Basic Sweep Generator

A basic system for the sweep generator is shown in figure 1. A low-frequency sawtooth wave
is generated from some form of oscillator or waveform generator. The instantaneous voltage
of the sawtooth wave controls the frequency of an RF oscillator with its centre frequency set
at the centre frequency of the device under test (filter or IF channel etc). Over a single sweep
of frequency, RF output voltage from the device, as a function of time, is a plot of the filter
response. By rectifying and RF filtering in a simple AM detector, the output is converted to a
DC voltage varying as a function of time and this voltage is applied to the vertical input of
the CRO. By synchronising the sweep of the CRO with the sawtooth output, the device
response is plotted on the CRO screen.

Figure 1 - Basic Sweep Generator arrangement

To achieve this for a range of frequencies, it is easiest to sweep a single frequency (say
1MHz) and heterodyne this to the test frequency required. The system developed is shown in
the block diagram, figure 2. A 1MHz oscillator is frequency modulated by the output of a
sawtooth generator operating at 33 Hz. The modulated output is beat with an external signal
generator set to provide the difference frequency centered at the center frequency of the filter
or IF circuit under test. The output of circuit under test is fed to a simple AM detector which
provides varying DC output level to fed the CRO vertical input. By synchronising the CRO
sweep circuit to the 33 Hz sweep generator, a plot of test circuit response is displayed in
terms of amplitude verses frequency
Figure 2 - The Heterodyne Sweep Geneator system -sweep frequency width is
independent of output frequency.