The response of rectifiers to fluctuation voltages

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the response of square-law and linear rectifiers to fluctuation voltages. Analyses of the square-law rectifier and of the linear rectifier in the presence of a dominant harmonic voltage are given. The analyses include the limitations imposed on the output by pre-rectification and post-rectification amplifiers, and are tested experimentally. The behaviour of linear rectifiers in the absence of a dominant harmonic voltage is examined by experimental methods.It is shown that, unless precautions are taken, rectifying stages emphasize the background of fluctuation noise. The reception of telegraphic and telephonic transmission is considered and the precautions relevant to various conditions are discussed. “Note corrected” reception is shown to be preferable to “uncorrected” reception, both in respect of fluctuation interference and in respect of distortion due to non-linearity of the rectifier characteristic.