Define image frequency as used in radio receivers.
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Google Gemini AI
6 days ago
Image Frequency
In radio receivers, the image frequency is an intermediate frequency (IF) that is an unwanted mirror image of the desired IF. It is the frequency that would be received if the local oscillator (LO) frequency were twice the desired IF frequency.
Formula:
``` Image Frequency = 2 - IF - LO Frequency ```
Significance:
- If the image frequency is within the receiver's bandwidth, it can result in interference and reduced signal quality. - Image frequency can cause problems in receivers that use superheterodyne architecture, particularly in receivers with low IF frequencies.
Mitigation:
To prevent image frequency interference, receivers often employ:
- High IF Frequencies: Using higher IF frequencies reduces the likelihood of the image frequency falling within the receiver's bandwidth. - Image Rejection Filters: Bandpass filters are used to reject the image frequency and allow only the desired IF to pass through. - Double Superheterodyne Receivers: These receivers use two stages of frequency conversion to achieve higher image rejection.
Example:
Consider a radio receiver with an IF frequency of 455 kHz and a LO frequency of 1000 kHz. The image frequency can be calculated as follows:
In this case, the image frequency is 310 kHz. If the receiver's bandwidth is sufficiently wide, the image frequency signal could interfere with the desired signal at 455 kHz.