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AM modulator with MC1496 project problem

tzitzikas

May 9, 2010
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May 9, 2010
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Hello, i have done this project. It is an experimental oscillator - modulator for mw frequencies. The schematics are here:
oscillator:
http://tzitzikas.webs.com/oscillator-1.JPG
modulator:
http://tzitzikas.webs.com/modulator-1.jpg

The problem is that the designer told me to use an 1kohm variable series resistance between oscillator and modulator (after

c9=22n capacitor of oscillator) to adjust the carrier level. I saw that the 1kohm variable series resistance is not enought

because with 1kohm series resistance the audio was't very good. I think that the carrier level was high. So i change this

resistance with another 4.7kohm. Now i am using about 2kohm of this series resistance. The modulation is very good But i

think that the audio signal in the radio is not at the center of the frequency but a little above.
(The operation frequency is 1000khz but i listen the audio with quality and strong voice at 1003khz.)
which is the problem? how i can fix it, to listen the audio very well at center frequency and not at sideband?
 

(*steve*)

¡sǝpodᴉʇuɐ ǝɥʇ ɹɐǝɥd
Moderator
Jan 21, 2010
25,510
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25,510
Have you confirmed that your carrier is actually 1MHz? On the other hand, are you sure your receiver is accurate?

Those would be the first things I'd look at.

edit: You're using a VCO. It's amazing you're within 0.3% of the frequency you're after without some form of feedback (PLL?). I would be less than surprised if the frequency doesn't wander around with temperature, humidity, and possibly even phase of the moon.
 
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55pilot

Feb 23, 2010
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Considering the problems I pointed out with the other circuit you posted from this source, I suspect the problem is a poor design. I would look at things like not taking component tolerances and other real life issues into account.

To answer your question any further, I would need to read up on the chips in question since I am not familiar with them. Like I suggested in your other thread, I would go back to the website you got the circuit from and ask a few questions there.

---55p
 

tzitzikas

May 9, 2010
16
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May 9, 2010
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55pilot :the circuit is from a Greek website.
(*steve*): i controll the vco , by using a pll with SAA1057 and pic16f628 microcontroller.
Do you have any idea why the modulation is not at the center frequency? Maybe improper armour?
 

(*steve*)

¡sǝpodᴉʇuɐ ǝɥʇ ɹɐǝɥd
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Jan 21, 2010
25,510
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Armour? Shielding? I doubt it. That's more likely to introduce noise than a systematic frequency error.

Have you independently measured the carrier frequency?
 

tzitzikas

May 9, 2010
16
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May 9, 2010
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yes i have measured the carrier frequency. It is ok. i work the vco with pll (SAA1057 and pic16f628 microcontroller)
i was meaning good sield, sorry.
 

davenn

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Sep 5, 2009
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Do you have any idea why the modulation is not at the center frequency? Maybe improper armour?

yes because you appear to have the MC1496 wired as a DSB (double sideband) suppressed carrier modulator. So therefore you are not going to see a signal on the main carrier freq as that freq is suppressed. Rather you are going to see a signal on the 2 sideband freqs.

Dave
VK2TDN
 

tzitzikas

May 9, 2010
16
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May 9, 2010
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yes because you appear to have the MC1496 wired as a DSB (double sideband) suppressed carrier modulator. So therefore you are not going to see a signal on the main carrier freq as that freq is suppressed. Rather you are going to see a signal on the 2 sideband freqs.

Dave
VK2TDN
do you know what modifications i must do at this circuit http://tzitzikas.webs.com/modulator-1.jpg to work as am modulator? the designer claims that this schematic is for am modulation.
 
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