Comparison Between Superheterodyne and Super-regenerative RF Receiver Modules

Super regeneration is based on an oscillator in on / off operating mode. When it is switched on, the oscillation phase is preceded by a short period of very high sensitivity. The time required for oscillation to begin is then a function of the external energy input to the oscillator (detection of an incident carrier). When it is in amplifier mode, super regeneration does not permit a class A consumption, it switches to class C as soon as the oscillations start. A high amplification of its current image therefore reproduces the variations of the incident wave constituting modulation.

Advantages:

Very economical structure: a single HF stage + an AOP
Very low consumption possible.

Drawbacks:

ASK detection only
Wide passband (several MHz)
Reduced sensitivity
Radio characteristics difficult to control
High re-radiation (oscillatory phase)
No cohabitation possible at a distance of less than 5 m.
Wake-up time of several seconds
Reduced temperature range
Non-integratable structure
Widely dispersed manufacturing

Fields of use:

Toys
Household remote control
Automobile industry (security due to very high-level rotating codes)

Superheterodyne RF Receiver Module

The super heterodyne system is composed of a LF processing channel where each stage performs control of one of the radio characteristics. Selectivity is achieved by means of the Channel Filtering. The sensitivity is obtained by means of a high amplification channel. The choice of demodulator enables any type of modulation to be processed. Transposition of the radio spectrum received to the lower processing frequency is performed by means of one or more devices called Frequency changers.

Advantages:

Accepts any type of modulation
Greatly reduced passband possible
Very high sensitivity possible
Radioelectric characteristics dissociated and therefore easily controllable
Very short wake-up time
Wide temperature range
Very integratable structure
Very great reproducibility

Drawbacks:

Complex structure if low integration
Low consumption possible only by power supply sampling

Fields of use:

All fields (The receiver par excellence).

More details on comparison between superheterodyne and super-regenerative receiver modules can be found here on our website.