16 buffer amplifier, 17 lock detect, 18 buffer amplifier – Viking 242-2009-632 User Manual
Page 79: 19 rf amplifiers, 2 exciter, 1 vco (a007)
 
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
6-7
March 1999
Part No. 001-2009-600
NOTE: Section 8.2.5 describes how the N and A 
counter numbers are calculated for other channels.
To determine the overall divide number of the
prescaler and N counter, the number of VCO output 
pulses required to produce one N counter output pulse 
can be counted. In this example, the prescaler divides 
by 65 for 65 x 60 or 3,900 input pulses. It then 
divides by 64 for 64 x (1056 - 60) or 63,744 input 
pulses.
The overall divide number K is therefore
(3,900 + 63,744) or 67,644. The VCO frequency of 
845.5500 MHz divided by 67,644 equals 12.5 kHz 
which is the fR input to the phase detector. The over-
all divide number K can also be determined by the fol-
lowing formula: K = 64N + A
Where,
 N = N counter divide number and 
 A = A counter divide number.
6.1.16 BUFFER AMPLIFIER
A cascode amplifier formed by Q210 and Q211
provides amplification and also isolation between the 
TCXO and Synthesizer U209. A cascode amplifier is 
used because it provides high reverse isolation. The 
input signal to this amplifier is from TCXO Y201. 
C254 provides DC blocking. Bias for the amplifier is 
provided by R312, R248, R249, R251 and R250. 
L218 is an RF choke. RF bypass is provided by C251, 
C252 and C253. The output of Q210/Q211 is coupled 
to U209 by C307.
6.1.17 LOCK DETECT
When the synthesizer is locked on frequency, the
Lock Detect on U209, pin 2 is a high voltage with 
very narrow negative-going pulses. Then when the 
synthesizer is unlocked, these pulses become much 
wider, the width may vary at a rate determined by the 
frequency difference of fV and fR.
The lock detect pulses are filtered by R270/C325
and applied to J201, pin 14 and the RF Interface on 
J103, pin 14 for detection and sampling in the IAC.
6.1.18 BUFFER AMPLIFIER
A cascode amplifier formed by Q214 and Q215
provides amplification and also isolation between the 
VCO and Receiver RF stages. A cascode amplifier is 
used because it provides high reverse isolation. The 
input signal to this amplifier is coupled from VCO 
A006 by C268. C268 also provides DC blocking. 
Bias for the amplifier is provided by R294, R311, 
R290, R291 and R292. L222 is an RF choke and 
R293 lowers the Q of the coil. RF bypass is provided 
by C274, C356, C310, C272, C273 and C335. The 
output of Q214/Q215 is matched to the Receiver RF 
stages by C275, C276 and two sections of microstrip.
6.1.19 RF AMPLIFIERS
U210 provides the +12V source for these ampli-
fiers. RF amplifier Q216 is biased by R296 and R295. 
C278 provides RF bypass from the DC line and R297 
provides supply voltage isolation. A section of 
microstrip on the collector acts as an RF inductor. 
Q216 is matched to Q217 by C277, C263, C288 and 
two sections of microstrip.
RF amplifier/buffer Q217 is similar in design to
Q216. The output of Q217 is matched to the 3 dB 
attenuator made up of R285/R286/R287 by two 
sections of microstrip and C280 provides DC block-
ing. L223/L224 are tuned to the receive frequency 
minus 52.95 MHz and passed to Mixer U201. This 
injection frequency is also coupled through C284 to 
U204A. CR201, R255, R254 provide DC input to 
U204A, pin 3. The output of U204A, pin 1 is con-
nected to J201, pin 13 for a receive injection test point 
and connected to the RF Interface Board on J103, 
pin 13.
6.2 EXCITER
6.2.1 VCO (A007)
The VCO (Voltage-Controlled Oscillator) is
formed by Q802, associated circuitry and a resonator 
consisting of L404 in the Exciter. The screw in L404 
tunes the tank circuit to the desired frequency range. 
The VCO oscillates in a frequency range from 
935-940 MHz. Biasing of Q802 is provided by R805, 
R806 and R807. An AC voltage divider formed by 
C812 and C813 initiates and maintains oscillation.