🔍 Key Concepts

• Superheterodyne receiver architecture – what parts are common to AM and FM receivers • FM detection vs AM detection – how is frequency variation converted to audio in FM? • How FM receivers handle amplitude variations (noise, AM interference) and the role of de‑emphasis circuits

💭 Think About

• First compare: which blocks in an AM and FM superheterodyne receiver are basically the same (RF amp, mixer, IF, audio stages) and which blocks must be different for FM to work? • Think about what extra things an FM receiver needs to reduce noise and handle the wider bandwidth of FM signals compared to AM. • Ask yourself: could more than one of the listed features be different between a basic AM superhet and an FM superhet?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which choice(s) relate to how the signal is detected/demodulated. • Identify which choice(s) relate to handling amplitude variations and noise rather than frequency information. • Recall whether de‑emphasis is a standard added feature in FM receivers to complement pre‑emphasis at the transmitter.