Limit to square wave output frequency?
Limit to square wave output frequency?
(OP)
I'm by trade a structural guy but I want to build a small cyclotron as a hobby project using rare earth permanent magnets. I want to use off the shelf RF equipment to produce the ion excitation and I'm wondering if it's easy or even possible to produce a square wave output at 10-20 MHz? It seems kind of fast to do anything but sinusoidal but maybe not. Can anyone give me a yes or no?
Thanks
-Todd
Thanks
-Todd
RE: Limit to square wave output frequency?
For example, if you're looking to create a square wave of 20MHz, then your circuits need to be able to handle at least 60MHz to produce a waveform that even looks slightly like a square wave. A 'nice' 20 MHz square wave would require harmonics well above 100 MHz.
The issue for you isn't really creating a nice 20 MHz square wave (that's easy) - the issue is creating a nice 20 MHz square wave that is capable of driving your cyclotron (I assume that is what you're up to...).
Which leads to the next question:
Are you sure you want a square wave?
Circular motion and sin waves are one in the same. If you're using the 10-20 MHz wave to drive the cyclotron, then you likely just need a nice easy sin wave (from any HF transmitter).
If you're going to be using much power, then choose an ISM frequency like 13.56 MHz (check the regs).
RE: Limit to square wave output frequency?
TTFN
RE: Limit to square wave output frequency?
Also to IRstuff I'm planning on having a faraday cage around my project, so hopefully the Feds won't show up at my garage.
thanks for the help
-Todd
RE: Limit to square wave output frequency?
I remain,
The Old Soldering Gunslinger
RE: Limit to square wave output frequency?
RE: Limit to square wave output frequency?
For a faraday cage to be effective it needs to be electrically continuous with all joints soldered/ welded/ sealed with finger-stock or RF gaskets, everywhere and have a filtered power entry. A metal box grounded is not a faraday cage and will pass lots of radiation at the higher frequencies. Eg, a riveted metal box with rivets every 4" is ineffective as a shield above say 500MHz due to the tiny gaps formed by sheet buckling between the rivets.