Which component directly processes the CTCSS tone in an FM receiver?

The discriminator plays a crucial role in the processing of CTCSS (Continous Tone-Coded Squelch System) tones in an FM (Frequency Modulation) receiver. When an FM signal is received, it contains both the audio information and any additional subaudible tones like the CTCSS tones used for squelch control.

The discriminator is responsible for converting the frequency deviations of the FM signal into corresponding voltage levels, which represent the audio information. In the context of CTCSS, after the FM receiver processes the incoming signal, the discriminator effectively extracts the frequency components, including the CTCSS tone, allowing it to identify and decode these tones embedded within the audio signal. This capability is essential for systems that use CTCSS to control squelch, ensuring that a receiver only opens for transmissions that contain the correct CTCSS tone, thereby filtering out unwanted noise and signals.

In contrast, components like the audio amplifier primarily boost the audio signal for output, while a demodulator generally refers to the device that converts modulated signals back into original audio signals, but it does not specifically handle tone recognition. The bandpass filter is useful for isolating specific frequency ranges but does not process tones directly in the way that the