[sdiy] sdiy, real ring modulator schematics

[Jim Patchell]

    They do the same thing, but a ring modulator was made with a diode
ring (thus the ring in ring modulator).  As far as I know, these are
mostly used in high frequency RF aplications, because high frequency
diodes are a lot easier to make than a transistor based ballanced
modulator (I am not sure about these facts, since I don't do high
frequency RF electronics).  My understanding is though that for EM use,
the diode ring modulator has very poor carrier suppresion, or to get
good carrier supression, you need very well matched diodes.  The other
thing that would turn me off is the fact that the only diode ring
circuits I have seen used transformers.  Although, I would be willing to
bet that you could probably do the same thing with ballanced op amp
drivers and diff amps.

    -Jim

Michael Buchstaller wrote:

> Is not the balanced modulator the same as an ring modulator ?
> I thought that were only two names for the same thing. Am i wrong ?
> If yes, what is the difference ?
>
> -Michael Buchstaller