WRITTEN BY AKINWANDE JUBRIL

Introduction
Background Introduction
Wireless communication is among technologys biggest contributions to mankind. It has enhanced
the exchange of information across the globe quickly and efficiently. Transmission of audio message
wirelessly provides the exchange of information in real time.Wireless Audio Transmission involves
the transfer of audio (acoustic) energy over a distance through the atmospheric medium. The
characteristics of the audio signal are required to be maintained or minimally distorted, such that
the integrity of the information being conveyed is maintained.
An audio signal is a naturally occurring analogue signal with frequencies in the audio-frequency
range of roughly 20 to 20,000 Hz. Audio signals (Sound Waves) are mechanical waves generated
from vibrations within a medium. It travels at a relatively slow speed of about 350m/s and it is also
affected by attenuation caused by the medium they travel in, hence limiting the distance to which
they can travel and remain intelligible.
Long range transmission of audio signals is key to quick and efficient exchange of information in real
time. Long range audio message transmission can be achieved with the use of frequency modulation
technique, which involves the process of imposing the audio signal (low frequency signal) onto a
higher frequency signal (carrier signal) in order to produce a modulated signal with the
characteristics of an electromagnetic wave, which is more suitable for long range transmission. This
method was pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong for FM broadcasting.
Problem Statement
Audio signals are inherently low frequency signals; and when they are converted into an electrical
signal with the aid of a transducer (e.g Microphone); they produce low frequency electrical signals
with low amplitudes. The amplitude of the signal produced is limited and it is not sufficient for
distant transmission. Also the efficiency of the low frequency transmission is poor due to the
electromagnetic interference and limited bandwidth.1
Low frequency transmission has a limited electromagnetic spectrum that creates technical problems
between the local transmitters as the signals get jammed and are influenced by the crosstalk.2
In order to carry reliable long distance radio communication, a high frequency signal must be used;
otherwise excessive long antennas would be needed if the actual information signal i.e the audio
signal was transmitted directly. In order to overcome this problem a modulation technique is
employed that creates a higher frequency signal containing the original information.
The carrier signal is usually a sinusoidally varying signal with the 3 variables of amplitude, frequency
and phase. The process of modulating the audio signal onto the carrier signal involves causing a
variation in one of these variables in accordance with the modulating signal while keeping the other
two variables constant. In Amplitude modulation, the amplitude of the carrier wave is varied in
accordance with the modulating signal while the frequency and phase of the carrier remain
unchanged. Phase modulation is achieved by varying the phase of the carrier wave in accordance
WRITTEN BY AKINWANDE JUBRIL

WRITTEN BY AKINWANDE JUBRIL

with the modulating signal keeping the amplitude and frequency of the carrier wave unchanged.
With frequency modulation variation of the frequency of the carrier wave by the modulating signal is
of interest.
The atmospheric medium which is the medium of propagation of the carrier wave contains many
sources of interference and noise; which can distort the generated signal before reaching the
receiver. This problem is more pronounced in amplitude modulation, because this noise is added
and superimposed on the transmitted AM signal carrying the desired intelligence, thereby causing
an increase in the overall amplitude of the signal.3 At the receiver these added variations are then
demodulated and the noise is passed onto the audio signal. These limitations are overcome by
frequency modulation+, because noise is a form of amplitude variation and an FM receiver will reject
such signals.
The atmosphere which is the medium of transmission for the modulated signal (carrier wave) is not
homogenous but stratified into invisible micro-layers of slightly different temperature and humidity
levels; these thin atmospheric layers cause multiple propagation path from the transmitter to the
receiver, which may result in fading. Also an electromagnetic signal will attenuate as it travels away
from its source due to natural broadening of its waves; this phenomenon is called free space path
loss. In telecommunication, free-space path loss is the loss in signal strength of an electromagnetic
wave that would result from a line-of-sight path through free space, with no obstacles nearby to
cause reflection or diffraction.4 In order to successfully carry audio signals wirelessly through the
atmosphere, our design must compensate for the free-path losses and possible fading.
Aims and Objectives of the Project
The purpose of this project is to design and build the required circuitry for the transmission of an
audio message wirelessly to a receiver up to 1000 meters apart.
The objectives of this project are:
I.

To generate an electrical signal representation of an audio message using a transducer.

II.

To modulate the electrical audio signal (low frequency signal) generated onto a high
frequency carrier signal using frequency modulation.

III.

Conversion of the electrical signal or waveform into an electromagnetic wave with the use of
an antenna.

IV.

Transmission of the carrier wave (electromagnetic wave) from the transmitter to the
receiver wirelessly.

V.

To extract the modulating signal (audio signal) from the modulated signal (carrier signal) at
the receiver.

WRITTEN BY AKINWANDE JUBRIL

WRITTEN BY AKINWANDE JUBRIL

VI.

To reproduce the audio message at the receiver.

WRITTEN BY AKINWANDE JUBRIL