heterodyne receiver
Definition
Noun: A heterodyne receiver is a type of radio receiver that extracts information from a radio signal by combining it with a signal generated internally. This process produces a new, lower frequency signal (called an intermediate frequency) that is easier to filter, amplify, and demodulate to recover the original audio or data.
Usage
The term is used in the context of radio technology and electronics to describe a specific method of signal reception. - The engineer explained how a heterodyne receiver improves selectivity and sensitivity compared to older designs. - Most modern AM and FM radios are based on the heterodyne receiver principle.
Advanced Usage
- Superheterodyne Receiver: This is the most common and refined implementation of the heterodyne principle. The term "superheterodyne" is often used interchangeably with "heterodyne receiver" in general conversation, though technically it specifies a receiver where the intermediate frequency is the audible range.
- The invention of the superheterodyne receiver was a major milestone in radio communications.
Variants and Related Words
- Superheterodyne (adj/n): Pertaining to, or being a superheterodyne receiver.
- Heterodyne (verb): To combine two radio frequencies to produce beats.
- Intermediate Frequency (IF) (n): The constant lower frequency produced inside a heterodyne receiver after the initial mixing process.
Synonyms
- Superhet (informal abbreviation for superheterodyne receiver)
- Beat reception receiver (an older, less common term)
Key Components and Related Terms (Not synonyms, but integral to the concept)
- Local Oscillator: The internal circuit that generates the mixing frequency.
- Mixer: The stage where the incoming signal and the local oscillator signal are combined.
- Demodulator: The circuit that extracts the information (e.g., audio) from the intermediate frequency signal.
Noun
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a radio receiver that combines a locally generated frequency with the carrier frequency to produce a supersonic signal that is demodulated and amplified
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