LABORATORY REPORT - CHAPTER 6

v7.6

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Remarks: Record all your measurements and write all your answers in the boxes
provided.

Preliminary Work
1. Crystals
1. Intermediate frequency (IF) of TRC-11 is at 15 MHz. Quartz crystals at this frequency
can be found abundantly in all component suppliers. Suppose we set up the following
network to characterize a quartz crystal. We first find the frequency corresponding to

50 Ω 1KΩ

+ +
Signal vo Oscilloscope
vin Generator
-

Figure 1: Quartz crystal measurement setup.

the smallest voltage, vomin , across the crystal. This is the resonant frequency, fs , of the
crystal. At this frequency, the quartz crystal is equivalent to a resistor, rs . We can
determine the value of the resistor, rs , from
vomin rs
= (1)
vin rs + 1050
√
We also find the frequencies, f1 and f2 , at which vo = 2vomin . These two frequencies
correspond to the situation where the reactance of the crystal is equal to rs , hence the
difference between them (f2 -f1 ) is 3 dB BW (bandwidth). From these frequencies, one
can determine the quality factor, Q, of the circuit shown.
fs
Q=
f2 − f1
We can calculate Ls and Cs from fs , rs , and Q:
Qrs 25330
Ls = and Cs ( pF) = (2)
2πfs fs (MHz)2 Ls (µH)

1
 Assume that vin =10 V, vomin =80 mV at fs =14.995 MHz. Suppose that vo =113 mV at
f1 =14.994870 MHz and f2 =14.995120 MHz. Find the inductor parameters, rs , Q, Ls ,
and Cs .
2. It is possible to shift the resonant frequency of a quartz crystal toward higher frequencies
using a series capacitor, C1 . The shift in the frequency can be found from
1 25330
δf (MHz) = (3)
2fs (MHz) Ls (µH)C1 (pF)
Determine δf for C1 =33 pF.

rs = Q=

Ls = Cs = δf =

1.2. GRADE:

2. IF Filter
1. We can make a second-order band-pass-filter using two such crystals. To make a filter of
bandwidth ∆f , we calculate the termination impedance, Ro , and inverter impedance, X,
using Eq. 6.48 in 243:
2π ∆f Ls
X = Ro + rs = (4)
1.4142
Choose a bandwidth, ∆f , in the range of 4 to 5 KHz. Find X and Ro for this bandwidth.
Find the value of the capacitor to implement the inverter.
1
C= (5)
2πfs X

∆f = X= Ro = C=

2.1. GRADE:

3. IF Transformer
1. The receiver mixer is a SA602A (or SA612A) IC. The output impedance of this chip is
approximately 1.5 kΩ (see page 364). It has two 180o out of phase outputs. We use
both outputs of this chip constructively to get twice the voltage or four times the power.
Therefore, the total output impedance is 3 kΩ.
Consider the equivalent circuit in Fig. 2. The function of the transformer T40 is to
convert the output impedance of 3 kΩ to Ro as needed by the IF filter. This is necessary
for maximum power transfer between the mixer and the IF filter. This requirement sets
the transformer ratio to r
n1 3000
=
n2 Ro

2
 In this circuit, out of phase outputs of the mixer chip are modeled as two voltage sources
Vo1 and −Vo1 , with 1.5 kΩ source resistances. With V1 = 2Vo1 , the two outputs are
constructively added at the transformer primary terminals.

Vo1 1.5K T40 C40 X40 X41 C42

+ +
V1 R40
1.5K Ro C41 Ro
C43
+ n1 : n2
Vo1

Figure 2: Impedance matching between receiver mixer and IF filter.

The core for the IF transformer is a T38-8/90 toroid produced by Micrometals (see
page 383). T38 core has an outer diameter of 0.38 inch (or 9.53mm), and 8/90 signi-
fies the iron powder material type. The core materials for transformer applications must
have a permeability as high as possible to keep most of the flux within the core. This ma-
terial has a relative permeability µr of 35 and yields an AL = 26 nH/turn2 when windings
are tightly wound.
Use a turns ratio of n1 /n2 to transform 3 KΩ to Ro value. Since the coupling (defined
by xx in “K L1 L2 xx” directive in LTSpice) between the windings of the transformer is
not perfect, we need to increase the number of turns of the secondary winding to get the
required transformation. We use n1 =19 for the primary and n2 =6 turns for secondary
winding.
If the winding is tight, the inductance observed at the primary terminals is n21 × 26 nH.
With windings spread out, the inductance can be lower. Find the value of the capacitor
C43 to tune out this inductance at 15 MHz. Choose the closest standard value.

C43 =

3.1. GRADE:

Experimental Work
1. Crystals
1. We measure fs and Q of both crystals in this exercise and then characterize the relevant
crystal parameters. The measurement setup is given in Fig. 1.
Solder one end of the first crystal (X40) to a 1 kΩ resistor. Connect the signal generator
cable and the oscilloscope probe, making sure that the ground is common at the crystal
side.
Adjust the signal generator to deliver 5 Vpp sine wave at 15 MHz (recall that with a high-
impedance load it delivers, 10 Vpp ), and set it up so that you can change the frequency
at 1 kHz intervals. Connect the external sync of the oscilloscope to the SYNC output
of the signal generator to be able to measure more accurately. Set the triggering of the

3
 oscilloscope to external triggering. Scan the frequency range between 14.990 MHz and
15.005 MHz. As we change the frequency, we should observe a minimum on the voltage
across the crystal because the crystal has a series resonance. At the frequency where you
observe a dip in the voltage, decrease the scan step to 10 Hz. Find the frequency, fs , of
the minimum voltage. Use averaging feature of the oscilloscope for more accurate mea-
surements. Measure and record this frequency and this minimum peak-to-peak voltage,
vomin .

2. Determine the series resistance of the crystal using Eq. 1 with vo =10 Vpp .

3. Shift the frequency in 20 Hz steps and observe that the voltage√increases. Record the
frequencies, f1 , and f2 ,, on both sides of fs , where the voltage is 2 vomin .

4. Calculate Q, Ls and Cs of the crystal using Eqs. 2.

5. Calculate the value of the series capacitor, C1 , to shift the resonant frequency to exactly
15.000 MHz using Eq. 3. Note that you can only shift the frequency to higher frequencies
by a series capacitor. If the resonant frequency is already between 14.999 MHz and
15.001 MHz you do not need a series capacitor. (If the resonant frequency is higher than
15.001 MHz, ask for a different crystal from the technician). Choose the nearest standard
capacitor value for C1 . While 1K resistor is still soldered to one end of the crystal, solder
this capacitor in series with the other end of the crystal. Measure the shifted resonant
frequency, fs′ . If the resonant frequency is not between 14.999 and 15.001 MHz try another
capacitor of the same value or the next smaller or larger standard capacitor value. Once
the resonant frequency is correct, keep them soldered together to preserve the association.

First crystal (X40):

fs = rs = δf =

Ls = Q=

C1 =C40 = fs′ =

1.5. GRADE:

6. Repeat the steps above to find the center frequency of the second (X41) 15 MHz crystal and
the necessary capacitance (C42) to shift the center frequency to very close to 15.000 MHz.
Measure the shifted center frequency of the second crystal.

Second crystal (X41):

fs = rs = δf =

Ls = Q=

C1′ =C42 = fs′ =

4
 1.6. GRADE:

7. Using Eq. 4 find the value of the inverter impedance X and the corresponding termination
impedance, Ro , to make a second-order band-pass-filter with your chosen bandwidth, ∆f .
Since Ls for two crystals may be slightly different, use the average value of Ls for X
calculation. Find the nearest standard capacitor value, C41 =C, for the inverter using
Eq. 5.

X= Ro =

1.7. GRADE:

2. IF Filter

Designator Comment Description

R41 2.7 K Resistor, carbon film, axial leaded, 1/4W

T40 T38-8/90 Toroidal core
X40,X41 15MHz Crystal

Figure 3: Bill of materials for IF filter

1. The IF filter of TRC-11 is given in Fig. 4. Start building the filter by placing the crystal
X40 and its corresponding series capacitor C40 in their places. Solder them. If you found
that you do not need a series capacitor, place short-circuiting wire in place of C40.

2. Place and solder the crystal X41 and its series capacitor C42. If you found that you do
not need a series capacitor, place short-circuiting wire in place of C42.

3. Do not mount any resistor for R40 position.

4. Solder a looped wire to the test point, TP50.

C40 X40 X41 C42

Ro C41

Figure 4: IF Filter schematic.

5. Mount and solder C41=C as the inverter capacitance, whose reactance is equal to X. The
termination impedance for this filter is given as Ro .

5
3. IF Transformer
1. First, wind the primary using 35 cm long 0.35mm enameled wire. Wind 19 tight turns
on T38 8/90 toroid. Do not stretch the windings to cover the toroid, keep them tight
together. This is useful for minimizing the leakage flux since we have a small number of
turns in the secondary winding. Wind six tight turns of secondary next to the secondary
winding. Use about 14 cm of 0.35 mm wire. Trim all four leads leaving about 1 cm, strip
the enamel, and cover with solder.
2. Install the transformer T40, paying attention to the correct placement of the primary and
secondary pairs of leads. Solder the leads. Install and solder the capacitor C43 with the
value you calculated.
3. Place and solder the test resistor R41.
4. Solder a looped wire to TP40.

4. Testing the IF amplifier

1. The IF amplifier with two stages is already built. Now, we are ready to test it along with
the IF filter. Connect the oscilloscope probe (10× setting) between the output of the IF
amplifier at TP61 and GND. Turn on the power.
Set the signal generator output to 10 mVpp sine wave (with a high-impedance load,
it delivers 20 mVpp). Connect it between TP40 and GND. Vary the frequency over the
passband of IF filter around 15 MHz in very small steps and find and set it to the frequency
where the amplitude of the amplifier output is maximized. This frequency is the center
frequency of the IF filter. Record it. Calculate the gain of the system at the center
frequency in dB. You should use
vo
G(dB) = 20 log10
vin
where vo is the peak-to-peak voltage at the output (TP61), and vin =20 mV is the (doubled)
peak-to-peak voltage at the terminals of the signal generator (between TP40 and GND).
If the gain is lower than 35 dB, you have something wrong with your circuit.

Center frequency (MHz)=

Gain at center freq (dB)=

4.1. GRADE:

2. Measure the magnitude of the output voltage amplitude as a function frequency to de-
termine the bandwidth (BW) of the IF filter. Recall that BW is defined as the difference
between two frequency points√ where the gain drops by −3 dB. (−3 dB means that the
gain drops by a factor of 1/ 2=0.707). Record it.

Bandwidth (kHz)=

4.2. GRADE:

6
3. CHECK POINT: Plot the gain in decibels as a function of frequency in a 100 kHz
range.

f (MHz) |H(ω)|(dB) f (MHz) |H(ω)|(dB) f (MHz) |H(ω)|(dB)

40

30

20
|H( )| (dB)

10

-10

-20
14.95 14.96 14.97 14.98 14.99 15 15.01 15.02 15.03 15.04 15.05
f (MHz)
4.3. GRADE: