Horizontal Sweep

Generators and Control

Circuits
by: Group 3
Horizontal Sweep Fundamentals
• The horizontal oscillator (or other type of sweep voltage generator)
produces a 15,750- or 15,734-Hz voltage that is locked in frequency
and phase with its counterpart in the cameras at the TV station. This
is accomplished by horizontal sync pulses and AFC action to ensure
that picture images are reproduced at their proper locations on the
receiver or monitor screen. On late-model sets, the sweep generator
is part of a startup/shutdown system that disables the set in the event
of an overload or hazardous condition.
• The precisely controlled and synchronized generated voltage is
amplified by driver amplifiers and a power output transistor to
produce the necessary sweep power for beam deflection. The sweep
voltage drives the horizontal windings of the deflection yoke, either
directly from the output transistor, or inductively, via the flyback
transformer. The sweep current in the yoke produces an
electromagnetic flux that sweeps the beam horizontally across the
screen.
• As shown in Figure 8-1, there are other circuits supplied from the
flyback transformer. This is the source of the HV and focus voltage for
the CRT, and the sweep-derived scan voltages that furnish the DC
operating voltages for most of the transistors and ICs in the
equipment. Other “peripheral” circuits that utilize the sweep voltage
include horizontal blanking, pincushion and convergence, and gating
pulses for circuits that are keyed by the horizontal sweep.
Sweep Generators and Waveshaping
• Horizontal sweep voltage is produced in one of three ways: with a
conventional oscillator, a countdown system, or by some form of
electronic switching circuit. As with the vertical sweep section, several
oscillator circuits have been, or are still being used, namely, variations
of the multivibrator and blocking oscillator circuits and sine-wave
generators. One type of switching circuit (now out of favor) uses a
pair of SCRs instead of the usual transistor. Most sets now use the
countdown system, whose functions are performed by an IC.
• Early-model sets traditionally used an oscillator with an RC circuit at
its output for producing a linear sawtooth waveform, as described for
the vertical sweep section. With this system, the linearity of the wave
had to be preserved by all downstream stages to obtain linear
deflection of the CRT beam. Modern sets still require a linear
sawtooth current in the yoke, but upstream stages may develop a
variety of voltage wave shapes.
• The multivibrator and blocking oscillator used for horizontal sweep
are similar to those used for generating a vertical sweep voltage. The
main difference is in the component values. When used as a
horizontal oscillator, however, these circuits have usually a turned coil
in the collection circuit. It is called a sine-wave ringing or stabilizing
coil. The name speaks for itself. It is shock excited to produce
sinusoidal oscillators with itself, which tends to stabilize the
frequency.
Countdown System
• This system uses one oscillator to develop both the vertical and
horizontal sweep voltages. With the frequency stability provided by a
crystal oscillator, there is no need for hold controls. Despite this,
however, some form of AFC is still required, mainly to control
horizontal phasing. Except for the crystal, most components are
contained in an IC.
Raster Scanning and
Synchronization
• To reproduce a picture where each minute element of an image is
positioned exactly as on the mosaic surface of the camera CRTs, each
horizontal scanning line on the receiver CRT must be precisely
synchronized with the camera scanning and the reception of video
information. The vertical sweep generator is triggered directly by the
received sync pulses, but because of its higher frequency, the
horizontal sweep requires additional circuits. There are stringent
requirements. The generated sweep signal must be stable and of the
correct frequency, and each cycle of generated voltage must be in
phase with (precisely in step with) the sweep voltage generated in the
cameras.
• If the frequency is off, the picture on the screen (which may be barely
recognizable) is broken up with several sloping bars. The greater the
frequency error, the greater the number of bars. The direction of the
slope is indicative of whether the sweep is too fast or too slow. A
phasing error results in a picture split by a vertical black bar, with part
of the picture of the even line fields on one side and the odd fields on
the other side. AFC systems are used to maintain proper phasing, but
such systems cannot do their job unless the oscillator is running
within a few cycles of the correct frequency.
 Pulse Train
• The pulse train is a complex series of pulses to maintain uninterrupted control
of the horizontal sweep during vertical retrace and develop a sync pulse for
triggering the vertical oscillator. After each horizontal trace of the CRT beam
from left to right, and as the screen is momentarily darkened by the blanking
pulse, a horizontal sync pulse initiates the horizontal retrace to deflect the
beam back to the left to begin another line. When the beam reaches the
bottom of the screen after the scanning of a field, the vertical blanking pulse
of a relatively long duration is received. The vertical blanking interval, as it is
sometimes called, has several serrations, as shown in Figure 8-2. Note the six
equalizing pulses, followed by six vertical pulses, followed by six more
equalizing pulses, and finally, some horizontal pulses.
Figure. 8-2 Pulse train
• The sequence of events is as follows: At point (A) on the diagram, the
beam has just completed tracing out the last line of the picture
information at the bottom of the screen. The screen is blanked out for
the duration of the vertical retrace, about 1250 µs. As the beam
continues to move down, horizontal sync is maintained for the
“unmodulated” scanning lines by every other equalizing pulse. Thus,
with interfaced scanning, both odd and even line fields remain in sync
at all times.
• The next six pulses, wider than the first group, and commonly called
vertical pulses, serve a dual function. As with the equalizing pulses,
they control the horizontal for alternate fields. At the same time, they
develop an accumulating voltage for triggering the vertical. How this
is done is described in Chapter 9.
• Depending on signal strength, the vertical oscillator may be triggered
by any of the six vertical pulses, usually the second or third pulse, as
represented by point (B) on the diagram. From the moment of vertical
triggering, the beam starts moving upward. During the remaining
time of vertical retrace, the horizontal oscillator is controlled by the
next six equalizing pulses (for alternate fields), and finally, by 12 or so
regular horizontal pulses. At some time during this final series of
pulses [corresponding with point (C)], the vertical oscillator cycle is
reversed and the beam starts moving downward. At point (D) the
screen becomes unblanked, and the first line of the picture
information is scanned at the top.
AFC Systems
• There systems currently used to control the frequency and phase of
the horizontal oscillator (or other type of sweep voltage generator)
are (1) the phase detector, (2) reactance control, and (3) varactor
control (Figure 8-3). Each circuit is supplied with two signals, a
sampling of the generated sweep voltage (called a “reference”
voltage) and the horizontal sync pulses transmitted by the station. The
reference voltage, of a specific amplitude and polarity, may come
from a driver stage or tap on the flyback transformer. As shown in the
diagram, the vertical and horizontal pulses coming from the sync
stages are separated from each other by integrators and different
networks, each having a specific RC time constant.
• The phase detector compares the reference voltage with the sync
pulses. If there is no frequency or phase error, no action is initiated or
required. If there is a discrepancy, a dc error or correction voltage is
developed. The correction voltage is applied directly to the oscillator,
or via an intermediate DC error amplifier. This forces the oscillator to
speed up or slow down until sync is regained. An antihunt RC network
is often used to prevent the circuit from overreacting. Because of the
close association between the oscillator and its control circuit, when
troubleshooting, they are considered together.
Phase Detectors
• Three typical circuits are shown in Figure 8-4. Part (a) represents a
simplified basic circuit with no frills. The two diodes, operating as
matched pairs, are shunted by two equal-value load resistors. The
diodes are connected back to back, in opposition. Incoming horizontal
sync pulses are supplied to their junction. A reference pulse from the
sweep circuit is applied to one diode. When in-phase condition is
sensed, the diodes conduct, developing equal and opposite dc voltage
across the load resistors. The net voltage in the reference to the
ground serves as a frequency-correcting voltage for the oscillator. The
response to a fast- or slow-running oscillator is illustrated in Figure 8-
5.
• The circuit shown in Figure 8-4 b uses a phase splitter (pulse inverter)
to feed sync impulses of equal amplitudes and opposite polarities to
the two diodes. Here the diodes are connected series aiding. With the
feedback reference voltage fed to their common junction, the two
diodes conduct by the instantaneous voltage received from two
sources, the sweep circuit, and the sync. Where there is no oscillator
phasing error, the equal and opposite voltages developed across the
load resistors cancel out, with zero voltage at their junction.
• The result is no change in the oscillator operation. A phase error
causes one diode to conduct more than the other, unbalancing the
circuit and supplying a positive or negative voltage to the oscillator.
This forces it to slow down or speed up, as the case may be. Details of
this are shown in Figure 8-5. Note the polarities and relative positions
of the sync pulses and the reference voltage, things that determine
which diode will conduct and by how much.
• The circuit in Figure 8-4c uses a transistor in place of match diodes. It
is switched on and off by the instantaneous amounts of voltage at the
three elements, which in turn are determined by the phase
relationship between reference and pulse voltages. If the oscillator is
running slow, increases conductance and creates an increase in
negative voltage developed across resistor R1 to speed it up. If the
oscillator is running fast, conductance is increased and the reduced
error voltage produced slows it down. Resistor values establish the
relative amounts of sync and reference voltage which are quite
critical.
Sine-Wave Oscillators
• Both the reactance and the varactor AFC control systems are used
with a sine-wave oscillator as shown in Figure 8-3. A sine-wave
oscillator uses a tuned circuit consisting of an adjustable coil shunted
with a low-value capacitor. It is sometimes called a Hartley oscillator
and is readily identified by the tapped coil (an autotransformer),
which provides inductive feedback. When power is applied, the
increasing transistor current produces an increasing magnetic flux,
inducing an AC voltage in the upper section by transformer action.
This voltage, which is in phase with the collector voltage, is coupled to
the transistor base.
• When the transistor approaches cutoff or saturation, the decrease in
current causes the flux to decrease, creating the opposite polarity of
feedback voltage at the base. The ratio between the two coil sections
establishes the amount of regenerative feedback, which must be
sufficient to sustain oscillations. The frequency in this case is 15,734
Hz, the horizontal sweep rate. The frequency is adjustable with a coil
tuning slug which serves as a master frequency or hold control.
Reactance Control of Oscillator
• In Figure 8-3a a transistor is shunted across the oscillator-tuned
circuit, where it automatically controls the frequency and phase of
oscillations. The reactance control transistor, in series with the
oscillator coupling capacitor, acts as a variable capacitive reactance
about the ground side of the circuit. A DC correction voltage from a
phase detector produces changes in transistor conductance,
simulated changes in reactance, and corresponding changes in
oscillator frequency and phase.
Varactor Control of Oscillator
• Figure 8-3b shows a typical circuit as used in most modern TV sets.
Here a varactor diode is shunted across the oscillator-tuned circuit. A
varactor functions as a simulated capacitor whose value is governed
by the amount of the reverse bias applied, in this case, from a phase
detector. If the oscillator is running fast, an increase in the applied
reverse bias produces an increase in simulated capacitance, causing
the oscillator to slow down. The reverse occurs if the oscillator is
running slow. The dc control polarity determines which way the
varactor is connected in the circuit. This method of control is also
used in channel selectors and for other applications.
Startup/Shutdown System
• To protect the user from hazardous x-ray radiation as produced by excessive high
voltage, all modern TV receivers use a system that automatically disables the set
if the HV supply for the picture tube becomes excessive for any reason. The
system also protects against component damage under certain overload
conditions. The oscillator (or drivers) normally get their B voltage from the
primary power supply, then after receiver turn-on, from a sweep-derived scan PS.
When the problems develop, the set is disabled by automatically removing the B
voltage from the horizontal oscillator or drivers. With the loss of horizontal
sweep voltage, no scan voltages are developed and the set goes dead. If there
are no serious problems, after a brief period of 30 sec or so, an automatic startup
circuit turns the set back on. When troubleshooting the system, an external
voltage is used for the temporary startup (kick-start) of the oscillator. Details of
the system are covered in Chapter 11.
AFC/Oscillator Circuits of the Foldout
Schematic
• All functions are performed by IC501. A conventional horizontal
oscillator with a phrase detector AFC is used. The oscillator develops a
frequency of approximately 31.5 kHz, which is subsequently reduced by
a flip-flop circuit to the normal horizontal rate. The DC operating voltage
is applied to pin 33 via the horizontal hold control VR401. This voltage
comes from the primary power supply via a startup transistor Q403. The
overvoltage shutdown circuit disables the driver. Sync pulses from the
internal sync separator are applied to the AFC phase detector. A sweep
reference voltage from the flyback transformer reaches the AFC circuit
via pin 35. The external capacitor C402 is the sawtooth-forming
capacitor. The oscillator drives an FF whose sawtooth output is applied
to the driver internally.
Troubleshooting and Repair
• Older sets using discrete transistors and diodes for the oscillator and
the AFC occasionally develop problems relating to these circuits, but
for sets using ICs, such troubles are comparatively rare. Typical
troubles associated with these stages include a dead set (because
dead oscillator results in loss of all sweep-derived PS voltages),
reduced raster width, and partial or complete loss of horizontal sync,
a condition that manifests itself in different ways. Major difficulties
such as complete loss of sweep or sync are generally considered the
easiest to troubleshoot and repair. Marginal complaints and
intermittent troubles can be a greater challenge.
• As with any TV problem, the first step is to analyze the symptoms and
consider the plan of attack. This should be followed by an inspection, first
with the set-off, then with power applied, while looking for anything
abnormal, as described earlier. The next step is to localize the defect to a
single stage or section by checking for DC operating voltages and scope
checking for missing, weak, or degraded sweep waveforms at the input to
the horizontal driver, comparing them with those shown on a schematic.
• Where there is a raster, but loss of sync, scope trace for sync pulses at the
input and output of the sync stages, up to the AFC circuit, which is usually
a phase detector. If pulses are okay, check for a normal sweep reference
voltage at the AFC. Check for a developed DC “correction voltage” of the
proper amount and polarity, followed by other tests to be described later.
Where the oscillator and AFC are contained in an IC, testing in general is
limited to checking for applied B voltages, and scope checking for sync
input pulses and sweep output voltage.
Troubleshooting the Countdown
System
• Figure 8-6 illustrates the basic circuit with typical voltages to expect at
key checkpoints. For details, see Chapters 5 and 7.
Reminder: When repairs are completed, a final burn-in check should
be made for an hour or more.
• Specific trouble symptoms and procedures about the oscillator/AFC
circuits are covered in the following paragraphs. Troubles involving
the drivers, horizontal output, and HV and yoke circuits are covered in
Chapter 10. Figure 8-7 shows a troubleshooting flow drawing that can
be used as a guide.
Symptoms and Procedures
No Raster; No Sound
• Probable causes: Receiver in shutdown mode; no B voltage output from primary PS;
no sweep voltage output from horizontal oscillator.
• Check for primary power B+ (see Chapter 6). If the set uses scan power, see if the
sweep circuit is operating by checking for sweep voltage at the driver input; DC
output from the PSs; and HV. Determine if the shutdown circuit has been activated by
checking for oscillator output and if okay, perform a manual start-up as described in
Chapter 11. If the set is not in the shutdown mode, and in the absence of run power
from the scan PSs, use an external PS to operate the oscillator while testing. Adjust
the voltage to the amount shown on the schematic. Check the oscillator transistor, its
DC operating voltages, and all suspected components in the circuit. If trouble persists,
isolate the oscillator from the AFC circuit. If the oscillator now operates, check the
AFC circuit and its interface with the oscillator.
• If the set uses an IC and there is no sweep output, check the applied
B+ voltages and sweep-related external components. If still suspect,
replace the IC. For intermittent loss of picture and sound, try tapping
the chassis and components, probing the circuit, and so on, as
described in Chapter 5.

No raster; Sound Normal

• Probable causes: If scan power is not used, loss of B+ feed to the
oscillator, or a dead oscillator’ where sweep-derived scan power is
used, and the oscillator is okay, suspect the HV DC circuit, the CRT, or
its associated circuits.
• Check for B+ to the oscillator. If no B+, check for an open or short in
the voltage distribution network. There is a B+ on the main DC bus;
otherwise, there would be no sound. If the set uses scan power, some
of these PSs must be okay. Check the PS that feeds the sweep circuit.
Suspect the CRT and its operating voltages, including the HV.
• If the set does not use scan power and the oscillator is supplied with
B+, concentrate on the oscillator if there is no sweep voltage at its
output. Check the transistor and its operating voltages. Check all
suspected oscillator components. For the possibility of loading by a
faulty AFC circuit, isolate one from the other and repeat the oscillator
tests.
Reduced Horizontal Deflection. (narrow raster)
• Probable causes: Low B+; low line voltage; excessive HV; weak
oscillator; and low output from a sweep processing IC.
• Check for low line voltage and B+. If excessive HV, adjust to the
amount specified. Scope check the oscillator output and compare it
with the schematic. If the amplitude is low, the cause may be loaded
by the adjacent circuits, the AFC and driver stage, or a defect in the
oscillator itself. Check for such things as leakage in the transistor,
diodes, and capacitors. Look for resistors that have changed value. If
adjacent circuits are suspected, isolate and repeat the tests. Where
an IC is suspect, replace it.
Poor Horizontal Linearity. (picture is compressed or stretched
horizontally)
• Probable causes: Sawtooth-forming circuit defects.
• Scope check the sweep waveform at the oscillator output or input of
the driver, and compare with the schematic. Check the transistor, its
operating voltages, and all associated components that may be
suspect. If necessary, isolate the oscillator from the AFC and driver
circuits. Where a feedback loop is used, check waveform and
components. If an IC is used and there’s an improperly shaped
waveform at the output, consider replacement after making
preliminary tests as described earlier.
Horizontal Foldover. (portions of left or right sides of the picutre are
folded back on itself with images transposed)
• Probable causes: Too long a time constant in the waveshaping
network, thus extending the horizontal retrace period; improper
phasing between the CRT beam deflection and the sync pulses (an
AFC sync problem).
• Check all sawtooth-forming components. If an IC, consider a
replacement. Scope check the sync pulses at the phase detector input
and if abnormal refer to Chapter 9.
Drive Bars (vertical bars appear on the left side of the picture)
• Probable causes: Excessive drive to output stage sometimes caused
by oscillator “squegging” (generating multiple frequencies); an open
saw-tooth-forming capacitor.
• Scope check oscillator waveform and compare with the schematic.
Check all sawtooth-generating components. If squegging is suspected,
try adding ferrite beads on transistor leads.
Horizontal Sync Problems. (a variety of possible symptoms: picture
tearing; split picture; multiple pictures; horizontal pulling; flag-
waving; horizontal jitter)
• Probable causes (assuming that the vertical sync is okay): Defect in
the oscillator or AFC circuits, or defective IC if used; missing or weak
sync pulses from the sync stages; improper oscillator adjustments.
• If complete loss of horizontal sync, where there are two or more
pictures side by side or the picture is broken up by many horizontal
bars, it indicates that the oscillator is off frequency. The greater the
number of bars, the greater the frequency error. It may be helpful to
know whether the oscillator is running too fast or too slow. Where
bars slope downward to the right, the frequency is too high; if sloping
in the reverse direction, the opposite is true.
• Try adjusting the frequency with the hold control and the slug-tuned
coil if there is one. It should be possible to obtain bars sloping in both
directions within range of the hold control. Normally, a picture should
lock in at two or three bars. If the picture only syncs at one bar, the
sync stability is only marginal. Try adjusting the ringing coil if one is
provided.
• If considerable adjusting is needed to obtain sync lock, chances are
that it is compensating for defects that should be corrected to avoid
future problems. One common possibility is shorted windings in the
oscillator coil. The clue here is where the oscillator frequency is too
high, (picture tearing with numerous bars) and tends to improve (bars
become fewer) when the slug is entered into the coil.
• Most any oscillator defects can alter the frequency, such as a bad
transistor, leaky capacitors, resistor’s change value, incorrect DC
operating voltages, short windings in an oscillator coil or transformer,
broken or missing core slugs, and AFC circuit defects due to the close
relationship that exists between the two stages. Also included are the
input circuits of the next downstream stage, the driver. Each of the
possibilities above should be checked out, and corrected, as described
earlier. If there’s an IC and it is suspected, make-
• preliminary tests and, if necessary, replace it. (Reminder: An AFC
circuit defect can change the oscillator frequency.) However, AFC
problems usually affect the phasing, producing symptoms of picture
bending or pulling, or a vertical black bar dividing the picture on the
left side of the screen. When a malfunctioning AFC circuit is
suspected, isolate or defeat its action and check the two stages
individually. (reminder: Sync cannot be obtained unless the oscillator
is capable of free-running at the correct frequency.)
• Troubleshoot the AFC circuit as follows. First verify that normal sync
pulses are coming from the final sync stage, which is usually a sync
separator. Normal amplitude is typically about 10V p-p. If a scope
check shows weak or missing pulses at the phase detector input, they
may be grounded out or there is a defect upstream from this point. A
common problem is sync compression caused by signal overdrive, a
video amplifier defect, or AGC troubles.
• Where sync pulses are okay, scope check the reference voltage pulse
coming from the flyback transformer. If weak or missing, check it back
to its source. Check for a DC correction voltage at the phase detector
output, and the oscillator input, or other in-between stages. See if the
correction voltage changes as it should as the oscillator coil is
adjusted by a small amount. If the DC is weak, missing, or has the
wrong polarity, check the matched diodes or transistors, as
applicable. Also, check the equal-value load resistors. Check and
compare the DC voltage drop across the resistors. This is extremely
critical. Diodes and resistors should be replaced as a matched pair to
avoid a circuit imbalance. If necessary, check other components in the
phase detector, replacing any that are suspect.
• Where a reactance or varactor-control circuit is used, and where the
phase detector develops a normal DC correction voltage, check the
reactance control transistor or varactor as applicable, and any other
suspected components: Substitution is the best check for a varactor.
• Where a sweep and sync processing Ic is used, check for B+, scope
check the sync pulse at the AFC input, and test external components
as appropriate. If suspect, replace the IC.
• After oscillator and/or AFC defects have been corrected, make final
adjustments, as follows. Using jumpers, short out the ringing coil.
Ground out the pulses at the AFC input. With the hold control at
midsetting, adjust the oscillator coil slug to obtain a “floating” picture
(i.e., where the picture momentarily stops drifting sideways). Remove
the short from the coil. Adjust the ringing coil to regain a floating
• picture. Remove the ground from the AFC input. Make minor
readjustments using the hold control. The picture should snap
abruptly into sync when within a couple of bars of lock-in. If the
ringing coil has little or no effect, check for shorted windings or a
missing or broken core slug. (Note: Sometimes stability can be
improved by experimentally changing the value of the resistor
shunted across the ringing coil.) Check the sync stability. When
switching channels, the picture should lock without hesitation.
• Squegging and Piecrusting. Oscillator squegging produces a
“Christmas tree” effect, an overly bright jagged raster with
streaking. For the “piecrust (geartooth) effect,” a picture has jagged
sawtooth edges.
• Probable causes: Unstable or misadjusted oscillator; AFC defects.
• Squegging indicates that the oscillator is simultaneously producing
different frequencies, resulting in a complete loss of sync. The high-
amplitude pulses generated can destroy critical and sensitive
components, ICs in particular.
• As with an off-frequency oscillator, check all circuit components,
including the transistor. Replace any that are suspect, particularly
capacitors that show the slightest leakage. For the possibility of
interaction with other circuits, try bridging B+ with a high-value filter
capacitor, and/or by adding ferrite beads on critical leads. Try
readjusting the ringing coil if there is one.
• Piecrusting occurs if the oscillator cannot settle down to the correct
frequency as sometimes caused by frequency drift or an antihunt
network that is not doing its job. Check the stability of the DC correction
voltage and if necessary, troubleshoot that phase detector. Try alternate
heating and cooling of suspect components.
Weak or Intermittent Sync
• Probable causes: Oscillator frequency drift; unstable AFC circuit;
defective hold control; weak reception; interference.
• Weak reception, interference, and unstable sync often go together. If
possible, improve reception, and overcome the interference, and the
sync will probably improve. Clean or replace an erratic hold control.
For oscillator frequency drift (where the hold control must be
readjusted repeatedly) apply localized heat or cold to critical
components. Check for a loose or cracked coil slug. Check the
operation of the AFC as described previously. A defective varactor is
quite common; try substitution. Procedures for intermittent troubles
are described in Chapter 5.