# Choice Of Intermediate Frequency (or) IF Amplifier in a Radio Receiver

Choice of Intermediate Frequency of a receiving system is usually a compromise , since there are reasons why it is neither low nor high, nor in a certain range between the two.

The following are the major factors influencing the choice of the Intermediate Frequency in any particular system.

1. If the IF is too high poor selectivity and poor adjacent channel rejection results unless sharp cut-off filters(crystal/mechanical filters) are used in the IF stage.
2. A high value of Intermediate Frequency(IF) increases tracking difficulties.
3. If we chose IF as low frequency, image frequency rejection becomes poorer. i.e, if $\frac{f_{si}}{f_{s}}$ is more IFRR(image Frequency Rejection Ratio) has been improved, which requires a high Intermediate Frequency($f_{si}$). Similarly when $f_{s}$ is more IFRR becomes worst.
4. Average Intermediate Frequency(IF) can make the selectivity too sharp cutting of the side bands.This problem arises because the Q must be low when the IF is low, unless crystal or mechanical filters are used and hence gain per stage is low. Thus a designer is more likely to raise Q rather than increasing the number of IF amplifiers.
5. If IF is very low , the frequency stability of local oscillator must be made correspondingly high.
6. IF must not fall in the tuning range of the receiver or else instability occurs and hetero dyne whistles (noise) will be heard.

Frequencies used:-

1. Standard AM broadcast receivers tuned to (540 KHz-1650 KHz) or(6 MHz-18 MHz) and European long wave band (150 KHZ- 350 KHz) uses IF in the range (438 KHz- 465 KHz). 455 KHz is the most popular value used.
2. FM receivers using the standard (88 MHz -108 MHz) band have an IF which is almost always 10.7 MHz.
3. TV Receivers in the  VHF band (54 MHz-223 MHz),UHF band (470 MHz-940 MHz) uses IF between (26 MHz-46 MHz) and the popular values are 36 MHz and 46 MHz.
4. AM-SSB Receviers employed for short-wave reception in the short wave band / VHF band uses IF in the range (1.6 MHz to 2.3 MHz).

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