US2456763A - Frequency stabilization - Google Patents

Frequency stabilization Download PDF

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US2456763A
US2456763A US488582A US48858243A US2456763A US 2456763 A US2456763 A US 2456763A US 488582 A US488582 A US 488582A US 48858243 A US48858243 A US 48858243A US 2456763 A US2456763 A US 2456763A
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frequency
oscillator
voltage
discriminator
arrangement
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US488582A
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Ziegler Marc
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Hartford National Bank and Trust Co
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Hartford National Bank and Trust Co
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Priority to FR957704D priority patent/FR957704A/fr
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Priority to CH265358D priority patent/CH265358A/en
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    • HELECTRICITY
    • H03ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03CMODULATION
    • H03C3/00Angle modulation
    • H03C3/02Details
    • H03C3/09Modifications of modulator for regulating the mean frequency

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  • Z2 Z0 is f I I I CONTROLLED REACTANCE OSCILLATOR TUBE MODULATOR VOLTAGE MVIXER V AMPLIFIER mscRmuM/noR 30 I I l J I I2 32 l4 CRYSTAL OSCILLATOR MARC 'ZIE INVENTOR.
  • This invention concerns an improvement in frequency stabilization, especially useful for application in frequency modulation devices.
  • the systems for generating frequency modulated waves can be divided in two general classes.
  • the systems of the first class operate with an oscillator, the frequency of which is very stable, owing to the special physical properties of the oscillator elements used and the circuit chosen, as in the case, for example, of a quartz oscillator.
  • the proper frequency of the oscillator hence cannot be varied, but a signal derived from it can be applied to a phase shifting device so arranged that the output of that device is phaseshifted with regard to the input, the phase shift being a function of a variable controlling magnitude applied to that device.
  • the variable controlling magnitude itself is a function of the intelligence and, by convenient choice and adaption of these functions, the resulting phase modulated signal can be considered as being frequency modulated by the intelligence.
  • the central frequency is determined by the oscillator, which, as stated above, is inherently very stable, and therefore the central frequency is also very stable and constant, which is the principal feature of the system.
  • a phase modulation of about 20 degree amplitude is impressed on a signal of relatively low frequency and high frequency stability, and the resultant phase modulated signal is multiplied several times in frequency and passed, if necessary, through one or more frequency changer stages in order to obtain the modulated signal of desired central frequency and desired frequency excursion.
  • the frequency of the oscillator is made variable by the variation of one of its circuit constants, for example its capacity, proportionately to the in- 6 Claims. (Cl. 179-1715) tellige-nce.
  • the introduction of a variable element in the oscillator circuit reduces generally its inherent stability and constancy, so that it has proved essential to stabilize the central frequency of the oscillation with respect to a very constant frequency derived from a crystal oscillator, by a convenient automatic frequency control (A. F. C.) arrangement.
  • the frequency controlling device of the A. F. C. link, and the frequency modulating arrangement can be combined, and generally some reactance tube circuit is chosen, capable of varying the circuit capacity of the oscillator as a function of the tension applied on the grid of the latter.
  • a first drawback is the relative sensitivity of the system to undesired modulating effects, microphonics and the like, inherent in the modulability of the oscillator frequency.
  • the invention to be described hereinbelow has for its object to eliminate thesecond drawback inherent in frequency modulation systems based on direct modulation of a modulable oscillator and automatic stabilization of the central frequency of the same.
  • This second drawback consists therein that the correct frequency controlling action of the known A. F. C. arrangements, which can subsist only within a certain range of frequency on both sides of the desired frequency, is completely disturbed as soon as a certain frequency limit is momentarily passed.
  • the correct adjustment of the A. F. C. then is lost completely and this adjustment does not re-establish itself, when the cause of such a momentarily ()VellOadihg of the A. F. C. device disappears.
  • Fig. 1 represents the discriminator characteristic and the frequency control characteristic for a stabilizing arrangement using a counter-type frequency discriminator.
  • Fig. 2' is a block diagram of the improved frequency stabilizing arrangement.
  • Fig. 3 is a diagram of a complete frequency modulating; unit incorporating the new invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a graph showing the stabilizing effect of the arrangement of Fig. 3.
  • the automatic frequency stabilizing arrangement to be considered is similar to that shown in Fig. 2, except that in the prior arrangement the discriminator id is connected directly to the reactance tube 20 through the point of injection 39 of the modulating voltage.
  • the beat frequency signal obtained by mixing a voltage derived from the local oscillator 22 to be stabilized (frequency fosc) and a voltage from a crystal oscillator (frequency fcrys) is applied, if desired after passing through an amplifier 32, to the input of a frequency discriminator ill.
  • the output of the frequency discriminator M is zero when the beat frequency has the desired value fint and the correct operation consists therein that any deviation from the desired frequency produces a positive or negative potential at the output of the discriminatcr M which, when applied to the frequency 4 controlling arrangement of the local oscillator 22, produces a controlling action in the opposite sense, which tends to bring the frequency of that local oscillator to the right value again.
  • the graphs of Fig. 1 show both how the output voltage V of the frequency discriminator varies as a function of the oscillator frequency f, and how the frequency of the oscillator varies as a function of the input voltage of the reactance tube.
  • the first mentioned curve will be called the discriminator characteristic and the second one the frequency control characteristic.
  • the graph would have the form of two straight lines, passing through zero both the times that the beat frequency fosc-fcrys is equal to the intermediate frequency fint, that is, in points C and E, and meeting for fosc jcrys in the point D at a value VB of the voltage V equal to the compensating potential applied to the frequency counter.
  • a frequency counter saturates for high firequencies, a deviation from the straight line as indicated by the broken curves CH and EI would be obtained.
  • the transmission of the beat frequency signal from mixer to frequency discriminator is frequency dependent.
  • the shape of the curve is quite normal: the slope is maximum at the working point and the frequency variation obtainable is limited at both ends of the characteristics of the reactance tube.
  • the reactance tube and oscillator arrangement are so designed that the sensibility in kc. of oscillator frequency per volt of input voltage is large, e. g. of the order of hundreds of kc./volt. That means that the total range may easily be a thousand kc. or more, which explains why the limits of the frequency control characteristic are so far removed as compared with the central part of the figure.
  • the two characteristic curves have five intersection points, K, L, C, M, N. In each of these points the condition is satisfied that the output of the r iscriminator for the existing oscillator frequency is equal to the voltage required at the input of the reactance tube for obtaining that frequency.
  • the working point C is a point of stable equilibrium: any small deviation of the frequency from the value at that point produces a counteracting effect which tends to keep the frequency at that value. It can be observed that point N is also .a point of stable equilibrium. Points L and M on the other hand are points of unstable equilibrium: if the oscillator is adjusted at one of these points any small frequency variation will create a voltage variation of the discriminator output which causesthat frequency to be moved away still more.
  • point K happens to be a point of stable equilibrium, due to the returning slope of the frequency control characteristic.
  • the oscillator frequency can jump from the desired value of point C to either point N or point K and be kept there automatically, even when the perturbing cause has disappeared.
  • the frequency has increased momentarily to a value larger than that corresponding to point M the controlling voltage produced starts to shift it further until the stable adjustment N is obtained.
  • the frequency decreases below the frequency of point L it shifts automatically towards point K where it is stabilized. In both cases the desired adjustment is lost and cannot re-esta'olish itself automatically.
  • the modulating means for example the microphone circuit
  • the modulating means may produce abnormal peak voltages (switching-on or switchingoif voltages) many times larger than the modulating voltage required for maximum excursion. Any other reason for which the voltage applied to the reactance tube may momentarily become abnormally large (as for instance, transitory phenomena after switching on) may similarly cause a frequency deviation leading to a shift to operation to the points K or L.
  • the oscillator frequency also may happen to alter by reason of some change in the oscillator circuit as, for example, capacity or inductance change by hand effect, mechanical shock and the like. Any of these causes may, therefore, have as a consequence that the correct adjustment of the frequency stabilization arrangement is lost if no special measures are taken.
  • a manual readjustment is
  • the object of the present invention is to eliminate all possibilities of adjustments other than the desired one, by conveniently limiting the range of the frequency control, so that the desired point becomes the sole intersection of the frequency control and frequency discrimination curves.
  • the oscillator frequency control is limited to one point of stable operation without loss of sensitivity by interposing a limiter stage between the reactance tube and the source of voltage for controlling the reactance tube.
  • An arrangement is accordance with the invention is shown schematically in the blocked diagram of Fig. 2.
  • the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 consists of a crystal oscillator I ll, mixer l2, discriminator I l, limiter l8, reactance tube 2t, and a controlled oscillator 22 serving as the source of frequency modulated waves and .to which a transmitting antenna is coupled with or without the interposition of a power amplifier and/or a frequency multiplying stage in accordance with the known practice (see Fig. 3)
  • the injection of a modulating voltage such as a voltage representing intelligence, is indicated at 30 between the discriminator and the limiter.
  • an amplifier 32 may be included between mixer l2 and discriminator i i.
  • a frequency control characteristic such as curve PCQ of Fig. 1 may be obtained.
  • the limited characteristic does not prevent the frequency of the oscillator from being moved somewhat faraway from the desired value by one of the causes mentioned hereinabove, but as soon as such an extraordinary disturbing action disappears, the frequenc of the oscillator automatically retur to the desired value.
  • Fig. 3 the complete circuit of a frequency modulation arrangement is given wherein a limitation of the frequency control is. realized, adapted to the case discussed, for which, as has been seen, limitation at both sides or the working point is required.
  • the circuit comprises a quartz controlled oscillator i'zla corresponding to the crystal oscillator of Fig. .2, a mixing arrangement lZa corresponding to the mixer iii of Fig. 2, an inductance type frequency counter [4a corresponding to the discriminator i l followed .by a filter I6, a limiter device indicated by the general reference number Hid shown as it in Fig. 2, a reactance tube 2PM corresponding to the reactance tube 26 of Fig. 2, second.
  • the oscillator 22a corresponding to the controlled oscillator 22, doubler and power output stages 2% and 26 respectively, antenna 28 and intelligence im pression means shown as a microphone circuit 30a shownas the block 38 in Fig. 2.
  • the intel- 7 ligence impression means is connected between the filler I6 and limiter [8a.
  • the reactance tube circuit 20a, the modulated oscillator 22a, the mixer lZa, the quartz controlled pilot oscillator [9a, and the R. F. amplifier 32a are entirely conventional and, if desired, may be replaced by other circuits well-known to the art.
  • the discriminator I ia is a counter type discriminator as disclosed in copending patent applications, Ser. No. 464,380 filed November 3, 1942, now U. S.
  • the discriminator is so arranged that pulses of like sign vary the current through an inductance to the same extent for each pulse and the output current developed by integrating the voltage impulses is proportional to the number of periods and hence is proportional to the frequency.
  • the output of the discriminator Ma is coupled to the limiter [8a and the modulator source 30a by means of the filter circuit Hi.
  • This filter circuit it may consist of a low pass filter such as is commonly used in discriminator circuits whereby the radio frequency and the audio frequency components are substantially completely attenuated to provide at the output of the filter a direct current potential whose value is a function of the variation in frequency from the desired predetermined value.
  • the constants of filter it are so adjusted that the radio frequency component is completely attenuated and the audio frequency component is passed through unattenuated so that the output of the filter comprises a direct current potential proportional to the frequency variations and a superimposed audio frequency component.
  • the limiting action is based on the cut-off of two triodes 34, 36, connected in series and shown as contained in one valve structure 33.
  • the limiter Mat is a two stage direct coupled amplifier comprising two triodes 34 and 36 which may be enclosed in one envelope 38.
  • the triode 34 which is directly coupled to the output filter I is so biased b the cathode resistor 39 that negative excursions of the applied voltage beyond a predetermined value are limited by reason of the grid cut-off characteristics of the tube.
  • the triode 36 is so biased by the voltage applied of the voltage applied to the control grid thereof beyond a predetermined value are similarly limited by reason of the grid cut-off characteristics of the tube. Since the voltage applied to the grid of triode 38 is in phase opposition to the voltage applied to the grid of tube 34, it will be seen that the triodes 34 and 39 produce limiting of the negative and positive peaks of the voltage obtained from the filter having amplitude values greater than a predetermined desired value. The limiting level is established by the bias voltages applied to the tubes 34 and 36.
  • the output of the limiter is obtained between ground and a point on the voltage divider comprising resistors 4!, 42 and 43 in series.
  • the range of a limiter stage cannot be smaller than a few volts and the sensitivity of the reactance tube itself may have to be reduced in order to get the frequency range required.
  • the decrease of reactance tube sensitivity is obtained by biasing the grid in the well-known manner as shown in Fig. 3 by interposing a resistor between ground and the cathode; the cathode in this way becomes positive which permits direct connection of the positive output of the limiter stage to the grid of the reactance tube.
  • the amplification obtained from the limiter more than compensates the loss in sensitivity of the reactance tube.
  • Frequency modulation arrangements operating with other typesof discriminators, may have a discriminator characteristic such that limitation of the frequency control is required on one side only of the working point. In such a case, the limiter stage is of course, of simpler design.
  • Fig. 4 is shown for the arrangement disclosed in Fig. 3, to what value any oscillator frequency deviations are reduced by the stabilizing arrangement. Horizontally is plotted out the frequency of the oscillator without stabilization,-
  • Fig. 3 shows a remarkable stability. This is partly because of the inclusion of circuit constants bringing about a negative feedback action obtained by choosing the cut-off frequency of the low pass filter so that all audio frequencies pass unattenuated, as disclosed in my copending U. S. Patent application Serial No. 482,439 filed April 9, 1943.
  • peak voltages obtained by connecting and disconnecting the microphone or by shaking the same, or violent shocks on the chassis are practically imperceptible at the receiving end of a communication system comprising a transmitter constructed according to the invention. Touching the oscillator grid stops the signal but the same comes in correctly as soon as the hand is removed.
  • the object of the invention is apparently full attained. I
  • Apparatus for generating a 'wave having a stable frequency comprising a main oscillator, a pilot oscillator, frequency controlling means connected to said main oscillator for maintaining the frequency of said main oscillator at a given frequency with respect to the frequency of the pilot oscillator, said frequency controlling means being responsive to a control potential and having a plurality of possible operating conditions of stable equilibrium, frequency mixing means coupled to said main and said pilot oscil- Large modulating lator, means to produce a control voltage substantially proportional to the frequency difference between said main and said pilot osci1- lators comprising a frequency responsive detector energized b said mixing means, and amplitude limiting means for said control voltage inserted between said frequency responsive detector and said frequency controlling means to restrict the operation of said frequency controlling means to only one of said conditions of stable equilibrium.
  • a frequency modulation system comprising a main oscillator for generating an adjustable frequency oscillation, means to control the frequency of said oscillator, modulation means connected to said frequency control means, a pilot oscillator, frequency mixing means connected to said main and said pilot oscillators, a frequency responsive detector connected after said frequency mixing means and comprising means for generating electrical impulses of substantially constant area for each of the half-periods of like sign of the difference oscillation between said main and said pilot oscillation, means to integrate said electrical impulses to produce a control voltage having a zero amplitude for a given mean value of said difference oscillation, means to apply said control voltage to said frequency controlling means to maintain the mean frequency of said main oscillation at a given frequency difference with respect to said pilot oscillation, and amplitude limiting means inserted between said frequenc responsive detector and frequency controlling means and connected after said modulation means to simultaneously restrict the frequency control range of said modulation means and said frequency responsive detector.
  • the steps comprising generating a control voltage having amplitude variations proportional to frequency variations of the difference frequency between said adjustable oscillation and a pilot oscillation, controlling the frequency of said source proportional to the amplitude of said generated Voltage, and limiting the generated voltage to amplitude variations within a given range of amplitude values at which said source is limited to frequency variations about only one condition of stable equilibrium.
  • the steps comprising generating a control voltage having amplitude variations proportional to frequency variations of the difference frequency between said adjustable oscillation and a pilot oscillation, controlling the frequency adjusting element by means of said generated potential to produce variations of the frequency of said source proportional to the amplitude variations of the generated potential, and limiting the generated potential to amplitude variations within a given range of amplitude values at which the frequency adjusting element is limited to operation at only one of said conditions of stable equilibrium.
  • the steps comprising mixing said adjustable oscillation and a pilot oscillation to produce an oscillation having a frequency equal to the frequency difference between said adjustable oscillation and the pilot oscillation, generating electrical impulses for each half-period of like sign of said difference frequency oscillation, integrating said electrical impulses to produce a control voltage having amplitude variations proportional to frequency variations of said difference frequency, controlling the frequency adjusting element to produce variations of the frequency of said source proportional to the amplitude variations of the control voltage, and limiting the control voltage to amplitude variations within a given range of amplitude values at which the frequency adjusting element is limited to operation at only one of said conditions of stable equilibrium.

Description

Dec. 21, 1948. M. ZIEGLER 2,456,763
FREQUENCY STABILIZATION Filed May 26, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .HZG. 2.
Z2 Z0 is f I I I CONTROLLED REACTANCE OSCILLATOR TUBE MODULATOR VOLTAGE MVIXER V AMPLIFIER mscRmuM/noR 30 I I l J I I2 32 l4 CRYSTAL OSCILLATOR MARC 'ZIE INVENTOR.
AT 1' ORAE'Y Dec. 21, 1948. MQZIEGLER 2,456,763
FREQUENCY STABILIZATION Filed May 26, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v 2e 24" I \l"'- REACTANCE TUBE 4 OSCILLATOR I 20a I I FILTE l I QUARTZ i I OSCILLATOR 10d J II I I r r I 7 E16. 4- c I --20 fsTAaluzeo 5 KC'80706050403.020|0 J fo z osoios ooioo +KC 5 5 NOT STABILIZED |o as I q 2o I KC MARC ZLEGLER INVENTOB.
ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 21, 1948 FREQUENCY STABILIZATION Marc Ziegler, Buenos Aires, Argentina, assignor to Hartford National Bank and Trust Company, Hartford, Goran, as trustee Application May 26, 1943, Serial No. 488,582
This invention concerns an improvement in frequency stabilization, especially useful for application in frequency modulation devices.
The systems for generating frequency modulated waves can be divided in two general classes. The systems of the first class operate with an oscillator, the frequency of which is very stable, owing to the special physical properties of the oscillator elements used and the circuit chosen, as in the case, for example, of a quartz oscillator. The proper frequency of the oscillator hence cannot be varied, but a signal derived from it can be applied to a phase shifting device so arranged that the output of that device is phaseshifted with regard to the input, the phase shift being a function of a variable controlling magnitude applied to that device. The variable controlling magnitude itself is a function of the intelligence and, by convenient choice and adaption of these functions, the resulting phase modulated signal can be considered as being frequency modulated by the intelligence. The central frequency is determined by the oscillator, which, as stated above, is inherently very stable, and therefore the central frequency is also very stable and constant, which is the principal feature of the system.
In one known method of producing a frequency modulated wave a phase modulation of about 20 degree amplitude is impressed on a signal of relatively low freuency and high frequency stability, and the resultant phase modulated signal is multiplied several times in frequency and passed, if necessary, through one or more frequency changer stages in order to obtain the modulated signal of desired central frequency and desired frequency excursion.
Since this method necessitates extensive frequency multiplication of the initially modulated wave, it is desirable to utilize generating systems capable of impressing in one step, on a signal of high frequency, the frequency modulation of desired excursion. Such a system is described in the prior United States patent applications of Edouard Labin Ser.'1 l0. 436,374 filed March 26, 1942 now U. S. Patent 2,372,328 issued March 27, 1945, and Ser. No. 474,591 filed February 3, 1943 now U. S. Patent 2,372,210 issued March 27, 1945.
It is also known to generate a frequency modulated wave by the direct frequency modulation of an oscillator at high frequency. In that case the frequency of the oscillator is made variable by the variation of one of its circuit constants, for example its capacity, proportionately to the in- 6 Claims. (Cl. 179-1715) tellige-nce. The introduction of a variable element in the oscillator circuit reduces generally its inherent stability and constancy, so that it has proved essential to stabilize the central frequency of the oscillation with respect to a very constant frequency derived from a crystal oscillator, by a convenient automatic frequency control (A. F. C.) arrangement. The frequency controlling device of the A. F. C. link, and the frequency modulating arrangement can be combined, and generally some reactance tube circuit is chosen, capable of varying the circuit capacity of the oscillator as a function of the tension applied on the grid of the latter.
As representative of this class of frequency modulation systems mention may be made of the device proposed by M. G. Crosby and the arrangement described in the prior United States patent application Ser. No. 464,380 filed on November 3, 1942, now U. S. Patent 2,406,309 issued August 20, 1946, by M. Ziegler and M. J. Kobilsky, the two systems mentioned differing essentially by the different kind of discriminator used in the automatic frequency control link.
It must be said that, hitherto, this system of frequency modulation of the second class has not been very popular, and has been very little used and then only for broadcasting purposes. This is due to a few serious drawbacks of the system which made it not readily adaptable to mobile communication purposes where reliability must go together with compactness, lightness and simplicity of design.
A first drawback is the relative sensitivity of the system to undesired modulating effects, microphonics and the like, inherent in the modulability of the oscillator frequency.
In my copending United States patent application Ser. No. 482,439 filed April 9, 1943, now abandoned, I described a method, based on the use of negative feedback, for making the arrangement much less sensitive to these effects, so as to be as good, in that respect, as the systems of the first class. This feedback is provided by choosing the constants of a filter interposed between the discriminator and the reactance tube so that the cut-off frequency of the filter is sufficiently high that all audio frequencies pass unattenuated and are fed back to the reactance tube modulator in phase opposition to the injected voltage from the modulation source.
The invention to be described hereinbelow has for its object to eliminate thesecond drawback inherent in frequency modulation systems based on direct modulation of a modulable oscillator and automatic stabilization of the central frequency of the same. This second drawback consists therein that the correct frequency controlling action of the known A. F. C. arrangements, which can subsist only within a certain range of frequency on both sides of the desired frequency, is completely disturbed as soon as a certain frequency limit is momentarily passed. The correct adjustment of the A. F. C. then is lost completely and this adjustment does not re-establish itself, when the cause of such a momentarily ()VellOadihg of the A. F. C. device disappears.
A manual readjustment of course is possible bu it is not well acceptable in communication practice and the lack of security regarding the correct operation of the A. F. C. and stabilization on the desired frequency may be the reason why the system has not found more application.
I now have found that the drawback just described may be eliminated by convenient limitation of the tension supplied to the frequency controlling element, so as to obtain a frequency modulating unit presenting the advantages and flexibility of the direct modulation system and all the security of frequency adjustment inherent in systems wherein the central frequency of the frequency modulated wave is determined solely by the frequency of a crystal oscillator.
This and other features of my invention will be made clear in the following detailed description thereof, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 represents the discriminator characteristic and the frequency control characteristic for a stabilizing arrangement using a counter-type frequency discriminator.
Fig. 2' is a block diagram of the improved frequency stabilizing arrangement.
Fig. 3 is a diagram of a complete frequency modulating; unit incorporating the new invention.
Fig. 4 is a graph showing the stabilizing effect of the arrangement of Fig. 3.
Before the principle of the new invention can be made clear it is necessary to describe in detail how the correct operation of an A. F. C. arrangement can be disturbed completely when put out of adjustment. The explanation I will give Will concern more particularly a stabilizing arrangement using a counter-type frequency discriminator described in my copending United States patent applications Ser. Nos. 464,380 filed November 3, 1942, now U. S. Patent 2,406,309 issued August 20, 1946 and 477,990 filed March 4, 1943, now U. S. Patent 2,416,078 issued February 18, 1947. A similar reasoning, however, holds for arrangements using other types of discriminator.
The automatic frequency stabilizing arrangement to be considered is similar to that shown in Fig. 2, except that in the prior arrangement the discriminator id is connected directly to the reactance tube 20 through the point of injection 39 of the modulating voltage. The beat frequency signal obtained by mixing a voltage derived from the local oscillator 22 to be stabilized (frequency fosc) and a voltage from a crystal oscillator (frequency fcrys) is applied, if desired after passing through an amplifier 32, to the input of a frequency discriminator ill. The output of the frequency discriminator M is zero when the beat frequency has the desired value fint and the correct operation consists therein that any deviation from the desired frequency produces a positive or negative potential at the output of the discriminatcr M which, when applied to the frequency 4 controlling arrangement of the local oscillator 22, produces a controlling action in the opposite sense, which tends to bring the frequency of that local oscillator to the right value again.
The connection through the point of application of a modulating voltage, as shown in the improved arrangement of Fig. 2, and as likewise utilized in said prior arrangement, is intended for the case that the oscillator is to be frequency modulated. Further details on this point are to be found in my said copending applications Ser. Nos. 464,380, new U. S. Patent 2,406,309, and 477,990. The adiustment for which the arrangement stabilizes correctly as described above, is an adjustment of stable equilibrium. It will now be shown that the system can be brought into other positions of equilibrium, for which, however, the oscillator frequency neither has the desired value nor offers the great constancy which is the object of the special stabilizing arrangement.
For equilibrium it obviously is required that the potential obtained at the output of the discriminator, for a certain value of the oscillator frequency, be equal to the voltage at the input of the frequency controlling reactance tube arrangement for which the oscillator frequency has said value.
The graphs of Fig. 1 show both how the output voltage V of the frequency discriminator varies as a function of the oscillator frequency f, and how the frequency of the oscillator varies as a function of the input voltage of the reactance tube. The first mentioned curve will be called the discriminator characteristic and the second one the frequency control characteristic.
The peculiar shape of the discriminator characteristic A B C D E F G can be explained as follows:
If the frequency counter were not limited in its operation for high frequencies and if the beat signals were transmitted independently of their frequency, the graph would have the form of two straight lines, passing through zero both the times that the beat frequency fosc-fcrys is equal to the intermediate frequency fint, that is, in points C and E, and meeting for fosc jcrys in the point D at a value VB of the voltage V equal to the compensating potential applied to the frequency counter. Taking into consideration the fact that a frequency counter saturates for high firequencies, a deviation from the straight line as indicated by the broken curves CH and EI would be obtained. In practice, the transmission of the beat frequency signal from mixer to frequency discriminator is frequency dependent. The most general and common case is that the transmitted amplitude drops both for low and high frequencies of the beat signal. For those frequencies, the voltage applied at the input of the frequency counter discriminator drops below the threshold value of correct functioning and its output changes accordingly towards the limit Veof the compensating potential, when the applied beat signal is zero. So the parts C B A and E F G of the curve are obtained. We see that the complete characteristic passes through zero in four distinct points, B, C, E and F of which point C is the working point.
The variation of the oscillator frequency under the influence of the input voltage of the reactance tube, that is, the frequency control characteristic, is given by curve J K L C M N 0. It is assumed that, when the voltage applied on the reactance tube is zero, the oscillator has the desired frequency, which is the reason why the curve passes through point C.
The shape of the curve is quite normal: the slope is maximum at the working point and the frequency variation obtainable is limited at both ends of the characteristics of the reactance tube.
In order to obtain a strong stabilizing action, the reactance tube and oscillator arrangement are so designed that the sensibility in kc. of oscillator frequency per volt of input voltage is large, e. g. of the order of hundreds of kc./volt. That means that the total range may easily be a thousand kc. or more, which explains why the limits of the frequency control characteristic are so far removed as compared with the central part of the figure.
It can be observed that the two characteristic curves have five intersection points, K, L, C, M, N. In each of these points the condition is satisfied that the output of the r iscriminator for the existing oscillator frequency is equal to the voltage required at the input of the reactance tube for obtaining that frequency.
As stated before, the working point C is a point of stable equilibrium: any small deviation of the frequency from the value at that point produces a counteracting effect which tends to keep the frequency at that value. It can be observed that point N is also .a point of stable equilibrium. Points L and M on the other hand are points of unstable equilibrium: if the oscillator is adjusted at one of these points any small frequency variation will create a voltage variation of the discriminator output which causesthat frequency to be moved away still more.
In the case illustrated point K happens to be a point of stable equilibrium, due to the returning slope of the frequency control characteristic.
It will be understood Without further explanation that, under a perturbing influence, the oscillator frequency can jump from the desired value of point C to either point N or point K and be kept there automatically, even when the perturbing cause has disappeared. As a matter of fact as soon as for some reason the frequency has increased momentarily to a value larger than that corresponding to point M the controlling voltage produced starts to shift it further until the stable adjustment N is obtained. In the same way, as soon as the frequency decreases below the frequency of point L it shifts automatically towards point K where it is stabilized. In both cases the desired adjustment is lost and cannot re-esta'olish itself automatically.
There is more than one possibility for obtaining frequency deviations as large as from C to M or from C to L. First the modulating means, for example the microphone circuit, may produce abnormal peak voltages (switching-on or switchingoif voltages) many times larger than the modulating voltage required for maximum excursion. Any other reason for which the voltage applied to the reactance tube may momentarily become abnormally large (as for instance, transitory phenomena after switching on) may similarly cause a frequency deviation leading to a shift to operation to the points K or L. The oscillator frequency also may happen to alter by reason of some change in the oscillator circuit as, for example, capacity or inductance change by hand effect, mechanical shock and the like. Any of these causes may, therefore, have as a consequence that the correct adjustment of the frequency stabilization arrangement is lost if no special measures are taken. A manual readjustment, of course, is
6 possible, but the necessity for it would be a real drawback to the apparatus.
The object of the present invention is to eliminate all possibilities of adjustments other than the desired one, by conveniently limiting the range of the frequency control, so that the desired point becomes the sole intersection of the frequency control and frequency discrimination curves.
It is not convenient to obtain that limitation by reducing the controlling action of the reactance tube arrangement by, for instance, a simple increase of the oscillator tank capacity. This would reduce the total range of frequenc variation obtainable, as desired, but at the same time the stabilizing efiect of the arrangement would decrease proportionately.
In accordance with the invention the oscillator frequency control is limited to one point of stable operation without loss of sensitivity by interposing a limiter stage between the reactance tube and the source of voltage for controlling the reactance tube. An arrangement is accordance with the invention is shown schematically in the blocked diagram of Fig. 2. The arrangement shown in Fig. 2 consists of a crystal oscillator I ll, mixer l2, discriminator I l, limiter l8, reactance tube 2t, and a controlled oscillator 22 serving as the source of frequency modulated waves and .to which a transmitting antenna is coupled with or without the interposition of a power amplifier and/or a frequency multiplying stage in accordance with the known practice (see Fig. 3) The injection of a modulating voltage, such as a voltage representing intelligence, is indicated at 30 between the discriminator and the limiter. If desired an amplifier 32 may be included between mixer l2 and discriminator i i.
With such a limiter stage, a frequency control characteristic such as curve PCQ of Fig. 1 may be obtained. The limited characteristic, of course, does not prevent the frequency of the oscillator from being moved somewhat faraway from the desired value by one of the causes mentioned hereinabove, but as soon as such an extraordinary disturbing action disappears, the frequenc of the oscillator automatically retur to the desired value.
It may be remarked that with a frequency modulation arrangement utilizing a stable frequency sourcean extraordinary disturbing action would also momentarily stop correct transmis sion either by overloading the modulation ar-- rangement or by stopping the oscillation of the crystal oscillator, or the like.
In Fig. 3 the complete circuit of a frequency modulation arrangement is given wherein a limitation of the frequency control is. realized, adapted to the case discussed, for which, as has been seen, limitation at both sides or the working point is required. The circuit comprises a quartz controlled oscillator i'zla corresponding to the crystal oscillator of Fig. .2, a mixing arrangement lZa corresponding to the mixer iii of Fig. 2, an inductance type frequency counter [4a corresponding to the discriminator i l followed .by a filter I6, a limiter device indicated by the general reference number Hid shown as it in Fig. 2, a reactance tube 2PM corresponding to the reactance tube 26 of Fig. 2, second. oscillator 22a corresponding to the controlled oscillator 22, doubler and power output stages 2% and 26 respectively, antenna 28 and intelligence im pression means shown as a microphone circuit 30a shownas the block 38 in Fig. 2. The intel- 7 ligence impression means is connected between the filler I6 and limiter [8a. The reactance tube circuit 20a, the modulated oscillator 22a, the mixer lZa, the quartz controlled pilot oscillator [9a, and the R. F. amplifier 32a are entirely conventional and, if desired, may be replaced by other circuits well-known to the art. The discriminator I ia is a counter type discriminator as disclosed in copending patent applications, Ser. No. 464,380 filed November 3, 1942, now U. S. Patent 2,406,309 issued August 20, 1946, and Ser. No. 477,990 filed March 4, 1943. The discriminator is so arranged that pulses of like sign vary the current through an inductance to the same extent for each pulse and the output current developed by integrating the voltage impulses is proportional to the number of periods and hence is proportional to the frequency. The output of the discriminator Ma is coupled to the limiter [8a and the modulator source 30a by means of the filter circuit Hi. This filter circuit it may consist of a low pass filter such as is commonly used in discriminator circuits whereby the radio frequency and the audio frequency components are substantially completely attenuated to provide at the output of the filter a direct current potential whose value is a function of the variation in frequency from the desired predetermined value. Preferably as pointed out in copending application Serial No. 482,439 filed April 9, 1943, the constants of filter it are so adjusted that the radio frequency component is completely attenuated and the audio frequency component is passed through unattenuated so that the output of the filter comprises a direct current potential proportional to the frequency variations and a superimposed audio frequency component. The limiting action is based on the cut-off of two triodes 34, 36, connected in series and shown as contained in one valve structure 33. The limiter Mat is a two stage direct coupled amplifier comprising two triodes 34 and 36 which may be enclosed in one envelope 38. The triode 34 which is directly coupled to the output filter I is so biased b the cathode resistor 39 that negative excursions of the applied voltage beyond a predetermined value are limited by reason of the grid cut-off characteristics of the tube. The triode 36 is so biased by the voltage applied of the voltage applied to the control grid thereof beyond a predetermined value are similarly limited by reason of the grid cut-off characteristics of the tube. Since the voltage applied to the grid of triode 38 is in phase opposition to the voltage applied to the grid of tube 34, it will be seen that the triodes 34 and 39 produce limiting of the negative and positive peaks of the voltage obtained from the filter having amplitude values greater than a predetermined desired value. The limiting level is established by the bias voltages applied to the tubes 34 and 36. The output of the limiter is obtained between ground and a point on the voltage divider comprising resistors 4!, 42 and 43 in series. The range of a limiter stage cannot be smaller than a few volts and the sensitivity of the reactance tube itself may have to be reduced in order to get the frequency range required. In the circuit of Fig. 3 the decrease of reactance tube sensitivity is obtained by biasing the grid in the well-known manner as shown in Fig. 3 by interposing a resistor between ground and the cathode; the cathode in this way becomes positive which permits direct connection of the positive output of the limiter stage to the grid of the reactance tube. The amplification obtained from the limiter more than compensates the loss in sensitivity of the reactance tube. Since the specific circuit elements ofthe oscil- Iaton'the reactance tube circuit, the limiter, the mixer, the modulating voltage source and filter as well as the quartz oscillator la, the doubler 24 and the power output amplifier 26 which constitute the elements of the frequency modulation system shown in Fig. 3 conform to known practice, a more detailed description thereof is believed to be unnecessary, similarly it is believed that the counter type discriminator also shown in Fig. 3 and described in my above-noted application Serial No. 477,990 is sufiiciently described as to make a more detailed reference thereof unnecessary.
Frequency modulation arrangements, operating with other typesof discriminators, may have a discriminator characteristic such that limitation of the frequency control is required on one side only of the working point. In such a case, the limiter stage is of course, of simpler design.
In Fig. 4 is shown for the arrangement disclosed in Fig. 3, to what value any oscillator frequency deviations are reduced by the stabilizing arrangement. Horizontally is plotted out the frequency of the oscillator without stabilization,-
(stabilization link disconnected) and, vertically, the frequency when the stabilization is operating. It is clear that, once the limits imposed by the limiter stage are reached, the stabilizing action is blocked and the actual frequency variations of the oscillator are equal to the variations without stabilization. The range between said limits can be large enough however for guaranteeing correct operation in practice.
The arrangement of Fig. 3 shows a remarkable stability. This is partly because of the inclusion of circuit constants bringing about a negative feedback action obtained by choosing the cut-off frequency of the low pass filter so that all audio frequencies pass unattenuated, as disclosed in my copending U. S. Patent application Serial No. 482,439 filed April 9, 1943. peak voltages obtained by connecting and disconnecting the microphone or by shaking the same, or violent shocks on the chassis are practically imperceptible at the receiving end of a communication system comprising a transmitter constructed according to the invention. Touching the oscillator grid stops the signal but the same comes in correctly as soon as the hand is removed. The object of the invention is apparently full attained. I
While the present invention has been described with particularreference to certain specific applications and embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that I do not desire to be limited thereby, but that sundry modifications may be introduced therein without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
I claim:
1. Apparatus for generating a 'wave having a stable frequency, comprising a main oscillator, a pilot oscillator, frequency controlling means connected to said main oscillator for maintaining the frequency of said main oscillator at a given frequency with respect to the frequency of the pilot oscillator, said frequency controlling means being responsive to a control potential and having a plurality of possible operating conditions of stable equilibrium, frequency mixing means coupled to said main and said pilot oscil- Large modulating lator, means to produce a control voltage substantially proportional to the frequency difference between said main and said pilot osci1- lators comprising a frequency responsive detector energized b said mixing means, and amplitude limiting means for said control voltage inserted between said frequency responsive detector and said frequency controlling means to restrict the operation of said frequency controlling means to only one of said conditions of stable equilibrium.
2. In a frequency modulation system comprising a main oscillator for generating an adjustable frequency oscillation, means to control the frequency of said oscillator, modulation means connected to said frequency control means, a pilot oscillator, frequency mixing means connected to said main and said pilot oscillators, a frequency responsive detector connected after said frequency mixing means and comprising means for generating electrical impulses of substantially constant area for each of the half-periods of like sign of the difference oscillation between said main and said pilot oscillation, means to integrate said electrical impulses to produce a control voltage having a zero amplitude for a given mean value of said difference oscillation, means to apply said control voltage to said frequency controlling means to maintain the mean frequency of said main oscillation at a given frequency difference with respect to said pilot oscillation, and amplitude limiting means inserted between said frequenc responsive detector and frequency controlling means and connected after said modulation means to simultaneously restrict the frequency control range of said modulation means and said frequency responsive detector.
3. In the method of controlling the frequency of a source of an adjustable oscillation, the steps comprising generating a control voltage having amplitude variations proportional to frequency variations of the difference frequency between said adjustable oscillation and a pilot oscillation, controlling the frequency of said source proportional to the amplitude of said generated Voltage, and limiting the generated voltage to amplitude variations within a given range of amplitude values at which said source is limited to frequency variations about only one condition of stable equilibrium.
4. In the method of controlling the frequency of a source of an adjustable oscillation by means of a frequency adjusting element coupled to said source and having a plurality of possible operating conditions of stable equilibrium, the steps comprising generating a control voltage having amplitude variations proportional to frequency variations of the difference frequency between said adjustable oscillation and a pilot oscillation, controlling the frequency adjusting element by means of said generated potential to produce variations of the frequency of said source proportional to the amplitude variations of the generated potential, and limiting the generated potential to amplitude variations within a given range of amplitude values at which the frequency adjusting element is limited to operation at only one of said conditions of stable equilibrium.
5. In the method of controlling the frequency of a source of an adjustable oscillation by means of a frequency adjusting element coupled to said source and having a plurality of possible operating conditions of stable equilibrium, the steps comprising mixing said adjustable oscillation and a pilot oscillation to produce an oscillation having a frequency equal to the frequency difference between said adjustable oscillation and the pilot oscillation, counting the half-waves of like sign of said difference frequency oscillation to pro" duce a control voltage having amplitude variations proportional to frequency variations of said difference frequency, controlling the frequency adjusting element by means of said control voltage to produce variations of the frequency of said source proportional to the amplitude variations of the control voltage, and limiting the control voltage to amplitude variations within a given range of amplitude values at which the frequency adjusting element is limited to operation at only one of said conditions of stable equilibrium.
6. In the method of controlling the frequency of a source of an adjustable oscillation by means of a frequency adjusting element coupled to said source and having a plurality of possible operating conditions of stable equilibrium, the steps comprising mixing said adjustable oscillation and a pilot oscillation to produce an oscillation having a frequency equal to the frequency difference between said adjustable oscillation and the pilot oscillation, generating electrical impulses for each half-period of like sign of said difference frequency oscillation, integrating said electrical impulses to produce a control voltage having amplitude variations proportional to frequency variations of said difference frequency, controlling the frequency adjusting element to produce variations of the frequency of said source proportional to the amplitude variations of the control voltage, and limiting the control voltage to amplitude variations within a given range of amplitude values at which the frequency adjusting element is limited to operation at only one of said conditions of stable equilibrium.
MARC ZIEGLER.
REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:
UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 22,587 Varian Jan. 2, 1945 1,847,160 Affel Mar. 1, 1932 2,279,659 Crosby Apr. 14, 1942 2,285,044 Morris June 2, 1942 2,315,050 Crosby Mar. 30, 1943 2,354,827 Peterson Aug. 1, 1944 2,377,327 Seeley June 5, 1945
US488582A 1943-05-26 1943-05-26 Frequency stabilization Expired - Lifetime US2456763A (en)

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NL69105D NL69105C (en) 1943-05-26
FR957704D FR957704A (en) 1943-05-26
US488582A US2456763A (en) 1943-05-26 1943-05-26 Frequency stabilization
CH265358D CH265358A (en) 1943-05-26 1947-08-07 Circuit for keeping the mean frequency of a frequency-modulated high-frequency oscillator constant.
DEP26533D DE809818C (en) 1943-05-26 1948-12-24 Circuit for keeping the central frequency of a frequency-modulated oscillator constant

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2584780A (en) * 1948-10-28 1952-02-05 Rca Corp Frequency control circuit
US2593395A (en) * 1950-03-17 1952-04-15 Rca Corp High-frequency amplitude modulated transmitter
US2653243A (en) * 1948-08-17 1953-09-22 Westinghouse Electric Corp Automatic tuning of resonant circuits
US2717359A (en) * 1947-01-10 1955-09-06 Honeywell Regulator Co Measuring apparatus
US2768293A (en) * 1950-04-11 1956-10-23 Hartford Nat Bank & Trust Co Frequency-modulated oscillator with automatic frequency correction
US2778999A (en) * 1952-11-15 1957-01-22 Gen Precision Lab Inc Automatic frequency control for frequency modulated generators
DE1023797B (en) * 1956-03-21 1958-02-06 Siemens Ag Circuit for electrical locking of a tunable oscillator
US2848610A (en) * 1953-05-25 1958-08-19 Vitro Corp Of America Oscillator frequency control apparatus
US3078752A (en) * 1951-12-26 1963-02-26 Rca Corp Circuit for simulating vibrato effect by amplitude modulation of tone by sawtooth waveform
US3289096A (en) * 1964-09-21 1966-11-29 Jr Robert Noel Longuemare Crystal oscillator frequency stabilization system

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1847160A (en) * 1932-03-01 Frequency control
US2279659A (en) * 1937-04-13 1942-04-14 Rca Corp Frequency modulator
US2285044A (en) * 1941-03-11 1942-06-02 Rca Corp Wave length modulation system
US2315050A (en) * 1940-09-26 1943-03-30 Rca Corp Frequency modulation system
US2354827A (en) * 1941-05-23 1944-08-01 Rca Corp Frequency control
USRE22587E (en) * 1940-11-20 1945-01-02 Fixed frequency difference
US2377327A (en) * 1942-09-29 1945-06-05 Rca Corp Automatic frequency control system

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1847160A (en) * 1932-03-01 Frequency control
US2279659A (en) * 1937-04-13 1942-04-14 Rca Corp Frequency modulator
US2315050A (en) * 1940-09-26 1943-03-30 Rca Corp Frequency modulation system
USRE22587E (en) * 1940-11-20 1945-01-02 Fixed frequency difference
US2285044A (en) * 1941-03-11 1942-06-02 Rca Corp Wave length modulation system
US2354827A (en) * 1941-05-23 1944-08-01 Rca Corp Frequency control
US2377327A (en) * 1942-09-29 1945-06-05 Rca Corp Automatic frequency control system

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2717359A (en) * 1947-01-10 1955-09-06 Honeywell Regulator Co Measuring apparatus
US2653243A (en) * 1948-08-17 1953-09-22 Westinghouse Electric Corp Automatic tuning of resonant circuits
US2584780A (en) * 1948-10-28 1952-02-05 Rca Corp Frequency control circuit
US2593395A (en) * 1950-03-17 1952-04-15 Rca Corp High-frequency amplitude modulated transmitter
US2768293A (en) * 1950-04-11 1956-10-23 Hartford Nat Bank & Trust Co Frequency-modulated oscillator with automatic frequency correction
US3078752A (en) * 1951-12-26 1963-02-26 Rca Corp Circuit for simulating vibrato effect by amplitude modulation of tone by sawtooth waveform
US2778999A (en) * 1952-11-15 1957-01-22 Gen Precision Lab Inc Automatic frequency control for frequency modulated generators
US2848610A (en) * 1953-05-25 1958-08-19 Vitro Corp Of America Oscillator frequency control apparatus
DE1023797B (en) * 1956-03-21 1958-02-06 Siemens Ag Circuit for electrical locking of a tunable oscillator
US3289096A (en) * 1964-09-21 1966-11-29 Jr Robert Noel Longuemare Crystal oscillator frequency stabilization system

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DE809818C (en) 1951-08-02
NL69105C (en)
CH265358A (en) 1949-11-30

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