31
electronic switching
from one signal to another
receiver 2
receiver 1
AF-signal
AF-signal
5 Diversity reception
The EK 3041-U receiver operates on the „true diversity“ principle:
A receiving antenna receives not only the electromagnetic waves which reach
it by a direct path, but also the reflections of these waves which are created in
the room by walls, windows, ceilings and fittings. When these waves are
superimposed, destructive interference occurs, which can also be called „field
strength gaps“. Repositioning the receiving antenna can bring a solution,
provided the transmitter remains in its original position. With mobile
transmitters and receivers, however, the „field strength gap“ will then occur
with a different transmitter or receiver position. These field strength gaps“ can
only be eliminated with true diversity receivers.
In true diversity, instead of one antenna and one receiver there are now two
antenna and two receiver sections. The antenna are spatially separated. By
means of a comparison circuit, the receiver section with the strongest RF
signal is always switched to the common AF output. The switching is
inaudible. True diversity makes sense because, at UHF frequencies, even
antenna placed only a few centimetres apart provide effective protection
against interference caused by „field strength gaps“. The risk of the occurrence
of field strength gaps“ in both antenna at the same time is virtually nonexistant.