Gerador de RF

Um gerador de RF  é um aparelho usado para gerar sinais de alta frequência, ele é muito
utilizado em laboratórios e oficinas de eletrônica para testes, desenvolvimento,
alinhamento de receptores de rádio e reparos de equipamentos de
rádio como transmissores, receptores, etc.

Gerador de RF

Este gerador de sinal de RF apresentado aqui é de baixo custo e bastante básico, mas é
perfeitamente adequado para a sua finalidade, o único problema é que a saída não é uma
onda senoidal limpa, mas nada que abone o seu desempenho.

TR1 é um transistor FET (Field Effect Transistor) de alto ganho e está configurado
como um oscilador Colpitts. A freqüência de oscilação é definida pelo capacitor
variável (C1 + C2) e os cinco pares de indutores (Bobinas) de comutação.

Esse gerador cobre a freqüência de 150KHz a 12MHz, em cinco faixas. Por

conseguinte, é adequado para o alinhamento da RF e se as secções de AM (MW e LW),
bem como as secções de FM (VHF). Também pode ser usado para o alinhamento dos
circuitos de RF SW 25 /49 metros.

Tabela das Bobinas do Circuito Gerador de RF

Faixa Freqüência Valor da Indutor

A 150KHz – 500KHz 2.2mH
 B 350kHz – 1MHz 470uH
C 750kHz – 2.25MHz 100uH
D 1.6MHz – 5MHz 22uH
4.7uH

E 3.5MHz – 12MHz  

Um item interessante deste gerador é que a  saída pode ser modulada em amplitude por
um sinal de áudio de 800Hz interna (aproximadamente 30% de modulação) ou por um
sinal externo. O nível de saída é ajustável em duas faixas, até um máximo de cerca de
4V pico-a-pico. 

A saída de RF é feita pelo transistor TR2, o sinal é de amplitude modulada por variação

da tensão de alimentação para o circuito oscilador. Isto é realizado pela TR3 e C10
desacopla a alimentação de RF.

Se o aparelho for  usado para ouvir música no rádio isso poderia causar uma ligeira
estridência ao som. No entanto, o arranjo tem a vantagem de que não distorce a forma
de onda de RF, o que é importante para o alinhamento.

 Para dar uma modulação razoável o sinal externo deve ser de cerca de 1,5 V RMS (4V
pico-a-pico). Se um sinal com  música é usado, a largura de banda não deve estender-se
acima de cerca de 8 KHz, devido aos limites de AM de radiodifusão.

O transistor TR5 está configurado num circuito oscilador RF e a frequência é ajustada

por C15, C16, C17, R19, R20 e R21 a cerca de 800Hz. Se você deseja alterar a
freqüência, note que alterar o valor de R19 irá afetar a polarização do
transistor. Quaisquer variações devem ser efetuadas alterando os valores dos
capacitores, em vez dos resistores. R14 e C13 agem como um filtro para remover
qualquer distorção na saída.

O circuito é alimentado por uma fonte de 15V regulada, e consome cerca de 30 mA. IC1
é um regulador 100mA padrão de três pinos 7815.

Calibração do Gerador de RF

Para uma calibração precisa, é necessário um calibrador de freqüência ou osciloscópio.

A unidade pode ser configurada para várias freqüências e estas devem ser marcadas na
escala. Marcar a cada escala 5 KHz entre 400 e 500KHz, se possível, de modo que a
frequência intermediaria de AM (tipicamente 455KHz, 465KHz ou 470KHz) pode ser
definida com precisão. Além disso, verifique cada 0.1MHz entre 10.4MHz e 11MHz,
para permitir que a FI de FM de 10.7MHz possa ser definida com precisão.

Uma alternativa para  calibrar o gerador é  utilizar um rádio receptor de ondas curtas

com leitura digital. Com a modulação interna ligada, ligue a unidade à conexão de
antena do receptor. Defina o receptor com a freqüência exigida e ajustar a freqüência do
gerador de sinal até que o tom ser ouvido no rádio.
Lista de componentes

Resistores (todos 0.25W 5% ou

Capacitores
melhor)
R1 1K2 C1 + C2 365pF + 365pF Variável
C3,
R2 47K 100nF
6,7,9,11,12
R3, 10,12 22K C4, 5 100pF
R4 10K C8 100nF 160V
R5 2K2 C10 2.2nF
R6, 13,17 470R C13 22NF
R7 150R C14 1uF
R8 1K0 C15, 16,17 4.7nF
R9 68R C18 100uF
R11, 14 15K C19 100nF
R15 100R C20 1000uF
R16 4K7
R18 220K Diverso
R19, 20,21 27K SW1, 2 SPDT Alternar ou Slide Switch
VR1 1K0 Lin Pot SW3 + SW4 Chave rotativa de 2 Pólo 6  (1 off)
X1 15-0-15V 100mA Transformador
4 milímetros de soquete ou Binding
Indutores SK1, 2,3,4,5
Post
L1, 2 2.2mH
L3, 4 470uH
L5, 6 100uH
L7, 8 22uH
L9, 10 4.7uH
Semicondutores
D1, 2 1N4002
TR1 BF244A
TR2, 3,4,5 BC548C
IC1 78L15

Para baixar a PCI  do gerador Clique aqui, e para maiores informações visite o site do
autor onde tem uma descrição para chegar até a frequência de 30Mhz.

RF Signal Generator

This signal generator is intended for realignment of radio receivers. The unit is cheap
and fairly basic, but perfectly adequate for its intended purpose. However, the output is
not a pure sine wave, so the unit may not be suited for more exacting electronic
development work.
This photo was kindly supplied by Richard Hanes. Richard added an extra frequency
band (up to 30MHz) as detailed towards the end of this article.

The unit covers a frequency range of 150KHz to 12MHz over five ranges (shown
below). It is therefore suited to the alignment of RF and IF sections of AM (MW and
LW) sets, as well as the IF sections of FM (VHF) circuits. It may also be used for RF
alignment of SW circuits from 25 to 49 metres.

Range Frequency Inductor Value

A 150KHz - 500KHz 2.2mH
B 350KHz - 1MHz 470uH
C 750KHz - 2.25MHz 100uH
D 1.6MHz - 5MHz 22uH
E 3.5MHz - 12MHz 4.7uH

The output may be amplitude modulated by an internal 800Hz audio tone (approx. 30%
modulation) or by an external signal. The output level is adjustable in two ranges up to a
maximum of about 4V pk-pk. The unit is mains powered.

Circuit Description

If the diagrams on this page are not clear enough, you can download higher resolution
copies. See the foot of this page for details.

TR1 is a high gain FET (Field Effect Transistor) and is configured as a Colpitts style
oscillator. The oscillation frequency is set by the variable capacitor (C1+C2) and the
five pairs of switched inductors. There is significant overlap between the ranges, due to
the limited range of readily available inductors. However even by using specially would
inductors, four frequency bands would have been needed to cover the range.
The RF output is buffered by TR2, which is configured as an emitter follower. The
output signal is developed across R6, and passes to the output sockets via variable and
switched attenuater circuits.

The signal is amplitude modulated by varying the supply voltage to the oscillator
circuit. This is carried out by TR3, which is an emitter follower. C10 decouples the feed
at RF.

It should be noted that this modulation method does cause a small amount of unwanted
frequency modulation as well as the desired amplitude modulation. If the unit was being
used for listening to music on a radio this could cause a slight shrillness to the sound.
However the arrangement has the advantage that it does not distort the RF waveform,
which is important for alignment. It is also simpler to implement and gives consistent
results - important requirements for this sort of project. As with any design there are
always better ways of doing things, but this would result in a more expensive design
that was more difficult to construct, and would not offer any significant advantages in
practice.

SW2 selects either the internal or an external modulation signal. If no modulation is

required, the switch is set to the external position with no signal applied to SK3. To give
reasonable modulation the external signal should be about 1.5V RMS (4V pk-pk). If a
music signal is used, the bandwidth should not extend above about 8KHz due to the
limits of AM broadcasting. C10 will roll-off the higher frequencies to some extent. The
selected modulation signal is buffered by TR4 and made available on SK4. This is
useful for triggering an oscilloscope.
TR5 is configured in an R-C oscillator circuit. The frequency is set by C15, C16, C17,
R19, R20 and R21 to about 800Hz. If you wish to alter the frequency, note that altering
the value of R19 will affect the biasing of the transistor. Any variations should be
carried out by changing the values of the capacitors rather than the resistors. R14 and
C13 act as a filter to remove any distortion on the output.

The circuit is powered from a regulated 15V supply, and consumes about 30mA. IC1 is
a standard three-pin 100mA regulator, fed by the full-wave rectified supply from a small
mains transformer.

Update

John Shepherd has built this project and made the following comments:

I had to reduce the value of R18 to 180K to get it to oscillate reliably.

Also is the value of C13 right at 22nF - seems a bit high and it attenuates the signal too
much on my version.

The audio oscillator is quite particular about the types of capacitor used for C15, 16 and
17. I used ceramic discs - and with these 220K for R18 was fine. Maybe the resistor
needs to be adjusted to suit the transistor used?

22nF is the value I used for C13 - it is intended to improve the waveshape and will
attenuate the signal a bit.

Has anyone else had the same problems as John?

Construction

The prototype was constructed on a piece of plain matrix board. Stripboard is not
suitable because of the capacitance between adjacent tracks. A PCB could be designed,
but this should follow the same general layout as the matrix board.
In the diagram the components and wires on the top face of the board are shown in
black, while the underside connections are grey. Much of the circuit board wiring can be
carried out using the component leadout wires, with pieces of tinned copper wire added
where these are not long enough.

Note that there is an error on the above diagram. TR2 should be shown as a D shaped
package the same as the others (with the flat face towards TR1).

John Shepherd has designed a PCB for this project. The files are available to download
from this website, the link is at the bottom of this page. Doug Baird added:

On the PCB, there seems to be a pad missing for the pot that is at the front of the board.
I am including a PCB that I did. Sorry about taking the audacity to use the one there,
then modify it but I am sending it along as a gif attachment. Use it if you like.

Doug's PCB file is also available below.

The unit should be built into a suitable metal cabinet to give adequate screening. This
should be earthed via the earth wire of three-core mains flex.

C1+C2 is a Jackson Type-O air spaced variable capacitor. This is the most expensive
component in the unit, costing around £15. However valve radio enthusiasts should be
able to salvage something suitable from a scrap set.

You may wish to arrange a suitable pointer and scale if you intend to calibrate the unit.
A suitable ball reduction drive and pointer (also made by Jackson) are available from
Maplin and other suppliers. Alternatively, you may be able to use the scale and pointer
arrangement from a scrap set.
The inductors are mounted on the rear of the rotary switch as shown. This should be
positioned close to the variable capacitor to keep the wire lengths to a minimum. In
addition, the circuit board should be positioned to give a minimum wire length to the
variable capacitor and switch.

Thanks to Gary Tempest for these comments:

Built the sig gen. You might want to point out to others that coil positioning is critical. I
used a sub-miniature switch and everthing very tight and short. NOT GOOD. The coils,
even ones not in use, couple to those that are and 'pull' giving strange effects. Also, if
the two coils for the highest frequency range are placed along side each other you only
get about 10 MHz max. Move them apart by 10 mm and you get up to 12 MHz. Because
positioning affects the calibration, before completing this I fixed coils and 'front end'
wiring (tuning cap etc.) with clear silicon sealer.

Richard Hanes agrees:

I would support Gary's comments. The coils need to be laid out radially from a
standard size switch or there is all manner of interaction. Your diagram, while
presumably intended to be pictorial, is close to the optimum physical!

The transformer should be mounted towards the back of the case, well away from the
RF tuning components. If a transformer with flying leads is used, these may be joined to
the mains flex with a choc-block connector.

It may be worth including the Audio Output Level Indicator (shown elsewhere on this
web site) in the same case. The two units would generally be used together so this could
be a useful combination.

Accurate Calibration

For accurate calibration, a frequency calibrator or accurate oscilloscope is required. The

unit may be set for various frequencies and these should be marked on the scale. Mark
the scale every 5KHz between 400 and 500KHz if possible, so that the AM IF
frequency (typically 455KHz, 465KHz or 470KHz) may be accurately set. Also, make
every 0.1MHz between 10.4MHz and 11MHz, to allow the FM IF of 10.7MHz to be
accurately set.

Alternatively, a good quality Short Wave receiver with digital readout may be used.
With the internal modulation switched on, connect the unit to the receiver aerial
connection. Set the receiver to the required frequency and adjust the signal generator
frequency until the tone is heard.

Alternative Calibration
If none of these items are available, you should be able to adjust part of the range with a
normal broadcast radio, as described above. If you have a good quality Hi-Fi receiver
with a digital readout this would be better, otherwise use a set where the calibration is
known to be good.

If the receiver does not have an external aerial connection, connect a coil of a few turns
of wire about 6" (150mm) in diameter to the signal generator output, and position this
close to the receiver.

You should be able to pick up the third harmonic of the frequencies between the MW
and LW bands, at the appropriate position on the MW band. Thus, you should be able to
tune in the third harmonic of 400KHz at 1200KHz.

Between 450KHz and 480KHz you could hit the IF frequency of the radio. This is
generally fairly obvious, as the radio's tuning control will have little effect. It is also
possible for the unit to beat with the radio's local oscillator, so do not be too concerned
if the results do not seem to make sense. If it does not seem to work properly, try using
a different radio.

You will not be able to calibrate frequencies above the top of the MW band (about
1600KHz) by this method. However for most radio alignment work this will not be a
problem.

For alignment of VHF sets you will need to know the position of the IF (10.7MHz).
Connect the unit to the aerial of an FM radio, turn the modulation off and set the output
level to maximum. Tune the set to a weaker station on FM, and then adjust the signal
generator frequency around the top band. When the IF of the set (invariably 10.7MHz)
is found the reception should become much weaker or disappear altogether. This works
better with some radios than others - and is generally more effective on cheap transistor
sets.

Parts List

Resistors (all 5% 0.25W or better) Capacitors

R1 1K2 C1+C2 365pF + 365pF Variable
R2 47K C3,6,7,9,11,12 100nF
R3,10,12 22K C4,5 100pF
R4 10K C8 100nF 160V
R5 2K2 C10 2.2nF
R6,13,17 470R C13 22nF
R7 150R C14 1uF
R8 1K0 C15,16,17 4.7nF
R9 68R C18 100uF
R11,14 15K C19 100nF
R15 100R C20 1000uF
R16 4K7    
R18 220K Miscellaneous
R19,20,21 27K SW1,2 SPDT Toggle or Slide Switch
 2 Pole 6 Way Rotary Switch (1
VR1 1K0 Lin Pot SW3+SW4
off)
    X1 15-0-15V 100mA Transformer
Inductors SK1,2,3,4,5 4mm Socket or Binding Post
L1,2 2.2mH   Metal case
L3,4 470uH   Plain matrix board
L5,6 100uH   Tinned copper wire
L7,8 22uH   Knobs
L9,10 4.7uH   Materials for pointer
      Mains flex
Semiconductors   13A plug with 3A fuse
D1,2 1N4002   Choc-block connector
TR1 BF244A    
TR2,3,4,5 BC548C    
IC1 78L15    

High resolution copies of the circuit and layout diagrams (in .GIF, CorelDRAW 7 and
ISIS Lite formats) are available for download in a ZIP file. File size is 267K. To
download a copy Click Here.

The artwork files for a PCB for this project, designed by John Shepherd (in .GIF and
Ares Lite formats) are available for download in a ZIP file. File size is 25K. To
download a copy Click Here.

A version of the PCB layout by Doug Baird, which includes a pad apparently missing
on the above one, is available as a GIF file. To view and save a copy Click Here.

Note that ISIS Lite and ARES Lite are unlimited shareware products. The unregistered
versions don't expire but do nag you about registering. Registration is about £30 for
both products together, which adds extra features and removes the nagging. They are
available from http://www.proteuslite.com.

Variations

Richard Hanes has constructed a version with an additional range covering 10-30MHz:

The variable capacitor that I had to hand was only 275+275pF so I used twice your
values for the lower ranges and added 1u0H for the top range. (I also used BF256A for
the FET - my guess is that it makes little difference, but I don't have a BF244 to try).
Values and frequencies covered are as follows:

4m7H 140 - 350 KHz

1m0H 300 - 800 KHz
220uH 0.65 - 1.8 MHz
47uH 1.5 - 4.6 MHz
10uH 3.0 - 10.5 MHz
 1u0H 10 - 34 MHz

I found that a 470K gate resistor (R2) gave more consistent levels across ranges
(possibly associated with the higher impedance of my tuned components).

I would support Gary's comments (as reproduced on the website). The coils need to be
laid out radially from a standard size switch or there is all manner of interaction. Your
diagram, while presumably intended to be pictorial, is close to the optimum physical!
To get to 30+MHz the leads must be kept short and thick, as is usual at these
frequencies. I found 18swg tinned copper supported the components nicely and worked
well.

The unit is built into a standard die-cast box about 7" x 5" x 2" with external plug-top
psu (the latter being an oddball supplying 19VAC at 100mA).

I have made some minor tweaks in the attenuator department to give me the ranges
shown and to "peak" the response at the top end (as the level does otherwise fall several
dBs up at 30MHz). Its not a precision generator, but it is excellent for the intended
purpose and considering the cost!!!

The "oddball" power supply adaptor that Richard used probably originally belonged to a
modem. Many Hayes modems, from the days when 28k was fast, came with AC
adaptors producing around this voltage. The adaptors are still useful, but the modems
aren't!

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2006 Paul Stenning.
No part of this website may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission
from Paul Stenning.
All details are believed to be accurate, but no liability can be accepted for any errors.
The types of equipment discussed on this website may contain high voltages and/or
operate at high temperatures.
Appropriate precautions must always be taken to minimise the risk of accidents.
Last updated 14th April 2006.