency intermodulation method of tracing distortion encoun-
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267. Institute of Radio Engineers, U.S.A. "Standards on radio receivers—methods of testing amplitude-
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;
269. Yenzer, G. R. " Lateral feedback disc recorder " Audio Eng. 33.9 (Sept. 1949) 22.
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of 20 KC
—
271. " Disc recording system developments solutions of many problems to bring about a fidelity range
" Tele-Tech. 9.1 (Jan. 1950) 14.
272. Begun, S. J. (book) " Magnetic Recording " (Murray Hill Books Inc. 1949).
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274. Briges, G. A. (book) " Sound Reproduction " Wharfedale Wireless Works, Bradford, Yorks.,
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276. Brierley, J. H. " Reproduction of Records
and Recordings) Ltd., Liverpool, England.
— 1
" booklet published by J. H. Brierley (Gramophones
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(England).
278. Fleming, L. " Equalized pre-amplifier using single stage feedback " Audio Eng. (Mar. 1950) 24.
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280. Warren, H. G. (letter) " Pre-amplifier circuit " W.W. 46.6 (June 1950) 238.
281. Bauer, B.B. " All-purpose phonograph needles " Elect. 23.6 (June 1950) 74.
—
282. Wood, G. H. H. " Record and stylus wear advantage of compliant stylus mountings " W.W.
56.7 July 1950) 245.
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285. Roys, H. E. " Determining the tracking capabilities of a pickup " Audio Eng. 34.5 (May 1950) 11.
286. " Playback standards " Audio Eng. 347 (July 1950) 4.
287. Fleming, L. " Equalized pre-amplifier using single stage feedback " Audio Eng. 34.3 (March 1950)
24.
288. Bachman, W. S. " The Columbia hot stylus recording technique " Audio Eng. 34.6 (June 1950) 11.
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Only 1950) 24.
290. Marcus, E. J. & M. V. " The diamond as a phonograph stylus material " Audio Eng. 34.7 (July
1950)25.
291. Fine, R. S. " An intermodulation analyzer for audio systems " Audio Eng. 34.7 (July 1950) 11.
292. Roys, H. E. " Recording and fine-groove technique " Audio Eng. 34.9 (Sept. 1950) 11.
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294. Godfrey, J. W. " Reproduction of discs and records for broadcasting " B.B.C. Quarterly 4.3
(Autumn 1949) 170.
295. Terry, P. R. " The variable-disc-speed method of measuring the frequency characteristics of
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296. Anderson, L. J. & C. R. Johnson " New broadcast lightweight pickup and tone arm " Audio Eng.
35.3 (March 1951) 18.
297. Moir, T. " Recorders and reproducers " FM-TV 11.1 (Jan. 1951) 14.
298. Weil, M. " Phono facts " Audio Eng. 35.6 June 1951) 20.
299. Dutton, G. F. " Gramophone turntable speeds " W.W. 57.6 (June 1951) 227.
—
300. " Frequency test records Calibration methods discussed by B.S.R.A. " W.W. 57.6 (June 1951) 227.
301. Kelly, S. " Piezo-electric crystal devices " Electronic Eng. 23.278 (April 1951) 134 ; 23.279 (May
1951) 173.
302. Shirley, G. (letter) " Diamond vs sapphire " Audio Eng. 35.8 (Aug. 1951) 6.
303. John, R. S. "A strain-sensitive phonopickup " Radio and TV News 43 (Feb. 1950) 40.
304. Roys, H. E- " Recording and fine groove technique " Broadcast News No. 60 Quly-Aug. 1950) 9.
305. West, R. L., & S. Kelly " Pickup input circuits " W.W. 56.11 (Nov. 1950) 386.
306. Goodell, J. D. "Problems in phonograph record reproduction " Radio & TV News 44.5 (Nov.
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307. " AES Standard playback curve " Audio Eng. 35.1 (Jan. 1951) 22.
308. " British long-playing records " W.W. 57.1 (Jan. 1951) S7.
309. Pollock, A. M. "Thorn gramophone needles " W.W. 56.12 (Dec. 1950) 450; correspondence
57.3 (March 1951) 121 ; 57.4 (April 1951) 145.
310. Kelly, S. " Intermodulation distortion in gramophone pickups " W.W. 57.7 (July 1951) 256. (b)
Letter L. J. Elliott, 57.9 (Sept 1951) 370.
311. Bachman, W. S. "The application of damping to phonograph reproducer arms" Proc. I.R.E.
40.2 (Feb. 1952) 133.
312. Discussion on hum in moving coil and ribbon pickups : H. J. Leak, W.W. 56.4 (Apr. 1950) 132
J. H. Brierley, 56.6 (June 1950) 238 ; 57.2 (Feb. 1951) 81 ; P. J. Baxandall and R. L. West 57.4
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313. Anderson, L. J., & C. & Johnson " New lightweight pickup and tone arm " Broadcast News No. 64
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314. Weil, M. Getter) " Tracking efficiency " Audio Eng. 34.8 (Aug. 1950) 2, also front cover.
315. " Hot stylus technique " W.W. 58.2 (Feb. 1952) 50.
316. Read, O. (book) " The recording and reproduction of sound " (Howard W. Sams & Co. Inc.
Indianapolis, Indiana, 2nd ed. 1952).
317. Parchment, E. D. " Microgroove recording and reproduction " Jour. Brit. I.R.E. 12.5 (May 1952)
271.
Additional references will be found in the Supplement commencing on page 1475.
CHAPTER 18
SECTION 1 : MICROPHONES
(i) General survey (it) Carbon microphones (Hi) Condenser microphones (iv)
Crystal and ceramic microphones (v) Moving coil (dynamic) microphones (vi) Pres-
sure ribbon microphones (vii) Velocity ribbon microphones (vat) Throat microphones
(ix) Lapel microphones (x) Lip microphones (xi) The directional characteristics
of microphones (xii) The equalization of microphones (xiii) Microphone transformers
(xiv) Standards for microphones.
775
776 MICROPHONES—(i) GENERAL SURVEY 18.1
Microphone ratings
Microphones may be rated in terms of either voltage or power, as described in
detail in Chapter 19 Sect. l(iv). Ratings in common use include
Voltage ratings
A. Open circuit voltage (0 db = 1 V) for sound pressure 1 dyne/cm*, expressed in
dbv*.
B. Open circuit voltage (0 db — 1 V) for sound pressure 10 dynes/cm 2, expressed in
dbv.
C. Volume units (as read by a standard Volume Indicator) for sound pressure 1
dyne/cm ", expressed in vu.
D. High impedance grid circuit voltage (0 db = 1 V, Z = 40 000 ohms) for sound
pressure 1 dyne/cm 2, expressed in dbv.
Power ratings
E. Output powerf (0 db = 1 mW) for sound pressure 1 dyne/cm 2 , expressed in
dbm.
F. Output powerf (0 db = 1 mW) for sound pressure 10 dynes/cm 8, expressed in
dbm.
G. Output power (0 db = 6 mW) for sound pressure 1 dyne/cm 2 This rating is .
Power ratings —The power rating is the power developed in a load of specified
value. Power ratings E, F, G and H may be calculated one from the other as under: J
E to F +20 db F to J - 94 db H to G - 20 db
E to G - 8 G to E + 8 H to J - 86
E to H +12 G to F + 28 J to E + 74
E to J -74 G to H + 20 J to F + 94
F to E -20 G to J - 66 J to G + 66
F to G -28 H to E - 12 J to H + 86
F to H - 8 H to F + 8
dbm db db db
Carbon (S.B.) -19 -47 -27 -113
Moving coil -45 to -66 -73 to -94 -53 to -74 -139 to -160
Pressure ribbon -57 to -61 -85 to -89 -65 to -69 -151 to -155
Velocity ribbon -54 to -63 -82 to -91 -62 to -71 -148 to -157
(ii)Carbon microphones
An example of the single button type is the modern telephone inset, which gives
an output of about 1 mW with close speaking.
The frequency response is seriously
peaked, while non-linear distortion and noise level are very high.
The double button (push-pull) type has a wider frequency range (70 to 7000 c/s
— —
in one example), and the second harmonic distortion is considerably less, but the
output is about 10 db lower than that of the single button type.
Carbon microphones require a source of low voltage to pass a current of from 10
to 50 mA through each button. When the circuit is broken by a switch there is a
—
tendency for the carbon granules to cohere this may be reduced by connecting two
condensers and three inductors as shown in Fig. 18.1.
All carbon microphones have a tendency to blasting, while their other defects in-
cluding high noise level limit their application. The principal advantage is the high
output level.
References A5, A21, A23, Dl, D3, D4, D7, D13, D14.
,-nnnr^
[E-nmn i.m
L/rmr\ !>*=£
Fig. 18.1. Circuit diagram of double button carbon microphone with filter (optional)
to reduce cohering(L =
0.0014H,C = 0.02 pF, E= 4.5 to 6 V).
Fig. 18.2. Circuit diagram of condenser microphone.
Fig. 18.3. Circuit diagram of crystal microphone.
All crystal microphones using Rochelle salt or similar materials tend to be affected
by excessive humidity and temperatures above 125 °F. Most of the crystals are now
coated to provide considerable protection against humidity, although their use under
tropical conditions appears to be risky.
A crystal microphone is effectively a capacitance, of the order of 0.03 fiF for a dia-
phragm type or 0.0004 to 0.015 /*F for a sound-cell type. This is effectively in series
18.1 (iv) CRYSTAL AND CERAMIC MICROPHONES 779
with the generated voltage and following grid resistor. The following grid resistor*
(R in Fig. 18.3) should be from 3 to 5 megohms for a sound cell type, or 1 to 5 megohms
for a diaphragm type. A low resistance causes attenuation of low frequencies.
A long connecting cable will result in loss of output voltage, but will not affect the
frequency response. The loss is given by
db loss =
20 log [1 (L x C L )/CM ]
+
where L = length of cable in feet
CL =
capacitance of cable in microfarads per foot
and CM = capacitance of microphone in microfarads.
A few crystal microphones are equipped with step-down transformers for use in
low impedance circuits.
Ceramic piezo-electric microphones have advantages over crystal types as regards
high temperature and humidity. These have substantially similar performance to
that of crystal microphones. One model has a nearly flat response from 30 to 10 000
c/s with an output level of — 62 dbv (0 db = 1 V per dyne/cm 2 ).
References to crystal and ceramic microphones A5, A21, A23, Dl, D3, D4, D7,
:
D13, D14.
close to the source of sound, the low frequencies are strongly accentuated. For this
reason, a good, quiet studio and correct placement of speakers at a reasonable distance
is necessary if a normal velocity microphone is used for speech. The bi-directional
characteristic is useful where there are two speakers, or two groups, arranged on op-
posite sides of the microphone.
One model incorporates a switch and compensating reactor to reduce the accentua-
tion of low frequencies with close speaking (R.C.A. KB-2C, Ref. A27).
A modified form incorporates a large amount of acoustical resistance! to give a nearly
flatresponse at all frequencies when speaking very close to the microphone (1 to 6
inches away), and noise cancellation for sounds originating at a distance. This is
particularly suitable for outdoor public address (R.C.A. KB-3A, Ref. A28).
References A5, A21, A23, A27, A28, Dl, D3, D4, D7, Dll, D13, D14.
This pattern shall be plotted in the form of -a polar diagram as a function of the angle
of incidence. The electrical output at any one angle, Eg , shall be referred to the output
at the zero position, E , by the relation 20 log™ (E„/E ).
SECTION 2 PRE-AMPLIFIERS
:
(i) Introduction
A pre-amplifier is a voltage amplifier suitable for operation with a low level input
and whose output isintended to be connected to another amplifier operating at a
higher input level. Pre-amplifiers are commonly used with low-level microphones
and pickups. When a pre-amplifier has to feed the a-f amplifier in a typical radio
receiver, the output voltage is usually taken for design purposes as 1 volt r.m.s. across
a high impedance. This allows for a volume control between the pre-amplifier and
the main amplifier. In some cases it is necessary to incorporate the volume control
in the pre-amplifier itself in order to avoid overloading with abnormally high input
levels. In such cases this volume control is usually placed between the first and
—
second stages of the pre-amplifier with very high input levels it may be necessary
to incorporate either a volume control or a fixed attenuator prior to the first grid.
A pre-amplifier follows the same general principles of design as any other voltage
amplifier (see Chapter 12) except that particular attention has to be paid to hum, noise
and microphony, all of which tend to be troublesome.
(ii) Noise
(A) The characteristics of random noise
Random noise includes both thermal agitation noise and valve noise. The
energy of such noise is distributed uniformly over the frequency spectrum. The
distribution of amplitude with time has been covered in Ref. Bl —
occasional peaks
exceed four times the r.m.s. value.
—
Random noise voltages must be added in quadrature that is to say as the root of
the sum of the squares.
(D) Methods used in the design of amplifiers to ensure low noise level
—
Noise in low level amplifiers is due to three principal causes noise in the plate load
resistor of the first stage, valve noise, and noise in the grid (input) circuit. If the
stage gain is of the order of 20 or more, the effect of noise in the following stage may
usually be neglected. Obviously any unnecessary loss of signal voltage through any
form of attenuator between the signal source and the grid should be avoided.
Noise in the plate load resistor (current noise) may be avoided by using some
form of special low-noise resistor, such as a high-stability cracked carbon resistor
described in Chapter 4 Sect. 9(i)m. The plate supply voltage may be from 100 to
—
180 volts if, as is usual, a higher supply voltage is available, it is merely necessary
to incorporate a. RC filter to drop the voltage and by-pass any noise and hum com-
ponents. Such components are frequently required for decoupling in any case.
Composition resistors may be used as screen resistors with pentode valves, because
the noise voltage is by-passed to earth. Current noise, however, occurs in the grid-
circuit due to the negative grid current of the valve. Cathode bias resistors (if used)
should be wire wound.
Valve noise may be made low, if necessary, by the use of a r.c.c. triode valve in
the first stage. The equivalent resistance for shot-effect valve noise is inversely
proportional to the mutual conductance (see eqn. 2) so that a high mutual conductance
at the operating point is desirable if reduction of shot-effect noise is the principal
object. Triodes in common use have published values of mutual conductance from
1000 to 5000 pmhos giving calculated values of noise resistance from 2500 to 500 ohms
respectively under published conditions. The noise resistance of a resistance loaded
valve is greater than that for the same valve under published conditions. For example
type 6J5 operating with a plate current of 1 has g m mA —
560/imhos and a calculated
noise, resistance of 4500 ohms, which is about 4 times the value under published con-
ditions.
The calculated values of noise resistance for three typical r.c. pentodes are given
below :
784 (ii) NOISE 18.2
—
consistent with the frequency response required very high step-up ratios can be
used where the frequency response is not very important. Even in " high fidelity "
applications (with a frequency range from 30 to 15 000 c/s) by using nickel-alloy
cores, it is practicable to obtain a reflected secondary impedance up to 100 000 ohms,
although somewhat lower values are more common.
For the measurement of noise in amplifiers see page 829.
(iii) Hum
Thegeneral features of power supply hum filtering and neutralization have been
covered in Chapter 31 Sections 4 and 5. Hum due to conditions within the valves
and hum due to circuit design and layout have been covered in Chapter 31 Sect. 4.
Hum in voltage amplifiers has been covered in Chapter 12 Sect. 10(vi).
In pre-amplifiers the permissible hum voltage on the grid of the first valve depends
on the maximum signal level at this point. If a high ratio transformer is used, with
a reflected secondary resistance of 25 000 ohms or more, the signal level will be high
and an extremely low hum level will not be necessary. On the other hand, if a low
level pickup is coupled directly to the grid circuit without a step-up transformer,
extreme care and ingenuity will be required to make the hum inaudible.
Some of the precautions which may be necessary in certain cases to reduce hum to
a sufficiently low level are given below
1. Complete electrostatic shielding of first pre-amplifier valve and associated
components and wiring. The grid and plate circuits should be separately screened,
—
so that there is negligible capacitive coupling between them in the case of single-
ended valves this requires care in wiring and either a shield or its equivalent between
grid and plate.
2. Electromagnetic and electrostatic shielding of microphone transformer (if any).
The more elaborately screened microphone transformers may include two or three
concentric magnetic shields of permalloy or equivalent, with copper shields between
(Ref. D2). For the lowest hum levels, hum-bucking is sometimes also provided in
the transformer.
3. It is usual for the pre-amplifier to be built on a separate, preferably non-magnetic,
chassis situated a considerable distance from the main amplifier chassis carrying the
power transformer and filter chokes. If this is not possible, the power transformer
should be designed to have low leakage flux and be mounted independently of the
chassis, with the laminations vertical, and all a-f transformers should either be avoided
or elaborately screened.
18.2 (iii) HUM 785
low-level valves dependent upon the total plate current of the amplifier,
is
which is liable Ref. B52.
to vary.
(b) The heaters may be connected in series, and supplied from a separate full-wave
rectifier and filter, using a thermionic or selenium rectifier —
alternatively a
selenium bridge circuit may be used. Refs. B25, B52.
(c) The heaters may be connected in parallel, and supplied from a selenium or other
suitable rectifier, using either a full-wave or bridge circuit. Refs. B25, B52.
All methods employing rectified and filtered heater supply have a ripple component
which may be large enough to cause audible hum.
15. A r-f oscillator with a frequency of 30 or 40 Kc/s may be used as an alternative
to d.c. heater supply (Ref. B25).
16. If a.c. is supplied to the heater of the first stage, the voltage of this stage alone
may be decreased to about 70% to 85% of normal. This is only permissible with a
limited number of valve types and even so may require selection of valves. A
cathode
current well under 1 mA
is essential (Ref. B20).
17. The cathodes of all pre-amplifier valves should preferably be earthed directly
to the chassis. However, in practice this is sometimes inconvenient and it may be
found that a minimum capacitance of 100 /iF shunted across the bias resistor from
cathode to chassis is satisfactory. High resistance grid-leak bias has not been found
satisfactory for low level operation.
18. An electrostatic shield in thejpower transformer is essential, even where the
transformer concerned supplies only heaters.
19. The pre-amplifier valves may be de-magnetized in a decreasing a.c. field. This
is only useful when the valves have become magnetized by some means.
20. Magnetic shielding of power leads and all conductors carrying a.c. may be ac-
—
complished by the use of an iron pipe, flexible conductor or most effective a per-—
malloy wrap similar to that used for continuous loading of submarine cable (Ref. B51).
Additional notes on hum with pentode valves
1. Hum due to lack of sufficient filtering in the plate supply may be neutralized by
some suitable form of neutralizing circuit (e.g. Fig. 12.57).
2. The hum voltage caused by a magnetic field decreases more rapidly than the
gain as the load resistance is decreased. A low load resistance is therefore desirable
if there is a strongmagnetic field (Ref. B42).
3. Hum caused by heater-to-plate leakage is also reduced more rapidly than the
gain as the load resistance is decreased.
4. In pentode valves operating with low input levels there is a further source of
hum in that the magnetic field of the heater varies the partition of current between
plate and screen and so introduces hum. This hum is worse with remote cut-off
valves than with those having sharp cut-off characteristics. This form of hum may
be made zero by a suitable adjustment of grid or screen voltage (Ref. B46). See also
Refs. B23 (Jan. 1949) and B50.
(iv) Microphony
There are very between valves with regard to microphony, and
large variations
special low-level types are recommended. Individual selection is, however, desirable
in addition if the valves are required to operate at very low levels. In all cases some
improvement may be made by a cushion socket and a thick rubber pad around the
valve.
If the designer decides to use ordinary radio valves for the first stage in a pre-
amplifier, it is advisable to test and select the valves in accordance with the following
procedure. A
sufficient number of valves should be operated for about 48 hours
under the same electrode voltages as in the pre-amplifier. They should then be
tested for reverse grid current, and only those with reverse grid currents less than 0.1
/*A should be used in very critical positions. If a sensitive microammeter is not
available, a 1.0 megohm grid resistor may be cut in and out of circuit and the change
—
in plate current measured see Chapter 3 Sect. 3(iv)A. Low reverse grid current
not only reduces the noise, but also permits a higher grid resistor to be used. The
valves with low reverse grid currents should then be tested in the first socket of the
pre-amplifier for noise, hum and microphony.
Some single-ended pentodes have one heater pin adjacent to the plate, and very
high leakage resistance is required to avoid hum (except when this heater pin
is earthed).
Type 6AU6 may be used as a triode with earthed plate and suppressor, using the
screen as the anode, to reduce hum from leakage between heater and plate.
This device is only suitable for the first stage in the pre-amplifier owing to the
limited screen dissipation rating (0.65 watt). The following operating conditions
are suggested with a plate supply voltage of 180 volts (Ref. B48) :
The noise due to the grid resistor alone is about 3.8 /*V.
788 (v) VALVES FOR USE IN PRE-AMPLIFIERS 18.2
Hum referred to the grid—median valve 3.9 /*V, maximum limit 12 pV with cathode
resistor by-passed (40 /*F).
When used in a typical circuit, placed with the electron stream in a magnetic field*
of 1 gauss, the hum voltage on the grid is about 10 pV.
With a grid resistor of 30 000 ohms, approximately 4 /*V of hum per volt of heater
potential perppF of capacitance between heater circuit and grid circuit will appear
at the grid. If the heater voltage is 6.3, this will give approximately 25 pV per ppF
of coupling. For applications see Figs. 18.7A, 18.7B.
Hum from the plate supply may be made as small as desired by filtering, neutraliz-
ing, and possibly the use of a triode in the first stage. Hum
from other sources,
including ax. heaters, may be made completely inaudible in wide frequency range
amplifiers (up to 15 000 c/s) by careful design, using some of the methods in (iii) above.
Pre-amplifiers for use with crystal microphones
The pre-amplifiers described below (A, B and C) have an output level of about 1
volt r.m.s. and are suitable for use with a diaphragm type crystal microphone.
•Flux V«{ri»» from 1 to 3 gauss ate found quite frequently as far as 7 inches from a
« typical radio
power transformer.
tThe effective noise bandwidth of a studio amplifier is usually wider than 15 Kc/s.
tdbvg'xdecibeb of voltage gain—See Chapter 19 Sect. l(u).
—
itotoasov
This circuit has the disadvantage that the cathode follower stage may give rise to
audiblehum. It should therefore be restricted to use with a sensitive type of crystal
microphone or to applications where a low hum
level is not essential.
(C) A preferred arrangement is a good transformer in the cathode circuit of the 6J5,
stepping down from 20 000. ohms primary impedance to any desired line impedance.
(D) Cathode follower as low-noise input stage
Fig. 18.6A shows the conventional cathode follower, and Fig. 18.6B shows the modi-
fied circuit for use as a low-noise input stage in connection with crystal microphones
"
•dbvg — decibels of voltage gain—see Chapter 19 Sect. 100.
'
790 (vi) MICROPHONE PRE-AMPLIFIERS 18.2
or pickups. It has been shown (Ref. B53) that the modified circuit will have the
same stability as the conventional circuit if R t = (1 + G)Ri, where G is the voltage
gain of the valve defined as the ratio of the voltage across 3 to that across R u R
If
Z, is high, as it will be if coupled to another valve grid, then G
will be approximately
constant and a real number, In a properly designed circuit t can be made con- R
siderably higher man t. R
OB +
The circuit of Fig. 18.6B shows an improvement in signal to noise ratio compared
with that from the conventional circuit, the ratio being -</(R JRj) for thermal noise
produced by R t and R*. For noise generated in R a and i?8 , noise- from the power
supply, valve noise and hum and microphony voltages other than those due to capacit-
ance coupling or resistance leakage into the grid circuit, the noise ratio is
R* Z, + R t
R Z, + R t
1
A** ,600 +
Fig. 18.7. Two stage broadcast station microphone pre-amplifier with gain of 29 db.
18.2 (vi) MICROPHONE PRE-AMPLIFIERS 791
FIG. 18. 7A
Fig. 18.7A. Two-stage pre-amplifier using twin triode type 12A Yl (Ref. BIT).
A two-stage pre-amplifier using type 12AY7 twin triode is shown in Fig. 18.7A.
This has a total gain of 50 db, and the average noise and hum level referred to the input
grid is 11 /xV (Ref. B17).
A balanced pre-amplifier employing cross-neutralization and negative feedback is
shown in Fig. 18.7B, using a.c. on the heaters. The frequency response is flat from
1*5*
PRE-AMPLIFIER V AMPLIFIER
n/ww-
MIC I
MtCS
•rev
KEY
SWITCH
-J
PRE -AMPLIFIER No 2
m l«|»F
MIC4
met
I
4—Sv, AMPLIFIER
lew
KEY —
PRC.-AMPUFIER No X
HHTCH
SWITCH —
WC"»
MIC 7
FW. IS.7C
References to microphone pre-amplifiers : Al6, A24, B19, B28, B41, B43, B48,
B53, B54.
•4O900S. * <
—^fr^AA ! -J
FIG. 18.70
Fig. 18.7D. " B" amplifier of same equipment as Fig. 18.7C (Ref. £18).
Amplifier gain is denned as the ratio, expressed in db, of the power delivered to
the load to the power which would be delivered to the same load if the amplifier were
replaced by an ideal transformer which matches both the load and source impedances.
Frequency response, distortion and power output see Ref. A30.—
R.O.H
794 (i) POTENTIOMETER TYPE ATTENUATORS 18.3
FlG.ie.8
input R
The step-type volume control (Fig. 18.9) has some advantages over the continuously
—
variable type it is more reliable, has lower noise as the contact is being moved, and
the degree of attenuation is definitely known. In all the best designs, wire-wound
resistors are used. It is usually designed with logarithmic characteristics so that there
is a constant step (in decibels) between successive tapping points, e.g. 2 db. The
method of calculating R
0i ft, etc. is given below.
Let R = total resistance of attenuator (Fig. 18.9)
N = voltage ratio corresponding to the decibel step between successive
tapping points (N less than unity)
and M (1 - N).
Then R* MR = MNR R 2 = MN*R etc.
; Ri ;
Rn MN»R = R - R - R - Ri
; R, - Rn- x . . .
R
Values of a and R* are given in Table on page 796. For formulae giving trans-
1
formations from T
to 77 or from 77 to T
forms see Ref. C12.
Both T and 77 sections may be arranged in a " balanced " form for use with an
—
earthed centre-tap in this case the series resistors R x and JR 8 are divided into two
halves, one on each side of the centre (for table of formulae see Ref. D6). They may
also be designed to match unequal source and load impedances (see Refs. C7, C12,
D6, Dll).
For the derivation of the equations above, see Ref. C13.
If the output impedance is increased beyond the design value, the input impedance
will be increased (although to a less extent) and the attenuation will be reduced
see Refs. C6, C12, D6.
There are many other forms of constant impedance attenuators, but none does more
—
than the T or 77 section they may be preferred for practical reasons in certain
applications. See Refs. C12, D6, D8, Dll.
—
Single section attenuators constant impedance in one direction
(iii)
only
The L section of Fig. 18.12 may be used when it is not necessary for the looking-
backwards output impedance of the attenuator to be constant. In this case
R = Z(K -
t \)/K and R< = Z/{K - 1) (3)
For further information see Refs. C12, D2.
The values of R6 and R t have been tabulated for steps from 1 to 10 db (Table 1
on page 796).
o—pkv^_ o^vvwv-j o
-j
•ii_J__ii* iT r r T~
PIG. 18. IO FIC.I8.II
l I
PIC. 18.13
l~
Fig. 18.10. Constant im- Fig. 18.11. Constant im- Fig. 18.12. The L
pedance T section at- pedance FI section at- type single section
tenuator. tenuator. attenuator.
db K Rx R» R* Rt R* *«
1 1.122 5.76 866 11.6 1740 10.9 819
2 1.259 11.46 430 23.2 874 20.6 386
3 1.413 17.10 284 35.2 585 29.3 242
4 1.585 22.6 210 47.6 443 36.9 171
5 1.778 28.0 164 61.0 357 43.8 129
6 1.995 33.2 134 74.6 302 49.9 100.5
7 2.239 38.2 112 89.3 262 55.4 80.7
8 2.512 43.1 94.6 106 232 60.2 66.1
9 2.818 47.6 81.2 123 210 64.5 55.0
10 3.162 51.9 70.3 142 193 68.4 46.2
The following references will be found helpful in supplying further general in-
formation on attenuators :
Periodicals C6, C12 (the most comprehensive of all), C13, C17 (the basic treatment).
Books D2, D6, D8, Dll (brief treatments are given in several other books).
*/a
INPUT
!«• 4
p p J
PIC. 18.14
A modified form of ladder attenuator is shown in Fig. 18.14 which has a minimum
attenuation of 6 db but whose input impedance is nearly constant except for high
values of attenuation and whose output impedance is nearly constant except for low
values of attenuation. This can only be used when the impedance of the source is
R R
equal to Z. The values of a, Rt and B are the same as in Fig. 18.13. This is the
commonest type for broadcast station " mixer " control equipment.
A form of ladder attenuator suitable for connecting a low impedance line to a high
impedance grid circuit is shown in Fig. 18.15. This is built up from three sections L
Z
and the input impedance is equal to under all conditions but' the output impedance
varies (this being unimportant). The values of s and R R
t are given by eqn. (3) and
Table 1, while 7 is given by ZR t /(Z
R t ). +R
As an example take 600 ohms Z =
and 2 db steps. Then the voltage ratio corresponding to 2 db is 1.259. From K—
eqn. (3)
R5 =
600 x 0.259/1.259 123.6 ohms =
.
FIG. IMS
Loss Series arm Shunt arm Loss Series arm Shunt arm
(db) (each) (total) (db) (each) (total)
adjustment provided that the input level is not too high. Fixed grid bias must be
used. A universal design curve is given in Fig. 18.18 (Ref. C15).
A circuit using type 6BE6 as a fader-mixer is shown in Fig. 18.18A. This has a
voltage gain of 62 from grid 1 input, and 25 from grid 3 input. The distortion for
798 (v) ELECTRONIC ATTENUATORS 18.3
40
40
O
130
Z
w
E
"*
20
•Ol •I H) 10
9m« fig. ie.18
F*£. 18.18. Universal design curve for electronic attenuator (Ref. C15).
an output of 5 volts is 0.19% with input to grid 1, and 1.4% with input to grid 3. A
plate load resistor of 50 000 ohms gives lower gain and distortion. For electronic
gain control purposes, it is advisable to apply the signal to grid 3 and the control
voltage to grid 1 (Ref. C20).
pedance. In some cases the mixing is carried out between the input sources and the
grid of the first amplifier stage, and here the load impedance presented to each source
must be maintained constant.
The simplest type of fader*, which does not provide mixing, is shown in Fig. 18.19.
It isonly suitable for high level pickups, or the secondaries of step-up transformers,
since the noise from the moving contact is appreciable. The control is a centre-
tapped potentiometer with a total resistance 2R. The value of R should be that
recommended for each pickup.
Fig. 18.20 shows a series network mixer which may be used as a fader, but it has
serious drawbacks. Both sides of input source A
are above earth, and any hum picked
up in this channel is fed without appreciable attenuation to the following grid. More-
over stray capacitances to earth of channel A
tend to by-pass the high frequency signal
voltages of channel B. This arrangement is not recommended.
A modified series network mixer is shown in Fig. 18.21 in which one side of each
channel may be earthed, but a transformer must be used to couple the outputs to the
grid. This may be used for fading and mixing.
FIG. 18.21
Fig. 18.19. Simple type Fig. 18.20. Series Fig. 18.21. Modified
of fader for two pickups. network mixer. series network mixer.
The parallel network mixer is shown in Fig. 18.22 where three input sources are
provided for, although any number may be used. The value of JR 4 may be made equal
to or greater than R u and similarly with the other channels. If the mixer is con-
nected between two amplifying stages, all resistances may be equal (say 0.5^ megohm)
and the maximum insertion loss will be 6 db for 2 channels, 9.5 db for 3 channels or
12 db for 4 channels. The insertion loss varies when the controls are moved the —
maximum variation in insertion loss caused by any one potentiometer is 2.5 db for
two channels but less for more channels. This interaction is less if the source im-
pedance is considerably smaller than the resistances in the mixer, so that triode valves
are preferable to pentodes in the preceding stage.
The circuit of Fig. 18.22 may also be used when the sources
are microphones or pickups, but R 1} R t and R 9 should be the
correct load resistance in each case. The isolating resistors
R t , JR S and R, may be made equal to the highest of the load re-
sistances. This arrangement is only practicable with fairly
high source levels, on account of the insertion loss and its
o—*nR, J \ * effect on the signal-to-noise ratio.
c 5*v ^tJr One application of the parallel network mixer is
^j '
T
—
given in Fig. 18.23 this general set-up may be modified to
suit any when there is a considerable difference
practical case
in level between the two sources.
Fig. 18.22. Parallel Probably, the most popular of all mixing circuits in this
network mixer. class is the method using a common plate load for two or more
valves. When two valves are used with a common
•The word *'
fader " is here used in the sense of fading out one input source and fading in another.
The fading of a single source is here called attenuation. Mixing is the combination of two (or more)
sources so that both are amplified simultaneously j a mixer may however be used also for fading.
800 (vii) NON-CONSTANT IMPEDANCE MIXERS AND FADERS 18.3
0aoto4oov)
-**WTVWW— 0»+
•IMA aSJOOOA
a. juK.. «»WW
Fig. 18.23. Complete pre-amplifier in-
corporating parallel network mixer, for
use with high level crystal microphone
and crystal pickup. R x — 1 to 5MQ i
R, = 0.5MQ or higher. Gain in V t
is 30 dbvg.
plate load resistor, the plate resistance of each valve acts as a shunt load on the other,
thereby reducing the gain and the output voltage for a limited distortion. With
triodes, the gain is equal to the normal gain for a single valve multiplied by
(r„ -f Rj)/(r 9 + R
2R L). If L is considerably greater than r„ the gain is slightly
greater than half that for a normal valve. With pentodes, the loss of gain due to shunt-
ing is slight, and may be neglected in most calculations. The effect of the shunting
on the maximum output voltage is much more severe than on the gain. The output
voltage for limited distortion is approximately equal to the normal output voltage
multiplied by r p /(jr p + R L). If L R —5r„ as for a typical triode, then the output
voltage is reduced to one fifth of its normal value. For this reason it is suggested that
R —
L 2r p would be more suitable, giving a reduction to one third of the normal value.
Here again, the effect on pentodes is small.
One simple but very effective mixer incorporating
common plate load mixing is Fig. 18.24. V x may be any
twin triode, R L may be determined as outlined above,
while the plate supply voltage may be about 250 volts,
or higher if a high output voltage is required with low
distortion. If desired, a second twin triode with a
further two input channels can be added . Alternatively,
V
two r-f pentodes may be used in place of x to provide
increased gain. Various combinations may be devised no. It. 34
incorporating one or more common plate load mixers Fig. 18.24. Simple
with other types of mixers or faders to meet almost any mixer using twin triode
possible requirements. Fig. 18.25 is one example with common plate load
Vt and V
t may be any suitable twin triodes, R x pro- reststor.
vides fading for the two microphones and R t is a combined microphone volume control,
R
R t and Rs provide fading and mixing for the pickups while 3 is a master volume con-
trol. V, has a common plate load resistor.
One of the problems with mixers of the common plate load type is the control of
volume without introducing noise or circuit complications. This problem may be
overcome by the use of 6L7 type valves in which the amplification is controlled by
varying the voltage on the third grid (Fig. 18.26). This mixer is intended for use
output
no. is. as
Fig. 18.25. Mixer for two microphones and two pickups. Values of resistors are for
Vx = V, = 6SN7-GT.
18.3 (vii) NON-CONSTANT IMPEDANCE MIXERS AND FADERS 801
Mfc-B-
FIC 18.3ft
Fig. 18.26. Three channel mixer with electronic volume control C4).
(JRef.
with three high-level crystal microphones ; the volume controls operate on d.c. and
may therefore be placed some distance from the mixer (Ref. C4).
References to non-constant impedance mixers : C3, C4, D10.
» = 2 3 4 5 6
Ri = Rt = U/3)K IR (3/5)K (2/3)K (5/7)K
Mixing loss 6.02 9.54 12.04 14.0 15.56 db.
An alternative form omits R t and thereby obtains lower mixing losses, but the out-
put impedance of the mixer and hence the input impedance of the master attenuator
will be R L instead of R u the values bein given below
g :
•Constant impedance indicates that both the input impedance and the «~—*-w«.*w«u»
resistance ate maintained constant under all coalitions. uwiw
looking-backwards outwit
802 (viii) CONSTANT IMPEDANCE MIXERS AND FADERS 18.3
Ri = /2(« /2 2 =
RL = R(2n - l)/« 2
Mixing loss 10 log10 (2« - 1)
n — 2 3 4 5 6
Ri 0.50/2 0.67/2 0.75/2 0.8022 0.83/2
0.75/2 0.56/2 0.44/2 0.36/2 0.31/2
Mixing loss = 4.77 6.99 8.45 9.54 10.41 db.
If it is desired to maintain all input and output impedances constant and equal to
will be necessary to insert a matching
/2, it
1.33
5
1.25
6
1.20
:
=
6
0.512
8
0.625/2
R = 1.25/2 R 0.7512
and loss in mixer = 7*.0 9.5 11.1 db.
Withsix channels, the output resistance is equal to and the taper pad will not R be
required. In other cases its loss should be added to that in the mixer.
(D) Bridge type mixers
Fig. 18.30 shows a bridge type mixer with four input channels. This can only be
earthed at one point, but is otherwise satisfactory for four input sources. The output
resistance is equal to R, so that no taper pad or matching transformer is required
the mixing loss is 6 db, which is less than that of any other 4 channel resistance mixer.
(E) Coil mixing (Ref. C18)
Coil mixing refers to the use of a special transformer (Fig. 18.31). The loss is the
theoretical minimum and is given by 10 log 10 n where n is the number of input sources
— it is 6 db when n = 4. The value of Z2 S is given by
/2 6 = i/2(n -
1)
and is equal to Rwhen n — 4. The secondary transformer impedance is equal to nR.
18.3 (viii) CONSTANT IMPEDANCE MIXERS AND FADERS 803
The following comments are based solely on minimum mixing loss, and are there-
fore to be applied with discretion
1. When the impedance of the input circuit is required to be higher than that of
the output circuit, a parallel mixer should be used.
2. When the impedance of the output circuit is required to be higher than that of
the input circuit, a series or coil type mixer should be used.
3. When the input and output circuits are required to be nearly the same im-
pedance, a series-parallel or bridge type mixer should be used.
References to constant impedance mixers
CI, C2, C3, C12 (parts 7 and 8), C16, C18, D10,
Dll.
(G) Precautions with studio type mixing
systems
Under any possible operating conditions, the OUTPUT
level at any stage should be kept at least 6 db and
preferably 10 db above the critical pre-amplifier
level of — 60 vu.
With mixer controls turned right off, and a
normal level applied to each input in turn, the
ratio of " leakage " at 10 000 c/s to normal pro-
gramme level should be better than 70 db. tvNMp^wJfc
Cross-talk between two different circuits may
be reduced by using twisted leads for all speech Fig. 18.31. Constant impedance
circuits with an electrostatic screen around each mixer using coil mixing with
pair. four input sources.
804 REFERENCES 18.4
Where there are long circuits between pre-amplifier outputs and mixer outputs,
it isusually considered wise to use balanced transformer inputs to avoid the possi-
bility of cross-talk or noise affecting the programme.
SECTION 4 : REFERENCES
(A) MICROPHONES AND THEIR APPLICATION, STUDIO EQUIPMENT
A2. Queen, I. " Microphones " Radio Craft (Sept 1944) 723.
—
A5. Amos, S. W. and F. C. Brooker " Microphones a detailed review of their design and characteris-
tics •' (I) Electronic Eng. 18.218 (April 1946) 109 ; (2) " Sound waves and the physical properties
of microphones " 18.219 (May 1946) 136 ; (3) " Pressure operated microphones " 18.220 (June
1946) 190, also 18.221 (July 1946) 221 j (4) " Ribbon velocity and combined types " 18.222 (Aug.
1946) 255.
—
A7. Nygren, A. C. "Condenser microphone design tiny condenser microphone (W.E. 640-AA)
combined with bullet shaped amplifier " P.M. and T. 6.8 (Aug. 1946) 38.
A8. Report of the Standards Committee (1933) of the Institute of Radio Engineers, U.S.A.
A15. American Standards Association " American recommended practice for the calibration of micro-
phones " Z24.4— 1938.
A16. Radio Manufacturers Association (U.S.A.) " Standard audio facilities for broadcasting systems "
TR-105-B (Nov. 1949).
A17. Olson, H. F. " Gradient microphones " J. Acous. Soc. Am. 17.3 (Jan. 1946) 192.
A18. Hilliard, J. K. "An omnidirectional microphone" (Altec-Lansing miniature condenser type)
Audio Eng. 33.4 (Apr. 1949) 20.
A19. Martin, D. W. " Magnetic throat microphones of high sensitivity " J. Acous. Soc. Am. 19.1
(Jan. 1947) 43.
A20. Radio Manufacturers Association (U.S.A.) " Microphones for sound equipment " SE-105 (Aus.
1949).
A?l. Catalogues of microphones.
A22. Olson, H. F., and J. Preston "Single-element unidirectional microphone" Jour. S.M.P.E. 52.3
(March 1949) 293.
A23. Beranek, L. L. (book) " Acoustic Measurements " (John Wiley and Sons Inc. New York ; Chap-
man and Hall Ltd. London, 1949).
A24. Telfer, E. "Audio-frequency equipment for broadcasting services " Proc. I.R.E. (Aust.) 11.5
J.
(May 1950) 107.
A25. Olson, H. F., and J. Preston " Unobtrusive pressure microphone " Audio Eng. 34.7 (July 1950)
A26. Hilliard, J. K. " Miniature condenser microphone " Jour. S.M.P.E. 54.3 (March 1950) 303.
A27. Anderson, L. J., and L. M. Wigington " The Bantam velocity microphone " Audio Eng. 34.1
(Jan. 1950) 12.
A28. Anderson, L. J., and L. M. Wigington " The KB-3A high-fidelity noise-cancelling microphone "
Audio Eng. 34.4 (April 1950) 16.
A29. Beaverson, W. A., and A. M. Wiggins " A second-order gradient noise cancelling microphone
using a single diaphragm " J. Acous. Soc. Am. 22.5 (Sept. 1950) 592.
A30. Radio Manufacturers Association " Standard amplifiers for sound equipment " SE-101-A (July
1949).
Additional references will be found in the Supplement .commencing on 'page 1475.
B46. Zakarias, I. "Reducing hum in pentodes" Elect. 21.11 (Nov. 1948) 170. # .„„,»_-
B48. " Grounded plate type 6AU6 triode connection for pre-amplifier use Radiotronics 142 (April
1950) 45.
B49. Data Sheet XIX " Circuit noise due to thermal agitation " Electronic Eng. 14.167 Jan. 1942) 591.
B50. Zakarias, I. (letter) " Hum in a.c. valves " Electronic Eng. 22.263 (Jan. 1950) 33. See also B23,
B46.
B51. Hopper, F. L. " Noise considerations in sound-recording transmission systems," Jour. S.M.P.E.
54.2 (Feb. 1950) 129.
B52. Hedge, L. B. " D.C. heater supply for low-level amplifiers " Audio Eng. 35.6 (June 1951) 13. _ #>
B53. Tucker, M. J. " Cathode followers as low-noise input stages " Electronic Eng. 23.281 (July 1951)
A
B54. Shorter, D. E. L., and D. G. Beadle " Equipment for acoustic measurements— portable general
purpose microphone amplifier using miniature valves " Electronic Ens. 23.283 (Sept. 1951) 326.
See also Chapter 31 Rets. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. Fox additional references see Supplement page 1479.
D7. Boyce, W. F., and J. J. Roche, " Radio Data Book " (Boland and Boyce Inc., Montdair, N.J. U.S.A.).
D8. " Motion Picture Sound Engineering " (D. Van Nostrand Company Inc. New York, 1938).
D9. Valley, G. E., and H. Wallman (Editors) " Vacuum Tube Amplifiers " (McGraw-Hill Book Com-
pany, New York and London, 1948).
D10. Greenless, A. E. " The amplification and distribution of sound " (Chapman and Hall Ltd. London,
2nd edit. 1948).
Dll. Frayne, J. G., and H. Wolfe, " Elements of Sound Recording " (John Wiley and Sons, New York
Chapman and Hall Ltd., London, 1949).
D12. Blackburn, J. F. (Editor) " Components Handbook " (McGraw-Hill Book Company Inc. New
York and London, 1949)
D13. Beranek, L. L. " Acoustic Measurements " (John Wiley and Sons, New York ; Chapman and
Hall, London, 1949).
D14. Kinsler, L. E., and A. R. Frey " Fundamentals of Acoustics " (John Wiley and Sons, New York;
Chapman and Hall, London, 1950).
CHAPTER 19
806
19.1 (i) POWER RELATIONSHIPS EXPRESSEt) IN BELS AND DECIBELS 807
watt " is it is also stated that the original level
misleading unless was 1 watt. A far
more satisfactory way
to state that a rise of 3 db has occurred.
is This may be cal-
culated quite simply since the gain in decibels is
10 log10 (2/1) =
10 log102 10 x 0.301= 3.01 db =
or approximately 3 db.
In a similar manner a decrease from 2 watts to 1 watt is a change of approximately
- 3 db.
It has been found that a change in level of 1 db is barely perceptible to the ear,
while an increase of 2 db is only a slight apparent increment. For this reason variable
attenuators are frequently calibrated in steps of 1 db or slightly less. In a similar
manner an increase from 3 watts to 4.75 watts is only a slight audible increment} being
an increase of 2 db.
In order to simplify the understanding of barely perceptible changes the follow-
ing table has been prepared, and it will be seen that a move from one column to the
nearest on left or right is equivalent to a change of 2 db. In this table db is taken
fls 3 Wfltts
db :
'
-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 +2 +4 +6 +8 +10 +12
watts: 0.30 0.47 0.75 1.2 12
1.9 19
3.0 30 47.5
4.75 7.5
In addition to the application of decibels to indicate a change in level at one point,
they may also be used to indicate a difference in level between two points such as the
input and output terminals of a device such as an amplifier or attenuator. For ex-
ample, consider an amplifier having an input power of 0.006 watt and an output power
of 6 watts. The power gain is 6/0.006 or 1000 times, and reference to the tables
shows that this is equivalent to 30 db. The amplifier may therefore be described
as having a gain of 30 db, this being irrespective of the input or output impedance.
References 1, 8, 9, 16 (Chap. 32).
widely used at the present time. As an example, a power of 1 watt may be described
as
30 db (reference level 1 mW)
or 30 db (0 db = 1 mW).
or 30 dbm*.
The abbreviation db 6m is sometimes used to indicate a level in decibels with a
6 milliwatt reference level.
To convert from a reference level of 1 mW
to 6 mW, add — 7.78 db.
To convert from a reference level of 1 mW
to 10 mW, add — 10.00 db.
To convert from a reference level of 1 mW
to 12.5 mW, add — 10.97 db.
To convert from a reference level of 6 mW
to 1 mW, add + 7.78 db.
To convert from a reference level of 10 mW
to 1 mW, add -f- 10.00 db.
To convert from a reference level of 12.5 mW
to 1 mW, add + 10.97 db.
With any reference level, a power with a positive sign in front of the decibel value
indicates that this is greater than the reference power, and is spoken of as so many
" decibels up." A negative sign indicates less power than the reference power, and
is spoken of as so many " decibels down." db indicates that the power is equal to
the reference power.
A
statement of power expressed in decibels is meaningless unless the reference
level is quoted.
References 1, 5, 8, 9, 10.
(B) Voltage
A reference level of 1 volt has been standardized in connection with high impedance
microphones. The abbreviation dbv has been standardized (Ref. 38) to indicate
decibels referred to 1 volt.
In the general case, the input voltage to the amplifier will be (Fig 19.1)
Et = ER t /(R + RJ
where E — open-circuit voltage developed by the microphone
R x = input resistance of amplifier
and R ~ internal resistance of microphone (here assumed purely resistive).
(B) In terms of output power.
Alternatively the output of a microphone may be given in terms of output power
for a stated sound pressure.
dbm indicates a power expressed in decibels with a reference level 1 mW.
:
For example, the output of a microphone may be stated as — 65 dbm into a load
of 150 ohms, with an input sound pressure of 1 dyne per square centimetre. From
Table 3—Sect. l(x>—the power is 3.2 x 10~ 7 milliwatt. If desired this may be
converted into voltage across 150 ohms.
* An amplifier is normally toted as described in Chapter 37 Sect. 3(it)C with an input voltage from
a generator applied through a constant imprdancc attenuator, which combination effectively applies a
—
constant voltage through a resistance equal to the sated source impedance of the iMf<jtr as in Hg. 193.
— —
Microphone system ratings are most commonly used in a complete sound system
sound, microphone, amplifier, loudspeaker, sound see (ix) below. —
See Chapter 18 Sect. 1 for die relationships between various forms of microphone
ratings.
suppressed.
Gain in decibels of voltage gain =
20 log E%IEX (12)
where 2 E = voltage across output terminals of voltage amplifier
and Ei =voltage across input terminals of amplifier.
It is important to distinguish these decibels from decibels of power, which have
an entirely different meaning. The abbreviation dbvg is suggested as indicating
decibels of voltage gain.
Some engineers express the gain of an amplifier in terms of voltage by taking x E
(eqn. 12) as the open circuit generator voltage {E in Fig. 19.1). If the load resistance
(JRi in Fig. 19.1) is equal to the generator resistance (R), the indicated gain by this
R
method will be 6 db less than that given by eqn. (12). If x is greater than 1QR,
both methods give approximately the same result. If the generator impedance has
an appreciable reactive component, the difference between the two methods will be
less than indicated above.
Bridging gain is the ratio, expressed in db, of the power delivered to the bridging
amplifier load to the power in the load across which the input of the amplifier is
bridged (Ref. 33).
The commonest case is that of the input to an amplifier having a load of 600 ohms,
with the input terminals of the bridging-amplifier connected across it. The output
load of the bridging amplifier is most commonly 600 ohms.
(vii) Combined microphone and amplifier gain expressed in decibels
(A) When a microphone, rated in terms of voltage, is connected to a voltage
amplifier which is rated in decibels of voltage gain (dbvg), the output may be
calculated as under :
power gain of 40 db, the output level will be— 59 + 40= — 19 dbm with an acoustical
pressure of 10 dynes/cm*.
(C) When a microphone, rated in accordance with the RJVLA. microphone
system rating is connected to an amplifier having its gain expressed in terms
of power in accordance with RJWLA. Standard SE-101-A :
an amplifier with a power gain of 40 db will give an output level —153 +40 +94 =
— 19 dbm. The microphone amplifier and sound pressure in this example are the
same as for (B) above.
FKJ. I9.S
Fig. 19.5. Loudspeaker
— 30 — ft
testing conditions (JR.M.A.
Standard SE-103).
The sound pressure (p*) at any distance d feet may be used to compute the pressure
p, at 30 feet by the relation
p, =
(d/30)p 4 (24)
See also Ref. 34.
Example : If the loudspeaker pressure rating (G sp) is 46 db, what is the axial
sound pressure level at 30 feet, with an available power input of 10 watts, using a
standard test signal?
G SP = 46 db AS W =
10 watts == 40 dbm
From equation (21),
20 log 10 P s 46= 44 - +
10 log 10 10 12 db. =
Therefore p s =
4 dynes/cm* (i.e. 86 db above p ).
The same result may be derived more directly from equation (23), pressure =
46 + 40 = 86 db above p .
(A) Using the American RJMLA. system ratings for microphone, amplifier
and loudspeaker we may put
SR = GM + G + G SP (25)
where SR = -sound system rating (gain in db)
GM = R.M.A. microphone system rating (equations 10 and 11)
G = amplifier power gain (equation 15)
and SPG = loudspeaker pressure rating in db (equations 20, 21 and 22).
•See Chapter 20 Sect. 6(x)B for definitions of RsR and t*SG-
19.1 (ix) SOUND SYSTEM RATING 813
A system rating of db indicates that the sound pressure 30 feet from the loud-
speaker is the same as that at the microphone. Similarly a system gain of x db in-
dicates that the sound pressure 30 feet from the loudspeaker is x db greater than that
at the microphone.
Note that the Power Ratio columns give power values in milliwatts when the re-
ference level is 1 mW. The Power Ratio columns also give power values in milli-
watts when the centre column represents dbm*.
The Voltage Ratio columns also give values in volts when the centre column re-
presents dbv.f
FIG .19 .6
m*
IO*
hC
,*r-
q id*
5
at
jj
lOOO
$
= -<&£
-~4&- „«£
$2
v^
^i
&* :
Its-*
°f
&f£
<&
eft/
^ fill
Fig. 19.6. Gain ratio plotted against decibel gain. Tins chart may also be used for
attenuation by inverting the ratio and making the decibels negative.
2. Take the difference between the specified level and the multiple of 20 db (in
this case 22.5 — 20 = 2.5 db) and note the corresponding power ratio (in this
case 1.778).
3. Multiply the two power ratios so determined (in this case 100 x 1.778 = 177.8).
db db db db
Ratio (Power (Voltage* Ratio (Power (Voltage*
Ratio) Ratio)' Ratio) Ratio)
Note that the power in watts holds for any impedance, but the voltage holds only
for500 ohms.
db down Level db up
db down Level db up
db down Level db up
The difference between the two component values in decibels is first determined
by algebraic subtraction, and this difference value is found on Scale A. The corres-
ponding figure on Scale B then indicates the number of decibels to be added to the
greater original quantity to give the required resultant.
For example take two sound levels of 35.2 db and 37.0 db. The difference is 1 .8 db
which, when located on Scale A, indicates 2.2 db on Scale B. This value is then added
to 37.0 db to give the resultant sound level of 39.2 db.
When the difference in level exceeds 20 db, disregarding the smaller quantity pro-
duces an error of less than 1%.
The nomograph scales are based on the formula :
The
arithmetic
following holds for power calculations
—— 3.0
table is as follows
5 p
H
5
db 2 6 8 12 14 18 20 at
3
factor 1.252 2.5 4 5 8 10 o
1
factor
To
1.6(2X0.8) 3.2(4x0.8) 6.4(8x0.8)
complete the table we need values for
14 —
—
i—
16
each of the odd numbers of db. Noticing
that 2 db down equivalent to multiplying
is
20 —
by 0.8 we can assume that the error in
taking 1 db down as 0.9 is small, and the L
table can then be written in full. Fig. 19.6A
19.1 (xii) DECIBELS, SLIDE RULES AND MENTAL ARITHMETIC 823
do-
ll 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
factor
3.6 4 4.5 5 5.8 6.4 7.2 8 9 10
true factor
3.55 3.98 4.47 5.01 5.62 6.31 7.08 7.94 8.91 10.0
Comparing the multiplying factors computed in this manner with the true factors
itwill be seen that the greatest error (at 15 db) is just over 3% which is negligible for
the type of calculation intended to be performed by this method.
When working with " db down," the number of db can be subtracted from 20 and
the multiplying factor from the table can be divided by 10, e.g. 7 db (20-13) down is
equivalent to a multiplying factor of 0.45. A
small amount of practice at such mental
conversions soon results in many of the factors being memorized (or else becoming
immediately obvious) without any conscious effort in this direction.
this is for use in measuring instruments etc. where the reading of the meter together
with the reading of an associated attenuator (where necessary) give the actual power
level. With " Scale B " the percentage scale is made more prominent being situated
—
above the vu scale this is for use in studio controls etc. where the operator is non-
technical and is not interested in actual levels.
The sensitivity shall not depart from that at 1000 c/s by more than 0.2 db between
35 and 10 000 c/s at an input level of vu, nor more than 0.5 db between 25 and
16000 c/s (Ref. 19).
(i) Nepers
Just as there are two systems of logarithms in general use, so there are two logarith-
mic units for the measurement of difference of power levels. The bel and the decibel
are based on the system of Common Logarithms (to the base 10).
The neper is based on the system of Naperian Logarithms (to the base e).
Nepers are not commonly used in English-speaking countries, but are used by some
European countries.
Equation (1) below should be compared with Section 1, equation (2) above :
Equation (2) should be compared with equations (4) and (5) in Section 1 above.
R.D.H
826 (i) NEPERS 19.4
0.1151
1.585
0.2303
3.162
5
0.5757
10
10
1.151
100
20
2.303
10 5
50
5.757
References 1, 9.
SECTION 5 : LOUDNESS
(0 Introduction to loudness (ii) The phon (Hi) Loudness units.
F :eling
. . 120^
MESS LEV el y
120
.. no /,
. too
-90 3 J* -jf
- --^
80
- -V
70 -/ ...y.
60 hi
-«=;
^ V
=* /
50
40
-i x J
20 y
-. '0
—--* -^
-
V J
_ '/
.'-
.
^ ^- _ s
SO >00 500 1000 5000 10000
FREQUENCY INCYCLES PER SECOND
FIG. 19. 7
Fig. 19.7. Contours of equal loudness level (0 db = 10~ 18 watt/cm*) —Ref. 28, after
Fletcher and Munson (Ref. 40).
•The equivalent reference pressure for sound pressure measurements is 0.0002 dyne per square centi-
metre. The equivalent reference velocity for sound velocity measurements is 0.000 005 centimetre
per second.
—
90 100
Fig. 19.8. Relation between loudness and loudness level ; reference frequency 1000 c/s —
Ref. 28, after Fletcher and Munson (Ref. 41).
(i)Introduction
Sound includes wanted sound —music —
and also unwanted sound
or speech
noise. Noise may be measured example by a sound level meter,
acoustically, as for
or electrically. Acoustical methods of measuring noise and other sounds are de-
scribed in (ii) below. Electrical noise may be measured either with or without a
weighting network. If a weighting network is used, there will be appreciable attenua-
tion of the lower frequencies, including hum frequencies. It is normally assumed in
good engineering practice that the hum components have negligible effect on the
noise reading ; if this is not so, they should be filtered out before the noise voltage is
applied to the measuring equipment.
828 (ii) THE SOUND LEVEL METER 19.6
Each modified by the differences between random and normal free field thresholds.
fData from G. L. Bonvallet " Levels and spectra of transportation vehicle noise " J. Acous. Soc. Am.
22.2 (March 1950) 201.
19.6 (ii) THE SOUND LEVEL METER 829
Small store 52
Theatre (with audience) 42
Hotel 42
Apartment 42
House, large city 40
House, country 30
Average whisper 4 ft. 20
Quiet whisper 5 ft. 10
Rustle of leaves in gentle breeze 10
Threshold of hearing
SECTION 7 : REFERENCES
1. Wright, P. B. " Evolution of the db and the vu " Coram. (1) 24.4 (April 1944) 54 : (2) 24.5 (May
1944) 44 ; erratum and additional data 24.6 (June 1944) 68.
2. Harrison, C. E. " Electrical and acoustical equivalents " Comm.
25.6 (June 1945) 44.
3. Rhita, N. " A
decibel nomograph " Radio Craft (Sept. 1945) 769.
4. Hudson, P. K. " Calibration of decibel meters " Coram. 25.7 (July 1945) 58.
5. Scott, F. S. G. " Absolute bels " W.E. 23.272 (May 1946) 132.
6. Miedke, R. C. " Decibel conversion chart " Proc. I.R.E. 34.2 (Feb. 1946) 76W.
7. Haefner, S. J. " Amplifier gain formulas and measurements " Proc. I.R.E. 34.7 (July 1946) 500.
8. Perry, S. V. " decibel scale " R.M.A. Tech. Bull. U.S.A. (Nov. 1940).
The
9. Rao, V. V. L. (book) " The
Decibel Notation and its Applications to Radio Engineering and Acous-
tics " (Addison and Co. Ltd. Madras, India, 1944).
10. Fowler, N. B. " Measurements in communications " E.E. 66.2 (Feb. 1947) 135.
11. Romanow, F. F., and M. S. Hawley " Proposed method of rating microphones and loudspeakers
for systems use " Proc. I.R.E. 35.9 (Sept. 1947) 953.
12. Morgan, R. L. " Noise measurements " Comm.
28.2 (Feb. 1948) 28 ; 28.7 (July 1948) 21.
13. Chinn, H. A. " vs. vu " Audio Eng. 32.3 (March 1948) 28.
dbm
14. Shea, T. E. (book) " Transmission Networks and Wave Filters " (D.Van Nostrand Company Inc.,
New York, 1929).
15. —
Pender, H. and K. Mcllwain " Electrical Engineers Handbook Vol. 5, Electric Communication
and Electronics " (John Wiley and Sons Inc. New York ; Chapman and Hall Ltd., London, 3rd
edit. 1936).
16. Research Council, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (book) "Motion Picture Sound
Engineering" (D. Van Nostrand Co. Inc. New York, 1938).
17. Ariel, H. A., H. A. Chinn and R. M. Morris " A standard VI and reference level " Comm. 19.4
(April 1939) 10.
18. Chinn, H. A., D. K. Gannett and R. M. Morris " A new standard volume indicator and reference
level."Proc. I.R.E. 28.1 Can. 1940) 1.
19. "American recommended practice for volume measurements of electrical speech and program
—
waves" CI 6.5 1942, American Standards Association. Superseded by Ref. 49.
20. McLachlan, N. W. (book) " Noise " (Oxford University Press, 1935).
21. Burrill, C. M. " An evaluation of radio-noise-meter performance in terms of listening experience "
Proc. I.R.E. 30rl0 (Oct. 1942) 473.
22. "American standard acoustical terminology" Z24.1 —
1942. American Standards Association.
23. " American Standards for sound level meters " Z24.3— 1944, American Standards Association.
24. Olson, H. F. (book) " Elements of Acoustical Engineering " (D. Van Nostrand Co. Inc. New York,
2nd edit. 1947).
25. " Methods of Measuring radio noise, " Report of Joint Co-ordination Committee on Radio
Reception of the Edison Electric Institute, National Electrical Manufacturers Association
—
and Radio Manufacturers Association R.M.A. Engineering Bulletin No. 32 (Feb. 1940).
26. Burrill, C. M. " Progress in the development of instruments for measuring radio noise," Proc I.R.E.
29.8 (Aug. 1941) 433.
27. " The characteristics and performance of apparatus for the measurement of radio interference "
B.S.S. No. 727, British Standards Institution, London (1937).
28. " American standard for noise measurement " Z24.2 —
1942, American Standards Association.
29. American R.M.A. Standard SE-103 " Speakers for sound equipment " (April 1949).
30. " Reference Data for Engineers " (book) (Federal Telephone and Radio Corporation, New York :
3rd ed. 1949).
31. Black, W. L., and H. H. Scott, " Audio frequency measurements " Proc. I.R.E. 37.10 (Oct. 1949)
1108.
32. American R.M.A. Standard, SE-105 " Microphones for sound equipment " (Aug. 1949).
33. American R.M.A. Standard TR-105-B " Audio facilities for radio broadcasting systems " (Nov.
1949).
34. Beranek, L. L. (book) " Acoustic Measurements " (John Wiley and Sons Inc. New York j Chapman
and Hall Ltd., London, 1949).
35. American R.M.A. Standard SE-101-A " Amplifiers for sound equipment " (July 1949).
36. American R.M.A. Standards Proposal 198 " Microphones " (adopted Nov. 1938).
37. Di Mattia, A. L., and L. R. Jones " Adding decibel-expressed quantities " Audio Eng. 35.7 (July
1951) 15.
38. I.R.E. " Standards on abbreviations of radio-electronic terms 1951 " Standard 51 I.R.E. 21 SI :
Proc. I.R.E. 39.4 (April 1951) 397.
39. Chinn, H. A. " The measurement of audio volume " Audio Eng. 35.9 (Sept. 1951) 26.
40. Fletcher, H., and W. A. Munson " Loudness, its definition, measurement and calculation " J. Acous.
Soc. Am. 5.2 (Oct. 1933) 82.
41. Fletcher, H., and W. A. Munson " Loudness and masking " J. Acous. Soc. Am. 9.1 (July 1937) 1.
42. King, A. J., R. W. Guelke, C. R. Maguire and R. A. Scott " An objective noise-meter reading in
phons for sustained noises, with special reference to engineering plant " Jour. I.E.E. 88, Part II
(1941) 163.
43. Chinn, H.A. " The measurement of audio volume " Audio Eng. 35.10 (Oct. 1951) 24.
.
CHAPTER 20
LOUDSPEAKERS
By F. Langford-Smith, B.Sc., B.E.
Section Page
1. Introduction 831
2. Characteristics of moving-coil (electro-dynamic) loudspeakers 835
3. Baffles and enclosures for direct-radiator loudspeakers 842
4. Horn loudspeakers 851
5. Dual and triple system loudspeakers 860
6. Loudspeakers in operation 861
7. Distortion in loudspeakers 868
8. Summary of acoustical data 871
9. Standards for loudspeakers 874
10. References 876
SECTION 1 : INTRODUCTION
CO Types of loudspeakers («) Direct-radiator loudspeakers (iii) Horn loudspeakers
(iv) Headphones (v) Loudspeaker characteristics (vi) Amplitude of cone movement
(vii) Good qualities of loudspeakers (viii) Loudspeaker grilles.
1 —
Direct radiators where the cone or diaphragm is direcdy coupled to the air.
2. —
Horn loudspeakers where the diaphragm is coupled to the air by means of
a horn.
3. —
Ionic loudspeakers in which no diaphragm is used. See Refs. 212, 227.
831
832 (ii) DIRECT RADIATOR LOUDSPEAKERS 20.1
Horn loudspeakers
(iii)
Any type of driving unit actuating a cone or diaphragm may be given greater acous-
ticalloading by means of a horn, thereby improving the efficiency and power output.
The horn ceases to have any beneficial effect below a frequency whose value depends
on the law of expansion and the size of the horn. Horn loudspeakers have considerably
greater efficiency than direct radiators. For further information see Sect. 4.
(iv) Headphones
Headphones (telephone receivers) make use of a diaphragm which is effectively
sealed to the ear by means of a cap with a central opening. The pressure of the small
quantity of air enclosed between the diaphragm and the ear drum varies in accordance
with the displacement of the diaphragm.
The driving mechanisms of headphones resemble those for loudspeakers.
(A) Magnetic diaphragm : The a-f force caused by the a-f current in the electro-
magnet operates directly upon a steel diaphragm. The bipolar type is the most
popular of all headphones at the present time. A permanent magnet supplies the
steady flux. At frequencies above the second diaphragm resonance the response
falls off rapidly. Refs. 13, 14, 59, 62.
—
(B) Moving armature type : The principles are the same as for loudspeakers.
Ref. 14.
(C) Moving-coil type This follows the same principles as the loudspeaker,
:
and with careful design is capable of greater fidelity -and wider frequency range than
the magnetic types. One model has a response from 10 to 9000 c/s ± 2 db except
for a dip of 6 db at 4000 c/s. (Ref. 63). Refs. 13, 14, 63.
(D) Crystal type The impedance of one model is 80 000 ohms (predominately
:
capacitive) at 10 000 c/s. A high resistance may be connected in series to raise the
low frequency response relatively to the high frequency response. Refs. 13, 64.
(E) Ribbon type The principle is the same as for a ribbon microphone. It is
:
sound pressure to the ear cavity from 50 to 7000 c/s. It has a shaped diaphragm V
driven by a straight conductor located in the bottom of the V. Refs. 13, 14, 66, 67.
Correction circuits for magnetic diaphragm headphones
A typical magnetic diaphragm unit has a pronounced peak slightly below 1000 c/s.
A circuit for attenuating this peak and thereby giving reasonably uniform response
is Fig. 20.1 (Ref. 25).
V /W"
r soon
ioojv<
J
>
c
diaphragm headphones (d.c. resistance 4000
ohms) giving 15 db bass and treble boost.
Secondary impedance roughly 500 ohms,
4jiF'T*
1 ^ primary load resistance 10 000 ohms (Ref. 25).
Directional characteristics
The usual frequency response characteristic is measured with the microphone
on the axis of the loudspeaker, this being the position of maximum high frequency
response. There is a serious loss of higher frequencies (4000 c/s and above) even
with the microphone 30° off the axis.
See Sect. 2(vii) for further information on moving-coil types, and Sect. 4(vii) for
horn types.
Refs. 13, 14, 15, 26 (No. 1), 61, 70, 133.
Non-linear distortion see Sect. 7(i) and (v).
:
In tabular form :
(A) Multiple single coil, single cone : It is possible to employ two or more
identical fairly light loudspeakers with fairly small cones, all connected in parallel,
series or series-parallel and correctly phased. The number to be so connected de-
pends on the maximum power to be handled at the lowest frequency. All loud-
speakers operate at all frequencies, and no filter is used.
(B) Single coil, double cone : This consists of an ordinary voice coil with two
cones, the smaller cone being firmly fixed to the voice coil, and the larger cone being
flexibly connected by means of a compliance corrugation. At low frequencies both
cones move together as a whole, but at high frequencies the small cone moves while
the large cone remains stationary.
Refs. 13A, 14, 71.
(C) Double coil, single cone This consists of a voice coil in two parts separated
:
by a compliance, the smaller being fixed to a single corrugated cone. The larger part
of the voice coil is shunted by a capacitance to by-pass the higher frequencies. At
20.2 (iii) SPECIAL CONSTRUCTIONS FOR WIDE FREQUENCY RANGE 837
low frequencies the whole assembly moves together, but at high frequencies the larger
part of the voice coil remains stationary, and the smaller part drives the cone. The
corrugations in the cone are designed to decrease the effective cone area at the higher
frequencies.
Refs. 13A, 14, 57.
(D) Double coil, double cone This consists of a light coil coupled to a small
:
cone, the light coil being connected by a compliance to a heavy coil which is firmly
fixed to a large cone. The heavy voice coil is shunted by a capacitance to by-pass
the higher frequencies. At low frequencies both voice coils are operative, and the
whole assembly moves together, but at high frequencies the small cone is driven by
the light coil, and the large cone and heavy coil remain stationary. This is really
equivalent to two separate loudspeakers.
Refs. 13A, 71.
(E) Duode This has a light aluminium sleeve as the voice coil former covered
:
on the outside by a layer of rubber, over which is wound the voice coil. At high
frequencies, it is claimed, the relatively heavy voice coil winding remains stationary,
the aluminium sleeve acting as a one turn coil receiving its power by transformer
action and driving the cone. Refs. 242, 243.
The impedance at 10 000 c/s is always greater than that at 400 c/s, the ratio varying
between 1.1 and 10 times. A high ratio is most undesirable with pentode operation,
with or without feedback, but is of no great consequence with triodes. The im-
pedance at 10 000 c/s is increased by any leakage inductance in the transformer.
The equivalent electrical circuit which gives approximately the same imped-
ance characteristic up to 400 c/s is shown in Fig. 20.3 (Refs. 15, 72). If adjust-
ments are made in the values of L , R , Ri and Cv the circuit may be extended to
higher frequencies. The bass resonant frequency is the parallel resonance of L x and
c,.
838 (iv) IMPEDANCE AND PHASE ANGLE 20.2
3 "
5 1
u
'•K3-I
" 1
Ul 1
i* 1
1
** - Li.
°8
I o- :
in
t s FREQUENCY C/S
FREQUENCY C/S
Fig. 20.5. (A) Resistive and (B) Reactive components of the impedance of a typical
loudspeaker. Ref. 37.
20.2 (vi) EFFICIENCY 839
(vi) Efficiency
Loudspeaker efficiency may be regarded either as the efficiency of the loudspeaker
itself,or in the form of available power efficiency.
The efficiency of the loudspeaker itself is the ratio of the radiated acoustical
power to the electrical input power, and is not influenced by the regulation of the
power source. The efficiency of moving-coil cone loudspeakers on large flat baffles
varies from about 2% to 10% at 400 c/s, depending on the design and on the flux
density, 3% being a. typical average. The maximum possible electro-acoustical
efficiency is given by (Fig. 20.7)
ri max = R,KR* + Rz + R 3 ) (2)
and the electro-mechanical efficiency is given by
ii.« = (*• + R 3 )/(Ro + *2 + R 3) (3)
where R = blocked (d.c.) resistance of voice coil
R = gequivalent radiation resistance
and R9 = equivalent frictional and eddy current loss resistance.
The electro-acoustical efficiency is always less than the electro-mechanical efficiency
owing to the losses represented by jR 3 It is possible to measure the electro-mechani-
.
waves. Another
is to use corrugations (compliances) in the cone so that only a small
central area is vibrating at the higher frequencies. A
further expedient is to use two
co-axial loudspeakers and a frequency dividing network, the high frequency unit
having some form of deflector. The ordinary popular loudspeaker is highly direc-
— —
tional athigh frequencies, but the best of the expensive designs are capable of 120°
radiationup to 15 000 c/s (Refs. 36, 61).
General references 13, 14, 15, 54 (Part 2), 70.
:
(x) Damping
Damping on a loudspeaker is partly acoustical, partly frictional, and partly electro-
magnetic. The electro-magnetic damping is a function of the effective plate resistance
of the power amplifier.
With a direct radiator loudspeaker on a flat baffle the
damping is slight, except in the vicinity of the bass resonant
frequency, where the electro-magnetic damping may be-
come quite large. The equivalent circuit at the bass re-
sonant frequency is given by Fig. 20.8, which is identical
with Fig. 20.3 except that L„ has been omitted as being
negligibly small, and R G has been added to allow for the
fig. 20.8 damping effect of the amplifier output resistance. R x is
Equivalent *^e damping resistance equivalent to the combined effect
Fig. 20.8.
of frj ction and acoustical loading on the cone. R is equal
circuit of loudspeaker
to tlle res * stance °f the voice coil plus that of the secondary
at bass resonant tre-
of the transformer and leads plus that of the primary re-
quency, showing damp-
•
gftggt Q t amplifier rerre d to the secondary. R G is the effective plate resistance
output resistance R G °^ rne va*ve referred to tne secondary. Any reduction
in R G below about one fifth of R has only a very small
"
effect on the Q
of the tuned circuit.
At the bass resonant frequency, the Q of the tuned circuit is given by
Case 1 RG is infinite Q = wqC^
Case 2-R G = Q = ^C.-^f^
Case 3 —general Q = «u t/i
Ri + Ro + Rg
where u> angular velocity at the ba#resonant frequency.
is
Critical damping is defined* as given by 0.5. Q =
Hence for critical damping,
+ — C J?i/?o
K° _
Ri Ro 2ai 1 ,g.
~ '
2o><t CR - 1
l l
See " American Standard Definitions of Electrical Terms " A.S.A. C42— 1941 (05.05.365) : also
C. E. Crede " Vibration and Shock Isolation " John Wiley & Sons, Chapman & Hall Ltd. 1951, p. 171,
and other textbooks on vibration. However some engineers take Q = 1 as critical damping.
20.2 (x) DAMPING 841
C
high efficiencies, since the values of L x and x are functions of the flux density. The
damping of any loudspeaker may be increased by increasing the flux density.
In general, there is no advantage in using greater than critical damping.
With enclosed cabinet loudspeakers as a result of the effect on frequency response,
the value of Q
should not fall below 1, and the most desirable all-round condition
appears to be with Q —
from 1.0 to 1.5 see Sect. 3(iii).
Alternatively, the e.m.f. generated by the movement of the cone may be fed back
degeneratively to the input of the amplifier. One method of achieving this result is
to arrange a special bridge circuit (Fig. 20.9) to provide the voltage to be fed back.
The amplifier must have good characteristics with very low phase shift. This has
been used satisfactorily over a frequency range from 10 to 1000 c/s, using a standard
12 inch loudspeaker, whose coil velocity was made proportional to input amplitude
and completely independent of frequency (Refs. 184, 186, 148B, 191, 198).
842 (x) DAMPING 20.2
Another method is to wind a separate feedback coil of very fine wire over the
existing voice coil in a conventional loudspeaker. The voltage induced in this coil
by the motion of the voice coil is a pure motional voltage at most frequencies. This
voltage may be used as a feedback voltage to increase the damping and to reduce
distortion arising from non-linearity of the cone suspension and from fringing of the
magnetic field.
At very high audio frequencies the mutual inductance between the driving voice
coil and the feedback coil produces in the feedback voltage a component which is
dependent on the induction between the coils rather than on the motion alone. This
difficulty is overcome by incorporating additional mutual inductance equal in value
but of opposite sign, between the voice coil and feedback circuits at a point external
to the magnetic field (Ref. 148).
Open back cabinets are undesirable for good fidelity. If unavoidable, they should
be as shallow as possible, with the minimum of acoustical obstruction, particularly
at the back of the cabinet. Open back cabinets should be placed at least 6 inches
out from the wall.
References to open back cabinets 13A, 14, 147, 151, 188.
:
J- ao
It is desirable for the enclosure to have appreciably different values of linear dimen-
sions—typical ratios are 1 : 1.5 : 2.7. However, the longest dimension should be
less than i of the wavelength at the lowest working frequency. The enclosure should
—
have rigid walls timber at least J inch thick, and braced where necessary.
One limitation of the enclosed cabinet loudspeaker is the bass attenuation
which occurs with critical damping, although this* only happens with high flux density
—
and low amplifier output resistance see below under Equivalent Circuit.
Some loudspeakers have been designed specially for use with enclosed cabinets.
These usually have very low bass resonant frequencies, when measured on a flat
baffle, so that when loaded by the enclosure, the resonant frequency is still sufficiently
low.
The volume of the cabinet is given below for some examples :
Equivalent circuit
Fig. 20.11 is a simplified electrical equivalent circuit of the acoustical system of the
loudspeaker (Ref. 135).
L v represents cone mass +
effect of radiation reactance.
R v represents radiation resistance (which varies with frequency)t.
C c represents acoustical capacitance of cabinet volume.
Cjj represents equivalent capacitance of cone suspension.
R s represents
effect of electrical circuit of loudspeaker and driving amplifier
reflected into acoustical circuit. The mechanical resistance of the cone sus-
pension may be taken as being included with s R .
=
Now R , oc K —=- at low frequencies
;
G + K
where B = flux density in gap,
R G = output impedance of amplifier referred to voice coil circuit,
and R = resistance of voice coil.
The acoustical response of the loudspeaker is proportional to I vf.
The voltage LU l-nfL^^ oc E = lvf oc acou-
stical response. Therefore the variation with fre-
quency ofEjy, for any one value ofL v , gives the fre-
quency response of the loudspeaker. Over the
frequency range for which the equivalent circuit is
valid, and the wavelength is large compared with the
size of the cone, the loudspeaker can be reduced so —
FiG.2o.ii
far as frequency response is
concerned to a half- —
section high-pass filter working into open circuit.
Fig. 20.11. Equivalent eke- Small values of R s, resulting from low flux density or
triced circuit of acoustical ele- Mgh amplifier output impedance, give a resonance
ments in an enclosed cabinet P«* aad bad transient response, while large values of
loudspeaker at low frequencies. R s> corresponding to high flux density and low ampli-
fier output impedance, can give a serious loss of bass.
(Ref. 135).
Fig. 20.12 shows curves for three values of R s
and hence for three values of Q, for a resonant frequency of 45 c/s. This indicates
that values of Q less than about 1 result in serious attenuation of low frequencies.
.4-5^
\ «s +R u
w
»» *+
v^
«&*•,
#*< '
fSi *rt
Fig. 20.12. Theoretical response of enclosed cabinet loudspeaker for various values
of the effective damping resistance R,. Resonance frequency 45 c/s. (Ref. 135).
References to enclosed cabinets : 13A, 29, 36, 80, 81, 84, 116, 116A, 135, 147,
151, 166, 168, 188.
INSIDE FACES
4 HOLES |^0I A.
EQU SPACED ON
I
Fig. 20.13. Typical corner cabinet with vented baffle, designed for a Goodmans Axiom
12 inch loudspeaker with a bass resonant frequency of 55 c/s, which can be used with
a speaker resonant at 75 c/s by removing the tunnel. Cubic capacity about 8000
cm. ins. = 4.6 cu: ft. (Ref. 182).
*An alternative form uses several tuned resonators from the inside to the outside of the cabinet (Ref. 18).
846 (iv) ACOUSTICAL PHASE INVERTER 20.3
h SA
i
3
U
^ l
§
> ti • ti *1 K
TUNNEL LENGTH • INCHES TUNNEL LENGTH - INCHES
FIG. 20.14
Fig. 20.14. Curves showing tunnel length for 10, 12, 15 and 18 inch Goodmans
loudspeakers with bass resonant frequencies from 20 to 100 c/s. The tunnel length
should not exceed 1/12 of the wavelength of the speaker bass resonant frequency j
points to the right of the broken lines should not be used (Ref. 182).
20.3 (iv) ACOUSTICAL PHASE INVERTER 847
under the extremely arduous conditions of operation. Other
result of wall vibration
materials which have been used satisfactorily include brick and concrete.
Vented baffles are normally designed so that the loudspeaker bass resonant fre-
quency is matched to the acoustical resonant frequency of the cabinet ; unmatched
combinations are, however, also used.
(A) Matched vented baffles
The merits of the vented baffle, when correctly applied, include
(1) improved bass response,
(2) much reduced amplitude of movement of the cone at the resonant frequency,
and hence reduced distortion at the same power output or increased power
handling capacity for the same distortion,
(3) decreased peak electrical impedance,
(4) increased acoustical damping over a limited range of low frequencies (not
including the vent resonance),
(5) increased radiation resistance and decreased reactance of the loudspeaker
at low frequencies.
The vented baffle appears to be preferred by most engineers to the acoustical
labyrinth, even apart from cost.
The vent area should normally be the same as the effective radiating area of the
cone, and the curves in Fig. 20.14 are based on this relationship. Thus the cross-
sectional area of the tunnel is given by nR 2 where R is the radius of the piston equiva-
lent to the speaker cone at low frequencies. The tunnel may have any length from
the thickness of the timber (i.e. when no tunnel, as such, is constructed) to a maximum
of approximately one twelfth wavelength, indicated by the broken curves in Fig. 20.14 ;
consequently the area to the right of the broken curves should not be used.
A reasonable length of tunnel enables a smaller enclosure to be used, but the space
between the end of the tunnel and the rear of the cabinet should not be less than R.
The volume occupied by the loudspeaker must be added to the volume derived from
the curves to obtain the volume of the enclosure. If the volume of the loudspeaker
is not known, the following approximation may be used :
any subsidiary peaks caused by standing waves should be removed by the addition
of damping material (as for the enclosed cabinet above ; see also Fig. 20.17).
Tests for acoustical output should not be made until the cabinet dimensions and
damping have been adjusted to give the correct impedance characteristic. In general,
with a vented baffle the bass range over an octave or more is increased by several
decibels over either a very large baffle or an enclosed cabinet loudspeaker.
The power gain may be greater than 3 db since the air loading of the cone may be
increased appreciably over the lower octave of the frequency range. For about one
third of an octave above and below the resonant frequency of the system, the greater
/
'
80 n
3
•3Q
i
X 5 1
(
*
o l
i
1
I 1
s
Ul hi i 1
20> <!
i
1
!\
< 3 i 1
•
!\
U /! I 1 i
i 1
! ,
i
/ i 1
'
i/
V -
\
—
20 .
IO i
A \4
7
i
0*1
^ T^
*
l<!> *9 '
*3 M 60 ioo aoo
FM QUE MCV C/S
Fig. 20.15. Impedance versus frequency characteristics of a 12 inch loudspeaker
(1) in free air (2) on aflat baffle andJ@) in a vented baffle. Curve (4) shows two
" staggered " vented baffle loudspeakers in parallel (measured).
part of the energy is radiated by the port. Phase shift occurs suddenly at the re-
sonant frequency, so that the radiation below this frequency is reduced, being the
vector difference between the two sources.
At the resonant frequency, the air in the vent or tunnel moves vigorously while the
acousticalimpedance on the rear of the cone is resistive and reaches a maximum.
At the frequency of the vent resonance, the motion of the speech coil is so small that
no appreciable electrical damping can take place and there is no danger of bass attenua-
tion such as may occur with the enclosed cabinet or The energy dissipated flat baffle.
by mechanical resistances and by the radiation of sound
generally small, so that the is
vent resonance on which the maintenance of the bass response depends, is quite lightly
damped. For this reason, when good fidelity is required, the vent resonance fre-
quency should not be greater than 60 c/s. (Ref. 135).
A corner speaker cabinet for 15 inch cones is described in Ref. 100, while one
for 12 inch cones is described in Ref. 105. These both employ a vented baffle arrange-
ment with the vents on both sides of the cabinet, between the cabinet and the walls.
Iv and I v represent the alternating air current flow in the cone and vent respectively.
Iv originates at the back of the cone and I v must therefore be reversed in phase with
respect to Iv if the acoustical output of the vent is to reinforce that from the front of
the cone. At fv, the frequency of the vent resonance, I v and I v are approximately
in quadrature ; above fv the desired reinforcing condition is approached, but below
fv the two air currents oppose one another.
The performance of the system is determined by the value of K , which is normally
made equal to the loudspeaker bass resonant frequency, and also by the ratio L v/C c .
With a large cabinet and large vent (C c large, L v small) the response can rise to a
peak in the bass, while a small cabinet and a small vent (C c small, L v large) will give
much the same effect as a completely closed cabinet, i.e. there may be bass loss.
+5
w •--. w
ft t-
(«KbXe;
1
/ 1
IMP DAI-ICE II
+10
1
-5 i
i / 1
i /AXIAL FREQUENCY
db d
b
It
if
1
w -10 II
i / RESPONSE
tf i
I /
t
+5 ft
\
y -15
"• ' V Kl
.''
y.
'' II
Fig. 20.17. Free-air axial response of a vented baffle loudspeaker and corresponding
impedance characteristics (a) conventional damping (b) optimum damping (c) excessive
damping of partition. (Ref. 135.)
Between these two extremes, there will be a pair of values for L v and c which gives C
the best approximation to a flat frequency response. The cabinet volume required
for this last condition depends on the efficiency of the loudspeaker unit and the output
impedance of the amplifier. Fig. 20.17 shows the response and impedance charac-
teristics of a 15 inch unit in a 10.5 cu. ft. cabinet. Curves (a) are for the cabinet lined
with kapok quilt and carpet felt, with internal space left free ; a serious internal
resonance shows at about 120 c/s. Curves (b) show how this resonance was sup-
pressed by introducing into the cabinet a partition having a window of area about
170 sq. ins. covered with three layers of £ in. carpet felt. This damping does not
seriously affect the frequency response but it suppresses the lower frequency impedance
hump. Curve (c) shows the effect of too many layers of felt on the window. In
this case the design aimed at a nearly level frequency characteristic down to 50 c/s.
See also Ref. 21 1 for other form of equivalent circuit.
(B) Unmatched vented baffles
Unmatched vented loudspeaker having a very low
baffles preferably incorporate a
bass resonant frequency. The cabinet is designed quite independently of the loud-
speaker and may, if desired, be fitted with an adjustable vent. In the latter case
the maximum vent area may be somewhat greater than the loudspeaker cone area,
while in the other extreme the vent may be completely closed. Using a cabinet
2 ft. x 2 ft. x 18 ins. (volume 6 cu. ft.) and a loudspeaker with a bass resonant fre-
quency of 30 c/s, the frequency of maximum acoustical pressure increases from 40
to 60 thence to 75 c/s as the vent area is varied from small to medium to large respec-
tively. The height of the maximum response above that at 400 c/s rises from 4 db
(small vent) to 6 db (medium vent) thence to 8 db (large vent) (Ref. 13A).
In other cases a loudspeaker is used which has a bass resonant frequency of con-
ventional value, but here also the vent frequency is higher than the loudspeaker bass
resonant frequency. This permits the use of a smaller cabinet while still retaining
some of the good features of a matched vented baffle, although it is not so good on
transients. In all cases an adjustable vent area is desirable. Tunnels are not gener-
ally used, since they give no flexibility of adjustment.
The vent frequency should not exceed (say) 90 c/s, otherwise the tone will be poor.
This limits the reduction in cabinet volume to about 2 J cubic feet.
8
The shape of the cabinet, as well as its volume, affect its frequency response and
impedance characteristics. For example, a change from 30 ins. x 15 ins. x 8 ins.
to an equivalent volume 15 ins. x 15 ins. x 16 ins. caused an increase from 45 to
58 c/s in the lower impedance peak and from 75 to 110 c/s in the higher peak (Ref.
117). In the cubic shape of cabinet the addition of an internal partition between
loudspeaker and vent, extending approximately half-way from front to back, causes a
reduction in the frequencies of both impedance peaks, and is claimed to give improved
results on both speech and music (Ref. 117).
Careful attention to damping, along the lines given above for both enclosed cabinets
and matched vented baffles, would be well repaid.
(c) Special types of vented baffle loudspeakers —
see Supplement.
Refs. to vented baffles 4, 9, 12, 13, 13A, 29, 36, 76 (Part 2), 85, 96, 113, 116, 116A,
:
117, 118, 135, 143, 144, 147, 150, 151, 166, 168, 175, 182, 188, 202, 209, 211, 225,
229, 230.
(v) Acoustical labyrinth loudspeaker
The acoustical labyrinth gives a performance somewhat similar to that of a vented
baffle. The rear of the cone drives a long folded tube, lined fig. 20.1
with sound absorbing materials, the mouth of which opens in
front of the cabinet (Fig. 20.18). The length of the tube is
approximately 7 feet (measured on the centre-line) for nearly
linear response down to 70, c/s. The loudspeaker bass re-
sonance loaded by the labyrinth is preferably at a frequency at
which the wavelength is four times the length of the tube j in
the example this is 40 c/s. If this latter condition is not ful-
filled, the frequency response will not be linear. The loud-
speaker resonance frequency in the example was reduced from
50 to 40 c/s by the loading of the labyrinth. This is the only
form of baffle which reduces the bass resonant frequency of a
loudspeaker. The rise of impedance from 400 c/s down to the
bass resonant frequency is reduced considerably by the acous-
tical labyrinth —
in one case the ratio was reduced from 10 1 to :
Fig.
tional
20.18.
view
Sec-
of
4.3 : 1 (Ref. 27).
acoustical labyrinth
References 13, 14, 27, 28, 188, 204, 225 Part 2.
loudspeaker.
(vi) The R-J loudspeaker
The R-J loudspeaker has a particularly compact bass unit, to which any desired
tweeter can be added. In one design a 15 inch woofer unit is mounted in a cube with
18 inch sides and fundamental bass reproduction is claimed down to 20 c/s. Only
the forward radiation is used, but both sides of the cone are loaded. The back of the
speaker is completely enclosed within a small stiff cavity. The front of the woofer
works into a carefully designed rectangular duct, and the sound issues from a slot
extending across the base of the enclosure.
Refs. 189, 190, 219, 234. See also Supplement.
provement over the symmetrical cube, but still far from the ideal. A very close ap-
proach to the ideal is given by a rectangular truncated pyramid mounted on a rect-
angular parallelepiped (Fig. 20.19) Ref. 193.
In all cases it is desirable that the edge of the cone should be flush with the front
of the cabinet.
(i) Introduction
A horn is used in conjunction with a diaphragm or cone loudspeaker for the pur-
poses of increasing the acoustical loading on the diaphragm (over a limited frequency
range) and thereby increasing the efficiency and reducing non-linear distortion.
With a horn, inside the useful frequency limits, the movement of the diaphragm is
much less and the acoustical damping is much greater than on a flat baffle,- for the
same acoustical power output. Thus with a horn, a smaller diaphragm can radiate
a given acoustical power.
A horn is essentially a device which transforms acoustical energy at high pressure
and low velocity to energy at low pressure and high velocity.
—
Horns are of various shapes conical, parabolic, hypex and exponential, but the
exponential is most widely used.
A well designed and well executed exponential or hypex horn loudspeaker is capable
of giving a natter frequency output characteristic with less distortion than any other
form of loudspeaker.
References 13A, 14, 15, 59, 82, 142, 177, 188.
exponential horn but its throat resistance is less than that of an equivalent exponential
horn, except at high frequencies. Conical horns are sometimes used with cone
type loudspeakers to give directional characteristics ; the angle of propagation is
then approximately equal to the angle of the horn.
Conical horns are sometimes used, for economy, as the first section at the throat
end, with an exponential horn forming a second section at the mouth end. This
device is frequently used with folded horns. Sometimes an approach to an exponential
horn is made with a number of conical sections, each with a different degree of taper.
All such compromises lead to inferior performance.
References 13A, 14, 15, 142, 175.
If (S/S ) =
4 then mx =
0.6020 x 2.3026 2 x 0.6931. =
We may therefore deduce that
(1) the cross-sectional area doubles itself each time the distance along the axis
is increased by 0.6931/m.
x = (at throat) So
x = /' S = 25
x - 21' S = 45
x = 3V S = 85 etc.
The corresponding diameter and side of circular and square cross sections
are :
Throot
The diameter of the mouth should preferably not be less than one third of the
maximum useful wavelength, while the effect of resonances at the low frequencies
may be made negligible by increasing the mouth diameter to two thirds of the maxi-
mum useful wavelength (A'). Taking the smaller mouth diameter, and referring to
the minimum useful frequency :
(v)
(A)
Horn loudspeakers general
Frequency limitations
—
The resistive component of the throat impedance drops rapidly below about 1 .2
times the flare cut-off frequency. Some output is obtained with finite horns at,
and even below, the flare cut-off frequency (Ref. 45), but at frequencies below the
flare cut-off frequency there is a strong tendency towards the production of har-
monics. Care should therefora.be taken to eliminate from the amplifier any appreci-
able output power below about" 1.2 times the flare cut-off frequency, unless the loud-
speaker is known to be capable of handling such frequencies without damage or dis-
tortion.
The resonant frequency of the diaphragm should not be less than the flare cut-off
frequency, and preferably not less than 1 .2 times this value, in order to ensure sufficient
loading at the resonant frequency.
The only known method for handling frequencies below the flare cut-off frequency
of an exponential horn, with good fidelity, is the use of an enclosed air-chamber
behind the diaphragm, resonant at a frequency in the vicinity of the flare cut-off fre-
quency, as used with the Klipsch loudspeaker. This air-chamber is designed to
provide a capacitive reactance approximately equal to the inductive reactance (inert-
ance) of the horn at the flare cut-off frequency. The volume of the air-chamber is
—
given by eqn. (15) in Sect. 4(vi) below see also Ref. 31.
(C)
Sound Chamber
FIG. 20.21
Fj£. 20.21. Different forms of sound chambers in horn loudspeakers.
For example horn with a 40 c/s cut-off is to reproduce a 4000 c/s note, there
if a
be 8% second harmonic distortion for an acoustical power of 0.01
will theoretically
watt per square inch of horn throat. The actual distortion appears to be about half
the theoretical value.
Thus for reasons of both efficiency and distortion, a horn should only be designed
to cover a limited frequency range.
(D) Distortion
In addition to the distortion caused by the throat, there is also distortion due to
the sound chamber. The acoustical capacitance is a function of the position of
the diaphragm, and the effect is most apparent at low frequencies where the amplitude
is large. This distortion may be reduced by the use of a large sound chamber, thus
limiting this unit to low frequencies only. A separate high frequency unit with a small
sound chamber may be used, since it will not be required to handle large amplitudes.
Distortion is also caused by a non-linear suspension ; this is only serious at low
frequencies (Ref. 14, Fig. 8.21). Distortion at low frequencies due to non-
linear suspension may be reduced by
(1) the use of a large dynamic driver,
(2) increased compliance in the suspension,
(3) an enclosed air-chamber at the rear of the diaphragm as in the Klipsch corner
horn.
Another cause of distortion is frequency modulation through the Doppler
— —
Effect see Sect. 7(ii) which can be reduced to small proportions by the use of
separate high and low frequency units.
It is impossible to design a horn loudspeaker that covers a wide frequency band
and is simultaneously free from non-linear distortion. Thus two separate units for
low and high frequencies are essential for fidelity. This is a limitation peculiar to
horn loudspeakers.
(E) Efficiency
With horn loudspeakers efficiencies as high as 80% can be achieved over a limited
frequency range. A
typical horn of the type used in cinema theatres has an efficiency
from 30% to 45% over its useful range. The Klipsch corner horn has an efficiency
around 50% over its useful range.
856 (v) HORN LOUDSPEAKERS—GENERAL 20.4
} H DRIVER UNIT
Fig. 20.22. Concentric folded horns (A) three section reflex (B) three section reflex
radial type.
One outstanding design is the Kiipsch corner type speaker which includes a folded
low frequency horn.
This is notable mainly on account of the comparatively small space which it occupies
FIG. 20.23 — —
20 cubic feet in all compared with other dual horn systems
• having equivalent performance. The efficiency of the low
frequency woofer unit (K-3-D) is not less than 50% down to
36 c/s, and still fairly high at 32.7 c/s ; it is capable of radiating
a clean fundamental at reduced power down to 27 c/s. Maxi-
1
1 s.^
— The low frequency unit has a 15 inch direct radiator loud-
speaker with an enclosed cabinet baffle at the rear and a folded
horn in front. The recommended driver for ordinary home
1
Fig. 20.24. Folded horns for low frequencies —as part of dual system, with conical
individual sections. (Ref. 52.)
R.D.H. —28
;
FIG. 20.25
FIG. 20.27
*?.
»A •<v
\ r\
t * \
A
K\ 5 ^
Fig. 20.27. Foic« coil impedance of two designs of Klipsch bass reproducer (A) Model
K-3-B as Ref. 48 (B) Model K-3-C (cone with increased compliance). (Ref. 99).
See also the Klipsch high-frequency horn (Fig. 20.28) and page 858.
References to high frequency horns : 33, 76 (Part 1), 80, 137, 165.
General references to horns : 2, 13A, 14, 15, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 38 (Parts 1 and 2),
39, 45, 46, 47, 48, 51, 52, 59, 69, 73, 76, 77, 82, 99, 115, 119, 128, 130, 137, 142, 147,
165, 175, 177, 206, 209, 211, 217, 232.
(i) Introduction
When a wide frequency range has to be covered there is a choice between
1. Asingle unit employing some special construction to extend the frequency
—
range see Sea. 2(iii),
2. Two or three separate loudspeakers, each covering a limited frequency range,
3. An integral dual or triple system with two or three loudspeakers mounted
(usually co-axially) in one equipment, and
4. Some compromise arrangement —see (iv) below.
If separate loudspeakers are used, they should be mounted as closely together as
possible, with co-axial mounting as the ideal ; this is not so important when the
cross-over frequency is below 500 c/s. In addition, they should be co-planar, with
the plane of horn loudspeakers taken as the plane of the diaphragm. The loud-
speakers should be correctly phased, so as to be additive in the overlap region.
A frequency dividing network is used to split the output between two loudspeakers
so that neither unit is called upon to handle large amplitudes of frequencies beyond
its range. This has the advantage that Doppler Effect distortion (see Sect. 7) is much
reduced. Other advantages are that, on account of limitations in the frequency range
of each unit, the system efficiency is increased, while the directivity characteristic
is improved due to the smaller diaphragm (or horn mouth) for the high frequency
unit. In addition, the transient response is improved, and there is less intermodula-
tion and reduced frequency modulation.
The loudspeakers should preferably have the same efficiency, otherwise one will
have to be attenuated. The directional characteristics of the high frequency unit
should receive careful attention.
Integral dual systems
One excellent arrangement employs two cones, co-axial and co-planar, with the
small high-frequency cone mounted near the apex of the large cone. Both cones
vibrate in unison in the overlap region. (Refs. 61, 116, 116A).
Another arrangement employs a large low-frequency cone and a co-axial high-
frequency horn. This has the disadvantage that the sound sources are not co-planar,
since the diaphragm of the high frequency unit is mounted to the rear of the cone.
Integral triple systems
In one design there is a large low-frequency cone, a mid-frequency horn using the
flared low-frequency cone for its mouth, and a high-frequency horn mounted in
front of the mid-frequency horn.
In a triple system there is no necessity for such a compromise regarding the cross-
over frequency. The " woofer " may handle up to between 300 and 600 c/s, the
middle unit up to between 2000 and 5000 c/s, and the " tweeter " will then look
after the higher frequencies (e.g. Ref. 134).
The design of frequency dividing networks is covered in Chapter 21, Sect. 3.
(i) Loudness
Loudness may be measured in loudness units —see page 827 and Fig. 19.8.
produce a level of 81.5 db above 10~ 16 watt per square centimeter at 8 watts input
with a warble frequency from 500 to 2500 c/s. Find the intensity level on the axis
at a distance of 6 feet with 3 watts input.
Effect of change of distance = 20 log 10 (30/6) = + 14 db.
Effect of change of power input = 10 log 10 (3/8) = — 4.3 db.
Net change = + 9.7 db.
Intensity level at 6 feet with 3 watts input = 81.5 + 9.7 = 91.2 db.
In other cases loudspeaker manufacturers (such as R.C.A.) publish the curves of
sound pressure versus frequency, from which it is easy to estimate the average over
the frequency range of interest. In this case the reference level is db = 10 dynes
per square centimetre, and the microphone distance is 24 inches. In a typical case
the output level is — 1 db for an input of 0.1 watt to the loudspeaker. The level at
a distance of 30 feet for a power input of 8 watts will therefore be
- 1 + 19.03 - 23.52 = - 5.49 db (0 db = 10 dynes/cm. 2 )
or converting to the basis of db = 0.0002 dyne/cm 2,
- 5.49 + 93.98 = + 88.5 db (0 db = 0.0002 dyne/cm s ).
Alternatively the R.M.A. loudspeaker pressure rating may be quoted. For cal-
culation and example see page 812.
FIG. 20.29
o-i i-o
ACOUSTICAL WATTS OUTPUT
Fig. 20.29. Intensity in db versus acoustical watts output at specified distances along
the axis of a loudspeaker which is considered as a small source in an infinite baffle.
This holds fairly accurately at low frequencies, with an error of 1 db at 500 c/s with
a cone 10 inches in diameter. The numbers on the sloping lines indicate the distance
in feet from the loudspeaker {based on F. Massa, Ref. 69, but extended and modified).
20.6 (ii) POWER REQUIRED 863
Again, the loudspeaker percentage efficiency may be known, say 3%, and it is
desired to calculate the intensity at a distance of, say, 30 feet with an input of 8 watts.
The unknown factor is the angle of radiation, but at frequencies up to 500 c/s this
may be taken as approximately 180° (assuming a direct radiator with a large flat
baffle) and we may therefore make use of Fig. 20.29. In this case the acoustical
output will be 8 x 0.03 = 0.24 watt and the intensity will be 87 db at 30 feet (Fig.
20.29).
At higher frequencies there will be an increasingly greater focusing effect, and the
intensityon the axis will be somewhat greater than the value calculated above.
(B) Power required indoors
When a loudspeaker is operated indoors the direct radiation is supplemented by
the reflected sound.
The reverberation time is the time in seconds for a sound to fall to one millionth
of its original intensity (—60 db) after stopping the source. Eyring* gives
0.05 V
T = - 5 loge
(1 - a)
where = reverberation time in seconds,
= volume of room in cubic feet,
= surface area of walls, ceiling and floor in square feet,
and = average absorption coefficient per square foot, in sabins (values are less
than unity).
The is an absorption unit representing a surface capable of absorbing sound
sabin
at the same rate as does 1 sq. ft. of perfectly absorbing surface, such as an open window.
In a typical living room, the reverberation time is about 0.5 second at 500 c/s and
the absorption coefficient is about 0.25. The reverberation time falls to possibly
0.3 second at 5000 c/s and rises to possibly 0.75 second at 200 c/s.(Ref. 14, Fig. 13.26).
In a very large living room, the reverberation time would probably be about 0.8
second at 1000 c/s.
FIG. 20.30
'
IO
n
z IO
k
i
3
1
O-l
<
*
OOI
C-OOI
IO* IO K> IO IO
VOLUME IN CUBIC FEET
Fig. 20.30. Acoustical power required to produce an intensity level of 80 db as a function
of the volume of the auditorium for optimum reverberation times {after Olson, Ref. 13,
by kind permission of the author and of the publishers and copyright holders, Messrs.
D. Van Nostrand Company Inc.).
The " optimum reverberation time " at 1000 c/s depends on the volume of the
room (Ref. 13A) :
Volume 1000 2000 4000 20 000 100 000 500 000 cu. ft.
Tovt 0.7 0.75 0.82 1.01 1.28 1.62 sees.
In a typical room 20 ft. x 15 ft. x 10 ft., with a reverberation time of 0.5 second,
and with the listener 6 feet from the loudspeaker, the reflected sound adds 3 db to the
direct radiation at 500 c/s under steady state conditions, and 1 db when the sound only
continues for 0.02 second as for speech (Ref. 14, Fig. 13.26). At higher frequencies
the reflected sound becomes rapidly smaller, and may be neglected. At 200 c/s
the reflected sound adds 5.5 db under steady state conditions or 2 db when the sound
continues for 0.02 second. At 100 c/s the reflected sound adds 9.5 db under steady
state conditions, or 6 db when the sound continues for 0.02 second. The effect of
the reflected sound becomes more important as the listener moves further away from
the loudspeaker.
References 13A, 14, 15, 50, 55, 175, 178.
The acoustical power in watts to produce an intensity level of 80 db (0 db =
0.0002 dyne/cm 2) is plotted in Fig. 20.30 against the volume of the enclosure in cubic
feet (after Olson, Ref. 13A). For living rooms the following information may be
derived
These values apply to enclosures with optimum reverberation times. Living rooms
may have reverberation times which are lower than the optimum values, and the
acoustical power required will then be greater than indicated above.
The intensity levels for" home listening under various conditions are set out in
Chapter 14 Sect. 7(iii).
waves. In a typical case with a room 16 ft. 9 in. x 11 ft. 6 in. x 8 ft. 6 in. the first
nine resonances are 36.8, 51.1, 62.9, 68.6, 73.6, 77.6, 85.5, 102.3, 137.2 (Ref. 53).
The most desirable shape for a listening room is approximately in the ratio height
width length = 1 1.27 1.62, so as to distribute the resonances fairly uniformly.
: : :
The peaks due to these resonances are of the order of 20 db and completely mask
less pronounced effects. The bad effects may be reduced by
(1) increased acoustical damping at low frequencies, especially near the corners
of the room where it is twice as effective as elsewhere (Ref. 175), and
(2) an open door or window, or preferably both.
In addition to these room resonances, which occur over the whole room, there are
other peaks of response due to focusing or interference between different paths, at
middle and high frequencies, which vary from point to point. Thanks to our two
ears, these sharp peaks and valleys are much less evident than they otherwise would be.
References 13A, 14, 53, 175, 192, 208, 220, 221.
where the audience is situated further from the loudspeakers than the distance be-
tween any two loudspeakers. An Illusion which gives a sense of spatial reproduction
can be applied to a room by means of two loudspeakers each fed from a separate micro-
phone through separate amplifiers. In radio broadcasting at least two separate trans-
—
mitters and receivers are required three channels are desirable. Some methods of
recording are capable of carrying two or three channels, such as sound on film and
magnetic tape (Refs. 86, 101, 226)
v
There are methods of obtaining an approach to stereophonic reproduction with a
single channel (Ref 87)
When there are two loudspeakers so placed with respect to the listener as to give
a transit time difference from 1 to 30 milliseconds, the impression is that of more
" liveliness " and " body " (Ref. 125). This is the pseudo-stereophonic effect,
and to be fully effective requires the listener to be at least 4 feet— and preferably a
—
greater distance nearer to one loudspeaker than the other. With suitable position-
ing and relative volumes, the effect is quite surprising.
A more elaborate method for heightening sound perspective utilizes volume ex-
pansion in one of the two channels (Ref. 49).
References 6, 13, 14, 36, 49, 68, 86, 87, 97, 101, 112, 160, 161, 162, 163, 169, 195,
203, 216 (giving additional references), 226, also Supplement,
(vi) Sound-reinforcing systems
With this system there are two sources of sound, the original sound and the aug-
_ mented sound from the loudspeakers. Usually the intensity of the original sound
issuing from the stage will be sufficient over a limited area, but the sound energy from
the loudspeakers must progressively increase towards the rear of the auditorium.
The problem is to select a loudspeaker or loudspeakers with suitable directional
characteristics, and to adjust the power output and orientation so that the total in-
tensity level is constant for all parts of the listening area.
The acoustical power required to produce an intensity level of at least 80 db for
ordinary speech and music is as follows (Ref. 13A)
Volume (cu. ft.) 10 000 50 000 100 000 500 000
Acoustical poweV (watts) 0.014 0.06 0.11 0.5
For full orchestral dynamic range, a maximum intensity level of 100 db is required,
and the acoustical powers should be multiplied by 100. In noisy situations the sound
level should be 10 to 16 db above steady noise or 20 to 30 db above the noise in re-
latively quiet intervals.
One of the problems in design is the avoidance of acoustical feedback. It is usual
to adopt directional loudspeakers and sometimes also directional microphones. The
microphone is mounted as close to the sound source as possible and in a position of
low radiated sound intensity.
For the best illusion to the listener the loudspeakers) should be mounted so that
the sound appears to come from the direction of the original source. The difference
in path length between the original sound and the sound from the loudspeaker should
not exceed 60 to 80 feet.
The overall response of the whole system should be free from peaks. When feed-
back occurs, it does so at the frequency at which the system has a peak.
If at all possible, low frequencies should be attenuated so as to reduce the size of
the loudspeaker and of the amplifier, and to reduce acoustical feedback. A minimum
frequency range for speech is 400 to 4000 c/s (Ref. 196). If orchestral music is to be
amplified the whole frequency range should be provided for, although here also some
compromise may be necessary.
In small or medium halls a single loudspeaker or bunch of loudspeakers may be
mounted 20 to 30 feet above the microphone and somewhat more forward than the
microphone. The loudspeakers should be pointed downwards to the audience
(Ref. 196).
In larger halls one or more line-source loudspeakers may be used. A
line-
source consists of a number of loudspeakers mounted close together in a straight line.
A vertical line-source gives directionality in the vertical plane but not in the horizontal
plane. If the line-source is " tapered " in strength so that the sound from each ele-
20.6 (vi) SOUND-REINFORCING SYSTEMS 867
ment varies linearlyfrom a maximum at the centre to zero at either end, the direc-
tionality isimproved. The line-source should be tilted slightly forwards so that the
central loudspeaker points directly to the centre of the audience. Better results may
be obtained by using two line-sources, a long one for the low frequencies and a shorter
one (one quarter the length of the long one) for the high frequencies, with a cross-over
network for/., = 1000 c/s (Ref. 197).
In large installations, time delay may be incorporated (Ref. 145, 197).
Multiple loudspeakers
Haas (Ref. 125) has investigated the effects of a single echo on the audibility of
speech. He has shown that when the time delay of the echo is from 5 to 30 milli-
seconds, the echo is not detectable as a separate source if the level of the echo is less
than 10 db above that of the direct sound, and that the listener only has the sensation
of hearing from the nearer loudspeaker. At greater time delays he determined how
loud such an echo could be before interfering with speech (e.g. echo db, 50 msecs,
path difference 56 ft.). For echoes at lower levels see Ref. 308. See also Refs. 308,
326, 327.
(vii) Open air public address
A typical reflex horn, with an input of 1 watt to the voice coil, gives the following
sound levels on the axis (Ref. 73) :
(i) Non-linearity
Non-linearity in a cone occurs when the force versus displacement characteristic
deviates from a straight line. The principal causes of non-linearity are
1. Insufficient rigidity in the cone,
2. Non-linear suspension, and
3. Non-uniform flux density.
Lack of rigidity in the cone is usually the result of reduction in the mass of the cone
to achieve high sensitivity. In addition to the other defects —ragged response and
—
poor reproduction of transients this has a marked effect in increasing the harmonic
distortion over the whole frequency range (Ref. 15 Fig. 3).
All cone or diaphragm suspensions are non-linear to a greater or less extent their —
stiffness usually increases with larger amplitudes. The total harmonic distortion of
any such loudspeaker is fairly low (of the order of 1 %) at frequencies of about 300 c/s
and above, and is not appreciably affected by non-linearity in the suspension. As the
frequency is decreased, however, the distortion rapidly rises in loudspeakers having
non-linear suspension. For example, one 10 inch dynamic loudspeaker with a non-
linear suspension gives 10% total harmonic distortion with an input of 2 watts at
60 c/s, and 30% distortion with an input of 10 watts at the same frequency (Ref. 13A
Fig. 6.34). On the other hand a good quality loudspeaker is capable of handling an
input of 10 watts at 60 c/s with only 3% total harmonic distortion, or an input of
2 watts at 60 c/s with less than 1% distortion (Ref. 36 Fig. 25).
When a loudspeaker is used in a well designed vented baffle, or in a suitable horn,
the maximum amplitude of the cone will be decreased and the distortion arising from
a non-linear suspension will also be decreased.
Non-uniform flux density up to the maximum amplitude of operation is another
source of harmonic distortion. This distortion is usually less than 1 %
so long as
the amplitude of movement is small, consisting of odd harmonics only unless the field
is not symmetrical about the voice coil. However at high input levels the distortion
is usually severe. In one case total distortion at 50 c/s with an input of 5 watts, was
reduced from 9% to less than 5%, by careful design (Ref. 84).
At frequencies above 3000 c/s, the harmonic distortion with single large cone
loudspeakers is negligibly small compared with the frequency-modulation distortion
see (ii) below.
With dual loudspeakers, or a dual cone loudspeaker, the total harmonic distortion
—
tends to reach a peak in the vicinity of the cross-over frequency see Sect 5(iii),
also Refs. 36, 116. In one example the total harmonic distortion is over from 500 3%
to 1500 c/s for a 15 inch duo-cone loudspeaker with an input of 5 watts.
The cross-over distortion, and the other forms of distortion described above, all
increase rapidly as the input power is increased.
The harmonic distortion below the bass resonant frequency is selective
(Fig. 13.54). When the load imposes a greater impedance to the harmonic than to
the fundamental, the measured harmonic distortion increases. At a frequency equal
to one-half of the bass resonant frequency the second harmonic rises to a peak since
the second harmonic frequency is equal to that of the bass resonance. Similarly
at a frequency equal to one-third the frequency of the bass resonance, the third har-
monic rises to a peak, and so with higher harmonics.
At frequencies above about 1000 c/s all harmonics tend to increase since the
impedance of the load to the harmonics is greater than the impedance to the funda-
mental. This is offset to some extent by the fact that with a triode valve or with most
of the commonly used negative feedback circuits, as the load impedance is increased,
so the distortion decreases. The nett effect is found by the combination of these
separate effects.
20.7 (i) NON-LINEARITY .
869
A system has been developed (Ref. 152) for automatically recording the total har-
monic distortion of a loudspeaker over the a-f range. This is particularly helpful
in detecting narrow frequency bands where the distortion is high.
One method of recording the performance of a loudspeaker with regard to non-
linear distortion is to measure on the axis the maximum sound level before a certain
amount of harmonic distortion is produced. This may be plotted as a curve of
maximum undistorted sound pressure as a function of frequency (Ref. 153). Alter-
natively the distortion may be plotted as a function of frequency for constant electrical
input. In all cases the loudspeaker must be tested in the enclosure for which it has
been designed.
References 13A (pp. 163-173), 20, 21, 23, 36, 61, 106, 108, 109, 133, 152.
Loudspeaker damping at the bass resonant frequency has been dealt with in
With a suitable choice of loudspeaker and enclosure, and with a suffici-
Sect. 2(x).
ently low amplifier output resistance, critical damping or any desired lesser degree is
obtainable. There are differences of opinion as to the amount of damping to be used
for good fidelity. Some prefer critical damping without any overshoot, others prefer
a slight overshoot with its more rapid uptake (e.g. Ref. 174).
At frequencies above 400 c/s, the cone of a direct radiator loudspeaker ceases to
act as a piston, and the effective damping at any point on the cone, at any frequency
within this range, is likely to be less, and may be very much less than that with a true
piston cone.
Horns provide acoustical damping over a wide frequency range, and well designed
horn loudspeakers have better transient response than direct radiators.
The phase-shift characteristics of loudspeakers are not readily evaluated.
Above 1000 c/s the smoothness of the response characteristic appears to be the best
available guide to good phase-shift characteristics ; below 1000 c/s the " envelope
delay " may be used to supplement the information which can be derived from the
response characteristic (Ref. 138).
When a tone burst* is applied, some of the frequencies generated are not harmonic-
ally related to the applied signal, and they cause an annoying type of distortion some-
what similar to intermodulation. The ear is very sensitive to this type of inharmonic
distortion (Ref. 131).
Ringing at the frequency of the bass resonance becomes progressively less pro-
nounced as the frequency of the applied tone burst is increased away from the resonant
frequency.
Applied unit impulse gives all the information at one test, but is hard to interpret
because it causes all the peaks to ring simultaneously (Ref. 131).
The suddenly applied square wave is more selective, since it emphasizes the ringing
of the peaks of nearly the same frequency as the applied wave (Refs. 13A, 15, 36,
126, 131).
The suddenly applied tone burst method is capable of giving much valuable in-
formation. Ref. 131 gives a theory of ringing and interpretation of results. It
seems that those loudspeakers that sound best generally reproduce tone bursts well,
although this is better substantiated for the high frequencies than for the low (Refs.
131, 138, 166).
References to tone burst methods 44, 88, 121, 131, 133, 138, 158, 166, 213.
:
It has been demonstrated (Refs. 44, 88) that a smooth frequency response curve
means a rapid build-up of a transient. The decay characteristic, after the input
voltage has ceased, requires further consideration. Each lightly-damped resonant
element, when shock-excited by the sudden cessation of the applied voltage, will
dissipate its stored energy by radiating sound at its own natural frequency. The
method of testing by Shorter (Refs. 44, 117, 121) is to measure, at all frequencies, the
response at time intervals t. —
0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 milliseconds after the cessation of
the applied voltage. Good transient response appears to be indicated by
•A tone burst is a wave-train pulse which contains a number of waves of a certain frequency.
20.7 (iii) TRANSIENT DISTORTION 871
otherwise specified, the reference pressure is understood to be 0.0002 dyne per square
centimetre.
The velocity level, in decibels, of a sound is 20 times the logarithm to the base 10
of the ratio of the particle velocity of the sound to the reference particle velocity.
Unless otherwise specified, the reference particle velocity is understood to be 5 x 10" 6
centimetre per second effective value
872 (i) DEFINITIONS ON ACOUSTICS 20.8
The intensity level, in decibels, of a sound is 10 times the logarithm to the base 10
of the ratio of the intensity I of this sound to the reference intensity I . Unless other-
wise specified, the reference intensity 7 shall be 10"" watt per square centimetre.
Compliance is ease in bending. It is the reciprocal of stiffness.
See Chapter 14 Sect. 7 for volume range and peak dynamic range.
See Chapter 19 Sect. 5 for loudness and Sect. 7 for sound level and noise.
See also I.R.E. Standards on Acoustics Definitions of Terms, 1951, Proc. I.R.E.
:
The octave is the most important interval ; two tones are separated by one octave
when the frequencies are in the ratio 2:1.
Each octave subdivided into a number of smaller intervals. In the equally
is
tempered scale the octave is divided into twelve equal intervals (1.0595 : 1) to allow
a change of key without retiming. Thus in the equally tempered scale, if any fre-
quency is multiplied by 1.0595 it is raised by one semi-tone ; if multiplied by 1.1225
it is raised by one tone. All normal musical instruments follow the equally tempered
scale.
In addition, there are several systems of what is called the natural scale, or just
intonation, in which for example C# has a different frequency from Db (Ref. 90
Part 1).
TABLE 1
Frequentcy ratio
The frequency of all tones is determined by the " pitch." The international
standard pitch is a frequency of 440 c/s for tone A
(equivalent to 261 .63 for C) whereas
the " physical pitch " is a frequency of 256 for C.
The octaves of C in the two examples above are :
The frequency of any tone may be calculated by multiplying the value of C next
below it by the frequency ratio of the tempered scale as given by the appropriate row
in Table 1.
References 13 (pp. 334-335), 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 127.
specified by the manufacturer, in which the electrical power available to the speaker
ismeasured. The value shall be 4, 8 or 16 ohms.
Loudspeakers may also be rated in terms of power drawn from standard dis-
tribution lines. In this case it is necessary to specify the power and the line voltage.
The loudspeaker measurement source impedance (R Sg) is the value of a
pure resistance to be connected in series with the speaker and a constant voltage
source to measure the speaker performance. The value of R SG shall be 40%
of the
value of the loudspeaker rating impedance R SR .* This is equivalent to
operating
the loudspeaker from a source having voltage regulation of 3 db.
The loudspeaker pressure rating (or pressure " efficiency ") G sp is the differ-
feet) and the
ence between the axial sound pressure level (referred to a distance of 30
available input power level, and is expressed in db. For further details see Chapter
19 Sect. l(viii).
Some manufacturers (e.g. R.C.A.) apply constant voltage to the loudspeaker, so that R SG
is made zero.
20.9 (ii) LOUDSPEAKER STANDARD RATINGS SOUND EQUIPMENT : 875
Ks = 10 log10 4tt/ I I
(p/p ay sine dO <ty (2)
LR = lOOe = 100 x
£710
10
" w
(<x\
circuits
, . . ,_ ,
for use with conventional
. .
32. Klipsch, P. W. " Improved low frequency horn " Jour. Acous. Socy. Am. 14 (Jan. 1943) 179.
20.10 REFERENCES 877
37. Stanley, A. W. " The output stage-effect of matching on frequency response " W.W. 52.8 (Aug.
1946) 256.
38. Olson, H. F. " Horn loud speakers " R.C.A. Rev. (1) 1.4 (April, 1937) 68 ; (2) Efficiency and dis-
tortion, 2.2 (Oct. 1937) 265.
39. Sanial, A. J. " Graphs for exponential horn design," R.C.A. Rev. 3.1 (July, 1938) 97.
40. Wait, E. V. " Loudspeaker cones " A.W.A. Tec. Rev. 1.1 (March, 1935) 14.
41. Rudd, J. B. " The impedance of the voice-coil of a loudspeaker " A.W.A. Tec. Rev. 3.3 (Jan.
19381 100.
42. Rudd, J. B. " Equipment for the measurement of loudspeaker response " A.W.A. Tec. Rev. 3.4
(April, 1938) 143.
43. de Boer, J. " The efficiency of loudspeakers " Philips Tec. Rev. 4.10 (Oct. 1939) 301.
44. Shorter, D. E. L. " Loudspeaker transient response," B.B.C Quarterly 1.3 (Oct. 1946) 121 ; sum-
mary " Loudspeaker transients " W.W. 52.12 (Dec. 1946) 424. See also Ref. 117.
45. Hilliard, J. K. " High fidelity reproduction " 6.1 (Jan. 1946) 28. F-M & T
46. * The design of acoustic exponential horns " Electronic Eng. 19.235 (Sept. 1947) 286.
ial
V A
"Loudspeaker design by electro-mechanical analogy " Tele-Tech 6.10 (Oct. 1947) 38.
il" 2-'{? 'i/"
48. Klipsch, P. W. " The Klipsch sound reproducer
part of the acoustical system,"
—
a corner type speaker which uses the walls as
7.9 (Sept. 1947) 25. FM & T
49. " Enhancing sound reproduction " (Review of patent No. 2, 420, 204 by C. M. Sinnett) Audio
Eng. 31.6 (July, 1947) 43.
50. Hopkins, H. F., and N. R. Stryker " A
proposed loudness-efficiency rating for loudspeakers and
Aedetermination of system power requirements for enclosures " Proc. I.R.E. 36.3 (March, 1948)
51. Olson, H. R, and R. A. Hackley " Combination horn and direct radiator loud-speaker " Proc.
I.R.E. 24.12 (Dec. 1936) 1557.
—
52. Massa, F. "Horn-type loud speakers a quantitative discussion of some fundamental reauire-
ments in their design," Proc. I.R.E. 26.6 (June, 1938) 720.
53. Moir, J. " Acoustics of small rooms," W.W. 50.11 (Nov. 1944) 322.
54. Roder, H. " Theory of the loudspeaker and of mechanical oscillatory systems " Part 1, Radio
QW?*?]? 1
* 16 7 (Julv 1936 > 10 > Part 2 > 16.8 (Aug. 1936) 21 ; Part 3, 16.9 (Sept. 193.6) 24 : Part 4,
-
56. Seabert, J. D. " Electrodynamic speaker design considerations " Proc. I.R.E. 22.6 June, 1934)
738.
57. Olson, H.F. A
new cone loud speaker for high fidelity sound reproduction " Proc. I.R.E. 22.1
(Jan. 1934) 33.
58.
Sr^y? 8 ',
(1939) 552.
«^V«,^ ,i >iezo" electric devi «* of interest to the motion picture industry" Jour.
^^
133 f (Feb.rld« R?dAmCo,nvenaon» Australia» April 1938 (reprintedW.W. 44.6 (Feb. 9Tl939)
n s
44.7;
^u :
16, 1939)) 167.
™
74. PiSli'i?
, ,
Cook, E. D. « The
Conversion effickncy of loudspeakers " Service 17.3 (March, 1948) 24.
Ti." efficiency
of the Rice-KeUogg loudspeaker " G.E. Review 33.9 (Sept. 1930) 505.
75. Massa, F. "Loud speaker design " Elect. 9.2 (Feb. 1936) 20.
K4!?i£
77. Logan,
Repnnted in
(3) 32^Feb
SP
dSfpmg" W.W.^g^e^B) s
^km
-°btaMaS d* frequency response and effective ™
79. Lanier, R. S. " What makes a good loudspeaker ? " Western Electric
Oscillator No. 8 (July, 1947)
80. Nickel, F. " Quality loudspeakers for every use " Western Electric
Oscillator No. 8 (July, 1947) 7.
81
Aus^ias^Radi^wSidTn.To
'
7° *" **** SKSTSS) "*
S <** k ta "*»" ™"
12" W
mte "
'u h ^^jyPZ loudspeakers " Audio Eng. 32.5 (May, 1948) 25.
i
U S^Patem S^JSn^W^S,^ 1
* " Imptovemeat foWed suspension loudspeaker » m
85. Langford-Smith, F. " The
design of a high-fidelity amplifier (1) The power valve and the loud-
speaker Radiotronics No. 124 (March-April, 1947) 25.
86. Stereophonic sound," Elect. 21.8 (August, 1948) 88.
878 REFERENCES 20.10
87. Beard, E. G. (Book) " Philips Manual of radio practice for servicemen " (Philips Electrical In-
dustries of Australia Pty. Ltd., 1947) pp. 257-259 describing the Philips Miller system.
88. Meyer, E. (Book) " Electro-acoustics " (G. Bell &
Sons Ltd. London 1939).
89. Wood, Alexander (Book) " The physics of music " (Methuen &
Co. Ltd., London, 3rd edit. 1945)
90. Tillson, B. F. " Musical acoustics " Audio Eng. Part 1, 31.5 (June, 1947) 34 : Part 2, 31.6 (July,
1947) 25 ; Correction 32.6 (June, 1948) 8.
91. Vermeulen, R. " Octaves and decibels," Philips Tec. Rev. 2.2 (Feb., 1937) 47.
92. Jeans, Sir James (Book) " Science and Music " (MacMillan Company and Cambridge University
Press, 1938).
93. Mills, J. (Book) " A
Fugue in cycles and bels " (Chapman &
Hall, London, 1936).
94. Souther, H. " Coaxial and separate two-way. speaker system design " Comm. 28.7 (July, 1948) 22.
95. " Speakers for sound equipment " American R.M.A. Standard SE-103 (April, 1949).
96. Drisko, B. B. " Getting the most out of a reflex-type speaker " Audio Eng. 32.7 (July, 1948) 24.
97. Angevine, O. L., and R. S. Anderson " The problem of sound distribution " Audio Eng. (1) 32 6
(June, 1948) 18 ; (2) 32.9 (Sept. 1948) 16 ; (3) 32.10 (Oct. 1948) 28.
98. Kendall, E. L. " Electric power required for sound systems " Service 17.9 (Sept. 1948) 12
99. Klipsch, P. W. " Progress in Klipsch speakers " FM-TV
8.11 (Nov. 1948) 36.
100. McProud, C. G. "A
new corner speaker design " Audio Eng. 33.1 (Jan. 1949) 14; 33.2 (Feb.
1949) 13.
101. Camras, M. " A
stereophonic magnetic recorder " Proc. I.R.E. 37.4 (April 1949) 442.
102. Seashore, C. E. (Book) " Psychology of music " (McGraw-Hill Book Co., New
York and London.
1938).
—
103. Briggs, G. A. (Book) " Loudspeakers the why and how of good reproduction " (Wharfedale
Wireless Works, Bradford, Yorkshire, England, 2nd edit. 1948).
104. Greenlees, A. E. (Book) " The amplification and distribution of sound " (Chapman and Hall Ltd.,
London, 2nd edit. 1948).
105. McProud, C. G. " Corner speaker cabinet for 12 inch cones " Audio Eng. 35.5 (May 1949) 14.
106. Cunningham, W. J. " Non-linear distortion in dynamic loudspeakers due to magnetic fields "
Jour. Acous. Socy. Am. 21.3 (May 1949) 202.
107. Hartley, H. A. " New notes in radio " (booklet published by H. A. Hartley Co. Ltd., London).
109. Veneklasen, P. S. " Physical measurements of loudspeaker performance " Jour. S.M.P.E. 52.6
(June 1949) 641.
110. Maxfield, J. P. " Auditorium acoustics" Jour. S.M.P.E. 51.2 (Aug. 1948) 169.
112. Grjgnon, L. D. " Experiment in stereophonic sound " Jour. S.M.P.E. 52.3 (March 1949) 280.
—
113. Chapman, C. T. " Vented loudspeaker cabinets basis of design to match existing loudspeaker
units," W.W. 55.10 (Oct. 1949) 398.
114. American R.M.A. Standard REC-104 " Moving coil loudspeakers for radio receivers " (Jan. 1947).
115. Klipsch, P. W. " New notes on corner speakers " FM-TV
9.8 (Aug. 1949) 25.
116. Olson, H. F., J. Preston andD. H. Cunningham " New 15-inch duo-cone londspeaker " Audio
Eng. 33.10 (Oct. 1949) 20.
116A. Olson, H. F., J. Preston and D. H. Cunningham " Duo-cone loudspeaker" R.C.A. Rev. 10.4
(Dec. 1949) 490.
117. Briggs, E. A. (Book) "Sound reproduction" Wharfedale Wireless Works, Bradford, Yorks.
England, 1949.
118. Planer, F. E., and I. I. Boswell " Vented loudspeaker enclosures " Audio Eng. 32.5 (May 1948) 29.
119. Klipsch, P. W. " Woofer-tweeter crossover network " Elect. 18.11 (Nov. 1945) 144.
120. Harvey, F. K. " Focussing sound with microwave lenses " Bell Lab. Record 27.10 (Oct. 1949) 349.
- 121. Beranek, L. L. (Book) " Acoustic measurements " (John Wiley &
Sons, Inc. New York : Chapman
& Hall Ltd. London, 1949).
122. U.S. Patents 2,310,243 and 2,373,692.
123. Salmon, V. " A
new family of horns " Jour. Acous. Socy. Am. 17.3 (Jan. 1946) 212.
124. Olson, H. F., J. C. Bleazey, J. Preston and R. A. Hackley " High efficiency loud speakers for per-
sonal radio receivers " R.C.A. Rev. 11.1 (Mar. 1950) 80.
125. Haas, H. (report) " The influence of a single echo on the audibility of speech " Translated into
English and available from Director, Building Research Station, Garston, Watford, Herts, England.
126. Moir, J. " Transients and loudspeaker damping " W.W. 56.5 (May 1950) 166.
127. Barbour, J. M. " Musical scales and their classification " J.A.S.A. 21.6 (Nov. 1949) 586.
128. Mawardi, O. K. " Generalized solutions of Webster's hom
theory " J.A.S.A. 21.4 (July 1949) 323.
•129. Goodfriend, L. W. " Simplified reverberation time calculation " Audio Eng. 34.5 (May, 1950) 20.
130. Gilson, W. E., J. J. Andrea " A
symmetrical corner speaker " Audio Eng. 34.3 (March 1950) 17.
131. Corrington, M. S. " Transient testing. of loudspeakers " Audio Eng. 34.8 (Aug. 1950) 9.
—
132. Moir, J. " Developments in England new loudspeaker measurement technique are being used to
correlate subjective and instrumental performance evaluations." FM-TV
10.9 (Sept. 1950) 23.
133. Olson, H. F. " Sensitivity, directivity and linearity of direct radiator loudspeakers " Audio Eng-
34.10 (Oct. 1950) 15.
134. Plach, D. J. and P. B. Williams " A new loudspeaker of advanced design " Audio Eng. 34.10 (Oct.
1950) 22.
135. Shorter, D. E. L. " Sidelights on loudspeaker cabinet design " W.W. (1) 56.11 (Nov. 1950) 382 ;
(2) 56.12 (Dec. 1950) 436. British Patent Application No. 24528/49.
136. Smith, B. H. " A
distributed-source horn " Audio Eng. 35.1 (Jan. 1951) 16.
137. Taylor, P. L. " Ribbon loudspeaker " W.W. 57.1 (Jan. 1951) 7.
138. Ewaskio, C. A., and O. K. Mawardi " Electroacoustic phase shift in loudspeakers " J. Acous. Soc.
Am. 22.4 (July 1950) 444.
139. Molloy, C. T. " Response peaks in finite horns " J. Acous. Soc. Am. 22.5 (Sept. 1950) 551.
140. Thiessen, G. J. " Resonance characteristics of a finite catenoidal horn " J. Acous. Soc. Am. 22.5
(Sept. 1950) 558.
141. Kock, W. E., and F. K. Harvey "Refracting sound waves "J. Acous. Soc. Am. 21.5 (Sept. 1949)471.
142. Morse, P. M. (Book) " Vibration and Sound " (McGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc. 2nd ed. 1948).
143. Worden, D. W-. " Design, construction and adjustment of reflexed loudspeaker enclosures
" Audio
Eng. 34.12 (Dec. 1950) 15.
144. Smith, B. H. "Resonant loudspeaker enclosures" Audio Eng. 34.12 (Dec. 1950) 22.
" W.W.
145 Parkin, P. H., and W. E. Scholes " Recent developments in speech reinforcement systems
57.2 (Feb. 1951) 44.
" "
Loudspeaker damping Audio Eng. 35.3 (March 1951) 22 ; 35.4 (April 1951) 24.
146. Preisman, A.
" Audio
147 Souther, H. T. " Design elements for improved bass response in loudspeaker systems
Eng. 35.5 (May 1951) 16.
.
148 (A) Tanner, R. L. " Improving loudspeaker response with motional feedback
" Elect. 24.3 (Mar.
1951) 142. (B) Letter R. B. McGregor 24.6 (June 1951) 298.
149. Gardner, M. F., and J. L. Barnes (Book)
" Transients in Linear Systems (John Wiley & Sons,
New York 1942) Chapter 2.
— j ,
150. Moir, J. " Loudspeaker performance achieving optimum reproduction in small rooms—
.
CHAPTER 21
If the secondary load is 8 ohms, the reflected " primary impedance " will be 800 ohms.
The only limitations on the wider use of the same transformer are the primary induct-
ance, which will reduce the low frequency response, the maximum d.c. plate current
and the maximum power output.
Consequently, at the bass resonant frequency where the resistance R may rise to
}
a high value,it is possible to have maximum plate circuit efficiency and yet to have
880
. .
less than the maximum electrical power output, because the signal plate current is
reduced by the high load resistance. This effect is most pronounced with low values
of plate resistance, and with triode valves or negative feedback the loudspeaker
acoustical output may actually fall at the bass resonant frequency. With pentodes
without feedback the reverse occurs, since a pentode approximates to a constant
n
current source, and there is a high pe .k of output at the bass resonant frequency.
A similar effect occurs at the higher frequencies, the highest level of response
occurring with pentodes, an intermediate value with triodes having R L = 2r„, and
the lowest with constant voltage at all frequencies (a condition approached when a
high value of negative feedback is used).
For any one loudspeaker, there is a value of plate resistance which pro-
vides most nearly constant response at all frequencies.
Reference 5.
Fortunately, owing to the characteristics of music, the input voltage applied to the
grid of the power amplifier at high frequencies will normally be less than the maximum.
This somewhat reduces the distortion at high frequencies.
Pentodes with negative voltage feedback, when operated well below maximum
power output, are less affected by the loudspeaker impedance variations than pentodes
without feedback. If the feedback is large, the output voltage remains nearly con-
stant irrespective of the loudspeaker. There is an optimum value of amplifier output
resistance to give most nearly uniform response at all frequencies with any one loud-
speaker.
When operated at maximum power output with the small degree of feedback usual
in radio receivers, the load resistance is critical. Satisfactory operation with low
distortion can only be obtained by reducing the grid input voltage.
With a large amount of feedback, as for a cathode follower, the impedance at 400
c/s should be the nominal value for the valve. The increase of impedance at other
frequencies will not then cause distortion. See also Chapter 7 Sect. 5(iv).
FIG. 21.1 J_
Ltipd
Fig. 21.1. Choke-capacitance coupling to two or more loudspeakers in parallel.
Fig. 21.2. Transformer coupling to 500 ohm line, across which two or more loudspeakers
are connected in parallel.
Alternatively the parallel loudspeakers may be connected across a 500 ohm (or any
other convenient value) line from the secondary of transformer T3 as in Fig. 21.2.
Here T, will have a 500 ohm secondary and will reflect an impedance r
R
into the
primary. Tx and T2 will have nominal impedances each 1000 ohms. If there are
'
PJP* = A i RJR = A
X
The impedance of the two in parallel will be
R = R RJ{R +
X X R,).
Example : A monitor loudspeaker is to operate with an input power of 1 watt
and is to be connected across a combined loudspeaker load of 30 watts with a total
(line) impedance of 500 ohms. The ratio of power is 30 1 so that the impedance
:
of the monitor loudspeaker (measured across the primary of its transformer) should
be 30 x 500 =
15 000 ohms. In this case the monitor will have negligible effect on
the combined impedance.
(ii) Sound systems
In medium and large installations it is convenient to design amplifiers for a constant
output voltage. The usual output voltage in U.S.A. is 70.7 volts but higher voltages
100, 141, 200 etc. are also used (R.M.A. SE-101-A, July 1949, SE-106, July 1949).
Each amplifier normally has its own distribution line suitably loaded by loudspeakers.
—
Each loudspeaker may be arranged by the use of transformer tappings to take —
from the line any desired power, while any loudspeaker may be moved from one
line to another without affecting its output level. If the loudspeaker transformers
are correctly matched to the voice coil impedance and the line voltage, the matching
of the whole distribution line to the amplifier will be correct when the line is loaded
to the full capabilities of the amplifier.
The American Standard (R.M.A. SE-106) specifies transformer secondary im-
pedances of 4, 8 or 16 ohms ; this does not apply to transformers which are furnished
only as part of a loudspeaker. The primaries are tapped to provide output power
levels of 1 watt and proceeding upwards and downwards in 3 db steps (i.e. 1, 2, 4
watts etc., 0.5, 0.25 etc.) when the standard input voltage is applied.
An alternative arrangement, which has much to commend it, is the use of an ex-
tension speaker with an impedance of about twice that of the speaker in the set. This
means that the extension speaker will operate at a lower sound level than the one in
the set, but the mis-matching will be less severe and the maximum volume obtain-
able from the set will not be seriously affected.
If negative feedback is used in the receiver, the effect of the connection of the
external speaker on the volume level of the loudspeaker in the set will not be very
noticeable at low or medium levels, although the same problem arises in regard to
the overload level.
Fig. 21 .4. Extension loudspeaker with provision for switching either loudspeaker alone.
Fig. 21.5. Extension loudspeaker connected to the voice coil circuit.
the first voice-coil and at the same time to close the circuit to the second voice-coil.
The further refinement of a series volume control R is shown in the extension speaker
circuit, so that the volume may be reduced below that ,of the speaker in the receiver.
R
The resistance should have a maximum value about 20 times that of the voice-coil
impedance, but even so this arrangement cannot be used to reduce the volume to zero.
In order to have a complete control over the volume from the extension loudspeaker,
the arrangement of (B) may be used in which R is a potentiometer with the moving
contact taken to the extension speaker.
21.2 (iii) EXTENSION LOUDSPEAKERS 885
The series resistor volume control shown in Fig. 21.6 (A) increases the effective
impedance of the extension loudspeaker circuit at low volumes, but this is not a
serious detriment since the volume will be low and the mis-matching of only minor
importance, particularly if negative feedback is used. The potentiometer method of
volume control in Fig. 21.6 (B) has to be a compromise, and is incapable of giving
satisfactory matching under a wide range of conditions. A reasonable compromise
for the resistance R would be about five times the impedance of the voice-coil, but
this will result in appreciable loss of power even at maximum volume. For perfect
matching, resistance R should be taken into account, but for many purposes the effect
may be neglected provided that R is not less than five times the voice-coil impedance.
At low levels this arrangement has a high impedance but here again the effect will
not be serious.
Another form of volume control is a tapped secondary winding, with the extension
speaker connected through a rotary switch to a selected tap. Taps may be made
with each one 70% of the turns of the one above it, giving roughly 3 db steps, or
80% for 2 db steps. This method causes serious mis-matching, and is not advisable
unless there are several main loudspeakers and only one " extension " with volume
control.
The best method of volume control is a L type level control (Fig. 21.11) which
provides constant input resistance and may be continuously variable (see Chapter 18).
All the preceding arrangements are limited to the use of either of two speakers or
have given a choice between one and both. The ideal arrangement is to permit
the use of one or other or both. This is particularly helpful when the extension
speaker is used in a different room and one may wish to operate the extension speaker
alone. Tuning-in may be done by switching over to both speakers, adjusting the
volume level to suit the extension speaker, and then switching over so that only the
extension is in operation. Then, if at any time the speaker in the receiver is required
to operate, this may be done simply by moving the switch without causing any inter-
ference to the extension speaker.
FIG. 21.7
when one speaker only is operating. Only half the full power output is available
when one speaker is operating alone ; the full power output is, however, available
when both speakers are operating together (switch position 1). This has the result
volume level of the
that the switching in of the second speaker does not affect the
speaker, the resistor
first R
really being a dummy load to take the power which
would otherwise be supplied to the second speaker. The two switches 5X and S t
may be made from a single wafer wave-change switch.
A preferred arrangement, which does not result in any power loss under any cir-
cumstances, is the use of a tapped secondary winding on the transformer. The full
winding on the secondary is used for one or other loudspeaker, while the tap is used
for both operating together ; this involves a more elaborate switching arrangement
but one which may be justified in certain circumstances.
The use of an appreciable amount of negative voltage feedback results in nearly
constant voltage across the load under all conditions, and minimizes changes in
volume level with any form of switching.
When the loudspeaker is some distance from the transformer secondary, the power
loss in the connecting wiring should not exceed 15%.
Line length for 15% line power loss in low impedance lines :
A.W.G. S.W.G. 2 4 6 8 10 15
14 16 60 ft. 120 ft. 180 ft. 240 ft. 300 ft. 450 ft.
16 18 38 ft. 75 ft. 113 ft. 150 ft. 190 ft. 285 ft.
18 19 23 ft. 47 ft. 70 ft. 95 ft. 118 ft. 177 ft.
Reference 20.
Although 500 ohms is a popular value, any lower or higher value may be used pro-
vided that the resistance of the line is not too great, and that the capacitance across
the line does not seriously affect the high frequency response.
The number of turns may be calculated from the formulae of Chapter 10 Sect.
2(iv)A or alternatively from* curves (Ref. 11 for 17 A.W.G. D.C.E.).
Iron cores introduce distortion, and are therefore undesirable. However if iron-
cored inductors are used, an air gap of 0.008 in. or 0.010 in. should be provided
(Ref. 6 p. 101). Ferrite cores present possibilities for this application.
In the filter type arrangement which is also popular, the two inductors and the
two capacitors have different values, and the nominal attenuation is 12 db per octave
(Fig. 21.8). Taking the design constant m = 0.6, we have
L = Ro/Vnf,) C = l/(2*f R e )
U = RJ&2«f t) C8 = 0.8/(tt/ K c )
where L in henrys and
is C
is in farads (Refs. 6, 19).
In all cases the series connection is preferable to the parallel connection. Resistance
in the inductors has a slight effect on the attenuation at the cross-over frequency, while
it also introduces insertion loss (0.3 to 1 db). Care should be taken to keep the re-
sistance as low as practicable. The usual position is between a single power amplifier
valve (or two in push-pull or parallel) and the loudspeakers. The insertion loss is
therefore a loss of maximum output power. The divider network may be connected
either on the primary or secondary side of the output transformer, the latter being
more usual —
in this case the transformer must be suitable for the total frequency
range of both units.
: ;
If the dividing network is placed on the primary side, each of the two output trans-
formers is only called upon to handle a limited frequency range, and may be of cheaper
construction. One interesting application is Fig. 21.9 (Refs. 9, 16). For a plate-
to-plate load of 5000 ohms and a cross-over frequency of 400 c/s the component
values are :
L =
x 2.0 henrys (series aiding)inductance Tx primary
; =
50 henrys min.
L2 = 1.0henry (with air gap") ; T%
primary inductance =
2.0 henrys (with air
gap) > Ct = 0.16 fiF C2 = 0.04 /*F leakage inductance of Tx not over 1
: :
It has been shown that the arrangement of Fig. 21.9 produces less distortion than
the conventional circuit this is due to two features.
: Firstly, the low-pass filter
L Xi 2CX attenuates high frequencies propagating in either direction ; as a result
the harmonic components of magnetizing current in Tx have less effect on the high-
pass channel. Secondly, the low-pass filter attenuates high frequencies on their way
to Tx so that the transformer is only called upon to handle a limited range of fre-
quencies, thereby reducing the distortion (Ref. 9).
In the case of separate amplifiers for low and high audio frequencies, the divider
network preferably precedes the amplifiers. This permits separate attenuators to
be used for each channel j these may be used for balancing the two units, or for tone
control.
If the high frequency unit is more sensitive than the low frequency one, a simple
form of fixed attenuator may be incorporated (Fig. 21.10). Here
R x + R 3 = R and R x /R> = (EJEJ - 1
where R 3 = R* R /(Rt + Ro)-
For example, to give (Ex /E2) = 2 (i.e. an attenuation of 6 db)
R x = \r and R z = R .
FIG. 21.10
If it is desired to use this as a variable attenuator to give tone control, it should pre-
ferably be of the constant input impedance type such as the L pad LFig. 21.11, also
see Chapter 18 Sect. 3(iii)]. If a simpler type must be used, it may be designed as
for Fig. 21.10 to give the correct input impedance at the normal operating position,
but with a sliding contact. It will then have an incorrect impedance at any other
21.3 LOUDSPEAKER DIVIDER NETWORKS 889
setting ; the effect is only slight if the sensitivity of this unit is very much
greater than
the other, as happens with horn and direct-radiator assemblies.
If one loudspeaker unit has a lower impedance than the other, an auto-transformer
may be used to provide correct matching. This may not be necessary if an attenuator
is used on one unit.
FIG. 21.11
It is important to check for the phasing of the two loudspeakers ; in the vicinity of
the cross-over frequency both units should be in phase (aiding one another). This
may be checked by the use of a, single dry cell connected in series with the secondary
of the transformer j in the case of 2 ohm voice coils there may be a 5 ohm limiting
resistor connected in series with the cell.
References 1, 2, 6, 9, 11, 12, 16, 19, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26.
SECTION 4 : REFERENCES
1. Sowerby,
1943) 238.
J. McG. " Radio Data Charts 10 —loudspeaker dividing networks " W.W. 49.8 (Aug.
R.D.H.—20
CHAPTER 22
SECTION 1 : DfTRODUCTION
and transmission lines differ from simple electrical networks in that their
Aerials
inductance, capacitance and resistance are not lumped but are distributed over dis-
tances such that the time required for electrical energy to travel from one part to
another has to be taken into account. In a single chapter it is, of course, impossible
to attempt to give a theoretical treatment of these devices. What will be done will
be to present some useful formulae., a few physical pictures of the processes which
occur and some results of practical experience with aerials and transmission lines.
(i) Introduction
A
transmission line consists of an arrangement of electrical conductors by means
of which electromagnetic energy is conveyed, over distances comparable with the
wavelength of the electromagnetic waves, from one place to another. The theory
of transmission lines provides a link between circuit theory and the field theory of
electromagnetic waves inasmuch as the properties of such lines may be determined
either from the picture of a transmission line as a filter network with an infinite number
of elements, or from the picture of electromagnetic waves guided between (usually)
a pair of conducting surfaces.
Some of the properties of transmission lines will now be given.
890
22J THE TRANSMISSION LINE 891
long. The importance of this characteristic impedance lies in the fact that if any
length of line is terminated in an impedance of this value, then all the energy flowing
along the line is absorbed at the termination and none is reflected back along the line.
A result of this is that the input impedance of any length of transmission line terminated
in its characteristic impedance is equal to the characteristic impedance. At radio
frequencies, the characteristic impedance of all normally-used types of transmission
line is almost purely resistive.
The value of the characteristic impedance for a low-loss line is
Z = VT/C (1)
where L and C are the distributed inductance and capacitance per unit length of the
line. The velocity of propagation of electromagnetic waves along such a line is
v = l/VTc (2)
With air as the dielectric, v — 3 x 10 8 metres per second, which is the velocity of
light*. For other dielectrics
v — 3 x 10*/-\/K metres per second (3)
where K
= dielectric constant.
In cables with polythene dielectric, for example, = 2.2 and v is therefore 0.67 K
of the velocity of light. This means that the wavelength of the waves in the cable
is only 67% of the wavelength in air.
For a low-loss transmission-line the characteristic impedance may be found if C
and L are determined. Actually it is not necessary to determine both one is suffici- —
ent.
If we combine (1) and (2) we obtain
Z = 1/vC *= vL. (.4)
where d is the distance between the centres of the conductors and r is the radius of
each conductor.
For a co-axial line
!38 , rx
Z l0gl (6)
*=VK ° r,
where rxis the inside radius of the outer conductor and r t is the outside radius of the
inner conductor.
k = ZL ~ Z° (7)
The standing-wave ratio in the line is the ratio of the maximum to the minimum
voltage (or current) that appears at points along the line. (The distance between
a maximum and an adjacent minimum is one quarter wavelength).
The standing-wave ratio has a value
1 + 1*| ,
8
.
*A more precise value is 2.9979 x 10 8 metres/sec. —see Chapter 9 Sect. Il(iii) and Ref. El.
—
On the other hand, if the line has a length equal to an odd integral number of quarter-
waves, then
Zt = zy/z L (12)
This relation is interesting, because it shows the basis of the quarter-wave trans-
former, which is used extensively. The section of line will match a generator to a
load if Z is chosen to be equal to the square-root of the product of the generator and
load impedances.
(i) Introduction
The function of a
receiving aerial is to collect electromagnetic energy which is pass-
ing through the space surrounding the aerial, and to pass this energy into a radio re-
ceiver.
Although this formula applies only when the aerials are situated in free space (or,
as is shown later, when the transmitting and receiving aerials are of the short vertical
type, situated close to a flat perfectly conducting earth), the formula is useful in illus-
trating a very important fact, which is, that in the transfer of power between two
aerials, the number of wave-lengths, rather than the distance, is the signific-
ant parameter. As an illustration of this' we may compare the energy available
22.3 AERIALS AND POWER TRANSFER 893
at a receiverwhen the frequency of the emitted wave is (a) 600 Kc/s and (b) 150 Mc/s.
We assume that the energy radiated in each case is 1000 watts and the distance be-
tween transmitter and receiver is 20 kilometres.
On applying the formula (13) we find that in the medium-frequency case, the power
available at the receiver is 8.8 milliwatts, while in the v-h-f case the power available
is only 0.142 microwatts.
This means that if both signals are to be amplified to produce, say 1 watt at the de-
tector then the amplification required in the first case is approximately 20 decibels
while in the second, it is nearly 70 decibels.
These figures partly explain why a crystal receiver is very effective for long-wave
reception, whereas a receiver required for v-h-f work usually has a large number of
stages of amplification.
TABLE 1
2
Short dipole 3A»/8ir or approx. 0.1 19
Half-wave dipole 0.130A 2
Half-wave dipole with reflector 0.25 A 2 to 0.50 A* ^depending on spacing)
Broadside array with reflectors Physical area, approximately
Broadside array, without reflectors Physical area/2, approximately
Short vertical aerial near earth 3A 2 /16ir
It will be seen from the table that the effective area for capture of electromagnetic
energy by a short dipole is approximately equal to an area bounded by a circle which is
at a radial distance of A/1.6w from the dipole. The physical significance of this is
that such a circle very roughly forms the boundary between the region in which the
local induction field of the aerial predominates and the region in which the radiation
894 (i) EFFECTIVE AREA OF A RECEIVING AERIAL 22.4
field is the major component. Hence we can picture the aerial as capturing the energy
which within the region in which the induction field of the aerial is of significant
falls
magnitude.
A broadside array of dipoles with a reflecting curtain can absorb all the energy that
falls on it. Without the reflectors, it absorbs only half the incident energy and radiates
one quarter back towards the transmitter and one quarter in the opposite direction.
A similar effect occurs with a dipole. If it absorbed all the energy available to it
and reradiated none, then its effective area would be double the value given in Table 1.
A reflector is required to achieve this.
OF AN AERIAL
Introduction
(*') A perfectly-conducting earth
(ii) An imperfectly-conducting
(iii)
(i) Introduction
In the previous section the effect of reflecting surfaces has been disregarded. In
practice, these effects must be taken into account, except in rare cases. The two
" surfaces " to be considered are the earth and the ionosphere. We deal here with
the effect of the earth.
In Fig. 22.1 are shown the effects of the earth on the field pattern of a short vertical
aerial and of a short horizontal dipole. It will be seen that the earth has no effect on
the field pattern of the vertical aerial apart from removing the lower half of the pattern.
With the horizontal aerial, however, there is complete cancellation of the waves in
the horizontal plane and the resultant effect is zero.
The conclusion may be drawn from the diagram that where waves are arriving at
the aerial in directions parallel to the plane of the earth, then one would expect a
vertical aerial to be very effective while a horizontal aerial would be ineffective. (This
applies to a transmitting as well as to a receiving aerial). It will be seen later that this
conclusion does not fit the facts, in all cases, because the earth is not a perfect con-
ductor. At medium and low radio-frequencies, however, it is in agreement with the
facts —horizontal aerials are of no use in communicating between two points both close
to the earth.
When waves are arriving at the aerial in directions inclined to the horizontal (as,
for example, in the case of short-wave communication via the ionosphere) then either
horizontal or vertical aerials may be used. If the distance between transmitter and
receiver is not great, however, then the waves will be arriving at nearly vertical in-
cidence and the horizontal aerial will be superior, provided that it is placed at a suitable
height above the earth. The height at which the aerial should be placed above the
earth depends on the angle of elevation of the waves which are to be received. The
height is different for horizontal and vertical aerials.
In Fig. 22.1, for an angle of elevation 0, the distance d between the path lengths of
waves to the aerial and to its image should be equal to an even number of half-waves
in the case of a vertical aerial, and an odd number of half-waves in the case of a hori-
zontal aerial. Simple trigonometry shows that this corresponds to a height h given by
h = «A/(4 sin 6) (20)
where n is an even integer for a vertical aerial and an odd integer for a horizontal aerial.
Dipolei
Image -^t^J-A
Angle of direction
of roy
ft/////////////////////)/
Field Intensity
1
Field Intensity
CO (D)
Fig. 22.1. Effects of the earth on the field pattern of a short vertical aerial (A) and
of a short horizontal dipole (B). Both (A) and (B) are cross-sectional views, and in (B)
the sign + indicates direction of current into the paper while the sign indicates the —
opposite direction. Polar diagrams of a short vertical aerial and a short horizontal
dipole, both close to earth, are shown in (C) and (D) respectively.
896 (iii) AN IMPERFECTLY-CONDUCTING EARTH 22.5
<6'|
40 SO «0 70809000
FIG. 22.3
For such conditions, a rough but useful formula for the attenuation is given by
PR /P T = (1.5 h ThH /n*y (25)
where h T and h R are the heights (in wavelengths) above earth of the trans-
mitting and receiving aerials, and the other symbols are the same as in (13).
More accurate values may be found by using Figs. 22.3, 22.4 and 22.5.
•The ampere-turn/metre is the unit of magnetic field strength in the Rationalized Meter Kilogram
Second (M.K.S.) system of units.
1 ampere-turn/metre = 4 x 10- 8 e.m.u. (oersted).
t Note :e/H in e.m.u. = c ; e/H in e.s.u. = 1/c.
e expressed in e.s.u. = H expressed in e.m.u. Refer to Chapter 38 Sect. l(ii) on electrical and
magnetic units.
898 (iv) ATTENUATION OF RADIO WAVES 22.5
Fig. 22.3. Effect of raising the receiving aerial above the earth (1 KW at 45 Mc/s
radiated over earth with conductivity a =
10 -18 e.m.u. and transmitting aerial 30 feet
above the earth). The same curves also apply when the transmitting and receiving
aerials are transposed.
Fig. 22.3 shows the effect of raising the aerial above the earth* for a frequency of
45 Mc/s, and indicates that unless the aerials are close to the earth, horizontal and
vertical polarizations have practically equal effectiveness.
Fig. 22.4 and 22.5 for frequencies of 75 and 150 Mc/s were derived by T. L. Eckers-
ley for vertically polarized waves, but may be used also for horizontally polarized
•waves with little error when the aerials are at heights above earth corresponding to
normal practice.
30 40 SO6O7O0O9OI
nG.»4A,
4 5 6 7 B 9K> 20 30 60 708090H&0
Height of Receiving Aerial above - Earth , bi Feet
FIG. 32.4 B
1 ||||||||lllllll
5 --*!>«, 1 llllill
IIIHIIIf-ISOMcAJ,
s
,o
ill --
-* -j Ulllll
"° 2
*
> .. 'toil 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
-9
llllllll IO
g Tim*!** «
2
*..][ S
w
a
=?
- :
Bp*;;;'' 2
S
r K>
1 *
lillllll
^ J:::::
2s--- * &<
s S
2!
I
sJ 2
!
iV-"~-
I
s
-4
llllllll IO
•8
,S«
5 IO
----- tkJJJ V%. \J
| *— Htight of Tronsmitci 19
in Fctt
Aerial
f
"1 -
"' "
I *..S
-» TTTTTTT ::::m.I:s:!i,...
io
Sy
J
*s!0. \ :
10,000,
4 S 6 7 8 9 IO 20 30 40 SO 60 7O8O9OI00
Hcifht of Rccchnna. Atrial obavc Earth, in Feet -
F|( 22 S B
Fig. 22.5. (A) Attenuation at 150 Mc/s of the radiation front a transmitter (1 KW
radiated over earth with a IO -13 e.m.u., e =
5, wit h receiving aerial at zero height) = ;
(i) Introduction
In the previous sections, the energy ideally available at the receiver terminals has
been calculated. This energy is available, however, only if the receiver is matched
to the aerial, and if there are no resistive losses associated with the aerial or aerial-
earth system.
If the input circuit of a receiver is to be designed to extract the maximum energy
from the radio-waves that are passing the aerial, then a knowledge of the component
parts of the impedance of the aerial is required.
902 IMPEDANCE OF AN AERIAI^-(i) INTRODUCTION 22.7
If we wish to calculate the power that may be extracted from the aerial in the pre-
sence of resistive losses we proceed as follows.
The power PR ideally available at the aerial may be calculated and we can use in-
formation such as that given in Fig. 22.6 to find the radiation resistance R of the
R
aerial. By measuring the base resistance and subtracting R R from this we are left
with R L > the equivalent series loss resistance of the aerial-earth system. The equiva-
lent circuitis shown in Fig. 22.7. It may be noted that we have not yet calculated e,
the equivalent e.m.f. induced in the aerial by the radio-wave. This can be done
easily however, because we know the resistance R and the power P that would be
R R
generated in a load resistance of this value if R^ were absent. Across such a load we
would have a voltage of e/2.
22.7 (ii) RESISTIVE COMPONENT OF IMPEDANCE 903
From Fig. 22.6 we find R R = 1.6 ohms, and we are given R L = 20 ohms. Then
P'/p = 0.08, which is the radiation efficiency of the aerial.
(v)Example of calculations
The following worked example uses much of the work covered so far in this chapter.
Example
A receiving aerial of the inverted-L type has a horizontal top section of 50 ft. length
and a 30 ft. vertical downlead. The aerial conductor is composed of 7/.029 in. copper
wire, (a) What is the input impedance of the aerial at a frequency of 1000 Kc/s»
if the equivalent series earth resistance is 20 ohms ? (b) What voltage will appear
at the input terminals of a receiver, matched to the aerial, if the receiving aerial is at
904 (v) EXAMPLE OF CALCULATIONS 22.7
a distance of 20 miles from a transmitter ? The transmitter has a short aerial (less
than quarter-wave) and radiates 500 watts. The ground between transmitting and
receiving aerials has a conductivity of 7 x 10-14 e.m.u.
(a) Calculation of input impedance
The length of conductor is 80 feet or 24.4 metres, therefore //A= 24 4/300 = 0.0813.
From (28), X = - jZ
{ cot 2*r//A.
We obtain Z
from (29) :
and = 29.3°.
2ttI/X
Therefore AT, = - j 603 cot 29.3° = - / 1070 ohms.
Next, obtain R R we use Fig. 22.6. For this aerial the
to. ratio of the horizontal
portion of the aerial to the total length is 0.625. By interpolation between plotted
R
values we find that R is approximately 1.0 ohm. The series loss resistance is given
as 20 ohms, hence the total resistance at the base is 21 ohms.
The base impedance of the aerial is then
Zi =
21 -
y 1070 ohms.
(b) Calculation of voltage at receiver terminals
From Fig. 22.2 we see that at the given frequency and distance the power flux per
unit area # is 2.0 x 10~ 8 watts/m 2 for a radiated power of 1 KW. Hence is
-8
1.0 x 10 for 500 watts radiated. The effective area of the aerial is given in Table 1
as 3A 2 /16*r. Hence the power ideally available is
PR = 1.0 x 10- 8 x 3 x 300V16tt
= 0.535 x 10-* watts.
From (25A) we find that the e.m.f. induced in the aerial (referred to the base radia-
tion resistance) is e = 2y/PRR R = 1.46 x 10~ 2 volts or 14.6 millivolts.
«v©-i-46xi6W
Atrial
T I
y
Receiver oc +*|070 ohms
n Ftgm 22 " 8, EQ uivalent drcuit of
aerial and input circuit of the
21 ohjns
receiver.
The voltage appearing at the aerial terminals will be greater than the induced e.m.f.
because of the highly reactive impedance of the aerial. The equivalent circuit of
the aerial and input circuit of the receiver are shown in Fig. 22.8. We see that the
aerial current is
* = 1.46 x 10~ 2 /42 and the voltage at the receiver terminals is approximately
V = * 1070 = 0.373 volt.
(vi) Dipoles
The second type of aerial, the impedance of which we may wish to calculate is the
dipole aerial. Dipole aerials well removed from the earth may be treated in a manner
similar to that of a vertical aerial, because, at least approximately, a vertical aerial
with its image forms a dipole aerial. With the vertical aerial we measure the imped-
ance with respect to the neutral point (earth) of the equivalent dipole, so the impedance
is only half that of the equivalent dipole. Hence in calculating the impedance of a
dipole we can use the results obtained previously, but multiplied by a factor of two.
Because a dipole aerial (remote from the earth) has no earth loss, it is in general more
efficient than the equivalent vertical aerial with earth return.
The most commonly used variety of dipole aerial is the resonant, or half-wave
variety. When remote from earth it has twice the impedance of a quarter-wave
aerial, i.e. its impedance is resistive and has a magnitude of 73 ohms. When in the
vicinity of the earth, the impedance depends on the height above earth. The variation
is shown in Fig. 22.9.
Reflectors are sometimes used with half-wave aerials at very high frequencies.
22.7 (vi) DIPOLES 905
In Fig. 22.10 is shown the effect, on the radiation resistance of a half-wave dipole,
of the spacing between aerial and reflector, when the latter is tuned to provide maxi-
mum forward radiation. (For further information on the effects of reflectors the
reader is referred to Ref. 14).
•4 * -8 l-O W 1-6
Fig. 22.9. Radiation resistance of horizontal half-wave dipole aerial plotted against
height of aerial above the earth.
906 (vii) LOOP AERIALS 22.7
»•»>•**•
*!
'••••a
:::::::::::!::::::::::::
OM 0-2 OS
Spacing Wavelengths
FIG 22. IO
Fig. 22.10. Radiation resistance of half-wave dipole aerial plotted against spacing
between aerial and reflector {tuned to provide maximum forward radiation).
With a receiver designed to operate with a loop aerial, it is not usual to use a dummy
aerialwhen testing the receiver. Instead the aerial is left connected to the receiver
and a known e.m.f. is induced in the loop. This is effected by connecting a second
loop to a signal generator, and placing the two loops at a suitable distance from each
other. The e.m.f. induced in the receiving loop can be calculated if, in addition to
the distance, the dimensions of the loops, the number of turns, and the current in
the transmitting loop are known.
(i) Introduction
Only simple types of aerials, such as are employed in broadcast reception, will be
described here ; no mention will be made of the more complicated aerials used in
point-to-point communication services.
There are three important factors to be considered in the design of an aerial for
reception.
(a) Its effective area for the capture of radio energy and its efficiency should be
sufficiently great to provide a signal that will override the internal noise of the receiver.
(b) It should be placed as far as possible from sources of noise-interference and,
in particular, it should be situated outside the induction field of such generators.
(c) If the radio signal should arrive at the receiver by two different paths (e.g.
ground-wave and sky-wave) so that distortion of the received signal results, then
the aerial should have sufficient directivity to favour the wanted signal and reject
the unwanted one.
At very-high frequencies, the effective area for capture of radio-energy by an aerial
becomes so small that the first factor is of great importance. In medium-frequency
reception, on the other hand, the second factor is the most important. One reason for
this is that at such wavelengths it is not easy to place the aerial outside the induction
field of noise sources. This may be seen from the following discussion.
At a distance of several wave-lengths from an aerial the power flowing through unit
area falls off as the inverse square of the distance from the aerial. This implies that
the field strength of the signal falls inversely as the distance [see (23)] from the aerial.
This field is called the radiation field of the aerial. An aerial has also another com-
ponent of its field which is the predominating one at points close to the aerial, but
falls off rapidly and becomes negligible compared with the radiation field at a distance
of a few wavelengths from the aerial. This is called the " induction field." At a
distance of approximately one sixth of a wavelength (A/2w) from a short aerial, the
components of the induction and radiation field are equal. At shorter distances the
intensity of the magnetic field of the aerial increases roughly as the inverse square of
the distance from the aerial while the intensity of the electric field increases roughly
as the inverse cube of the distance. It is obviously desirable that a receiving aerial
should be situated outside this zone around a noise source in which the field intensity
increases very rapidly as the distance between receiving aerial and the generator is
decreased. This is comparatively easy at very-high frequencies where one sixth of
a wavelength may be only one or two feet. At medium frequencies, the corresponding
distance is of the order of 50 yards and it may be difficult to place the aerial at such a
distance from sources of electrical interference.
Very small of this type are sometimes used indoors. Such aerials are use-
aerials
ful only when the required signals are of large intensity, because these indoor aerials
do not fulfil any of the three conditions listed above, except when close to broadcast
stations. Besides being inefficient because of their small size, they are also partially
shielded by earthed conductors in the house-wiring. They are also very liable to
pick up r-f noise carried along the power mains.
Loop aerials are sometimes used in broadcast receivers. When used indoors
they have the same drawbacks as the indoor capacitance type aerial, except that if
shielded, or balanced with respect to earth, they are less sensitive to inductive inter-
ference from nearby sources of r-f noise. The reason for this is that a balanced or
shielded loop responds to the magnetic component of the field of an aerial, whereas
'the capacitance type aerial responds to the electric component. In the radiation
field, these two components are equal and are mutually dependent. In the im-
mediate vicinity of an aerial they are not equal, and the electric component increases
more rapidly than does the magnetic field as one approaches the aerial. Hence in
the vicinity of a radiation source of r-f noise, a loop aerial will pick up less energy than
will a vertical aerial.
A loop aerial is more sensitive to waves arriving
at steep angles to the plane of the
earth than is a vertical aerial. Henceshould not be used where interference be-
it
mmmmmmMmmm^
(iv) V-H-F aerials
Because the effective area of an aerial at very high frequencies is small and the
amount of energy that it can supply to the receiver is correspondingly small, it is
essential that the efficiency of the aerial system should be high. At these frequencies
the signal power per unit area at the aerial increases as the square of the height above
ground, so the aerial should be placed at the maximum available height.
At very high frequencies the dimensions of the aerial are so small that rigid rods,
rather than flexible wires, are used as aerial conductors. This simplifies the problem
of the mechanical support for the aerial. Half-wave dipoles and quarter-wave ver-
tical aerials with a counterpoise are the most common arrangements. The provision
of a reflector is not difficult and is sometimes advantageous.
Matching the aerial to a transmission line is effected, when necessary, by means of
sections of transmission line, rather than by combinations of lumped inductors and
capacitors. Space does not permit a treatment to be given here of the great variety
of line-sections, stubs and other impedance transforming devices that are in common
use at very high frequencies. Nor can we deal with the very large number of varieties
of aerial in use. A few of the common types are shown in Fig. 22.12. Of these,
(a), (b), (c) and (d) are designed for reception of vertically polarized waves, and (e)
and (f) are for horizontally polarized waves. The aerial (a) is the simplest type. It
consists of a quarter wave radiator connected to the inner conductor of a co-axial line.
Connected to the end of the outer conductor of the coaxial line is a quarter-wave
" skirt," which forms, in effect, the second half of a vertical dipole. The impedance
of the aerial is roughly 70-75 ohms and matches directly a common type of co-axittl
transmission-line. The disadvantage of this aerial is that the " skirt " is coupled
to the outer conductor of the transmission-line and will pick up signals or noise that
are present on this.
Type (b) consists ofa vertical quarter-wave aerial with four horizontal quarter
wave elements which ^orm an artifioial earth plane. The impedance of this aerial is
lower than that of the normal quarter-wave aerial above a full earth plane, and it
910 (iv) V-H-F AERIALS 22.9
~Tx
T
I
I I "
2^
4
^ 00
FIG. 22. 12
'
X
2
Wl
Fig. 22.12. Some varieties
Moulded 30OA of v-h-f aerials.
balanced
Transmission Una
n FIG. 22.12ft)
22.9 (iv) V-H-F AERIALS 911
(f) Is a modification of (e). The aerial conductors are made in the form of a conical
cage to increase the frequency-range over which the aerial is effective. In this aerial
another method of providing the transformation from the unbalanced transmission
line to the balanced dipole is shown. It consists of splitting the outer conductor of
the co-axial line into halves, for a distance of one quarter-wave. At the top of this
" split " the halves of the dipole are connected directly to the outer conductor, while
the inner conductor of the transmission line is connected to one of them.
One of the most easily constructed aerials is the folded half-wave dipole, which is
shown in Fig. 22.12 (g). Whilst the radiation characteristic is the same as that of a
conventional half-wave dipole, the folding produces an impedance transformation.
When the conductors are of the same diameter throughout, the input impedance of
the aerial is approximately 300 ohms. This enables the aerial to be matched directly
to a 300 ohms moulded transmission line, which is commercially available. The
spacing between the parallel conductors is not critical but, as in the case of a trans-
mission line, it must be very small compared with a wavelength.
SECTION 10 : REFERENCES
1. Southworth, " Certain factors effecting the gain of directive antennas" Proc. I.R.B. 18.9 (Sept.
1930) 1502.
2. Burgess, —
R. E. " Aerial characteristics relation between transmission and reception," W.E. 21.247
(April 1944) 154.
3. Schelkunoff, S. A. " Theory of antennas of arbitrary shape and size " Proc. I.R.E. 29 (1941) 493.
4. Pistolkors, A. "The radiation resistance of beam antennas " Proc. I.R.E. 17 (1929) 562.
"
5. Colebrook, F. M. " An experimental and analytical investigation of earthed receiving aerials
lour. I.E.E. 71 (1932) 235.
6. Sturley, K. R. "Receiver aerial coupling circuits" W.E. 18.211 (April 1941) 137.
7. —
Burgess, R. E. " Receiver input circuits design considerations for optimum signal/noise ratio"
W.E. 20.233 (Feb. 1943) 66.
8. Wells, N. " Shortwave dipole aerials " W.E. 20.236 (May 1943) 219, also letter J. S. McPetrie
20.237 (June 1943) 303.
9. Stewart, H. E. " Notes on transmission lines—use of general equations in determining line pro-
perties" Q.S.T. (August 1943) 25.
10. Laport, E. A. " Open wire radio frequency transmission lines " Proc. I.R.E. 31.6 (June 1943) 271.
11. Wheeler, H. A., and V. E. Whitman, " Design of doublet antenna systems " Proc. I.R.E. 24.10
(Oct. 1936) 1257.
12. Carlson, W. L., and V. D. Landon, " New antenna kit design" R.CA. Rev. 2.1 (July 1937)60.
13. Carter, P. S. " Circuit relations in radiating systems " Proc. I.R.E. 20.6 (June 1932) 1004.
14. Brown, G. H. " Directional antennas " Proc. I.R.E. 25.1 (Jan. 1937) 78.
15. Data Sheet 53 " Aerial characteristics II —
radiation resistance and polar characteristics " Electronic
Eng. 15.188 (Oct. 1943) 197.
16. King, R. " Coupled antennas and transmission lines " Proc. I.R.E. 31.11 (Nov. 1943) 626.
17. King, R., and C. W. Harrison " The receiving antenna," Proc. I.R.E. 32.1 (Jan. 1944) 18.
18. Burgess, R. E. " Reactance and effective height of screened loop aerials " W.E. 21.248 (May 1944)
210.
19. Burgess, R. E. "The screened loop aerial " W.E. 16.193 (Oct. 1939) 492.
20. Colebrook, F. M. " The application of transmission line theory to closed aerials " Jour. I.E.E. 83
(1938) 403.
21. Burgess, R. E. "Aerial characteristics" W.E. 21 (1944) 154.
22. Kronenberg, M. H. " A —
multiple antenna coupling system a method of operating several receivers
on a single antenna " Q.S.T. (Aug. 1944) 9.
23. " Loops and small doublet antennas for P.M. receivers " A.R.T.S. and P. Bulletin No. 136 (9th
Oct. 1944).
24. Carter, P. S. " Simple television antennas " R.CA. Rev. 4.2 (Oct. 1939) 168.
25. Sherman, J. B. " Circular loop antennas at u-h-f V
Proc. I.R.E. 32.9 (Sept. 1944) 534.
26. Kendell, E. M. " Receiver loop antenna design factors " Comm. 25.11 (Nov. 1945) 62.
27. Moody, W. " F-M antennas " Service 14.1 (Jan. 1945) 24.
—
28. Burgess, R. E. "Aerial-to-line couplings cathode follower and constant-resistance network"
W.E. 23.275 (Aug. 1946) 217.
29. Vladimir, L. O. "Low impedance loop antenna for broadcast receivers " Elect. 19.6 (Sept. 1946)
100.
30. Sturley, K. R. (book) " Radio Receiver Design " Part 1 Chapter 3 (Chapman and Hall, London
1943).
31. " The A.R.R.L. Antenna Book " (American Radio Relay League, 1949).
32. McPherson, W. L. " Electrical properties of aerials for medium and long-wave broadcasting
"
Elect. Comm. 17.1 (July 1938) 44.
33. Bruce, E. " Developments in s.w. directive antennas " Proc. I.R.E. 19.8 (Aug. 1931) 1406.
34. " Capacity aerials for mains receivers " Philips Tec. Com. 3 (March 1947), 24, based on C.A.L.M.
Report No. 38.
35. Design Data (11) " Aerial coupling in wide-band amplifiers " W.W. 53.2 (Feb. 1947) 50.
36. Browder, J. E., and V. J. Young " Design values for loop antenna input circuits " Proc. I.R.E. 35.5
(May 1947) 519.
37. Kobusky, M. J. " A note on coupling transformers for loop antennas " Proc. I.R.E. 35.9 (Sept
1947) 969.
38. Scroggie, M. G. " Is a big aerial worth while ? " W.W. 53.9 (Sept. 1947) 314.
SECTION 1 : DORODUCTION
(0 Aerial coupling («) Tuning methods (jii) R-F amplifiers (w) Design con-
sideralions.
a larger amplitude than that of any other radio frequency voltages which may also be
present at the receiver input terminals.
There are many possible forms of aerial coupling arrangements, but the most
common type is the inductively coupled transformer, consisting of a primary and a
secondary winding. The tapped inductance, or auto-transformer, is also extensively
used, particularly with receivers tuning the broadcast F-M band and in portable
battery receivers using single turn loops.
The aerial coupling unit is equally applicable to either tuned radio frequency or
superheterodyne receivers, since the fundamental problem of effective voltage transfer
is the same in each case.
Fixed tuned and untuned aerial stages are sometimes employed. The fixed tuned
arrangement is more often used where the desired frequency range to be covered is
only a small percentage of the operating frequency, e.g. in a band-spread range of a
multi-range receiver, or at v-h-f. The more usual practice is to tune the secondary
of the transformer by means of a variable capacitor, or alternatively to make the in-
ductance variable, since this allows the optimum operating conditions, or a close ap-
proach to them, to be obtained over the required tuning ranges. It is not generally
of great importance whether the tuning is accomplished by using a variable capacitor
or a variable inductor. Because of mechanical difficulties with inductance tuners
the variable capacitor has been more widely used up to the present time. The in-
ductance tuner is rapidly gaining favour, however, at frequencies around 100 Mc/s,
and higher, because of the difficulties due to common metal shafts in ganged capacitors
912
23.1 (i) AERIAL COUPLING 913
and the inductance of the metal parts making up the capacitor. With the ganged
capacitor arrangement considerable trouble is experienced due to coupling from one
circuit to another because it is not an easy matter to earth the shaft effectively be-
tween sections. The earthing wipers or leads have appreciable reactance and resist-
ance at v-h-f and these factors are no longer negligible in comparison with the tuned
circuit impedances. Insulated rotors and stators are of considerable assistance in
overcoming difficulties due to common shaft coupling.
additional gain is required. Further, a number of tuned r-f stages using ganged
capacitors presents a rather difficult tracking problem, as well as giving rise to the
increased possibility of unstable operation. Normally, only the transformer secondary
is tuned and the overall selectivity characteristic is not as good as can be obtained with
fixed-tuned i-f transformers. The gain and selectivity of the tuned r-f amplifier
varies with the signal frequency, and a fixed intermediate frequency will allow more
constant gain and higher gain per stage, for a given range of signal frequencies. The
higher gain per stage is due to the higher dynamic impedance of the i-f transformer
when the intermediate frequency is lower than the signal frequency. Even for an
intermediate frequency higher than the signal frequency, larger stage gains are pos-
sible because of the better L/C ratio which can generally be obtained.
Even in cases where signal-to-noise ratio and r-f selectivity are not a problem, it is
still sometimes advantageous to include a r-f stage. The r-f stage is used as a buffer
to prevent the radiation of undesired signals from the receiver. A
typical case of
radiation occurs with a v.h.f. F-M receiver operated in conjunction with an efficient
aerial system. If no r-f stage is used, radiation can occur at the oscillator frequency
due to voltages at this frequency appearing at the input circuit of the frequency changer.
This is serious because it opens up the possibility of interference between radio
receivers which are operating in close proximity to one another.
It is not proposed, in this chapter, to deal in any great detail with grounded grid
and other special types of r-f voltage amplifiers, as these are rather specialized applica-
tions which are not normally used in the design of narrow-band receivers covering
limited bands of frequencies in the range from say 50 Kc/s to 150 Mc/s. However,
at frequencies in excess of about 50 Mc/s, input stages using a grounded-grid triode
are generally capable of giving better signal-to-noise ratios than circuits using the
conventional grounded-cathode pentode voltage amplifier, but only at the expense
of r-f selectivity. At the lower frequencies the input resistance of the pentode is
much higher than that of the grounded grid triode, and so improved gain in the aerial
coupling circuit can be used to offset the deterioration in signal-to-noise ratio due to
valve noise. Clearly a better input circuit is possible using a pentode having a lower
equivalent noise than with a pentode having the same input resistance but higher
equivalent noise, and valve types should be selected with this in mind.
In cases where a wide range of frequencies has to be covered, and where the pass
band of the receiver must be very wide (e.g. in television or multi-channel F-M link
receivers), the grounded-grid triode offers considerable improvement in signal-to-
noise ratio even at frequencies well below 100 Mc/s. Other applications occur in
circuits where neutralization cannot be obtained by normal methods or where the
circuit requirements are such that the grid must be earthed.
A special circuit (Cascode) which is of interest (see Ref. A10 Chapter 13) uses a
grounded-cathode triode voltage amplifier, which is neutralized, followed by a
grounded-grid triode. This circuit has high input resistance and low equivalent
noise. It offers appreciable improvement in signal-to-noise ratio over the other two
types of circuits, particularly at frequencies in excess of about 70 Mc/s. The com-
bined circuit can be considered as equivalent to a single grounded-cathode triode
having zero plate-grid capacitance, and a mutual conductance and noise resistance
equal to that of the first triode valve (the valves used can be types 6J4 or 6J6 etc.).
Triode circuits of the types mentioned should not be used blindly, particularly
at the lower frequencies, because the plate resistances of triodes are extremely low
when compared with those of pentodes, and so the r-f stage gain may be insufficient,
because the damping of the tuned circuits will be heavy, and also the r-f stage gain
may be insufficient to make the effects of converter noise negligible. Detailed in-
formation on grounded-grid and triode r-f amplifiers can be found in Refs. B8, B18,
A10 and A4.
ponents (including valves) and because the circuit layout is increasingly important
if satisfactory results are tobe obtained. Electron transit time effects in valves be-
come of greater importance as the frequency is raised because of the changes which
occur in the valve input and output admittances*. The valve input admittance must
be considered when designing an aerial or r-f circuit as it will affect the dynamic im-
pedance of the circuit, and consequently the selectivity and gain. Valve sockets
and other components will add further damping to the input circuits. The effects
of valve noise will also be governed by the dynamic impedances of the input circuits
and so the various valve effects must be considered in conjunction with the external
circuits. This becomes of greater importance as the frequency increases.
A design difficulty with aerial and r-f stages is in obtaining satisfactory perform-
ance over a large tuning range. The three to one frequency coverage normally em-
—
ployed on dual wave receivers for the medium (540 1600 Kc/s) and shortwave
(e.g. 6-18 Mc/s) bands presents some problems in regard to tracking, and constancy
of gain and selectivity. The L/C ratios obtainable with a variable capacitor giving
an incremental capacitance range of at least 9 1 are satisfactory on the medium wave
:
range but are rather poor on the shortwave band. For these reasons it is common
practice to limit the coverage on shortwave bands, in the better class of receiver, to
enable improved all round performance to be obtained ; a frequency ratio of about
1.3 1 is usual in the region of 10 to 20 Mc/s, with larger ratios at the lower frequen-
:
Z Z
x s and Z
s are intended to represent any possible arrangement of components for
Z
coupling the aerial to the receiver, where x includes all impedances external to the
receiver input terminals and T is the load Z
impedance. This generalized' section T
can be made to represent all possible coup-
ling arrangements, since it is well known
from circuit theory that any complex net-
work composed of linear bilateral imped-
ances can be transformed, at any one fre-
FIG. 23-1 GENERALIZED AERIAL COUPLING UNIT.
quency, into an equivalent network T
From the generalized network
E% Z*Zl
==
Ex Z Z* +
X (Zx + z,xz, + ZL ) (1)
L
of t . C
a is used to tune the sec-
-WWVSA-
ondary circuit to resonance ; it
should be noted that the setting for
C, when the aerial circuit is con- J«B>Mf
nected across the primary is different Zai
E x »Af»K (2)
'Al [*• + t\
where Za = R A + jX A
Zx = R x +Ja>L x
M = k\/L L 2 x
23.2 (Hi) MUTUAL INDUCTANCE COUPLING 917
Z Al = Z A + Z = R A1 + /^l
l
and \Z A1 \ ~VR
A i* A1 + X
*.
It should be noted that the condition for secondary circuit resonance (partial resonance
" S ") is that
X ~
*
(3)
\Zstf
and the " reflected " resistance and reactance in the secondary are given respectively by
(4)
-wrf-
;
- ^JE
(7b)
V*l'
where R D is the dynamic impedance of the secondary circuit. The approximations
involved in these equations are discussed in Ref. B12.
From this it can be shown, with M and C t adjusted for maximum secondary current,
that the selectivity of the tuned circuit is half the value it would have if considered in
the absence of the primary. This condition of optimum coupling is not usual in
broadcast receivers, except where matching to a transmission line, since the coupling
between primary and secondary is made loose to prevent serious tracking errors due
to the variable reactance " reflected " into the secondary circuit over a band of fre-
quencies. The expression most generally required is that of eqn. (2) and the calcu-
lation of voltage gain need only be made at, say, two or three points across the tuning
range.
It should be noted, however, that in some cases loose coupling can lead to a con-
siderable reduction in signal-to-noise ratio if site noise is not predominant, e.g. at
the higher frequencies on the short-wave band it is advantageous to use optimum
coupling, or slightly greater, to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (see Ref. A2 Chapter
26).
The of valve input admittance can be included by considering an additional
effects
resistance and a capacitance shunted across C% The value of the resistance com-
.
ponent may be negative or positive dependirig on the type of valve and the operating
conditions, e.g. some types of converter valves have a negative input resistance.
Having obtained the stage gain it is next important to find the selectivity of the
circuit. As an approximation for ordinary types of aerial coils it is usually con-
venient to determine the selectivity of the secondary as for a single tuned circuit.
The simplest approach is to consider the resultant Q of the secondary circuit at the
resonant frequency when all the secondary resistance, including that due to reflection
from the primary and valve loading, is included. The value of Q
is given by
<aL ,ff/R eff, where L eg is the resultant secondary inductance. The selectivity is then
found as for a single tuned circuit, resonant at the frequency under consideration,
using the universal curve given in Chapter 9 (Fig. 9.17) in conjunction with the methods
detailed in Chapter 26 Sect. 4(iv)A. This method is satisfactory provided that the
amount of mistiming is not too large a proportion of the central reference frequency,
and that the aerial coil follows the usual practice with the primary resonated above or
below the tuning range or is designed for connection to a transmission line (or aerial)
of which the characteristic impedance is largely resistive ; otherwise the variations
in R
e ff and L eg would have to be considered. Further, in a number of practical
R
cases it is permissible to calculate ejp and use L 2 when finding the value for 3 since Q
918 (iii) MUTUAL INDUCTANCE COUPLING 23.2
the reflected reactance may not be very large. It is often sufficient to calculate selec-
tivity at, say, the mid-frequency of the tuning range, although it should be noted that
selectivity is a function of frequency and dependent on the circuit operating conditions.
It is now worth while considering three special cases for the aerial coupling trans-
former :
(1) Where the aerial can be represented by a capacitive reactance in series with a
resistance.
(2) the aerial behaves like an inductive reactance in series with a resistance.
Where
(3) the aerial is coupled to a transmission line which " looks " like a pure
Where
resistance at the aerial terminals.; or the aerial itself, coupled to the receiver, looks like
a pure resistance.
Any aerial can be made to appear resistive if the reactance components are tuned
out by a suitable arrangement of the aerial coupling network ; this is a common pro-
cedure with fixed frequency installations.
In case (1) it is usual to make the primary circuit resonate below the lowest tuning
frequency, since this offers a good compromise with regard to constancy of gain,
tracking, etc. This arrangement is also advantageous because the effect of the aerial
is merely to move the primary resonant frequency still further away from the tuning
range, thereby minimizing the effect of the aerial on the secondary without losing too
much gain. In general the high impedance primary winding is resonated at 0.6 to
0.8 of the lowest tuning frequency, either with the aerial capacitance alone, or with
an added capacitor. In either case the resonant frequency must not be close to the
intermediate frequency in a superheterodyne receiver, and normally a broadcast band
primary is resonated at a lower frequency than the i-f so that no aerial which is likely
to be used will resonate the aerial primary at the intermediate frequency.
Since the gain obtained from an aerial transformer with its primary resonant out-
side the low frequency end of the tuning range decreases towards the high frequency
end of the range, a small capacitance is often added across the top of the transformer.
This capacitance increases the gain at higher frequencies and allows a substantially
flat gain and noise characteristic to be obtained from the transformer over the desired
range. This type of aerial transformer is fairly representative of those likely to be
encountered on the medium and long wavebands. Practical values for the coefficient
of coupling between primary and secondary are a compromise between various factors
such as gain, tracking error and signal-to-noise ratios ; usual values are from 0.15 to
0.3, with most aerial coils using values of about 0.2 (this should include any added top
capacitance coupling). The value for primary Q is of the order of 50, and the second-
ary Q is about 90 to 130 in typical aerial coils using the range of coupling coefficients
stated, although Q values greater than 200 can readily be obtained by using special
iron cores. Values of secondary Q above 100 generally call for smaller values of *
than 0.2 if good tracking is to be achieved.
If for some particular reason it is necessary to use a higher coefficient of coupling
than say 0.4, then the primary inductance should be small and arranged to resonate
with the aerial at about \/2~of the highest signal frequency. This improves the
signal-to-noise ratio but may give rise to tracking difficulties.
Case (2) normally applies with untuned loop aerials but the condition can occur
with some types of aerials on the shortwave bands. In this case it is usual to make
the coefficient of coupling fairly high, of the order of 0.5 or more, and a useful rule is
to make the value of primary inductance approximately equal to 0.4 of the loop (or
aerial) inductance (see Refs. B17 and A2, p. 44).
For use with domestic type receivers operating on the short wave band, the standard
dummy antenna is taken as being 400 ohms resistive, even though the aerial reactance
will not be zero across the tuning range, as this gives an indication of average operating
conditions. The aerial coupling transformer for this type of receiver can be designed
using the procedure given in Case (3) below.
The untuned loop antenna (which should be balanced to ground for best results)
finds application with portable receivers, and in some cases
with ordinary A-M broad-
cast receivers. Loops have also been used in F-M receivers operating on the 40-50
23.2 (iii) MUTUAL INDUCTANCE COUPLING 919
Mc/s band, but not in receivers for the 88-108 Mc/s band because of the ease with
which a half-wave dipole can be arranged inside the receiver cabinet. With loops it
is necessary to keep stray capacitances to a minimum so as to avoid resonance effects
within or close to the band of frequencies to be received ; this also assists in achieving
good tracking because a loop that behaves like a small fixed inductance can be com-
pensated for quite readily in the aerial coil secondary.
The number of turns used in untuned loop aerials is not very critical, since a loss
in effective height by using fewer turns can be offset by the increased voltage step-up
possible with the coupling transformer. To keep stray capacitances low the fewer
turns used the better. The best compromise for receivers operating on the medium
or short-wave bands is a single turn loop, or perhaps a few turns (say not more than
four) of wire wrapped around the carrying case for medium wave portable receivers
(this wire can be litz or copper braid, and even rubber covered hook-up wire is often
satisfactory). The best type of single turn loop is one made out of copper tubing (or
any other good conductor such as aluminium or one of its alloys) with the tube dia-
meter not less than about 0.25 in. and preferably considerably larger than this ; the
loop area should always be as large as possible. If the loop is to be used on the long-
wave band it is preferable to use a few turns (about ten) of litz wire rather than a single
turn loop. This is necessary because of the drop in Qwhich occurs with the single
turn loop at the lower frequencies. However, satisfactory results have been achieved
with a 0.25 in. diameter copper tube loop at a frequency of 500 Kc/s.
In many cases a two winding transformer is not used and the loop is made part
of the tuned circuit (being in series with the main tuning inductance and earthed at
one side). An alternative arrangement is to tap the loop across part of the main tuning
inductance ; this can be made to give very satisfactory results.
Because the inductance of loops (of the type being considered) is usually very small,
it is often difficult to measure the Q at the working frequencies. This difficulty
arises with standard types of Q meters because the maximum capacitance is limited
to about 400 ppF. A useful method (suggested by J. B. Rudd) is as follows :
Couple the loop fairly tightly to an inductance which is sufficiently large to be tuned
to the working frequency. Measure the Q of the inductance with the loop open cir-
cuited (call this Qi) and then the Q (call this Q') with the loop short circuited at its
terminals. The Q of the loop (Q L ) is given by
where Q =
t magnification factor for the primary inductance with the loop open
circuited.
Q' = magnification factor for the primary inductance with the loop terminals
short circuited.
y = 1 - (L'/LJ
L' =
inductance of primary with loop short circuited,
and Li =
inductance of primary with loop open circuited.
See (vi) below for some discussion of directly tuned loops.
Case (3) permits of a fairly simple solution. Normally k is about 0.2 or less, and
the primary winding reactance (at the geometrical mean frequency of the tuning range)
is made equal to the characteristic impedance of the transmission line or aerial. A
particularly simple solution has been made by Rudd (Ref, B12) to give conditions
for two point matching in the tuning range. The procedure is as follows :
Geometrical mean angular frequency = o» =V <o 1 <a i where a* x and o> a are the
lower and upper angular frequency band limits. The primary
inductance =L = x
Z fo> where Z is the characteristic impedance of the transmission line.
The required coefficient of coupling is then determined from
L £-B
where a
*V^[
= oj = <a x
]
fi/fi
(8)
920 (iii) MUTUAL INDUCTANCE COUPLING 23.2
and Q, = secondary circuit Q in the absence of the primary. The value for Q,
should include the effect of valve loading, and so
Q$ = (9)
Qa,oL 2 + R
where Q is for the unloaded secondary
and R is the valve input resistance.
A useful approximate formula for estimating the aerial coil gain under this condition
is
(10)
This expression gives the maximum possible value of gain and corresponds to eqn. (7a)
given previously.
Although elaborate methods are available for calculating optimum signal-to-noise
above should give a fairly close approximation to the required
ratios etc., the details
practical conditions where the aerial coupling circuit is a compromise between the
various conflicting factors discussed previously. These factors of gain, selectivity
etc. should be carefully considered as in nearly every case the performance of a re-
ceiver is largely governed by the aerial coupling circuit.
coL a
(11)
Q —
t magnification factor for complete circuit
and Z = impedance of theaerial (or the characteristic impedance of a trans-
mission line).
The gain is found from equation (10),
1± = 1 l9± (oL 2
E1 2s] z7~
1
The selectivity is calculated using the same methods as before, from the equivalent
circuit. Whether this equivalent circuit takes the form of a series or parallel tuned
circuit is usually not important, as the results obtained are substantially the same,
and provided the circuitQ exceeds about 10 the Universal Selectivity Curves can be
applied directly in either case.
should be noted that the treatment is only approximate, as the exact tapping point
It
is dependent on the coupling between the two sections of the aerial coil winding.
However, for a wide variation in coupling, the correct tapping point is not very differ-
ent from that obtained by the above procedure, which assumes unity coupling, and
the loss in secondary voltage as compared with optimum coupling is quite small.
23.2 (iv) TAPPED INDUCTANCE 921
Valve input loading usually a problem at v-h-f and a procedure to minimize this
is
effect is to tap down L 2 This will allow a higher value of dynamic impedance
across .
for the tuned circuit with improved selectivity, and under some conditions the in-
crease in impedance can more than offset the loss in voltage gain caused by tapping
down.
_
^c * LaSl
I
Fig. 23 A. Capacitance Coupled Aerial
"j*
Transformer.
FIG. 23.4
This shows a common disadvantage with the circuit of Fig. 23.3 in that the variation
in gain across the tuning range is quite appreciable. The treatment is quite straight-
forward and is left to the reader ; a fairly complete analysis is given in the references.
R.D.H. —30
922 (vi) GENERAL SUMMARY 23.2
external aerial and the top of the tuned circuit (i.e. to the grid connection) or alter-
natively a tap on the aerial coil secondary a few turns up from the earthy end. For
a directly tuned loop the aerial is tapped into the loop in the same way as for the other
coil arrangement ; alternatively the series capacitor arrangement is satisfactory. The
main disadvantage of both these simple arrangements is the large change in gain which
occurs across the tuning range, but for medium-wave commercial portable receivers
additional circuit complications are seldom justified.
The subject of aerial-to-receiver coupling is a large one and only a few of the more
important design factors have been considered. For more complete information
on particular systems it is necessary to consult the text books and references.
(ii)Mutual-inductance-coupled stage
The most common arrangement for coupling a r-f amplifier valve to the following
stage (Fig. 23.5) by means of a transformer using a tuned secondary with the primary
is
winding resonated either above or below the tuning range. The primary winding
resonates with the valve output capacitance, winding capacitance, stray wiring capacit-
ances and sometimes an added capacitor,
these being lumped together and shown as
C„. If the winding is of the low imped-
D ance type it is made to resonate at approxi-
mately 1.2 to 1.5 times the highest tuning
frequency. Under this condition the load
presented to the valve is inductive and
thus will give rise to regeneration by intro-
ducing a negative resistance component
plus a capacitance into the r-f valve input
FIG.2VS TRANSFORMER COUPLED R-F STAGE. circuit.
—
If the winding is of the high impedance type, then it is usual to resonate the primary
at approximately 0.6 to 0.8 of the lowest tuning frequency, but the resonant frequency
should not be close to the intermediate frequency in superheterodyne receivers.
Under this condition the valve has a capacitive load which causes degeneration by
introducing a positive resistance component plus a capacitance into the r-f valve input
circuit due to the " Miller Effect." It is not usual to resonate the primary winding
within the tuning range because of the very large changes in gain and selectivity which
would be introduced. In addition, the problem of tracking the various tuned circuits
becomes almost hopeless.
When the aerial coil primary is of the low impedance type it is usual, although not
essential, for the r-f stage to be of this type also and vice-versa. This simplifies
tracking problems.
The methods to be used for calculating the gain and selectivity of this arrangement
are set out in detail in Chapter 9 Sect. 6(ii) under the heading " Coupled Circuits
Tuned Secondary." For the usual practical arrangement the stage gain is given
approximately by g m Q t o>M,
where g m =
mutual conductance of r-f amplifier valve,
<o =
2ir x operating frequency,
restricted tuning range with some possible advantage. The gain of the stage is given
and L —
inductance of tuned circuit.
Selectivity is calculated as for any other single tuned stage, using the methods of
Chapter 9 or Chapter 26, Sect. 4(iv)A.
= L
Voltage gain p (/* + 1)
rD + Rr
,
Resistance loading across input circuit «
» + 1
(loading across output circuit fi& r„).
- N + A-
Ki
r+ _ s _g
Noise factor
-Jl
where RL — load impedance connected between plate and B +
r, = valve plate resistance
ft.
= valve amplification factor
gm = valve mutual conductance
R t
= valve input resistance at working frequency
Rt = equivalent noise resistance of first valve
Rt = equivalent noise resistance of second valve
R = generator impedance e.g. aerial resistance
Ax = voltage gain of input circuit
and At = voltage gain of first stage, excluding the voltage gain of the input
circuit.
When one of these frequencies is the desired one (it may be either the lower or the
higher), the other is referred to as its image frequency. Clearly the desired and un-
desired signal frequencies are separated by twice the intermediate frequency. Putting
this statement in symbolic form :
fimage = fote +
fi-f when f otc >
f, it
/image = fose ~
fi-f When f , e /„•„<
where f, ig = desired signal frequency.
As an example On the 540-1600 Kc/s A-M broadcast band the oscillator fre-
:
quency is normally above the signal frequency. If the reasons for this are not obvious,
consideration of the oscillator tuning range and the values of variable capacitance
required will make it so. The usual i-f is 455 Kc/s and if a signal frequency of 1000
Kc/s is taken,
then /,„,„„. = (1000 + 455) + 455 = 1910 Kc/s.
Since the converter cannot discriminate between the two signals of 1000 Kc/s and 1910
Kc/s, it is necessary for the aerial circuit, and r-f circuit if this is used, to make the
magnitude of the 1000 Kc/s voltage much greater than the magnitude of the 1910
Kc/s voltage. Otherwise severe interference can result when signals are being trans-
mitted at both these frequencies.
When making calculations for image rejection the worst conditions are usually
found at the high frequency end of the tuning range, provided that the selectivity of
the tuned circuits does not vary appreciably with change in frequency. This is
because the separation between the two frequencies is a smaller proportion of the fre-
quency to which the receiver is tuned. It should also be clear that higher values
of i-f will materially assist in reducing image effects because of the wider frequency
separation between the desired and undesired signals ; it is for this reason that some
v-h-f receivers use intermediate frequencies of the order of 10.7 Mc/s.
where
J Q+=<><£-'?)'
•
R eff = total secondary circuit series resistance including that due to re-
flection from primary circuit and valve input resistance (Valve input
admittance is discussed in detail in Chapter 2 Sect. 8, and further
comments are given in Sect. 5 of this chapter),
/ = image frequency when oscillator frequency is higher than signal
frequency,
azid / = signal frequency under oscillator conditions as for /.
If the oscillator is lower in frequency than the signal frequency then/ and /„ should
be interchanged.
Exactly the same expression and procedure are used to calculate the image protection
afforded by a r-f stage. Since the calculated image rejection is a voltage ratio, the
ratios obtained for the various stages are multiplied together, or the ratios expressed
in decibels can be added to .give the total image protection provided by the input cir-
cuits to the converter.
coil is halved, under some conditions of operation, by using two point matching to
an aerial transmission line, the greater part of the image protection may here again
be due to the r-f stage. These considerations are particularly important at the higher
frequencies. On the long and medium wave bands sufficient image protection can
often be obtained from the discrimination afforded by the aerial coil alone, but on the
shortwave bands deterioration in image rejection is serious (and rapid) unless the inter-
mediate frequency is increased above the usual value of about 455 Kc/s.
It is important to note that a good image rejection ratio is desirable since this also
indicates the selectivity of the signal circuits and the degree of rejection against spurious
frequency combinations. A high degree of selectivity preceding the first r-f amplifier
valve has obvious advantages in reducing cross-modulation effects.
frequencies (A) Input conductance (B) Cold input conductance (C) Hot input conduc-
tance (D) Change in input capacitance (E) Reduction of detuning effect.
conductance value at 100 Mc/s should not be used to find a conductance at 455 Kc/s,
but will give a reasonable approximation at, say, 10 Mc/s.
A figure of merit, which forms a useful basis for comparing various types of r-f
voltage amplifier valves, is given by
^iotgWRi)
where g m — control grid to plate transconductance (mutual conductance)
gi= short circuit grid inpfut conductance
and R —
{ short circuit grid input resistance.
At the higher frequencies cathode lead inductance is important.
If the valve types on which information regarding short circuit input admittance is
required are not listed, experimental techniques can always be resorted to and reason-
928 (i) IMPORTANT GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 23.5
ably accurate results are possible using a high frequency Q meter to determine the
capacitive and resistive loading effects. The usual precautions as to length of leads,
earthing etc. must be carefully observed when making these measurements, if the
results are to be of any practical value. Something of this nature is usually required
when considering the effects of the converter valve on its input circuit, since the pub-
lished information is rather meagre. In this regard it is well to remember that some
types of converter valves, such as those using inner grid injection, e.g. types 6A8,
6K8, 6SA7, 6BE6 etc., give negative loading whilst other types such as X61M, X79,
6J8-G, 6L7, etc. (which use outer grid oscillator injection) give positive loading. In-
creasing the negative bias on the signal grid will reduce the loading effect with all types,
but at very high values of bias the negative loading may reverse its polarity and be-
come positive. [The reasons for these effects are discussed later in this section in
connection with input loading of receiving valves.] To reduce input conductance
some valve types have more than one cathode connection (see Ref. A8), and typical
examples are types 6AK5 and 6AG5, each having two cathode terminals. Even when
the cathode terminals are directly connected to ground the- length of the cathode lead
is still sufficient to provide appreciable inductive reactance at frequencies of the order
of 100 Mc/s. For this reason all plate and screen by-pass capacitors should be re-
turned to one cathode lead and the grid returns to the other. The alternating volt-
ages developed across the cathode lead inductance due to currents from the plate and
screen circuits are in this way prevented from being directly impressed in series with
the grid circuit, since it is the grid to cathode voltages which are of major importance.
Direct current divides between the two available cathode paths, but this is not import-
ant since the path taken by this current normally does not affect the grid input admit-
tance. To obtain grid bias the " grid " cathode lead employs the usual resistor and
capacitor combination. The r-f by-pass capacitors from the plate and screen circuits
connect directly to the other cathode terminal which is not directly connected to
ground in this arrangement. A typical circuit is shown in Fig. 23.8.
In pentodes working at v-h-f it is advis-
able to connect the suppressor grid terminal
directly to ground, when a separate terminal
is available for this electrode, rather than
to the cathode, because the suppressor lead
inductance would then be connected in
series with any external cathode lead induc-
tance. If this precaution is not taken the
coupling between control grid and plate is
increased, because of the capacitance from fig.2m r-f ampler wth two cathode
control grid to suppressor and from sup-
pressor to plate, the junction of these two
capacitances having an impedance to ground depending on the total lead inductance.
Similar considerations also apply to screen grid circuits, particularly when the valve
has a single cathode lead, and the shielding action of this grid can be seriously affected
if proper precautions are not taken, such as directly earthing by-pass capacitors.
These circuit arrangements are not very important at low frequencies where degenera-
tive effects may be more serious, necessitating the connection of the suppressor grid
and by-pass capacitors directly to the cathode.
Signal- ke *»
Valve Description Plate Screen Grid Supress- micro micro
Type volts volts bias or —mhos/ —mhos/
volts volts Mc/s Mc/s*
practically constant for all operating conditions. Also, when the transconductance
of a valve is changed by a change in signal-grid bias, k h varies directly with trans-
conductance over a wide range. In the case of converter types, the value of k h de-
pends on oscillator-grid bias and oscillator voltage amplitude. In converter and
mixer types, k k is practically independent of oscillator frequency.
In eqn. (1), the term k efisa conductance which exists when the cathode current is
zero. The term k hf* is the additional conductance which exists when cathode current
flows. These two terms can be explained by a simple analysis of the input circuit
of a valve.
ceptance, the reciprocal of reactance. For most purposes, the effect of cathode-lead
inductance is negligible when cathode current is very low.
The cold input admittance
is, therefore, a conductance in parallel with a capacitive susceptance. The conductance
due to dielectric hysteresis increases linearly with frequency. Hence, the cold input
conductance can be written as k ef, where k e is proportional to the power factor of
grid insulation and is the k c of eqn. (1).
diode for example, plate current starts to flow as soon as electrons leave the cathode.
Every electron in the space between cathode and plate of a diode induces a charge on
the plate ; the magnitude of the charge induced by each electron depends on the
proximity of the electron to the plate. Because the proximity changes with electron
motion, there is a current flow to the plate through the external circuit due to the
motion of electrons in the space between cathode and plate.
Consider the action of a conventional space-charge-limited triode as shown in
Fig. 23.10. In this triode, the plate is positive with respect to cathode and the grid is
negatively biased. Due to the motion of electrons between cathode and grid, there
is a current I a flowing into the grid. In addition, there is another current I h flowing
out of the grid due to the motion of electrons between grid and plate receding from the
grid. When no alternating voltage is applied to the grid, /„ and I h are equal and the
net grid current I t is zero.
Suppose, now, that a small alternating voltage (e B ) is applied to the grid. Because
the cathode has a plentiful supply of electrons, the charge represented by the number
of electrons released by the cathode (Q*) is in phase with the grid voltage, as shown
in Figs. 23.11(a) and 23.11(b). The charge induced on the grid (Q„) by these electrons
would also be in phase with the grid voltage if the charges released by the cathode
were to reach the plane of the grid in zero time, as shown in Fig. 23.11(c). In this
hypothetical case, the grid current due to this induced charge (Fig. 23.11(d)) leads
the grid voltage by 90 degrees, because by definition, current is the time rate at which
charge passes a given point. However, the charge released by the cathode actually
propagates towards the plate with finite velocity ; therefore, maximum charge is
induced on the grid at a time later than that corresponding to maximum grid voltage,
23.5 (ii) INPUT LOADING OF RECEIVING VALVES 931
o, oa o» e* oj i
o o
o o
o o
o o
o o
o o
o o
o o
o o
UI-Hi
FIG.2V12
0$ roil riNitc
nuMsrr time -
: t«FOB FINITE
TRANSIT TIMC FIG.2VI4 •*•
The amplitude of Q„ is proportional to the amplitude of the grid voltage ; the grid
current, whichthe time rate of change
is Q
gs is thus proportional to the time rate of
change of grid voltage. For a sinusoidal grid voltage, e g E„ sin «r, the time rate =
of change of grid voltage is t»E„ cos tot. Therefore, for a given valve type and opera-
ting point, the amplitude of grid current is
Ig =
KEgtt)
and the absolute value of grid-cathode admittance due to induced charge on the grid is
Y =
t Ig/Eg = Kw (3)
The conductive component (g t) of this admittance is
gt = Y
t sin 8 t8
= Y =
Ka>8 (for small values of 8).
Because 8 — wt, this conductance becomes, for a given operating point,
g t
= Kw*r. (4)
Thus, the conductance due to electron transit time also varies with the square of the
frequency. This conductance and the input conductance, g m a> 2LC hs due to cathode-
lead inductance, are the principal components of the term k h f 2 of eqn. (1).
This explanation of input admittance due to induced grid charge is based on a
space-charge-limited valve, and shows how a positive input admittance can result
from the induced charge. The input admittance due to induced grid charge is nega-
tive in a valve which operates as a temperature-limited valve, that is, as a valve where
cathode emission does not increase when the potential of other electrodes in the valve
is increased. The emission of a valve operating with reduced filament voltage is
temperature limited ; a valve with a screen interposed between cathode and grid
acts as a temperature-limited valve when the screen potential is reasonably high. The
existence of a negative input admittance in such a valve can be explained with the aid
of Fig. 23.12.
E
When the value of ci in Fig. 23.12 is sufficiently high, the current drawn from the
cathode divides between g 2 and plate ; any change in one branch of this current is
accompanied by an opposite change in the other. As a first approximation, there-
fore, it is assumed that the current entering the space between
g % and g% is constant
932 (ii) INPUT LOADING OF RECEIVING VALVES 23.5
and equal to pv, where p is the density of electrons and v is their velocity. g t may
now be considered as the source of all electrons passing to subsequent electrodes.
Suppose now, that a small alternating voltage is connected in series with grid g 3>
as shown in Fig. 23.12. During the part of the cycle when e„ is increasing, the elec-
trons in the space between ga and g, are accelerated and their velocities are increased.
Because the current pvisa constant, the density of electrons (p) must decrease. In
this case, therefore, the charge at ga is 180 degrees out of phase with the grid voltage,
as shown at a and b of Fig. 23.13. This diminution in charge propagates toward
the plate with finite velocity and induces a decreasing charge on the grid. Because
of the finite velocity of propagation, the maximum decrease in grid charge occurs at
a time later than that corresponding to the maximum positive value of e a , as shown in
Fig. 23.13(c). The current, which is the derivative of Q t with respect to time, is
shown in Fig. 23.13(d). If there were no phase displacement (0 =
0), this current
would correspond to a negative capacitance ; the existence of a transit angle 6, there-
fore, corresponds to a negative conductance. By reasoning similar to that used in
the derivation of eqns. 3 and 4, it can be shown that the absolute value of negative
admittance due to induced grid charge is proportional to a>, and that the negative
conductance is proportional to w*. These relations are the same as those shown in
eqns. 3 and 4 for the positive admittance and positive conductance of the space-charge-
limited case.
A negative value of input conductance due to transit time signifies that the input
circuit is receiving energy from the " B " supply. This negative value may increase
the gain and selectivity of a preceding stage. If this negative value becomes too large,
it can cause oscillation. A
positive value of input conductance due to transit time
signifies that the signal source is supplying energy to the grid. This energy is used
in accelerating electrons toward the plate and manifests itself as additional heating
of the plate. A
positive input conductance can decrease the gain and selectivity of a
preceding stage.
It should be noted that, in this discussion of admittance due to induced grid charge,
no mention has been made of input admittance due to electrons between grid and plate.
The effect of these electrons is similar to that of electrons between grid and cathode.
The admittance due to electrons between grid and plate, therefore, can be considered
as being included in eqn. (3).
E f « 6-3 VOLTS
PLATE VOLTS- 3SO
SUPPRESSOR VOLTS -0
SCREEN VOLTS * ISO
CRK> VOLTS - VARIED
FREQUENCY- 40 Mcjk
UNBYPASSEO CATHODE RESISTOR -R k (JpHMS)
335
J>
"*0;
4?
„»
rfi
s
,-*
/
/ I
SO F ho y
// /
/
f/
f
as ft "AC 30
^ \ u»
V
*"^.
-6a.
2 4 6 8 10
PLATE MILLIAMPERES FIG. 23.IS
-
23.14. The total hot input admittance of this circuit is made up of a conductance
and a capacitive susceptance C/. Analysis of Fig. 23.14 shows that, if cathode-lead
inductance is neglected, the total hot input capacitance, C/, is approximately
C = 1 4- K/C e
t
'
c, + c e
1 + gmRt (6)
charge-limited valve, K
is positive and is found by experiment to be approximately
proportional to g m It follows that the proper value of R k will minimi the detuning
.
effect of a.v.c. in a space-charge-limited valve. Eqn. (6) is useful for illustrating the
effect of R k but is not sufficiently precise for computation of the proper value of R
k
6AB7/I8S3 to use in practice. This
typical characteristics value can be determined
by experiment. It will
€ f "6«3 VOLTS
PLATE VOLTS. 250 be found that this value.,
SUPPRESSOR VOLTS -O in addition to minimizing
SCREEN VOLTS >200 capacitance change, also
^RIO VOLTS •VAMEO
reduces the change in in-
FREQUENCY' 40 Mt*
UNBYRASSEO CATHODE RESISTOR R), (OHMS)
put conductance caused
by change in a.v.c. bias.
60
The effect of unbypassed
cathode resistance on the
*&
ys
100 change in input capacit-
ance and input conduct-
* ance of types 6AC7/1852
/_ ^0 and 6AB7/1853 is shown
r
in Figs. 23.15 and 23.16.
These curves were taken
R£°
so
at a frequency of 40 mega-
^* The curves
cycles. for
^*
,£''
the 6AC7/1852 also hold
good for the 1851.
^ —
.'
,
J£- — _60_
It should be noted that,
s*
&7 6—
--£.
^ -»0.
because of degeneration
in an unbypassed cathode
resistor, the use of the
resistor reduces gain. The
reduced gain is 1/(1 +
g mR *) times the gain with
the same electrode volt-
ages but with no unby-
6 8 K> 12 passed cathode resistance.
MILLIAMPERES FIG. 23. 16
The hot input conductance of a valve with an unbypassed cathode resistor can be de-
termined by modification of the values of k h in the table. The value of k h in the table
should be multiplied by g m /(l + gmRk). The resultant value of k h, when sub-
stituted in eqn. (1), with k e from the table, gives the input conductance of a valve
with an unbypassed cathode resistor. In the factor (1 + g mRk)t gm is the grid-
cathode transconductance when R k is by-passed.
When an unbypassed cathode resistor is used, circuit parts should be so arranged
that grid-cathode and plate-cathode capacitances are as small as possible. These
capacitances form a feedback path between plate and grid when there is appreciable
impedance between cathode and ground. To minimize plate-cathode capacitance,
the suppressor and the screen by-pass condenser should be connected to ground rather
than to cathode. ,
j
Maximum receiver sensitivity is not, in most cases, determined by the. gain of the
particular receiver butby the magnitude of the input circuit noise, which is generated
by the antenna, the tuned input circuit, and the first tube. This is true of A-M, F-M
and television except that in F-M
and television the random noise effect assumes
a far greater degree of importance than in the standard broadcast band. The reason
for this is twofold :
(1) At the frequencies where these two services operate, 50 to 250 Mc/s, the re-
lative values of the several different noise sources assume entirely new proportions
and the heretofore unimportant and little known induced grid noise becomes one
of the predominant components of the total.
(2) Most random input and tube noise is proportional to the square root of the band-
width. Both television, with a 4 Mc/s band, and F-M, with a 200 Kc/s band, occupy
much wider sections of the frequency spectrum than anything previously encountered
by the commercial receiver engineer.
•This section
vision Receivers
is taken directly from an article " Input Circuit Noise Calculations for
" by W.
FM
and Tele-
J. StoJze, published in Communications, Feb. 1947, and reprinted by special
permission.
;
Referring to Fig. 23.17(a), let us suppose a resistance of 10 000 ohms were connected
to the input of an amplifier with a 5 Kc/s bandwidth, i.e., 5 Kc/s between half power
points or an audio band of 2.5 Kc/s. At room temperature, 20°C or 293°K, the
term 4KTin the expressions for noise simplifies to 1.6 x 10" 20, which may be used
in most receiver calculations. The noise in Fig. 23.17(a) is therefore :
«» a =
1. 6 x 10-*° AFR
en = Vl.6 x
10-*° x 5 000 x 10 000
en =
0.89 microvolt.
The noise bandwidth is generally determined by the narrowest element in the entire
circuit under consideration. In the example for Fig. 23.17(b) the bandwidth of the
amplifier is narrower than the tuned circuit and therefore its AF is used in the calcu-
lations.
X
>L-300)|H
>ft»IClf>OOft
/T\C»85|i|»F Sample thermal noise circuits
Fig. 23.17. :
Fig. 23.17(b) is a simple parallel-tuned circuit where the noise generating resistance
is equal to the tuned circuit impedance. Again let us assume the bandwidth to be
five Kc per second.
R = Q(a>L) = 100 x 1900 = 190 000 ohms
e H * = 1. 6 x 10-*° AFR
e n = Vl-6 x lO" 80 x 5 000 x 190 000
e n — 3.9 microvolts.
Thermal agitation noise voltage may be calculated easily with eqn. (2) but by using
the graph shown in Fig. 23.18 the room temperature values may be found directly.
2
ipoo iqooo loopoo I MEG
RESISTANCE (ohmi) FIG. 23.18
Fig. 23.18. Thermal agitation noise voltage versus resistance and band-width (Ref B33).
(il) Shot noise
Another important component of the total receiver noise is shot noise. This noise
isgenerated inside the vacuum tube and is due to the random fluctuations in the plate
current of the tube, or, to state it in another manner, random variations in the rate of
23.6 (ii) SHOT NOISE 937
arrival of electrons at the plate. When amplified} this noise sounds as if the plate
were being bombarded with pebbles or as if a shower of shot were falling upon a metal
surface, hence the name shot noise.
Although generated essentially in the plate circuit of the tube, which is not a con-
venient reference point for sensitivity or signal-to-noise ratio calculations, the shot
noise is nearly always referred to as a noise voltage in series with the grid. Since the
following equation is true,
e. = ijg» (3)
where e, = a.c. grid voltage
i, = a.c. plate current,
and g m — transconductance,
by simply dividing the noise current in the plate circuit by the transconductance of
the tube, the shot noise may be referred to the grid and expressed in terms of grid
voltage.
Another step is taken, however, to simplify the noise nomenclature. Suppose a
given tube has a shot noise equal to e n microvolts in series with its grid. It is per-
fectly valid to imagine that this voltage could be replaced by a resistance whose thermal
agitation noise is equal to e H (the shot noise) and to consider the tube to be free of noise.
This imaginary resistance, which when placed in the grid of the tube generates a
voltage equal to the shot noise of the tube, is known as the shot noise equivalent
resistance or just as the equivalent noise of the tube. The advantage of this termino-
logy is that when the equivalent noise resistance of the particular tube is known, the
noise voltage may be calculated directly for any given bandwidth by substituting values
in the following formula :
1,560
•S07 TRIODE AMPLIFIER .250 1,100 2,300
After the equivalent noise resistance is known the value of r.m.s. noise voltage at
the grid of this tube can be calculated by applying the same expression that is used for
thermal agitation noise,
en* =
1.6 x 10-*° dFR
or, by using the graph of Fig. 23.18.
Fig. 23.20 presents calculated equivalent noise resistance values for a number of
commonly used tubes acting as various types of circuit elements. These are, of
course, approximate figures.
It can be seen from Figs. 23.19 and 23.20 that the noise resistance or voltage is at
a minirmim for a triode, increasing for the pentode and the multigrid tube, following
in that order.
Shot noise is unique among the noise sources in the sense that the shot-noise voltage
should be considered to exist in series with the grid inside the tube. The reason for
this is that nothing can be done to the external grid circuit that will alter the
magnitude
of this component. Even though the shot noise must be tolerated, its effect can be
minimized by designing the input circuit for maximum, signal at the grid. This
does not reduce the magnitude of the noise but does improve the signal-to-noise-ratio
of the receiver.
23.6 (iii) INDUCED GRID NOISE 939
From
eqn. (6) it can be seen that
the induced grid noise is propor-
tional to the electronic or transit
time component of the input resist-
ance. Measurement of the total
input resistance is a comparatively
simple matter with the use of a high
frequency Q
meter, but the separa-
tion of the electronic and the cathode
inductance components, which are
essentially two resistances in parallel
between the grid and ground, is a
Very difficult matter. Since most
10 J°°
frequency (mtweJ) high-frequency tubes are con-
"«•».» structed with either two cathode
Ftg. 23.22 .; Approximate electronic input leads or one very short lead,
assum-
reststance versus frequency (Ref. B33).
ing the total measured input resist-
ance to be electronic would not introduce too great an error. Another factor in favour
of this approximation is that it would be the case for maximum induced grid noise and
any error introduced would more than likely be on the safe side.
•p< O. North " Fluctuations induced in vacuum-tube grids at high frequencies " Proc I.R.E. Feb.
940 (iii) INDUCED GRID NOISE 23.6
Cathode temperature in most receiving tubes, which almost exclusively use oxide-
coated cathodes, is approximately 3.6 times the normal room temperature in degrees
K. Eqn. (6) can be rewritten therefore as
eV„. =
5 x 4KTAFR tUct (7)
where T =
room temperature (degrees Kelvin),
or, when T =
300 degrees Kelvin,
e\. t .
=
8 x 10-" AFR elect (8)
In circuit calculations this noise is essentially in series with a resistance equal to
R elect located between the grid and ground Fig. 23.21. —
The approximate input resistance for a number of common receiving tubes in the
frequency range of F-M and television is given in Fig. 23.22. This chart can be used
to find approximate input resistance values for induced grid-noise calculations.
In Fig. 23.23(a) appears a diagram of a practical input circuit and the location of all
the circuit parameters and noise voltages. Fig. 23.23(b) is essentially the same except
that the antenna circuit is reflected through the transformer and considered to exist
at the grid. This is the diagram that is most useful in calculating the total input
circuit noise.
FIG. 23.33
The steps necessary to find specific
values for each of these factors are shown in
Fig. 23.24. Antenna radiation resistance
varies widely with the type of antenna
chosen, but for F-M and television work
it is generally in the order of 75 to 300
ohms. When the noise is known in terms
Rant" Antenna Radiation Resistance
of an equivalent resistance, as is the case
Cant • Antenna Resistance Thermal
Noise here "for the antenna, tuned circuit, and
•sig • Signal voltage shot noise, the- equivalent voltage can be
Relet" Tune* Circuit Impedance
either calculated or obtained directly
c ckr Tuned Circuit Thermal Noise
Ralcet* Electronic Input Resistance
from Fig. 23.18.
e, > Induced Grid Noise
r'1 » Equivalent Shot Noise fleslstanee
In order to add the- antenna, tuned cir-
«»hot" Vo'*
Shor Noiu
N » Turns Ratio of Coupling Transformer cuit, and induced grid noise to the shot
noise the effective voltage of these three
components at the grid, or between the
points A and B, must be known. Each
must go through what is essentially a re-
sistive divider and may be calculated as
shown in Fig. 23.25.
(«) E lo - "Vaxw-MReLecTAF
FIG. 23.24
Fig. 23.24. Procedure for calculating various noise voltages (Re/. B33).
Fig. 23.25. Circuit for reflecting various voltages to the grid (Ref. £33). To find
the effective voltage of the antenna, the tuned circuit, and the induced grid noise at
the grid of the tube let R
x equal one of the
above noise resistances and e x its generated
voltage. If t and R R
9 equal the other two noise resistances the effective voltage at
the grid is
«i .
v R*R*
e \A~B
R» + R,
Rl + R RtRa
+ Rz a
This calculation must be performed for the three components in turn.
(7) e ekt =
6 microvolts (Fig. 23.18). .
=
3.5 microvolts (Fig. 23.18).
(8) e, hot
The next step is to find the effective voltage of each source between the grid and
ground (or A-B) as shown in Fig. 23.25.
2
(9) e ant A-B - 1040 = 0.93 microvolt.
12Q0 + 104Q
4 -*
(10) «... A-B = 12(X) 1040
x 1040 = 2.0 microvolts.
6
(ll)e c „A-B = x 600 = 0.42 microvolts.
8000 + 600
and the total noise is therefore
(vi) Conclusions
Selection of an input tube for a television
or F-M receiver is dependent upon many
varying circuit conditions and individual
requirements. The choice of using bal-
anced or unbalanced input, permeability or
capacitor tuning, noisy pentodes or quiet
triodes that possibly require neutralization,
Feedback at i-f can be serious when there is only an aerial stage preceding the con-
verter. In some cases a simple expedient to overcome this difficulty is to connect a
series resonant i-f trap between the aerial and earth terminals.
(5) Overall feedback from the a-f section into the aerial stage. This can be checked
by bringing the speaker leads into close proximity with the aerial terminal, and the
feedback usually manifests itself as a characteristic a-f howl. Practically all of the
above factors are under the receiver designer's control even though the elimination
of undesired oscillations is often a very difficult practical problem. Further dis-
cussion is given in Chapter 35, Sect. 3(v).
Obviously, even for values of C„„ less than those obtained from the above expres-
would be a marked effect on the gain and selectivity of the circuits before
sion, there
oscillation actually started.
(iii) Summary
Possible sources of feedback giving rise to instability can often be predicted from
the circuit and component layout diagrams of a receiver. An estimate can be made
of the possible magnitudes of many of the undesired voltages involved.
It should be evident that it is far better to avoid possible feedback and instability
by good electrical and mechanical design rather than spend many fruitless hours
tracking down an oscillation which could have been avoided.
A most helpful discussion of instability problems is given in E. E. Zepler's " Tech-
nique of Radio Design " (in particular Chapter 9) and the reader is recommended to
consult this book as an excellent practical guide.
Some further considerations will be given to circuit instability in Chapter 26, in
connection with i-f amplifiers. These circuits, being fixed tuned, are usually more
amenable to calculation of possible instability than r-f stages and the results obtained
more closely approximate to the practical set-up.
It is necessary to mention that at very high frequencies (say above 50 Mc/s or so)
the inductance of the screen-grid lead in screen-grid tetrodes and pentodes can cause
an apparent change in plate to control-grid capacitance which is often sufficient to
cause instability. If the screen is earthed by means of a capacitor, it is often possible
to select a capacitance value which will be series resonant with the screen lead in-
ductance, at the working frequency, and so form a low impedance path to ground.
This arrangement is often sufficient to prevent instability from this cause, even over
a range of frequencies. For further discussion see Ref. A3.
It is also important to note that at the higher frequencies a capacitor does not behave
as a pure capacitance, and its effective inductance and resistance become increasingly
important as the frequency increases. With many types of capacitors it is possible
that the inductive reactance will exceed the capacitive reactance even at frequencies
as low as 30 Mc/s (with electrolytics an additional r-f by-pass should always be used).
This effect is sometimes used to make the capacitor series resonant at the working
frequency. Even if the capacitor behaves as a small inductance it will be appreciated
that in some cases the reactance can be very low and effective by-passing is still pos-
sible. In tuned circuits the Q can be materially affected by the increase in r-f resist-
ance of the capacitors and both this and the previous effects should be checked.
The effectiveness of by-pass capacitors and their Q
at the working frequency can
be readily checked with the aid of a Q
meter by placing the capacitor in series with
a coil of known inductance and Q. See Ref. B45. Finally, r-f chokes do not always
behave as such, and their resonant frequencies should always be checked (see also
Chapter 11 Sect. 6).
SECTION 8 : DISTORTION
(t) Modulation envelope distortion (it) Cross modulation distortion.
distortion because of the selectivity of the tuned circuits. Third order terms (those
containing cubes) do introduce distortion of the modulation envelope.
R-F amplifier valves are usually designed so that the third order curvature of their
characteristics is minimized as far as possible. This is achieved by using a variable
pitch for the control grid winding and results in the well known variable-mu (or re-
"
mote cut-off) characteristic. The variable-mu (or more exactly "variable g m
characteristic) and the resultant shape of the e„ —
*„ curve, have a large bearing on
cross modulation distortion as will be discussed presently.
SECTION 9 : BIBLIOGRAPHY
(A) BOOKS DEALING WITH RADIO FREQUENCY AMPLIFIERS, AERIAL COUPLING,
NOISE, ETC.
Al. Sturley, K. R. " Radio Receiver Design " Parts
1 and 2 (Chapman and Hall, London, Part 1, 1943
Part 2, 1945).
A2. Zepler, E. E. " The Technique of Radio Design " (Chapman and Hall, London, 1943, John Wiley
and Sons, New York, 1943).
A3. Everitt, W. L. " Communication Engineering " (2nd edit., McGraw-Hill, New York and London,
1937).
A4. Terman, F. E. " Radio Engineers' Handbook " (1st edit. McGraw-Hill, New York and London,
1943).
A5. Terman, F. E. " Radio Engineering " (2nd edit. McGraw-Hill, New York and London, 1937).
A6. Glasgow, R. S. " Principles of Radio Engineering " (McGraw-Hill, New York and London, 1936).
A7. MouUin, E. B. " Spontaneous Fluctuations of Voltage " (Oxford University Press, London, 1938).
A8. Harvey, A. F. "High Frequency Thermionic Tubes" (Chapter 2) John Wiley and Sons, New
York, 1943.
A9. Kiver, M. S. " F-M Simplified " (Chapter 12—R. F. Tuners for F-M Receivers). D. Van Nos-
trand Co. Inc., Toronto, New York, London, 1947.
A10. Valley, G. E., and H. Wallman, " Vacuum Tube Amplifiers " (McGraw-Hill, New York, Toronto
and London, 1940).
;
All. Thomas, H. A., and R. E. Burgess " Survey of existing information and data on radio noise over
the frequency range 1-30 MC
(His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1947).
A12. Moxon, L. A. " Recent Advances in Radio Receivers " (Cambridge University Press, London.
1949).
A13. Goldman, A. " Frequency Analysis, Modulation and Noise " (McGraw-Hill Book Company,
1948).
—
A14. " Valve and Circuit Noise survey of existing knowledge and outstanding problems " Radio
—
Research Special Report No. 20 (1951) Dept. of Scientific and Industrial Research, London.
B41 ThompsonTB. J.
" Osculation in tuned r.f. amplifiers " Proc. I.R.E. 19.3 (March 1931) 421
Discussion 19.7 (July 1931) 1281.
B44:
B46
S
B42. Carter,
Shone,
393.
R.
R.
A
O.
B.
"Distortion
sigrS
^Variable
in screen-grid valves
handling
filter
capacity
tuning" W.W.
of
,m.«* 1932)
W.E. 9.102 (March
B43 Carter. R. O. " The theory of distortion in screen-grid valves» W.E. 9.107 (Nov
W. " The H.F. valves W.E 26.194
im
ioto 123.
(Aug. 1932) 429.
B45 Price. J F. " Effectiveness of by-pass capacitors at v.h.f. Comm. 28.2 (Feb. 1948)
(1) 56.10
939) 543.
18. ,„„
(Oct. 1950), 355 j (2) 56.11 (Nov. 1950)
CHAPTER 24
OSCILLATORS
By B. Sandel, A.S.T.C.
Section Page
1. Introduction 947
2. Types of oscillator circuits 949
3. Class " A/ 5
" B " and M C " oscillators 954
4. Causes of oscillator frequency variation 955
5. Methods of frequency stabilization 957
6. Unstable oscillation 958
7. Parasitic oscillations 959
8. Methods used in practical design 959
9. Beat-frequency oscillators 960
10. Bibliography 961
SECTION 1 : INTRODUCTION
In this chapter proposed to consider, briefly, some of the fundamental types of
it is
oscillator circuits (used in conjunction with valves) which are commonly employed
in radio receivers. Of course' there are numerous variations of the fundamental
circuits, but generally these changes are only a practical convenience for obtaining
some required special condition of operation from the basic circuit.
947
948 INTRODUCTION 24.1
in the electric field of the capacitor to be transferred, and to form a magnetic field
around the inductor. The capacitor discharges until finally E becomes zero and the
current / becomes a maximum. At the instant at which /is a maximum the energy
in the magnetic field is $LP, all the available energy is stored in the magnetic field
and there is no electric field. The process now reverses, the magnetic field collapses
and energy is transferred back to the electric field of the capacitor. This process
repeats itself indefinitely if there is no loss of energy in the circuit (radiation is not
considered here).
Since the total energy which is stored in each field in turn, is the same, it is per-
missible to write
ICE* = iLP (1)
where E and / have their maximum values.
Also E = l/o»C (2)
and so l/<o 2 C = L (3)
or / = l/liry/LC (4)
where / is natural resonant frequency of the oscillations occurring in the circuit.
Since there is always some resistance (R) present wjth practical circuit elements,
the amplitude of each successive oscillation will decrease until eventually all of the
—
energy is dissipated mainly in the form of heat in the resistance and the oscilla- —
tions will cease, (This is discussed further in Chapter 9, Sect. 1). The addition of
extra energy to the circuit from some external source, such that the added energy
equals that being lost, would allow the oscillations to continue indefinitely. In the
circuits to be considered the power supply is the external source of energy, and the
valve is the device controlling the energy which is added to the L R circuit, in the C
correct phase and amplitude, to maintain oscillations.
With any valve oscillator an exact analysis of the method of operation is very difficult,
ifnot impossible, and it is usual to treat the circuits as being linear (at least for simple
design procedure) although they depend on conditions of non-linearity for their opera-
tion. This simplification is valuable because the mathematical analysis which can
be carried out yields a great deal of useful information concerning the behaviour of
the circuits. That the circuit operation is non-linear can be readily appreciated by
considering the fact that the amplitude of the oscillations, once stated, does not con-
tinue to build up indefinitely. The energy gain of the system reaches a certain am-
plitude and then progressively falls until equilibrium is established. The limits are
—
usually set by the valve plate current cut-off occurs beyond some value of the nega-
tive grid voltage swing, and plate current saturation or grid current damping will
limit the amplitude of the grid swing in the positive direction. For a discussion of
the factors governing oscillation amplitude, the reader should consult Refs. 1 and 2.
In the sections to follow, typical circuits applicable to radio receivers will be dis-
cussed. It is not proposed to give a mathematical analysis or detailed physical ex-
planations of the operation of the circuits, as this has been more or less adequately
done in many text books and periodicals. Suitable references are 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11,
24.
At the outset it may be mentioned that, since high oscillator efficiency is not usually
as important a factor as some other requirements in radio receivers, the design is
generally a combination of empirical and experimental techniques. A large number
of the circuit component values are pre-determined by such considerations as tracking
the tuned circuit with signal circuits over a band of frequencies and maintaining
constant oscillator amplitude over the tuning range. Other factors will be discussed
in Sect. 9 of this chapter.
Design procedures such as those used for class " C
" power oscillators in trans-
mitters are not carried out in detail for receiver oscillators, although obviously the
basic principles are the same in both cases ; this will receive further consideration in
Sect 9
24.2 (i) TUNED-PLATE OSCILLATOR 949
Tight coupling and low values of mutual inductance (M) are helpful in Trmintnitiing
frequency stability with mains voltage variations, as these factors tend to make the
circuit relatively independent of valve constants other than interelectrode capacitances
(see Ref. 21). Lf is made as small as possible, to reduce M, and also to keep its
natural. resonant frequency well above the tuning range ; this latter factor means
that stray capacitance across the feedback winding must be kept as small as possible.
The high natural resonant frequency for the feedback circuit is helpful in reducing
variations in the tuned circuit (due to reflected impedance), this being particularly
important since it reduces tracking error and limitations on the maximum possible
tuning range.
The resonant frequency (/) of the tuned-plate oscillator is given approximately by
/ ~ 1 + hs] 1 + (5)
2-VlW r„ .
The important point to observe is that other components, including the valve,
affect thefrequency of oscillation. As these components are capable of variation with
voltage or temperature fluctuations they will affect oscillator stability, and their effects
should be minimized as far as possible. Some improvement in stability is possible
by making the grid current small, which agrees with the condition of a low value for
Lp but this is also governed by the permissible value of the grid resistor (R g ).
The condition for the maintenance of oscillation is given by
M — + gGR1
rz.
= - L/*
mJ
(7)J
v
The advantages claimed for the tuned-plate oscillator are its relative freedom from
frequency changes due to mains voltage variations and, when the circuit is used with
converter valves, freedom from signal-grid bias voltage changes.
The tuned plate oscillator in its standard form is not very satisfactory for use at
frequencies above about 50 Mc/s.
where / =
l/2ir\/L G = natural resonant frequency of tuned circuit
L =tuned circuit inductance
r, = plate resistance of valve
Lf — feedback winding inductance
R = series r-f resistance (total) in tuned circuit
and G = total tuning capacitance.
M
The minimum value of required to maintain oscillation is given approximately by
f Lf A GR~\
M = ~Ul + A)
+
JZJ
(9)
24.2 (ii) TUNED-GRID OSCILLATOR 951
where A = LfR/L r P
H = amplification factor of valve
g m — mutual conductance of valve
r„ = plate resistance of valve
and Lfi R and G are as previously.
If r, is large and R is small, frequency variation from the natural resonant frequency
is reduced, as can be seen from an examination of the equation. Also, as a point of
interest, it is seen that /is less than/ for the tuned-grid oscillator, and greater than/
for the tuned-plate circuit ; so that the tuned circuit acts as an inductive reactance
(neglecting resistance effects) in the first case, and as a capacitive reactance for the
tuned-plate oscillator. These points are further discussed in Ref. 5. The useful
upper frequency limit for the tuned-grid circuit is about 50 Mc/s, as the value of the
feedback-winding inductance and the resonant frequency of the feedback circuit
become troublesome. This applies also to the tuned-plate arrangement.
The angular frequency of oscillation for the Hartley circuit of Fig. 24.4(A) (see
Ref. 5) is given approximately by
Rt — r-f resistance of L t
r„ = plate resistance of valve
L = oscillator coil inductance (= L + L 2 + 2Af) x
and G = tuning capacitance.
For the maintenance of oscillation
L +
t M GrJiRt + R )L 2
M = L, t +,
M„
,
+ (L
'
„ + MXL
t
ww + M)
.
t
, (ID
where p. =
amplification factor of valve.
L x and L 8 are the two sections of L coupled by mutual inductance
M and R
x and R
t are the r-f resistances of L x and L 2 respectively.
The frequency equation shows that the oscillation frequency / is higher than / ,
R
and to reduce this difference r„ should be high and t small. Also, for the circuit
to oscillate readily, the mutual conductance of the valve should be high.
A
Hartley oscillator offers advantages over the tuned-plate and tuned-grid circuits
at frequencies in excess of about 40 Mc/s, the greatest advantage being that the feed-
952 (iii) HARTLEY OSCILLATOR 24.2
back winding, being a part of the tuned circuit, does not offer the same difficulties
which the natural resonant frequency approaches the operating
as the other cases, in
frequency.
In the case of the other two types of oscillators mentioned, if the feedback winding
has greater inductance than the tuned winding, the oscillator can easily change over
from one type to the other (i.e. tuned-plate becomes tuned-grid and vice-versa) and
satisfactory tuning is obviously impossible. This trouble is not as unlikely as may be
thought since it is often very difficult to obtain sufficient amplitude of oscillation as
the frequency increases.
The Hartley circuit can be made to give satisfactory operation to frequencies at
least as high as 150 Mc/s, even with multi-grid converter valves (depending, of course,
on the valve type used), but its chief disadvantages are
(1) Its liability to parasitic oscillations as the frequency increases,
(2) The possibility of the circuit acting like a modified Colpitts oscillator because
of stray and valve interelectrode capacitances,
(3) That it is rather awkward to find the optimum tapping point for the best con-
ditions of oscillation, particularly when the frequency becomes fairly high.
This is particularly so with valve types such as the 6BE6 on the F-M broadcast
band since the tapping point on the oscillator coil has a large effect on conversion
gain.
(1) and sudden changes in oscillation frequency
(2) generally manifest themselves as
when tuning over the working range, or as " dead " spots, or through the oscillator
stopping altogether when the gang capacitance becomes less than a certain value.
It may be mentioned finally that the Hartley circuit has been extensively used on
all broadcast bands including the F-M 88-108 Mc/s band ; its application in re-
ceivers has been largely confined to use with pentagrid converters such as types 6SA7,
6BE6, 6SB7-Y and 6BA7.
- wCOLPITTS OSCILLATOR
The circuit of Fig. 24.5(B) has been successfully used with type 6BE6 converters
tuning the 88-108 Mc/s F-M broadcast band and avoids the necessity for tapping the
oscillator coil as in the Hartley circuit.
The angular frequency of oscillation of the Colpitts oscillator, from the solution
of the circuit of Fig. 24.5(A), is given by
The
V 1 + ^(c7+~c)
condition for oscillation maintenance is that
(12)
C^ rtRjCt + C) 2
(13)
24.2 (iv) COLPITTS OSCILLATOR 953
where a> = 2» x /„ (Jo is the natural resonant frequency of the tuned circuit alone)
R = r-f resistance of L
r, = plate resistance of valve
ix= amplification factor of valve
L = oscillator coil inductance
and C x L j they also form a capacitive voltage divider across L ; and
and C, tune
the excitation voltage on the grid is proportional to (^/(Cx 2 ). + C
This circuit is most convenient for use at v-h-f, it is very easy to make oscillate,
and is not so liable to parasitic oscillations as the Hartley circuit. Its use on the
medium and short-wave bands has been rather limited because of difficulties in circuit
arrangement when covering frequency bands of about 3:1, and also because of the
very simple and satisfactory manner in which the tuned-grid and tuned-plate circuits
can be made to operate over these ranges. The Colpitis circuit readily lends itself
to inductance tuning and with this arrangment has been used satisfactorily on all
of the frequency ranges encountered in normal broadcast receiver design.
R.D.H. — 31
954 (vi) NEGATIVE TRANSCONDUCTANCE OSCILLATORS 24.2
Since this oscillator is a two terminal type it is often a very convenient arrangement
;
one particular example is its use as a beat-frequency oscillator in a radio receiver. A
—
particular form of the negative transconductance oscillator (Ref. 13) which employs,
also, the principle of electron coupling —using a pentagrid converter valve (e.g. type
6A8, but not 6SA7, 6BE6 etc.) is shown in Fig. 24.7. The negative transconductance
is brought about as follows. Electrons moving towards the plate are turned back to
the inner screen (G 8) and the oscillator anode (G 2 ) when the control grid (C? ) has a
4
more negative voltage applied to it. The net effect of an increase of negative voltage
on the signal grid is to increase the current to the oscillator-anode and to grid G
3 .
2Q0OOA.
B+ 350V
riC.24-7 NEGATIVE TRANSCONDUCTANCE OSCILLATOR
mains fairly constant for wide variations in signal-grid voltage. The variation in
oscillator-anode current, however, is equivalent to a negative transconductance be-
tween the control grid (G4) and the oscillator-anode (G 2 ). In type 6A8 this amounts
to about —400 micromhos. Because of this negative transconductance it is possible
to create an oscillatory condition by coupling
4 to G G
2 , provided that the rest of the
circuit is suitably arranged.
The circuit of Fig. 24.7 has been used at frequencies up to 18 Mc/s. It has also
been employed in several types of communications receivers (having intermediate
frequencies of from 255 Kc/s to 3 Mc/s) as a beat-frequency oscillator and has given
very good results as regards stability of operation, particularly when temperature
compensation has been applied to the tuned circuit.
It is near enough, for practical purpose*, to take the frequency of oscillation as being
/o = l/(2n/^Cl (14)
(i) General
Frequency drift in the oscillator section of superheterodyne receivers (F-M or
A-M) important for a number of reasons. The most obvious is that as a result
is
of such drift the actual intermediate frequency output from the frequency changer
will not be that to which the i-f amplifier is tuned, giving a loss in amplification and
the added possibility of considerable frequency distortion in A-M receivers, and non-
linear distortion in F-M receivers. Other special effects will be discussed separately.
Oscillator frequency variations which can be offset in the original design may be
due to changes in
(a) Supply voltage
(b) Temperature
(c) Humidity
(d) A.V.C. bias on the signal grid of multielectrode converter valves. This
will be discussed in Chapter 25 Sect. 2.
Also, it should be noted that a high percentage of oscillator harmonics can lead to
oscillator instability. Mechanical stability of the circuit is a prime requirement.
Detailed discussion regarding oscillator frequency stability can be found in Refs.
1. 4, 5, 10, 11, 15, 19, 20, 21 and 28.
This is minimized by the use of high quality dielectrics such as special grades of por-
celain.
Inductance changes due to temperature rise also cause frequency variation, and
low-loss dielectric formers are essential. If sufficient mechanical stability is possible
air cored coils are often preferable, but not always.
Good circuit layout is an essential requirement and all sources of heat should be
kept away from tuning capacitors and coils.
When all the requirements as to dielectrics, circuit layout etc. have been
met as
far as is possible, final temperature compensation is made by using capacitors
having
negative temperature coefficients. These capacitors are available commercially in a
wide range of capacitance values, and with various negative temperature co-efficients.
The manufacture of this type of capacitor is possible because of the availability of
ceramic materials having dielectric constants which decrease with an increase in
temperature*. It should be realized that exact compensation by simple capacitance
adjustment is only feasible, in general, at one point in a given tuning range, but a very
appreciable improvement over a band of frequencies is possible without exact com-
pensation at any one point. A method for obtaining exact compensation at two points
(although here again a compromise adjustment may be preferable) in a given tuning
range, using the principles of superheterodyne tracking, has been given by Bushby
(Ref. 19) ; it is also shown that a compromise adjustment is possible, although exact
compensation is not practicable, at three- points in the tuning range. Methods for
carrying out long period frequency-drift compensation, due to temperature changes,
are outlined in Ref. 19.
Changes in oscillator frequency with humidity can be minimized by using coils,
capacitors and insulating materials which are properly baked to remove moisture
and then impregnated (with suitable waxes or varnishes) to prevent the absorption of
moisture.!
It may be worth noting here that carbon resistors have negative temperature co-
efficients. Wire-wound resistors have positive or negative temperature co-efficients
depending on the type of resistance wire used. J
(N) The values of R G and CG should be selected carefully to avoid " squegging "
(see Sect. 6). This should be checked with a large number of representative valves
of the same type.
(O) Selection of the most suitable valve type has received some discussion in
previous sections. Usually the choice is rather limited in receiver applications.
(P) Electron coupling to the load circuit is often helpful, and is used in many
applications. , Most frequency changers employ this principle.
^
(Q) Harmonic operation of the oscillator may be advantageous in some cases,
since better frequency stability sometimes possible when the fundamental frequency
is
of operation is reduced. The disadvantage of this arrangement is the greatly in-
creased possibility of spurious frequency combination.
The majority of receivers use the oscillator fundamental frequency, and this fre-
quency is generally (but not always) higher than the received signal frequency. This
includes all broadcast bands up to 108 Mc/s.
(R) Increased spacing between the plates of variable capacitors is helpful
in obtaining good oscillator stability, as the effects of small variations in the position
of plates, during operation, is reduced. The opportunity to make use of this occurs,
for example, with the variable capacitors used in F-M receivers, where the capacitance
range may be approximately 5-20 /i/*F. In this case it is often possible to use double
spacing between the plates of the oscillator tuning capacitor.
.
(A) Hum causing amplitude or frequency modulation of the local oscillator in a
receiver.
In A-M
receivers the selectivity of the i-f amplifier can cause the frequency modula-
tion to give rise to amplitude modulation (superimposed on the desired carrier) and
the hum, after detection, appears in the receiver output, in addition to the hum due
to amplitude modulation of the oscillator. With F-M receivers the hum provides
additional frequency modulation of the carrier. The cure is generally to improve the
power supply filtering.
thisfrequency should not coincide with the bass resonant frequency of the loud speaker.
Often it is necessary to mount the capacitor on rubber and provide flexible leads to
the dial, etc.
(C) Microphonics caused by heater-cathode capacitance variations. This effect
is minimized by connecting one side of the heater directly to cathode, where this is
possible, and using a r-f choke in the other heater lead to avoid shunting the tuned
circuit with the heater circuit, e.g. see Fig. 24.6 where the result of omitting a r-f
choke would be to short out part of the tuning inductance.
Microphony in superhet. oscillators is covered in Ref. 32.
above procedure will usually be somewhat greater than is necessary, and it is only
necessary to strip off the excess turns until the required conditions are approached.
Of course, this does not immediately ensure that the circuit will be satisfactory in
all respects, since the oscillator normally tunes over a band of frequencies. Owing to
the tolerances permitted in the manufacture of all valve types, it is necessary to check
the circuit with a number of valves. These, preferably, should include samples which
fan on the upper and lower limits of the permissible range of g m allowed by the par-
ticular manufacturer, otherwise satisfactory results may not be obtained in the mass
production of receivers.
Where the available operating data are given for voltages somewhat different from
those required, valve conversion factors (see Chapter 2, Sect. 6, can be applied to
obtain the new conditions.
Occasionally a receiver designer is faced with the problem of using a valve for which
some data are available, but for which conditions for oscillator operation are not given.
Several procedures are available. Exact or approximate methods of analysis can be
used, just as for power oscillators (see Refs. 10, 11 and 24), but often it is possible to
arrive at a suitable set of operating conditions on the basis of past experience (or by
comparison with similar valve types for which the required data are given). The
only important factor, as far as the use of the valve is concerned, is that the maximum
— —
ratings including the peak plate current should not be exceeded. Other factors
previously discussed, such as keeping the oscillator grid current as low as possible
and operating the valve so that harmonic generation is not excessive, suggest that
conditions more nearly approaching Class B operation are called for, particularly
as high efficiency with receiving type valves is not often (if ever) a design requirement
in a radio receiver.
Once a suitable set of operating conditions has been obtained, experimental tech-
niques are resorted to, exactly as before. Preliminary calculations other than the
empirical methods suggested, as to tapping points, number of feedback turns etc.,
can be made if so desired, but the extra trouble involved is hardly worth the effort.
Methods for calculating the inductance required for feedback windings have been
suggested (see Ref. 8, page 117) but generally the results give values which are too
low. For this reason the experimental approach is generally the best procedure since
it must be resorted to finally, in any case, before a design is completed.
SECTION 10 : BIBLIOGRAPHY
(1) Thomas, H. A. (book) " Theory and Design of Valve Oscillators " (Bibliography of 172 references)
Chapman and Hall, London, 2nd. ed. 1951.
(2) Pol van der, B. " The nonlinear theory of electric oscillations " Proc. I.R.E. 22.9 (Sept. 1934) 1051.
(Includes a bibliography of 87 items).
(3) Rider, J. F. (book) " The Oscillator at Work " John F. Rider Publisher Inc., New York, 1940.
(4) —
Colebrook, F. M. " Valve Oscillators of Stable Frequency A critical survey of present knowledge "
H.M.Stationery Office, London (1934).
(5) Sturley, —
K. R. (book) " Radio Receiver Design " Part 1 (Chapter 6) Chapman and Hall, London
Wiley and Sons, New York (1943).
(6) Schlesinger, K. "Cathode-follower circuits" Proc. I.R.E. 33.12 (Dec. 1945) 843 (Oscillating
cathode-follower).
(7) Reich, H. J. (book) " Theory and Applications of Electron Tubes " (Chapter 10) McGraw-Hill
Book Co. Inc., New York and London (2nd edit. 1944).
(8) Zepler, E. E. (book) " The Technique of Radio Design " (Chapter 4) Chapman and Hall, London ;
Wiley and Sons, New York (1943).
(9) Beard, E. G. " Some notes on oscillating valve circuits " Philips Tec. Com. No. 9 (Oct. 1947) 6.
(10) Terman, F. E. (book) " Radio Engineers' Handbook " McGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc., New York
and London (1st edit. 1943).
(11) Terman, F. E. (book) "Radio Engineering" McGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc., New York and London
(2nd edit. 1937).
(12) Brunetti, C. " The Transition oscillator " Proc. I.R.E. 27.2 (Feb. 1939) 88.
(13) —
" Negative transconductance oscillator a useful circuit " Radiotronics No. 114 (July 1941) P. 48.
Dedman, E. A. " Transitron oscillators " (letter) W.W. 49.5 (May 1943) 152 (gives circuit using
(14)
6A7. freq. limit 30-40 Mc/s.).
( 15) White, S. Y. " V-H-F receiver oscillator design " Elect. 16.7 (July 1943) 96.
(16) Tucker, D. G. " The synchronisation of oscillators " Electronic Eng. (Part 1) 15.181 (March 1943)
412.
(17) Butler, F. " Cathode coupled oscillators " W.E. 21.254 (Nov. 1944) 521. Letter, M. Felix 22.256
(Jan. 1945) 14.
(18) Adler, R. " A
study of locking phenomena in oscillators " Proc. I.R.E. 34.6 (June 1946) 351.
(19) Bushby, T. R. W. " Thermal frequency drift compensation " Proc. I.R.E. (Dec. 1942) 546. [Dis-
cussion 31.7 (July 1943) 385]. Also, A.W.A. Tec. Rev. 6.3 (1943) 14.
(20) " Effect of Temperature on Frequency of 6J5 Oscillator " R.C.A. Application Note No. 108 (Nov.
13th, 1940). Reprinted Radiotronics No. 110, p. 15.
(21) Llewellyn, F. B. " Constant-frequency oscillators " Proc. I.R.E. 19.12 (Dec. 1931) 2063.
(22) Dow, J. B. " A
recent development in vacuum tube oscillator circuits " Proc. I.R.E. 19.12 (Dec
1931) 2095.
(23) Herold, E. W. " Negative resistance " (gives a bibliography of 55 items) Proc. I.R.E. 23.10 (Oct.
1935) 1201.
(24) Everitt, W. L. (book) " Communication Engineering " (Chapters 17 and 18) 2nd edit. McGraw-
Hill Book Co. Inc., New York and London (1937).
(25) Ratcliffe, J. A. (book) " The Physical Principles of Wireless " (5th edition) Methuen and Co. Ltd.,
London, 1941.
(26) " The Radio Amateur's Handbook " 24th edit. A.R.R.L., Connecticut, 1947, and later editions.
(27) " The Radio Handbook " 10th edit. Editors and Engineers, Los Angeles, 1946.
(28) Miller, J. M. " Thermal drift in superheterodyne receivers " Elect. 10.11 (Nov. 1937) 24.
(29) Keen, A. W. " Negative resistance characteristics
175.
—
graphical analysis " W.E. 27.321 (June 1950)
(30) Tombs, D. M. and M. F. McKenna " Amplifier with negative resistance load measurement of
stage gain." W.E. 27.321 (June 1950) 189.
—
(31) " Overtone crystal oscillator design" Elect. 23.11 (Nov. 1950) 88.
Additional references will be found in the Supplement commencing on page 1475.
CHAPTER 25
Reprinted by special permission from the article by E. W. Herold entitled " The
operation of frequency converters and mixers for superheterodyne reception " in the
Proceedings of the I.R.E, Vol. 30 No. 2 (February 1942) page 84.
(i)Introduction
The better modern radio receivers are almost universally designed to use the super-
heterodyne circuit. In such a circuit, the received signal frequency is heterodyned
with the frequency of a local oscillator to produce a difference frequency known as the
intermediate frequency. The resultant signal is amplified by a selective, fixed-
tuned amplifier before detection. Since the heterodyne action is usually accomplished
by means of a suitable vacuum tube, it is the purpose of this paper to discuss the chief
similarities and differences among the tubes which might be used, as well as to explain
their behaviour.
The combination of signal and local-oscillator frequencies to produce an inter-
mediate frequency is a process of modulation in which one of the applied frequencies
causes the amplitude of the other to vary. Although this process was originally
called heterodyne detection and, later, first detection, it is now called frequency con-
version. The portion of the radio receiver which produces conversion may, therefore,
be identified as the converter. If conversion is accomplished in a single vacuum tube
which combines the functions of oscillator and modulator, this tube may logically be
termed a converter tube. When separate tubes are used for the oscillator and the
modulator portions of the converter, respectively, the tube for the latter purpose is
conveniently called a modulator or mixer tube. This terminology will be used in this
paper.
Although in some of the earliest superheterodynes, frequency conversion was
accomplished by a triode oscillator and triode modulator (Ref. 1) other circuits used
a single triode which served as both modulator and oscillator (Ref. 2). A
triode used
in the latter way could, therefore, be called a converter tube. The introduction of
two-grid tubes (i.e. tetrodes) permitted a wide variety of modulator and converter
arrangements which frequently gave superior performance to that possible with
triodes (Ref. 3-7).
When indirectly heated cathodes became more common, conversion circuits in
which the oscillator voltage was injected in the cathode circuit were used. These
962
25.1 FREQUENCY CONVERTERS—(i) INTRODUCTION 963
where the angular frequency of the local oscillator. Use of the cosine series
<a is
implies that the transconductance is a single-valued function of the oscillator elec-
trode voltage which varies as cos ca t. When a small signal, e, sin a>,r, is applied
to the tube, the resulting alternating plate current to the first order in e, may be
written
*'» = gme* sin <o,t
00
= a e, sin o),t + e, 2J a n sin a»,t cos n<o t
n = 1
oo
= a e, sin w st + \e t 21 a n sin (w, + nco )t
n = 1
oo
+ ie, £ a n sin (co s — wa> )f.
n = 1
an
gen
e, 2
Substituting the value of the Fourier coefficient a n it is found that
"2n
1
gen g m cos nu) td(o} t).
>J o
When n is set equal to unity, this expression becomes identical with the one previously
derived. (Ref. 17).
c*s\
Such an analysis is readily made from the tube characteristics directly by examination
of the curve of signal-electrode transconductance versus oscillator-electrode voltage.
The calculation of the conversion transconductance at the «th harmonic of the os-
cillator is made from this curve by assuming an applied oscillator voltage and making
a Fourier analysis of the resulting curve of transconductance versus time for its «th
harmonic component. The analysis is exactly similar to the one made of power
output tubes, except that, in the latter case, the plate-current-versus-control-electrode-
voltage curve is used. Fig. 25.1 shows a curve of signal-grid transconductance
versus oscillator-electrode voltage for a typical modulator or mixer tube. In the
usual case, the oscillator voltage is applied from a tuned circuit and so is closely
sinusoidal in shape as at A in the figure. The resulting curve of transconductance
versus time is shown at B. Any of the usual Fourier analysis methods may be used
to determine the desired component of curve B. Half of this value is the conversion
transconductance at the harmonic considered. Convenient formulas of sufficient
accuracy for many purposes follow. Referring to Fig. 25.2a, a sine-wave oscillator
voltage is assumed and a seven-point analysis is made (i.e., 30-degree intervals).
The conversion transconductances g en are
fti
12
;[(ft
L - ft) + (ft - ft) + 1-73 (ft - ft)]
1
ft-3 = J2 t(ft
_ ft) - 2 (ft ft)].
The values ft, ft, etc., are chosen from the transconductance characteristic as in-
dicated in Fig. 25.2a. The values computed from the above formulas are, of course,
most accurate for g cl and of less accuracy for g e2 while a value computed from the
formula for g c3 is a very rough approximation.
966 (ii) GENERAL ANALYSIS OF OPERATION 25.1
I I-0-5E--*!
Fig. 25.2b. For small oscillator voltages
optimum operation requires the differ-
ences (g7 - gj, (g - g
s a) and (g, - gz) to
be as large as possible ; this is equivalent
to operation at the point of maximum slope.
It should be noted that the minimum peak
oscillator voltage required for good opera-
tion is approximately equal to one half
the difference between the oscillator-elec-
trode voltage needed for maximum signal-
grid transconductance- and that needed to
cut off this transconductance. Thus,
inspection of the curve of transconductance
versus oscillator-electrode voltage gives
both a measure of the fundamental conver-
sion transconductance which will be ob-
tained and the amount of oscillator excita-
tion required. Conversion at a harmonic,
in general, requires considerably greater
oscillator excitation for maximum conver-
sion transconductance.
on the electrode currents is so small that usually it may be neglected. Thus, the
conversion transconductance of these converter tubes may be found exactly as if the
tube were a modulator or mixer, only.
With the circuit of Fig. 25.3 (Refs. 19-21) a Hartley oscillator arrangement is used
and oscillator-frequency voltage is present on the cathode. The effect of such a
voltage is also to demodulate the electron stream through the action of the alternating
cathode potential on the screen-to-cathode and signal-grid-to-cathode voltages.
When a relatively high-transconductance signal grid is present, 3s in the figure, this
demodulation is considerably greater than in the normal cathode-at-ground circuit.
C Fluctuation noise
The fluctuation noise of a converter stage is frequently of considerable importance
in determining the over-all noise. The magnitude of the fluctuation noise in the out-
put of a converter or mixer tube may be found either by direct measurement using
a known substitution noise source such as a saturated diode or by making use of the
noise of the same tube used as an amplifier^ and finding the average mean-squared
noise over an oscillator cycle. (Refs. 22, 23). Since these methods give values
which are substantially in accord, and since the noise of many of the usual tube types
under amplifier conditions is readily derived from theory (Ref. 24), the latter pro-
cedure is convenient. Thus, if i 9n * is the mean-squared noise current in the output
of the converter or mixer tube considered as an amplifier (i.e. steady direct voltages
applied) the mean-squared intermediate-frequency noise is
_1
ti-r* *d(a>t)
2tt
or the average of *,„* over an oscillator cycle. The values of i pn * obtained from
theory require a knowledge of the currents and transconductance of the tube and
are usually proportional to these quantities. Thus, the converter-stage output noise,
which is the average of »„„ 2 over the oscillator cycle, is usually proportional to the aver-
age electrode currents and average transconductance when the oscillator is applied.
Specific examples will be given in following sections of this paper treating typical
modes of converter operation.
Tube noise is conveniently treated by use of an equivalent grid-noise-resistance
concept whereby the tube noise is referred to the signal grid. The equivalent noise
resistance of a converter or mixer tube is
1
ti-r
R =
e ,
&kTR Af)gen *
968 (ii) GENERAL ANALYSIS OF OPERATION 25.1
where k = 1.37 x 10" 23, TR is room temperature in degrees Kelvin, and J/ is the
effective over-all bandwidth for noise purposes. Since Af is invariably associated
with i*,_, 2, the bandwidth cancels in the determination of R eq which is one of the
advantages of the equivalent-resi stance concept. For T = 20 degrees centigrade,
R
R e9 = 0.625 x 10 2 ° —
gen
2
'-—-
ty
A summary of values of R e „ for common types of converter will be found in a pre-
ceding paper. (Ref 23).
The equivalent noise resistance R eQ alone does not tell the entire story as
regards signal-to-noise ratio, particularly at high frequencies. For example, if the
converter stage is the first stage of a receiver, and bandwidth is not a consideration,
the signal energy which must be supplied by the antenna to drive it will be inversely
proportional to the converter-stage input resistance. On the other hand, the noise
energy of the converter or mixer tube is proportional to its equivalent noise resistance.
The signal-to-noise ratio therefore, will vary with the ratio of input resistance to
equivalent noise resistance, and this quantity should be as high as possible. When
bandwidth is important, the input resistance should be replaced by the reciprocal
of the input capacitance if it is desired to compare various converter systems for signal-
to-noise ratio.
*M. O. Strutt (see Ref. 26) has published data on this phase shift in octodes. It was measured to
J.
be as high as 60 degrees at 33 megacycles.
25.1 (iv) MIXER SECTION OF CONVERTER STAGE 969
There are three methods of operation of mixer or modulator tubes. The oscillator
voltage may be put on the same grid as the signal voltage, it may be put on the inner
grid (the signal applied to an outer grid), or it may be impressed on an outer grid
(with the signal on the inner grid). Each of these modes of operation has charac-
teristics which depend on the mode rather than on the. tube used in it. Tubes which
may be used in any one mode differ from one another mainly in the degree in which
they affect these characteristics. The treatment to follow, therefore, will not neces-
sarily deal with specific tube types :instead, the phenomenon encountered will be
illustrated by the use of data taken on one or more typical tubes for each of the modes
of operation.
the oscillator voltage which is impressed between screen and cathode, and plate
and cathode should be considered. Practically, however, there is little difference
over the simpler circuit in which the oscillator voltage is impressed on the signal grid
only. It is for this reason that the cathode-injection circuit is placed in the same
category as those in which the oscillator voltage is actually impressed on the same
electrode as the signal.
In a practical circuit the effective oscillator voltage is, of course, the oscillator voltage
actually existent between grid and cathode of the tube. When the oscillator voltage
is impressed in series with the signal circuit or on the cathode, this effective voltage
is different from the applied oscillator voltage by the drop across the signal circuit.
In the usual case, with the oscillator frequency higher than the signal frequency, the
signal circuit appears capacitive at oscillator frequency. This capacitance and the
grid-to-cathode capacitance, being in series, form a capacitance divider and reduce
the effective oscillator voltage. The reduction would not be a serious matter if it
remained a constant quantity ; but in receivers which must be tuned over an appreci-
able frequency range this is not the case. The result is a variation in conversion
gain over the band. A number of neutralizing circuits have been described in the
970 (iv) MIXER SECTION OF CONVERTER STAGE 25.1
patent literature which are designed to reduce the oscillator-frequency voltage across
the signal circuit and thus minimize the variations. (Refs. 27, 28).
Coupling of the oscillator voltage into, or across, the signal circuit is also accom-
panied by changes in effective oscillator voltage when the tuning is varied. These
changes are not so great with pure inductive coupling as with pure capacitance coup-
ling. In many practical cases, both couplings are present.
Amethod of reducing the variation of conversion gain with effective oscillator
voltage in tubes in which oscillator, voltage and signal are placed on the same grid,
employs automatic bias. Automatic bias may be obtained either by a cathode self-
bias resistor (by-passed to radio frequency) or by a high-resistance grid leak, or both.
An illustration of the improvement which may be obtained in this way is shown in
Fig. 25.5. Three curves of conversion transconductance, at oscillator fundamental,
against effective peak oscillator volts are shown for the typical variable- pentode of
n
Fig. 25.4 used as a mixer. For the curve a, a fixed bias was used at approximately
an optimum point. The curve is stopped at the grid-current point because operation
beyond this point is not practicable in a receiver. Curve b shows the same tube
operated with a cathode self-bias resistor. This curve is also stopped at the grid-
current point. Curve c shows operation with a high-resistance grid leak. It is
evident that, above an oscillator voltage of about 3, curve b is somewhat flatter, and c
is considerably flatter than the fixed-bias curve a. The high-resistance grid leak
used for c may be made a part of the automatic-volume-control filter but care must
be taken that its value is considerably higher than the resistance in the automatic-
volume-control circuit which is common to other tubes in the receiver. If this is
not done, all the tubes will be biased down with large oscillator swings. When a
high-resistance leak is used, the automatic-volume-control action does not begin
in the mixer tube until the automatic-volume-control bias has exceeded the peak
oscillator voltage. Because of the high resistance of the leak, the signal circuit is
not loaded appreciably by the mixer tube. In a practical case, precautions must be
taken that a pentode in the converter stage is not operated at excessive currents when
accidental failure of the oscillator reduces the bias. A series dropping resistor in the
screen-grid supply will prevent such overload. When a series screen resistor is
used, the curve of conversion transconductance versus oscillator voltage is even flatter
than the best of the curves shown in Fig. 25.5. Series screen operation, therefore,
is highly desirable (Ref. 23).
-300 O
- 200 ¥
-5 u
6 B 10 12 -15 -10 D
8 PEAK CILIA TOR VOLTS. CONTROL GRID BIAS VOLTS
FIG. 25. FIG. 25.
where g m
_
e q
go
2
and a is the ratio of the screen current to plate current. Valuable additions to the
above relation are given by formulas which enable a simple calculation of noise re-
sistance from amplifier data found in any tube handbook. These additional relations
are approximations derived from typical curve shapes and are based on the maximum
peak cathode current I and the maximum peak cathode transconductance g The .
data are given in Table 1. It has been assumed that oscillator excitation is approxi-
E
mately optimum. In this table, e0 is the control-grid voltage needed to cut off the
plate current of the tube with the plate and screen voltages applied, and a is the ratio
of screen to plate current.
TABLE 1
Mixer Noise of Triodes and Pentodes
(Oscillator and Signal both Applied to Control Grid)
At Oscillator
Harmonic
3rd
4.3 E e
1 4- a
0.11 7
0.09
1 + «
go —+
38
go
J
260 -^2
go
8
As an example of the use of the table, suppose it is desired to find the equivalent
noise resistance of a particular triode operated as a converter at the oscillator second
harmonic. The local oscillator can be permitted to swing the triode mixer grid to
zero bias. With a plate voltage of 180 volts and zero bias, the tube data sheet shows
a transconductance, g = 2.6 x 10"* 8 mho. Thus the equivalent noise resistance is
31/£ or 12 000 ohms and the conversion transconductance at second harmonic is
0.13 g , or 340 micromhos. Since, with this plate voltage the tube cuts off at about
8 volts, a peak oscillator voltage of around 12 volts will be required.
The above table may also be used to obtain a rough estimate of the input loadinp
of pentode or triode mixers, since the high-frequency input conductance is roughly
proportional to the average transconductance g m and to the square of the frequency.
Thus, if the loading at any transconductance and frequency is known, the loading as
a mixer under the conditions of the table may quickly be computed.
2,000 1-
direction and which cuts off this transconductance over slightly less than half the
cycle, in the other. Curves of conversion transconductance against peak oscillator
voltage are shown in Fig. 25.9. Curve a is for fixed-bias operation of the oscillator
grid, curve b is with a high-resistance (i.e. several megohms) grid leak and condenser
for bias, and curve c is with the recommended value of grid leak (50 000 ohms) for
this type of tube. It is seen that best operation is obtained with the lower resistance
value of grid leak. With this value, the negative bias produced by rectification in the
grid circuit is reduced enough to allow the oscillator grid to swing appreciably positive
over part of the cycle. An incidental advantage to the use of the low-resistance leak
when the tube is self-oscillating (i.e., a converter) is that undesirable relaxation os-
cillations are minimized.
In mixers or converters in which the oscillator voltage is present on both the cathode
and the oscillator grid in the same phase (e.g. Fig. 25.3) it is usually necessary to
utilize a relatively sharp cut off in the design of the oscillator grid so as to cut off the
cathode current when the signal grid is positive (Ref. 19). By this means, the signal
grid is prevented from drawing current. At the same time, however, the high currents
needed for a high peak value of signal-grid transconductance cannot be obtained
without a greater positive swing of the oscillator grid than with a more open oscillator
grid structure. Thus, it is clear that it is desirable to have a negative bias on the
oscillator electrode which is considerably smaller than the peak oscillator voltage.
For this reason, optimum results are obtained on these tubes with very low values of
oscillator grid leak (e.g. 10 000 to 20 000 ohms).
The effects of feedback through the interelectrode capacitance are small in well-
designed multigrid mixers and converters of the kind covered in this section. The
signal-grid-to-plate capacitance is usually small enough to play no part in the opera-
tion ; even with a high L-to-C ratio in the intermediate-frequency transformer, the
capacitive reactance of the intermediate-frequency circuit at signal frequency is only
a very small fraction of the feedback reactance. The other interelectrode capacitance
which plays some part in determining circuit performance (excluding, of course,
the input and output capacitances) is the capacitance from the oscillator electrode or
electrodes to the signal grid. This capacitance is a source of coupling between these
two circuits. In well-designed converter or modulator tubes of the type discussed
in this section, however, the coupling through the capacitance may be made small
compared with another form of internal coupling known as " space-charge coupling"
which will be treated later in this discussion.
Coupling between oscillator and signal circuits is of no great consequence except
when an appreciable voltage of oscillator frequency is built up across the signal-grid
circuit. This is not usually possible unless the signal circuit is nearly in tune with
the oscillator as it is when a low ratio of intermediate frequency to signal frequency
isused. The effect of oscillator-frequency voltage induced across the signal circuit
depends on its phase ; the effect is usually either to increase or to decrease the relative
modulation of the plate current at oscillator frequency and so to change the con-
version transconductance. This action is a disadvantage, particularly when the
amount of induced voltage changes when the tuning is varied, as usually occurs.
25.1 (iv) MIXER SECTION OF CONVERTER STAGE 975
In some cases, another effect is a flow of grid current to the signal grid ; this may
happen when the oscillator-frequency voltage across the signal-grid circuit exceeds
the bias. Grid current caused by this effect can usually be distinguished from grid
current due to other causes. By-passing or short-circuiting the signal-grid circuit
reduces the oscillator-frequency voltage across the signal-grid circuit to zero. Any
remaining grid current must, therefore, be due to other causes.
Current to a negative signal grid of a tube operated with inner-grid oscillator in-
jection is sometimes observed at high frequencies (e.g. over 20 megacycles) even when
no impedance is present in the signal-grid circuit. This current is caused by elec-
trons whose effective initial velocity has been increased by their finite transit time
in the high-frequency alternating field around the oscillator grid. These electrons
are then able to strike a signal grid which is several volts negative. The magnitude
of the signal-grid current is not usually as great as with tubes applying the oscillator
voltage to an outer grid* although it may prevent the use of an automatic-volume-
control voltage on the tube..
An investigation of coupling effects in the pentagrid converter showed that the
coupling was much larger than could be explained by interelectrode capacitance.
It was furthermore discovered that the apparent coupling induced a voltage on the
signal circuit in opposite phase to that induced by a capacitance from oscillator to
signal grid. (Ref. 15). The coupling which occurred was due to variations in space
charge in front of the signal grid at oscillator frequency. A
qualitative explanation
for the observed behaviour is that, when, the oscillator-grid voltage is increased, the
electron charge density adjacent to the signal grid is increased and electrons are re-
pelled from the signal grid. A
capacitance between the oscillator grid and the signal
grid would have the opposite effect. The coupling, therefore, may be said to be
approximately equivalent to a negative capacitance from the oscillator grid to the signal
grid. The effect is not reversible because an increase df potential on the signal grid
does not increase the electron charge density around the oscillator grid. If anything,
it decreases the charge density. The equivalence to a negative capacitance must be
restricted to a one-way negative capacitance and, as will be shown later, is restricted
also to low-frequency operation.
In general, the use of an equivalent impedance from oscillator grid to signal grid
to explain the behaviour of " space-charge coupling " is somewhat artificial. A
better point of view is simply that a current is induced in the signal grid which de-
pends on the oscillator-grid voltage. Thus, a transadmittance exists between the
two electrodes analogous to the transconductance of an ordinary amplifier tube.
Indeed, the effect has been used for amplification in a very similar manner to the use
of the transconductance of the conventional tube. (Ref. 32, 33).
It is found that the transadmittance from the oscillator to the signal electrode
Ymo-t is of the form
Yvto-, = *iO)' + jk s O).
At low frequencies (i.e., *iw ! «<
k,<o) the transadmittance is mainly a transuscept-
ance but, as the frequency rises, the transconductance component k x co 2 becomes of
more and more importance, eventually exceeding the transusceptance in magnitude.
The early work on " space-charge coupling " indicated that the effect was opposite
to that of a capacitance connected from oscillator to signal grid and could be cancelled
by the connection of such a capacitance of the correct value (Refs. 15, 34). The effect
of such cancellation could be only partial, however, since only the transusceptance
was balanced out by this arrangement. For complete cancellation it is also necessary
to connect a conductance, the required value of which increases as the square of the
frequency, between the oscillator grid and the signal grid so that the transconductance
term is also balanced out. (Ref. 35, 36).
The cancellation of " space-charge coupling " may be viewed in another way.
A well-known method of measuring the transadmittance of a vacuum tube is to con-
nect an admittance from control grid to output electrode and to vary this admittance
until no alternating-current output is found with a signal applied to the control grid.
•The next part of this section contains a more detailed discussion of signal-grid current in outer-grid
oscillator injection tubes.
976 (iv) MIXER SECTION OF CONVERTER STAGE 25.1
(Ref. 37). The external admittance is then equal to the transadmittance. In exactly
the same way, the transadmittance which results from the space-charge coupling may
be measured. As a step further, if an admittance can be found which substantially
equals the transadmittance at all frequencies or over the band of frequencies to be
used, this admittance may be permanently connected so as to cancel the effects of
space-charge coupling. As has been previously stated, the admittance which is re-
quired is a capacitance and a conductance-. whose value varies as the square of the
frequency. Such an admittance is given to a first approximation by the series con-
nection of a capacitance C and a resistance R. Up to an angular frequency w =
0.3/CR the admittance of this combination is substantially as desired. At higher
values of frequency, the conductance and susceptance fail to rise rapidly enough and
the cancellation is less complete. Other circuits are a better approximation to the
desired admittance. For example, the connection of a small inductance, having the
value L = 1/2CR 2,' gives a good approximation up to an angular frequency to =
0.6/ CR. The latter circuit is, therefore, effective to a frequency twice as high as the
simple series arrangement of capacitance and resistance. Inasmuch as in some cases
the value of inductance needed is only a fraction of a microhenry, the inductance may
conveniently be derived from proper proportioning and configuration of the circuit
leads.
Fig. 25.10. Signal grid (grid No. 4) admittance of a typical mixer designed for inner-
grid injection of oscillator at 31.5 megacycles. Curves taken with no oscillator voltage
applied. Data represents electronic admittance only (i.e. " cold " values were subtracted
from measured values before plotting.)
It is of interest to note the order of magnitude of the transadmittance which is
measured in the usual converter and mixer tubes. (Refs. 26, 35, 36, 38). In the
formula for Y m0 -, given above, *, is in the neighborhood of 10" 21 and £ 2 is around
"
10 12 . Cancellation is effected by a capacitance of the order of one or two micro-
microfarads and a series resistance of 500 to 1000 ohms.
The correct value of the cancelling admittance may be found experimentally by
adjustment so that no oscillator voltage is present across the signal-grid circuit when
the latter is tuned to the oscillator frequency. Another method which may be used
is to observe either the mixer or converter plate current or the oscillator grid current
25.1 (iv) MIXER SECTION OF CONVERTER STAGE 977
as the tuning of the signal is varied through the oscillator frequency. With proper
adjustment of the cancelling admittance there will be no reaction of the signal-circuit
tuning on either of these currents.
There are two disadvantages which accompany the cancellation of space-charge
coupling as outlined. In the first place, the signal-grid input admittance is increased
by the cancelling admittance. This point will be brought up again after discussing
the input admittance. The second disadvantage is that the oscillator frequency shift
with voltage changes in converter tubes may be somewhat increased by the use of
this cancellation admittance. When separate oscillator and mixer tubes are used,
the latter effect may be made less serious.
The next point to be considered is the input admittance of the signal grid. Signal-
grid admittance curves of a typical modulator designed for use with the oscillator
voltage impressed on the first grid are shown under direct-current conditions (i.e.,
as a function of oscillator-grid bias for several values of signal-grid bias) in Fig. 25.10.
The admittance is separated into conductive and susceptive components, the latter
being plotted in terms of equivalent capacitance. The admittance components of
the " cold " tube (no electrons present) have been subtracted from the measured value
so that the plotted results represent the admittance due to the presence of electrons
only. The data shown were taken at 31.5 megacycles with a measuring signal which
did not exceed 1.0 volt peak .at any time. Amodified Boonton Q
meter was used
to take the data. It should be noted that the presence of a marked conductive com-
ponent of admittance is to be expected at frequencies as high as those used.
K> 100
FREQUENCY (MEGACYCLES)
FIG. 25. II
The most striking feature of the data of Fig. 25.10 is that both susceptive and con-
ductive components are negative over a large portion of the characteristic. The
Appendix discusses this feature in somewhat more detail. The measurements show
that the susceptive component is analogous to a capacitance. The capacitance curves
given are independent of frequency up to the highest frequency used (approximately
50 megacycles). The conductive component, on the other hand, increases as the
square of the frequency also up to this frequency. The conductance is, therefore,
negative even at very low frequencies although its magnitude is then very small.
Thus, the conductance curves of Fig. 25.11 are valid for any frequency by multi-
plication of the conductance axis by the square of the ratio of the frequency considered,
to the frequency used for the data (i.e., 31.5 megacycles). Data taken at various
E
frequencies for two particular values of grid bias voltage ei are plotted in Fig. 25.11.
The square-law relation is shown to check very closely.
Fig. 25.10 should be considered remembering that the oscillator voltage is applied
along the axis of abscissas. Considering an applied oscillator voltage, the admittance
978 (iv) MIXER SECTION OF CONVERTER STAGE 25.1
curves must be integrated over the oscillator cycle to find the admittance to the signal
frequency. The operation is just as if the tube were an amplifier whose input ad-
mittance is periodically varied over the curve of Fig. 25.10 which corresponds to the
signal-grid bias which is used. Curves of the modulator input conductance at 31.5
megacycles for various applied oscillator voltages are shown in Fig. 25.12. The
oscillator-grid bias is obtained by means of the recommended value of grid leak for
the .tube (50 000 ohms). Curves are shown for two values of signal-grid bias volt-
age E et As before, data for other frequencies are obtained by multiplying the con-
.
R = 2-^-F°
e»
where I b the operating plate current, g e is the conversion transconductance, and F*
is
is a factor which is about 0.5 for tubes with suppressor grids and at full gain. For
tubes without suppressor or for tubes whose gain is reduced by signal-grid bias, 2
F
is somewhat larger and approaches unity as a maximum. With this mode of opera-
tion there is not so much value in expressions for R e „ based on maximum trans-
conductance and maximum plate current because these quantities are neither available
nor are they easily measured. For operation at second or third harmonics of the
oscillator(assuming optimum oscillator excitation) the plate current I b and the con-
version transconductance g c are roughly £ or 1/3, respectively, of their values with
fundamental operation so that the equivalent noise resistance for second-harmonic
and third-harmonic operation is around two and three times, respectively, of its
value for fundamental operation.
*It should not be forgotten that the data given do not include the " cold " susceptance and conductance
of the tube. The latter is a relatively small quantity, however.
25.1 (iv) MIXER SECTION OF CONVERTER 'STAGE 979
"*"""'
—^-
•-'J ^«--"~"~
-100
Fig. 25.12. Signal-grid (grid No. 4) conductance of a typical mixer designed for inner-
grid injection of oscillator, at 31.5 megacycles. Oscillator voltage applied. Oscillator-
grid bias obtained through 50,000-ohm grid leak. Electronic portion of conductance, only,
plotted.
Fig. 25.13. Signal-grid (grid No. 1) transconductance versus oscillator-grid (grid No. 3)
voltage of a typical mixer designed for use with outer-grid injection of oscillator.
.
Signal-
grid bias = —3 volts.
The signal-grid transconductance curve as a function of oscillator-grid voltage of
a typical mixer designed for use with the oscillator on an outer grid is shown in Fig.
25.13. It differs in shape from similar curves for the other two classes of modulator
in that an approximate saturation is reached around zero bias on the oscillator grid.
The conversion transconductance for such a tube is, therefore, more accurately pre-
dicted from normal amplifier transconductance. In fact, in the manufacture of this
type of mixer, a test of signal-grid transconductance at somewhere near the saturation
point (e.g., zero bias) on the oscillator grid has been found to correlate almost exactly
with the conversion transconductance. The cut off point of the curve must remain
approximately fixed, of course, since this point affects the oscillator amplitude which
is necessary. The conversion transconductance of the
typical outer-grid injection mixer tube
which was used for Fig. 25.13 is shown in
Fig. 25.14. Curve a which is for fixed
bias on the oscillator grid is seen to be
higher than curve b for which bias is ob-
tained by a 50 000-ohm grid leak and con-
denser. The latter connection is most
widely used, however, because of its con-
venience. A compromise using fixed bias
together with a grid leak is most satisfac-
s 10 IS
PEAK OSCILLATOR VOLTS
tory of all. (Ref. 40). When this com-
FIG. 25.14 bination is used, the curve of conversion
Fig. 25.14. Conversion transconduct- transconductance follows curve a of Fig.
ance of a typical mixer designed for 25.14 to the intersection with curve b and
outer-grid injection of oscillator. Signal- then
follows along the flat top of curve b.
grid bias, E t — —3 volts. Curve a In a well-designed mixer with the signal
voltage on the grid adjacent to the cathode
corresponds to fixed No. 3 grid bias, and
the oscillator voltage on an outer grid,
E e — — 8 volts. Curve b corresponds effects due to feedback through the inter-
to bias obtained through a 50 000-ohm electrode capacitance may usually be ne-
grid leak. glected. The only effect which might be of
980 (iv) MIXER SECTION OF CONVERTER STAGE 25.1
importance in some cases is coupling of the oscillator to the signal circuit through the
signal-grid-to-oscillator-grid capacitance. In many tubes a small amount of space-
charge coupling between these grids is also present and adds to the capacitance coup-
ling (contrary to the space-charge coupling discussed in Section B which opposes
the capacitance coupling in that case). Measurements of the magnitude of the space-
charge coupling for this type of modulator show that it is of the order of 1/5 to 1/10
of that present in inner-grid-injection modulators. Coupling between oscillator and
signal circuits causes a voltage of oscillator frequency to be built up across the signal
input circuit. This oscillator-frequency voltage, depending on its phase, aids or
opposes the effect of the normal oscillator-grid alternating voltage. The action is
additive when the signal circuit has capacitative reactance to the oscillator frequency,
as in the usual case. When the oscillator-frequency voltage across the signal input
circuit exceeds the bias, grid current is drawn to the signal grid, an undesirable oc-
currence. This grid current may be distinguished from signal-grid current due to
other causes by short-circuiting the signal-input circuit and noting the change in grid
current. With the majority of tubes, another cause of signal-grid current far exceeds
this one in importance. This other cause will now be discussed.
The most prominent high-frequency effect which was observed in mixers of the
kind under discussion, was a direct current to the negative signal grid even when no
impedance was present in this grid circuit. This effect was investigated and found
to be due to the finite time of transit of the electrons which pass through the signal
grid and are repelled at the oscillator grid, returning to pass near the signal grid again.
(Refs. 17,. 41, 42). When the oscillator frequency is high, the oscillator-grid potential
varies an appreciable amount during the time that such electrons are in the space
between screen grid and oscillator grid. These electrons may, therefore, be acceler-
ated in their return path more than they were decelerated in their forward path. Thus,
they may arrive at the signal grid with an additional velocity sufficient to allow them
to strike a slightly negative electrode. Some electrons may make many such trips
before being collected ; moreover, in each trip their velocity is increased so that
they may receive a total increase in velocity equivalent to several volts. A rough
estimate of the grid current to be expected from a given tube is given by the semi-
empirical equation
— AI k E o>T _ e Cl
J cl ,e 2 3
-
2-0
^*N^ 1
^*^»>^ u
^-a-
£• 1-0
U
&
<
u i
-15 -10 -5
No 3 GRID BIAS VOLTS
INCREMENT DUE
TO ELECTRONS RETURNED
BY No 3 CRID
Fig. 25.15. Signal-grid (grid No. 1) current in a typical mixer with a 20-megacycle
oscillator voltage applied to grid No. 3. t E =—
10 volts, c E
100 volts, "h
and 4
= E —
~-~ ? *
250 volts.
Fig. 25.16. Signal-grid (grid No. 1) admittance of typical mixer designed for
outer-grid injection of oscillator. Data taken at 31.5 megacycles with no os-
cillator voltage applied. f E = —
3 volts, t E
and
=
100 volts, b 250 volts. E =
behaviour coincides, of course, with plate-current cut off. It seems clear that the
electrons which are turned back at the No, 3 grid and which again reach the signal
grid are the cause of the increased admittance. Calculations based on this explana-
tion have been published by M. J. O. Strutt (Ref. 43) and show reasonable quantita-
tive agreement with experiment. As in the other cases above, the upper curve of
Fig. 25.16 is approximately independent of frequency while the lower one may be
converted to any other frequency by multiplying the ordinates by the square of the
frequency ratio.
When an oscillator voltage is applied, the No. 3 grid bias is periodically varied at
oscillator frequency. The net input admittance is then the average value over the
oscillator cycle. Such net values of the conductance component are shown in Fig.
25.17. The frequency for these curves is 31.5 megacycles. Values for other fre-
quencies are obtained by multiplying the ordinates by the square of the frequency
ratio. Curve a coincides with the fixed bias condition of curve a of Fig. 25.14 while
curve b corresponds to the grid-leak-and-condenser bias as in b of Fig. 25.14. The
conductance is approximately twice as high when the tube is used as a mixer as when
it is used as an amplifier. This is a serious disadvantage, particularly at very high
frequencies.
/ \
/ \
f-.
fi'jsy*
/
\_ /
(o)
ORIGINAL
(b)
TWO AUXILIARY
<«> m
SIDE ELECTRODES SIDE ELECTRODES
DESIGN SIDE ELECTRODES INCREASED IN SIZE AND BENT AROUND
LOWERED •*» POTENTIAL SCREEN GRID
Fig. 25.18. Cross-sectional views of mixer designed for outer-grid-injection of oscillator.
The views show only the portions of the tube inside of and including the oscillator injection
grid.
they travelled in the forward direction*. (Ref. 45). The progressive steps towards
an improvement of this kind are illustrated in Fig. 25.18 where cross-sectional views
of the portion inside the oscillator grid of various developmental modulators are
shown. The drawing (a) shows the original design, data on which have been given
in Figs. 25.15, 25.16 and 25.17. Drawing (b) of Fig. 25.18 shows a tube in which
two side electrodes operated at a high positive potential were added. In a tube of
this kind many of the electrons returned by the No. 3 grid (oscillator grid) travel paths
similar to the dotted one shown ; they are then collected by the auxiliary electrodes
and thus do not re-enter the signal grid space. Tubes constructed similarly to (b)
showed a considerable improvement in the signal-grid admittance increment due to
returned electrons. Construction (c) shows the next step in which the side electrodes
are increased in size and operated at somewhat lower potential. Because of the un-
desirability of an additional electrode and lead in the tube, the construction shown at
(d) was tried. In this case the auxiliary electrodes are bent over and connected elec-
trically and mechanically to the screen grid. Curves showing the progressive re-
duction in the signal-grid conductance increment due to returned electrons are shown
in Fig. 25.19. The curves are labelled to correspond with the drawings of Fig. 25.18.
-w -5 o
No3 GRID BIAS VOLTS
FIG.2S.I9
It should be noted that the use of the oscillator-grid support rods in the centre of the
electron streams as shown in Fig. 25.18 (d) was found to improve the performance.
No change in signal-grid conductance with oscillator-grid potential could be observed
with this construction.t The conductance of the tube as a modulator, therefore, was
reduced to less than half of that of construction (a). At the same time, a check of
signal-grid current with a high-frequency oscillator applied to the No. 3 grid showed
that this current was reduced to 1/20 of that of the original construction (a). The
change in construction may be looked upon as dividing the constant A in the grid-
current formula previously given, by a factor of more than 20.
*The same principles have now been applied to inner-grid-injection mixers and converters. See
tit should be mentioned that it is also possible to construct tubes in which the signal-grid conductance
decreases somewhat with increasingly negative No. 3 grid bias. This effect is caused by the inductance
of the inner screen-grid lead which causes a negative conductance in the input circuit when the inner
screen current is high, as at negative No. 3 grid bias values. This negative conductance cancels part
of the positive conductance of the signal grid.
25.1 (iv) MIXER SECTION OF CONVERTER STAGE 983
-~-Q '
(«) (0 (9)
FOUR SIDEROO LARGE Nol GRID FINS ON N02 CLOSE-SPACED
No GRID
I SIDERODS GRID CHANNELS No 3 GRID
Fig. 25.20. Cross-sectional views of improved mixers designed for outer-grid injection
of oscillator. The views show only the portions of the tube inside of and including the
oscillator injection grid.
Another method of reducing the effect of electrons returned by the oscillator grid
is to reduce the effect of electron transit time in the tube. This may be done by
reducing the spacings, particularly the screen-grid-to-oscillator-grid spacing. This
method of improving modulator performance has two disadvantages compared with
the one discussed in connection with Fig. 25.18. The reduction in spacing is accom-
panied by a more sloping (i.e. less steep) signal-grid transconductance versus oscillator-
grid voltage curve. This change in construction requires an increase in applied
oscillator voltage to attain the same conversion transconductance. The second dis-
advantage is that such a method reduces the transit time and hence, the undesirable
high-frequency effects only by an amount bearing some relation to the reduction
in spacing. Since this reduction is limited in a given size of tube, the method whereby
electron paths are changed is much more effective. The method of reducing spacing,
on the other hand, is extremely simple to adopt. A combination of both methods
may be most desirable from the point of view of best performance with least com-
plexity in the tube structure.
10*
is included and is drawn as a. All four of the constructions of Fig. 25.20 were satis-
factory as regards signal-grid conductance ; in every case the change in conductance
as the oscillator grid was made negative was a negligible factor. Construction (h)
required approximately 20 per cent more oscillator voltage than (e), (f)> or (g) because
of the reduction in slope of the transconductance versus No. 3 grid voltage curve
which accompanied the reduced spacing between the screen and the No. 3 grid.
Outer-grid-injection mixers have the same or slightly greater signal-grid capacitance
changes with automatic volume control as are found in amplifier tubes. In this
respect they are inferior to inner-grid-injection converters or mixers. The use of a
small unbypassed cathode resistance (Ref. 29, 30) is a help, however.
In closing this section, the subject of fluctuation noise will be considered. Experi-
mental evidence indicates that the major portion of the noise in mixers with oscillator
voltage on an outer grid is due to current-distribution fluctuations. (Ref. 24). The
oscillator voltagechanges the current distribution from plate to screen so that the
mixer noise is given by the average of the distribution fluctuations over the oscillator
cycle. In terms of the equivalent noise resistance the average has been found to be
(Ref. 23),
_
R
rl e9
_-[*-£]
— -
_ gt
where I b the average (i.e. the operating) plate current and I b 2 is the average of the
is
square of the plate current over an oscillator cycle. Ia is the cathode current of the
mixer section and is substantially constant over the oscillator cycle. This relation
is not very useful in the form given. It is usually sufficiently accurate for most pur-
poses to use an expression identical with that which applies to tubes with inner-grid
oscillator injection, namely,
R -™^F*
where F* is about 0.5 for tubes with suppressor grids and somewhat higher for others.
By assuming a typical tube characteristic, the noise resistance may be expressed in
terms of the cathode current Ia of the mixer section and the maximum signal-grid-
to-plate transconductance g max as
*• = 120
(fS
ma
v>5 xj
(v) Conclusion
Ithas been shown that the principle of frequency conversion in all types of tubes
and with all methods of operation may be considered as the same (i.e. as a small-
percentage amplitude modulation). The differences in other characteristics between
various tubes and methods of operation are so marked, however, that each application
must be considered as a separate problem. The type of tube and method of operation
must be intelligently chosen to meet the most important needs of the application.
In making such a choice, it is frequently of assistance to prepare a table comparing
types of tubes and methods of operation on the basis of performance data. An
attempt has been made to draw such a comparison in a qualitative way for general
cases and for a few of the important characteristics. Table 2 is the result. It must
be understood, of course, that the appraisals are largely a matter of opinion based on
experience and the present state of knowledge. Furthermore, in particular circuits
and with particular tubes, the relative standings may sometimes be quite different.
A study of the fundamentals brought out in the previous sections of this paper should
help in evaluating such exceptions.
.
TABLE 2
Approximate Comparative Appraisals of Methods of Frequency Conversion
Oscillator
Voltage on
Oscillator and Signal Oscillator Voltage on" No. 1 Grid
Voltages on No. 3 Grid, Signal on Signal on
Desirable No. 1 Grid No. 1 Grid No. 3 Grid
Characteristic
Hexode Hexode
Triode Pentode Pentode or or
Heptode Heptode
(vi) Appendix
Discussion of negative admittance of current-limited grids
In Figs. 25.10, 11 and 12 it was seen that the electronic signal-grid (i.e. input)
admittance components (i.e. the admittance due to the presence of electrons) of a
mixer designed for No. 1 grid injection of the oscillator are negative over a considerable
portion of the normal operating range. Figs. 25.10 and 1 1, however, were taken with
static voltages applied and so indicate that the phenomenon is not caused by an alter-
nating oscillator voltage but is associated with the characteristics of the tube itself.
The input admittance of negative grids in vacuum tubes is the sum of three factors :
(1) the "cold" admittance, or the admittance of the tube with the electron current
cut off ; (2) the admittance due to feedback from other electrodes through tube and
external capacitance, etc. ; and (3) the admittance due to the presence of the electrons
in the tube. The first two factors have been well known for many years although
certain aspects of the second have only recently received attention. (Refs. 29, 30
and 48). The
third factor, however is not so well understood although the excellent
work done during the last ten years has paved the way for a complete understanding
of the subject. (Ref. 49). The present discussion is concerned only with this last
point, namely the admittance of negative grids due to the presence of electrons in the
tube.
Early work on transit-time effects in diodes and negative-grid triodes had indicated
that, at very high frequencies, the conductance became negative in certain discrete
bands (i.e., at large transit angles). It was not, at first, appreciated that conditions
were possible with negative-grid triodes in which the input conductance could be-
come negative even at low frequencies (i.e., at small transit angles). Data taken
on the input (No. 4 grid) conductance of pentagrid converters by W. R. Ferris of this
R.D.H. —32
986 (vi) APPENDIX 25.1
laboratory during 1934 showed that these tubes had a negative input conductance
which varied as the square of the frequency and which remained negative at low fre-
quencies. The conductance appeared, therefore, to behave in the same way as the
positive input conductance of ordinary negative-grid tubes, except for a reversal in
sign. The data on the pentagrid were taken with an external oscillator voltage applied
to the No. 1 grid. The work of Bakker and de Vries (Ref. 50) disclosed the possi-
bility of a negative input conductance at small transit angles in a triode operated under
current-limited conditions. They gave an experimental confirmation for a triode
operated at reduced filament temperature. Data taken by the writer during 1936
on a pentagrid converter showed that the negative conductance was present in this
tube even when direct voltages, only, were applied and that it was accompanied by a
reduction in capacitance. A
fairly complete theory of the effect was developed in
unpublished work by Bernard Salzberg, formerly of this laboratory, who extended
the theory of Bakker and de Vries to the more general case of multigrid tubes with
negative control grids in a current-limited region. Other experimental work was
done on the effect during 1936 by J. M. Miller and during the first half of 1937 by
the writer. In the meantime, the papers of H. Rothe (Ref. 51), I. Runge (Refs. 52, 53),
and L. C. Peterson (Ref. 54) showed that independent experimental and theoretical
work had been done on the negative-admittance effect in other laboratories.
In a rough way, the negative admittance found under current-limited conditions
may be explained as follows The electron current in a tube is equal to the product
:
of the charge density and the electron velocity. If this current is held constant, a rise
in effective potential of the control electrode raises the velocity and so lowers the
charge density. A
reduction in charge density with increase in potential, however,
results in a reduction in capacitance, provided no electrons are caught by the grid.
Thus, the susceptive component of the part of the admittance due to the current
through the grid, is negative. Because of the time lag due to the finite time of transit
of the electrons, there is an additional component of admittance lagging the negative
susceptance by 90 degrees, i.e., a negative conductance. The value of the negative
conductance will be proportional to both the transit angle and to the value of the
susceptance. Since both of these quantities are proportional to frequency, the
negative conductance is proportional to the square of the frequency.
The general shape of the curves of Fig. 25.10 may be explained as follows At
:
a No. grid bias of about —20 volts, the cathode current is cut off and the electronic
1
admittance is zero. At slightly less negative values of No. 1 grid bias, the electron
current is too small to build up an appreciable space charge ahead of the signal grid
(No. 4 grid). The latter grid, although it exhibits some control of the plate current
does not control the major portion of the current reaching it and is thus in a substanti-
ally current-limited region. Its susceptance and conductance are, therefore, negative.
Higher currents increase the negative admittance until, at some value of No. 1 grid
bias, the electron current is increased to the point at which a virtual cathode is formed
in front of some parts of the signal grid. At these parts, the current which reaches
the grid is no longer independent of this grid potential, and as a result, a positive
susceptance and conductance begin to counteract the negative admittance of other
portions of the grid. The admittance curves reach a minimum and for still higher
currents approach and attain a positive value. The current necessary to attain the
minimum admittance point is less when the signal-grid bias is made more negative
so that the minima for increasingly negative No. 4 grid-bias values occur at increasingly
negative No. 1 grid-bias values.
It may be noted that the signal-grid-to-plate transconductance is at a maximum
in the region just to the right of the admittance minima of Fig. 25.10 (compare Fig.
25.8). The admittance of such a tube used as an amplifier remains negative, there-
fore, at the maximum amplification point.
25.2 (i) BROADCAST FREQUENCIES 987
(<?, + Go) 2 4- B *
R =
g mB tpB
where G p = l/r P = anode slope conductance,
G = conductance of the external anode-load admittance at the signal fre-
quency,
B = susceptance of the external anode-load admittance at the signal fre-
quency,
g„, = mutual conductance of the signal grid with oscillator operating,
and B av — susceptance of the .grid-plate capacitance at the signal frequency.
Since the resonant frequency of the plate circuit is so far from the resonant frequency
of the grid circuit when tuned to any point in the broadcast band, the expression can
be simplified to
- R -~^-
~ e B 9
988 (i) BROADCAST FREQUENCIES 25.2
C. Operating conditions
Recommended conditions for all types of converters are published by valve manu-
facturers and these are satisfactory for normal applications. However variations
are often required, perhaps to use common voltage supplies for electrodes in the con-
verter and other valves, or perhaps to obtain say maximum signal-to-noise ratio
even at the expense of sensitivity.
The usual design procedure in such cases is to supply screen, oscillator plate and
bias voltages by means of variable resistor boxes and to control the oscillator amplitude
by means of resistors shunted across the untuned primary. In some cases, to be
mentioned later, the effect of varying the primary impedance may need investigation.
The valve operating conditions are set approximately to those recommended and
then each voltage in turn is adjusted for maximum performance. This may need
to be done more than once as variations in, say, bias voltage will affect the required
screen voltage.
In a typical case, the requirement from a converter might be maximum sensitivity
and as the bias voltage is reduced the gain might rise to a maximum and then fall.
This is due to an increase in conversion transconductance as the bias is reduced,
followed by a decrease in plate resistance which more than offsets the increasing
transconductance. However, with the bias voltage set for maximum sensitivity the
screen dissipation may be excessive. Adecrease in screen voltage followed by a
further decrease in bias may give a similar sensitivity with satisfactory screen dis-
sipation. It is important that the bias should not be reduced to a point at which some
valves may draw grid current. The contact potential of indirectly-heated types
normally does not exceed —1.0 volt and the applied bias in such cases can be safely
reduced to between —1.5 to —2.0 volts provided that electrode ratings are not ex-
ceeded. In the case of battery types, the contact potential is normally zero or
positive, so that it is not necessary to apply a negative bias voltage to avoid grid damp-
ing.
Increased oscillator amplitude is likely to improve sensitivity to a broad maximum
followed by a slight fall. However, as spurious responses increase rapidly with os-
cillator drive, the amplitude should not be any greater than necessary. It is advisable
to carry out checks at least at the limits of the tuning range to be covered.
To obtain maximum signal-to-noise ratio a similar procedure would be adopted
but the final operating conditions would probably differ, e.g. in the case of a triode-
hexode the screen voltage might be reduced. On the other hand, if the converter
noise is of the same order as the signal-grid circuit noise, as is possible on the broad-
cast band, the effect of variations in converter conditions on the signal-to-noise ratio
of the receiver would not be great.
When operating voltages have been determined, resistor boxes may still be useful
for obtaining a suitable screen voltage-divider circuit if a.v.c. design is at all critical.
If a minimum amount of control is required on the converter, for example to avoid
a rapid increase of noise as a.v.c. is applied, a single series resistor from B+will allow
the screen voltage to rise in a triode-hexode type of converter and so decrease the
990 (i) BROADCAST FREQUENCIES 25.2
amount of control for a given a.v.c. voltage. Such a circuit will also minimize cross-
modulation. However in converters without a suppressor grid the screen voltage
must not approach the plate voltage because secondary emission from the plate will
cause a large reduction in plate resistance and lead to damping of the first i-f trans-
former, so that some bleed from screen to ground may be needed. The best com-
promise can readily be determined with resistor boxes.
If maximum a.v.c. control is required from a triode-hexode converter, for example
when it is followed by a reflexed amplifier, and play-through must be reduced to a
minimum, a large screen bleed may be needed.
Maximum a.v.c. control can be obtained in pentagrid converters by reducing the
oscillator plate voltage to a minimum consistent with satisfactory oscillator perform-
ance. For example with 20 volts bias on the signal grid, the conversion transcon-
ductance of a 6A8-G is reduced to less than one half of the original figure when the
oscillator plate voltage is changed from 200 to 100 volts, although at minimum signal-
grid bias the oscillator plate voltage has little effect on the conversion transconductance.
Final operating conditions should not be decided upon until the tests outlined above
have been repeated with a number of valves, some of which should preferably have
characteristics near the upper and lower acceptance limits for the type.
Whenever there is any doubt as to which is the correct response, the frequencies
—
should be worked out conditions will be reversed from the example above if the
oscillator is at a lower frequency than the signal —but a simple rule is that if the re-
ceiver is being tuned and the oscillator is on the high frequency side of the signal,
then the higher frequency signal is the correct one.
.
A similar effect to an image response can also occur during signal-frequency trim-
mer adjustment. With the oscillator on the high-frequency side of the signal it may
be found that as the signal-frequency trimming capacitance is increased, the output,
with rocking, rises to a maximum, falls and rises to a second maximum, which is the
correct one. On the other hand if the receiver is left aligned at the first maximum it
isfound that the adjustment is approximately correct for the image frequency.
This effect has no direct connection with the image response, but is due to the
decrease in sensitivity which can occur when the signal-grid circuit is tuned to the
oscillator frequency — owing to grid damping in a severe case, or out-of-phase os-
cillator injection in other cases. Thus as the signal-circuit tuning initially approaches
the correct setting the gain rises, decreases again when the separation from the os-
cillator frequency is small, and then rises to the correct peak. In a sensitive receiver
the illusion of correct alignment on the wrong peak is heightened by an increase in
the level of the background noise due to the increased receiver sensitivity near the
image frequency.
B. Operating conditions
Converters can be set up for operation on the short-wave band in a manner similar
to that described for the broadcast band. However additional steps are also worth-
while. Particularly when harmonic mixing — —
see C(4) below is being used,
it isadvisable to investigate the effects of different values of oscillator-grid resistor.
To avoid varying two quantities at the same time the oscillator voltage should be kept
as constant as possible while the value of the grid leak is altered, and readings should be
taken at least at each end of the short-wave band. After the optimum grid leak
value has been chosen, previously selected operating potentials should be rechecked.
When the converter is a type with inner-grid oscillator voltage injection, improved
sensitivity may be obtained with the oscillator operating at a lower frequency than
the signal instead of under the more usual higher frequency condition.
In Sect. 1 of this chapter it was explained that the space charge in front of the signal
grid develops a voltage at oscillator frequency on the signal grid and that this voltage,
depending upon its phase, increases or decreases the oscillator-frequency modulation
of the electron stream. In a particular case with the oscillator at a higher frequency
than the signal, the tuned circuit connected to the signal grid would present capacitive
reactance to the oscillator voltage. A positive increment of oscillator-grid voltage
increases the current flow and thus increases the space charge in front of the signal
grid, i.e. the space charge becomes more negative. Since there is capacitive reactance
between the space charge and signal grid and between signal grid and ground, a
negative increment of space charge potential results in a (smaller) negative increment
of signal-grid potential. Thus a positive change in potential on the oscillator grid
results in a negative change in potential on the signal grid, so that the effective os-
cillator modulation is reduced with a consequent reduction in sensitivity.
However when the oscillator is operated at a lower frequency than that of the signal,
the signal-grid circuit presents an inductive reactance to the oscillator voltage and the
phase of the oscillator voltage on the signal grid is reversed. Thus the effective
modulation of the electron stream is increased and sensitivity is improved.
In practice, if neutralizing is not used, an improvement in sensitivity of two or three
times is sometimes obtainable by changing from high-frequency to low-frequency
oscillator operation, with an increase of the image ratio in the same proportion. The
improvement in sensitivity and image ratio decreases towards the low-frequency end
of the short-wave band as the separation between signal and oscillator circuits (i.e
the intermediate frequency) becomes a larger fraction of the oscillator frequency
For correct tracking with the oscillator on the low-frequency side of the signal,
the padder is moved from the oscillator to the signal-frequency circuit(s) but this
992 (ii) SHORT WAVES 25.2
does not introduce serious complications. However, a large band coverage is more
with the oscillator on the low side because the oscillator circuit covers a greater
difficult
frequency ratio than the signal circuit, whereas on the high side it covers a smaller
ratio.
coupling between oscillator and signal circuits to exceed
It is possible for external
that which occurs dueto internal coupling in the converter itself and it is advisable
to check that the external coupling is negligible before investigating the effects of
low-side and high-side oscillator operation. A valve voltmeter can be used across
the circuit and the variation of the indication as the signal circuit is tuned through the
oscillator frequency, with the circuit connected to and disconnected from the signal
grid, shows the relativeamount of coupling due to internal and external sources.
Afurther desirable step in the investigation of short-wave performance is the de-
termination of the best sensitivity that can be obtained by adjustment of the magnitude
and phase of the oscillator voltage on the signal grid. This can be done by using a
very small capacitor, variable in order to adjust the amplitude of the oscillator voltage,
and connected between either signal-grid and oscillator grid or signal-grid and os-
cillator plate to vary the phase of the oscillator voltage. In the absence of appreciable
coupling within the receiver, some increase in sensitivity is usually obtained with
a particular value of neutralizing capacitor, because maximum sensitivity is obtained
not when the oscillator voltage on the signal grid is a minimum but when it is the
correctly-phased maximum that can be present without signal-grid current flowing.
Thus, when using a plate tuned triode-hexode converter, it may be found experi-
mentally that sensitivity is improved at 18 Mc/s with a 0.5 nfiF capacitor connected
between oscillator grid and signal grid. In such a case it is usually possible to obtain
a capacitance of approximately the correct value without using a separate component
by a suitable arrangement of the wave-change switch wiring.
However, when neutralizing is used, a measurement should be made of the effect
of the neutralizing capacitance on the frequency stability of the receiver at 18 Mc/s.
In general, sensitivity improvements due to oscillator voltage on the signal-grid must
be offset against decreased frequency stability. The frequency shift in pentagrid
converters of the 6SA7 type increases so rapidly with increased capacitance between
signal-grid and oscillator grids that a neutralizing capacitance cannot be used in a
normal short-wave receiver if a.v.c. is applied to the control grid.
Unless special precautions are taken, grid current variations over the short-wave
band are greater than desired. The increase at the high-frequency end of the band
occurs because, although the coupling between primary and secondary of the oscillator
coil which is required to maintain oscillation is reduced, the actual coupling remains
unchanged. A small resistor (say 25 ohm J watt) wired between the tuned circuit
and the oscillator grid is the usual method of obtaining reasonably uniform grid current
over the band. The effective parallel circuit damping of the resistor in series with
the capacitance of the oscillator grid is inversely proportional to the square of the
frequency so that a large reduction in grid current can be obtained at the high-fre-
quency end of the band without noticeably affecting the grid current at the low-
frequency end.
Such a resistor is sometimes also required to prevent squegging of the local oscillator
when the amplitude of oscillation is high and the time constant of the oscillator grid
circuit is much greater than the time required for one cycle of the oscillator frequency.
For further information on squegging see Chapter 35 Sect. 3(vi)C and Ref. 73.
C. Frequency stability
All the problems of frequency stability experienced with a separate oscillator (see
Chapter 24) occur when the oscillator section of a converter is used as the local os-
cillator in a superheterodyne receiver and in addition there are further causes of
instability due to interaction between the oscillator and mixer sections of the valve.
of frequency instability are due to this link with the rest of the receiver. The first
is " flutter " due to fluctuations in the B supply voltage as a result of the output-valve
current varying at audio frequencies. These fluctuations vary the oscillator frequency
so that the signal is continually detuned, giving a-f signals which make the " flutter "
self-sustaining. The mechanism of " flutter " is more fully described in Chapter 35
Sect. 3(vi)B and methods of overcoming it are given.
The second detuning effect for which the B supply is responsible is due to the ap-
plication of a.v.c. to the controlled stages of a receiver. This reduces the B current,
causes the B voltage to rise, and thus produces detuning which will vary, for instance,
with the instantaneous level of a fading station.
Although in a particular case the detuning may not be sufficient to produce the
symptoms described, it may still give unpleasant tuning at the high-frequency end
of the short-wave band, a typical effect being that the receiver does not tune smoothly
but jumps from one side of a signal to the other.
When testing for these effects, modulated and unmodulated signals of magnitudes
varying from maximum to minimum should be used at the highest tuning frequency
of the receiver and the volume control setting should also be varied. If equipment
for measuring frequency shift is not available a useful test is to tune the receiver as
accurately as possible to a large signal (perhaps 0.1 volt) with the volume control
suitably retarded and then reduce the input to the smallest usable signal and turn
up the volume control. If the signal is still tuned, frequency shift may be considered
satisfactory. The test should be repeated with different signal inputs in case positive
and negative frequency shifts should cancel over the range of inputs first selected
If flutter occurs on a large unmodulated signal there are circumstances under which
it can be ignored. When the modulation is switched on it may be found that the
output valve is severely overloaded, and that when the volume control is turned down
to give no more than full a-f output the flutter may not occur. In such a case the
flutter would not be noticed in normal use of the receiver and if a cure cannot be
effected cheaply it may not be warranted.
In practice it is found that frequency stability can often be improved by the simple
expedient of increasing the oscillator grid current. In one particular triode-hexode
the 18 Mc/s frequency shift for a given change in control grid bias was reduced to one
tenth by increasing the oscillator grid current from 200 to 600 /uA. Frequency shift due
to other causes, and with other types of converters can be improved in the same way,
although in varying degrees. The improvement may of course have to be offset
against a decrease in sensitivity and an increase in noise.
A third type of oscillator frequency instability due to the B supply is experienced
in F-M receivers. If there is a hum voltage superimposed on the B supply to the
oscillator plate this will produce frequency modulation of the local oscillator, and the
F-M detector will convert the resultant hum modulation of the signal carrier into
a-f hum.
2. Frequency variations due to the mixer
The space charge adjacent to oscillator electrodes in a converter valve can be varied
by altering the potentials on mixer electrodes. This, of course, gives rise to oscillator-
frequency variations. The mixer screen voltage is particularly important because one
of the two grids comprising the screen is adjacent to an oscillator electrode, so that it
is desirable to keep this voltage as constant as possible. This frequently necessitates
a separate decoupling resistor and capacitor for the converter screen because with a
common supply to converter and i-f amplifier screens the application of a.v.c to the
i-f amplifier (even if the converter stage is not controlled) alters the mixer screen
voltage and thus causes frequency shift. On rare occasions this shift may be used to
offset another in the opposite direction due to a different effect.
When frequency shift is troublesome it is desirable to isolate each of the causes
and determine its direction, as cancellation is sometimes possible even if a complete
cure is not.
The effects upon oscillator frequency of varying a.v.c. voltages applied to a signal-
grid electrode are more complex. With either outer-grid or inner-grid oscillator
994 (ii) SHORT WAVES 25.2
injection a space charge adjacent to the oscillator grid can be varied by altering the
direct potential applied to the signal grid. That this is not always the main source
of frequency drift can be seen in some receivers with this type of instability by measur-
ing the frequency shift for a given change in converter a.v.c. voltage with the signal
generator connected firstly to the aerial terminal and then to the converter grid. It
may be found that the frequency shift in the former case is many times that with the
signal generator connected to the converter-grid, and it may even be in the opposite
direction.
This type of instability is due to coupling between oscillator and control-grid
circuits. In Sect. l(iv)B of this chapter it is explained that at high frequencies it is
usual for oscillator voltage to appear at the signal-grid of the converter. Coupling
between signal- and oscillator-grid circuits results in some of this voltage being
returned to the oscillator circuit and, in a manner similar to the operation of a re-
actance-tube modulator, this results in a modification of the effective capacitance at
the oscillator grid. A constant variation of this capacitance would be of no signific-
ance, but any alteration of converter operating conditions which resulted in a variation
of oscillator voltage on the signal grid, e.g. the application of a.v.c. voltages, would
alter the effective reflected capacitance at the oscillator grid and thus cause oscillator
frequency shift. (Ref. 87).
With a given set of conditions the simplest method of curing this type of fre-
quency shift is usually to minimize the coupling between oscillator and signal grid
circuits. In general, coupling is capacitive, partly within the valve and partly ex-
ternal to it. In most modern valves the internal capacitance is not troublesome and
to effect a cure it may be necessary to separate short-wave aerial and oscillator coils
from each other, to separate the wiring from the two grids or from the two sections of
the gang condenser, and to use wave-change switch contacts on the opposite side of
the wafer. In the particular case of the 6BE6, it is desirable to reduce the external
capacitance between the two grids of the valve to 1 /*/xF or less.
Another possible cure for this type of frequency shift is the use of harmonic mixing,
in which the frequency difference between signal and oscillator circuits is so great
that no significant amount of oscillator frequency voltage appears on the signal grid.
3. Tuned-plate operation
Ananalysis of tuned-grid and tuned-plate oscillators (Chapter 24 Sect. 2) shows
the differences between the two types of operation: However, it is mainly because
of the structure of some types of converters that tuned-plate operation is preferable.
When the oscillator section of a converter has a common electron stream with the
mixer section, the oscillator-plate electrode is designed to modulate the electron
stream as little as possible since modulation by the oscillator plate cancels that from
the oscillator grid. It is also desirable in equipment design to keep the oscillator
plate alternating voltage as small as possible. With a tuned-grid oscillator, the plate
voltage is smaller than the grid voltage and the reverse is the case with a tuned-plate
oscillator. Accordingly, tuned-grid oscillators are always used for converters having
a common electrpn stream for the oscillator and mixer sections.
Triode-hexode and triode-heptode converters have a separate triode for use as a
local oscillator, and oscillator injection into the mixer section is carried out by a special
injector grid which is in most cases internally connected to the oscillator grid. The
capacitance and coupling effects of the injector grid are thus introduced into the
oscillator circuit, and if a tuned-grid oscillator is used they appear directly across the
tuned circuit.
However with a tuned plate oscillator these effects are coupled to the tuned circuit
from the oscillator primary winding and their effect is thus minimized. An im-
provement in oscillator frequency stability, with respect to the effect of a.v.c. applica-
tion to the signal grid, of five times has been measured with a typical triode-hexode
on converting from a tuned-grid to a tuned-plate oscillator, while frequency shift
for a given change in B supply voltage was halved under the same conditions.
4. Harmonic mixing
Many of the difficulties experienced in high-frequency applications of converters
are due to the small percentage of frequency difference between the oscillator and
25.2 (ii) SHORT WAVES 995
is shown in Fig. 25.23. This converter is very stable in operation which makes it
useful in dual-wave receivers in spite of its low conversion transconductance. It
has a high plate resistance (4 megohms) under recommended operation conditions
so that the use of a high impedance first i-f transformer is more effective in increasing
conversion gain than in the case of other converter types, for example the 6A8-G.
25.2 (iii) TYPES OF CONVERTERS 997
It is desirable not to apply a.v.c. to the 6J8-G on short waves if this is possible,
but if a.v.c. is used a tuned-plate oscillator circuit will greatly improve the frequency
stability.
(2) Types 6AE8, X79 and X61M The electrode arrangements of these triode-
:
hexodes is similar to that of Fig. 25.23 but there is no suppressor grid adjacent to the
plate. Because of this it is necessary in circuit design to avoid conditions which may
lead to secondary emission from the hexode plate to the screen.
Frequency stability with respect to B voltage variations is good, although it is de-
sirable to use plate tuning of the oscillator if a.v.c. is applied to the hexode section
on short waves. The conversion transconductances are high (approximately 750
micromhos with 2 volts bias and a screen voltage of 85) and few special precautions
are required to obtain non-critical operation and good performance on the broadcast
and short-wave bands.
OSC ANODE— SCREEN
SIG.GRID-l I
e o •
o o o o o o
o o o o o o
o o o o o o
o o o o o o
o o o o o o
e o o o o o
e o e o o o
o e o o o o
PLATE o o o I o o o
o o o o o o
o o o o o o
CATHODE-' OSC. GRID pLATE
Effect) from the plate circuit to the control grid through the relatively high (0.26 /x/*F)
plate-to-grid capacitance. This effect is normally only just noticeable but may be
aggravated by locating the 6A8-G against the back of the signal-frequency section
of the tuning condenser so that appreciable capacitance is present between the plate
of the valve and the stator assembly of the gang. The effect shows up as apparently
poor aerial coil gain so that the cause may not be suspected. It is not of course peculiar
to the 6A8-G but the already high plate-to-grid capacitance, the size of the valve and
the lack of internal or external shielding make the effect more likely to occur with this
type. The effect may be minimized by external shielding of the valve.
Part of the oscillator plate (grid 2) current is due to electrons which have passed
from the cathode through grids 1 and 3 and then been repelled by grid 4 back through
grid 3 to grid 2 again. The oscillator characteristics and thus the oscillator frequency
stability are therefore very dependent on the potentials applied to grids 2, 3 and 4 and,
for short wave operation, a.v.c. should not be applied to the valve. In addition it
may be necessary to decouple the oscillator-plate voltage supply with an electrolytic
—
capacitor and even to obtain it directly from the rectifier output suitably decoupled
—
to eliminate hum in order to avoid feeding a-f variations from the output valve back
to the oscillator plate and thus causing flutter.
To obtain consistent performance it is desirable to keep the oscillator-plate voltage
higher than the screen voltage.
OSCGRID
"1
OSCGRID I- S CREEN SIG.GRIO—
171 00600 X3, 6 6 o o o
00000
00000 OOOOO
OOOOO
OOOOO
OOOOO 00000
OOOOO
OOOOO OOOOO
OOOOO
OOOOO
OOOOO
OOOOO OOOOO
OOOOO
OOOOO
OOOOO
OOOOO
OOOOO
OOOO ou » O O O O
O
SUPPRESSOR /
OSC. PLATE
' CATHODE r SIG.GRID
PLATE CATHODE-'
PLATE
/-
\r. 1 I
I.
SHIELD
FK5.2S.5S FIG. 25. 27
of the pentagrid types 6BE6 and 6SA7(GT), Figs. 25.27, and 25.29 is that there is no
electrode which functions only as an oscillator plate.
By the omission of this electrode, it is possible to obtain a relatively high oscillator
transconductance, without greatly increasing the total cathode current.
The oscillator circuits employed with these types have certain unconventional
features and Fig. 25.28 may be taken as typical. The lack of a
separate oscillator
25.2 (iii) TYPES OF CONVERTERS 999
,4 i-f
1 \ OUT*
OUTPUT
and the oscillating voltage (E t) on the No. 1 grid are at their peak positive values.
For maximum conversion transconductance this peak value of plate current should
be as large as possible. The effect on plate current of the positive voltage on the
cathode is approximately the same as would be produced by an equal voltage of
negative sign applied to the signal grid. Hence the amplitude of oscillator voltage
on the cathode limits the peak plate current. This amplitude should therefore be
small.
During the negative portion of an oscillation cycle the cathode may swing more
negative than the signal grid. If this occurs, positive signal-grid current will now
unless the oscillator grid is sufficiently negative to cut-off the cathode current. This
signal-grid current flowing through the signal-grid circuit resistance will develop a
negative bias on the signal grid and may also cause a negative bias to be applied to the
i-f and r-f stages through the a.v.c. system. As a result, sensitivity will be decreased.
In order to prevent signal-grid current, the d.c. bias developed by the oscillator grid
should be not less than its cut-off value.
1000 (iii) TYPES OF CONVERTERS 25.2
Because the peak plate current depends on how far positive the oscillator grid
swings with respect to the cathode, it is desirable that this positive swing be as large
as possible. It follows that the oscillator grid-leak resistance should be low, but
not so low as to cause excessive damping of the tank circuit. It has been found,
for operation in frequency bands lower than approximately 6 Mc/s, that all these
requirements are generally best satisfied when the oscillator circuit is adjusted to
provide, with recommended values of plate and screen voltage, a value of E k of ap-
proximately 2 volts peak, and a d.c. oscillator-grid current of 0.5 mA
through a grid-
leak resistance of 20 000 ohms. This will give a peak positive voltage of the oscillator
grid with respect to cathode of about 4 volts
If, for manufacturing reasons, the use of a tapped coil is not desirable, a normal
primary winding can be used for the cathode connection, although it will be necessary
to reverse the connections from those for a plate-tickler oscillator. This coil arrange-
ment allows one side of the padder to be grounded.
Another method of connection which is satisfactory for the broadcast band is to use
a plate-tickler oscillator circuit with the screen electrode as the oscillator plate and the
cathode grounded. This connection can also be used on the short-wave band but
the interaction between signal and oscillator circuits causes severe pulling and other
associated troubles. Aneutralizing capacitor between signal and oscillator grids
—
will minimize these effects neutralizing is not recommended with a cathode-coupled
oscillator —and an alternative system is the use of harmonic mixing.
The arrangement of shields on grid 2 and of the siderods of grid 3 make the oscillator
much more stable with respect to electrode voltage variations
section of these types
than the 6A8-G, and it can be used satisfactorily with a.v.c. applied on short waves.
Fig. 25.31. Self-excited \R5 converter Fig. 25.32. Circuit for short-wave oper-
circuit. ation of 1/25 converter.
(4) Type 1R5 : The electrode structure of the 1R5 is similar to that of the 6BE6
and 6SA7(GT) without the shields on grid 2, and with a filament instead of the heater
and cathode. Circuits for use with the 1R5 are complicated by the lack of a separate
cathode electrode but this may be overcome by using a choke as shown in Fig. 25.31
Alternatively the choke may be omitted and a filament lead returned to A+ through
a separate winding of the same number of turns as, and wound over the tapped section
of, the oscillator coil.
However, neither of these circuits is satisfactory on short waves if the full range
—
6 to 18 Mc/s is to be covered, and even on the broadcast band there may be diffi-
culty in obtaining sufficient grid current. The circuit of Fig. 25.32, with or without
the padder feedback shown, is more suitable.
Neutralizing is desirable on short waves if conversion is carried out with the oscillator
fundamental. The neutralizing capacitor should be connected across the short-wave
coils only, because a different value is normally required on the broadcast band, and
oscillator voltage on grid 3 is usually less with no neutralizing than with the capacitance
(from 2\ to 5 jt/xF) required on short waves.
The purpose of the neutralizing capacitor in a circuit such as Fig. 25.32 is not so
much the balancing out of oscillator voltage due to the space charge in front of grid 3,
but the neutralizing of a voltage due to capacitive coupling between grid 3 and grids
2 and 4. Therefore, as previously mentioned, it is essential to reduce the oscillator
voltage on the screen to the lowest practicable value.
If there is a tendency for the 1R5 to squeg at the high-frequency end of the short-
wave band it is often possible to save the small carbon resistor in the oscillator grid
lead, which is the usual cure, by reducing the value of oscillator grid leak to say 30 000
ohms or slightly lower. This frequently increases sensitivity, other conditions being
unchanged, and it is worth trying even if there are no signs of squegging. In most
receivers the oscillator grid circuit damping caused by the low value of oscillator
grid leak or by the grid stopper is desirable to reduce the oscillator voltage on the
screen of the converter at the high-frequency end of the band with a consequent im-
provement in sensitivity.
(0 General (m) (A) Formulae and charts for superheterodyne oscillator design
(B) Worked examples (m) (A) Padded signal circuits (B) Worked example.
(i) General
The problem of tracking (whether it be in a straight or a superheterodyne receiver)
isto set, simultaneously, to some desired resonant frequency, each of a series of tuned
circuits which are mechanically coupled together and operated from a single control.
In a superheterodyne receiver the problem is one of maintaining a constant fre-
quency difference (equal to the intermediate frequency) between the signal circuits
(such as the aerial and r-f stages) and the oscillator circuit. It is a relatively simple
matter to make the difference between the signal and oscillator frequency equal to
the i-f at two points in the tuning range. This condition is called two point tracking,
and is applied whenever the error in frequency difference between the circuits does not
become a large percentage of the total pass band. Where the tuning error is likely
to become excessive, it can be reduced by the addition of another component, in the
form of a capacitor or inductor, into the oscillator or signal circuits. In this case it is
possible to proportion the circuit components so that zero frequency error exists
between the intermediate frequency and the difference between the signal and os-
cillator circuits at three frequencies in the tuning range, instead of two ; furthermore
the error at frequencies bewten the tracking points is appreciably reduced.
The most usual application of three point tracking has been in receivers covering
the standard long, medium and short wave bands, and where the tuning element is a
variable capacitor. For this reason attention will be confined to this system of tuning
and a suitable design method will be detailed. Those interested in tracking per-
meability tuned circuits are referred to the articles of Refs. 107 and 111. These
give a method of three point tracking using identical variable inductors in the signal
and oscillator circuits.
^^
.
, .
capacitance trimmers in the oscillator and signal circuits (many receiver manufacturers
also use " slug " tuning of the signal circuits).
A few points which may be of interest are :
(1) The tracking error on the broadcast bands need not exceed a few Kc/s e.g.
the error between tracking points need not exceed about 3 Kc/s on the 540-1600 Kc/s
medium wave band using tracking frequencies of 600, 1000 and 1400 Kc/s. This
error is negligible, in most cases, since the oscillator tuning takes charge and the lack
of alignment affects the aerial and r-f circuits which are relatively unselective.
A typical curve of tracking errors is shown in Fig. 25.34.
(2) High impedance primaries, on the aerial and r-f coils, are practically always
used in modern receivers covering the medium waveband. The coefficient of coup-
ling in aerial and r-f coils, and the location of the primary resonant frequencies have
very important effects on tracking. Suitable values for these factors are discussed
in Chapter 23, Sects. 2 and 3.
(3) When a series capacitance (padder) is used in the oscillator circuit only, the
operating frequency of the oscillator must be higher than the signal frequency if
three point tracking is to be secured.
Three point tracking is obtainable if both the signal and oscillator circuits use
series padders, whether the oscillator frequency is higher or lower than the signal
frequency provided, of course, that the component values are correctly proportioned.
If only the signal circuits are padded the oscillator frequency must be lower than
the signal frequency to obtain three
point tracking.
A typical example of padding of
the signal and oscillator circuits oc-
curs in band-spread receivers, where
the short wave band is covered in a
number of steps (e.g. 6 bands may be
used to tune from 6-18 Mc/s), and it
is required to have approximately
straight line frequency tuning with a
700 900 HOO 1100
standard variable capacitor (i.e one
SIGNAL FREQUENCY KC/S
whose capacitance versus rotation (B)
approximates to a straight-line fre-
Fig. 25.34. Typical tracking curves.
quency law). The tuning law need
not be linear, however, and the shape of the calibration curve is largely under the
control of the receiver designer.
quencies, and make the third point either the arithmetical-mean or geometrical-mean
of the outer frequencies. This leads to fairly simple design calculations, and gives
values for the components which are reasonably close to the optimum. The small
differences in component values required to set to the optimum tracking frequencies
(or whatever the designer chooses) can then be made experimentally. It should be
observed that it has been usual to align receivers to tracking points on various bands
which have been established by long practice as giving sufficiently satisfactory results
e.g. on the medium wave band 600, 1000 and 1400 Kc/s are in common use, but
these are a compromise, due partly to a lack of more exact knowledge, and also because
of the frequency allocations of the main broadcasting stations. If a station were to be
located at, say, 540 Kc/s then the loss in receiver sensitivity, due to mistracking,
would be serious if 600 Kc/s were to be taken as the low frequency tracking point.
(7) The feedback winding on the oscillator coil should be as small as possible,
consistent with correct oscillator operation, if good tracking is desired. For minimum
error the oscillator feedback winding should have its natural resonant frequency
well above the highest oscillator tuning frequency ; this means that stray capacitances
across the winding should be kept as low as possible. The natural resonant frequency
isimportant because the coefficient of coupling between the two oscillator coil wind-
ings is usually large, and the amount of reactance reflected into the tuned circuit not
only varies with frequency, but also sets a limit to the maximum possible tuning
range. The limitation in tuning range is a particularly serious factor in receivers
covering the short wave range in one band.
An additional and important reason for making the feedback winding as small as
possible, is that for good oscillator stability the highest possible coefficient of coupling
should be used, consistent with the smallest possible value of mutual inductance
(M = kVLjZ).
(8) When tracking a superheterodyne receiver at three points in the tuning range
(we will assume that the oscillator frequency is higher than the signal frequency)
it often happens that the centre tracking (crossover) frequency does not fall at the
frequency required. The question then arises as to how the oscillator series padder
value should be altered.
First the signal circuit trimmer capacitance (or inductance) is altered so as to give
maximum output. If the capacitance was increased then the oscillator series padder
should be increased. For a decrease in signal trimmer capacitance (or inductance)
the oscillator series padder should be decreased.
Complete re-alignment and re-checking is necessary after the padder value has
been altered and it is important to remember that the oscillator inductance and trim-
mer capacitance values will also require alteration. This is a simple process when the
oscillator coil is " slug " tuned, and the trimmer capacitance is adjustable.
Fig. 25.34 is also helpful in this regard, and the tracking error can be considered
in terms of L if so desired. It should be clear that if the value of L is increased
the padder value should be decreased (and vice versa) to retain the desired oscillator
frequency coverage.
A good alignment procedure is to set first the signal and oscillator circuits at the
band limits. Tracking is then obtained at the required points by setting the signal
generator to the required tracking frequency and rocking the receiver dial while
altering the oscillator trimmer capacitance (at the high frequency tracking point)
and the oscillator inductance (at the low frequency tracking point) until maximum
signal output is obtained. Tracking at the centre frequency can be checked either
by alteration of the signal circuit trimmers, which have not been altered after the
initial adjustment at the band limits, or, alternatively, by leaving the signal circuit
trimmers untouched and rocking the receiver dial while adjusting the oscillator
inductance (or capacitance) for maximum output. It is preferable to track the os-
cillator to the signal circuits since these give the required tuning law. A
complete
re-check is always necessary after the initial alignment procedure is completed Of
course correct tracking can be obtained by a number of methods, but the procedure
suggested above has proved very satisfactory for receiver development.
25.3 (ii) (A) FORMULAE AND CHARTS 1005
1.4
\ff
1.3
0.6
1.2
**
1.1
\.<_
0.5 1.0
\^
4
N? $0
0.8 S
X^
1.0 1 1 1.2 13 14 I 5
Cj
^S*»£» y'= a
3
^
Sv
*
"^**«2
C^v
2
£6
££-.
£Ll*o
16 1.8 2.8 3
FIG. 25.35
— :
-^-e -^ II
,3
y 3 A
1008 (ii) (A) FORMULAE AND CHARTS 25.3
7
I
1 /
--UU
--tJtt
:
/ / ----l-U-U
- V till
/ / ij '
ntm US
44-Uit
S/*//'
^/S JMitt
7 t'lt
•ft/
\ s
HO
7
' i-rtliTl
i i / / /
-I °
«,
/ / 7 -7 / / /
h
t f :TT«nht «a.
-I
f
i
'
1
Ilk ' J / /
1 "A '/
**
ftyiit!~ •J?
7 l t//p7f
J
6
/ ^Tf/sf/
-A /
22/ ///}/ 01
•&
/ / «
7
/y
j/--^-
's''^^^ //'' II
5^
llll^**
^ _ 2 u- co ^ — S— ' ±- — -1— -^ - ..
. «
l
(ix)
25.3 (ii) (A) FORMULAE AND CHARTS 1009
8
ii
7 /
,
/
4'// a
s
E
. 1 /'/
i
L /
II
T--L l—l- -J
1 1 1/ , .2
/////
i
'///// s
t /
*> y i ^
ft.
%/2Z.
y
//^/-^
iis^^
» /
"1 + <»t fx + /,
Y =
»i fx
L,L = signal and
oscillator inductances
G max = incremental capacitance of each section of the ganged capacitors (i.e.
difference between the maximum and minimum values of the capacitor)
T — capacitance in signal circuit at signal frequency 2 (includes gang min.
cap.)
TL = fixed capacitance in parallel with L
Te — fixed capacitance in parallel with G in the oscillator-circuit
P = oscillator padding capacitance.
When the extreme tracking points do not coincide with the band limits, the follow-
ing additional notation is required.
«i' =2ir x low-frequency limit of signal band (/,')
a*,' = 2n x high-frequency limit of signal band
(/2 ')
' _ f!!L__ II.
«i' fx
G' max = total incremental capacitance of each section of the ganged capacitors
between signal frequencies fx ' and /,'
T' — T less the incremental capacitance of each section of the ganged tuning
capacitors between signal frequencies/, and/2 '
T/ = T e less the incremental capacitance of each section of the ganged tuning
capacitors between signal frequencies ft and /2 '.
Signal circuits :
L =
1 ,
Lr =
25 330 „
T(a 2
(or fiYL where T is in nnF and / is in Mc/s)
Oscillator circuit :
*-* max
T e
2(« - jS)
1 + - l)(a~+
(ff y)
and
"2(a - /3)"
(j3 - 1X1 + y)
1 +
For the case of arithmetical-mean tracking
(. . fx + fi\
r _
~ _ ^ 3 + a 1 -f- 3 /?
p ~ p '
3 + p
'
1 + 3*
__
For geometrical-mean tracking (i.e. /3 - \ /,/,)
i —
r = p = ?! 2/3 + (1 + j3)«t
(2) 7L given.
¥0 V T
p __ - mm/ .
s mt'n
/•» *i j
- P min '
•* e
== •* max * == * min T" » * •
e
L
error in T e is given by _- -. x 100 per cent.
* X 1 e
(b) Formulae for inductance of oscillator coil
,
* mln* max *
L (o>, + o>,)» - (^ LX
)
«
1
Y"max -
T e
max
P*
25 330 x P mtnP max
or L =
T.
mm PKf* + /.)'
••min * e
max
(d) Relations between oscillator-circuit components.
The effect of a change in value of one component of the oscillator circuit on the
values required for the other components can be found from the following expressions :
87\ = - 8P
BL a = -^ 8P
where 8L n > means a small change in L , etc. These changes must give values
etc.
of P, T'„ etc. which lie between the limits of the maximum and minimum values
(Pjr,ax> Pmin) etc.) of the components considered.
(e) Auxiliary formulae when the outer tracking frequencies do not coincide with
the band limits
/«A- «» - l .
7"
7" \to 2 /
\COo
7\ - 77 = T — T
(B) Worked examples
To illustrate the application of the equations and charts, worked examples are
appended.
A tuning capacitor is available having a capacitance range of 12-432 /*/iF. It is
required to tune over the range of frequencies 530 to 1620 Kc/s, and the i-f of the
receiver is 455 Kc/s. Determine the component values foi the signal and oscillator
circuits.
1012 (ii) (B) WORKED EXAMPLES 25.3
For ease of working the outer tracking frequencies will be made coincident with
the band limits, and the third tracking frequency (/3) will be taken as the geometrical-
mean of the outer frequencies ('s/fift = 926.6 Kc/s).
Signal circuits
G mox = 432 - 12 = 420 j^F
/1620 V «•**
"'
-Uo) =
420
T = qoao _ = 50.24 npF (includes 12 nftF gang min. cap. so that
V.MZ l
actual trimmer would be 38.24 /*/*F)
L =
50.24
—X—
25 330
1.62 8
= uH
192.2 /M1
*
Oscillator circuit
p "
1620 + 455
mo-T^s- 2 107 4 440 - ^^ - '
(1 + /3)a* = 5.431
r =
_ 9.342 T(2 X 2.107) + 5.431 ]
r,
4.44 L(2 x 3.056) + 5.431 J
432—12 =
i> " °* = 554 F
1 758 — 1
, / *'*
(432 - 12) £ „ _
T "ma* = _--. ... = 61.7 iiur
,
^
(1.758 X 4.44) — 1
e ., rf .
(a) A value for TL (about 8 /ijtF) will be assumed, after preliminary calculation,
as this is the usual case.
As obviously TL •< P (Compare 8 /*/*F with P mas)
Pmin = Pmmm ~ T,^ = 492.3 liflF
TLT max =
554 x 61.7°*
TK^i
492.3
— = ^
69.42
M/s
^
nfjiF.
From this it is permissible to estimate TL as 8 ppF since this is about the order
of stray capacitances likely to be across L . Any small error here is unimportant, as
long as the value chosen for T r is less than TL since this is taken up during circuit
alignment.
Hence P= 492.3 + 8 = 500.3 /i/xF
Te — 61.7 — 8 = 53.7 /z/*F (includes gang min. cap. of 12 nfiF.
Actual trimmer would be 41.7 nfiF)
25 330 x 492.3 x 554 _
(b) Lo ~ ~ 103 9
* mH
61.7 X 500.3* X (1.62 + 0.455)*
(c)and (d)
Suppose now that it is required to make a change in the value of one of the oscillator
components. What should be the new values of the other components ?
A good example is the padder ; a more suitable value may be 510 /x/iF (which lies
between the maximum and niinimum values of 554 /x/*F and 492.3 /*/xF).
Then
8T C = -9.7 w¥
8T <- -0 + !<£r) 97 -
= 10 ^F
1 x 103.9 X 9.7 AM „
8L ° " " 5003 = - 403 "H "
So that the new values for the oscillator components are.P = 510 /z/*F
T = e 53.7 - 9.7 =
44 fifiF
T, = 8 + 10 =18 w¥
25.3 (ii) (B) WORKED EXAMPLES 1013
1620 + 455
' 530 " + 455 - 2
107 -
T
= 0.15; therefore 7% = 63 nnF
"wait
•* min
** mam
1.2, therefore P min = 504 wF
-p^^- =
G max 0.17, therefore T,L
™* = 71 wF
P«„* = 504 + 63 = 567 fifiF
Using T L = 8 lifiF (as previously)
P = 504 + 8 = 512 fifiF
T = e 63 - 8 = 55 (ifiF
(b) L ° =
25 330 x 504 X 567
63 x 512* x (1.62 + 0.455)*
_
~ 1U2 ^
(c) and (d) Any circuit component changes are made exactly as before.
Suitable practical values are then selected after allowing for strays.
The design problem is to select values for the padder P and the two trimming capaci-
tances TL and 7% such that simultaneously the following conditions are fulfilled :
To simplify notation the virtual pilot circuit takes the same form as the original
signal circuitshown in Fig. 25.33 and the same notation is retained, for both the padded
signal and oscillator circuits, as was previously used for the oscillator circuit alone.
The design equations are limited to the cases of arithmetical-mean and geometrical-
mean tracking. Charts are available (in Ref. 103) covering the arithmetical-mean
case.
Summary of formulae
Pilot circuit
^ max
T = - 1
aa
(?)' - 1 + (a* - 1)
Padded circuit
°
P + T = e
-
r 1
rp "mat
c
max pfl 2 — 1
rvXmaas
T
max r()8
2 — 1)
* ~r" » c
= * max == "min "T J <
max
where r is limited to the values given by p and R.
Te specified :
P
* — P
* max — T •* c
_ P
Pmin ma "
where P is first evaluated.
TL specified :
p mm .
p =
•*
+
2 [»
V' Pmin
Pmin
Te = T
A - TL
c
max
.
P
whereP is first evaluated.
When TL <P
T = T man e t
P = P« n + T ii r
z
*>c'
G + T
C •=
pi
—
*p min
•
" i
p
"max
c
max
(effective capacitance across inductance).
Inductance
max
1 P min
1 + G
i-0
( Wl + <u,y p*
j
t
_i_
c
mast
g~7
P (G + P max
or for numerical computation
.
Lr —
25 33
rz.
(ft
—+ fi)*P\G
;
min
...p.,,,
max
max +—=;
;
T max/
e
)
circuit. For a padded oscillator circuit replace (wi cu,)by(a>i. -f- a>f a><). The + ±
value for P
is derived from the appropriate equation according as to whether 7% or
TL is specified.
For an unpadded signal circuit
« 2 wi 8 mat G
The notation is identical with that given previously, with the addition of
to =
2ir x any frequency in the tuning range
&>! =
2n x low frequency tracking point of pilot circuit
to t =
2n x high frequency tracking point of pilot circuit
tog =
arithmetical- or geometrical-mean tracking point of pilot circuit
a>, =
2?r x true intermediate frequency of receiver
uij =
2w x virtual intermediate frequency for the combination of a padded
signal circuit with a virtual pilot circuit
a = —
«i
=—
/i
== frequency ratio of pilot circuit
(B)Worked example
The method will be applied to the design of a receiver tuning from 6 to 9 Mc/s,
using an i-f of 455 Kc/s, with a capacitor having a straight line frequency characteristic
and a capacitance range of 12-432 /n/xF. Arithmetical-mean tracking will be used.
Pilot circuit
For the pilot circuit assume that the required scale calibration is given by
a 2 =(A sufficient range of values for most receiver calibration curves
•
1.552
r ~ P =*
+ (3 x 2)
2.25
'
3 + 1.5
'
"l
432 - 12
p«.x = p + t = j~^2~zr^ = 760 8 ^ F c
432 — 12
T >~. = 301 7 F ^
x 2.25) - 1 =
-
( 1.552
432 - 12 _
T' mar = 1.552(2.25 - 1) = 2165 F rtlie
^
1016 (iii) (B) WORKED EXAMPLE 25.3
=* 760.8
Pmtn 301.7 459.1- = /x MF
Take the case where Tt is specified. Draw up a table of component values, and
select the most suitable.
T e TL P L
50 710.8
100 660.8
150 610.8
200 560.8
250 57.53 510.8 2.024
300 460.8
From this it seems that a convenient padder value is 510.8 ppF. Then find L T
and Lto complete the table. If the values so found, using the first selection for P,
are considered as being suitable, only those need be computed.
510.8
T = r 2^rr
459.1
[301.7 - 250] = 57.3 ft/*F
= = 4 3 + 2 1 + (3 X 1.464)
=
r p
P 1.609
2.145 3 + 1.464 1 + (3 x 2)
432 - 12
P max —
* = - =- 689.6 ji/iF
1.609 1
432 - 12
= 171.4 fi(iF
(1.609 X 2.145) 1
432 - 12
- = 228 puF
1.609 (2.145 1)
Pmin 689.6 =
171.4 -
518.2 ftfiF. =
Take the case, this time, where T L is specified and draw up a table of component
values. TL is not necessarily very much smaller than P.
T.L T e P L
50 564.1
100 85.6 604 1.619
150 639.7
200 1072
25.3 (iii) (B) WORKED EXAMPLE 1017
SECTION 4 REFERENCES:
1. Armstrong, B. H. " System of Short-Wave Amplification " Proc. I.R.E. 9.1 (Feb. 1921) 3.
A New
2. German Patent No. 324, 515.1918.
3. J. Scott-Taggart, German Patent No. 383,449.1919.
4. de Mare, J..R. Barthelemy, H. de Bellescize and L. Levy " Use of double-grid valves in frequency-
changing circuits " L'Onde Electrique 5 (April 1926) 150.
5. " A
four-electrode valve supersonic circuit Experimental Wireless, 3.37 (Oct. 1926) 650.
6. Barthelemy, R. " Valve frequency-changers " Rev. Gen. d'Elec. 19 (April 1926) 663.
7. See also
: M. Gausner, French Patent No. 639,028 : G. Thebault, French Patent 655,738 :
1,931,338.
R.D.H
1018 REFERENCES 25.4
30. Freeman, R. L. " Use of feedback to compensate for vacuum-tube input-capacitance variations
with grid bias " Proc. I.R.E. 26.11 (Nov. 1938) 1360.
32. Bakker, C. J. and G. de Vries " Amplification of small alternating tensions by an inductive action
of the electrons in a radio valve " Physica 1 (Oct. 1934) 1045.
33. Nicolson, A. M. United States Patent No. 1,255,211 (applied for in 1915).
34. Strutt, M. J. O. " Frequency changers in all-wave receivers " W.E. 14.163 (April 1937) 184.
35. Herold, E. W. " Frequency changers in all-wave receivers " (Letter to Editor) W.E. 14.168 (Sept.
1937) 488.
36. Herold, E. W. United States Patent No. 2,141,750.
37. Llewellyn, F. B. " Phase angle of vacuum tube transconductance at very high frequencies " Proc
I.R.E. 22.8 (Aug. 1934) 947.
38. Strutt, M. J. O. "Frequency changers in all-wave receivers" (Letter to Editor) W.E. 14.170
(Nov. 1937) 606.
40. Herold, E. W. United States Patent No. 2,066,038.
41. Steimel, K. " The influence of inertia and transit time of electrons in broadcast receiving tubes "
Telefunken-Rohre 5 (Nov. 1935) 213.
42. Knol, K. S., M. J. O. Strutt and A.. van der Ziel " Onthe motion of electrons in an alternating
" Physica 5 (May 1938) 325.
electric field
43. Strutt, M. O. and A. van der Ziel " Dynamic measurements of electron motion in multigrid
J.
tubes " Elek. Nach. Tech. 15 (Sept. 1938) 277.
45. Jonker, J. L. H. and A. J. W. M. van Overbeek " A new converter valve " W.E. 15.179 (August
1938) 423.
48. Strutt, M. J. O: and A. van der Ziel " The causes for the increase of admittances of modern high-
frequency amplifier tubes on short waves " Proc. I.R.E. 26.8 (Aug. 1938) 1011.
49. An excellent historical summary of this work is found in W. E. Benham's " A contribution to tube
and amplifier theory " Proc. I.R.E. 26.7 (July 1935) 683.
50. Bakker, C. H. and C. de Vries " On vacuum tube electronics " Physica 2 (July 1935) 683.
51. Rothe, H. " The operation of electron tubes at high frequencies " Telefunken-Rohre 9 (April
1937) 33 : Proc. I.R.E. 28.7 (July 1940) 325.
52. Runge, I. " Transit-time effects in electron rubes " Zeit fur Tech. Phys. 18 (1937) 438.
53. Runge, I. " Multigrid tubes at high frequencies •" Telefunken-Rohre 10 (Aug. 1937) 128.
54. Peterson, L. C. " Impedance properties of electron streams " B.S.T.J. 18.7 (July 1939) 465.
55. Strutt, M. J. O. " On conversion detectors " Proc. I.R.E. 22.8 (Aug. 1934) 981.
56. Howe, G. W. O. " Second channel and' harmonic reception in superheterodynes " W.E. 11.132
(Sept. 1934) 461.
57. Wey, R. J. " Heptode frequency changers" W.E. 11.135 (Dec. 1934) 642.
58. Strutt, M. J. O. "Mixing valves" W.E. 12.137 (Feb. 1935) 59.
59. Stewart, J. " The operation of superheterodyne first detector valves " J.I.E.E. 76 (Feb. 1935) 227.
60. Strutt, M. J. O. " Whistling notes in superheterodyne receivers " W.E. 12.139 (April 1935) 194.
61. Strutt, M. J. O. " Diode frequency changers " W.E. 13.149 (Feb. 1936) 73.
62. Bell, D. A. " The diode as rectifier and frequency changer " W.E. 18.217 (Oct. 1941) 395.
63. Mitchell, C. J. " Heterodyning and modulation : do additive and multiplicative mixing amount
to the same thing?" W.W. 53.10 (Oct. 1947) 359.
64. Whitehead, J. W. "Additive and multiplicative mixing" W.W. 53.12 (Dec. 1947) 486.
65. Strutt, M. J. O. " Noise figure reduction in mixer stages " Proc. I.R.E. 34.12 (Dec. 1946) 942.
66. Jonker, J. L. H. and A. J. W. M. van Overbeek " A new frequency-changing valve " Philips Tec.
Rev. 3.9 (Sept. 1938) 266.
67. " Application Note on Operation of the 6SA7 " R.C.A. Manufacturing Company, Inc. Radiotron
Division, Application Note No. 100 (Dec. 2, 1938).
68. " Characteristics of pentodes and triodes in mixer service " Radio Corporation of America, Tube
Dept. Application Note 139 (March 15, 1949).
69. Goddard, N. E. " Contour analysis of mixer valves " W.E. 26.314 (Nov. 1949) 350.
70. Herold, E. W. and L. Maker " Some aspects of radio reception at ultra-high frequency " Proc.
I.R.E. 31.10 (Oct. 1943) 567.
71. Tapp, C. E. " The application of super-regeneration to F-M receiver design " Proc. I.R.E. (Aust.)
8.4 (April 1947) 4.
72. " Use of the 6BA6 and 6BE6 miniature tubes in F-M receivers " Radio Corporation of America,
Tube Dept., Application Note 121. Reprinted Radiotronics 129 (Jan. 1948) 15.
73. Gladwin, A. S. " Oscillation amplitude in simple valve oscillators " Part 1, W.E. 26.308 (May 1949)
159 ; Part 2 (contains section on squegging) W.E. 26.309 (June 1949) 201.
74. Stockman, H. " Frequency conversion circuit development " Comm. (Part 1) 25.4 (April 1945)
46 ; (Part 2) 25.5 (May 1945) 58.
75. Bedford, L. H. " The impulsive theory of the hexode frequency changer " W.E. 15.182 (Nov.
1938) 596.
76. " Compensation of frequency drift" (Particular reference to use of 6BE6 at 110 Mc/s) Radio
Corporation of America," Tube Dept., Application Note AN- 122. Reprinted Radiotronics 130
(March 1948) 36.
77. " Receiver microphonics caused by heater-cathode capacitance variations " Particular reference
to use of 6BE6 in F-M
band, Radio Corporation of America, Tube Dept., Application Note AN-
123. Reprinted Radiotronics 130 (March 1948) 38.
78. Sturley, K. R. " Radio Receiver Design " Part 1 (Chapman and Hall, 1943).
79. Zepler, E. E. " The Technique of Radio Design " (Chapman and Hall, 2nd edit. 1949) 151.
80. —
Erskine-Maconochie, H. C. C. " Regeneration in the Superheterodyne where and how it may
be applied " W.W. 45.4 (July 27, 1939) 77.
81. Lukacs, E., and J. A. Sargrove (1) " Frequency changing problems : further development in mixer
"
valves " W.W. 44.4 (Jan. 26, 1939) 81. (2) " Frequency changing problems : The latest octodes
W.W. 44.5 (Feb. 2, 1939) 119.
82. Cocking, W. T. "Short-wave oscillator problems: avoiding parasitic oscillation " W.W. 44.6
'
85.
(March 30, 1939) 295. mm ,„,_„,
" The modern receiver stage by stage : (iv) The frequency changer " W.W. 44.12 (March 23,
1939) 281.
86. Aske, V. H. " Gain-doubling frequency converters " Elect. 24.1 (Jan. 1951) 92.
25.4 REFERENCES 1019
87. Dammen, B. G., J. Otte " Comments on interelectrode feedback in frequency changers " Philips
Tec. Com. No. 5 (1950) 13 ; No. 6 (1950) 11 ; reprinted from Philips Electronic Application
Bulletin 11, 3 (March 1950).
101. Green, A. L. " Superheterodyne tracking charts " A.W.A. Tec. Rev. 5.3 (Feb. 1941) 77, Reprinted
W.E. 19.225 (June 1942) 243. (Introductory, gives extensive bibliography).
102. Payne-Scott, Ruby, and Green, A. L. " Superheterodyne tracking charts —II " A.W.A. Tec. Rev.
5.6 (Dec. 1941) 251. Reprinted W.E. 19.226 (July 1942) 290 (Derives general design equations and
arithmetical-mean tracking charts).
103. Green, A. L. " Superheterodyne tracking charts III " A.W.A. Tec. Rev. 6.2 (Feb. 1943) 97 :
Reprinted W.E. 20.243 (Dec. 1943) 581 (Padded signal circuits and design charts).
104. Green, A. L. " Superheterodyne tracking charts— IV " A.W.A. Tec. Rev. 6.7 (July 1945) 423
(additional data on padded signal circuit but mainly confined to tracking JZ-C oscillators).
105. —
Green, A. L. " Superheterodyne tracking charts V " A.W.A. Tec. Rev. 7.3 (April 1947) 295
(Tracking errors and design charts for geometrical-mean tracking).
106. Ross, H. A. and Miller P. M. " Measurement of Superheterodyne Tracking Errors " A.W.A. Tec.
Rev. 7.3 (April 1947) 323 (Experimental method of checking magnitude and distribution of tracking
errors).
107. Simon, A. W. " Tracking permeability tuned circuits " Elect. 19.9 (Sept. 1946) 138 (Method of
tracking identical inductors in signal and oscillator circuits).
108. Sowerby, A. L. " Ganging and tuning controls of a superheterodyne receiver " W.E. 9.101 (Feb.
1932) 70.
109. Cocking, W. T. " Wireless Servicing Manual " Text book (6th edit. 1944) Dine and Sons, London
(Gives general information on practical alignment of receivers etc.).
110. Sandel, B. "Tracking" Radiotronics- No. 121 Sept.-Oct. 1946 page 101 (Gives practical design
details for typical receiver using arithmetical mean tracking. Method based on that of Payne-
Scott and Green (1941).
111. Yu, Y. P. " Superheterodyne tracking charts " Tele. Tech. 6.9 (Sept. 1947) 46. (Tracking Charts
for permeability and capacitively tuned circuits).
112. Simon, A. W. " Tracking the permeability-tuned circuits "Elect. 20.11 (Nov. 1947) 142. (Method
of neutralizing effect of loop antenna reactance on tracking).
113. Simon, A. W. " Three point tracking method " Radio 30.11 (Nov. 1946) 20 (Simplified eqns. for
inductance or capacitance tuning ; broadcast band only).
114. Menzies, E. B. " Method of plotting tracking error " Elect. 20.1 (Jan. 1947) 128.
115. Strutt, M. J. O. " Noise-figure reduction in mixer stages " Proc. I.R.E. 34.12 (Dec. 1946) 942.
116. Stolze, W. J. "Input circuit noise calculations for F-M and television receivers" Comm. 27.2
(Feb. 1947) 12.
117. Strutt, M. J. O. " Properties of gain and noise figures at v.h.f. and u.h.f." Philips Tec. Com. 3
(March 1947) 3. Precis by E. G. Beard, Philips Tec. Com. 3 (March 1947) 17.
118. Miller, P. H. " Noise spectrum of crystal rectifiers " Proc. I.R.E. 35.3 (March 1947) 252.
119. Roberts, S. " Some considerations governing noise measurements on crystal mixers " Proc. I.R.E.
35.3 (March 1947) 257.
120. Tapp, C. E. " The application of super-regeneration to frequency-modulation receiver design "
Proc. I.R.E. (Australia) 8.4 (April 1947) 4.
121. Fairman, H. E. "Oscillator tracking methods in permeability tuning" Tele-Tech. 6.3 (March
1947) 48.
122. Middleton, D. " Detector noise " (review of article in Journal of Applied Physics, Oct. 1946)
Radio 31.1 (Jan. 1947) 4.
123. Kirkpatrick, C. B. " Three point tracking formulae " Proc. I.R.E. (Aust.) 8.7 (July 1947) 18.
124. Mueller, W. P. (extract) " H.F. Conversion with the 7F8 " Service 16.5 (May 1947) 28.
125. Edwards, C. F. " Microwave converters " Proc. I.R.E. 35.11 (Nov. 1947) 1181.
126. Whitehead, J. W. " Additive and multiplicative mixing " W.W. 53.121 (Dec. 1947) 486.
127. Stockman, H. " Superregenerative circuit applications " Elect. 21.2 (Feb. 1948) 81.
129. Haantjes, J. and B. D. H. Tellegen " The diode as converter and as detector " Philips Research
Reports, 2.6 (Dec. 1947) 401.
130. Bradley, W. E. " Superregenerative detection theory " Elect. 21.9 (Sept. 1948) 96.
131. Hazeltme, A., D. Richman and B. D. Loughlin " Superregenerator design " Elect. 21.9 (Sept.
1948) 99.
133. "Characteristics of pentodes and triodes in mixer service" R.C.A. Application Note AN-139
(March 15, 1949).
134. Coppin, K. J. " The tracking of superheterodyne receivers " Jour. Brit. I.R.E. 7.6 (Nov.-Dec.
1948) 265.
135. de Koe, H. S. " Tracking of superheterodyne receivers " W.E. 28.337 (Oct. 1951) 305.
136. Dammers, B. G., and L. J. Cock " Comments on frequency changers for 30 Mc/s to 120 Mc/s
for T.V. and F.M. receivers " Philips Tec. Com. Nos. 5,6,7 (1951). Reprinted from Electronic
Application Bulletin June/July 1950, Vol. 11 Nos. 6,7.
CHAPTER 26
1020
26.1 (ii) COMMONLY ACCEPTED INTERMEDIATE FREQUENCIES 1021
coupling small as it alters the symmetry of the overall response curve of frequency
versus attenuation.
Common values of capacitance tuning the primary and secondary windings in
commercial transformers are from about 50 /*/*F to 120 j*j*F to which must be added
valve and circuit stray capacitances. Values as high as 800 nfiF are used in special
circumstances, however. This point will receive further discussion in Section 7 of
this chapter. Unloaded values for the primary and secondary Q's are from about
70 to 130. The transformer windings are in most cases coupled from 0.8 of critical
to critical. The amount of coupling when the transformer is wired into the receiver
is the important factor as stray coupling (including regeneration and alteration of
tuning slug positions) will often alter any value of k or conditions for critical k measured
external to the receiver.
It should be noted particularly that the second i-f transformer usually feeds into a
diode detector and this will appreciably affect the selectivity and gain of the preceding
stage because of the loading across the transformer secondary. This loading is com-
monly taken as half the d.c. diode load resistance, which in most cases does not exceed
0.5 megohm because of the detector circuit requirements. If improved selectivity
is required then the secondary of the i-f transformer may be tapped and the diode
circuit fed from this tapping point to reduce loading on the tuned circuit ; but this
generally involves a loss in stage gain.
For small battery receivers of the portable type it may be advantageous to employ
three i-f transformers (i.e. two stages) rather than a r-f stage and one i-f stage. Al-
though there is some reduction in signal-to-noise ratio with this arrangement, ad-
ditional gain is often the main requirement. Further, it is possible to operate the
two i-f valves in a very economical condition, e.g. by using reduced screen voltage,
as the full gain available can seldom be utilized without difficulties arising from in-
stability. The Q's of the i-f's need not be more than 60 or 70 with this arrangement
as the selectivity is more than adequate for ordinary reception.
With receivers using higher intermediate frequencies at least two stages (three
transformers) are often required to give improved selectivity. Another important
consideration, however, is that the dynamic impedance of the load presented by the
transformer to the valve is lower, and stage gain is decreased. Valves used in the
i-f stages of receivers having a high value of i-f generally have a mutual conductance
1022 NUMBER OF STAGES 26.2
properties. Of course, almost any type of coupling can be used in i-f circuits but
transformers other than those using two windings coupled by mutual inductance are
the exception rather than the rule in ordinary broadcast and communications receivers.
ances respectively. The two windings are coupled together by mutual inductance.
The total capacitances tuning the circuits are due to valve input and output, wiring
and coil capacitances as well as x and 2 . C C
The transformer is set to the required i-f by using powdered iron " slugs " which
are moved inside the primary and secondary windings to vary the inductance values.
Variable capacitance trimmers are often used as an alternative, and in some cases this
may be advantageous since the inductance values can be pre-set fairly accurately and
the capacitance, which is not known accurately because of additional strays, can be
set to give the required resonant frequency j this arrangement also allows close control
on the coefficient of coupling. However, capacitance trimmers are not always com-
pletely reliable and it is often of greater practical convenience to use variable iron cores
in transformer windings. Further, the fixed capacitors C
x and C« can be of high
quality (e.g. silvered mica) to improve the circuit stability.
t
AV.C
BIAS
TYPICAL TRANSFORMER COUPLED FIG. 262 SHUNT CAPACITANCE COUPLED UF. CIRCUIT
I.F. STAGE
The type of circuit being considered is discussed also in Chapter 9 Sect. 6(iii),
(iv), (v).Graphical methods of determining selectivity are given in Chapter 9 Sect. 10.
Section 4 below gives detailed design methods and examples for several trans-
formers of this type.
^JJ_ I
\~J L 9 etc. and the 455 Kc/s transformers by L lt t etc. C
When the carrier output from the converter stage is
10.7 Mc/s, the primary and secondary circuits of
the 455 Kc/s i-f act as capacitances which allow the
lower ends of the 10.7 Mc/s i-f to be effectively
earthed. At 455 Kc/s the 10.7 Mc/s i-f transformer
tuned circuits act as inductances in series with the
transformers in use. The effective inductance, in
with the 455 Kc/s transformer, tends to offset
series
FIC.26* ARRANGEMENT FOR F-M AND
A-M I-F STAGE
anydue to the voltage drop across it be-
loss in gain
cause it reduces the loading on the valve input
circuit. Any possible loss in gain is not important, however, as the g m of the amplifier
valves is about 4000 micromhos, and there are usually two i-f stages. The problem
is generally one of getting rid of excess gain on the lower frequency channel j it is
for this reason that very low L/C ratios are used in the 455 Kc/s i-f transformers,
in receivers for this purpose, and the primary and secondary capacitances are often
of the order of 750 nviF. This system of gain reduction is sometimes preferred to
tapping down on 455 Kc/s i-f transformers using the more conventional component
values as discussed in Sect. 2.
In receivers using a common converter, for F-M and A-M, it is usual to short out
whichever transformer is not in use. It is not considered necessary, in most cases,
to use switching with all i-f stages. Receivers adopting the method of using separate
converters for improved oscillator stability on the v-h-f band, and a common i-f
channel, do not require any switching in the i-f amplifier ; the converter not in use
having the high tension removed. Switching of detector circuits is also unnecessary ;
the last 455 Kc/s A-M transformer can be connected directly to a diode in the first
a-f voltage amplifier valve, and a separate double diode, connected to the discriminator
transformer, is used for detection in the F-M channel after F-M to A-M conversion
has been carried out. Some valves, such as type 6T8, incorporate three diodes, a
triode, and two separate cathodes, and so will allow all the detection and first a-f
voltage amplification functions to be performed with one valve without switching
being required. An alternative arrangement, common in receivers using ratio de-
tectors, is to use the grid-cathode circuit of the last i-f valve (the driver stage) as a
diode for A-M
detection. When the receiver has a.v.c. applied to the driver stage, it
is possible to select suitable values for the a.v.c. load resistor and the i-f by-pass
capacitor to provide a satisfactory R-C combination for detection. A-M
The two may have all the windings in one can, or two cans may be
transformers
used for each i-f, one for the 10.7 Mc/s i-f, and the other for the 455 Kc/s i-f. This
latter arrangement has the advantage that it reduces interaction between the windings,
26.3 (iii) COMPOSITE I-F TRANSFORMERS 1025
and also permits both transformers to be " slug " tuned without using elaborate
mechanical arrangements. In some cases where the transformers are both mounted
in one can, combinations of " slug " and capacitance adjustment are provided ; an
example of this is illustrated in Ref 12.
Many arrangements have been suggested for combined i-f transformers, and some
of these are described in Ref. 22. However, the circuit shown, or modifications of
it, has received fairly wide acceptance as providing quite a good solution to the pro-
blem.
(i)General
The design procedure for i-f transformers can be greatly simplified by the use of
charts and tables. If certain assumptions are made, which approximate to practical
conditions, the design procedure can be reduced to a few routine operations. Here
we will consider only the two winding transformer using mutual inductance coupling ;
the added capacitance coupling, which is always present, does not seriously affect the
results particularly as its presence is taken into account when setting the coefficient
of coupling (k).
The methods given below can be applied to inductive or capacitive coupling pro-
vided that the coefficient of coupling (k) is suitably interpreted [see appendix (vii)
below for methods of calculating coupling coefficients]. The practical two winding
transformer, as previously mentioned, has mixed coupling but this does not cause any
difficulty when the two forms of coupling assist each other [suitable connections
are
given in (vi) below]. However, if the two forms of coupling are in opposition a
rejection frequency is possible which can occur within the pass band of the trans-
former. This effect is well known to receiver designers who have accidentally re-
versed the connections of one of the i-f transformer windings, and found that the i-f
stage gives practically no gain. This fact can also be made the basis of a useful
method
for measuring k, the capacitive coupling being increased (using a calibrated capacitor)
until it equals the inductive coupling and zero voltage transfer then occurs
at the
working frequency. For further data on mixed coupling see Ref. 4.
The initial assumptions will be that the primary and secondary inductances L
x
and L, are given by L = y/LJ^.
Also, it will be assumed that the values of do notQ
alter appreciably over the range in which the selectivity curves
are taken. willWe
not always take the primary and secondary Q's as being equal, and the advantages
1026 DESIGN METHODS—(i) GENERAL 26.4
tobe gained will become clear as we proceed. The magnification factor, or Q, will
be defined as
Q = VQ1Q2
and provided the ratio of Q1/Q2 or Q2/Q1 is not greater than 2, the error in the usual
design equations is negligible formost practical purposes.
As long as VQ1Q2 *» (Qi + Qa)/2 the error in any of the usual approximate design
equations will be small. If Qt and Q 2 differ by large amounts then the exact design
equations are necessary and can be obtained from Refs. 2, 3, 6 and 8, or the design
can be modified by using the universal selectivity curves to obtain the required results.
It is of interest to note that the simplified equations given by Kelly Johnson (Ref. 1).
Ross (Ref. 2) and Maynard (Ref. 6 and Figs. 9.17 and 9.18 of this book) are identical
when it is assumed that Q = Q\ — Q* and the various notations are made the same.
It may be thought that writing Q=
VQiQ^and L= L
'\/L x i will be inconvenient
since the i-f transformer, as constructed, will have its primary and secondary in-
ductances and Q's equal. However, in the majority of cases x L=L —L
a is applied,
and the method is extended to fulfil the condition that the unloaded primary and
secondary Q's should be equal while allowing the required Q—
VQ1Q2 to be obtained
in the receiver, without further adjustment.
Critical-coupling, or a close approach to it, is most often employed in i-f trans-
formers but there is little difficulty in designing transformers for almost any degree
of coupling. All cases will be treated.
Universal selectivity and phase shift curves are given in Chapter 9, Sect. 10 (Figs.
9.17 and 9.18). Additional charts and tables are given, to be used as described in the
appropriate sections.
The design procedure generally consists of finding values of Q, k and stage gain
for given bandwidths at some value of i-f ; or of finding the required bandwidth for
values of Q
and k previously determined. For clarity the cases of critical-, over-,
and under-coupled transformers will be dealt with separately. Single tuned circuits
are also included as they are sometimes required in i-f amplifiers. Additional data
for the design of F-M transformers will be given in Sect. 4(v).
Stagger tuning (Refs. 8, 13, 17 and 38) of i-f transformers (e.g. tuning primary and
secondary to different frequencies) to give substantially the same bandwidths as over-
coupled transformers, does not have a very wide application in F-M and A-M receivers
(except in cases where variable selectivity is to be used) and will not be discussed in
detail.
Stagger tuning of single and double tuned circuits is widely used in television
receivers, but this is a different application from the case where it is applied to the
comparatively narrow bandwidths of ordinary sound receivers. In this case the trans-
former primary and secondary are tuned to the same frequency, but this is not neces-
sarily the intermediate frequency.
Since i-f transformers for television receivers involve special problems they are not
treated here (see Refs. 27, 28, 94, 95, 96 and 97) Also, triple tuned transformers
are not discussed, but the article of Ref. 26 gives an excellent treatment.
Finally, the design methods do not make allowance for regenerative effects, nor
should they be applied for finding the shape of resonance curves at frequencies far
removed from resonance. The selectivity curve shapes are assumed to be perfectly
symmetrical although in practice it will be found that this is seldom true.
Qi/Qt or QJQt greater than about 2, unless some additional adjustment is made from
the universal selectivity and phase shift curves.
;
(i)
2X
and 6 —
tan
2 - X
- .
(4)
tions (in db) are added. Resonance and phase shift curves can also be determined
directly, by using table 1 and eqns. (1) to (4).
In the application of the universal curves take = D X=
Q2Af/f (this Q being
VOiQa as determined) and b = k/k e = Qk (for critical coupling b = 1, in this case)
which are the same as for Q = Qt 2. If the values of Q and Q differ by more than
x 2
about 2 to then the more exact expressions for
1, and b % are applied to check how D
closely the required conditions are approached, it being carefully noted that in all
expressions on the curves involving a that the Q shown is Q 2 .
Attenuation (p) N= 1 N= 2 N = 3
A condition, not specifically stated in the equations, is that LtCt = L C in all cases. 2 t
The maximum gain is usually converted to decibels, so that the gain at any point
on the resonance curve can be found by subtraction of the attenuation, also expressed
in decibels.
(g) Some designs might stop here and the magnification factor would be taken
as Q = Qi Q* — 101. —
It would be realized that valve loading would
have an effect although possibly nothing more would be done (or else 'some
attempt would be made to allow for the plate and grid resistances by finding
new values of t and 2). Q Q
Let us proceed further and ask whether the transformer as it stands fulfils
the design conditions in a radio receiver. The answer is that obviously
it does not, since it would be connected in most cases between two i-f valves,
a converter and i-f valve or between an i-f valve and a diode detector. Sup-
pose the connection between two i-f amplifier valves (type 6SK7 would be
representative) is considered since this appears a fairly innocuous case. The
plate resistance (r„) of a type 6SK7 under the usual conditions of operation
is 0.8 megohm. The short circuit input resistance, also under one set of
operating conditions, is 6.8 megohms (this is calculated from the. data given
in Chapter 23, Sect. 5) ; other effects, which would alter this value, will be
ignored for simplicity, although they may not be negligible. It is first
required to determine what values of Q t and Q 2 are required to give Q=Q — x
Q =
2 101.
This is found from
QR
where Qu = unloaded Q
Q = loaded Q
R = parallel resistance across winding
<o= 2irf (resonant frequency
;
= /„)
and L — inductance.
;
n - « + Va + JQ^Rtp a
m
<*
y«
p
== Q ul =
where Q„ Q ut (unloaded primary and secondary Q)
Q = VQiQt (hi which Q and Q are loaded primary and secondary Q's)
x t
of Q = VQiQ* use
Q - n u a> L*+ R
Q (8)
Q g
from which
_ 131 x 0.8
= 834
Ql ~ 0.458 + 0.8
1030 (ii) CRITICALLY-COUPLED TRANSFORMERS 26.4
_ 131 x 6.8 _
Q ~
*
0.458 + 6.8
~ 123
and so
Q = VQ1Q2 = V83.4 x 123 = 101, which is the desired value (as
determined previously).
(D) Conclusions
All that is required to design the specified transformer is to go through the simple
steps (a) to (e) and, knowing x and R
2 , apply eqn. (7). R
Overall response and phase
shift are determined from the universal curves, as explained previously.
should be obvious that eqn. (7) will not hold under all practical conditions, but
It
it isnot limited by the ratio of QJQ
2 or Q z /Q u and failing cases can be checked
by the condition for j3 = 0. It has been assumed for simplicity that L = L x L2 =
but this is not essential, and the design equation could be extended to the case of
L = Vl L x 2. In some failing case, if it is essential to fulfil the specified conditions,
Qi and Q 2 (and if necessary L r and L 2 ) can be selected to give the desired values of Q
and L ; this will be illustrated in the section on the design of variable bandwidth
crystal filters.
(E) k Measurement
The coefficient of coupling, k, for two circuits resonant at the same frequency, can
be set on a Q meter (provided Q b lies within the useful working range) using the
relationship
=
Qb (9)
1 + q„!L**
If Qui = <2„ = Q u 2
^
where
Qb =
1 +%uky
Q =
* 1 + aW = *- 9
:
All that is required is to adjust the spacing between the two resonant circuits until
the Qmeter reads 48.9. The desired co-efficient of coupling has then been obtained.
Alternatively, by transposing terms in the equation, k is given for any values of b) Q
Qua and <2„ 2 ,
=
80 *«
The method
* JhiJt
applies directly to under-, over-, or critically-coupled transformers
(9B>
and useful within the limits set by the usable range of the
is meter. For over- Q
coupled transformers additional methods are sometimes required, and the procedure
will be indicated in Sect. 5.
26.4 (ii) CRITICALLYiCOUPLED TRANSFORMERS 1031
k
kc 7E
/d Qi
(9C)
2Q lQi ( Ql - Q b )
^ *__~mJ Qk t b (Q^ + Q 2 *)
(9D)
assumed, for simplicity, that the peaks of the response curve are of equal height and
symmetrically placed in regard to f .
Q k = A + VA' - 1 (10)
"/• _
/.
»
V--
\l
/l
(.Qk)
»
IX
(12)
6
- X* + = tan_1
1 (Q*)»
(13)
where Q =VQ\Qz = v (in which Q x and Q 2 are primary and secondary Q's
respectively ; ke is coefficient of critical-coupling)
= k any coefficient of coupling equal to or greater than critical
A = gain variation from peak to trough (i.e. difference in transmission level)
2Afv = bandwidth between peaks ; \/2(2Afj,) is the total bandwidth for two
other points on the resonance curve with the same amplitude as at f
= phase shift between the secondary current at resonance and the secondary
current at Af c/s off resonance
X = (2J///„)Q
and / = resonant frequency of transformer (i-f).
Theuniversal resonance and phase shift curves of Figs. 9.17 and 9.18 (Chapter 9
Sect. 10) are directly applicable, using the exact expressions if desired and taking Q
as Qjj for all terms involving a. It is more convenient, and sufficiently accurate, to
use the conditions for x — 2 when Qi/Q 2 or Q2/Q1
Q Q 2 ; in this case b Qk > =
(or k/k c), D =
(2Af/f )Q and since these expressions do not involve a, the value
Q — vQiQz as determined in the design problem is used. A check will reveal that
it is difficult to read any difference from the curves whichever method is used.
It should be observed that five points on the resonance curve are given directly
from the design equations.
1032 (iii) OVER-COUPLED TRANSFORMERS 26.4
To find the maximum stage gain which occurs at the peaks, the equation (5) as
given for critically-coupled transformers, is applied directly. Generally it is the
average gain in the pass band (y/2 x 2Af) which is required and this is given by
multiplying eqn. (5) by
(Qk + 1)'
(14)
2[(Q*) 2 + 1]
If the gain at/ (i.e. at the trough of the curve) is required, equation (5) is multiplied
by
2Qk
< 15 >
XQky + i
which is the same by 1/A, since equation (15) is equivalent
as multiplying equation (5)
to 1/A.
Equations (14) and (15) can be evaluated directly from Fig. 26.4 when Qk is known ;
the dotted line being for eqn. (14) and the solid line for eqn. (15). Equation 5 is
multiplied by the gain reduction factor so found. The. gain reduction indicated by
eqn. (15) can also be read directly from the 1/A column in table 2.
i:HH:::H:f!!:::!::::;::::::::M:l::li:ii:i::U::l::::::
jj:!:ji|!:j{|;{:j{i:::::::i:!:::::!:::n::ii:::iii::i:::ii
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiliiiiilllHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiil
liiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiliiiiiililliiiiiliiiliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiil
liriliifflliifflllflsisiHIiiilsiiilliiiiililliiiiiiiliiiii
O O-S I 1-5 2 2b 3 3b 4 _ 4b 5 b-5 6
Qk
FIC.26 4 GAIN REDUCTION FACTORS FOR COUPLING
OTHER THAN CRITICAL
A (=
db
peak to trough gain
variation)
Times Down Qk VA
—
(Q*)
a
(Qky
1
A
1.00 1.00 0.000 1.00 1.00
0.25 1.03 1.27 0.616 1.61 0.971
0.50 1.06 1.41 0.707 2.00 0.943
1 1.12 1.73 0.817 3.00 0.893
1.9 1.25 2.00 0.866 4.00 0.800
2 1.26 2.02 0.869 4.08 0.794
3 1.41 2.41 0.910 5.81 0.709
3.1 1.43 2.45 0.913 6.00 0.670
4 1.59 2.81 0.935 7.90 0.629
4.4 1.67 3.00 0.943 9.00 0.599
5 1.78 3.25 0.952 10.56 0.562
6 2.00 3.72 0.963 13.84 0.500
6.6 2.13 4.00 0.968 16.00 0.469
7 2.24 4.24 0.972 17.98 0.446
M.4 (iii) OVER-COUPLED TRANSFORMERS 1033
(B) Example
A 455 Kc/s i-f transformer is required to pass a band of frequencies 16 Kc/s wide
(i.e. ± 8 Kc/s). The variation in gain across the pass band is not to exceed 0.5 db.
(a) From Fig. 26.5 it is reasonable to take the total bandwidth as 16 Kc/s and
is 16/V2 = 11.3 Kc/s.
so the peak separation
(b) lAflh = = 0.0248.
U.3/455
(c) From Table 2, y/\ - l/(Q*) = 0.707. a
(g) To
determine the average stage gain in the pass band. From Fig. 26.4
(or eqn. 14), with Qk = 1.41, reading from the dotted curve, gain reduction
factor equals 0.97. Assuming we use a type 6J8-G converter valve having a
conversion conductance of 290 fimhos (0.29 mA/volt), then from eqn. (5)
and the gain reduction factor,
Average stage gain = 0.97 x n x 0.29 x 40.2 x 0.455 x 1.53
= 24.7 times (or 27.9 db).
(h) Assume that the transformer is connected between a type 6J8-G converter
and a type 6SK7 voltage amplifier and that both valves are working under
a particular set of operating conditions.
For type 6J8-G the conversion plate resistance r„ = 4Mfi = R t and for
the type 6SK7 the short circuit input resistance = 6.8 = JR a (as de- MQ
termined from Chapter 23, Sect. 5).
From Equation (7)
a = 40.2 X 0.17 x 10.8 = 73.8 ; a 8 = 0.544 X 10 4
j3 = 2[27.2 - 0.17»] = 54.4 approximately
73.8 + V0.544 x 10« + 4.76 X 10*
Q* = 5^^ = 41.4,
fo
. FREQUENCY
FIG.26-5 ILLUSTRATION OF TERMS USED FOR OVER -COUPLED TRANSFORMER*.
It can easily be checked, using the procedure set out for critically-coupled
trans-
formers, that the geometrical-mean of the loaded values
x and Q, is 40.2 as required. Q
Complete resonance and phase shift curves are plotted as previously explained. The
values for k can be set in exactly the same way as explained in the section on critically-
coupled transformers, if this is convenient. If k is high it is preferable to apply
one of the following methods.
(C)k measurement (when k is high)
When k is high, one of the following methods may be used
The first of these uses the relationship
AC = C^Vd -' k*)
1034 (iii) OVER-COUPLED TRANSFORMERS 28.4
AC
k
-J:AC + d
where d =
capacitance required to tune the primary to resonance with the second-
ary open circuited.
k —
coefficient of coupling required (say k greater than 0.1 or so)
and AC —
increment in capacitance required to tune the primary to resonance
when the secondary is short circuited.
As an illustration suppose k 0.2 and = d*=
200 /^F (the exact working frequency
may not always be convenient) then A 8.34 /*^F. Using a " C=
" meter, the spac- Q
ing between primary and secondary is adjusted until this increment in capacitance is
obtained ; this gives the required value of k.
With some transformers, neither of the two methods given previously will be con-
venient, and a third method is required. In this case a " " meter is again used,
Q
and the two transformer windings are connected firstly " parallel aiding " and then
"parallel opposing." Any convenient resonance frequency may be selected, and
the two capacitance values (d
and d) required to resonate the coils with the two
different connections are noted. The coefficient of coupling is then given by
k _( l + a
'
Yc i - CA
where
V 2a
a 2 = LJL
Ad
(This result was determined by
+ Cj
t .
J. B. Rudd).
For a pre-determined value of k the relationship
*akC>
AC = •1 + a(a - 2k)
is applied; where AC = change in capacitance = — d- d
As an example, suppose L x = L 2 (i.e. a 2 = 1) the capacitance d = 100 /x/xF and
k = 0.1 is required. Then
4 x x 100
1 x 0.1
AC = 22J »**'
1 2 x 0.1) -
+ 1(1 -
This method should not be used for small values of k (say below about 0.02) as it
does not take into account capacitive coupling. For k equal to 0.02 or less the method
of Sect. (ii)E should always be used. For k greater than about 0.2 the short-circuit/
open-circuit method, given previously, is usually the most convenient. All measure-
ments must be made with the transformer in its can, and the can should be earthed.
In cases where a " Q " meter is not available, the operation of the transformer can
be checked using a single stage amplifier and measuring the selectivity curve with a
signal generator and a valve voltmeter. Alternatively, measurements can be made
in the receiver, and a typical case is illustrated in Chapter 27 Sect. 2(iv) in connection
with measurements on ratio detectors (see also Chapter 14 of Ref. 17).
2 - H < i8 >
26.4 (iv) UNDER-COUPLED TRANSFORMERS 1035
24/
and B = tan- 1
Jo
-j+Q =
tan- 1 X (19)
where P = attenuation at Af c/s off resonance
N = number of identical tuned circuits (for a single tuned circuit N= 1)
/o = resonant frequency
and 8 = phase
shift between current at resonance and the current at Af c/s off
resonance.
The design of the single tuned circuit presents no difficulty, and it is only necessary
to use Table 3 in conjunction with eqns. (16), (17) and (18). Selectivity and phase
shift can be found from the universal curves of Figs. 9.17 and 9.18 (Chapter 9 Sect. 10),
or selectivity can be evaluated directly from eqns. (16), (17) and (18) used in con-
junction with Table 3.
TABLE 3. SINGLE TUNED CIRCUITS
For use with equations (16), (17) and (18)
N= number of identical tuned circuits
Attenuation (/») N= 1 N= 2 N = 3
(B) Example
Two single tuned circuits are required to give an attenuation of 17 db for a total
bandwidth of 10 Kc/s. The i-f is 455 Kc/s.
(a) From Table 3, X
= 2.45 (since = 2). N
(b) Q = 2.45 x 455/10 = 111.5 from eqn. (18).
(c) Assuming C = 200 /*/*F (including all strays)
L = 25.33/0.455* x 200 = 0.611 mH.
(d) The unloaded Q required depends on the combined effects of valve input
and output resistance. Take the loading for the two transformers as being
the same, for simplicity.
Then suppose r„ 0.8 = MQ and grid input resistance = 6.8 M.Q the
effective shunt resistance is 0.715 M£.
From eqn. (6)
Q„ = 111.5 x 0.715/(0.715 - 0.194) = 153.
(e) The gain of each stage (twice that for a critically-coupled transformer) is
g mQ<»oL, so that taking g m = 2 mA/volt (2000 /imhos) in each case, stage
gain = 2ir x 2 x 111.5 x 0.455 x 0.611 = 390 times (or 51.8 db).
(f) Suppose we have the loaded Q given as 111.5 (as in our previous problem
using N = 2), and we require the bandwidth for 6 db attenuation from
;
table 3 obtain X=
1.0 and from eqn. (18) the total bandwidth (2-d/) is 4.08
Kc/s. In a similar manner the attenuation can be found when the band-
width is stated. The resonance curves could also be used to find
Chapter 9, in this case) and />.
X (= D in
(C) Under-coupled transformers
If the transformers use very loose coupling, the methods for
single tuned circuits
could be applied (N = 2 for each transformer) in conjunction with
eqn. (7). This
1036 (iv) UNDER-COUPLED TRANSFORMERS 28.4
approach does not lead to very accurate results since the values of coupling are seldom
less than 0.1 of critical and more often are of the order of 0.5 to 0.8 of critical.
General design equations applicable to transformers having any degree of coupling
are given below, but it will be seen that they are not quite as tractable as in previous
cases unless an additional factor such as Q, k, or Qk (i.e. a given proportion of critical-
coupling) is specified. However, this will offer little difficulty.
'=
L" (i +
X = (2J///o)Q
— ««)* J
(21)
(22)
- «=
Qk
fX{X*
[_-
+ (X* + 4Xp
8 '* - 1)}* - (* +
_i
8
P *l" -1) V < 23 >
p *i* J
9 = tan- 2X/H - X* + 1 <x»] (13)
where p = attenuation at Af c/s off resonance
« = Qk = */*.
Q =VQiQ* = l/*« (»n which Q and Q x 2 are the primary and secondary Q's
and k e is critical coupling coefficient)
fe = any coefficient of coupling
N= number of
identical transformers
/ =
resonant frequency
and # =
phase shift between secondary current at and off resonance.
The restriction of QJQ% or t /Qi > 2 is applied, as previously explained.
Q
It may be observed that these equations are the most general ones, e.g. if Qk 1 =
the equations reduce to those for critical-coupling.
Stage gain is given by evaluating eqn. (5) and multiplying by eqn. (15) (or reading
the gain reduction factor from Fig. 26.4).
The coefficient of coupling can be set as described for critically-coupled trans-
formers.
(D) Example
A 455 Kc/s i-f transformer is required to give a total bandwidth of 20 Kc/s for an
attenuation of 4 times. The transformer is to be connected between a voltage am-
plifier, having a plate resistance of 0.8 M.Q (e.g. type 6SK7), and a diode detector
having a load resistance of 0.5 M.Q.
In this case other loading effects due to the a.v.c. system etc. will be neglected.
For a typical case where the a.v.c. diode plate is connected by a fixed capacitor to the
i-f transformer primary, there will be appreciable damping of the
primary circuit due
to the diode circuit (approx. R L /3 when diode is conducting). This damping will
not be constant for all signal input voltages, particularly if delayed a.v.c. is used.
(a) The difficulty first arises in evaluating X. If we select a suitable value for
Q the problem becomes quite straightforward.
Q
To select a value for it is necessary to realize that an unloaded value of
150 would be about the absolute maximum with normal types of construction,
"
and even this figure is well on the high side unless an iron pot " or a fairly
large can and former are used. Assume Q =
150 for this problem (so far
as the procedure is concerned it is unimportant if a lower value is selected).
The next point is that circuit loading will set a limit to the value of Q o>oL
(= Q/<o C). Now L will be set, normally, by the minimu permissible m
value of C. Suppose C =
85 /*/*F including strays, then L 1.44 j = mH
and we will take L L x L t and
'
= = = ^=
0* for practical convenience.
Better performance would be possible by making L x L 2 but the improve- >
ment only small, and hardly worthwhile unless the secondary load is very
is
small.
(b) For our problem
. o>oL = 1/« C = 4120 Q j also x R = 0.8 Mfi and
Rt = 0.5/2 = 0.25 MQ (half the d.c. diode load resistance).
26.4 (iv) UNDER-COUPLED TRANSFORMERS 1037
-(O* +0.618)
so that
Q = VoS>7 =V84.6 x 43.3 = 60.5.
From eqn. (22)
(c)
x_ »£«?
455
_ m
(d) From eqn. (23)
- (2.66' + 4» — .l)
_ p.66{2.66» + (2.66» + 4)(4» + 1)}* "j *
_ Q QJ
As an example, for the, F-M broadcast band AF = ± 75 Kc/s and the highest
audio frequency is 15 Kc/s, then AF/f 75/15 = = 5.
Then the required bandwidth is 16 x 15 = 240 Kc/s.
The highest audio frequency is chosen because this imposes the most severe re-
quirements on bandwidth ; e.g. suppose we had taken/ = 7.5 Kc/s, then the modula-
tion index would be 10, and the bandwidth = 28/ = 28 x 7.5 = 210 Kc/s.
The bandwidths actually employed in a receiver should also make allowance for
possible drift in the oscillator frequency. A reasonably good oscillator should not
driftby more than about ± 20 Kc/s when operating around 110 Mc/s ; so that an
additional 40 Kc/s should be added to the bandwidth. Of course, this is only a rough
approximation, since the oscillator frequency variation is random and would intro-
duce additional frequency modulation j the determination of the true bandwidth
would be quite a difficult problem, unless several simplifying assumptions are made.
From what has been said, it appears that the receiver total bandwidth should be
about 280 Kc/s to fulfil the most severe requirements. However, most practical
receivers limit the total bandwidth to about 200 Kc/s, which is not unreasonable
since the average frequency deviation is about ± 50 Kc/s.
For such bands of frequencies to be passed through tuned circuits which do
large
not give transmission (for the bandwidth desired) without attenuation it is necessary
to have some criterion which will allow the permissible amount of attenuation to be
estimated. To eliminate non-linear distortion the circuits should provide a uniform
amplitude and a linear phase characteristic over the operating range. Curvature of
the phase characteristic of the tuned circuits will cause non-linear a-f distortion, while
curvature of the amplitude characteristic may cause additional distortion if the ampli-
tude happens to drop below the operating voltage range of the amplitude limiting
device incorporated in the receiver. A suitable criterion can be determined from the
phase angle/frequency characteristics of the tuned circuits (the phase angle being
that between the secondary current at resonance to that at Af c/s off resonance).
Inspection of universal phase shift curves will show that the greatest range of linearity
of phase shift versus frequency change, is given by critically-coupled transformers
(Ross, Ref. 2) j but slight overcoupling does not lead to excessive non-linearity.
Overcoupling has some advantages, in particular slightly greater adjacent channel
selectivity can be obtained j but there is the disadvantage of more difficult circuit
alignment. As an extension of this work, Ross (Ref. 2) has also shown that for a
critically-coupled transformer a suitable criterion of permissible non-linearity is that
X> 2 (24)
where we will take
X= (2Af/f )Q (this is the same X as previously)
2Af — total bandwidth
/o = central carrier frequency
and =VQiQ% (where Qx and Qt are the primary and secondary magnification
factors).
The amount of introduced amplitude modulation can be estimated from
2t.4 (v) F-M I-F TRANSFORMERS 1039
1
(25)
P + 1
where m = amplitude modulation factor
and p — attenuation at bandwidth of twice deviation frequency (i.e. 24/ = 2AF).
Fig. 26.6 shows directly values of m for various values of X. Values of m are of
importance since they allow an estimate to be made of the amplitude limiting re-
quirements demanded from whatever device is incorporated in the receiver to " iron
out " amplitude variations. ioo
-
-rr-
Many F-M receiver designs allow anything :::::::::::::::::?! C- •
-.^-- N^_
.
(B) Example
A F-M i-f amplifier is required using three critically-coupled transformers. The
i-f is 10.7 Mc/s and the frequency deviation ± 75 Kc/s the highest a-f modulating
;
frequency is 15 Kc/s (critical-coupling has been selected in this case but a combina-
tion of critical and over-coupled transformers might lead to a better solution).
The converter valve to be used has a conversion r v of 1.5 and a conversion con-M£
ductance of 475 /xmhos ; and the two i-f valves each have plate resistances of 2 MQ
and g m — 5000 jumhos.
(a) For simplicity it will be taken that any additional selectivity, due to the other
tuned circuits in the receiver, is negligible. Also, as will be illustrated, the
dynamic impedances of the i-f transformers will be so low as to render ad-
ditional damping due to plate and grid input resistances negligible ; this is
not true, however, if the final transformer is connected to a limiter stage
—
because of grid current damping some consideration will be given to this
later.
(b) From previous considerations regarding bandwidth, in connection with
Table we will adopt 220 Kc/s as a compromise.
4,
If we design on the limit of X—
2, then from eqn. (3)
2 x 10.7 x 10 6
O —
^ 97 4 =
220 X 10 3
and e k =1/Q = 0.0103.
(c) Taking 2Af = 2AF = 150 Kc/s, for maximum frequency deviation, since
X
Q = 97.4 and AT = 3, then, from eqn. (3), = 1.365 and, from equation (1),
p = 2.55, whence from eqn. (25) or Fig. 26.6,
2.55 - 1
m = _ = 0.436 or 43.6% amplitude modulation.
(d) This is a severe additional requirement for limiters etc., and could also lead
to high distortion, although the condition for linearity of phase shift with
frequency is fulfilled. The distortion can be found from eqn. (54) for each
of the transformers.
(e) Select suitable values for x and 2 C C
To obtain the highest possible dynamic
.
(f) The dynamic impedance of each winding (considered uncoupled from one
another) is
R = Q<»oL = 97.4 x 2rt x 10.7 x 3.68 = 24 000 Q
which is very much less than the valve plate or input resistances in typical
stages.
width does not exceed about 40 Kc/s for 60 db attenuation relative to the
response at the centre frequency, although many commercial receivers have
bandwidths of less than 30 Kc/s for the same attenuation.
Typical former diameters for i-f transformers range from about f in. to f in., and
the grade of material used for the former will affect the stability of the transformer
directly when variations in temperature and humidity occur.
The design of transformers with pie windings (a larger number of pies generally
reduces distributed capacitance and increases Q) is not as simple as for solenoids since
most equations require a knowledge of coil dimensions which are not always available.
There are also optimum sizes of winding to give the highest possible Q— see Chapter
10. Amethod which has proved, satisfactory in practice is to make measurements
on various types of coils which are likely to be used fairly often and apply the re-
lationship
N = BVI (26)
where N = turns per pie
L =
inductance in /aH
and B = experimentally determined constant.
As an example : A
winding is to be made to have an inductance of 1.44 mH. Pre-
vious experiments have shown that, in the frequency range of 300-900
~ ~ K —
c/s and for
—
*See also Chapter 11 Sect. 7.
1042 (vi) I-F TRANSFORMER CONSTRUCTION 26.4
an inductance of about 0.5-2 mH, a two pie winding on a 9/16 in. former (each pie
5/32 in. wide, with 3/32 in. spacing between the pies and using 5/44 A.W.G. Litz
wire) has the factor B = 4.33. Then from eqn. (26)
N=4.33V1440 =
165 turns per pie j
the two pies each, of 165 turns, being connected series aiding. The same method
can be applied in cases where it is convenient, to any type of winding.
Since the presence of the iron " slug " will affect inductance (and r-f resistance)
it isnecessary to determine its effect and also to calculate the variation in inductance
which can be made. The turns required are found for the condition with the " slug "
in the winding' and in the position giving the mean inductance value. This means
that the value of L used in eqn. (26) will be less than the calculated value by the in-
crease due to the iron.
The value of the inductance (L) using a powdered iron core (e.g. magnetite) can
be found from
The iron cores in common use are about f in. to f in. in diameter and range in length
from about i in. to 1 in. An inductance change of about ± 10% when the " slug "
is moved through the winding, is generally sufficient for most requirements. The
dimensions required for solving eqn. (27) are available if the experimental procedure
previously suggested has been carried out on air cored coils ; or the whole procedure
can be carried out experimentally.
Some manufacturers make up 455 Kc/s i-f transformers completely enclosed in
powdered iron pots. There is often little difficulty with this construction in obtaining
Q's in the order of 150. Stray capacitances are often large, however, and sometimes
lead to very unsymmetrical resonance curves.
At the lower frequencies (up to about 1 or 2 Mc/s) Litz wire is advantageous for
obtaining high Q
values and 3, 5, 7 and 9 strands of about 44 A.W.G. (or near S.W.G.
or A.W.G. gauges) wire are common ; Q
values greater than about 120 will require
some care in the transformer construction, and the size of can selected will materially
affect the value obtainable (see Ref. 91 for illustration).
case a double hump in the secondary voltage does not appear until transitional coupling
has been exceeded, and the k required for this to occur is always higher than k critical
transitional and critical k are the same, of course, when primary and secondary Q's
are equal.
For the capacitance and mutual inductance coupling to be aiding, the primary and
secondary windings are arranged so that if the plate connects to the start of the prim-
ary, then the grid (or diode plate) of the next stage connects to the finish of the seconcf-
ary winding ; both coils being wound in the same direction. This method of con-
nection also assists in keeping the undesired capacitance coupling to a minimum.
The order of base connections is also important in reducing capacitance coupling and
the grid and plate connections should be as far from one another as possible.
The cans to be used with i-f transformers should be as large as is practicable. They
are generally made from aluminium, although copper was extensively used at one time.
Cans should preferably be round and seamless. Perfect screening is not obtained,
in general, and care is necessary in the layout of the various stages to ensure that the
transformers are not in close proximity to one another. When mounting the trans-
former into a can, if there is a choice as to the position of the leads (although this is
largely determined by the valve type available) it is always preferable to bring the con-
nections for each winding out to opposite ends, as this reduces stray capacitance
coupling. The effects of the coil shield on inductance and r-f resistance can be cal-
culated (see Chapter 10 and Ref. 4, p. 134) and the results serve as a useful guide, but
direct measurement on the complete transformer is the usual procedure. Mechanical
considerations generally ensure that the can is. thick enough to provide adequate
shielding (for considerations of minimum thickness see Ref. 4, p. 135).
Methods for determining gear ratios, winding pitch and so on, for use with coil
winding machines are discussed in the literature (Refs. 29, 30, 31, 32) ; see also Chapter
11, Sect. 3(iv) in particular.
Finally, the measure of the success of any i-f transformer design will be how closely
the predicted performance approaches the actual results obtained when the transformer
isconnected into the receiver.
= Bm
ie k
V(*i + B mXB + B m)
a
A few examples will now be given to illustrate the procedure. From rule (a
applied to Fig. 9.15,
k =
V(*i + X m)(X + X m)
2 vUi + £«)(£* + L m)
For Fig. 9.12 using rule (b)
= Bm C-,
k
V(Bi + B m)(B + B m a ) V(C» + C nXC2 + C m)
For Fig. 9.14 using rule (a)
1044 (vii) CALCULATION OF COUPLING COEFFICIENTS 26.4
k =
V(ir + k)0r + £)
1/L m
section and adding the two series arms of the previous circuit to the new series arms,
we have a single T section in which the first series arm is
M (L X X
' - M x + W- Afs)
+L _ M _ Li(W + W) - M (M + X X AfJ
I*i ~\~ I** L + L>tx
MJK - M x + U-M s)
L _ M = L (W +2 ZV) - M {M
i 1 + MJ
L- x + JL% L, x -J- JLj
VlL xL n - M (M + Af 1 1 a) + M M \[L L m - M {M
x 2 i t x + Af*) + MM
x t]
_ MM X 2
~ V(L L n - M '%LtL m - AT**)
x l
k k
= x 2
ance coupling (the capacitances form a II network) ; call this k e Then if the con- .
nections are such that the two forms of coupling aid each other, the resultant coupling
coefficient is
_ *« + *«
T 1 + k mk e
k T — k m + k e (approximately).
For the case of the two forms of coupling being in opposition
k — k
where o>i. is the higher angular frequency of free oscillation in the circuit and <*>
t is
the lower angular frequency of free oscillation.
<*>! is calculated from Fig. 26.6A, which shows a symmetrical network with mixed T
coupling, by considering the capacitors C
to be charged as shown. During the dis-
C
charge of the capacitors it is clear that L m m have no effect on the resonant frequency
in this case, and
«!* =
1/LC.
a> 2 is from Fig. 26.6B in which the capacitors C are charged as shown.
calculated
In this case, when the capacitors are discharging, it is convenient to consider the
shunt arm as being made up of two equal parts each carrying the primary and second-
ary current alone ; the reactances of L„ and C m being doubled to allow for the single
current. Then
«,» =
(L + 2L m)(
( CCJ2 \
\C + CJ2J
L m C m — LC
so that k =
LmCn + LC +
A somewhat similar procedure can be applied to a
^ 77 network, or an equivalent T
network can be found and the above procedure applied.
1046 (vii) CALCULATION OF COUPLING COEFFICIENTS 26.4
For cases where the sections are unsymmetrical some modification in the procedure
is necessary. Taking the case of a T section using inductance coupling (with Lt Ct =
LaCg) the shunt arm is replaced by two inductances (xx and x2) in parallel such that
their combined inductance equals that of the shunt arm (L m) and such that the values
selected will give equal resonant frequencies for the two circuits
L\ T Xf C%
•L»2 #2 T t-'l
The case of capacitance coupling is treated in a similar way. The procedure is then
exactly as before- for the symmetrical coupling network. There would be little diffi-
culty in extending this procedure to the case of the unsymmetrical section using T
mixed coupling, but it is worth noting that numerical solutions are much easier to
handle than a general algebraic solution even in the case of simple coupling.
For the two mesh network just considered, using mixed coupling and in which
L-lC-l — LC 2 2 it is usually simpler to use the relationship
* do. ftfnKf
as was done for the bridged T network. Taking the example just considered,
km =
L + Lm
C
c + CT
Ln C
L + Lm c + Cm
and kn
LmC
1
(L + L m)(C + c,»)
L mCm -- LC
L m C m + LC + LC m
exactly as before.
It should be carefully noted that in all cases of mixed coupling the sign of L m is
most important. For the example just given L m was taken as being positive ; this
is the case of the two forms of coupling being in opposition, and zero voltage transfer
occurs when the shunt arm is series resonant. With L m negative the two forms of
coupling aid each other and there is no series resonant frequency. The aiding con-
dition, which is the one usually required, is possible only when the coupling between
the two inductances is due to mutual induction, as a physical coupling inductance
would act so as to oppose the capacitive coupling.
The methods given so far, for determining the coupling coefficient, are useful for
the types of circuit considered. However, it should be observed that they can be
applied directly only to the following cases :
(1) Circuits having coupling elements all of the one kind i.e. all capacitances or all
j, _ ~ (fin -C2
w 2
1 / ta x L
and k
L m)(L 2 + L n)
exactly as before.
V(Li + L m)(L + L m) 2
It can be seen that the primary and secondary frequencies need not be considered
in cases of this type involving simple coupling only.
Now consider an unsymmetrical section with mixed coupling, and different T
primary and secondary resonant frequencies :
Zm
21
= <a 2 Lm — -
I
1
(r M
W x
= L + Lm t
W 2
= L + Lm 2
1 / w x a> 2 ( L m — [L m rp^-)
k = ,
\/
V <»iC m /) \ a>2 2 Cm/
(L t + L m)(L + L m 2 )
(Z-2 + L m)C C m 2
the expression for £ can be rewritten as
(L m C m - L C XL m C m - L 2 C
yc^i + L m )(L 2 + LJCd + C)(C2 +
1 1
should be carefully noted that the a> x and <o 2 used here are not the same as found
It
2)
O
previously for the natural resonant frequencies of the coupled circuits.
1048 (vii) CALCULATION OF COUPLING COEFFICIENTS 26.4
k = ———
Lm
L + L,
k =
C
C + Cm
•
L m(C + CJ C{L + L m) - L m C m — LC
and so k T ~ (L+ LJ(C + Cm)
(X + Lm)(C + Cm)
which is the result just obtained.
A rather similar difficulty occurs when determining the central reference frequency
for the transformer of Fig. 26.2. The angular frequency (o>) is determined exactly
as above by considering the secondary on open circuit, and for this case
+ ui*
where
J*
w t and u> 2 are now determined in the same way as for Figs. 26.6A and 26.6B.
(i)General considerations
Any method giving variable-coupling may be used to provide variable selectivity.
Variable-coupling by means of pure mutual inductance is the only system in which
mistiming of the transformer does not occur without introducing compensation of
other component values. As the coupling is increased above the critical value, the
trough of the resonance curve remains at the intermediate frequency (Ref. 8).
\ \\ TERTIARY
\ V , COIL
>
\ "
\\
\\
OTHER \ A
TYPES OF < A
COUPLING \ A
With any other type of coupling which has no mutual inductance component, one
of the two humps remains at the intermediate frequency. The mistuning is then
half the frequency bandwidth between humps.
The method of switching tertiary coils approximates far more closely to the curve
for pure mutual inductance (Af in Fig. 26.7) than it does to the
other curve. The
28.5 VARIABLE SELECTIVITY—(i) GENERAL 1049
tertiary coilmay have no more than 5% of the turns on the main tuning coil and less
than 0.5% ratio of inductance. The symmetry of the overall selectivity curves is
usually good.
Variable capacitance coupling may be used and the coupling capacitor may be either
a small capacitor linking the top end of the primary to the top end of the secondary
or it may be a common capacitor in series with both primary and secondary circuits.
This latter arrangement is commonly known as " bottom coupling."
For " top coupling " very small capacitances are required and the effect of stray
capacitances is inclined to be serious, particularly in obtaining low minimum coupling.
It may be used, however, with a differential capacitor arrangement whereby con-
tinuously variable selectivity is obtained (Refs. 41, 42). The differential capacitance
in this case adds to or subtracts from the capacitance in the primary and secondary
circuits to give the requisite tuning. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that
sufficiently low minimum coupling is very difficult to obtain and the capacitor is a
non-standard type.
" Bottom coupling " has results similar to " top coupling," but is easier to handle
for switching and also has advantages for low coefficients of coupling. A two or three
step tapping switch may be used to give corresponding degrees of bandwidth pro-
vided that simultaneously other switch contacts insert the necessary capacitances in
the primary and secondary circuits, for each switch position, to give correct tuning.
CONVERTER T
A.V.C.LINEf
TWO POSITION SELECTIVITY FIG. ,26. 7A
One such bottom coupling method which requires the minimum of switching for
two degrees of coupling is shown in Fig. 26.7A (Ref. 42a). The two coils L t and L t
should each be in a separate shield can. With switch 5X in the position shown, the
selectivity is broad ; in the lower position the selectivity is normal. Capacitances
as shown are only illustrative. The same principle can be used for three values of
coupling, using seven capacitors.
In most cases, the second i-f transformer is slightly under-coupled and its peak is
used to fill in the " trough " between the peaks of the first transformer in its broad
position.
A
wide variety of circuit arrangements for obtaining variable selectivity has been
described in the literature. Design methods and practical constructional details
for many of these can be found in the references listed at the end of this chapter.
Further discussion is also given in Chapter 11, Sect. 3(iii).
R.D.H. —84
1050 (ii) AUTOMATIC VARIABLE SELECTIVITY 26.S
when two circuits are coupled together, that there is a back e.m.f. induced in the
primary winding from the secondary which will have a marked effect on the magni-
tude and phase characteristics of the primary current as a function of frequency.
The primary current response curve exhibits a double peak at values of k even less
than critical, because the back e.m.f. represents a voltage drop that decreases rapidly
on either side of the resonant frequency. Double peaking of the primary current is
masked in its effect on the secondary current by the selectivity of the secondary circuit.
When the coupling exceeds critical (actually transitional) coupling the secondary
current exhibits two peaks, but to a lesser extent than the primary current.
L| - M8i*H
t_2- M4mH
M - 28-7/uH
Q -Q 2 -ll5
l
L, &L 2 WOUND IN
SAME. DIRECTION
-(BUTCONNECTED
AS SHOWN)
. AYC.
AUTOMATIC SELECTIVITY ARRANGEMENT
If the magnitude of the counter e.m.f. is increased by increasing the mutual in-
ductance, and at the same time a voltage of almost equal magnitude and opposite
phase is added in series with the primary circuit, a single peak of output current can
be obtained in the transformer secondary. The additional series voltage, so intro-
duced, will increase the stage gain and selectivity from the condition which existed
prior to its introduction ; in our case the prior condition is that the stage gain is less
and the secondary current has two peaks, i.e. the transformer is initially over-coupled.
V
In the circuit of Fig. 26.8 the valve % performs the dual functions of amplification
and production of the series voltage to be added to the primary circuit. A
resistance
V
in the cathode of % produces an a.c. voltage drop, which is proportional to the g m
of the valve and the secondary current of the transformer ; this voltage drop across
the cathode resistor is the one applied back to the transformer primary. When a
V
strong signal is being received a.v.c. will increase the bias on the grid of 2 and so its
g m is reduced. When' the g m (and consequently the voltage drop across the cathode
resistor) is sufficiently small, peak separation is obtained ; the width between the
peaks depending on the value of mutual inductance. Weak signals reverse the pro-
cess and narrow down the overall response curve.
A quantitive analysis (setting out design data and instability conditions) is given
in the Ref. (46). For the circuit of Fig, 26.8 the peak separation is given as 8 Kc/s
for an i-f of 450 Kc/s. Other designs are shown for peak separations of 15 Kc/s
and also for obtaining two position automatic selectivity ; the latter arrangement
necessitates the use of a relay.
Other types of automatic selectivity are discussed in the references listed.
sign of variable bandwidth i-f crystal filter circuits (A) Simplifying assumptions (23)
Gain (C) Gain variation with bandwidth change (£>) Selectivity (E) Crystal constants
(F) Position of filter in circuit (G) Other types of crystal filters (iv) Design example.
In this network suppose we consider that R is zero, then between terminals 1 and 2
there is a reactance
oL — 1/coC
X (28)
> C>[<*L - l(c + k)l
When <*>L = 1/ t»C the reactance is zero and the circuit is series resonant.
Fromthe values of the 455 Kc/s crystal constants which are given in (iii)E below,
it be seen that Af is about 250 c/s in a typical case.
will
The presence of R will slightly modify the conditions for which parallel resonance
occurs. For our purposes the conditions given are near enough.
It should be clear from the circuit that the parallel resonance frequency (fp) will be
higher than the series resonance frequency (/r). For frequencies above/, the resultant
reactance due to L and C in series is inductive, and this is connected in parallel with a
capacitive reactance due to C A typical curve of output voltage versus frequency
.
.„_
IN
then C
becomes negative and the series circuit is shunted by a negative capacitance ;
which is equivalent to shunting an inductance across the series circuit (which behaves
like a capacitive reactance for frequencies below /,). This means that the parallel
resonance frequency (/„) will now be lower than the series resonance frequency (/,).
Any frequency above or below the series resonance frequency can now be chosen as
the rejection, or parallel resonance, frequency and the current through the circuit,
at this point, will be reduced ; the values for /„ and the current depending on the
circuit constants.
C
To achieve the variation in the circuit of Fig 26.9 (i.e. the crystal) is incorporated
in the bridge circuit of Fig. 26.11, in which CN is made variable to achieve the results
discussed. In this circuit Z L is the load impedance ; Z, is the impedance of the
voltage source ; x and Z Z
2 are any two impedances used to make up the resultant
1052 (i) BEHAVIOUR OF EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT 26.6
operation is confined to an i-f of 455 Kc/s, and to tap down on the circuit when this
is possible.
Two other points are worth mentioning. The first is that the crystal stage gives
high selectivityaround resonance, but the " skirt " selectivity may be quite poor
for this reason the other stages in the receiver must provide die additional " skirt
selectivity required. In addition/ good " skirt " selectivity is a requirement of the
i-f amplifier to minimize any possible undesirable effects which may arise because of
crystal subsidiary resonances. The other point is that having C» as a variable control
is not necessarily a great advantage, and simpler operation is obtained when
N can C
be pre-set to neutralize . C
This cannot be done with all types of variable bandwidth
circuits, since the conditions for neutralization may be altered as the bandwidth is
changed.
» 4 4
00
EQUIVALENT CIRCUITS FOR CRYSTAL FILTER WHEN CQ -C N
ZL = load impedance
_/_a3» , ,, j. c
—
Z' t voltage source impedance tj\p/ T^ p®3^ 4- e s
'
-*+'(«* -de) l
— » « ^.^n.^^. -
= K at resonance /J i f\
(i.e. i-f)
FIG.26-1* CIRCUIT FOR DETERMININO.Es
Q =V&Q, = l/k e
<o = 2ir X i-f
and L =^/ZJ^ (always provided that = L 2 CJ. L^
Combining eqns. (31) and (32), the gain from the grid of Vj to the grid of the next
amplifier valve (V,) is
.^_k x £_£_(_^__)(«**)
Eqn. (33) gives a great deal of information about the circuit. For constancy of gain,
(33)
it follows that Z
L should be very much greater than (Z'« -f Z x). Since Z x (or R
at resonance) cannot be altered by the receiver designer, it is necessary to make Z' t
as small as possible. However, as Z', is made smaller the overall gain will be affected
since it is a centre tap on the output of the input i-f transformer. The maximum value
Z
for L will be limited by the maximum bandwidth requirements, and the permissible
values of circuit constants. The other factors affecting gain are g*, and L. For Q
a given valve under a fixed set of operating conditions, y m is practically outside the
designer's control ; the value of L(=^L L^ X is made as large as possible consistent
with the requirements of minimum permissible tuning capacitance ; /,
QiQ t Q =\
isadjusted so that Q
t is made as high as possible, and since we desire Z', to be low a
suitable value is selected for t. The method of determiningQ has a large effect Q
on the stage gain which can be obtained, as will be seen later in the illustrative example.
(C) Gain variation with bandwidth change
For constancy of maximum gain at/ (i.e. the i-f) it has been suggested that Z' f
should be small. There is a limit, however, to the minimum gain variation that can
be obtained for a given change from maximum to minimum bandwidth. From the
preceding equations it may be deduced that the maximum stage gain (A„ ax) is ob-
tained when the bandwidth is greatest, and the minimum gain (A mi „) when the band-
width is least. This limit in gain variation (since R for the crystal is fixed) is the con-
dition for which the voltage source impedance (Z'») becomes zero, which occurs when
r r - R)
ao _ A """
mtn
= tS3 t.. 1
(34)
"m<i R R T. — R} T.(.
= a — a
Z'.
a a (35A)
Rj* — R *St "~ R
whereRT and RT have the values given immediately above,
R — equivalent series resistance of crystal
and a =
"' = gain variation desired, and must always be less than one.
"max
If a value is selected for Z', then
Rt \RrTl — R) — Z mRt
« = * —li.
— /Cj. Z (36)
Rj> {R'p ~~ R) i
28.6 I-F CRYSTAL FILTER CIRCUITS 1055
(D) Selectivity
Selectivity around resonance can be calculated by the methods to be outlined, but
for most purposes it is sufficient to determine the bandwidth for a given attenuation
power points
at the half (3 db attenuation or 1/V2 of the maximum voltage output)
on each of the required selectivity curves.
Considerable simplification in the design procedure is possible, if the bandwidths
for 1 db attenuation (or less) are known. In this case it would be sufficiently accurate
Z
to take L and Z, equal to their dynamic resistances at resonance, at least for most
practical conditions, without introducing appreciable error. The advantage obtained
being that, in what follows, R T =
R' T and T R =
R' T for all conditions. The
value of Q x would be given by Q x = / /4J/for 1 db attenuation, and this expression
would be used in place of eqn. (38). However, the procedure given is more general
and there should be little difficulty in applying the simplified procedure, if necessary.
Further the method given illustrates (in reverse) how the bandwidths near resonance
can be calculated for various amounts of attenuation.
To determine the bandwidth at the half power points proceed as follows : first
it may be taken that the equivalent inductive reactance of the crystal is very much
greater than the inductive reactance of the load and source impedances. Also, pro-
vided the variations in gain are not allowed to become exoessve, at and near resonance
the value of Z', is very closely R',. For very narrow bandwidths, near resonance,
it is also sufficiently close to take Z L = R L ; for large bandwidths the resistive com-
ponent (Rj) of ZL at the actual working frequency will have to be found. From these
conditions, we have
_ mJL _ <°qL 1 ,__v
Q" =
R L + R' + R ~ R' T ~ o> CR' T
t
C
'
considered (= ZL at resonance)
R', = resistive component of Z'. the voltage source impedance
R' T = R L + R' + R = total series resistance at frequencies away from/
t
(for very narrow bandwidths R L f>n Z L and R' T f& R T )
Z
Since L !> (Z' ( +
R) for constancy of maximum gain at/ , under conditions of
varying bandwidth, it also follows that Q
x will mainly be determined by the magnitude
of the resistive component of the dynamic impedance of Z L .
Some additional selectivity is given by the input i-f transformer, and for more
exact results the attenuation for a particular bandwidth would be added to that found
for the crystal circuit. This additional selectivity is usually negligible around the
" nose " of the resonance curve, but can be determined from the universal resonance
curves of Chap 9 Sect 10, evaluating D
and b for unequal primary and secondary
Q's (Qt and Qt) and noting that Q in these expressions is t Q
The resonance curve for the complete circuit is seldom necessary for a preliminary
design. The procedure is rather lengthy but not very difficult. First it is necessary
to find the resistive component of Z L (i.e. R L) at frequencies off resonance. This is
carried out from a knowledge of \Z L \(= Z£) at resonance, and by detennining the
reduction factors from the universal selectivity curves. Multiplying \ZL by the \
—
indicated attenuation factors gives the required magnitudes of load impedance \Z'
L \.
To find the resistive component, values of 8 corresponding to the various bandwidths
(and values of \Z' L \) are read from the universal phase-shift curves of Chapt. 9 Sect. 10.
Then
RL == \Z' L \ cos e. (39)
The resistive component of Z' t can be found in a similar way from
•
R\ = Z', cos ^
but since the impedance of Z' t is generally small, and the circuit relatively unselective,
JR', can often be taken as equal to Z' t for a limited range of frequencies near resonance.
When Z' t is very low, it can be neglected in comparison with R L + R.
Then, since the resistance (R) and the inductance (L) of the crystal are known,
eqn. (37) can be applied to determine the values of Q x corresponding to the various
bandwidths. (Strictly f would be replaced by the actual operating frequency off
resonance, but this is hardly necessary).
Knowing the different values of Q x, and since the bandwidths corresponding to
each Q x value are known, the various points for the complete selectivity curve can be
found from the universal resonance curve for a single tuned circuit (it is unimportant
that this is for a parallel tuned circuit rather than a series tuned circuit, since the
conditions for parallel and series resonance are practically the same provided the
Q
is not less than about 10 j there is, however, a reversal in sign of the phase angles
for the two cases). Additional selectivity due to the input transformer can be taken
into account if this degree of accuracy is thought to be necessary.
(E) Crystal constants
Before a complete design can be carried out, some data on the equivalent electrical
constants of the quartz crystal must be available. In most cases details can be ob-
tained from the crystal manufacturer.
Typical values for the electrical constants of 455 Kc/s quartz crystals widely used
in Australian communications receivers are :
'
R = 15000; C = 0.018 ^Fj C = 17 ^F.
The crystals are a special type of X cut bar and have no subsidiary resonances for a
range of at least ±. 30 Kc/s from/,.. They are approximately 20 mils (0.02 in.) thick,
i in. wide, $ in. long and are mounted between flat electrodes with an air gap not
greater than 1 mil. (0.001 in.).
Hoh
? VERY LOW^i
J*-J»ESISTANCE"5
H^-
(A)
—v£M2
FIG. 26-li APPROXIMATE METHODS FOR DETERMINING EQUIVALENT
ELECTRICAL CONSTANTS OF QUARTZ CRYSTALS
If the required data cannot be obtained, then details of methods for measuring,
the value of
firstly, Q
for the crystal, can be found in Ref. 65. The experimental
set-up is shown in Fig. 26.15(A) and is found from Q
Q = 2(/„ - /r>_ IK (40)
fr)\] E,
where f = series resonance frequency
r
1
and f.A - (42)
aC
2tiV L A^A
where C = series capacitance of crystal
CA = parallel capacitance of circuit L A CA
LA — parallel inductance of circuit LA CA
C = shunt capacitance across crystal due to holder etc.
f*x and/^ = parallel resonance frequencies of combined circuits. The com-
bination has two parallel resonance frequencies, one above and
one below fr .
SELECTIVITY
CONTROL
TYPE 6SK7
Vi.Nfe
(MICA) -
which can be varied from 200 c/s to 3 Kc/s. The variation in maximum stage gain
should not exceed about 2 db (± 1 db about the average gain) but it is desirable to
1058 (iv) DESIGN EXAMPLE 26.6
keep the stage gain as high as possible, consistent with stable operation with varying
signal input voltages (i.e. large detuning of the i-f circuits should not occur when the
signal voltages vary over a wide range).
To make the problem complete, it will be assumed that the filter is connected be-
tween two type 6SK7 pentode voltage amplifier valves. The complete circuit is
shown in Fig. 26.16.
(1') Since and Zx = Zt C
on 17 /xpF, let us select a suitable capacitance range
for CN . The
smallest residual capacitance for N will be about 3 ppF. From this, C
C
we have to increase N a further 14 p/xF to neutralize . In addition, it is desired C
to move the rejection frequency (/„) below /„ so that it is reasonable to allow N to C
increase at least a further 14 p/*F. The total increment in N is thus 28 /*/*F ; which C
gives a range of 3 to 31 ppF > for convenience this is made, say, 3 to 35 /*/*F (or what-
ever is the nearest standard capacitance range).
(2') From eqn. (38) :
for 200 c/s total bandwidth, and 3 db attenuation,
Q Xi = 455/0.2 = 2275 j
for 3 Kc/s,
Q 8j = 455/3 = 151.6.
(3') From eqn. (37) (and C= 0.018 ^/*F)
10"
P'
Ti
__ __ Q550 o
2275 x 2tt x 455 x 10 s x 018
\Z' L
Z,
Zl
3 Kc/s baridwidth
| at
at resonance
— = 1.37
'
Z £*' _ R
= *<
0126
'
cos~T~ 0.735
ttndsoZLL t
bandwidth required
= 0.235 MS.
is too large it will be found that Z L% cannot
be obtained with ordinary circuit components).
From this, since ZL% = Qi°>oL L,
0235 * 10 '
r
L
_ = 0.586 mH
140 x lit x 0.455
*C * "
25 3
0.45 5 ' X586 -
208 ^F (SCe belOW) '
when CN is varied. Good circuit stability (which requires a large value for Cj) is
most important since the circuit bandwidth and gain are very critical to detuning.
The main causes of detuning are capacitance changes at the input of V, due to grid
bias variations, and resetting of C j this latter capacitance change is offset, to some
N
extent, in the alternative circuit since it appears across only part of the tuned circuit
capacitance. Any form of tapping down is helpful in reducing detuning variations
C
due to Nt but this is limited by the impedance required for the filter load circuit.
X
^
Fig. 26.17. Alternative load circuit
-ie
FIG. 26.17
Methods of reducing detuning effects are discussed in Sect. 7(ii), and could be
applied here to offset changes in valve input-capacitance. Connecting the grid to a
tap on the tuned load is an obvious means of reducing the effects of valve input-
capacitance variation. This method involves a loss in gain, but this is not necessarily
serious as in some receivers the total gain is more than can usefully be employed.
The actual fixed capacitance for CL is found approximately as follows :
a _
_ 0.237 (7050)
=
° °' 83
8550 (0.235)
(which shows that the gain variation is practicable).
(70 To determine the approximate range of the selectivity control R,. For maxi-
mum bandwidth R, = 0. For minimum bandwidth, since ZL (= R L ) 7050 — —
* l
306 -* 6744 Q,
then *L —
O Ll
_ ^** A [This is an approximation only; see end of
* iOoL L 1680 * step (80]
.
and
„,
R\ = —^ = —4r = 420
°>oL L 1680
Q.
Ql
Resistance already in circuit when Q is 140, is
RL = 1680/140 = 12 Q.
Range of R v required is from — 408 Q.
This is the range if R, is connected in series with L . If R, is to be connected in
L
series with the capacitive arm of Z it should be realized that it would actually be in
L
1060 (iv) DESIGN EXAMPLE 26.6
with the fixed capacitance of 160 npF only, and not the total capacitance, so
series
thatnew values for the range of R „ would have to be calculated in this case.
(80 The design of the input transformer is the next step. For maximum gain the
transformer will be critically-coupled (this term is hardly a correct one in the design
which follows and for this particular case it might be preferable to use other methods).
Consider first the secondary circuit. The total secondary capacitance, if we select
100 nfiF capacitors (connected in series) for the ratio arms of the bridge circuit, will be
100/2 14.5 = 64.5 /i/*F. The 14.5 *t/*F represents the approximate total for
+
c
—~ c c
+~4^" == ~2? (smce cn = co) = 8.5 n/iF plus an allowance of 6 /*/*F
2* - ^
2448
-
2448
5440- "
Q
°' 45 '
(110 In order that the actual value of Z, shall be 1224 Q (and so Z' t = 306 Q) the
secondary circuit must be loaded with a resistance R, given by
QuQtUpLt 140 x 2448
Rt = 246° "
Qu - Q* ~ 140 - 0.45 ~
a
where has the apparent value of 1.9 mH, and not its actual value, so as to make
La
allowance for the use of approximate expressions which are normally only applicable
28.6 (iv) DESIGN EXAMPLE 1061
0.235 "I
altered, the biaschange being due to the a.v.c. voltage altering with different signal
inputs. This alteration in bias also leads to variation in the valve input conductance
which will have to be considered in some circuits, since the conductance increases
by about 2 1, from cut-off to normal operating conditions, with typical valve types
:
operating at 100 Mc/s (see Ref. 68 ; also Chapter 2 Sect. 8 and Chapter 23, Sect. 5).
If all the factors which cause valve input capacitance and conductance changes
are considered the problem is rather involved as can be seen from the discussions
given in Chapter 2, Sect. 8 and Chapter 23, Sect. 5. We will confine attention here,
mainly, to input capacitance changes which are most troublesome in receiver design.
One of the principal causes of change in valve input capacitance is the variation in
position and density of the space charge distribution between grid and cathode,
brought about by the change in grid bias.
Variation in grid-plate transconductance (g m) is another principal cause of input
capacitance change as will be seen later.
Short-circuit input capacitance changes are not very much affected by frequency,
although the change in capacitance with transconductance is slightly greater at low
frequencies than at high. The slight variation with frequency will not usually be
important when compared with the changes due to alteration of transconductance,
so that the data given in Chapter 2, Sect. 8 can be used directly. From this data,
it is seen that the short-circuit input capacitance alters by about 1 to 2 /*/*F in typical
cases. It is interesting to compare these changes with that due to grid-to-plate
coupling i.e. Miller effect (see Chapter 2, Sect. 8).
Suppose, for simplicity, that the plate load acts as a pure resistance. Then the input
capacitance change is given by
4C-C.- C„ - C..(
r -ff%) (43
Taking a type 6SK7, with a megohm,
as a typical example. Then
plate load of 0.25
since C t9 — 0.003 ft/*F, rv = 0.8 M.Qnot constant, but it has been
(this value is
assumed so for simplicity) and g m changes from 0-2000 /imhos,the input capacitance
change is
ftAn, 2 x 0.8 x 0.25 x 10
s
„ ,„
AC = 0.003
Yqs
= 114 WF -
In the case of the ordinary broadcast receiver special circuits are not often used.
The only precautions taken are :
(1) The total capacitance tuning the i-f transformer secondary, in particular, is
made as large as is practicable consistent with other circuit requirements. Values
of 200 p/*F, or so, should be used if possible, although values of the order of 100 p/*F,
are generally used, since it is unlikely that the change in input signal will be such as
to cause the mpxi**""" input capacitance change. Large values of tuning capacitance
for the transformer are also helpful in increasing the attenuation at frequencies far
removed from resonance. Also, with some types of converter valves (e.g. 6A8-G)
a large tuning capacitance for the primary of the first i-f transformer can be of assist-
ance in reducing degeneration in the signal input circuit connected to the converter ;
this applies particularly to signal frequencies which approach the intermediate fre-
quency.
28.7 (ii) REDUCTION OF DETUNING EFFECTS 1063
(B) Circuits
Attention will be confined to the circuits of Fig. 26.18 (some discussion of which
has already been given in Chapter 23, Sect. 5), since these allow satisfactory results
to be obtained with a small number, of components. Other types of compensating
circuits can be found in Refs. 67, 71, 72.
In Figs. 26.18A and B, C b is a by-pass capacitor and may be neglected in the dis-
cussion which follows. It is possible to show that, for complete compensation of
the input capacitance variation, th* condition required is
Rtg* = AC/C tk (44)
where R k —. unbypassed cathode resistance
—
grid-to-cathode transconductance ; which is given by g m(.I k /Ib) in
g-k
which g m is the mutual conductance ; I k is the total d.c. cathode cur-
rent (for a pentode this is usually the sum of the plate and screen-grid
currents) ; I„ is the d.c. plate current
AC —valve input capacitance change
and C gk =grid-to-cathode capacitance.
For a typical case suppose AC =
3 /x/zF, C
ak =6 nnF andg k =
2000 (11.8/9.2)
= 2560 /*mhos, so that
: £
Because of the presence of the unbypassed cathode resistor there will be a change in
the effective mutual conductance (and consequently a loss in gain) given by
£m(*ff*eUv) = j , » * (45)
In our example
2000
*m( .//««,„.) = = 1330 imhos
! + 195 x 2.56 x 10-» ' '
IfC gk is increased to 20 m/xF then R k = 58.5 Q and the effective m = 1740 /ttmhos.
The actual cathode bias resistor required is approximately 260 Q so that about 200 Si
(= JR'fc) would be used and this is then by-passed in the usual manner by C k as shown ,
in Fig. 26.18B. The increased value of C lk would need some corresponding re-
duction in Cs since the total capacitance tuning the i-f transformer secondary includes
the resultant capacitive reactance due to C gk and R k in series if the reactances of C b
and Ck are neglected.
AV.C.
FIG.26I8 METHOD FOR REDUCING VARIATIONS OF INPUT
ADMITTANCE
With any circuit the capacitances can be measured and the value for k accurately R
Calculated, but in a practical case it is generally much simpler to determine an approxi-
R
mate value for k and then find the exact value experimentally.
2*A STABILITY—® DESIGN DATA 1065
SECTION 8 : STABILITY
(i) Design data (») Neutralizing circuits.
For double tuned circuits which are critically-coupled —the usual case—Jaffe
(Ref. 74) has shown that
/ 0.79
Max. stable impedance = / ^ (48)
Additional data are given in Ref. 75 for cases where the input and output circuits are
not identical. This reference also shows that greater gain is possible when the im-
pedance of the input circuit is less than that of the output circuit ; a condition which
is fulfilled only in special cases in practical i-f circuits.
The equations given above, and in the references, are useful in forming an estimate
m
of the possible ma xi um gain obtainable and in indicating some of the causes of
instability ; but detailed calculations for various circuit possibilities hardly seem to
be justified.
may be helpful to note that when selecting a particular type of valve for niairfr iffl
It m
gain combined with stability, the most suitable is that having the greatest value of
gm/C a p consistent with other circuit requirements (and cost). For an i-f valve,
gm/C tv is of considerable importance but for a r-f valve operating at v-h-f it is also
very important to consider the factor gmy/Ru as pointed out in Chapter 23, Sect. 5.
C tP = 0.01 m/*F.
Then C3 = 100 x (10/0.01) = 0.1 j*F, which is used as the by-pass capacitor
across the cathode resistor. Also, remember that exact neutralization may not be
necessary.
0-01
C 9P ^ Cpk
0) GO.
BOTH CIRCUITS ARE DEGENERATIVE, BUT ARE RE-
GENERATIVE WHEN AA', BB' ARE REVERSED
FIC.26-20 METHODS FOR STABILISING R-F AND I-F AMPLIFIERS
C
This circuit requires no additional components and 3 is set to the value required
for neutralization. It will be noted that the capacitance of C
3 is somewhat larger
than is generally used for a by-pass capacitor. The only disadvantage is that an
additional lug is required on the i-f transformer base and care is necessary to keep
critical leads as short as possible. The advantage of the circuit in a r-f stage should
be apparent.
Receivers which combine the detector diode in the i-f amplifier valve sometimes
require additional neutralization because of feedback (which may be either regenera-
tive or degenerative) caused by the grid-to-diode capacitance. A
typical circuit is
C C
shown in Fig. 26.21. This requires two capacitors, N1 and, NZs in addition to the
usual circuit components.
28.8 (ii) NEUTRALIZING CIRCUITS 1067
Analysis of this circuit (Ref. 77) shows that sufficient accuracy can be obtained if
two bridge circuits are used to find the values of Cj/% and C
Nt . Although there is
interaction between the two circuits, which affects the values selected for and Nt3 C^ C
the calculated values are sufficiently close to allow the practical circuit to be satis-
factorily neutralized. The values of
N1 and C C
Nt are adjusted in the circuit until
complete neutralization is obtained. Fixed values can then be selected, since the
circuit is not very critical to small changes in the values of the neutralizing capacitors.
The equations required are (50) above, which is used to determine CNU just as pre-
viously, and
Cjf, = C(C, t /C, k) (52)
where C = a.v.c.by-pass capacitance (as before)
C t4 = grid-to-diode capacitance including strays
and C„» = grid to cathode capacitance (as before).
For a typical case :
SECTION 9 : DISTORTION
(0 Amplitude modulation i-f stages (ii) Frequency modulation i-f stages.
H, -
r (1 + ^ LV+Qsay J
'
(53)
H, = j- (1 + AW - 24») (54)
where A = j— Q
Jo
AF = frequency deviation
/9 = central carrier frequency
Q = magnification factor (Q = Q ) t 2
may write A = JF/total bandwidth. If it is taken that the total frequency deviation
(2AF) is equal to the total bandwidth for 1 db attenuation, then we obtain
The Q required for this condition is given from the previously stated relationship
Q = / /total bandwidth.
Suppose Q = 71 is obtained} for a critically-coupled transformer, with/ = 10.7
Mc/s, 2AF = 150 Kc/s and = 5. Then the third harmonic audio distortion intro-
/3
duced by each transformer is 1.4% (approx.) ; using either eqns. (54) or (55).
If Q = 80 is obtained from the procedure of Sect. 4, then eqn. (54) gives z
= H
1.57% ; eqn. (55) is not applicable in this case.
It should be clear that a simple approximate design procedure can be developed
from the conditions leading to eqn. (55).
The distortion given in the examples is somewhat higher than that experienced
under normal operating conditions. The third harmonic of 15 Kc/s will hardly
trouble the listener, but harmonics of the lower audio frequencies would be serious
if their amplitudes are appreciable, and the possibility of intermodulation effects
should not be neglected.
Applying eqn. (54) for Q = 71, AF = 50 Kc/s (more nearly the usual operating
condition) and a modulation frequency of 5 Kc/s, then t — 0.074%. H
(See also
Chapter 27, Sect. 2 under heading " Non-linear distortion ").
It should be carefully noted that eqn. (55) applies only for the special conditions
under which it was derived. Distortion is normally calculated from eqns. (53) and
(54).
Only a few of the significant factors have been mentioned here, and for more de-
tailed information the reader is referred to Refs. 82, 85, 86 and 87.
SECTION 10 : REFERENCES
(A) I-F AMPLIFIER DESIGN
(1) Kdly Johnson, J. " Selectivity of superheterodyne receivers using high intermediate frequencies '.'
A.R.T.S. and P. Bulletin No. 12 (Reprint from Hazeltine Service Corp. Lab. Bulletin) April 1935.
(2) Ross H. A. " The theory and dosign of intermediate-frequency transformers for frequency-
modulated signals " A.W.A. Tec. Rev. 6.8 (March 1946) 447.
(3) Everitt, W, L. (book) " Communication Engineering " 2nd ed., 1937, Chap. 16, pages 496-504.
McGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc., New York and London.
(4) Sturley, K. R. (book) " Radio Receiver Design " Part 1, Chap. 7, Chapman and Hall, London, 1943.
(5) Espy, D. " Double-tuned transformer design " Elect. 17.10 (Oct. 1944) 142.
(6) Maynard, J. E." Universal performance curves for tuned transformers" Elect. 10.2 (Feb. 1937) 15.
(7) Maynard, J. E. and P. C. Gardiner, " Aids in the design of intermediate-frequency systems "
Proc. I.R.E. 32.11 (Nov. 1944) 674.
(8) Aiken, C B. " Two-mesh tuned coupled circuit filters " Proc. I.R.E. 25.2 (Feb. 1937) 230.
(9) Adams, J. J. " Undercoupling in tuned coupled circuits to realize optimum gain' and selectivity "
Proc. I.R.E. 29.5 (May 1941) 277.
(10) Spaulding, F. E. " Design of superheterodyne intermediate Frequency Amplifiers " R.C.A. Rev.
6.4 (AprS 1940) 485.
(11a) Stern, E. " Measurements on intermediate-frequency transformers " Proc. I.R.E. (Aust.) 9.1
(Jan. 1948) 4 ; Reprinted Jour. Brit. I.RE. 9.4 (April 1949) 1*7.
(lib) Rudd, J. B. "A
design for double-tuned transformers" Proc. I.R.E. (Aust.) 10.1 (Jan. 1949)
3 : A.W.A. Tec. Rev78.2 (April 1949) 147 ; Reprinted Jour. Brit. I.RE. 9.8 (Aug. 1949) 306.
(lie) See also bibliography Chapter 9.
*
General I-F Amplifier Data
(12) Benin, Z. "Modern home receiver design" Elect. 19.8 (Aug. 1946) 94.
(13) Terman, F. E. (book) " Radio Engineers' Handbook " 1st edit. McGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc.,
NewYork and London, 1943.
(14) Keea, H. " Receiver with 2 Mc
i-f " Elect. 18.4 (April 1945) 129.
(15) Adams, J. J. " Intermediate-frequency amplifiers for frequency-modulation receivers " Proc.
I.R.E. 35.9 (Sept. 1947) 960.
(16) Rust, Keall, Ramsay and Sturley " Broadcast receivers : A
review " Jour. I.E.E. 88.2 Part 3
(June 1941) 59.
(17) Zepler, E. E. (book) " "
The Technique of Radio Design Chapman and Hall, London, 1943.
Wiley and Sons, New
York, 1943.
(17a) Ridgers, C. E. S. " Practical aspects of the design of intermediate frequency transformers " Jour.
Brit. I.R.E. 10.3 (March 1950) 97.
i
(36a) Vergara, W. C
" Determining form factors of I-F transformers " Elect. 22.7 (July 1949) 168.
(36b) See also Refs. 88 to 93 below ; Chapters 10 and 11 and their bibliographies.
(62) Booth, C
F. " The application and use of quartz crystals in telecommunications " Jour. LBJL
Part 3, 88.2 (Tune 1941) 97.
(63) Grisdale, G. L., and R. B. Armstrong" Tendencies in the design of the communication type of
receiver" Jour. I.E.B. Part 3, 93.25 (Sept. 1946) 365.
(E) STABILITY
(73) Chapter 23, Sect 7 and Ref. B41 for that chapter.
(74) Jaffe, D. L. " Intermediate frequency amplifier stability factors " Radio 30.4 (April 1946) 26.
(75) " Effect of transconductance and grid-plate capacitance on the stability of i-f amplifiers " A.R.T.S.
and P. Bulletin No. 93 (July 8th, 1940) (Reprint of Hazerane Service Corp. Bulletin).
(76) "I-F neutralization" Radiotronics No. 115 (July 1941) 54.
"
(77) " Neutralization in circuits employing a valve as a combined i-f amplifier and diode detector
Radiotronics No. 118 (Mar. /April 1946) 33.
(78) Ref. 17 above (Chapter 9). Ref. 13 above (p. 469).
(79) Root, CS. " Method for stabilising R-F and I-F amplifiers " G. E. Docket 63495.
(80) " Aneutralisation circuit for I.F. amplifiers " No. 122 (18th May, 1942) A.R.T.S. and P. Bulletin.
(81) Hultberg, C
A. " Neutralization of screen grid tubes to improve the stability of intermediate-
frequency amplifiers " Proc. LRJ3. 31.12 (Dec 1943) 663.
(F) DISTORTION
Ref. 4 above (pages 154 and 335) Refs. B34, B35, B36, bibliography Chapter 23.
(82) Guttinger, P. The distortion of frequency modulated signals during transmission by band-pass
filters* The Brown Boveri Review 2.8 (Aug. 1946) 185.
(83) " Screen supply for the final LF. amplifier " A.R.T.S. and P. Bulletin No. 88 (21st March 1940).
—
(84) " Screen dropping resistors Restrictions with super-control valves " Radiotronics No. 96 (15th
March 1939).
(85) Jaffe, D. L. " A
theoretical and experimental investigation of tuned-circuit distortion in F.M.
systems" Proc. I.R.E. 33.5 (May 1945) 318.
(86) Roder, H. " Effects of tuned circuits upon a frequency modulated signal " Proc. I.R.E. 25.12
(Dec. 1937) 1617.
(87) Cherry, E. C, and R. S. Rivlin, " Non-linear distortion with particular reference to the theory
of F.M. waves " Phfl. Mag. (i) 32313 (Oct 1941) 265 ; (ii) 32319 (April 1942) 272. Pt (i) covers
non-linear distortisn due to valves ; Pt (ii) tuned circuits.
COUPLING COEFFICIENTS
98) Editorial " Coupling and coupling coefficients " W.E. 9.108 (Sept 1932) 485.
1 1
.99) Editorial " Natural and resonant frequencies of coupled circuits ' W.E. 18.213 (June 1941) 221.
100) Editorial " Coupled circuits " W.E. 21.245 (Feb. 1944) 53.
101) Editorial " Effect of stray capacitance on coupling coefficient" W.E. 21.251 (Aug. 1944) 357.
102) Glasgow, R. S. (book) *' Principles of Radio Engineering " McGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc., New
York and London, 1936. For additional references see Supplement page 1480.
CHAPTER 27
Section page
1. A-M Detectors ... 1072
2. F-M Detectors 1088
3. Automatic Volume Control ... 1105
4. Muting (Q.A.V.C.) ... 1125
5. Noise Limiting ... 1130
6. Tuning Indicators ...
1132
7. Crystal Detectors 113$
8. References 1138
(i) Diodes
(A) General
A diode has two electrodes namely plate and cathode. It is therefore identical in
structure with a power rectifier but the term is generally restricted to valves which are
used for detection or a.v.c. as distinct from rectifiers which are used for power supply.
The operation of diodes with a.v.c, is considered in detail in Sect. 3 of this chapter!
The operation of a diode on a modulated wave is rather different from the operation
of a power rectifier, and it is necessary to consider the characteristic curves of a diode
valve if a full understanding of the operation is to be obtained. The operation of
diodes on a modulated input is considered in (B) below. Fig. 27 A shows typical
distortion curves for a diode operating firstly under ideal conditions with no a.c. shunt-
ing (curve B) and secondly the distortion resulting when a load of 1 megohm is shunted
across a diode load resistance of 0.5 megohm (curve A). The respective percentages
of harmonic distortion at 100% modulation are approximately 6% and 12% so that the
presence of such shunting has a very marked effect on performance ; these curves
apply only for the particular conditions under which they were derived.
The design of a diode detector for low distortion is based on the following require-
ments :
(1) That the input voltage should not be less than 10 volts peak.
(2) That no appreciable a.c. shunting should be present.
The first of these two requirements is easily met for local stations and a voltage
from 10 to 20 volts is quite common in receivers fitted with a.v.c. The second re-
quirement is one which is difficult to satisfy. Shunting of the diode load may be
due to t
1072
27.1 (i) DIODES 1073
o
FIG. 27.
(1) The a.v.c. system.
If the volume control (/?,) is turned to maximum the shunting effect due to R,
will be appreciable, since R a cannot exceed 1 or 2 megohms with most types of valves.
If, however, grid leak bias is used on a high-mu triode valve, R may be approximately
a
10 megohms and the input resistance of the valve will then be of the order of
5 megohms. This is sufficiently high to be unimportant but for lower values of R t
the distortion with the control set-near maximum may be severe. It is found in most
conventional receivers that the a-f gain is considerably higher than that required for
strong carrier voltages and under these conditions the control will be turned to a low
setting. The a.c. shunting effect due to R a is practically negligible provided the control
is below one-fifth of the maximum position. A good method of overcoming the
a.c. shunting due to the audio amplifier is shown in Fig. 27.3. The diode may be
in the same envelope as the i-f amplifier valve. Negative feedback is applied across
part of the cathode bias resistor for the a-f
voltage amplifier valve. For the component
values shown, the measured input resistance
between points A and B is in excess of 10
megohms for frequencies up to about 10 Kc/s.
A possible disadvantage is the reduction in
overall gain because of the negative feedback,
although this is not generally serious. In-
creasing the feedback resistance R increases
e overall gain, but reduces the input re-
toa.f.
grid
^
sistance. Intermediate values of gain and
input resistance may be selected as desired.
For further details of receivers using this
arrangement see Refs. 6 and 7.
FIC.27-2 DIODE DETECTOR CIRCUIT
1074 (i) DIODES
260V
FIC.27-3 AUDIO AMPLIFIER CIVINC LOW A.C. SHUNTING ACROSS DIODE LOAD.
Another useful method of reducing a.c. shunting effects is to use a cathode follower
stage between the detector and the a-f voltage amplifier. This is often conveniently
accomplished by employing a double triode valve, one section serving as the cathode
follower and the other as an a-f voltage amplifier.
Distortion due to the a.v.c. system will be discussed in detail in Sect. 3 below. One
type of distortion often encountered is caused by delayed a.v.c. systems at the point
where the a.v.c. diode just starts to conduct. This form of distortion is called differ-
ential distortion and may be kept to low values by making the delay voltage small.
The conventional arrangement for obtaining a.v.c. voltage from the primary of the
last i-f transformer is generally preferred, as it reduces the a.c. shunting effect across
the detector diode circuit.
The a.c. shunting due to the addition of an electron ray tuning indicator to the diode
detector circuit is serious and difficult to avoid. In order to reduce the distortion to a
minimum the resistor feeding the grid of the tuning indicator may be made 2 megohms
and the effect will only then be apparent at high percentages of modulation. If the
tuning indicator is connected to the a.v.c. system it will not operate at low carrier
levels unless the delay voltage is extremely small. One possible method, where the
utmost fidelity is required, is to use the same circuit as for delayed a.v.c. but with a
delay voltage of zero, and to connect the tuning indicator to this a.v.c. circuit. With
this arrangement a.c shunting due to the a.v.c. circuit and the tuning indicator is
IMA eliminated, while differential
AVC-* VWWVA- loading no longer occurs.
An interesting arrangement
(Ref. 8) for counteracting the
effect of a.c. loading, and so in-
creasing the maximum percent-
age of modulation which can be
handled without excessive dis-
tortion is accomplished by the
use of the circuit of Fig. 27.4.
In this arrangement a positive
bias is applied to the diode plate
in such a way as to be propor-
tional to the carrier input. A
fixed positive bias would not be
satisfactory since it would only
give low distortion at one carrier
FIG.27-4 COMPENSATED DIODE DETECTOR. level.
(i) (B) DIODE CURVES 1075
curves of Fig. 27.6. The design procedures are necessarily a series of compromises
but the results form a useful practical guide. For a more detailed discussion the
reader is referred particularly to Ref. 1 (p. 339), Ref. 2 (p. 413) and Ref. 5 (py553).
—
1076 (i) (C) QUANTITATIVE DESIGN DATA 27.1
=
,
vn^
Suppose the d.c. load is 0.5 megohm and.the signal input (Ermi)
(1)
is 15 volts (r.m.s.).
Then from the curves E de — 16.8 volts.
16.8
*
= "7j? r* = °' 793 or 793 %-
V2 x 15
Actually the a.c. load should be determined and used for all calculations. The
a.c.load is, from Fig. 27.2,
R" = Rl + R + R (2)
a %
The d.c. load for the diode detector is
Rac = Ri + R*> (3)
If simple a.v.c. is used the effect of additional a.c. shunting due to this circuit should
be taken into account. In this case the effects of additional capacitive reactance are
usually neglected for simplicity.
(b) Critical modulation ratio
The highest percentage of modulation which can be handled by the detector, before
serious distortion of the modulation envelope occurs, is given by
d
* " 1 ~ *R de + k/F (4)
=
It
m .
should
1
be
-
0.793 X 0.9
60 eo 100
RECTIFIED MICROAMPERES
27.1 (i) (C) QUANTITATIVE DESIGN DATA 1077
bias voltage to the diode plate. This arrangement is only satisfactory if the bias can
be changed for each i-f input voltage (Ermt) see Ref. 1 (page 348).
For this case
A/2grw + E bia \/
. , R±
m
-\ V2Er„. A " VFR^+R>/F)
The circuit of Fig. 27.4 shows a practical arrangement for increasing the critical
(5)
modulation ratio by applying positive bias to the diode plate, as mentioned previously
in Sect. (A) above,
(c)Equivalent damping across i-f transformer
The secondary circuit damping is found approximately from
p - R "^ 1 - v - v cos-ii?)
s
ijCcos ^ — TV 1 —
-1
i>»)
R E /R ae can be read directly from Fig. 27.7 for various, values of i>.
Damping of the i-f transformer primary is serious when the a.v.c. voltage is
derived from a diode detector connected to this voltage source. The usual arrange-
ment is a capacitor (100 /*/xF or less) taken from the plate connection of the trans-
former primary to the diode plate. The additional primary damping from this source
is approximately one third of the d.c. load resistance for die a.v.c. diode. This also
follows fairly readily if it is considered that R
ie shunts the primary of the transformer,
and in addition the diode conduction current also adds damping equivalent to a parallel
resistance of approximately ie /2. R
From this
„ Rdc(R4e/2) Rde
Rde "I" Ritl*' 3
For a typical case, the a.v.c. resistance would be 1 megohm, and so the equivalent
damping resistance would be approximately 0.33 megohm. If the i-f amplifier valve
1078 (i) (C) QUANTITATIVE DESIGN DATA 27.1
has a plate resistance of 0.8 megohm the primary damping resistance would be 0.23
megohm.
This means that, with detector and a.v.c. diodes conducting, both the secondary
and primary circuits of the i-f transformer are heavily damped and this damping must
be taken into account when the i-f transformer, connected between the last i-f voltage
amplifier valve and the diode detector, is being designed. Delayed a.v.c. will, of
course, affect the primary circuit damping and three conditions arise the diode not:
conducting, the diode just starting to conduct, and the diode conducting when the
applied voltage is reasonably large. When conduction just starts the damping de-
pends very largely on the diode detection efficiency and will vary quite appreciably
for a small range of input voltages. It is usually sufficient, however, to know the
tuned circuit damping for the two conditions, diode not conducting, and diode con-
ducting with a reasonably large input voltage. For the diode not conducting the added
damping is approximately R ae i Rae should not be used here. With the diode con-
ducting the added damping can be taken as 2? dc /3 with sufficient accuracy in some
cases since in this case the fact that the diode detection efficiency is not unity offsets
to some extent the increase in damping which is obtained when R
at is used in place
of R 4e .
Damping of the transformer tuned circuits as determined above assumes linear
—
diode plate-voltage plate-current characteristics. For parabolic diode detection
the damping differs by only a small amount from that given by the linear characteristics
and so, in practice, it is seldom necessary to treat the two cases separately. In any
case the order of accuracy to be expected in the final results from the procedures set
out, would hardly justify any additional refinements in the design calculations.
(d) The actual degree of modulation
The degree of modulation applied to the detector is always less than the modulation
of the incoming carrier. The actual value of m which the detector will be required to
handle is given approximately by
_ ,
R»(Rde + 2Z&)
RdcRa + 2Zj£Rd e + R3)
where tri = original modulation percentage
Rdc = Ri +
Rt (see Fig. 27.2)
R$ = grid resistor of following stage (see Fig. 27.2)
and ZL = load impedance presented to the i-f voltage amplifier preceding the
detector stage ; including the effects of all damping on the primary
and secondary of the i-f transformer.
In addition, at higher audio frequencies the reduction of side band amplitude by
the selectivity of the earlier stages in the receiver results in a further decrease in depth
of modulation.
(e)Audio frequency output voltage and response (frequency distortion)
The approximate r.m.s. audio frequency output voltage can be determined for a
particular arrangement by using the equivalent circuit of Fig. 27.8. It is often as-
sumed that all capacitive reactances are negligible, for simplicity in carrying out gain
calculations. However, the circuit is readily modified to include u t and C, as-C C
shown by the dotted lines, and any additional capacitances in the circuit can be in-
cluded if necessary. For this diagram
m —
modulation factor
E
T mi =
i-f input voltage
17 =
detection efficiency determined from curves of Fig. 27.6
Z —
total load impedance connected between the terminals AB. (This is
equal to R ae over the middle audio frequency range)
_ d Rt^ a
j?
R.c - Ki +
_i_
Rt + R>
and =
internal equivalent resistance of diode at audio frequencies. This is
R't
giveii by the inverse slope of the curves of Fig. 27.6.
R R R
u t and t are as shown in Fig. 27.2.
It should be noted that R' d is not the diode conduction resistance (R d) but is related
to it by
nR t
R
Also R' d and
< " c^
R
t are not constant for all operating conditions. For our previous
<8>
example we see from the 15 volt (rjn.s.) curve of Fig. 27.6, and taking the diode load
as being
Ri + R%= 0-5 M0, for simplicity,
<17 - 16.5) x 10« * „
*< = (42-26) - 3120 ° *
It will be seen that R' d is determined in a rather similar manner to that used for
finding the plate resistance of multi-element valves. The diode conduction resistance
in this case is (approximately) 6500 ohms.
It is sometimes required to find the audio frequency response and this can readily
be determined from the complete circuit of Fig. 27.8. suitable procedure would A
be as for r.c. amplifiers in which the capacitances are ignored over the middle fre-
quency range (say around 400 to 3000 c/s), and the audio voltage output is calculated
for the resistance network only. At low frequencies the effects of x and t can C C
be ignored since they are usually about 50 to 100 /*/*F each, and only the effect of
C, would be considered. At high frequencies 3 would be neglected and the effects C
C C
of x and t considered. Often only the maximum output voltage is required plus
the total output variation from say 50 c/s to 10 Kc/s, and this simplifies the calcu-
lations. If Fig. 27.8 is inspected it will be seen that it is a simple matter to apply
the generalized low frequency response curves given in Chapter 12. The high' fre-
quency curves can also be applied, directly if i? x can be neglected (this is usually per-
missible) and Q C
and t are considered as being in parallel.
When using the circuit of Fig. 27.8 it is more convenient to determine the voltage
E AB since this is given directly by
E AB = tint Erml .
a ,
Eou = E ou E AB R ae — R
and
,
—E'
fn~
t
E AB x E'
"j; — t
R ae + R a
j
B„
AB =
1
~ E ">
2/2 &*<! '
1080 (i) (C) QUANTITATIVE DESIGN DATA 27.1
The simplified graphical procedure is only suitable when the amplitudes of harmonics
higher than the second are negligible [see also (h) below]. More accurate graphical
methods are required if this is not true.
To compare the results obtained by the two methods, assume rm , 15 volts E =
and the percentage modulation is 50% (i.e. m 0.5). =
As determined previously
i) =
0.793, and it will be taken that R ae de 0.5 megohm. Then =R —
ab e ~n
= mE =
rm* 0.793 x 0.5 x 15 5.95 volts (r.m.s.). =
From Fig. 27.6, det B =
26.5 volts and 4ea 7.5 volts so that E =
e ab J_ 26 5 -
= r~7= ( - 7 5)
- = 6 -7 volts -
2V2
The discrepancy between these two results is easily explained, as an examination of
typical diode circuits giving the d.c. voltage developed by the diode in the absence
of signal input shows that there is about —0.5 to —1 volt developed across a diode
load of 0.5 megohm.
This difference is also illustrated by the curve of Fig. 27.5,
which shows that —1 volt is developed for the conditions being considered. It is
also seen that the variation in detection efficiency (rj) over the range of voltage used
does not have a large effect on the final result. The presence of d.c. voltage across
the load resistor, in the absence of signal input voltage, is due to contact potential
in the diode.
(f) Effect of shunt capacitance on detection efficiency
Too low a value for C t and Ct will affect the detection efficiency. Provided the
total shunt capacitance across the diode load is not less than 75
jK-ae
—
12.72
/i/iF the ef-
2n x. 10 8 x 0.5 x 10»
This is the largest value C t should have if the detector is to be capable of handling
audio frequencies of 10 Kc/s and 100% amplitude modulation.
It will be noticed from (e) above that the detector efficiency will be reduced if C t is
•
= = ^* 6 '
2nd harmonic percentage 2V2TT/ x **^
The true a.c. loadline would indicate somewhat more distortion than is given by
this simple example.
(D) Miscellaneous data
(a) With radio receivers using diode-triode or diode-pentode valves as combined
detectors and a-f or i-f amplifiers several effects require consideration. Where the
combined valve used in the a-f application, difficulty is often experienced with
is
residual volumeeffect (" play-through ")• This effect is quite distinct from the
minimum volume effect experienced with receivers using a reflexed amplifier. The
residual volume is heard in the receiver output when the audio volume control is
turned to zero (the grid may also be earthed as a further check). The cause of the
effect is capacitive and electronic coupling between the detector diode and the plate
of the a-f voltage amplifier.
In some cases there may be direct coupling at audio frequencies, but usually the
important factor is coupling of modulated i-f currents which are detected in the audio
amplifier.
A complete cure for the trouble is to combine the detector diode with the i-f voltage
amplifier. However, this can sometimes lead to difficulties with regeneration or
degeneration at i-f due to coupling between the detector diode and signal grid. When
the valve is retained as an a-f amplifier it is necessary to keep all stray coupling to a
minimum by careful layout and wiring. Diode pentodes are often helpful, particularly
when series screen feed is used, as adequate screen by-passing gives a marked improve-
ment. Adequate cathode circuit by-passing is essential in all cases. Neutralization
to reduce the effect is almost useless unless rather elaborate circuits are used. In
some cases different types of sockets offer an improvement. If simple a.v.c. is used,
R.D.N. —88
1082 (i) (D) MISCELLANEOUS DATA 27.1
earthing, or even leaving disconnected, the second diode will often effect an almost
complete cure. Obviously the diode connection nearest the plate of the voltage am-
plifier is the one which should be earthed.
A second effect which is less frequently encountered is residual volume due to
capacitance between a diode and the control grid of a combined detector and a-f
amplifier. Normally this capacitance is unimportant because with the volume control
turned right down the control grid is grounded through the grid coupling capacitor
(see Fig. 212). However if the audio amplifier is grid leak biased it may have a 10
megohm grid leak, and in this case a 0.001 pF grid coupling capacitor would give
adequate bass response for a small receiver. Under these conditions a voltage of the
order of one thousandth of the i-f input to the diode could appear on the control grid
and with a high gain receiver this is ample to give annoying minimum volume. The
remedy, of course, is to increase the size of the grid coupling capacitor.
(b) In general, diodes do not start to conduct at precisely the point where the plate
voltage exceeds zero. Contact potentials and other effects will sometimes allow
the valve to conduct when the diode plate voltage is slightly negative (this is usual
with valves having indirectly heated cathodes), but in other cases (e.g. some battery
valves) conduction does not occur until the plate voltage is appreciably positive. This
point can be appreciated by an examination of typical diode curves. The effects of
the contact potentials will be further considered in Sect. (3) below when automatic
volume control is being discussed.
For a discussion of the effects of positive and negative start of plate current (which
may be deliberately introduced as mentioned in (C)(b) above) in diode detectors the
reader is referred to Ref. 1, Chapter 8.
(c) There are distinct advantages in having the a-f volume control as the diode
load. For the usual operating conditions on local signals the setting of the control
is fairly well down, and so the effects of a.c. loading are very much reduced. This
advantage is lost when the control is in the grid circuit of the a-f voltage amplifier.
The disadvantage is that many controls become noisy, usually after a fairly short
period, when they have the diode current passing through them. A compromise
arrangement may be best with the control in the grid circuit (R s in Fig. 27.2) and
R x about 0.1 megohm and s say 0.5 megohm.
R
(d) As a summary of the characteristics of the diode detector, it may be stated that
its performance as regards frequency and non-linear distortion is excellent provided
the input voltage is high and the factors discussed above regarding a.c. shunting etc.
are incorporated in the detector design. All forms of detectors suffer from distortion
at low input levels, but the diode has the particular advantage that the input maybe
increased to a very high level with consequent reduction of distortion, without any
overloading effect such as occurs with other forms of detectors.
(e) Crystal diodes are described in Section 7.
pA/WW
FIG. 2 7-3 FORM OF GRID LEAK DETECTOR.
(ii) Other forms of detectors
(A) Grid detection
Leaky grid or " cumulative detection " has been used for many years and is still
widely used for certain applications. The theory of its operation is essentially the
same as that of the diode except that a triode is also used for amplification. The
derivation of a leaky' grid detector from the combination of a diode and
triode is shown in Fig. 27.9. Whether the grid capacitor and resistor are inserted as
27.1 (ii) OTHER FORMS OF DETECTORS 1083
It will be seen that the operating point varies along the e„-i,, characteristic curve
between zero bias and the cut-off point (Fig. 27.1 1). There will be a certain strength
of carrier at which the detection will be most satisfactory, and at lower or higher
levels detection will not be so satisfactory on account of improper operating conditions.
If with a certain carrier input voltage the d.c. bias on the grid is OA, then the point
corresponding to peak modulation is B where OB equals twice OA. If the point
B is on the curved part of the characteristic, or in the extreme case actually beyond
the cut-off, the distortion will be severe. A valve having low m and low g m is capable
of operating with a higher carrier voltage than a valve with improved characteristics,
but the gain in the detector stage will be less. There is a further difficulty in that
the plate current at no signal, or at very weak signal, may be excessively high. If
transformer coupling is used this may, in extreme cases, damage the valve, or pass too
much direct-current through the transformer, unless the plate supply voltage is re-
duced. If resistance coupling or parallel-feed is used the efficiency of the detector
is decreased. As with diode detection there is distortion at low levels due to the
" diode characteristics " but as distinct
from the diode, the overload point
occurs at quite a low carrier voltage.
This method of detection is therefore
very much limited in application.
A
typical circuit for a grid leak detector as used in radio receivers is shown in
Fig. 27.12.
Damping of the input circuit occurs in the same manner as for a diode but additional
damping occurs because of grid-plate coupling. The arrangement shown in Fig.
27.12 for the grid resistor further increases the loading on the input circuit. Detailed
discussions of this type of circuit can be found in Refs. 2 (p. 414), 1 (p. 377) and 10.
of 0.95 (,EB/Rj). The exact operating point for optimum conditions depends upon
the input voltage.
Pentode valves are particularly valuable as plate detectors since the gain is of such
a high order. If resistance coupling is used the gain is reduced very considerably,
and in order to eliminate this loss it is usual to adopt choke coupling using a very high
inductance choke in the plate circuit, shunted by a resistor to give a more uniform
frequency response. If the shunt resistor were omitted the high frequencies would
be much greater than the low frequencies in relative level.
With all forms of plate detectors the bias is critical and since different valves of the
same type require slightly different values of bias the use of fixed bias is not recom-
mended. A very high value of cathode resistance is usually adopted to bias the valve
very nearly to cut-off, and in such a way that if valves are changed, or vary during life,
the operating point maintains itself near optimum (Fig. 27.13).
-\tr+
riG.27-13 S B
PLATE DETECTOR
Screen grid and pentode valves with self-bias have been used as plate detectors
very satisfactorily for a number of years, although the distortion with the usual arrange-
ment is too high for them to be used in any but the cheapest radio receivers at the
present time. Such a detector is, however, permissible for some types of short-wave
reception and for amateur communication work where its high grid input impedance
results m higher sensitivity and selectivity.
With the usual plate detector the cathode bypass capacitor (Cs, Fig. 27.13) has
customarily been made sufficiently large to by-pass both audio and radio frequencies.
Often C2 is a 25 j*F electrolytic in parallel with a 500 j*/*F mica capacitor. This
arrangement, although widely used in the past, is not a correct one and leads to dis-
tortion when the modulation factor is at all high. The effect is similar to that de-
scribed in connection with diode detectors having the a.c. loadline appreciably different
in slope from the d.c. loadline. The correct procedure calls for the resistor R a to be
by-passed for radio frequencies only, and although this results in a very considerable
loss in gain because of negative feedback, the results obtainable are excellent. In a
typical case R s might be taken as 10 000 to 100 000 ohms and Ca as 500 to 100 jijiP
respectively, the plate load resistor would be about 0.25 megohm ; additional r-f
decoupling is usual in the plate circuit, although this is not shown in Fig. 27.13. This
circuit is often called a reflex detector, although this term is sometimes reserved for
cases where 100% negative feedback is used with a plate detector, and the audio out-
put is then taken from the resistor in the cathode circuit ; the plate is earthed for
a.c. in this case. The results obtainable from the modified plate detector are ex-
cellent, and are comparable with those given by the diode arrangement. The reflex
detector is further discussed below.
(D) Reflex detector
The reflex detector is essentially a plate detector with negative feedback. Any
amount of feedback may be applied from zero to 100%, and as the feedback increases,
so the distortion decreases and the stage gain decreases until in the final condition
with 100% feedback the gain is less than unity. The reflex detector has an even
higher input impedance than the usual type of plate detector, and is therefore valuable
in certain applications. Under certain conditions the input resistance is negative
and can lead to instability troubles. The increased selectivity can also result in side-
1086 (ii) (D) REFLEX DETECTOR 27.1
band cutting. The degree of feedback may be adjusted to give any required gain
(within reasonable limits) by altering the size of cathode by-pass capacitor and the
relationship between the plate and cathode load resistance, but the distortion increases
with gain and if low distortion is required the maximum gain is limited to about three
or four times even with a pentode valve. With maximum degeneration and stable
operating conditions, the distortion (see Ref. 11) is about the same as for a diode
operating under similar input voltage conditions, while the reflex detector has the
distinct advantage of high input impedance. One application which appears to be
of importance is in high fidelity t.r.f. receivers, but even here the reflex detector has
not shown any very marked improvement over the diode from a consideration of
distortion alone. Input voltages in the order of 10 volts (r.m.s.) are usually most
satisfactory when low distortion is desired and in a typical case using 100% feedback
about 3% total harmonic distortion can be expected when the modulation depth ap-
proaches 100%. This assumes that the a.c. shunting is high (say 10 1 or so) com-
:
pared with the d.c. load. Some useful discussion is given in Refs. 14 (pages 51-55)
and 15. These performance figures can be compared with those stated previously
for the diode detector under similar operating conditions. Reflex detectors do not
provide a.v.c. and so are not used in normal broadcast receivers. They could be used
in combination with amplified a.v.c. to provide a receiver with good characteristics.
Typical circuit component values have been discussed in (C) above in connection
with modified plate detectors. For the case of 100% negative feedback (i.e. the load
resistance is in the cathode circuit and the plate is earthed for a.c.) the cathode
resistance is made large compared with l/g m and a typical value is 25 000 ohms.
The by-pass capacitance across this resistance can be about 500 /li/uF. There is
seldom any difficulty with a.c /d.c. ratios as the grid resistance of the following a-f
stage is generally about 0.5 megohm. Additional components required are a blocking
capacitor, to prevent the d.c. cathode voltage from being applied to the grid of the
a-f amplifier, and a series resistor and shunt capacitor to provide additional r-f de-
coupling between the two circuits.
A limitation of the .reflex detector is that there is a definite maximum for the input
signal voltage for freedom from grid current. A further increase of input causes
rectification at the grid, with added damping of the grid input circuit, and a steady
increase in distortion. An increase in the supply voltage raises the threshold point
for grid current. Further data are available in Refs. 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.
R-F CHOKE
Best results are generally obtained using pentode valves and resistance-capacitance
coupling to the following audio stage. This arrangement minimizes "threshold
howl."
Feedback control is possible with a variety of circuits but least difficulty is usually
experienced with the variable capacitor arrangement, or the use of a variable resistor
in the screen circuit. The latter arrangement is advantageous as regards the re-
duction of detuning effects.
Further details of this type of detector can be found in Refs. 1, 5, 16, 17, 18, 19
and 20.
(F) Superregenerative detectors
The superregenerative detector is a regenerative circuit in which the detector is
automatically switched in and out of oscillation at a very low radio frequency rate
(usually about 15 to 100 Kc/s). This switching frequency is called the
" quench-
ing" frequency. In general the quenching frequency is increased as the carrier
frequency becomes greater, but sensitivity and selectivity are improved by using the
lowest permissible value of quenching frequency. For many cases it is usual to
make the quench frequency about twice the highest audio frequency contained in the
modulation envelope, and it is not considered good practice for the quench frequency
to be lower than this value. The amplitude of the quench voltage is also important
and it will have a very appreciable effect on'the selectivity characteristic. In general
if the quench voltage amplitude is increased in a separately quenched circuit, the
selectivity is reduced.
The advantage of this circuit is the extremely high sensitivity which is possible
using a single valve. The disadvantages are the high noise level in the absence of a
signal, the poor selectivity, and the high distortion.
The circuit of Fig. 27.14 can be made to operate as a superregenerative detector
by increasing the time constant of the grid resistance and capacitance combination,
and making the amount of regeneration very large. The quenching frequency can
be simply adjusted by altering the value of the grid resistance.
A separate quenching oscillator is often used with the regenerative detector arrange-
ment, but as this requires additional circuit components and sometimes an additional
valve, it is not so popular as the simple arrangement previously mentioned. The
development of suitable types of double triode and converter valves largely overcomes
this objection, however, and many modern circuits use separate quenching.
Several other points of interest arise with this detector. Amplitude limiting occurs,
so there is less interference from car ignition and similar noises than when other
detectors are used j the output on strong signals is not much greater than for weak
signals. Noise quieting and limiting are improved however, by using low quench
frequencies. A r-f stage should be incorporated in receivers using this type of de-
tector to reduce radiation. This additional stage will not materially alter the signal-
to-noise ratio obtainable with the detector alone. Circuits incorporating the prin-
ciple of superregeneration have been used in cheap F-M receivers ; this point will
receive some further consideration in the section on F-M receivers in Chapter 36.
The method to be adopted for measuring the selectivity of a superregenerative
receiver requires some consideration. Conventional methods are usually inadequate
since in most cases the problem is similar to that of taking the selectivity curve of
a receiver having a.v.c, but in this case the a.v.c. cannot be disconnected. A suitable
procedure (Ref. 26) is as follows.
With no input signal applied the audio noise output is measured. A
signal is ap-
plied at the resonance frequency and its amplitude adjusted until the noise is sup-
pressed by about 10 to 20 db (or any convenient amount). The selectivity is then
found by tuning the signal generator to various frequencies around resonance, in the
usual manner, and the input voltage is adjusted until the same degree of quieting is
obtained as at resonance. The difference between the two signal inputs off and at
resonance for the same degree of quieting, gives the attenuation at the particular fre-
quency being considered.
Further details of this detection system are available in Refs. 5 (page 662), 20 (page
148), 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26.
1088 (i) TYPES OF DETECTORS IN GENERAL USE 27.2
(ii)General principles
The circuits which will be considered here utilize tuned circuits to convert fre-
quency changes to amplitude changes. The amplitude modulated carrier is then
applied to detectors (usually diodes) to recover the intelligence contained in the re-
ceived signals.
Although the amplitude modulated carrier applied to the detectors is also frequency
modulated, the detectors are only sensitive to amplitude changes, and so it is only the
resultant amplitude variations which appear at the output of the detector stage. It is
because the detectors are sensitive to amplitude changes, that some method of limiting
is required to overcome undesired amplitude variations.
The tuned circuits to be described are called discriminators, although this name is
often taken to include the diode detectors as well. If distortion is not to be introduced
by the discriminator it is essential that the amplitude variations produced be directly
proportional to the frequency variations i.e. the circuit must be linear over the full
range of applied frequency deviation. The usual precautions for reducing distortion
in the detector circuits must also be applied, just as for any other A-M detector.
These precautions have been discussed previously, and those given for diode detectors
should be carefully observed here. One big advantage does appear, however, the
percentage amplitude modulation is likely to be quite small, depending on the fre-
quency-amplitude conversion efficiency of the discriminator circuit, and so the possi-
bility of non-linear distortion is considerably reduced.
assumed constant for the moment) alters, the phase angle between Et and E 2 changes
from that at resonance. This leads to a change in the relative magnitudes of E^
and E £ .
The vector relationship between the primary and half secondary voltages, for the
phase discriminator, are shown in Fig. 27.16. This assumes constant primary voltage
Bt.
If the primary voltage Ei has its
amplitude varied in a suitable man-
ner (e.g. by setting the coupling
between the transformer windings,
for given primary and secondary
Q's, so that two primary voltage
humps of the required amplitude
appear as the frequency is varied)
the linearity and sensitivity of the
discriminator can be very appreci-
ably improved.
This statement, regarding line-
arity and sensitivity, refers, of
course, to the relationship between
voltage output and frequency-devia-
tion from the central reference fre-
¥-¥ quency (i.e. the nominal intermedi-
ate frequency).
Analysis of the phase discrimina-
tor for F-M applications has been
made by K. R. Sturley (Refs. 27
FIG.27I6 VOLTAGE RELATIONSHIPS IN PHASE
DISCRIMINATOR WITH CONSTANT and 28), and the results of this
PRIMARY VOLTAGE. analysis will be used below It
might be mentioned that a number
of discriminator circuits for a wide variety of applications have been designed using the
data derived by Sturley and very satisfactory results have been obtained in practice.
Before proceeding to set out the design data, the circuit of Fig. 27.17 will be briefly
discussed.
V
The voltages applied to the plates of the double diode valve t will be E' A and
E' B respectively. The output voltages from the diodes are developed across R 3
R
and i} and the circuit is arranged so that the available output voltage is equal to the
difference between the two separate voltages. This means that when the frequency
of the carrier voltage is exactly equal to the intermediate frequency, no output will be
obtained from the detector. Reference to Fig. 27.16 should help to make this point
quite clear, since the rectified voltages across R3 and /? 4 in Fig. 27.17 are given by the
peak voltages applied to the diode plates multiplied by the detection efficiency of the
diodes. As the signal deviates from the central reference frequency (i.e. the inter-
mediate frequency), a voltage (E out) will appear between the points P and N (Fig.
27.17), and its polarity will depend on the relative magnitudes of the voltages across
N
R a and R t ; e.g. point P will be negative with respect to point when the voltage
across R a is less than that across R t It follows that it should be possible to calculate
.
1090 (iii) PHASE DISCRIMINATORS 27.2
DISCRIMINATOR
V2 DE-EMPHASIS
LIMITER _
B+ B+
nc.27i7 TYPICAL PHASE DISCRIMINATOR ARRANGEMENT FOR F-M DETECTION.
the relationship between output voltage and frequency change from
Eout = v(E' A 'b> ~ e (11)
where -q —the diode detection efficiency, and is assumed to be the same for both
diodes of t. V
(B) Design data
For most designs it is usual to take the total secondary voltage E2 as being twice
the primary voltage E t i.e.
Bt/Ex = 2. (12)
Primary and secondary Q's are made equal, so that
Q = Qi = Q«. . (13)
The value for Q is determined from
Q = f /(2Af)r (14)
where f, = intermediate frequency
and 2J/ = total frequency range for which substantially linear operation is re-
quired.
The coefficient of coupling for the transformer is found from
Qk = 1.5 (15)
when a good compromise between sensitivity and linearity is required (the usual case).
For special cases where linearity is the main requirement it is suggested that
Qk = 2 (16)
be used. The loss in sensitivity in this case is about 1.54 times as can be seen by
comparing eqns. (20) and (21).
From the principles of coupled circuits it is possible to show that *
fh °V£ (17)
and for our particular cases with EJEX 2 and Qk 1.5 or 2, the relationship
between L a and L x is
L t /L t = 1.77 (for Qk = 1.5) (18)
and LJLx = 1 (for Qk = 2). (19)
The discriminator sensitivity at fr is given by
S(Qk - 1.5) 5.465 X 10*g mQ'LiVEg volts per kilocycle deviation, (20)
S(Qk = 2) 3.554 x 10*£ W QL 8
X -qE t volts per kilocycle deviation, (21)
where g mutual conductance of V!
Q magnification factor determined from eqn (14)
primary inductance of transformer
V diode detection efficiency
and Ea =
peak voltage between grid and cathode of V!.
It should be apparent that the sensitivity, given by eqns. (20) and (21), is directly
proportional to E„ and so the output from the discriminator is dependent on the input
voltage. To overcome this difficulty the valve V x is arranged as a limiter in such a
way that the product g mE a is kept almost constant, and thus the output voltage is
no longer directly dependent on the magnitude of the signal input voltage.
Curves of discriminator output voltage versus frequency deviation can be found
from vector diagrams similar to that of Fig. 27.16, and then introducing suitable cor-
27.2 (iii) (B) DESIGN DATA 1091
E
rection factors to allow for variations in x deliberately introduced by the transformer
design. However, it is possible to determine two generalised curves for the design
conditions previously imposed, one curve for Qk =
1.5 and the other for Qk 2. =
The curves are shown in Fig. 27.18A, and relate the quantity (which is a function X
of bandwidth) to the relative output voltage Era. Only the positive halves of the
curves are shown since the negative halves have substantially the same shape. To
E
determine the output voltage out against frequency, it is only necessary to multiply
the horizontal scale by a factor determined by eqn. (14), and the vertical scale by a
factor determined by eqn. (20) or eqn. (21) (depending on whether Qk = 1.5 or 2
is used).
FIG. 27IB(a) GENERALISED PHASE DISCRIMINATOR CURVES OF RELATIVE VOLTAGE OUTPUT (jE
re |.) VERSUS X
WITH Eg/E|-2} QA-I-5AND2.
The two curves shown in Fig. 27.18(A) are calculated from the following equations.
For Qk = "1.5, the relative voltage output is
325A
Era = , (22)
A/025 x*y + ax 2
and for Qk = 2,
5A
Erel (23)
V(5 - x*y + 4x*
complete it will be taken that the highest audio frequency is 15 Kc/s and the de-
emphasis time constant is 7.5 micro-seconds.
(a) The majority of applications call for reasonable discriminator sensitivity and
so the condition Qk = 1 .5 (see eqn. 15) is practically always used. Also, high primary
dynamic impedance will increase the sensitivity of the discriminator. However,
since Q is fixed by other considerations (see eqn. 14) L x should be large, but L x is
limited by L 2 which in turn is limited by the permissible minimum secondary capacit-
ance C8 A value is selected for Ca and the design can then proceed.
.
- 14
-12
*.
I4
O
250 XX> 1 JO KX> SO Mc/s ! O ICO 1 SO 2<X> 2 SO
-AfKefc f-2 fAfKc/s
-4
-6
-8
-IO
-12
-14
(e) The discriminator sensitivity at/, is given by eqn. (20). Assume Eg = 1 volt
(peak)* gm = 5 mA/volt and = 0.7. Then 17
=
0.0875 volts per kilocycle deviation.
This also allows the vertical scale factor to be determined for the complete dis-
criminator curve as shown on Fig. 27.18(B). The horizontal scale factor is found from
= Q—
2Af
=
fr
1 [i.e. eqn. (14)].
10.7 x 10 s
Therefore Af = 125 Kc/s.
2Q 2 x 42.8
The procedure.for finding the plotted points on the curve of Fig. 27.18(B) is as
follows. Draw up a table, as shown below, with values of X
corresponding to values
E
of rei read from the curve of Fig. 27.18(A). Since it has just been determined that
Af = 125 Kc/s when X=
1, the column for J/ can be filled in (e.g. when == 0.8 X
then Af =
125 x 0.8 =
100 Kc/s, and so on). The sensitivity has been determined
as 0.0875 volts per kilocycle deviation, and so for 25 Kc/s deviation E out 0.0875 x =
25 = 2.19 volts (the lowest deviation frequency in the table should be used to find
E out in this case). It is now seen that the value of £?„„, =
2.19 volts corresponds to
Era =
0.28, and so the scale factor is 2.19/0.28 7.82. =
If 7.82 is now multiplied
E
by Era in each case, the column for out can be filled in. The complete curve for
E ou t versus Af can now be plotted.
X 4f Era E 0U t
(f) It now remains to determine suitable values for the other components in the
circuit of Fig. 27.17.
C8 for the purpose of connecting the transformer primary to the secondary
is
centre-tap, and providing isolation of the secondary from the h.t. on the plate of x . V
A suitable value is 100 j*j*F. The capacitor should have high insulation resistance.
C t is a by-pass capacitor ; a value of about 0.01 pF is usual.
R t and jR 4 are made equal, arid are generally about 100 000 ohms each.
C8 but must not appreciably affect the audio frequency
acts as a by-pass for i-f
response. The about 100 m/xF.
usual value is
The de-emphasis network consists of R6 and C«. For 75 microsecond de-emphasis
the nominal values would be 75 000 ohms and 0.001 /tF respectively. If an improved
a.c./d.c. ratio is thought to be necessary then suitable values would be say, 0.25 MQ
and 300 p/xF. The grid resistor in the following a-f stage should not be less than
1 M.Q if excessive loss in gain is to be avoided. However, the actual values used in a
receiver will generally deviate from these nominal figures if the overall audio frequency
response of the receiver is made to follow the 75 microsecond de-emphasis curve to
15 Kc/s, because of the presence of stray capacitances etc. and in some cases to help
compensate for the overall a-f response.
—
To determine R t : the transformer primary damping due to a single diode circuit,
connected as shown, is /? de /3. For this circuit R de = R» = R t = 100 000 ohms.
1094 (iii) (C) DESIGN EXAMPLE 27.2
R
Also, because of the circuit arrangement, t and JR t are in parallel. The total damping,
due to diode conduction currents in addition to 3 and t> is then R R
,/R de \
Hyj - ~g— =16600fl.
100 000
If/?, is not equal to /?«, the damping resistance is given by R t /3 and RJ3 in parallel
i.e.
100 - 42.8
= 12,500 Q.
From this
12 500 x 16 600
Rl = = 5060 Q
(16 600 - 12 500) ° '
IDE-EMPHASIS
AAA/ 1 »l
nmy —
R-FCHOKE
is shown in Fig. 27.19. The design procedure to be used is exactly as before, except
that the primary circuit damping due to the diode circuits (the damping is actually
across the r-f choke) will be approximately R
d c/4 instead of de /6 R
the secondary
',
circuit damping is R
de as previously, where de R a=R =R*- If a resistor is sub-
stituted for the r-f choke then the circuit damping is again modified depending on
the value of resistance used in the circuit. Considerations leading to the choice of
a suitable value for the inductance of the r-f choke will be given in detail in Chapter 29
Sect. 2, in connection with the discussion on a.f.c. discriminators.
It is perhaps worth mentioning that hum due to heater-cathode leakage is some-
times troublesome in discriminator circuits, particularly with miniature diodes, and
a simple and effective cure for this trouble is to make the cathode positive with respect
to the heater. This can be readily effected, for example in Fig. 27.19, by connecting
a 10 000 Q resistor by-passed by, say, a 0.01 /*F mica capacitor between the earthy
end ofR t and ground ; the junction of i? 4 and the 10 000 Q
resistor is then connected
to B+ via a series resistor whose value is selected so that about 10 to 15 volts appears
across the 10 000 Q resistor (which now forms one arm of a voltage divider). In a
typical case the series resistor would be about 0.16 MQ for a B +
of 250 volts.
The principle underlying many circuits for F-M detection is the peak rectification
of two i-f voltages, the relative amplitudes of which are a function of frequency, to-
gether with means> for combining the rectified voltages in reversed polarity. The
output is then equal to the difference between the two rectified voltages. This state-
ment is directly applicable to the phase discriminator circuits of Figs. 27.17 and 27.19,
the two i-f voltages being those applied to the diode plates, and the rectified voltages
combined in reversed polarity being those which appear across the load resistors
R a and JR«. The way in which the two i-f voltages, applied to the diode plates, are
dependent on the instantaneous intermediate frequency has been discussed in con-
nection with Figs. 27.15 and 27.16. It was mentioned previously that, with the phase
discriminator, changes in the magnitude of the input signal will give rise to amplitude
changes in the resultant output voltage, and the need for some form of amplitude
limiting was emphasized.
In an attempt to eliminate the necessity for a limiter, a ratio type of detector has been
developed from the basic phase discriminator circuit. In this modified circuit the
rectified voltages are split into two parts in such a way that their ratio is proportional
to the ratio of the instantaneous i-f voltages applied to the detector diodes, and the
sum of the two rectified voltages is kept constant. It has been found in this type of
circuit that the useful output voltage, which is proportional to the difference between
the two rectified voltages developed by the diode detectors, tends to be independent
1096 (iv) RATIO DETECTORS 27.2
E
The sum of x and J?a is held constant by means of a battery or a large capacitance.
This point will be further discussed as we proceed. The audio output voltage is
taken from the junction of R a, R t and C6 , C7 and is equal to (Et — Ea)/2. The
voltage output with frequency change is seen from Fig. 27.20(B) to be similar to that
for a conventional discriminator circuit.
The sum voltage (Et + Et) can be stabilized by using either a battery or by shunt-
ing a large capacitance across the load resistors R a and R t . Abattery Would limit
the operation in such a way that the input signal would need to be at least strong
enough to overcome the fixed bias due to the battery voltage. A better solution is to
use a capacitor, since the voltage across it will vary in proportion to the average signal
amplitude and thus automatically adjust itself to the optimum operating level. This
allows amplitude rejection to be secured for a wide range of input signal voltages, the
lowest useful signal being determined by the ability of the diode rectifiers to conduct
with small input voltages.
When a capacitor is used to stabilize the rectified output voltage its capacitance
must be sufficiently large so that the sum of Ex + Et cannot vary at an audio frequency
rate. This calls for a time constant in the circuit made up from R at R t and the
additional capacitance C of about 0.2 seconds. The effects of CB and C, on the time
constant can be neglected, since the value of the capacitance C will be of the order
of microfarads (usually about 8pF).
E| + E 2
(HELD x
CONSTANT)
_1_
ft' »r
E,+E2
E.+E2 HELD CONSTANT AT VOLTAGE
EQUAL TO RECTIFIED OUTPUT WHEN
It is worth noting that the a.v.c. voltages available from ratio detector circuits have
values which are not always directly suitable for application to controlled stages.
Some form of voltage divider arrangement is often necessary to obtain suitable volt-
ages for securing the desired a.v.c. characteristic.
(B) Operation
A brief qualitative description of the operation of the ratio detector will be given
here. A complete quantitative analysis has not been made, although many of the
significant factors have been investigated (see Refs. 34, 35 and 36).
Fig. 27.21 shows the same basic circuit as Fig. 27.20(A), rearranged in a more
convenient form for discussion. The main details of operation are also indicated,
and show what happens in the circuit when the amplitude of the signal input voltage
changes. For the case (A) where the amplitude of the signal input voltage is con-
stant, the stabilizing current is zero and the circuit has essentially the same output
characteristic as a phase discriminator. When the signal amplitude increases (B),
the average diode current also increases, and resultant direct current flows into the
stabilizing voltage source (i.e. the battery is being charged). From this since Et Et +
remains constant, it is seen that the effective diode load resistance must decrease
and so the primary and secondary circuits are more heavily damped than for the case
(A) where the input voltage has a fixed value. The increased damping on the trans-
former circuits will tend to offset the increase in the amplitude of the input voltage,
and so the output voltage will also tend to be constant.
—
Similarly, when the signal amplitude decreases—case (C) the stabilizing voltage
source supplies additional current (i.e. the battery is being discharged) to offset the
reduction in diode current, so as to maintain x E +E t constant ; the effective diode
load resistance is now increased, and so the circuit damping is reduced.
From this it is seen that stabilizing the rectified voltage results in the equivalent
load resistance varying in such a way as to offset changes in the amplitude of the signal
input voltage. It also follows that there must be optimum circuit conditions which
will allow the undesired amplitude variations to be offset most effectively (although
these conditions are not necessarily the same for all input voltages). The conditions
for obtaining the most .satisfactory operation will be summarized below when
dis-
cussing the design of the ratio detector.
1098 (iv) RATIO DETECTORS 27.2
W7KT
A.V.C.
-A-F
microseconds or so) they can be used to derive a bias voltage for the grid of the valve
when the signal exceeds some pre-determined level, and the valve can then be used
to provide a degree of limiting. In this way the use of an additional valve is still
avoided, since most ratio detectors operate satisfactorily with as little as 10 millivolts
(or less) applied to the grid of the driver valve, but the advantages of additional am-
plitude limiting can be obtained on strong signals. Of course, satisfactory results
are obtainable with a ratio detector alone and the application of a.v.c. bias to the
earlier stages is helpful but improvement is possible with the arrangement suggested,
and with very little additional trouble. With the partial limiter arrangement a.v.c.
is sometimes applied to the first i-f voltage amplifier, the a.v.c. bias being derived from
the ratio detector circuit as indicated in Figs. 27.22 and 27.23. Some receiver manu-
facturers do not use a.v.c. at all, but use suitable grid resistor-capacitor arrangements
with both i-f valves to provide additional bias when the signal is sufficiently large.
Some care is necessary with the limiter arrangements, since detuning of the i-f trans-
former can have adverse effects particularly with some types of noise interference.
This point received consideration in Chapter 26 when die design of the F-M i-f
transformers was being discussed. MEAN SIGNAL
AMPLITUDE
AMPLITUDE —»•
Typt Ratio Dctccto Typical Input-Output Voltaof Curvet
for Ratio Detector
value. Smaller values for R will increase the ^downward modulation handling capa-
bilities of the detectorj but will also reduce its sensitivity.
Primary L/C ratio and Q
The primary L/C ratio should be as large as possible to increase the sensitivity.
The limiting factor is the maximum stable gain between the grid and plate of the ratio
detector driver valve (i.e. the last i-f valve,preceding the detector). When determin-
ing the maximum gain it should be remembered that the gain may increase during
downward amplitude modulation, particularly on either side of the centre frequency.
If the primary Q
is high enough so that the operating Q is determined mainly by
the diode loading, the grid-plate gain will rise during the A-M cycle. This is advan-
tageous since it increases the ability of the detector to reject downward modulation.
Q
The primary is made as high as possible consistent with peak separation and stable
gain requirements.
Coupling
The value of coupling used, together with the number of turns in the tertiary wind-
ing, is the principal factor in determining the ratio of the tertiary voltage to the half
secondary voltage. This ratio should always be close to unity. The coupling is
generally adjusted to half critical in the actual circuit, since the degree of coupling is
dependent on the other circuit component values and these are selected before the
coupling is finally set to the desired amount.
Tertiary inductance
The number of turns on the tertiary winding is adjusted so that the required ratio
of tertiary voltage to half secondary voltage is obtained (see under Coupling).
Reducing unbalanced A-M component
There will always be some residual amplitude modulation in the detector output
because of the variation in the effective diode input capacitance during the A-M cycle,
and because of the unbalance introduced by the transformer and other circuit com-
ponents. Several methods are useful in overcoming this effect. One is to vary the
effective centre-tap on the secondary winding (this method is shown in Fig. 27.26)
and another is to make the resistors R 3 and R t shown in Fig. 27.25 unequal. In
addition a resistor iRs is used in series with the tertiary winding (see Fig. 27.25) to
modify the peak diode currents, which has the effect of appreciably reducing the un-
balanced A-M component particularly at high input voltages. The methods using
resistors to reduce unbalance also reduce the detector sensitivity.
The reduction of unbalance effects is carried out by observing the condition for
minimum A-M output when a signal which is simultaneously amplitude and frequency
modulated is applied to the detector.
Time constant of stabilizing voltage
. The discharge time constant of the stabilizing capacitance and the load resistance
should be about 0.2 second. Larger time constants will give better amplitude re-
jection when the undesired modulating frequency is low, but have undesirable effects
on the tuning. The tuning effect is similar to that given by an ordinary A-M receiver
when the a.v.c. time constant is too long.
Experiments with the time constant of this circuit give some interesting effects.
If the stabilizing capacitance is made very large, say 100 j*F or so, and the receiver is
tuned rapidly across a signal, it will be found that the point of maximum output is
very easily determined, and there is no effect from the usual side responses. When
the receiver is detuned the noise level rises, as the capacitor discharges, and the side
responses again become evident until the receiver has been tuned once through the
point of maximum output.
Additional details
It is not particularly easy to achieve a good balance with the ratio detector circuit,
and usually more care is required in this respect than with the conventional phase
discriminator. However, the better the balance obtained the better will be the
rejection of undesired amplitude modulation.
Although the side responses are normally well down on the response at the main
tuning point, with this type of circuit, considerable improvement has been noticed
27.2 (iv) RATIO DETECTORS 1101
RATIO DETECTOR
7l I 1 I VWWA A.V.C.
^N330W«F>6ib0A
? ^330W»F<6800A
LpOOA
I»4tp0 STABILISING''
3QOOOA CAPACITOR
A.F.
Rj-Cp-OEEMPHASIS CIRCUIT
when the bandwidth of the discriminator is fairly large (say 300 to 400 Kc/s) and the
i-f response is such as to give steep sides to the overall selectivity curve. With re-
ceivers using two i-f transformers (each critically-coupled and both having primary
and secondary Q's of about 75) the side responses are still sufficiently large to be notice-
able, although they are 12-15 dh down on the main tuning position. Receivers using
three transformers (each critically-coupled and having Q's of about 70) give a very
marked improvement, and the two undesired side responses can only be found after
careful searching. If the transformers are made more selective the side responses
are reduced, but the additional non-linear distortion introduced by the tuned circuits
may no longer be negligible, as can be determined from the data given in Chapter 26.
Further, the amount of amplitude modulation on a carrier goes up as the selectivity
of the transformers is increased, and this undesired A-M has to be removed by the
ratio detector thereby reducing its effectiveness to other undesired external noise.
Even in the case of the receiver with only two i-f transformers, the undesired side
responses are very much less noticeable than with receivers using the usual limiter
and discriminator combination
(E) Practical circuits
Two circuits which have been constructed and tested under working conditions
are shown in Figs. 27.25 and 27.26. The intermediate frequency is 10.7 Mc/s
Constructional details and performance data can be found in Refs. 34 and 37.
6H6 SOpOOftAXC
B+(265V)
FIG. 27.26 "?" Unbalanced Ratio Dtttetor
critical-coupling can then be expressed in terms of the ratio between the primary
voltage with the secondary detuned and tuned using the relationship
_k •
JEt _
kcrit \ E\
For example, if the signal voltage at the plate rises 25 per cent. (i.e. E% = 1.25 E)
t
type the secondary tuning is adjusted so that the d.c. voltage at the audio take-off
point is equal to half the total rectified voltage. As an alternative an amplitude
modulated signal can be used, the primary trimmer is adjusted for mavimnm d.c.
m
output voltage and the secondary trimmer adjusted to give mj nir irn audio output ;
the residual output is measured in the conventional manner. Circuit unbalance is
indicated if the two methods do not give the same secondary trimmer setting.
If sweep alignment is used, the primary can be accurately aligned by using a com-
paratively low deviation, and adjusting the primary trimmer for the maximum «m_
plitude of output voltage. The secondary may be adjusted by using a deviation such
that the total frequency swing (twice the deviation) is equal to the peak separation.
This procedure makes it possible to adjust the secondary tuning so that a symmetrical
detector characteristic is obtained.
Peak separation
The separation between the peaks on the F-M output characteristic of a ratio de-
tector may be measured by applying a frequency modulated signal and increasing the
deviation until the response is just observed to flatten at the peaks. When this is
done, the peak separation is equal to twice the deviation.
If an attempt is made to measure the peak separation by plotting the output charac-
teristic point by point, the peak separation obtained will usually be considerably less
than that obtained under dynamic conditions with the output voltage stabilized. The
F-M may be plotted point by point provided a battery of the
detector characteristic
proper voltage is connected across the stabilizing capacitor. The voltage of this
battery must be equal to the rectified voltage which exists at the centre frequency.
In practice it is convenient to use a 7.5 volt " C " battery and to adjust the signal
input so that the capacitor-stabilized voltage at the centre frequency is equal to the
battery voltage.
It is worth noting that the peak separation is not constant for all values of input
voltage, and measurements should be made for several representative voltages of the
magnitude likely to be encountered under practical conditions of reception. The
peak separation is wider for larger input voltages, as a result of the increased diode
loading on the tuned circuits. Similarly the peak separation is less for smaller input
voltages because of reduced circuit damping.
Measurement of A-M rejection
The measurement of A-M rejection can be carried out using a si gnal generator
which can be simultaneously frequency and amplitude modulated.
Ref. 34 shows a number of the typical wedge-shaped patterns which are obtained
when visual methods are used for determining the amplitude modulation present
in the audio output. A pattern of the type to be expected is shown in Fig. 27.27.
The measurement of the A-M rejection
of a ratio detector can be described in terms
of the pattern obtained for a given frequency
deviation and a given percentage of amplitude
modulation.
The measurements should be made for
several different values
of input voltage.
Ideally the pattern obtained should be a
diagonal line regardless of the presence of
amplitude modulation. The amount by
which the pattern departs from a straight
line indicates the extent to which the de-
tector foils to reject amplitude modulation.
in the usual case) is applied, and a battery of which the voltage is equal to the rectified
output is shunted across the stabilizing capacitor. The magnitude of the input
signal is now reduced until the output becomes distorted as a result of the diodes
being biased by the stabilizing voltage, and finally the F-M output drops to zero.
The ratio between the initial input signal and the minimum input signal for which
the F-M output becomes distorted is then a measure of the amount of downward
modulation that the detector can reject. For example if the voltage ratio is r, then the
percentage of downward amplitude modulation which can be handled is 100 (r —
l)/r.
To determine the rejection of the detector for upward amplitude modulation the
same set-up is used and the change in output is noted as the input signal is increased.
Since the amplitude of the input signal is not varied dynamically, this method will
not indicate any unbalanced component which may be present in the output. The
latter is more conveniently measured using simultaneous F-M and A-M as discussed
previously.
Another method which can be applied to measure the amplitude rejection pro-
perties of any type of detector for different signal input voltages may be worth dis-
cussing. The input signal is simultaneously frequency and amplitude modulated.
Any audio modulating frequencies can be selected which are not harmonically related,
and suitable values are say 400 c/s for F-M and 30 c/s for A-M. The percentage
A-M can be taken as 30% (or any value desired) and the deviation as ±
22.5 Kc/s
(or any other value). The ratio of thexlesired and undesired audio outputs can then
be measured on a frequency selective voltmeter such as a wave analyser. Measure-
ments can be made at the centre frequency to indicate residual A-M, and for various
frequencies off the centre frequency to determine the rejection capabilities of the
detection system under operating conditions ; e.g. those which occur when oscillator
and other frequency drift occurs. Low audio frequencies are preferable for this
test (and also for the previous methods), particularly with ratio detectors, since the
amplitude rejection is least for this condition. Tests on a number of ratio detectors
have indicated similar performance when high audio modulating frequencies are
used, but considerable variation occurs in the amount of amplitude rejection obtained
for die lower audio frequencies using balanced and unbalanced circuits. This is
readily understood when the function of the stabilizing capacitor is considered.
Standard test procedures have been devised for F-M receivers, and standard methods
for evaluating the degree ofA-M rejection, downward modulation handling capability,
and the effects of mistiming are described in Chapter 37.
Non-linear distortion
Distortion measurements are usually quite difficult to carry out with any degree of
accuracy because of the inherent non-linear distortion present in the signal source
and test equipment. Tests on typical F-M receivers using limiter-discriminator
combinations and ratio detectors have been made, using the low power stages of a
F-M broadcast transmitter as the signal source. The non-linear distortion in the
transmitter signal was less than 0.5% for frequencies from 100 c/s to 15 Kc/s, and
less than 1% from 30 to 100 c/s ; the frequency deviation was set to ±
75 Kc/s in
all cases.
Both types of receiver indicated a measured overall distortion of the order of 2 to
2.5% in the frequency range 100 c/s to 7.5 Kc/s, 3 to 5% at 50 c/s and 5%
at 15 Kc/s
although this latter case was a visual check only. Above 10 Kc/s the non-linear
distortion with ratio detector receivers is generally somewhat higher than with limiter-
discriminator receivers. The input in all cases was approximately 100 /*V and the
output was adjusted to 0.5 watt. The test frequency was 97.2 Mc/s and the i-f of
all receivers was 10.7 Mc/s. The measured distortion for the a-f amplifier alone was
0.5% for the range 100 c/s to 7.5 Kc/s and 2%* at 50 c/s ; above 7.5 Kc/s, observa-
tion was made using an oscillograph and as there was no visible distortion it was as-
sumed that distortion was less than 3%.
The non-linear distortion is increased with ratio detector receivers when the magni-
tude of the input voltage is made very large. With the other type of receiver the input
signal must be sufficiently large to ensure satisfactory limiter operation. Receivers
27.2 (iv) RATIO DETECTORS 1105
vising a combination of partial limiting and a ratio detector give excellent results for a
wide range of signal input voltages, and do not require extra valves.
The test conditions used are very severe, as it is unlikely that a 15 Kc/s audio signal
will cause 75 Kc/s deviation ; although it should not he overlooked that pre-emphasis
in the transmitter will cause a 15 Kc/s modulating signal to be increased in magnitude
by about 17 db. Listening tests indicate that excellent results are obtainable with
any of the receiver arrangements. It will be appreciated that the possibility of errors
in the distortion measurements are very large, and the results are given to serve as an
indication of the magnitude of the distortion to be expected with typical F-M receivers
which do not include elaborate design features, but conform to good engineering
practice.
(i) Introduction
Automatic volume control a device which automatically varies the total ampli-
is
fication of the signal in a radio receiverwith changing strength of the received signal
carrier wave. In practice the usual arrangement is -to employ valves having " remote
cut-off " or " variable-mu " grids and to apply to them a bias which is a function of
the strength of the carrier.
From the definition given, it would be correctly inferred that a more exact term to
describe the system would be automatic gain control (a.g.c). The older term a.v.c.
has been retained here as the name is not likely to lead to any confusion, and is widely
used throughout the radio industry.
control is R z in this circuit, and the advantages and disadvantages of using the control
in this position were discussed in Sect. l(i)Dc above. At audio frequencies R 2 is
shunted by R t and by R a when the setting for R a is at the maximum. It follows that
the diode load for a.c. is considerably different from that for d.c, and, as previously
discussed in Sect. l(i), considerable non-linear distortion of the a-f output will result
when the modulation percentage is high. R t and C4 will substantially remove all
audio frequency variations from the a.v.c. bias applied to the controlled stages, as well
as any residual i-f voltages which may be present across i? 2 .
carrier strength reaches apre-determined level. The result is that no a.v.c. voltage
isapplied to the grids of the controlled stages until a certain carrier strength is reached,
and the receiver will have its maximum sensitivity for signals with an amplitude below
this pre-determined level.
The circuit used fof delayed a.v.c. also makes, possible improved rectification
efficiency in the a.v.c. circuit, thus producing slightly greater a.v.c. voltage for the
same peak diode voltage. This is due to the higher value of a.v.c. diode load resistance
(R 7 in Fig. 27.29) permissible in this circuit. With the a.v.c. arrangement shown the
a.c. loading on the detector circuit is reduced when compared with the arrangement of
Fig. 27.28 and this reduces the distortion of the audio output voltage. Some non-
linear distortion of the modulation envelope does occur at the primary of the trans-
former but this is considerably less than that introduced when the a.v.c. voltage is
obtained from the secondary circuit. In addition, the overall selectivity up to the
primary of the i-f transformer is less than that at the secondary, and the a.v.c. will
start to operate further from the carrier frequency than if fed from the secondary.
The advantage here is that the tendency to give shrill reproduction is reduced as the
receiver is detuned from a carrier.
FIG. 27.29
Differential distortion, caused by variable damping of the a.v.c. diode input circuit,
is frequently mentioned as an inherent disadvantage of delayed a.v.c. because of the
distortion which is introduced when the diode bias line cuts the modulation envelope.
Careful measurements have shown that the additional distortion occurring just as
the a.v.c. diode starts to conduct is quite small provided that the delay voltage is
small and the average depth of modulation is not large (say 50% or so). With a delay
voltage (ED3 Fig. 27.29) of 3 volts the total harmonic distortion was found to increase
from an average level of about 2.5% to a peak of 4%. Not only is the amount of
distortion fairly small, with the usual depth of modulation, but it only occurs over a
limited range of input signals, which* with a small delay voltage such as 3 volts or
less, occurs at such weak signal strengths as to be relatively unimportant. However
with 100% modulation this type of distortion will always occur. Of course, when the
input voltage is too small for the a.v.c. diode to conduct there is no distortion. From
the evidence available, it appears that the effect of differential distortion is a com-
paratively minor one when the circuit is correctly designed, and a small delay voltage
is used. Detailed discussion of the distortion produced by delayed a.v.c. can be
found in Refs. 44 (p. 189) and 46.
If it is desired to apply full a.v.c. voltage to certain controlled stages and a fractional
R
part only to another stage, this may be done by tapping 7 at a suitable point and by
adding a filter circuit similar to that made up from t and 4. R C
Staggering* of the a.v.c. is sometimes advantageous, as a considerable improvement
in signal-to-noise ratio is often possible by controlling mainly the i-f amplifier valves.
By staggering ofthea.v.c. is meant the application of different values of a.v.c. voltage to various stages.
1108 (iii) DELAYED A.V.C. 273
However, in some cases this leads to difficulties'with cross modulation. When cross
modulation is a serious problem it is preferable to control the r-f amplifier valves
fully. Often no great care is taken with broadcast receivers in the method of applying
a.v.c. With high quality communications receivers precautions are necessary, and
it is helpful if the r-f and i-f valves to be controlled by a.v.c'. can be selected by the
operator. In this way optimum performance can be obtained under all conditions.
The usual arrangement, however, is to design an a.v.c. system with compromise
characteristics and fit manual switching for the selection of suitable time constants.
The signal-to-noise ratio of the receiver should be measured when the a.v.c. charac-
teristic is being determined, to ensure that the performance of the receiver is not
seriously impaired when the signal input voltage is increased. Cross modulation
tests are also necessary when the receiver performance is being determined. Further
discussion of these problems can be found in Ref. 43 (pages 169 and 179). A dual
a.v.c. system which has interesting possibilities is described in Ref. 50. Further dis-
cussion on a.v.c. and noise is given in Chapter 35 Sect. 3(i).
When a duo-diode triode (or pentode) valve is used with cathode bias, the value of
the bias is usually between 2 and 3 volts. Such a voltage is suitable for use as a.v.c.
delay bias ; a very simple arrangement is possible by returning R 7 to earth as shown
in Fig. 27.34. Alteration of the delay bias because of the presence of contact potentials
must be considered, and this effect has already been discussed in (ii) above.
A circuit which eliminates differential distortion, even with large delay voltages
and high modulation levels, is shown in Signal detection and a.v.c.
Fig. 27.38B.
detection are carried out as before, but a diode, D
s , and the three resistors a » R» R
R R
and 10 are' also used. R, and 19 form a voltage divider from B+
to ground, the
junction of these resistors and R
8 having a potential of, say, +50 volts. Typical
values for R
t and R
s could be 1 megohm and 5 megohms respectively, and it will be
seen that R
t and R
a form a voltage divider between +50 volts and the source of
a.v.c. potential.
The operation of the circuit can be explained most simply if the diode D a is ignored
initially. Under these conditions, with no signal input to the receiver, point X will
be practically at ground potential since there will be no i-f input to the diode D and
t
the voltage at Y will be approximately
R*
+ 50 x p p = + 8-1/3 volts.
Now as an increasing signal is applied to the input of the receiver, the available a.v.b.
voltage at X
will increase, and when this voltage reaches —
10 volts, the potential across
the voltage divider /?«/? 8 will be 50 ( — —
10) volts, and the potential at will be Y
-10 + (50 + 10) -5
i<«
—+r-s- =
*<8
volts.
in the absence of the diode D 33 point Y would have a potential with respect
Thus
toground which was positive in the absence of a signal and became less positive, zero
and then more negative progressively as the signal input increased.
However the diode D
z modifies this voltage variation by conducting whenever
point Y
tends to become positive. The result is that under no signal and small signal
conditions point Y, from which a.v.c. is applied, is substantially at ground potential
but as the signal input increases above some critical value, Y
becomes progressively
more negative. Thus the requirements of delayed a.v.c. have been met, although
the loading of the diode D
2 on the
primary tuned circuit is near enough to being con-
stant whether a.v.c. is being applied or not.
After the delay has been overcome, the increase in negative potential at Y is not so
rapid as the increase at X, the ratio being the same as that of the voltage divider formed
27.3 (iii) DELAYED A.V.C. 1109
by R A and R 8 . However by using a large value of resistance for R 8 and a high positive
voltage the ratio can be made as close to unity as required by any practical considera-
tions.
The cost of the resistors R, and JR 10 can often be avoided by using a source such
as the screen of a valve which has no a.v.c. applied, or a voltage dividerused for some
other purpose, for the positive potential. To save the cost of a valve having an ad-
ditional diode for D
3 it is quite possible to use the signal diode D
t as the source of
and Dt as the " sinking " diode. Alternatively Dt and Dt can be used
a.v.c. voltages,
as in Fig. 27.38B and the suppressor grid of say the i-f amplifier can be used as D at
although in this case with no signal applied the a.v.c. line will take up the potential
of the cathode of the i-f valve.
This method of providing delay either to the first stages or to all controlled stages
of a receiver is of course equally applicable whether manual or automatic volume
control is used
h) o©
-*-td a.
/ n o _» * ^ FIG. 27.30
(a) Series feed
One arrangement of series feed is shown in Fig. 27.30. It will be seen that in
.
each r-f tuned circuit a blocking capacitor (C6 , C„) is used so that the rotor of the
ganged tuning capacitors may be earthed and the a.v.c. voltage fed to the lower ends
of the coils. In the r-f stages the use of this blocking capacitor will reduce the fre-
quency average, and may also affect the tracking of the tuned circuits. To reduce
these effects the same capacitance value should be used in each of the t-f stages, and the
value selected should be fairly large consistent with other considerations. Also, if the
capacitors are not to affect the Q of the tuned circuits adversely, they must be of a
low loss type. A
disadvantage of a high capacitance is that it increases the time con-
stant of the a.v.c. circuit.
For typical cases C, and C. would be about 0.05 pF if the mairiwiimi capacitance
of the tuning capacitor is -about 400 /*/*F. The effect on the tuning range is easily
1110 (iv) METHODS OF FEED 27.3
FIG. 27.31
With the r.f. an alternative arrangement is to insulate the rotor of the ganged
stages
capacitors, and to by-pass it to earth by a single capacitor (C6 , Fig. 27.31). This
enables the a.v.c. voltage to be applied without using any blocking capacitors in the
r-f tuned circuits, and has the further advantage that the time constant of the a.v.c.
circuit may be made small. The arrangement also has obvious disadvantages and is
little used.
&&&&&
Cio
TO R«
" Parallel feed " for the r-f stages is sometimes more convenient than " series feed,"
and appears to be satisfactory in most respects, although it has been found that grid
blocking is more likely to occur with " parallel feed " than with " series feed."
With any method of feed it is important that the total resistance in the grid circuit
should not exceed the maximum for which the valves are rated. Depending on the
characteristics of the particular valve type and the effects on electrode dissipations
and total cathode current, as determined by equation (6) on page 82, the
following maximum values of grid resistor may be used as a general guide.
These resistances are to be measured between the grid of any valve and its cathode.
The values above assume that the receiver is normally tuned to a station and that
the controlled valve or valves are operating at reduced cathode currents and trans-
conductance, as determined by the a.v.c. bias.
(tF-455 Kc/k)
-poo\s
IO
FIG. 27.36 MICROVOLTS
R.D.H. *9
1114 (viii) AUDIO A.V.C. 27.3
IO* IO
INPUT— MICROVOLTS
FIG. 27.37
enough a.v.c. bias voltage to the a-f amplifier to give the required overall results.
The improvement in the overall a.v.c. characteristics, when audio a.v.c. is used, can
be seen from Figs. 27.36 and 27.37.
An example of combined a.v.c. occurs in receivers using a reflexed voltage amplifier
stage (see Chapter 28). In this case the a.v.c. bias voltage applied to the valve control
grid is effective in controlling both the i-f and a-f gain, and if properly used the system
can be made to assist very materially in obtaining good a v.c. characteristics from a
receiver having only one other controlled stage, namely the converter stage in the usual
receiver. Another, example of a circuit using audio a.v.c. is shown in Fig. 27.45.
(ix)Modulation rise
When a modulated carrier voltage applied to a voltage amplifier stage in which
is
the valve has a curved g m — modulation percentage will increase.
e„ characteristic, the
This modulation rise is noted in the output as audio frequency harmonic distortion
(non-linear distortion), mainly second harmonic. Practically all of the modulation
rise occurs in the final i-f stage. 20% modulation rise is equivalent approximately
to 5% second harmonic. Modulation rise with fixed bias is extremely small even
with remote cut-off valves, but there is a slight advantage in using a valve having a
sharp cut-off characteristic. Modulation rise may be decreased by operating the
i-f stage on a fraction of the a.v.c. voltage, but this adds to the expense of the receiver.
Alternatively, a noticeable improvement may be made by supplying the screen from
a series dropping resistor connected to B+. This is recommended for circuits
having one r-f and one i-f stage. Modulation rise can sometimes be reduced by
increasing the gain from the grid of the final i-f valve to the a.v.c. diode. Improving
the amount of control on the earlier stages by reducing the screen voltage (this pro-
vides cut-off with lower grid voltages) will help in reducing modulation rise, but is
likely to lead to difficulties with cross modulation when the receiver is used in close
proximity to a powerful transmitter.
R 10 while jRn is made about 2 megohms per 1.3 volt drop, in the case of 1.4 volt valves
(which are operated with 1.3 volts as a recommended value for the series filament
connection). In the circuit shown a higher proportion of the a.v.c. control voltage is
applied to valve V% than to valve V% The purpose of the resistors R7> R t) R a, R t
.
and jR5 is to allow the correct filament voltage to be applied to each of the valves, since
it should be obvious that the valve V13 at the negative end of the chain, carries the
total cathode current for all the valves, and each of the other valves carries the cathode
currents for all the other valves which are nearer to the positive end of the chain than
the valve being considered. This statement is modified when Rt is used, because
this provides an alternative path for the cathode currents. From this it follows that
no shunting resistor is required for Vb
R, Bio* reriiw
Ra Diode load
across the a.v.c. diode load from being applied back to the grids of the controlled stages.
If r-f or i-f voltages are applied back to the grids then instability troubles are certain
to arise. A-F applied to the grids can lead to a reduction in the percentage of modu-
lation present on the carrier. Inter-stage filtering is also necessary because undesired
coupling can lead to instability and spurious whistle responses. From this it can be
seen that the prime function of the filter circuits is to allow only the d.c. voltage de-
veloped across the diode load to be applied as additional bias on the controlled valves.
The components making up the filter also serve the necessary function of completing
the r-f and i-f circuits through low impedance paths and, furthermore, the resistors
serve, to complete the d.c. return path between grid and cathode of each controlled
valve so that the correct negative bias voltage can be applied.
It is not permissible to choose values of resistance and capacitance at random if
satisfactory circuit operation is tobe obtained. Several conflicting factors must be
considered when the component values are being selected. The time constant (de-
fined below) of the filter network, must be low enough so that the a.v.c. bias voltage
can follow the changes in signal input voltage with sufficient rapidity to offset the
effects of fading. Limiting values for the total circuit resistance have been stated in
(iv) above, and the choice of suitable values for andR C
will be discussed as we pro-
ceed, but first the expression " time constant " will be defined.
The " time constant " of a resistance-capacitance network is the time in seconds
required for the capacitor to acquire sufficient charge for the voltage between its plates
to be equal to 63.2% of the total voltage applied to the circuit. Alternatively, it is
the time taken for a charged capacitor to lose sufficient charge for the voltage across
its plates to fall to 36.8% of the initial voltage existing between the plates in the fully
charged condition. It is a simple matter to show that, for the conditions stated, the
time constant (T) is given by
T = RC seconds
where R —circuit resistance in ohms
and C =circuit capacitance in farads.
(It is usually more convenient to write
T =resistance in megohms x capacitance in microfarads = seconds).
If the total resistance in the circuit is altered in any way from its value during the
charging operation to a different value during the discharge of the capacitor, then it is
helpful to use the terms " charge time constant " and " discharge time constant."
In a.v.c. circuits there is always a difference between the charge and discharge time
constants, because during charge the diode is conducting and its conduction resistance
effectively short-circuits the d.c. diode load resistor. This also means that the " charge
time constant " is always more rapid than the " discharge time constant " in these
circuits.
For the reception of telegraphy longer time constants are often required to ensure
silence between signals, and a value of about 1 second is often used. In any good
quality communications receiver it is usual to provide facilities for selecting any one
of a number of a.v.c. time constants. This enables the operator to select the most
suitable condition to offset the particular type of fading being encountered. Too
rapid a time constant is not selected for high quality broadcast reception as rapid
fading would cause bass-frequency anti-modulation and so reduce the audio frequency
bass response. See also Chapter 35 Sect. 3(i)B2, page 1233.
In broadcast receivers the charge and discharge time constants are often very nearly
equal. However, for some types of reception it may be preferable for the charge time
constant to be rapid to prevent the beginning of a signal from being unduly loud,
but the discharge time constant is made comparatively slow to prevent a rapid rise
in noise output during intervals between signals (see also Ref. 43, p. 181).
27.3 (xii) THE A.V.C. FILTER AND ITS TIME CONSTANTS 1117
The procedure for calculating charge and discharge time constants is as follows.
Consider Fig. 27.30 in conjunction with Fig. 27.28, then
For 2 stages
Charge time constant =
+ C4 + C6) + R (Ct + C + R^
Ri(Ct t 8)
Discharge time constant =
C,(K + R* + R ) + Ct(.R + R t + CtiRi + R t) +
6 2 t ) QK,.
These follow readily when it is considered that the diode is conducting during
charge, and R t << R t j the diode is non-conducting during discharge.
For 3 stages
Charge time constant =
Ki(Cs + Ct + C8 + C.) + R t(C t + Cs + C.) + K,C, + K.C..
Discharge time constant =
C,(Rt + R t + RJ + Cb(Rf + R t + RJ + Ct(.R t + RJ +
were considered alone the charge time constant would be
If the circuit of Fig. 27.28
0^ + RJ + CjK,.
Ri(C2 + Ct) + R t Ct (assuming R, >- R{), and the discharge time constant
CjC/?! + R t) + CtR t + Ct (R t + R t ). The way in which the total time constant
is built up for the more complicated cases will be readily seen, and the addition of
extra controlled stages should offer little difficulty when the new time constants are
to be determined.
For a more detailed discussion of time constants in a.v.c. circuits the reader is
referred particularly to Ref. 47.
FIG. 27.38»
Fig. 27.36 shows several a.v.c. curves, each corresponding to a particular condition.
In taking these curves two separate diodes were used to maintain constant transformer
loading and other conditions. Contact potential in the diode results in a slight in-
crease in the standing bias voltage on the controlled stages ; this effect has been dis-
cussed in (ii) above.
Curve A
is the " no control " characteristic and is the curve which would be fol-
lowed, with the a.v.c. removed from the receiver, up to the point at which overloading
commences. This characteristic is a straight line and the slope is such that an increase
of ten times in the input voltage gives a 20 db increase in output.
Curve B
is the a.v.c. characteristic for a delay of —9 volts. For inputs of 3 to
18 /liV the experimental curve follows the no control line exactly, and then deviates
sharply for inputs above 18 fiW. From 18 to 500 000 /*V the slope of the curve is
fairly constant, the output increasing by about 3.25 db for each 10 times increase in
the input voltage. Above 500 000 /*V (i.e. 0.5 V) input the curve tends sharply up-
ward, indicating severe modulation rise.
C
Curve is the a.v.c. characteristic for a delay of —3 volts. The a.v.c. comes into
operation at a lower input voltage, as would be expected, and the average slope is
steeper than for the higher delay voltage. In both cases, however, the " knee " of
the curve as it leaves the no control line is very clearly defined.
Curve D
is the a.v.c. characteristic for a delay of zero voltage, with due compensa-
tion for the effect of contact potential on the standing bias of the controlled valves.
Curve E is typical of the characteristics obtained when audio a.v.c. is added to a
receiver. Over the range of inputs from 100 to 500 000 /xV the total rise in output
is only 3 db.
Curve B has been drawn according to the conventional method whereby the output
isadjusted to half the maximum undistorted output of the receiver for an input signal
of 1 volt. Curves C and D
were then taken directly, without any further adjustment
to the volume control. Owing to a slight effect on the gain of the receiver when the
delay voltage is varied, Curves C and D
fall slightly below the datum line at an input
of 1 volt. Curve- E has been drawn to correspond to Curve C, since both have the
same delay voltage. The volume control, however, was advanced considerably for
Curve E. It should be noted that no conclusions should be drawn from the relative
vertical positions of a.v.c. characteristics drawn according to the conventional method
since the volume control settings are unknown.
. This method is illustrated by the curves shown in Fig. 27.37. The scale
of power output represents the output (at 400 c/s) which would be obtained with the
volume control at maximum and 30% modulation, provided that no overloading
occurred in the audio amplifier. A
number of interesting facts may be obtained from
an examination of these curves.
1. The residual noise level of the receiver may be shown.
2. The sensitivity of the receiver in microvolts input for any selected output level
(e.g. 50 mW or 0.5 W) may be read directly from the curves. It should be noted
that the output includes noise-
27.3 (xiv) IMPROVED FORM OF A.V.C. CHARACTERISTIC 1119
3. The power output corresponding to any selected input voltage and any position
of the volume control may be obtained. For example, with a delay of —3 volts
(curve Bl) the delay voltage is overcome at an output level of slightly less than 2 watts
with the volume control set at maximum. As a further example (again assuming
400 c/s and 30% modulation) take the same curve at an input of 1000 /*V, where the
output is shown as approximately 10 watts with the volume control at maximum.
The setting of the volume control to give 4 watts output and using 100% modulation
instead of 30% is
V(30/100)» x (4/10) = 0.11
of the maximum resistance of the control. The actual amount of rotation will depend
on whether the volume control resistance is related to rotation by a linear or a logarith-
mic law.
4. The voltage at the detector may be calculated from a knowledge of the a-f gain
and the detection efficiency. The a.v.c. bias voltage can also be determined in-
directly by calculation from the data obtained.
5. The slope of the initial part of the curve can show up an under-biased valve in
the receiver. Cheap receivers frequently use a common source of bias for two or
more valves, and under these conditions it can happen that one of the valves has too
little bias and gives less than its maximum gain when there is no signal input to the
receiver. As the input is increased, a.v.c. is applied to each controlled valve and this
gives a comparatively rapid increase in gain from the under-biased valve. Such an
increase shows up as an early section of the a.v.c. curve with a slope more vertical
—
than it would otherwise be usually with a slope in excess of 6 db per octave and —
with a noticeable bend towards the horizontal at the point at which the valve receives
the bias required for maximum sensitivity.
To operate a valve under these conditions is of course undesirable, and in use the
receiver will emphasize the fading of any signals which fade through the range of
signal inputs over which the effect operates.
6. The signal-to-noise ratio for any input can be read directly from the graph, as
mentioned previously. In addition, the increments of signal-to-noise ratio with
increasing input can be checked An ideal receiver would give a 20 db improvement
of signal-to-noise ratio for each 20 db increase in input, and it is possible for a normal
receiver to approach this value, at least over the first decades of the a.v.c. graph.
Any significant departure from the ideal can usually be traced to the application of
a.v.c. to the first valve in the receiver [see Chapter 35 Sect. 3(i)] and care should be
taken to keep the signal-to-noise ratio improving as rapidly as possible until it has
reached a value of at least 45 db.
Scroggie's method makes possible the measurement of ratios as great as this, or
much one reading, the power output, may be beyond the
greater, because although
range of the output meter used, the volume control of the receiver is in effect used as
a multiplier.
7. The noise curve of the receiver might be expected to decrease indefinitely with
increasing a.v.c. voltage, but there are two reasons why it may not do so. The first is
that although the object of the test is to measure the signal-to-noise ratio of the re-
ceiver, in practice the signal-to-noise ratio of both the signal generator and the re-
ceiver are being measured. A 50 db ratio between 30% modulation and residual
noise with no modulation is a representative figure for a signal generator of reasonable
quality, and it is generator noise which causes the noise curve in Fig. 27.37 to become
approximately horizontal shortly after 1000 pV input.
The second reason for the noise curve not decreasing indefinitely is that in most
receivers in which power supply filtering has been kept to a minimum, for reasons
of economy, there is some modulation hum with high inputs. This hum shows up
as an increase in the level of the noise curve, and by plotting the curve over the full
range of inputs expected to be applied to the receiver the designer can assure himself
that the level of modulation hum does not become objectionable. An increase in
modulation hum can be seen in Fig. 27.37 as the input approaches 1 volt.
1120 (xiv) IMPROVED FORM OF A.V.C. CHARACTERISTIC 27.3
The a.v.c. characteristics in Fig. 27.37 can be taken as typical of curves taken by
this method. B x and B 2 show the signal and noise curves respectively for a 5 valve
receiver without audio a.v.c. and Q and C 2 show the results for the same receiver
with audio a.v.c. It will be seen that the delay is overcome at about 15 pV input
and that at say 0.1 volt input there is 8J db of audio control by the a.v.c. The noise
ratio (Bi — B 2) should be identical with the ratio (Q — C 2 ) since the only difference
between the B curve and the C curves is that due to modified audio gain. Thus
the curve C 2 would become approximately horizontal at 2000 /xV input and at —25 db.
This method enables greater accuracy to be obtained for very small input signals
since the power output reading will be well up on the scale of a typical output meter.
With the conventional method the output is too small to measure accurately with a
standard type of output meter.
At extremely low input voltage levels the noise fluctuations make accurate output
measurements very difficult to carry out.
bias required if the detector output voltage is not to change by more than 6 db for a
change in signal input to the aerial stage of 50 db.
Assume first that the a.v.c. and signal detectors are linear, that equal signal voltages
are applied to the detector and a.v.c. diodes, and that the detection efficiency (ij) is
unity. Since stage gain varies with change in mutual conductance (g m) it can be taken,
with typical voltage amplifier valves, that the gain alters by about 1.5 db for each ad-
ditional volt of negative grid bias (this can be determined with greater accuracy from
similar methods to those given later). Since there are three controlled stages using
similar valves, the total gain decrease is 4.5 db per volt of bias. (Suppose similar
valves are not used, one valve giving- a gain change of 2 db per volt of bias and two
others giving 1.5 db per volt, then obviously 1 volt of a.v.c. bias change alters the re-
ceiver gain by 5 db).
The total decrease in receiver gain which is required equals 50-6 =
44 db. To
achieve this the additional a.v.c. bias needed is 44/4.5 =9.8 volts. That this is also
equal to the delay bias required for the stated conditions, can be appreciated because,
at the threshold of a.v.c. operation, the voltage on the detector diode will be 9.8 volts
peak, and for a further 9.8 volts (peak) increase in signal input the total voltage applied
to the detector is 19.6 volts giving an increase in a-f output voltage of 6 db. The
effect of 19.6 volts (peak) signal applied to the a.v.c diode is to produce the required
9.8 volts d.c. bias since half the peak input voltage is required to overcome the delay
voltage.
To illustrate a further point, suppose it had been taken that an 80 db input change
should only give 6 db output voltage change. Then the delay bias required would be
(80-6) /4.5 = 16.4 volts. This also means that the stage preceding the detector
must deliver 32.8 volts peak when the carrier is constant. During modulation of the
carrier the peak voltage delivered by the last i-f stage can reach 65.6 volts, and if
distortion is to be avoided the valve preceding the detector must be capable of de-
livering this amount of output voltage when the total bias is 16.4 volts plus the stand-
ing bias. Whether this is possible can be determined from curves of the signal
handling capability of the valve in question, or by direct measurements using a mod-
ulated carrier. It will be found, usually, that the maximum output voltage which can
be handled without severe distortion is very much reduced when the grid bias voltage
is large. This then suggests that reducing the a.v.c. bias on the last i-f amplifier
valve will allow the permissible plate voltage swing to be increased. Reducing the
bias voltage also results in the stage gain being increased, and so the same a.v.c. bias
voltage is produced with a smaller signal input voltage. However, the amount of
total control is reduced, and so partial or zero a.v.c. bias on the last i-f valve is not
necessarily a satisfactory solution in every case.
It should be observed that the last i-f stage is not necessarily the one in which over-
loading will occur first. In Chapter 26, when discussing the crystal filter stage,
it was pointed out that the grid to plate gain of the valve preceding the filter was very
high with the arrangement shown. Suppose the grid to plate gain of the first valve
is 400 times, but the gain from the grid of the first to the grid of the second valve
(into which the filter feeds) is 5 times, then if the grid to plate gain of the second valve
is less than 80 times it becomes immediately apparent that the first i-f valve will be
overloaded before the second one. Extreme cases of this type are not likely to occur,
but they present possibilities which should not be overlooked.
(2) A detailed design for a single controlled stage is to be carried out from valve
data. Simple a.v.c. is to be used.
The valve type selected for this example is the 6SK7 remote cut-off pentode.
The average characteristics are shown in Fig. 27.39. The standing bias is —3 volts
and the mutual conductance (g m) for this condition is 2000 micromhos. For a
total grid bias of —35 volts the gm is 10 mjcromhos. If cathode bias were used some
additional error would be introduced, although this is usually neglected.
The first step is to convert the g m — E, curve of Fig. 27.39 to a curve showing the
change in gain of the controlled stage with variation in grid bias. The actual value
of stage gain is not required since it is assumed to be directly proportional to g m .
1122 (xv) DESIGN METHODS 27.3
The change in g m is expressed in decibels, taking as the reference level (0 db) the
value ofg m for maximum gain, i.e. the g m with only the standing bias (—3 V) applied
to the grid. In this case the g m used for zero reference level is 2000 micromhos.
Then using
gm ^n =,~ 2°°°
Change in gain (db) = -20 log 10 -~ = -20 logl
g, gm
the following values are obtained (the values for gm are taken from Fig. 27.39).
*= — (3 4- a.v.c. bias).
These results are plotted in Fig. 27.40 as
s soo curve 1. It might be noted that the aver-
It age slope is 1.4 to 1.5 db per volt.
N
_^
f
It is next required
amount of a.v.c.
to determine the
bias voltage developed by
the diode circuit, for various input voltages
applied to the diode. In a typical case the
*" <r d.c. diode load resistance would be 1 meg-
°
-SO -40 -ao -ao -k) ohm, and the d.c. voltage developed for
CONTROL-GRID VOLTS
various signal input voltages can be taken
FIG. 27.39 «SK7 Mutual Characteristics
directly from Fig. 27.6. The developed
d.c. voltages are tabulated in column (2) below against r.m.s. signal (£rm( ) applied
to the diode.
2 - 2.2 - 5.2
5 - 6.2 - 9.2 8
8 - 9.1 -12.1 12
10 -11.8 -14.8 14
15 -17.8 -20.8 17.5
20 -23.9 -26.9 20
30 -356 -38.6 23.5
27.3 (xv) DESIGN METHODS 1123
a.v.c. bias
Output change (db) = 20 log!
a.v.c. bias for Erm = , 2 V
a.v.c. bias
= 20 logi
1124 (xv) DESIGN METHODS 27.3
From this we have for 313 db change in signal input voltage (2 db change in diode
input) a corresponding output change of 2.4 db. The complete a.v.c. characteristic
is tabulated below and plotted in Fig. 27.41.
- 2.2
2 - 2.9 3.3 2.4
4 - 3.5 6.5 4.0
6 - 4.5 10.6 6.2
8 - 6 16.8 8.7
10 - 7.5 22 10.6
12 - 9.1 27.2 12.3
14 -11.8 33.9 14.6
16 -15 40 16.7
18 -18.5 46 18.5
20 -23.9 52.8 20.7
22 -29.5 60 22.5
22.8 -32 65.8 23.2
Fig. 27.41. Calculated a.v.c. characteristicfor a single controlled stage using type 6SK7.
The a.v.c. characteristic for diode input voltages smaller than Erm , — 2 volts can
be readily plotted, but as the useful range of signal input voitages, where control is
mainly required, is usually greater than this value in a reasonably sensitive receiver
(and because of the limitations of the diode curves) this value has been taken as afford-
ing a satisfactory example.
27.3 (xv) DESIGN METHODS 1125
The variation in gain given by simple a.v c. is limited, and for very strong signals
a local-distance switch or some other method to prevent overloading of the .receiver
is required.
(3) The voltage amplifier and diode detector used for the previous example are to
be used in a delayed a.v.c. circuit, in which the delay bias applied to the diode is
—10 volts.
If they are not available, the diode characteristics relating r jn.s. input voltage to
d.c. output voltage, for various delay bias voltages, can be measured directly. The
rectified voltage, used for a.v.c. bias, is not completely independent of modulation
when a delay bias is used, and there is an increase in the available d.c. when the per-
centage modulation is increased. Usually the a.v.c. comes into operation for lower
carrier input voltages than would normally be expected, particularly when the per-
centage of modulation approaches 100%.
The complete design procedure now
follows, that given previously for simple a.v.c.
using the data derived by the method given in the last paragraph. It should be clear
that curve (1) in Fig. 27.40 remains unchanged, but curve (2) must be replotted. The
resultant data are then available for plotting the a.v.c. characteristic. For signal
input voltages of which the peak value does not exceed the diode delay bias, the re-
ceiver operation is the same as for one which does not incorporate a.v.c. (this is clearly
shown in Fig. 27.36).
The slope of the no control line is readily determined since it is taken that the output
is directly proportional to the input.
(t) General operation (») Typical circuits (m) Circuits used with F-M receivers
It should be apparent that there will be a range of signal input voltages around the
threshold point over which the audio distortion will be severe.
|£-*-A.I-
A more elaboratemuting system, giving improved results over the simple system
of Fig. 27.42 has been described by K. R. Sturley (Ref. 44). This uses a negatively
biased diode and at the same time the circuit is arranged to provide d.c. amplified
delayed a.v.c. The operation of this circuit can be readily understood from Fig. 27.43.
The diode marked D 3 acts as the automatic volume control detector, and the d.c.
R
voltage developed across the load resistor % is applied to the grid of the triode section
V
of z and amplified. The diode D
A will only come into operation when the cathode
V
of a becomes negative with respect to the diode plate, and the a.v.c. bias is delayed
until this condition occurs. Considering now the double diode i} it is seen that Dj V
acts as the detection diode,but it can only detect when the signal input voltage exceeds
the negative bias voltage developed across the cathode circuit R ki C k This negative .
To
A.F. Amplifier
diode, such as type 6H6, and V is a pentagrid mixer, such as the type 6L7, in which
2
27.4 MUTING— (ii) TOPICAL CIRCUITS 1127
grid 1 has a remote cut-off and grid 3 a sharp cut-off characteristic. Some systems
use two valves in place of V% to effect muting and audio frequency amplification.
Improved systems are also available (Ref. 54) which use a duo-diode pentode to elimin-
ate the separate double diode valve, the pentode section being used as the intermediate
frequency voltage amplifier. Audio a.v.c. is readily applied in this latter case.
From Fig. 27.44 it is readily seen that the diode detector and simple a.v.c. arrange'
ments are quite conventional. The audio output from the detector is applied to giid 1
of the valve V%. Only part of the cathode bias is applied to grid 1 by using a tap on
the cathode resistor. In the absence of conduction through the diode D, there is a
large negative bias applied to grid 3 due to the total cathode bias voltage developed
across R7 and R s in series. The d.c. path to grid 3 is via R«, Rs and R». Rt las a
high value of resistance to prevent the plate of D« from being connected to ground
through the comparatively low impedance of the cathode circuit of V% (which includes
i
the muting control as shown). The circuit made up from R9 , C« and C7 is merely
a filter to allow the application of direct bias voltage only to the muting grid (2» of
Vt ; however, R» also performs the useful function of stabilizing the voltage applied
to grid 3 in the event of the anti-muting bias being sufficiently large to cause grid
current. R5 is the diode load resistor for D
it and C
5 allows die application of i-f
voltage to the plate of the diode D
s. When a signal is received the voltage developed
R
across s is sufficiently large, and of the correct polarity, to reduce the total negative
bias on grid 3 and so allow the valve V
% to perform the function of voltage amplifier
for a-f voltages applied to grid 1.
An interesting arrangement (Ref. 54) is shown in Fig. 27.45, in which a dupjl<ex-
diode pentode and its associated circuit combine the functions of muting, detection,
conventional and audio a.v.c, and audio frequency amplification. The valve ^is
a duo-diode pentode in which grid I has a remote cut-off characteristic (the circuit
was developed around the Australian-made type 6G8-G). The operation of this
circuit is somewhat different from those previously discussed. The maximum ?ain I
in a negative direction which increases g m (and so the stage gain) and the valve un-
mutes. For further increases in signal voltage the a.v.c. comes into operation} and
the gain of the audio stage (and also the other controlled stages) begins to fall off
in the usual manner. It is seen that only part of the total a.v.c. bias is applied to the
grid of x. V
Ay.c
FIG. 27.45 »ngk von* Arrangement to Provide
Muting,Audio A.V.C, Detection and A/. Amplification
When a signal voltage is impressed on the limiter V% the plate current is reduoid.
and so the positive voltage applied to the cathode of triode ( 1 ) ( Vt) is increased. When
the signal input is sufficiently large the positive cathode voltage will exceed the positive
voltage on grid (1) by an amount which is sufficient to cut off the plate current. This
puts the points A
and B at the same potential and so removes the negative bias from
V
the grid (2). Triode (2) of t then acts as an ordinary a-f voltage amplifier, and its
normal bias is obtained from the voltage drop across the cathode resistor R9 .
Discriminator 1st Limiter 2nd Limiter Discriminator
Fig. 27.46(B) shows a simple but effective! arrangement for muting. Noise voltages
in the absence of a signal, which appear in the screen circuit of the second limii:er
valve, are applied to the control grid of thlp triode section of the muting valve (e
type 6AV6) and the amplified noise voltage is applied to the diode detector circuit
The d.c. voltage across the diode load is applied as additional negative bias to the grid
of the a-f voltage amplifier valve and cuts off this stage. When a signal is received
the nMse voltages are reduced and so the additional bias on the a-f valve falls and the
stage begins to function in the normal manner.
Another useful arrangement is shown in Fig. 27.46(C). In this circuit noise
voltages from the screen circuit of the second limiter are applied to the grid of the
C C R
muting valve (which could be a type 12AT7) via the high pass filter x t t . Triode
section (1) operates as an anode bend detector and the direct voltage developed across
R a cuts off triode section (2) ; the relay is then in the unoperated condition. Whi
a signal is received the noise voltages are reduced due to the receiver quieting, and
at the same time additional bias is applied to triode (1) by the rectified voltage appearing
at the first limiter grid. R
The voltage across 2 is now insufficient to cut off triode (2)
and the relay is operated by the plate current. The relay can operate a contact
short the grid of the output valve to earth : additional contacts can also be utilu
should the receiver be used for special purposes. The circuit can readily be re-
arranged so that the relay is not required, and an additional control bias is made
available to cut off the a-f voltage amplifier by increasing the voltage in the cathode
circuit in the absence of a signal. R R R C
The coupling network a t s 3 has a suitably
selected time constant, and the circuit arrangement is such as to prevent amplitude
modulation or over deviation of the frequency modulated signal from muting the
receiver.
Both of the circuits of Fig. 27.46(B) and (C), or variations of them, have been widely
used in f-m mobile and V.H.F. link receivers. In some cases additional negative
bias is applied to both the a-f voltage amplifier valve and the a-f output valve ; this
has the advantage in the case of mobile receivers that the battery drain is reduced very
appreciably during stand-by periods since a large proportion of the battery drain is
due to the H.T. current drawn by the output valve.
1130 (iii) CIRCUITS USED WITH F-M RECEIVERS 27.4
(i) General
The purpose of a noise (or crash) limiter in a radio receiver is to assist in the reduction
of noise pulses, such as those due to ignition interference and crashes of static, so that
their effects may be minimized at the receiver output. The difference between muting
systems and noise limiters should be carefully distinguished, as they perform quite
different functions in connection with the type of noise 'which they are meant to
eliminate.
Noise limiters in general follow two trends. One group " punches a hole " in the
signal so that the receiver output is momentarily cut off. The other main group
functions by limiting the maximum output to a value which is not appreciably greater
than some pre-determined level.
It can be shown fairly readily (Ref. 63) that the best results for noise reduction can
be obtained by placing the limiter in the receiver at a point of low selectivity. The
Lamb silencer (Ref. 65) for example, is usually placed after the first i-f stage and its
operation is such as to cut off the plate current in the second i-f amplifier valve,
momentarily.
For many purposes elaborate noise limiting circuits- (Refs. 65, 71) are not essential,
and the tendency in the usual communications receiver is to use simple diode limiting
toremove noise peaks. For amateur work sufficiently good results are often possible
using audio output limiters (see Refs. 66, 67, 68). With the A-M receivers used in
mobile contfhunications systems a very elaborate noise limiter may be incorporated.
"
See also Chapter 16 Sect. 6 for speech clippers and Sect. 7 for noise peak and output
limiters.
The threshold of operation for noise limiters can be arranged for either automatic
or manual setting for different signal input voltages. Good results are possible using
automatic setting, but the more elaborate circuits practically always make some pro-
vision for manual control.
IOOOujiF
Detector
1000 uuF
70). However, a much more satisfactory circuit (Ref. 44) is shown in Fig. 27.49. The
diode Dj is incorporated in the usual detector arrangement and this circuit provides a
variable bias voltage for the noise limiting diodes D 2 and D 3 A short burst of noise
.
voltage having a positive polarity will cause the diode £> 3 to conduct and so flatten
out the audio waveform. A noise voltage having negative polarity causes Dt to con-
duct which then flattens out the negative peak of the audio output. In the absence
of noise the positive and negative half cycles are equally damped and so distortion
is reduced.
Additional methods used for noise limiting in radio receivers are given in Chapter 16
Sect. 7 ; methods of noise reduction for use with reproduction from records are
described in Chapter 17 Sect. 7.
(i) Miscellaneous
A
tuning indicator is a device which indicates, usually by means of a maximum
or minimum deflection, when a receiver is correctly tuned. These indicators have
taken a number of forms, particularly before the advent of the Electron Ray tuning
indicator, originally called the " Magic Eye," and a few of these will be briefly dis-
cussed before considering the Electron Ray Tube in detail.
INDICATOR LAMP
SUPPLY b+ —
FIG. 27.50 Sotvrato. Rwctor Tuning Indicator
A further arrangement is to use a neon tube in which the length of the illuminated
column is proportional to the d.c. voltage obtained from a resistance connected in
series with the plate of an amplifier valve controlled by a.v.c.
The cathode of the Electron Ray tube should be, as closely as possible, at the same
potential as the cathode of the diode. If its cathode is more negative than that of
the diode, grid current may occur thereby increasing the initial bias on the controlled
stages and reducing the sensitivity of the receiver. Consequently if the diode cathode
is earthed, the indicator tube cathode should also be earthed, but if the diode cathode
is positive then the indicator tube cathode should also be positive by an approxi-
mately equal amount. One satisfactory method of obtaining this positive voltage,
which however may only be used with a Class A power valve, is to connect the cathode
of the Magic Eye to a tapping on the cathode bias resistor of the power valve. With
this arrangement it is advisable for the tapping to be adjusted to make the cathode
of the Electron Ray tube about 0.5 volt less positive than that of the diode in order to
allow for contact potential in the indicator tube, the " delay " due to this small voltage
being negligible.
Alternatively, the cathode return of the Magic Eye may be taken to a suitable tap-
ping point on a voltage divider across the " B " supply. Due to the fairly heavy and
variable cathode currents drawn by the older types of indicator valves it is essential
that the voltage obtained from any voltage divider, or other source of voltage, should
not be affected appreciably by a current drain of from to 8 mA. It is for this reason
that it is not satisfactory to tie the cathode of the indicator tube to that of the diode.
With the newer " space charge grid " construction the cathode currents remain more
nearly constant throughout life, and this allowance for change of current need not be
made. However, it is not advisable to base calculations for cathode bias resistors
on the published values of cathode currents since in some cases with valves of the newer
construction, these are higher than the average currents.
IMA
+3sbv
R, + R," 16,700ft _
FIG. 27.52 Circuit for Wfdc-Anglt Tuning
Overlapping of the two images is possible on very strong signals, whatever type
of indicator tube is selected, but it is generally found with a remote cut-off type (such
as the 6U5/6G5) that this is not often experienced under field conditions. Certain
arrangements have been devised to reduce the tendency to overlapping, but none is
free from criticism. Desensitization of the tuning indicator is readily applied, but
affects indications on weak signals. -The use of two separate tuning indicators, or
a single type 6AF6-G with two separate amplifiers, one for'weak and one for strong
signals, is excellent but expensive. If th