Frequency drift

About: Frequency drift is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 5054 publications have been published within this topic receiving 56191 citations. The topic is also known as: chirp rate.

Automatic Tuning, Simplified Circuits, and Design Practice

Abstract: The principles underlying automatic frequency control of the oscillator in superheterodyne receivers have been outlined in previous papers given before the Institute of Radio Engineers. This paper deals with simplification and improvements in operation of frequency control circuits and their application to automatic (electronic) tuning control. A new type of "discriminator" which differentiates between mis-tuned signals on the high-frequency side of resonance and those on the low-frequency side is described and its operation demonstrated by means of a visual frequency indicator. The operation of the discriminator is such that it may be used to supply audio-frequency components corresponding to the amplitude modulations of the received carrier wave and automatic volume control potentials as well as the control voltage for the frequency control circuits. This multifunction is described and illustrated. Alternative circuit connections to improve the compromise between discriminator sensitivity, audio fidelity, and selectivity are explained and illustrated. The use of vacuum tubes in such manner that they act as reactive components and the manner in which their apparent reactive impedance may be controlled by varying the tube parameters is demonstrated. The action of a complete receiver embodying automatic (electronic) tuning control in overcoming mis-tuning and oscillator frequency drift will be demonstrated.

Temperature compensating circuit for a crystal oscillator

Abstract: An electrical device to compensate for crystal oscillator frequency shifts occurring over a temperature range includes a voltage divider for generating a temperature variable, compensation voltage at an output. The output of the voltage divider is to be electrically coupled to the oscillator so that the compensation voltage compensates for the crystal oscillator frequency shifts otherwise occurring over the temperature range. A voltage source is to be coupled to an input of the voltage divider for inputting a generally fixed voltage during normal crystal oscillator operation, and providing for multiple and repeatable adjustments to the fixed voltage before beginning the normal crystal oscillator operation.

Plural frequency oscillator employing multiple fiber-optic delay line

Abstract: Stabilization of an oscillator, particularly an RF oscillator, is achieved by an arrangement employing a fiber optic delay line. The delay line has a Q defined by the relationship Q=2πfτ, where f is the oscillator operation frequency and τ is the length of the delay line. Opto/electronic and electro optic transducers are coupled between the electrical oscillator circuitry and the optical delay line for interfacing the electrical section of the RF oscillator with its optical section. This optic delay line may be configured as a single optical fiber where a single output frequency is desired, or it may be configured of a plurality of optical fibers of respectively different lengths, where plural output frequencies are to be produced.

Voltage-controlled crystal oscillators

Abstract: The quartz crystal oscillator is normally thought of as a stable generator of a fixed frequency. It is possible, however, to design and construct voltage tunable quartz crystal oscillators that can be electrically tuned over a frequency range on the order of ±0.3 percent of the crystal frequency. This is accomplished with a nonlinearity between frequency and voltage on the order of 0.1 percent. Moderately good long-term frequency stability and low phase noise is exhibited by the oscillators. A reactive network including varactor diodes is used to provide a voltage variable reactance which, in combination with a quartz crystal network, forms a resonator having an antiresonant frequency that is a linear function of tuning voltage. The basic reactance network is not practically realizable. However, the application of one of Norton's network transformation theorems results in a realizable network. The oscillator described is very simple in design and provides an inexpensive solution to a large number of signal processing and measurement problems.

Induction loop vehicle detector

Abstract: An induction loop vehicle detector comprises an oscillator circuit having a plurality of capacitors switchable in circuit with a road loop under the control of a microcomputer to determine the oscillator frequency. The microcomputer monitors the oscillator frequency and controls the switching of the capacitors to periodically return the frequency to a predetermined value. A counter counts a predetermined number of oscillator cycles and gates of h.f. clock into a second counter whereby the count of the counter represents the oscillator period. A "vehicle detected" output is given when the monitored frequency alters by more than a predetermined amount, representing a decrease in the inductance of the loop. On detecting an increase in the inductance above a predetermined threshold the detector is inhibited for a predetermined time, e.g. about 1 second, to avoid errors caused by magnetic effects.