FM TRANSMITTER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION.1

II. BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT2

III. DESIGN METHODOLOGY....3

IV. TEST RESULTS AND DISCUSSION..8

V. SUMMARY.9

VI. APPENDICES.10

a. DATA SHEETS..11

b. STUDENTS PROFILE..20

Principles of Communication
 FM TRANSMITTER

I. INTRODUCTION

In a modern world where technology is a huge part of our lives, many systems are invented
then eventually applied and installed into different devices such as in radios, radars, and in
healthcare facilities where in FM system is used. FM is also used for broadcasting music, news
and other forms of media.

The main goal of this project is to develop a miniaturized low powered FM transmitter to
be used as an information server in a small area. A device that creates FM signal is called FM
transmitter. It is one of the most important feature of a radio system, which, with the utility of an
antenna, broadcasts an electromagnetic signal. Standard FM broadcasts are based in the 88MHz to
108MHz range with 100 channels from channel 201 to channel 300 having a carrier spacing of
800 kHz which have a standard international bandwidth of 200 kHz.

Way back in the era when FM was invented, radio becomes the most popular form of mass
media where in people receive information by tuning in with their favorite radio station through
wireless transmission of information due to FM system. Now, FM system is also being used in the
fields of telemetry, radar, seismic prospecting, and monitoring newborns for seizures via EEG.
FM is widely used for broadcasting music and speech, two-way radio systems, magnetic tape-
recording systems and some video-transmission systems. In radio systems, frequency modulation
with sufficient bandwidth provides an advantage in cancelling naturally-occurring noise.

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II. BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

Frequency modulation (FM) is a technique of wireless transmission of information by

which the modulating signal is made to change the instantaneous frequency of the carrier.
Moreover, FM is an angle modulation method which the frequency of the constant-amplitude
carrier signal is varied in proportion with the amplitude of the modulating signal at a rate equal to
frequency of the modulating signal. In telecommunications and signal processing, frequency
modulation (FM) is the encoding of information in a carrier wave by varying the instantaneous
frequency of the wave. (Compare with amplitude modulation, in which the amplitude of the carrier
wave varies, while the frequency remains constant.)\

Frequency modulation is similar in practice to phase modulation (PM). When the

instantaneous frequency of a carrier is varied, the instantaneous phase changes as well. The
converse also holds: When the instantaneous phase is varied, the instantaneous frequency changes.
But FM and PM are not exactly equivalent, especially in analog applications. When an FM receiver
is used to demodulate a PM signal, or when an FM signal is intercepted by a receiver designed for
PM, the audio is distorted. This is because the relationship between frequency and phase variations
is not linear; that is, frequency and phase do not vary in direct proportion.

Edwin Armstrong was the one who invented and developed FM back in the 1920s and
30s after AM. It was first demonstrated to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in
1940 by then, the first commercial radio station began broadcasting in 1945. Furthermore,
according to him, FM is not a new concept. Nevertheless, FM is used to transmit the majority of
radio broadcasts used in radio frequency wireless devices.

FM has better noise (RFI) rejection than AM, as shown in this dramatic New York
publicity demonstration by General Electric in 1940. The radio has both AM and FM receivers.
With a million volt arc as a source of interference behind it, the AM receiver produced only a roar
of static, while the FM receiver clearly reproduced a music program from Armstrong's
experimental FM transmitter W2XMN in New Jersey.

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 FM TRANSMITTER

III. DESIGN METHODOLOGY

COMPUTATIONS
Weve computed for the resonant frequency (fr) of this circuit. Since weve used a
variable capacitor, therefore fr will also vary. The formula used is

1
where in L = inductance and C=capacitance
2
1
= 503.29MHz
20.1 1
1
= 71.176MHz
20.1 50

The range of the Frequency of our transmitter will be from 71.176MHZ to

503.29MHz covering all the FM Broadcasting Frequency which is 88MHz to
107MHz.

A miniaturized low powered FM transmitter is composed of the following

materials:

1K resistor 1N4148 diode

10K resistors L.E.D (any color)
10K variable resistor BC337 Transistor
470pF ceramic capacitors SPST switch
10pF ceramic capacitor terminal blocks
47pF ceramic capacitor 9V battery
1000F electrolytic capacitor Wires
47F electrolytic capacitor P.C.B.
.2nF-50pF variable capacitor Radio antenna
0.1H inductor

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 FM TRANSMITTER

PCB MAKING
Making a printed circuit board of any circuit must come with patience and waiting.
First step is to print the PCB layout shown below in a paper, then put it on top of the
greenish part of the presensetized PCB. Put some oil on top of the paper, covering the
printed part. Expose it in light from 15mins. to 30mins until the it marks the PCB. Mix
the developer and water until it become well concentrated. Soak the PCB into it until
the mark becomes clearer. Soak it again into the Ferric Chloride to remove excess
copper. Drill the holes where in the components will be placed.

CIRCUIT AND CASING

After the PCB was done, we now place the components on its specific position
shown in the circuit below. Make sure that you place the components with its negative
and positive terminal or else the circuit might not work. Then, solder it on its respective
location, make sure to solder it well so it will have a connection with the copper on
your circuit board.
The case of our transmitter is made of PVC plastic. We did not use any metal for
the casing because it may cause the circuit to be grounded. Also, this kind of material
is cheap and easy to mold.

CIRCUIT OPERATION
The FM transmitter device in this paper functions when the FM receiver is tuned-
in on the same frequency of the transmitter, which is 87.5kHz. The device has a
microphone (transmitter) that is sensitive to both amplitude and frequency. In testing
the experiment, we used an FM radio as a receiver which produces varying sound that
corresponds to the sound waves that were input to the microphone. Also, a variable
capacitor was used to vary the frequency of the transmitter device, in order to easily
match the frequency of the receiver.

The schematic diagram was done in Circuit Wizard which is a computer software
that lets you modify a circuit and simulates it to know if it is working or not, the PCB
Layout was also made through this software.

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 FM TRANSMITTER

Schematic Diagram of the FM Transmitter

Circuit (Real World View)

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 FM TRANSMITTER

PCB Layout of the FM Transmitter Circuit

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 FM TRANSMITTER

IV. TEST RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

After the circuit was done soldered on the PCB, a preliminary test was conducted
and the results are the following:

The FM receiver was tuned-in to 87.5MHz and by adjusting the

transmitters variable capacitor, we can detect if the device is
responding and if the transmitter is sending signal to the receiver. In
this case, it was a success.

The transmitter was able to transmit with in 5m radius with the least
obstructions and 3m radius with normal obstructions.

To achieve maximum audio clarity and to lessen the noise, the

potentiometer was placed in the devices input signal which is
connected to the emitter of the transistor. When this potentiometer
is adjusted, the noise that you here from the output device lessens.
This means that it serves as the fine tune of the device.

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V. SUMMARY

In general, the FM transmitter is a device which generates frequency modulated

signal. It uses the principle of Frequency Modulation which is a transmission of
information where the frequency of a high frequency carrier is changed in proportion
to the signal that contains the information.

The device effectively functions with a use of an FM receiver (radio) which

produces a sound that correspond to the sound wave being input to the transmitter or
specifically speaking; input to the microphone. Also, the best reception of the system
is when the transmitter and receiver are near with each other. The device does not
function if it is too far from the receiver. This device is only use in a short range
transmission.

Specific calculations and components are used in order to make a device like this.
Also, different skills must be learned in order to have an efficient output of this device
like, soldering and PCB making.

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 FM TRANSMITTER

VI. APPENDICES

References
Bertrand, R. (n.d.). Online Radio and Electronics Course.
Tomasi, W. (n.d.). Electronics Communications System Fundamentals Through Advance.

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