Title: Diode Ring Modulator - ADALM2000 
By: Don Kuenz

Abstract: 
  The ADALM2000 advanced active learning
  module is an affordable, USB-powered, software-
  defined instrument for students, educators, and
  hobbyists. It's Diode Ring Modulator tutorial
  leaves a lot to be desired. This article seeks
  to rectify Analog Devices's tutorial with a
  working example.

Keywords: adalm2000, balanced, diode, double, mixer, modulator, ring 

Diode Ring Modulator - ADALM2000

Contents

Project Overview

Figure 1 shows Analog Device's Active Learning Module (ADALM2000) [1]. It uses the Graphical User Interface of popular Operating Systems to virtualize the most common electronic lab instruments.

adalm2000

Figure 1. ADALM2000.

A Zynq core acts as the heart of an open hardware and software application. Software Defined Radios (SDR) also exploit a similar architecture. Ironically, SDRs eliminate the need for Diode Ring Modulators, such as the advanced learning circuit covered by this article.

This article hopes to accomplish two things. First, it presents a more workable example of a diode mixer. It also seeks to see how well virtualization of lab instruments.

Circuit Design

Schematic diagram

Figure 6. Schematic diagram.

Results

ADALM2000 Oscilloscope

Figure 9. ADALM2000 Oscilloscope. (Click on the schematic a couple of times to enlarge.)

Analog Oscilloscope

Figure 10. Analog Oscilloscope. (Click on the schematic a couple of times to enlarge.)

Final Comments

Notes

Bill of Materials

Table 1. Bill of materials.
ComponentDescriptionQty
R1100 Ω resistor1
T1 - T2HP3-0950L Hexa-Path triflar-winding transformer2
D1 - D41N914 small signal switching diode4

© 2025 Don Kuenz