TABLE OF CONTENT

1.0 OBJECTIVE…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2

2.0 INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2

3.0 DISCUSSION………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3

3.1 AM diode detector basics……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3

3.2 AM diode detection process…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4-5

3.3 Advantages of the diode detector………………………………………………………………………………………… 6

3.4 Limitation of the diode detector………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6

4.0 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6

5.0 References………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1: amplitude modulation demodulation principle ………………………………………………………………. 3

FIGURE 2: Diode Detector circuit ………………………………………………………………………………………………….…. 4

FIGURE 3: Signal entering IF transformer ………………………………………………………………………………………… 5

FIGURE 4: Signal pass through signal detector diode direct to the output ………………………………………. 5

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1.0 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this assignment is to discuss the practical application of rectifier toward radio in order
to detect signal.

2.0 INTRODUCTION

Rectifier is a circuit which operates one or more semiconductor diode to convert an alternating current
into a pulsating direct current. This process known as rectification. There are several types of rectifier
that various in usage which are full wave rectifier, half wave rectifier and bridge rectifier. Half wave
rectifier consists of a single diode connected in series with load resistor. For the full wave rectifier, it
allows unidirectional current to flow to the load during the entire input cycle. Bridge rectifier has three
types which consist of a single phase bridge rectifier, full wave rectifier and three phase rectifier circuit.
Most electronic devices cannot withstand high voltage or alternating current due to its intense high
power. Furthermore, the use of batteries in certain devices is not quite practical as their replacement
and durability is a major problem as the devices has to be disassembled each time for such a
replacement. Hence, the rectifier is well used in most electronic devices such as radios which were used
to detect the signal.

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3.0 DISCUSSION

They are several ways to detect a signal. One of it is by using AM demodulation (Amplitude Modulation
Detection). Amplitude modulated signals is one of the essential element in the process of detection.

First of all, demodulation is the process by which the original information contain signal, in other words
the modulation is extracted from the incoming overall received signal.

The term detection or demodulator is often used when referring to the overall demodulation process
because it describes the same process and same circuits. Figure 1 shows the amplitude modulation
demodulation basic principle which functioning to change the RF signal to demodulated audio.

Figure 1: amplitude modulation demodulation principle

There are a number of techniques that can be used to demodulate AM signals. Different types are used
in different applications to suit their performance and cost. But to match the uses of rectifier based on
the report requirement, diode rectifier envelope detector is one of the techniques that apply the usage
of rectifier.

The diode detector is the simplest and most basic form of amplitude modulation, AM detector and it
detects the envelope of the AM signal. The AM diode consist just a few simple component such as diode
and very low cost circuit which been used widely for many year in transistor portables radio.

3.1 AM diode detector basics

The AM diode detector is an envelope detector. An envelope detector is an electronic circuit that takes
high-frequency signal as input and release an output which is envelope of the original signal. The
envelope generalizes the concept of constant amplitude.

The diode detector consists of two main elements which are diode/rectifier which the diode in the
detectors

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 Figure 2: Diode Detector circuit

3.3 AM diode detection process

The signal detector diode/rectifier iwas located as shown in figure 2.

In rectifying the RF signal, the AM diode detector provides an output equivalent to the envelope of one
half of the signal or in other words it is an envelope detector.

The operation of the diode detector may sometimes be referred to as an envelope detector.

The incoming amplitude modulated RF signal consists of a waveform of both positive and negative going
voltages as shown. Any audio transducer would not respond to this.

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The signal from previous stages entering the IF transformer as shown in figure 3.

Figure 3: Signal entering IF transformer

The signal flow through signal detector diode to detect any signal trespassing. The capacitor is use to
remove any radio frequency components. The signal then released as an output.

Figure 4: Signal pass through signal detector diode direct to the output

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3.4 Advantages of the diode detector

 Low cost: The diode detector needed only a few lost component which made it ideal for use in
transistor radio using separate components
 Easiness: required only very few components, the diode AM detector was easy to be
implemented.Hence , it was reliable without any difficult setup.

3.5 Limitation of the diode detetor

 Distortation: As the diode detector is non-linear it introduces distortion onto the detected audio
signal.
 Sensitivity: The diode detector is not as sensitive as some other types. For example if silicon
diodes were used , it have a turn on voltage around 0.6 volts while Germanium diodes have
lower turn on voltage around 0.2 to 0.3 volts.

4.0 Conclusion

In conclusion, at the end of the discussion we can learn the purpose of the rectifier.Rectifiers are
necessary circuit for power supplies in order to convert an AC input voltage into a DC voltage
supply.There are also several ways to detect signal and one of it is by using Amplitude Modulation
Detection as it one of the simplest yet efficient and cost saving methods that been used for a long
time.The AM modulation detection are definitely suitable to ensure the radio can detect the radio based
on its mechanism.

5.0 References

Electronics-notes.com

Wikipedia.com

Scribd.com

Marine Insight.com