Abstract:
A method, and related device, for automatically selecting the demodulation standard of a video signal, useful with an intermediate frequency demodulator (2), which has an output (13) for the demodulated signal and a so-called standard selecting input pin (12), consists of detecting the polarity of the demodulated signal at the output (13) of the demodulator (2) and comparing that polarity with the polarity of the input signal to the demodulator (2). The voltage value on the standard selecting pin (12) is changed over on detecting a different modulation polarity between the input and output video signals to/from the demodulator (2) to enable the latter to operate to the correct standard at all times.
Abstract:
The voltage-controlled oscillator, comprises a differential stage formed by a pair of transistors ( T₃ and T₄) whose collectors define the output terminals between which an external resonating circuit (LC) is connected. A voltage generator (1) is connected between the two output terminals (A, B) and is suitable for generating a voltage which is proportional to the terminal voltage that exists across the resonating circuit (LC). The voltage generator output signal is applied to the resonation circuit (LC) through a pair of capacitors (Cs) to control the oscillating frequency. A bias current adjustment block (2) varies the bias current (Io) of the differential stage as the operating frequency varies in order to stabilize the peak-to-peak value of the output signal.
Abstract:
The device is to be used with a parallel architecture PRML reading apparatus comprising a variable-gain input amplifier (21), a low-pass analog filter (22), a transversal analog filter (23) and two distinct and parallel processing channels (24, 34) interposed between the transversal analog filter (23) and an RLL-NRZ decoder (25). The two processing channels (24, 34) comprise respective analog-digital converters (26, 36) and respective Viterbi detectors (27, 37) and operate according to sampling sequences that alternate with one another. The device (30) for processing the servo signals comprises a rectifier (31) connected to the outputs of said analog-digital converters (26, 36) and an integrator (32).
Abstract:
In a dynamic automatic loop for control of the overall gain of an input circuit of a superheterodyne receiver, the response time of the HF-AGC circuit of the TUNER, in response to the action of the TUNER DELAY circuit activated by the IF-AGC in the case of autonomously uncontrollable abrupt increases in the level of the antenna signal from the same HF-AGC of the TUNER, is markedly reduced using an additional TUNER DELAY PLUS circuit able to absorb for a determined interval of time, a discharge current from the storage capacitor the control voltage of the HF-AGC in addition to the discharge current absorbed by the existing TUNER DELAY circuit. The relevant intensity of this additional discharge current and its duration are optimized by way of suitable circuital arrangements in the design of said TUNER DELAY PLUS circuit. The response time is reduced without modifying the time constant of the HF-AGC, which cannot be freely reduced because of inter- and cross-modulation problems.
Abstract:
A conversion circuit generates a temperature- independent, dynamically compressed DC control voltage from an external regulation potentiometer. The conversion circuit uses a current mirror (T4,T5,T6) to convert linear variations in voltage (Vp) across the regulation potentiometer (Rt) into a logarithmic differential voltage between two output terminals (3, 4). One differential output (3) is fed to a unitary gain stage (B) which is blassed by a current generator (Ip) having a temperature coefficent corresponding to the reciprocal of the temperature coefficient of the integrated resistances. The output (5) of the unitary gain stage and the second current mirror output (4) are fed to a differential amplifier (C), which is also biassed by a current generator (Id) having a temperature coefficient corresponding to the reciprocal of the coefficient of the integrated resistances. On the output of the differential amplifier (6) is the required temperature-independent, dynamically compressed DC control voltage. The circuit is particularly useful for generating a control current for an AGC system.
Abstract:
During an automatic search scan of a broadcasting station of a video receiver's tuner, the AFC signal generated by an existing automatic frequency control circuit of the receiver is applied to an input of four comparators. A first, switched threshold comparator (I) commutes when the AFC signal is greater than the two switched threshold values VA' VA"; and enables a second comparator (II) with a fixed threshold V1 which has a value between the threshold values VA' and VA" of the first comparator. When the second comparator commutes it causes the generation by an output buffer (B) of a signal suitable for arresting the automatic search scan. When the automatic search scan is performed in the opposite direction, a similar detecting function is performed by means of a third (III), switched threshold, comparator commuting when the AFC signal is lower than the two switched threshold values: VB' > AFC and enables a fourth comparator (IV), with a fixed threshold V2 which has a value between the two threshold values VB' and VB" of the third comparator, and which by commuting causes the generation, by the same output buffer, of the arresting signal.