Copper-oxide modulators in carrier telephone systems

Copper-oxide modulators are widely used in telephone systems for translating either single speech channels or groups of speech channels to carrier-frequency locations on the lines. A number of simple circuit arrangements have been developed that enable suppression of certain undesired frequencies to a degree that is impractical in tube modulators. These modulators transmit equally well in either direction and the modulating elements are more nonlinear than in tube modulators. As a result numerous effects are found that ordinarily are not important in the tube arrangements. Analytical studies have been considerably simplified by the use of a small signal, and a large carrier controlling the impedance variation of the copper oxide. It is found in this case that the superposition and reciprocity theorems hold for all the circuits that it has been possible to analyze even though the modulator is made up of nonlinear elements. Open and short-circuit impedance measurements can be made use of as in four-terminal linear networks, and a generalized reflection theory developed. Performance data are given for an idealized modulator under a variety of operating conditions.