Some of the
technical features of the Model 2100
DUAL GATE
MOSFET FRONT END
One very
important area of any tuner is its "front end". This is the first
section of the tuner through which the radio frequency signals are amplified.
The design of the front end greatly influences the sensitivity, noise, and
selectivity characteristics of the tuner. Most tuners being built today use
MOSFETS (Metal Oxide Semi-conducting Field Effect Transistors). MOSFETS are
used for three basic reasons:
(1) IMPROVED
LINEARITY
MOSFETS have
the ability to amplify over a wide dynamic range of signal levels while
maintaining the correct linear relationships between input and output. This
gives them a higher overload capability.
(2) LOWER
INHERENT NOISE
These
devices contribute to a better quieting slope (see next section).
(3) HIGH
INPUT IMPEDANCE
MOSFETS have
very high input impedances, which reduce loading effects on tuned circuits and
result in better tuner selectivity.
QUIETING
SLOPE
The quieting
slope specification measures a tuner's ability to provide good signal-to-noise
performance under actual operating conditions. It is a far more reliable
indication of performance quality than the IMF (Institute of High Fidelity)
sensitivity figure often quoted as the prime specification to consider when
evaluating an FM tuner.
The IHF
figure gives only the number of microvolts necessary for minimum quality
reception: A signal with 3% distortion and noise (30 dB quieting) hardly
qualifies as high fidelity.
A
signal-to-noise ratio in excess of 50 dB (the revised 1975 IHF specification)
is generally recognized to be necessary for high quality listening. It is most
important then, to examine a tuner's ability to quiet quickly beyond the 30 dB
quieting point.
Quieting
slope sensitivity figures measure the signal-to-noise ratio in the crucial
five-to-500 microvolt range, where the majority of usable broadcast signals
fall. The steeper the slope, the quieter, and therefore the more listenable,
the station.
LINEAR PHASE
IF SECTION
The
performance of the FM tuner is also influenced to a great extent by the
performance of its Intermediate Frequency (IF) amplifier. The ideal IF
amplifier should accept the desired band of frequencies with minimum phase
distortion, while rejecting all undesired signals.
The IF
amplifier used in the Model 2100 includes an integrated circuit designed
expressly for FM reception, and three dual-element ceramic filters.
Use of this
1C provides excellent capture ratio and AM suppression. The ceramic filters are
ideal in that the 200 kHz passband is phase linear with sharp cutoff slopes.
This eliminates a major source of high frequency distortion and loss of stereo
separation. The sharp cutoff slopes improve the tuner's rejection and
selectivity characteristics, permitting a clear reception even when stations
are closely spaced.
PARAMETRIC
MUTING CIRCUIT
FM tuning is
made completely noise-free by a special parametric-type muting circuit. The
circuit responds to two characteristics of the FM signal: RF signal strength
and DC offset at the ratio detector, thus assuring positive muting of the audio
signal even under the most adverse conditions.
PHASE LOCKED
LOOP FM STEREO DEMODULATOR
The Phase
Locked Loop (PLL) design was developed originally to provide a
state-of-the-art. communication system for the space industry. Today the same
technology is used in the Model 2100 to assure low distortion, excellent stereo
separation, and superior noise rejection.
PLL
circuitry positively locks to the stereo pilot signal broadcast by an FM
station. This precise "phase lock" is absolutely necessary for high
performance in the stereo demodulation process: It enables the multiplex
demodulator to separate the stereo channel information from the FM multiplex
signal with more accuracy and less distortion than multiplex demodulators using
other designs.
In addition,
PLL is dependent on pilot phase rather than pilot amplitude, making it less
susceptible to false triggering from various types of noise interference.
Specifications
FM Tuner
Section:
Sensitivity
IHF Usable: 10.3 dBf (1.8 µV)
Sensitivity
IHF 50 dB Quieting :
Mono : 13.2
dBf (2.5 µV)
Stereo
: 37.3 dBf (40 µV)
Quieting
Slope (Mono)
RF Input for
30 dB Quieting 9.3 dBf (1.6 µV)
Quieting at:
20 dBf ( 5.5
µV) : 58 dB
25 dBf ( 10
µV) : 62 dB
40 dBf ( 55
µV) : 70 dB
65 dBf (1000
µV) : 74 dB
Quieting
Slope (Stereo)
Quieting at:
30 dBf ( 17
µV) : 42 dB
40 dBf ( 55
µV) : 53 dB
50 dBf ( 173
µV) : 58 dB
65 dBf (1000
µV) : 65 dB
Distortion
(Mono) at 65 dBf (1000 µV)
100 Hz
: 0.25%
1000 Hz
: 0.15%
6000 Hz
: 0.3%
Distortion
(Stereo) at 65 dBf (1000 µV)
100 Hz
: 0.35%
1000 Hz
: 0.3%
6000 Hz
: 0.5%
Distortion
(Mono and Stereo) at 50 dB Quieting, 1000 Hz :
0.6%
Hum and
Noise at 65 dBf (1000 µV)
Mono : 72 dB
Frequency
Response 30 Hz to 15kHz :
Mono : +0.2 dB, -1.5 dB
Stereo
: +0.2 dB, -1.5dB
Capture
Ratio
at 45 dBf
(100 µV) : 1.5dB
at 65 dBf
(1000 µV) : 1.0 dB
Alternate
Channel Selectivity: 70 dB
Spurious
Response Rejection: 90 dB
Image
Response Rejection: 60 dB
I.F.
Rejection (Balanced): 80 dB
A.M.
Suppression: 50 dB
Stereo
Separation
100 Hz
: 40 dB
1000 Hz
: 45 dB
10kHz : 40 dB
Subcarrier
Rejection: 60 dB
AM Tuner
Section:
IH F Usable
Sensitivity : 15 µV
Distortion
(THD), 30% Modulation: 0.5%
Signal-to-Noise
Ratio: 50 dB
Alternate
Channel Selectivity: 46 dB
Image
Rejection: 45 dB
Spurious
Response Rejection: 60 dB
I.F.
Rejection: 40 dB
General:
Power
Requirements 120 V AC, 60 Hz
Power
Consumption 23 W
Dimensions
(W x H x D): 416 x 146 x 239 mm (16-3/8" x 5-3/4" x 9-3/8")
Weight:
Unit alone
: 6 kg (13.2 Ibs)
Packed for
Shipment : 7 kg (15.4 Ibs)