Jan. 19, 1965 J.W. C. BABB 3,166,639 NOISE ELIMINATING CIRCUITS Filed Feb, 9, 1960 INVENTOR. JAMES WILBUR C, BABB BY ATTORNEYS ‘MORGAN, FINNEGAN DURHAM & PINEUnited States Patent Office 1 3.166.639 NOISE ELIMINATING CIRCUITS ‘Tames Wilbur C, Babb, deceased, late of MeAlester, O\la., ‘by Tom F, Garrard, exceutor, 209 B. Wyandotte, Mc: Altester, Oda, led eb, 8, 1960, Ser N Ch 179i)" ‘This invention relates to means for eliminating noise {interference and the like in electronic systems and more particularly to circuits of unilateral elements having noise- limiting oF noise-suppressing characteristis, ‘The elimination of noise has occupied the communica ton art since the advent of radio broadcasting. Tn its earliest manifestations noise comprised interference with or corruption of the desired signal by spurious impulses friginating in natural phenomena such as static, light- ring, and magnetic storms, and/or in random electrical fctivity inherent inthe electrical components of the communication system, e.g, tube noise and resistor noise ‘As electrical machinery and power distribution devel- oped, another source of noise appeared. The problem was further compounded as the number of communica tion systems multiplied both in number and typo, thi growih ereating the problem of interference among sti- tons in one system and among different systems (AM, FM, TV, ete.) ‘The reduction of noise has been rigorously undertaken by the art with varying degrees of success. In generel, ts have been effected by increasing. signal ive to the level of noise (high S/N ratio), ‘by employing techniques baving certain inherent immuni- ties from noise (FM), by developing system components having low inherent noise, by narrowing the band-pass of systems, by shielding vulnerable components and cir cuits, by including in the design of elecsical machinery certain features which minimize their capacity for noise fpenecition and radiation and even by selecting low-noise regions of the electro-magnetic spectrum (VHF, UHF, ete.) ‘Wiile arent strides have been made in providing noise- free communication, one merely has to turn on an AM broadeast receiver during a storm or while the thermo- sate control of a heating system is eyeling, to appre- ciate that the problem is far from solved, This apprecia- tion is heightened if an unshielded automobile engine or fluorescent lamp is operating in the vicinity. The present invention is concerned with noise inter- ference as it is manifested, for cxample, in the loud speaker output of an audio system associated with a communication. teceiver, of with a phonographic re: producer, and is particularly applicable to that type of ‘noise which is characterized by the existence of amplitude modulating ‘impulses which usually, though not exelu- sively, have frequency components in the upper region of the audio system's band-pass. Although such noise has, in general, been substantially reduced by the afore~ mentioned techniques, it is nevertheless a persistent problem. If noise, notwithstanding the use of quality Components, high selectivity, shielding and the like, suc- feeds in corrupting andio signals, there is at present no Known method of completely climinating it. Tuned noise filters and the like, inserted in the audio system, ay be effective in reducing the noise to the extent thal it is most pronounced in the upper region of the audio speetrim But these arrangements also filter the high- 0 0 as 0 “6 0 85 co 3,166,639 Patented Jan. 19, 1965 2 frequency components of the desired signal and thus inevitably introduce distortion. It is also known to employ limiter type cireuits for reducing the effects of noise, ‘These circuits are designed into the internal circuits of the receiver, audio system or the Tike, being arranged to cooperate With intermediate slages of the system such as IF amplifiers and second electors. ‘These circuits moreover frequently require biasing and supply voltages, thereby multiplying the number of cireuit connections involved in integrating the noise circuit into the system. Some limiters also require batteries, switches and potentiometers in their circuits, Tt is evident that the above-described limiter circuits ‘would not be satistactory as selfcontained noise Timiting arrangements capable of being used, for example, in the form of a kit which could be installed in a pre-existing system by a petson lacking technical skills, ‘The multi- plicity of connections and the fact that connecting points could not be easly identified or are inaccessible, preclude present Timiter circuits from such an appliea- tion. It would be impossible, for example, to expect the average lay person 10 iastall'a five or sixierminal noise limiter in the second detector stage of his AM receiver. ‘The need for batteries, switches, potentiometers and the like also fend to eliminate the applicability of present cirenits to this type of use. Moreover, known limiters fare generally tailor-made toa specific application, ie. to a specific stage of a specific type of receiver. ‘They are accordingly incapable of wide use in varied elec- tronic units, Tuned noise filters on the other hand can ‘be readily designed for use in kit form by the technicelly ‘unskilled, As noted above however, these cirulls, to be cffective in climinating noise in the spectrum of intrest, ‘must distor the intelligence in the spectrum, removing it along with the noise, In contrast, the present invention provides noise timit- ing circuits which are capable of efectively reducing nolse without at the same time introducing distortion, reuils which are of a self-contained character, have ‘but a few terminals and are simply connected to easily {dontified points in the system to be modified. The em- bbodiments of the invention can also be readily integrated into the intial design of a system. Although all of the nose is not elimiaated in practicing the techniques of the invention, a substantial reduction is effected. »Signit- feanfly, the reduction lies in that area in which the noise is most discernible and annoying to the listener. Tis accordingly a specific object of the invention to provide circuits having noiselimiting. characteristics Tis another object of the invention to provide circuits having nolse-limiting characteristics which do not intro- duce distortion ‘A further object of the invention is to provide such cizevits which are capable of being supplied in 2 Wit form adapted to modify preexisting units, ‘A sill Further object ofthe invention isto provide such circuits which may be readily constructed from few and simple: components It is another object of the invention to provide such 8 cireuit which requizes no additional manzal adjustment, employs inherently durable, reliable, inexpensive compo- rnts and can be simply fabricated. “These and other objects and advantages ofthe invention ‘will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be8,168,088 3 obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with tbe fnvention, the same being relalzed and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claim. “The invention consists in the novel parts, construction arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described. . By way of illustrating the techniques of the invention exemplary embodiments are herein described and illus- ‘rated in the drawings: FIGURE 1 is a schematic diogram of one embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective drawing illustrating certain installation details Of one form of the invention FIGURE 3 is a schematle diagram of another embod ‘ment; and ; FIGURE 4 is a perspective drawing illustrating alter- nate instalation details “The ecu ustrated in FIGURE 1, insofar as its input and output are concerned, is representative of a typical final-stage, audio circuit. ‘Thus, audio-frequency signals fare applied, in a single-ended or push-pull mode to tet- is if of transiormer T, in this Way energizing tbe mary winding § thereof. ‘The resultant audio voltage Induced in secondary winding 6 is ultimately effective in coll 7 of loudspeaker 8. To modify the ‘output stage so as to include the noise limiting eireuit of the Invention, there is interposed between transformer T ‘and loudspeaker 8 a circut 9 having input terminal A, ‘output terminal S and common input-output terminal C. Ic may be noted here thst no auatliary signal or power inputs are required, Cireuit 9 is simply interposed in the leads that normally connect iransformec T 10 speaker 8, ‘Connected in shunt across the input and output i aps ‘of unilaterat elements, Dy and Ds. Tt has been found that these elements, In order to meet the requirements of the limiter circuits, should have certain characteristies which are provided by silicon diodes, and these are accordingly preferred. The rectifiers are oppositely polarized and con- ected across the circuit such that at some predetermined input potential, the rectifiers conduct on alternate cycles, thus diverting, during the conduction periods, currents which Would normally flow through the voice coil 7 of speaker 8. If tho threshold sensitivity of rectifiers Dy and By (eg. 06 volt) is higher than the peak amplitude of the audio signal, but lower than peak values of the noise signal, then the rectifiers or diodes will conduct on alter- nate Half eycles during the period when the noise signals Ihave en amplitude greater than the threshold sensitivity of the diodes. The shuat action thus provided diverts from the specker system those components of the noise ‘which are most discernible, and consequently most annoy. ing. ‘The audio signals heard emanating from the loud speaker 8 accordingly appear to be substantially free of interference, For reasons not fully understood, the non-linear char- acteristic of the silicon rectifiers in the threshold region contributes to this noise reducing characteristic. Thus, the nonlinear forward resistance of the rectifiers causes 8 distortion of the noise waveforms which appears to aug- ‘ment in a favorable manner ibe basic clipping action pro- vided by the rectifiers unilateral characteristies. For these and other reasons, silicon diodes or semiconductors of ‘comparable characteristics are preferred, Tn the circuit of FIGURE I resistor R, is incerpased serially between the input A, and the shunting diodes, while resistor Ris serially interposed between the diodes and the output, 8, Resistor Ry is inserted in the shunting branch thereby forming 2 commoa resistance for both rectflers Dy and D3. These resistances, designed {0 pro- vide impedance maiching and to control transient loading and the like, are selected in accordance with the ampli- {ude of the audio signals developed across secondary wind ing 6 of transformer T, in accordance with the character- 10 6 20 25 0 50 55 m 6 4 fsties ofthe diodes D, and Da, and in accordance with the input and output impedances of the circuit, "The self-sulcieat character of the circuit of FIGURE. 1 is evident in FIGURE 2 where a typical installation is shown, This installation may comprise a modification to fan aio oaxput system or may be initially included there~ with, FIGURE 3 will be described in terms of modi Feation to equipment which initally comprised a chassis 110 housing Various electronic components of a receiver (of ofr system, these components including a transformer F normally cotnested via table 41 to a speaker 8._Inclu- sion in this arrangement of the noise limiting circuit 9 ‘of FIGURE 1 is simply accomplished by cutting eable 31, connecting the speaker end of one lead to terminals $ of FIGURE 9, connecting the corresponding chassis end (of this lead {o terminal Avand connecting both the chassis tend and speaker end ofthe other lend to terminal C. terminals may be of the solder type or can be arranged like Fahnstock clips to eliminate the need for soldering. XE both the chassis 10 and the frame of speaker 8 have been originally connected to a common ground frame—in ‘which case cable L1 would have only one lead—then the ‘conimon terminal C of circuit 9 may be grounded at any ‘convenient place, e, the chassis 10 or the frame of the speaker. ‘The circuit 9 can actually be housed in a casing con- siderably smaller in size than the one illustrated in FIG- URE 2. Accordingly, space problems are eliminated, Moreover, the components embodied in circuit 9 are vit- tually ageless so that the arrangement can be sealed to form a package which for al intents and purposes is in- destructible “Adaitionaly, litle weight is involved so thatthe physics) straining of cable 11 is negligible, It may also be noted here that the points in the system where the circuit 9 is fo be added are readily identified even by the technically un- skilled since the leads running to the speaker are readily identifica. Tn known systems where the threshold sensitivity of the preferred diode is not properly suited to the ampli- tudes and other characteristics of the system's signals, the effective threshold sensitivity is generally adjusted 0 re- ‘quired Tevels by including bios voltages. (Resistances in the circuit, sch as R-4, R-2 and R-3 in FIGURE 1, do hhaye some affect on the net threshold sensitivity.) For the objects contemplated by the invention this is unsatis- factory in view of the increased space, weight, cost and compiexity and in view of the substantial decrease in ‘operating life. The invention accordingly provides means or adjusting the threshold sensitivity im accordance with system requirements without the need for additional bias ‘connections of batteries. There ie thus provided, as ios: {tated in FIGURE 3, a plurality of serially-connected diodes in each shunting branch, diodes Dy and Dy being im one branch and diodes Ds and Dg in the other. This rtrangement provides an increase in the effestve threshot sensitivity. A decrease may be provided by analogous parallel arrangements. For fine adjustment, series-parallel ‘rouping can be employed. ‘The circuit of FIGURE 3 also differs from the embod! ment of FIGURE 1 in including only a single resistance, serially connected in the common branch. Such an ar- rangement is satisfactory for many applications and even ay be dispensed with for others. ‘The circuit 16 of FIGURE 3 requires only two terminals A/S, C. This circuit has the features of dursbiliiy, com- pactness and the like that the embodiment of FIGURE 1 enjoys. In addition, circuit 46, as indicated in FIGURE 4, may be installed ‘without the necessity of cutting any cables, Thus, terminals A/S and C, may conveniently comprise resilient clips or the Tike’ which are. simply clamped on conveniently located output terminals suck as terminals 13 and 44 of speaker 8. The wires 12, 15, ‘connecting cirewit 16 to terminals A/S, C, can be sufi ciently flexible to enable separation of A/S and C to8,196,038 5 accommodate the separation of terminals 13, 14, the wires 12, 13 having, on the other hand, suficient rigidity to pro- vide support.” Tris to be understood, of course, that offer ‘methods of physically installing, such as by soldering, are available, “The invention in its broader aspect isnot limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures ‘may be made therefrom within the scope of the accom. panying claim without depsrting from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages. ‘What is claimed is An audio output circuit comprising an input trans- former energized by a source of audio-frequency current, a loudspeaker, and means for eliminating aolse from sald loudspeaker consisting essentially of a pair of resistors connected serially from the secondary of said transformer (0 one side of said loudspeaker, 1 connection from the secondary of said transformer to the other side of said Toudspeaker, and the series combination of a pair of oppo- sitely-polarized, paralleled silicon rectifers and a resist~ lance, said series combination being connected from the junction of said serially connected resistances to. said 10 8 20 6 other side of said loudspeaker sald reetifers having thresh- cold sensitivities greater than signal amplitudes but Tess than peak noise amplitudes, ‘References Cited in the fle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,173,925 Sept. 26, 1939 2/382, 848 “Aug. 14, 1945 2,703,382 Mar. 1, 1955 2785231 Mar. 12, 1957 2.818470 Dec. 31, 1957 2,829,282 Hughes ot al. = Apt. 1, 1958 920291 Brundage Jan. 5, 1960 2955171 Raper — = Oct. 4, 1960 2)964/650 Radeliffs et al. Dee, 13, 1960 21992,399 Van Tassel eta ~ July 14, 1961 2,999,173 Ruck 2 Sept. 5, 1961 OTHER REFERENCES Toth: Noise and Output Limiters, Part I: Blectronics, ‘November 1946, pages 114 et seq.