Low Distortion Sinus Generator (1)

The first step towards a useful measurement system for the analysis of non-linearities of audio components is a highly linear sine wave generator. From my point of view it is sufficient if it can generate a few discrete frequencies. With 2 generators this is sufficient for SMPTE and CCIF measurements.

During my internet research I quickly came across an article by Robert Cordell from 1981. Here he describes a sine wave generator and a rejection filter circuit, which I consider very promising for my first attempt. I have implemented the whole thing with modern components available today. And lo and behold, at 1kHz and 0.7Veff output voltage the distortion (THD) is < -120dBV, so <0.0001%. The measurable distortion is completely in the 3rd harmonic (which probably points to the amplitude control with the JFET).

This is my current measurement limit and a (large) part of the distortion will probably also occur in the test receiver. With continuous improvement of all components, there is still a lot to be achieved.

 

LowDistGen1

 Fig. Schematic

The circuit itself works with a state variable filter (OP1,OP2). The rest is the amplitude control with the rectifier (Q1,Q3) and the filters (U4), which keep the control loop stable. Critical is the voltage controlled resistor, which is realized with a JFET (Q4).

 

DSC00642

Fig. A first test setup with a self-made, double-sided printed circuit board. In a newer version I replaced the two uA741 by a TL072 (as shown in the schematic).

 FFT 1

Fig. FFT of the distortion products. At 1kHz is the suppressed fundamental wave. K3 is at -43dBV, where the test receiver has 80dB gain. So K3 is at real -123dBV!

 

Low Distortion Sinus Generator (2)

The 2nd generation has received a few improvements.

1. 3(4) frequencies are switchable via relays. 2.

2. a reference signal of -80dB can be superimposed on the output signal (switchable).

3. the supply voltage can be switched via relays.

4. the output amplitude is fixed to 1Vrms via reference diode.

 

 

LowDistGen2

 

 DSC01865  DSC01866

Fig. 2 sine wave generators with 3 frequencies each are on a circuit board. With this, you can already carry out many measurements.

 

 PCB Gerberfiles  .ZIP  LowDistGen2-V202.zip
     
     

 

Examples for the frequency calculation. The values for the resistors must of course be adapted to the real capacitance values of C11/C13.With 3 generators and the specified frequencies, one can perform almost all usual distortion measurements. For the measurement of intermodulation distortions, 2 frequencies each must be mixed in the correct ratio via a passive voltage divider.

 

Frequenz C11/C13 RG     C16
200 4,70E-08 16931 R7+R8 / R22+R23 16931 2u2
500 4,70E-08 6773 R9+R10 / R24+R25 6773
1000 4,70E-08 3386 R16+R17 / R31+R32 6773
           
2000 4,70E-09 16931 R7+R8 / R22+R23 16931 470n
5000 4,70E-09 6773 R9+R10 / R24+R25 6773
17000 4,70E-09 1992 R16+R17 / R31+R32 2822
           
7000 2,20E-09 10335 R7+R8 / R22+R23 10335 470n
10000 2,20E-09 7234 R9+R10 / R24+R25 7234
18000 2,20E-09 4019 R16+R17 / R31+R32 9043