FM TRANSMITTER

Avelino, Anne Loraine L., Galang, Vincent N., Nañoz, Allona Jane M., Punzalan, Justine Roy A.
College of Engineering
School of Technology
First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities

Abstract— This paper aims to design a low-power FM transmitter
that is powered by a 9V battery. Electret microphone and audio jack
were used as audio input. The transmitter operating frequencies are
from 89-90 MHz and 103-104.1 MHz. The range of the said
frequencies are both 2 meters.
II. CIRCUIT DESIGN
FM uses VHF radio frequencies usually 87.5 – 108.0 MHz to
transmit and receive the FM signals. For the circuit shown in Fig.
2.1, the process of transmission is done by using pre- amplifier
and modulator circuit.

I. INTRODUCTION
Frequency modulation (FM) is widely used for a variety of
forms in radio communications. It is an important form of
modulation and being used nowadays. FM has developed
immensely since it was created by Edwin Howard Armstrong last
1931.
Figure 2.1 FM Transmitter Circuit
The idea of having an FM transmitter is done by the process
of audio amplification, modulation and then transmission. Audio
A Common Emitter Amplifier is used as the pre- amplifier of
input from the electret microphone or any other device like audio
the circuit. CE configuration is one of the most commonly used
jack is first amplified using the common emitter configuration.
pre- amplifier due to its stability and medium level gain. There
This amplified signal is then given to the oscillator circuit through
are two input signal option for the project. These are through
the coupling capacitor. The oscillator circuit generates a signal
condenser/electret microphone and audio jack. A condenser
with a frequency determined by the value of the variable
microphone is used to accept the sound signals. Inside the mic, a
capacitor. The output signal from the emitter of the transistor is
capacitive sensor diaphragm is present. It vibrates according to
coupled to the input of the power amplifier transistor using the
the air pressure changes and generates AC signals. These signals
coupling capacitor. As this signal is amplified, the variable
serve as the input for transmission. In addition, audio jack is used
capacitor in the power amplifier section tends to maintain an
to feed directly audio signal to the circuit. That is, an audio file
output matching with that of the oscillator. The amplified RF
from a mobile device or laptop is played in which the audio jack
(radio frequency) signal is then transmitted using antenna. The
is connected. Use of audio jack provides clearer intelligence
frequency is set at anywhere between the FM frequency range
signal for transmission. These signals are fed to the base of the
from 87.5 MHz to 108 MHz.
configured 2N3904 pre- amplifier.
There are many applications including its use for room
Output signal of the amplifier would be the input for the
monitoring, baby listening, nature research, low-power
modulator circuit. In FM Transmission, a tank circuit is needed.
broadcasting to a very limited audience in near vicinity and
For this project, it is implemented with an inductor paralleled to
others. Also, it can be used at any place to transmit audio signals
a variable capacitor. The 4pf capacitor serves as the negative
using FM transmission, particularly at institutions and
feedback to the oscillating tank circuit. As long as the current
organizations. This allows portable audio devices to make use of
exists across the inductor coil and the variable capacitor, tank
the better sound quality of a home audio system or car stereo
circuit will oscillate at the resonant carrier frequency for FM
without requiring a wired connection. In addition, they are often
modulation. The oscillator circuit produces the needed RF carrier
used to broadcast a stationary audio source like computer or
waves for FM transmission. LC configuration serve as storage of
television.
energy needed for oscillation.
This project is a hand-sized transmitter. The transmitter
An FM Transmitter with this configuration is very susceptible
operating frequencies are 89-90 MHz and 103-104.1 MHz. The
to noise. Placement of components is very crucial. Board Layout
transmitter is powered by a 9V battery. It is a low-power
is shown on Figure 2.2 and is made as small as possible. As much
transmitter composed of capacitors, resistors, a screw adjustable
as possible the group did not use wires of any kind for jumpers.
trimmer capacitor and an inductor. Being low-powered, it has a
Wires are only used when there is a need of connection/ interface
range of up to one-fourth of a mile radius depending on the quality
for casing (switches and power supply). Making the circuit as
of the receiver, obstructions and elevation.

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compact as possible would somehow decrease noise level and
provide stability during operation.
Figure 2.2 FM Transmitter PCB Layout
Figure 2.3 demonstrates the location of each component used
for this project.
Figure 2.3 Parts Layout
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Converting the schematic of the transmitter in actual is one of
the critical points in the project. A compact circuit is to be
maintained in breadboard and in the fabricated ones to be able to
have a proper transmission.
Following the usual routine when adapting the simulation to
actual, the transmitter is first performed in breadboard. A cellular
phone is used as the receiver, for it is one of the best medium to
find frequencies transmitting either in a close distance or not.
However, no matter how compact the circuit is, as shown in
Figure 3.1, transmitting is not that easy and this also goes to
finding what frequency is being transmitted.
Figure 3.1
After several unsuccessful attempts, the group decided to
fabricate it, taking the chance that it might have a progress when
the components are fixed in their position and more compact.
Figure 3.2 shows the first fabrication done and the electret
microphone is first used as the input. With the auto-search
capability of the cellular phone used, a transmission was detected
at 99.2 MHz.
Figure 3.2
According to studies, when the antenna used in transmission
is aligned with the antenna of the receiving medium, a feedback
will take place, mixing a feedback sound in the transmitting sound
(voice or music). This is what happened in the first fabrication
attempt, which proved that the transmitter made transmits at
99.2MHz. But then a problem was encountered since the input
voice being transmitted is not heard in the receiver. This is due to
the reason that there is already a high-power radio station
transmitting at 99.1 MHz, and a 0.1 increment is included in its
bandwidth, so this shows that the input of the group’s transmitter
will not be recognized and only a feedback sound will be
produced.
Figure 3.3
A second fabrication attempt is done, and this time, it is more
compact compared to the previous fabrication and is evident in
Figure 3.3. Also, a trimmer capacitor is used in the tank circuit
instead of a ceramic capacitor used in the first fabrication, and the
coiling of the inductor is changed. The expected result should be
a result better than the previous one, but instead, it is the opposite.
During the radio scanning, only the frequencies of the high-power
radio stations are detected. So the trimmer capacitor is adjusted,
that should have the same effect to its frequency. But still, no
other frequencies are detected.
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 Figure 3.4
The third fabrication attempt is done and from a gauge of 22
with 7 turns, the inductor is changed to a gauge of 18 with 4 turns
and a total of 12mm length as shown in Figure 3.4. Without
adjusting the 4pF – 40pF trimmer capacitor, a transmission is
detected at 102.2 MHz. With a maximum distance approximately
11 ft., the voice input is clearly heard with some noise included.
Changing the input medium to an audio jack, the transmission in
the said frequency was gone. The antenna was moved, but still,
the transmitting frequency is not detected.
Carefully adjusting the antenna to its original position, the
clear transmission is changed to 102.1 MHz, but there’s still no
sign of the transmission when the input is audio jack.
Setting aside the circuit for a few hours, and trying it again,
the transmitting frequency jumped to 101.4 MHz. Despite being
in the center of two high-power operating radio stations, 101.1
and 101.9 MHz, the voice input is still transmitting clearly.
Figure 3.5
The group then carefully included the switches for the main
circuit and the control for which input will be used as shown in
Figure 3.5. But upon simulating the revised circuit, the previous
transmission was gone. The trimmer capacitor is adjusted so that
the operating frequency of the circuit will also be adjusted but no
matter how much adjusting is done in the capacitor, no
transmission is being detected.
Another fabrication is done which follows the same
specifications of inductor (turns, gauge, and length), and an
unturned trimmer capacitor. This time, the switches are already
included in the circuit before performing a trial to avoid the same
thing that happened in the previous one. The output product is
shown in Figure 3.6, which can be considered a replica of the third
fabrication.
Figure 3.6
The circuit is then simulated and transmission is detected in
89.1 MHz for it is the station which provides a feedback sound in
the receiver. Slightly calibrating the trimmer capacitor, the
frequency jump to 89.5 MHz. While the trial is being done, bad
reception happens and the frequency is being shifted by a 0.1
increment. As observed and tested, the transmission using electret
microphone and the audio jack has a range of 89.0 – 90.0 MHz.
The speaker or the input voice shouldn’t be too close to the
electret microphone, for it transmits greater when the voice is far
but of enough distance.
The operating frequency can be considered critical during
simulation because three high-power radio stations are included
in the bandwidth which are 89.1, 89.5, and 89.9 MHz. This affects
the maximum distance the receiver can receive the signal being
transmitted by the circuit. Despite of having a very short distance,
it transmits clearly and minimum noise is being tolerated. Once
the receiver exceeds the given distance, the high-power
transmission will be detected and the transmission of the circuit
will be gone.
The group fixed the circuit in its case to avoid the sensitive
components from being moved and retain its operating frequency.
Shown in Figure 3.7 is the final output for the FM transmitter that
operates at a range of 89.0 – 90.0 MHz.
Figure 3.7
Since the fourth fabrication is an exact replica of the third in
terms of the values and placements of the components, the group
decided to fix and change the inductor of the third fabrication
then, set the wires of the switches to a shorter one. When
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simulated, the operating frequency was detected at the range of
103.7 – 104.2 MHz.
Unlike the transmitter operating at 89.0 – 90.0 MHz that
clearly transmits the input signal, this revised fabrication clearly
transmits the input using audio jack with a maximum length of 22
ft. In terms of the input using electret microphone, the operating
signal jump to 103.8 MHz but the reception is very noisy. The
input signal is audible though not understandable.
Figure 3.8
Also fixing this circuit to its corresponding case, the output
hardware is shown in Figure 3.8 and even though the transmission
using electret microphone is not clear enough to be understand,
the functionality of this circuit in terms of the audio jack input is
beyond expectations enough to be fixed and presented.
The final FM transmitters produced are shown in Figure 3.9,
carefully labelled of its operating frequency.
Figure 3.9
Summarizing all the results obtained in all the simulations
done to achieve the desired results, there are important parameters
that needs to be considered. First is the tank circuit which includes
the trimmer capacitor and the inductor. Based on the formula,𝑓𝑜 =
1
, the capacitance and the inductance contributes to the
2𝜋√𝐿𝐶
operating frequency and when one of it is changed, so is the
frequency. That’s why when the trimmer capacitor is adjusted,
the operating frequency will jump to another band of frequency.
In terms of inductor, the length, spacing, number of turns, and
gauge of the wire is important and should be monitored from
time-to-time. If possible, the inductor should be fixed during
simulation.
Another parameter to be considered is the antenna. Similar
to the inductor, the antenna should be fixed in terms of its position
because based on the simulations done in this project, when the
antenna is moved, even slightly, the transmission will be gone and
the operating frequency will be shifted. This is due to the absence
the coupler that makes any antenna resistive. Since the group
didn’t use a coupler in the design, the antenna is not resistive and
therefore, should be fixed.
In terms of resistor, small wattage is recommended, for it
occupies minimum spaces in the fabricated circuit and contributes
less in the noise transmitted. Also, wires used in connecting
explicit components of the circuit should be of minimum length
for it also affects the transmission of the circuit. Lastly, the circuit
should very compact to have a better transmission. Transmitter
circuits with very large spacing among components is less likely
to perform the desired operation.
IV. CONCLUSION
To conclude, the FM transmission is clearly demonstrated by
the circuit used in this project. The tank of the circuit which
dictates the frequency of operation is one of the most vital part.
The computation through the use of formula discussed in the
Results and Analysis is observed and used. However, there is a
big difference in the expected frequency and the actual frequency.
This is because of the limitation in making the inductor, to
produce a desired inductance. The coiling, the diameter, the
length of the inductor, and the gauge of the wire used is found to
very significant in making the inductor. To get the inductance
needed, the said parameters should all be considered in
approximating its value.
The feedback between the FM transmitter and the receiver is
the indicator that the transmission of signals is happening in that
frequency. The noise which aids in the transmission affects the
clarity of the signal. There are cases that the noise is more evident
than the modulating signal. That is why, the placement of the
components in the circuit board must also be considered together
with length of wires used if any, and the condition of the
atmosphere. The condition of the atmosphere is observed to be
stable in dawn or in early morning.
Lastly, the bandwidth or the range of transmission is wide.
Also, the device is very sensitive, small movements of the
antenna affects the point of frequency in the FM range. The first
good transmission is happened at 102.1 MHz to 102.2. The
second attempt happened at a range of frequency of 101.4 MHz
to 101.6 MHz, and the last try is at 100.5 MHz but more noise
than the signal. Thus, the device, specially its antenna is very
sensitive. The conclusion in this case is that the length of the
antenna also affects the frequency of operation of the circuit.
Since there are many high-power FM transmitters established
and built, it is therefore concluded that those high power
transmitters can easily transmit signals and interfere those low-
power ones. The audio signals coming from the high-power
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transmitter can easily be heard in an FM receiver than that of
signals came from low-power. However, if the receiver is near to
a low power transmitter, the signals from the low-power
transmitter will be received by the said receiver.

Anne Loraine L. Avelino

Vincent N. Galang

Allona Jane M. Nañoz

Justine Roy A. Punzalan

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