US2349881A

US2349881A - Frequency modulation receiver

Info

Publication number: US2349881A
Application number: US420661A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold O Peterson
Original assignee: RCA Corp
Current assignee: RCA Corp
Priority date: 1941-11-27
Filing date: 1941-11-27
Publication date: 1944-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 1961-05-30
Also published as: GB559290A

Description

May 30, 1944. H. o. PETERSON FREQUENCY MODULATION RECEIVER Filed Nov. 27, 1941' 2 sheets-sheet 1 LI W Mm w ww 31S u NQ A n ow 3 n mw ATTORNEY May 30, 1944. H. o. PETERSON 2,349,881

FREQUENCY MODULATON RECEIVER Filed Nov. 27, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I2 u f2 hINVENTOR ATTORNEY Pat'entedMay 30, 19,44v

FREQUENCY Monmn'rlou aEcErvEa muoia o. Petersen., marmo, N. Y., winmx to Radio Corporation of America, n corporation of Delaware Application November 27. 1941, Serial No. 420,661

nomma (ci. 25o-.27)

My present invention relates to receivers of angular velocity-modulated carrier waves, and more particularly to frequency modulation re ceivers having reduced noise and amplitude modulation output without the use of limitera.

One of the advantages of operating a frequency modulated carrier wave (FM) receiver without a limiter resides in the fact that the high carrier. amplification usually required prior to a limiter may be dispensed with. In place of a special stage devoted solely to minimizing amplitude modulation (AM) effects on the carrier, in vmy invention there is secured a balance Inthe modulation voltage utilizing network such that the AM effects are balanced out.

It is therefore, an important object of this invention to provide in a receiver of angular velocity-modulated carrier waves a discriminatorrectiiler network capable of producing demodulated carrier voltages corresponding to both the frequency and amplitude modulation on the received carrier, and meansbeing employed at the modulation voltage utilization network to balance out the amplitude modulation voltage. g

Other objects are to improve generally the simplicity and elciency of FM receivers, and to provide FM receivers which are not only 4free ofa limiter but are economical to manufacture and assemble.

- 'I'he novel features Lwhich I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth in particularity in the appended claims; the invention itself, however, as to both its organization and method of operation will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the drawings in which I have indicated diagrammatically several circuit or-` ganizations whereby my invention may be carried into effect.

In the drawings: Figure 1 illustrates in schematic form an FM- receiver embodying an audio circuit in which AM 4 balancing ,is secured,

Figure la shows a modification of the audio circuit of Figure l,

Figure 2 illustrates an operating characteristic of the balancing circuit,

Figure 3 shows a modified form of the audio balancing network.

Referring, now, to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters in the different figures designate similar circuit elements, the networks shown in Figure 1 which appear prior to the discriminator-rectifler are schematically represented. 'l'hose skilled in the art are fully acquainted with the construction of the present type of superheterodyne receiver constructed to receive angular velocity-modulated carrier waves, such as FM waves. At the present time the assigned FM band is in the 42-50 megacycle (mc.) band, and the permissible frequency deviation in each channel is kilocycles (kc.) on either sideof the carrier. However, the present invention is -not limited to that particular frequency band, nor is it limited to the reception of FMi. waves ofv a high carrier frequency deviation rat 0.

The antenna I may be of any desired type, such as. for example a dipole, and it feeds an amplifier 2. The latter is the carrier amplifier having a tunable input circuit 2' which functions to select the desired mid-band carrier frequency. The following first detector 3 is, also, provided with a vtunable selector circuit 3'. The local oscillator l, provided with the tunable tank circuit 4. is utilized to feed oscillations to the converter stage. The latter functions to reduce the centerfrequency of the received FM waves tothe desired Operating intermediate frequency (I. F.) value. The operating I. F. value may be chosen from a range of 3 to 8 mc., assuming that reception is in the 42 to 50 mc. band. Amplification at I. F. is performed by the I. F. amplifier 5, whose output circuit 6 is ilxedly tuned to the I. F. value'.

-The discriminator-rectier is of a well known form, and comprises a pair of diode rectiilers l5 and i6 having oppositely mistuned input circuits. Thus, the coil I and shunt condenser 9 provide an input circuit for diode I5. The circuit 1 3 is tuned by a predetermined frequency value to one side of the center frequency, which in this case is the operating I. F. value.

.denser 'I 2 shunting load resistor I4.

The junction of condenser-s Il and I2 is connected to the grounded junction of resistor I3 rand Il, as well as to the junction of coils 1 and I. As stated previously, the discriminator-rectiilerr network shown in Figure 1 is very well known. In the present case it is found desirable The load rel .sistor I3 is shunted by the I. F. b-y-pass conto tune the discriminator circuit so that its overall characteristic is substantially linear over a range considerably wider than the frequency modulation channelbeing received. For example, if the frequency deviation is 50 kc., the overall width will be 100 kc. plus modulation frequencies multiplied by 2, or about 130 kc. for a high delity program service. In such a case the input circuit 1-9 is tuned to a frequency on the order of 300 kc. dliferent from the frequency to which input circuit B-IO is tuned.

'I'he rectifier-s I5 and I8 function to rectify the I. F. energy developed across each of the respective diode input circuits thereby producing rectined signal voltage across load resistors I3 and I4. As is well known to those skilled in the art, there would be developed across each of load resistors I3 and I4 a rectified carrier voltage when the carrier frequency at circuit 3 instantly deviates from the predetermined I. F. value. The FM wave consists of a wave whose center frequency is deviated in accordance with the amplitude of the modulation frequencies, whereas the rate of deviation corresponds to the modulation frequencies per se. Hence, as the' carrier frequency swings to different frequency points beyond the center frequency value, and on either side of the center frequency, there will be developed rectified carrier voltages across each of load resistors I3 and I4 the amplitude of which corresponds to the modulation originally applied to the carrier at the transmitter.

As is well known, the FM wave energy at circuit 6 will acquire amplitude modulation by virtue of noise impulses, fading and even because of the eiect of the cascaded resonant circuits prior to the demodulator stage. This amplitude modulation evidences itself as a variation in the amplitude of the frequency modulated carrier. In the prior art a special limiter stage has been utilized prior to the demodulator to minimize such carrier amplitude variation. To operate the limiter stage it has been necessary to increase the level of the modulated carrier waves to a relatively high magnitude. This was necessary because the limiter network functions in the manner of a saturated amplifier.

According to my present inventiony the limiter stage is eliminated. Hence the gain of the net-` works prior to the demodulater need not be as high as would be necessary in the case of using a special limiter stage. It is, also, pointed out that even with the use of a special limiter stage a certain amount of amplitude modulation develops in the dlscriminator-rectifler network per se due to imperfect balancing. According to my present invention, such amplitude modulation effects are balanced out in the modulation voltage utilization network. a

The control grid 2i' of tube 22 is connected by resistor 20 to the cathode end of load resistor I3. The control grid 23 of tube .23 is connected by resistor 2i to the cathode end of load resistor I4. The cathode ends of resistors I3 and I4 are connected together through a path consisting of resistors I1 and I8 arranged in series. The junction of resistors II and I8 is connected to ground through condenser I9. The direct current voltages developed across loadresistors I3 and I-4 are conducted through resistors I1 and I8 respectively to the time constant condenser I9. 'Ihe latter connects through lead 26 to the control grid circuits of the controlled amplifier tubes.4 The 'lead 25 is designated A. V. C. to represent the fact that it is the automatic volume control circuit. The A. V. C. connection is made from the junction'of resistors I1 and I8 to each of the signal control grids of the ultrahigh frequency amplifier 2 and I. F. amplifier 5.

The A. V. C. connection includes appropriate filter resistors 26' which function to remove pulsating voltage components from the uni-directional control voltage. The function of the A. V. C. circuit is to minimize the eilects of fading thereby to reduce one of the factors which creates amplitude modulation effects at the input network of the demodulator. It will be noted that the A. V. C. connection is made to the cathode ends of load resistors I3 and I4. Accordingly, a network I9 which may be a direct current voltage amplifier is inserted in the A. V. C. connection 28 so as to reverse the polarity of the voltage in a sense such that the A. V. C. bias becomes 'increasingly negative as the carrier amplitude increases. Of course, the I. F. energy from the amplifier could be transmitted through a parallel network into a special rectifier used exclusively to develop the A. V. C. voltage.

The rectified signal voltages appearing across load resistors I3 and I4 are transmitted through the resistors and 2| respectively to the con trol grids 2i' and 23. The plates of

tubes

22 and 23 are connected in push-pull relation. 'I'hese plates are connected to the opposite ends no of the lprimary winding of the transformer 25.

The mid-tap of the primary winding is connected to a point of proper positive potential, while the common cathode lead of the push-pull tubes is connected to ground. 'I'he secondary winding of the transformer 25 may be connected to the subsequent audio voltage utilization circuit.

It will be noted that the rectified carrier wave delivers positive voltage to both

resistors

20 and 2|. When the carrier frequency of the received 0 FM waves deviates instantaneously in one direction, the direct current voltage across resistor I3 will increase and the direct current voltage across resistor I4 will decrease byan equal amount. Thus, the current in the plate circuit of tube 22 will increase while the plate current of tube 23 will decrease. `The primary windings of transformer 25 are so connected that a voltage will be induced in the secondary of transformer 25. In other words, for the frequency modulation component of the modulated carrier Waves `the plate current through one of the primary windings 25lwill vary in magnitude in one sense, while the plate current through the opposite primary winding 25 will vary in magnitude in the opposite sense. As the carrier deviates in frequency in accordance with the modulation, the plate current flowing through the .primary windings of transformer 25 will induce a voltage in the secondary winding which is rep resentative of the frequency modulation on the carrier.

However, as far as the ampltude modulation is concerned the positive voltage across resistors I3 and I4 will increase simultaneously, since the amplitude modulation Iof the carrier aifects'the input circuits of both diodes in an equal manner. Such positive voltage will cause the plate current of

amplifiers

22 and 23 to increase simultaneously. If the circuit characteristics are so chosen that these two currents are increased -by an equal amount, no effect will appear in the secondary of transformer 25 due to the amplitude modulation component. In other words, the amplitude modulation component is balanced out by 75 the push-pull arrangement of-the plate'circuits differential voltage whichis'utilized in subsequent utilization networkafwhereasthe amplitude modmation-component is'balanced out.

A preferred arrangement of the output circuit of tubes 422 and 23 would' be to feed the plate current thereto through equal resistors and I I In 6I, and then connect a 'simple transformer 82 from plate to plate through coupling condensers '53 and B4. This is shown in Figure 1a. This Y y [2,349,351 of tubes 22 and 23.211; wm.' therefore; be'seen that the currents 'dueto-the FM lcomponent of the `modulated carrier waves add .ton provide a In order to secure the aforementioned balancing action for the amplitude modulation component of the modulation carrier wave, it is desirable to have a circuit characteristic such that a given percentage modulation of the voltage across resistor I3 will produce the same change of plate current of amplifier 22 as that same percentage of modulation of voltage across resistor I4 produces in the amplifier tube 23. This should be so even though the voltage drop across resistor I3 may not be the same as the voltage drop across resistor I4. For that reason the circuit is arranged so as to have a logarithmic relationship between the voltages El and En and currents Ii and Iz, as is depicted in Figure 2.

The voltages E1 andEa are the voltages developed across load resistors I3 and I4 respectively, while the currents Ii and Iz are the plate currents of

tubes

22 and 23 respectively. With a relationship such asis shown in Figure 2, a given percentage change in E1 will result in a fixed number of milliamperes change in current Ii irrespective of the value of E1. While it is appreciated that it would be diiilcult to produce a circuit having a perfect logarithmic characteristic over as large arange ofA Ei as indicated in Figure 2, it has been found possible to produce a logarithmic characteristic over a sufficiently wide range to make the perfomance of the overall circuit satisfactory. Furthermore, the automatic gain control of the receiver will serve to keep the average value of E1 and E2 at' approximately the desired level. Additionally, bymaking the characteristic of the discriminator circuit considerably wider than the band width of the FM wave the overall modulation range of voltages Ei and Ez is effectively limited.

Resistors I3 and I4 of Figure 1 would normally be equal for sake of simplicity. Possibly in some cases an adjustment of their relative values would be provided to afford a means for balancing up the system to give the desired overall effect. The logarithmic characteristic is brought about' by the fact that the grids of

tubes

22 and 23, being at positive potential, draw current which has to flow through relatively high resistances 20 and 2l. Generally resistors 20 and 2I would be of values considerably higher than resistors I3 and I4, optimum relationships being. readily determined for a given choice of tube types by experimentation. Resistors 20 and 2l will reduce the voltage transferred to the grids of

tubes

22 and 23, but there will remain usable amounts oi the modulation components. Resistors I'I and I 3 of Figure l would normally be about equal. They would generally be of values high compared to the values of I3 and I4'. They cooperate with condenser I appropriate A. V. C. time constant network.

to provide the` In Figline-3 there is shown-analternative arrangement which has been found to give the desired logarithmic Vcharacteristics over a considerable-'operating range. As in the case of Figure i, tubes '22" and-23" have their control grids connected .to the cathode ends of load resistors I3 and I6 respectively through resistors -28 and 2| respectively. 'The-platee: tube 22" is ccnnected through resistor'tl to the furthestl end of resistor 20. while the plate of tube i3" is connected through resistor 45 to the far end of resistor 2|. Two

additional tubes

48 and 49 are provided. The cathodes of

tubes

48 and 48 are connected through series resistors 5|! and 5I, the Junction of the two resistors being connected to ground. 'I'he plates of each of tubes 48 and 45 are connected to sources of direct current for energizing these tubes, and the audio output transformer has its primary winding connected to the cathode ends of each of resistors 5 0 and 5I through independent coupling condensers 52 and 53. 'I'he control grids of

tubes

48 and 49 are connected to the plate ends of resistors M and 45 respectively.

In the arrangement of Figure 3, the rectified signal current passes through load resistors I3 and I4 as in the case of Figure 1. The A. V. C. circuit is` energized by the direct current voltages transmitted through resistors I1 and I8. The direct current voltages are applied through resistors 44 and 20. and through resistors 45 and 2I. Tubes 22" and 23" operating in conjunction with resistors 20-44 and 2I45 respectively perform the function of establishing a logarithmic relationship between the voltages across each of the diode load resistors and the currents flowing in resistors 50 and 5I of amplifier tubes 48 and 89.

Tubes

48 and 48 function as the audio frequency amplifier, the amplified audio voltage being taken off from the cathode load resistors through the coupling condensers 52 and 53. The audio voltage, corresponding to the FM componentv on the' modulated carrier waves, is fed through transformer 54 to the succeeding utilization network which may include an audio power amplifier and loud speaker.

While not being desirous of limiting myself to the following explanation of the theoretical action of the system of Figure 3, it is given to clarify the circuit operation.

If no current flowed in the grid circuits of tubes 22", 23", 48 and 48, then the voltage applied to the grids oi' 48 and 48 would be the same as the voltage across resistors I3 and I4. This voltage would be approximately a linear function of the applied I. F. carrier voltage, which is not the desired logarithmic relationship. Now, if we simply connected a diode across the circuit between points Aand B of Figure 3, it would draw current through resistor 44, reducing the voltage applied to the grid of tube 48. This current would increase faster than linearly proportional to the applied voltage. Therefore, the shunting action would increase with increase of applied voltage, which is the effect that tends to arrive at the logarithmic response characteristic shown in Figure 2. This variation of shunting action with increase of applied voltage was found to be more nearly that required to give a good logaword, while tubes 22" and 2l" in cooperation with resistors 2D, 2l, M, Il, and in some instances the grids of tubes 4l and 4l. serve to produce the desired logarithmic characteristic. y

i. In combination with a pair of rectifiers each having its individual resistive load impedance, means for simultaneously applying to said rectiiiers modulated carrier waves whose modulation includes a frequency modulation component and an amplitude modulation component of substantial magnitude whereby rectied voltages are de.. veloped across each of said load impedances corresponding to said modulation components, a pair of electron discharge tubes each having input and output electrodes, means connecting the output electrodes of said tubes in polarity opposing relation, means impressing the rectiiied voltage developed across one oi the rectifier load impedances upon the input electrodes of one of said tubes, means impressing the rectiiled voltage de'- veloped across the second rectifier load impedance upon the input electrodes of the second tube, said rectiiied voltages being applied to the separate input electrodes of said pair of tubes in like polarity with respect to both said modulation components, but in opposing magnitude senses with respect to said frequency modulation component, means for causing the output currents of said tubes to vary by substantially equal amounts in response to the rectified voltages v zhereby currents in the common output circuit of said pair of tubes corresponding to said amplitude modulation component are eiiectively balanced out and means coupled solely .to the output electrodes of said pair of tubes for-deriving therefrom currents corresponding to said frequency modulation component.

2. In combination with a pair of rectiiiers each having its individual resistive load impedance, means for simultaneously applying to said rectifiers modulated carrier waves whose modulation includes a frequency modulation component and an amplitude modulation component of substantial magnitude whereby rectiiied voltages are developed across each oi said load impedances corresponding to said modulation components, a, pair of electron discharge tubes each having input and output electrodes, means connecting the output electrodes of said tubes in polarity opposing relation, means impressing the rectified voltage developed across one of the rectiiier load impedances upon the input electrodes of one of said tubes, means impressing the rectified voltage developed across'the second rectifier load impedance upon the input electrodes of the second tube, said rectified voltages being appliedv to the separate input electrodes of said pairot tubes lation components, but in opposing magnitude senses with respect to said frequency modulation component whereby currents in the common out..

put circuit of said pair of tubes corresponding to said amplitude modulation component are effectively balanced out, and the constants of said load impedances and said pair of tubes being so chosen that a logarithmic relation exists between the rectiiied voltage developed across each oi' said load impedances and the output currents, of each of said pair of tubes whose input electrodes are fed from the last named load impedalice.

3. In combination with a pair of rectiiiers each Ihaving its individual resistive load impedance, means for simultaneously applying to said rectiiiers modulated carrier waves yvhose modulation includes a frequency modulation component and an amplitude modulation component oisubstantial magnitude whereby rectiiied voltages are developed across each of said load impedances correspondingl to said modulation components, a pair of electron discharge tubes each having input andv output electrodes, means connecting the output electrodes of said tubes in polarity opposing relation, means impressing the rectified voltage developed across one of the rectiiier load impedances upon the input electrodes of one of said tubes, means impressing the rectified voltage developed across the second rectifier load impedance upon the input electrodes of the second tube, said rectified voltages being applied to the separate input electrodes of said pair of tubes in like polarity with respect to both said modulation components, but in opposing magnitude senses with respect to said frequency modulation component whereby currents in the common output circuit of said pair of tubes corresponding to said amplitude modulation component are effectively balanced out over appreciable ranges of frequency and amplitude, said means for applying rectified voltage to said pair of tubes comprising a second pair of electron discharge tubes each having coupling paths between the output and input electrodes thereof so as to provide a logarithmic relation between the. rectified voltage developed across each load impedance and load resistors at a relatively invariable potential tude senses for amplitude modulation components in like polarity with respect to both said moduof received modulated carrier waves, and in like polarity butopposing magnitude senses, for the angular velocity-modulationl component, means for causing the output currents of said tubes to vary by substantially equal amounts in response to said rectified voltages whereby currents iiowing in said common push-pull output circuit corresponding to vsaid amplitude modulation component are effectively balanced out thereby elimput circuit i'or deriving therefrom currents cortude modulation component of responding to said angular velocity-modulation component.4

5. In combination with a pair of rectiiiers each having its individual resistor load, means for simultaneously applying to. said rectiiiers modulated carrier waves whose modulation includes a timing modulation component and an amplisubstantial magnitude whereby rectified voltages are developed 'across each of said resistors corresponding to said modulation components, a pair of electron discharge tubes each having input and output electrodes, means connecting the output electrodes of said tubes in polarity opposin relation, resistor means of predetermined va ue impressing the rectified voltage developed across one of the rectifier load resistors upon the input electrodes of one of said tubes, resistor means of predetermined value impressing the rectified voltage developed across the second rectier load resistor upon the input electrodes of the second tube, said rectified voltages being applied to the separate input electrodes of said pair of tubes in like polarity with respect to 'both said modulation components, but in opposing magnitude 4senses with respect to said timing modulation component whereby currents in the common output circuit of said pair of tubes corresponding to said lamplitude modulation component are effectively balanced out without the need for a limiter device prior to the rectiers, and additional means coupled solely to said common output circuit for deriving therefrom currents corresponding to said timing modulation component. d

6. In combination with a pair of rectiers each having its individual resistive load impedance, means for simultaneously applying to said rectifiers modulated carrier waves Whose modulation includes a timing modulation component and an amplitude modulation component whereby rectifled voltages are developed across each of said load impedances corresponding to said modulation components, a pair of electron discharge tubes each having input and voutput electrodes, means connecting the output electrodes of said tubes in polarity opposing relation, electronic means impressing the rectified voltage developed across one of the rectifier load impedances upon the input electrodes of one of said tubes, electronic means impressing the rectified voltage developed across the second rectifier load impedance upon the input electrodes of the second tube, said rectified voltages being applied to the separate input electrodes of said pair of tubes 'in like polarity with respect to both said modula-i tion components, but in opposing magnitude senses with respect to said timing modulation component, whereby currents in the common output circuit of said pair of tubes, corresponding to said amplitude modulation component are effectively balanced out, and the constants of said load impedances and said pair of tubes being so chosen that a logarithmic relation exists between the rectified voltage developed across each of said load impedances and the output currents of 'each of said pair of tubes whose input electrodes are fed from the last named load impedance.

7. In combination with a pair of rectifiers each having its individual resistive load impedance, means for simultaneously applying to said rectifiers modulated carrier waves whose modulation includes a frequency modulation component and an amplitude modulation component whereby rectified voltages are developed across each of said load impedances corresponding to said modulation components, a pair of electron discharge tubes each having input and output electrodes, means connecting the output electrodes of said tubes in lpolarity opposing relation, means impressing the rectified voltage developed across one of the rectifier load impedances upon the input electrodes of one of said tubes, means impressing the rectified voltage developed across the second rectifier load impedance upon the input ves electrodes of the second tube, said rectified voltages being applied to the separate input electrodes of said pair of tubes in like polarity with respect to both said modulation components, but in opposing magnitude senses with respect to said frequency modulation component, whereby electrodes thereof so as to provide a logarithmic relation between the rectified voltage developed across each load impedance and the output current produced thereby in each of the respective one 'of said first pair of tubes.

8. In a receiver of angular velocity-modulated carrier Waves, a discriminator-rectier of the type utilizing a pair of rectifiers connected in opposed relation through a pair of load resistors, a pair of modulation amplifier tubes having their output electrodes connected in a commonpushpull output circuit, means for establishing the junction of said load resistors at a relatively invariable potential whereby separate rectified voltages are developed across the load resistors, separate means for applying the rectified voltages to a respective one of said modulation amplifier tube input electrodes, said separate means applying said rectified voltages to said input electrodes of each of said modulation amplifier tubes in, like polarity and magnitude senses for amplitude modulation components of received modulated carrier waves, and in like polarity but opposing magnitude senses for the angular velocity-modulation component, said separate means causing the amplifier tube output currents to vary by substantially equal amounts in response to said rectled voltages whereby currents flowing in said common push-pull output circuit corresponding to said amplitude modulation component are effectivelyv balanced out thereby eliminating the need for a limiter network per se prior to thefdiscriminator-rectiiler, and an output circuit coupled to solely said push-pull output circuit for utilizing currents corresponding to said angular velocity-modulation component.

9. In combination with a pair of opposed diode rectifiers each having its individual resistive load impedance, means for simultaneously applying to said rectiflers modulated carrier waves whose modulation includes a frequency modulation component and an amplitude modulation component whereby rectified voltages are developed across each of said load impedances corresponding to said modulation components, said load impedances being connected in series relation, a pair of electron discharge tubes each having input and output electrodes, said tubes functioning as amplifiers for solely said frequency modulation component, means connecting the output electrodes of said tubes in polarity opposing relation, resistive means of predetermined value impressing the rectified voltage developed across one of the rectifier load impedances upon solely the input electrodes of one of said tubes, resistive means of predetermined value impressing the rectified voltage developed across the second rectiiier load impedance upon solely the input electrodes of the second tube, said rectified voltages being applied to the separate input electrodes of said pair of tubes in like polarity with respect 60 both said modulation components, but in opance, means for simultaneously applying to said I rectiiiers modulated carrier waves whose modulation includes a frequency modulation component and an amplitude modulation component whereby rectified voltages are developed across each of said load impedances corresponding to said modulation components, a pair or ,amplifier tubes each having input and output electrodes, means connecting the output electrodes of said tubes in polarity opposing relation, said last means' being independent of saidy load impedances, a drst resistor impressing the rectined voltage developed across one of the rectifier load impedances upon the input electrodes of one of said tubes. a second resistor impressing the rectiiied voltage developed across the second rectifier load impedance upon the input electrodes of the second tube. said rectiiied voltages being applied to the separate input electrodes of said pair of tubes in like polarity with respect to both said modulation components, but in opposing magnitude senses with ,respect to said frequency modulationl component whereby currents in the common output circuit of said pair of tubes corresponding to said amplitude modulationcomponent are effectively balanced out. and the constants oi said load impedances and said pair` of tubes being so chosen that a logarithmic relation exists between the rectified vvoltage developed across each of said load impedances and the output currents cf each of said pair of tubes whose input electrodes are fed from the last named load impedance.

il. In a receiver of angular velocity-modulated carrier waves, a dlscriminator-rectiller of the type utilizing a pair of rectifiers connected in opposed relation through a pair of series-re# lated load resistors, a pair of modulation voltage amplier tubes having their output electrodes connected in a common push-pull output circuit 50 which is independent oi' the load resistors. means for establishing the Junction of said series load resistors at a relatively invariable potential whereby separate rectified voltages are developed across the load resistors. separate resistors for applying the rectiiled voltages to a respective oueol said modulation tube input electrodes, said separate resistors applying said rectied voltages to said input electrodes of each of said modulation tubes in like polarity and magnitude senses ior amplitude modulation components of received modulated carrier waves,y and in like polarity but opposing magnitude senses. for the angular velocity-modulation component and causing the ampliner tube output-currents to vary by substantially equal amounts in response to said rectiiled voltages whereby currents i'lowing in said common push-pull output circuit corresponding to said amplitude modulation component are eiiectively balanced out. l

l2. In combination with a frequency modulation detector comprising a pair ot diode rectiiiers each having its individual resistor load, a signal input circuit ior simultaneously applying to said rectiners modulated carrier waves whose frequency modulation includes an amplitude modulation component whereby rectied voltages are developed acro each of said resistors, a pair o! modulation amplifier tubes each having input and output electrodes, means independent of the resistor loads connecting the output electrodes 'of said tubes in polarity opposing relation in a common output circuit, resistor means impressing the rectilled voltage developed across one of the rectifier load resistors upon the input electrodes o! one o! said tubes, resistor means impressing the rectified voltage developed across the second rectiiler load resistor .upon the input electrodes ofthe second'tube. said rectified voltages being applied to the separate input electrodes of said pair oi' tubes in like polarity with respect to both said modulation components, but in opposing magnitude senses with respect to said frequency modulation whereby currents in the common output circuit oi! said pair of tubes corresponding to said amplitude modulation component are eiiectively balanced out, and a substantial logarithmic relation existing between the rectified voltage across each resistor load and the output current of the amplifier tube connected thereto.

HAROLD O. PETER/SON.