An Integrated IF Amplifier and Detector for an A.M. Upconversion Radio

This paper presents a monolithically integrated IF amplifier and envelope detector for an AM upconversion car-radio receiver. This receiver is intended for the reception of the long-wave and medium-wave frequency bands and uses an intermediate frequency of 10.7 MHz. Specific requirements resulting from the upconversion concept will be illustrated and the basic considerations for maximization of the signal-to-noise ratio as a function of the input signal level will be given. Furthermore, a new method will be presented for fixing the signal levels and the AGC speed in the amplifier. The amplifier uses two emitter-driven variable-gain pairs alternated by negative-feedback current amplifiers. It has an AGC range of 90 dB and a gain of 66 dB. The audio output level is constant within 0.2 dB over the full controll range. A cross-quad compensated envelope detector is driven at a level as low as 30 mV and shows less than 3-percent distortion at a modulation depth of 80 percent.