Ateneo de Naga University

College of Engineering
ECE and CPE Department
S/Y 2014-2015

Project in ECEM416LAB

FM TRANSMITTER
September 29, 2014

Prepared by:
John Kristoffer E. Villareal

BS ECE - GE41

Submitted to:
Engr. Gilbert Detera
I.

Introduction
A radio transmitter is an electronic circuit which transforms electric power
from a battery or electrical mains into a radio frequency alternating current, which
reverses direction millions to billions of times per second. The energy in such a
rapidly-reversing current can radiate off a conductor (the antenna) as
electromagnetic waves (radio waves). The transmitter also impresses information,
such as an audio or video signal, onto the radio frequency current to be carried by
the radio waves. When they strike the antenna of a radio receiver, the waves
excite similar (but less powerful) radio frequency currents in it. The radio receiver
extracts the information from the received waves. A practical radio transmitter
usually consists of these parts:

A power supply circuit to transform the input electrical power to the

higher voltages needed to produce the required power output.

An electronic oscillator circuit to generate the radio frequency signal. This

usually generates a sine wave of constant amplitude often called the carrier wave,
because it serves to "carry" the information through space. In most modern
transmitters this is a crystal oscillator in which the frequency is precisely
controlled by the vibrations of a quartz crystal.

A modulator circuit to add the information to be transmitted to the carrier

wave produced by the oscillator. This is done by varying some aspect of the
carrier wave. The information is provided to the transmitter either in the form of
an audio signal, which represents sound, a video signal, or for data in the form of
a binary digital signal.

In an AM (amplitude modulation) transmitter the amplitude (strength) of

the carrier wave is varied in proportion to the modulation signal.


In an FM (frequency modulation) transmitter the frequency of the carrier
is varied by the modulation signal.

In an FSK (frequency-shift keying) transmitter, which transmits digital

data, the frequency of the carrier is shifted between two frequencies which
represent the two binary digits, 0 and 1.
Many other types of modulation are also used. In large transmitters the oscillator
and modulator together are often referred to as the exciter.

An RF power amplifier to increase the power of the signal, to increase the

range of the radio waves.

An impedance matching (antenna tuner) circuit to match the impedance of

the transmitter to the impedance of the antenna (or the transmission line to the
antenna), to transfer power efficiently to the antenna. If these impedances are not
equal, it causes a condition called standing waves, in which the power is reflected
back from the antenna toward the transmitter, wasting power and sometimes
overheating the transmitter.
In higher frequency transmitters, in the UHF and microwave range,
oscillators that operate stably at the output frequency cannot be built. In these
transmitters the oscillator usually operates at a lower frequency, and is multiplied
by frequency multipliers to get a signal at the desired frequency.

II.

Objectives
This project, FM Transmitter, aims to:
To be able to generate and transmit voice signals as well as audio
signals of the correct frequency at the desired point without
interfering other radio stations.
To be able to modulate any inputted baseband signals through
frequency modulation of the distinguished carrier signal.
To be able to develop an FM transmitter that is capable of
transmitting audio and voice signals for over a distance of 20
meters. This will be actually take place at the Fourth Floor of the
Dolan Building down to the Philosophy Department at the Ground
Floor.

III.

Methodology

a.

This section seeks to show the establishment of the design parameters and
to observe the followed design procedures. It also seeks to explain the entire
circuit as a whole, including its parts and purposes. The design procedure is the
one who determines the values of the components like the capacitor or the resistor
to be used.
Description

The range of this FM transmitter is around 100 meters at 9V DC

supply. The circuit comprises three stages. The first stage is a microphone
preamplifier built around BC548 transistor. The next stage is a VHF
oscillator wired around another BC548. (BC series transistors are
generally used in low-frequency stages. But these also work fine in RF
stages as oscillator.) The third stage is a class-A tuned amplifier that boosts
signals from the oscillator. Use of the additional RF amplifier increases the
range of the transmitter.
b. Frequency Selection
The process of selecting the desired frequency was one of the
things that needed careful planning and analytic considerations. The

frequency to be used was based in the radio stations located in our

province and also their respective time of operation in Camarines Sur,
namely:

The following reasons were considered in the decision of the

desired frequency to be used:

Should avoid FM stations that interfere with the

transmission at the area around Dolan Building.
Should be according to the frequencies that is not occupied
in the digital receiver to be used.
Should be near the frequencies used by the others.

In the process of careful tuning and determining the right

frequency, the frequency to be used was at the range of 88-91MHz. More
specifically, the one used in these project was 90 MHz.
c. Circuit Diagram

In this circuit from www.extremecircuit.net, all other parameters

including the resistors, capacitors and transistors has been specified except
for the coil.
Coil L1 comprises four turns of 20SWG enameled copper wire
wound to 1.5cm length of a 4mm dia. air core. Coil L2 comprises six turns
of 20SWG enameled copper wire wound on a 4mm dia. air core. Use a
75cm long wire as the antenna. For the maximum range, use a sensitive
receiver. VC1 is a frequency-adjusting variable capacitor. VC2 should be

adjusted for the maximum range. The transmitter unit is powered by a 9V

PP3 battery.
Also, the audio input jack was put in parallel with the position of
the microphone and is operated with a switch.

IV.

Sample Computations
a. INDUCTANCE
Parameters:
N(number of turns) = 4,6
l=0.015m
A=(2mm)2
=4 107 H /m
N 2 A
L=
l

H
( ( 2mm )2 )
m
0.015m

(42 ) 4 107
L=

L1 = 16.8441 nH
L2 = 37.8992 nH
b. CAPACITANCE
Parameters:
f = 90 MHz
L1 = 16.8441 nH
f=

1
2 LC

C=

1
2
L ( 2 f )

C=

1
2
16.8441 nH ( 2 ( 90 M ) )

C=18.28007 pF

This was the capacitance value at the oscillator circuit. We assumed that
this was achieved by adjusting the variable capacitor.

V.

PCB Layout

VI.

Related Literarture
a. Data Sheets
BC548

b. 2SC2570

VII.

Photos

 The actual transmitter (microphone, antenna and

input jack are visible).

Inside of the casing (actual circuit and the battery

are visible).

VIII.

Observation and Analysis

In class discussions, characteristics of an FM transmitter was already
tackled. Hence, through this project, it is now time to know and test if the basis of
this facts are really much effective with most circuits design.
FM transmitters typically offers some advantages or benefits over AM
transmitters. Although, at the beginning I can say that the circuit is somewhat
complex, and it even required three stages built around a transistor. But, the first
thing I saw was its noise immunity at the receiving end. Perhaps, in the whole
process of testing, when the receiver is at the proper frequency of the transmitter
and the transmitter is already properly calibrated, the audio/voice signals
transmitted is just like the original one thrown by the one who talks and will now
depend on the quality of the receiver used.
Second, is its somewhat rejection of the interfering signals because of the
phenomenon of capture effect. The transmitter used in this project is only a low
power one, and the other broadcast stations doesnt really follow the standards set
by NTC, so this is a somewhat a fifty-fifty condition. During the testing process,
we had tried several time frames to observe if which conditions satisfy most the
need for proper transmission. During night and early mornings, the above table
for the supposed to be transmission of the broadcast stations are not really strictly
followed. As a result, the entire range of FM is covered by a certain station. Now,
the transmitted signals from the project is sometimes interfered by these
frequencies and is sometimes overpowered at certain scenarios. So, I prefer that
testing is to be done from early afternoons until six in the evening. At this time
frames, minimal interferences has been obtained. Thus, transmitting audio and
voice signals is a much easier task.
Now, considering that the transmitting distance is somewhat far, and the
angle of transmission not being in the best case scenario for a 1 watt FM
transmitter. Although, a class A amplifier was really used instead of a Class C,
perhaps, when we talk about efficiency, the project is considerably okay with it.

IX.

Recommendations

This project, overall, has good rating. But then, when we

look at it in a more strict sense, it is somewhat not yet perfect
and should need to be improved. For instance, since the FM
signal transmitted is constant in amplitude, and therefore, it is
not really necessary to use linear amplifiers to increase its power
level. It is suggested that a class C amplifier should be used to
have a better transmitting efficiency and for the battery to even
last for a longer period of time. Also, proper installation of the
input jack should be followed because it is very observable
during the testing proper that improper plugging leads to very
unlikely audio result.

Sources:
www.extremecircuits.net
http://www.eeweb.com/blog/extreme_circuits/medium-power-fmtransmitter
http://www.asiawaves.net/philippines/camarines-surradio.htm#camarines-sur-fm-radio