Patent GB-635263-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in radio diversity receiving systems
IPC: H04B7/08
Filed: 1946-11-15
Abstract: 635,263. Radio signalling; receiving systems and circuits; pulse shaping circuits. RADIO CORPORATION OF AMERICA. Nov. 15, 1946, No. 34001. Convention date, Dec. 5, 1945. [Classes 40 (v) and 40 (vi)] [Also in Group XL (b)] A radio diversity receiving system comprises a plurality of receivers, two signal amplifier channels to which any two receivers may be connected at will, a gating tube in each channel, a common output circuit for the tubes, a differential detector system producing a direct potential depending on which channel is supplying the stronger signal, and a quick-acting locking circuit having either of two stable states determined by the direct potential, coupled differentially to the gating tubes to make that conductive which is associated with the channel carrying the stronger signal. A frequency shift telegraph system and two-stage locking circuits are employed. Diversity reception channels. Fig. 2 shows two channels fed by selector switches 40, 40<1> from any two of coaxial lines L1, L2, L3, coupled to I.F. stages of three diversity reception receivers, the receivers having the best output being selected. The inputs are fed to I.F. amplifier valves 46, 46<1>, feeding by condensers 47 double triode limiter valves 50 with common cathode resistance 51. On negative half-cycles the first triodes reach cut-off bias while on positive half-cycles current in the resistances 51 biasses the second triode to cut-off point. The limited outputs are amplified by valves 60 and pass to frequency discriminator circuits M, S tuned, e.g. 2000 c/s. above and below the mark and space frequencies respectively, the windings M and S being adjustably coupled inductively to centre the sloping characteristics of the discriminators and differentially coupled to detectors MD, SD producing opposed cathode load voltages. Positive and negative potentials about zero potential are induced in the output on mark and space signals respectively or the signal polarities may be reversed by double-throw switches KRS. The signals are fed by condensers 76, 76<1> to alternatively used gate valves 80, 80<1> (Fig. 2a) with a common anode resistance 275 feeding by a condenser 86 and potentiometer 88 a valve 90 having in its cathode output circuit alternatively used lowpass filters 98, 100 with cut-off frequencies, e.g. 200 and 880 c/s. The resulting positive and negative pulse signals pass to an isolating stage 104. Gating and gate locking circuits. From valves 46, 46<1> (Fig. 2), via coupled tuned circuits 180, 180<1> having a band-pass, flat over, e.g. 5500 c/s., opposed diode detectors 182, 1821 are also fed, the differential voltage passing to a trigger driver valve 198. This actuates by a cathode resistance 203 a first locking circuit comprising reciprocally coupled valves 200, 204, which actuates by resistance capacity coupling a second similar locking circuit with valves 246, 248. Dependent on which receiver input is stronger the valves 246, 248 alternatively conduct and control and push-pull the opening or closing of the gate valves 80, 801. The latter have diodes between grid and cathode maintaining the bias of the gate valves when conducting at a value equal to the fixed voltage drop across a resistance 282 of a voltage divider circuit. The locking circuits reverse fast enough to take mark and space on different channels if necessary, as indicated by readings on meters 265, 2651. Mark and space locking circuits and output circuit. From the cathode follower valve 104 a pulse signal is fed to trip either way a first locking circuit comprising D.C. coupled valves 110, 114 and to sharpen the tripping a further locking circuit comprising valves 120, 124 is fed from the valve 110 anode by a condenser 125 to the grid resistance 143 of valve 124, the output being taken from the terminal 140. To balance the input resistance TR of the tone keyer connected to 140, the grid of valve 120 is adjustably tapped on potential divider resistances 139, 145, 147, in shunt with the grid supply voltage. If a start stop pointer mechanism is controlled by the key and it is necessary for transmission and reception to end, e.g. on a mark, and start on a space, a trigger restorer valve 150 is used which, when keying stops, automatically restores the tripping circuit valves 110, 114 to the mark condition of rest (valve 110 conducting) even if any disturbance, e.g. static, trips the circuit from this state and the printer mechanism continues rotating. The valve 150 becomes blocked during keying due to bias built up on its grid and the time constant of grid condenser 152 and resistance 154 is made large relative to the keying speed. After keying stops, however, the valve 150 conducts and shunts a low impedance across the voltage divider resistances 117, 123, to increase the bias of valve 114 and flip the circuit to mark condition. The valve 150 also assists throwing the trigger circuit 110, 114 when keying recommences on a space by applying a positive pulse to the grid of valve 114 and a negative pulse to the valve 110 grid. Setting up and adjusting. With the switches KRS open and a tone signal applied to the valve 90 grid, the potentiometer 88 is adjusted so that the signal level is sufficient to trip, as observed in an oscilloscope at 140, the twostage output locking circuit which has given to it a threshold bias. Also the cathode resistance 111 of valve 114 is adjusted, using the oscilloscope or tone keyer, to give equal " weight " to the mark and space signals. A - variable tap on resistance 270 connected to the supply voltage balances the operation of the gate valves 80, 80<1>, as indicated by meters 265, 265<1>, with either valve conducting. A double diode 290 connectable at A or B to either of the receiver channels permits tuning of the receivers. The anode of one diode and cathode of another are connected to the switch arm 291 and the other anode and cathode of each diode through opposed load resistances 294, 296 to ground, and the differential output is fed to a valve voltmeter 91 with cathode circuit meter 308. Each diode respectively rectifies the peaks of the mark and space pulse signals (respectively positive and negative) of the discriminator output and tuning is adjusted till the differential output read on the meter 308 is zero. Voltage regulator valves VR75, 105, 150 supply stabilized voltages.