TRACKING

TRACKING
A process in which the local oscillator frequency
follows or tracks the signal frequency to have a
correct frequency difference
s o
f f IF
Tracking errors
In AM receivers all the tuned circuits are ganged so that
only one tuning control can be used to vary the capacitors
simultaneously.
The local oscillator frequency (f
o
) must be precisely
adjusted to a value which is above the signal frequency (f
s
)
by IF i.e.


OR

If this tuning is not done precisely then the frequency
difference i.e. (f
o
f
s
) is not constant. This type of error is
known as tracking errors.
IF f f
s o

s o
f f IF
Solution to the problem of tracking
Tracking can be two point tracking or three point tracking
TWO POINT TRACKING
1. Padder tracking
2. Trimmer tracking
THREE POINT TRACKING
TRACKING
Padder Tracking
By adding padding capacitor C
p
in series with the local
oscillator section, its effective capacitance decreases,
hence local oscillator frequency (f
LO
) increases.

f
LO
is more than required value, thus tracking error is
positive.
min
max
freq
+
-
C
p
Ls
C
osc
0
tracking error
Trimmer capacitor C
T
is used in parallel with the local
oscillator section, thus effective capacitance increases, f
LO

decreases.
Two point tracking can be obtained by selecting L
o
& C
T
.
f
LO
is lower than desired, hence tracking error is negative.

Trimmer Tracking
min max
+
-
Ls
C
T
freq
0
tracking error
Three point Tracking
By using both trimmer and padder capacitors and adjusting
oscillator inductance correctly at a point between minimum
and maximum RF frequencies, a three point tracking curve
can be obtained.
The three frequencies of correct tracking are normally 600
kHz, 1500 kHz and the geometric mean of the two, i.e. 1050
kHz.
Freq. kHz
+
0
-
Ls
C
p
C
TR
600
950
1500
tracking error
It is possible to keep the tracking error below 3kHz by using
C
p
and C
T
.

The process of adjusting L
o
, C
T
, C
p
at three points on the dial is
known as Receiver Alignment.

Thus radio stations will appear at their correct position
on the dial of the receiver.