ABSTRACT

The study investigates comparative analysis of signal strength generated by silver bird and Glory FM which are the selected Frequency Modulation (FM) station in Yenagoa. The signal strength meter (SSM) used for this investigation was designed and constructed. The signal strength was measured at a distance of 5 km intervals field of view from the transmitter’s antenna and in places within the selected pathways, till the signal faded totally. A travel distance application which uses global positioning receiver system (GPRS) was used to measure the distances of the study locations from the broadcasting station. The data gotten was plotted graphically to ascertain the difference in signal strength with distance along the routes, where the study was carried out. The results obtained from this study revealed that the strength of signal was stronger in locations close to and in the same direction with the antenna but was relatively weak at locations antipodal to the antenna. The overall results show that distance from the transmission is a major parameter to be contemplated on for better and effective FM propagation and reception. Other factors that affect the signal strength from the results of this study are time of broadcasting, temperature, height and direction of the receiving antenna and interference from nearby FM stations. It was recommended that a unidirectional antenna be acquired to enhance better transmission of the signal along the different routes of study.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

• INTRODUCTION
• BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
• PROBLEM STATEMENT
• AIM OF THE PROJECT
• OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
• METHODOLOGY
• SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
• RESEARCH QUESTION

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

• OVERVIEW OF SIGNAL STRENGTH
• REVIEW OF RELATED WORKS
• CAUSES OF POOR FM RADIO RECEPTION
• HOW TO FIX POOR FM RADIO RECEPTION
• FACTORS CAUSING SIGNAL STRENGTH VARIATION
• OVERVIEW OF RADIO BAYELSA “GLORY FM 97.1
• OVERVIEW OF SILVERBIRD FM YENAGOA

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

• MATERIAL USED
• MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0     RESULT AND ANALYSIS

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

• SUMMARY
• CONCLUSION
• RECOMMENDATION

5.2Suggestion for Further Research

• REFERENCES

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                                        INTRODUCTION

1.1                                           BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Poor reception in telecommunication is almost impossible to avoid or prevent because of both human and natural factors. Changes in signal strength received are greatly affected by atmospheric parameters (Amajama, 2016). Temperature appears to have a notable undesirable effect on signal strength generated, whereas high relative humidity may have certain effect on signal strength, most especially below 0◦C [Jari et al, 2015]. Other factors are noise, poor reception, power of the transmitter and receiver, boosting i.e. the number of repeater stations, frequency/wavelength of the signal, height of the antenna [Mike, 2009]. Interference is presently the major obstacle to growing spectral effectiveness in cellular linkages and radio communication [Jared, 2017].

Silverbird and Glory fm, like every other Radio station, has areas of poor signal reception. Some of these regions are not as a result of a technical deficit at the station; rather due to geographical structure such as mounds, mountains edifices and trees. To find out these areas with poor signal strength, a field strength meter was used to measure the signal strength generated by the transmitter.

This research is aimed at carrying out a comparative analysis of the signals generated by silverbird and Glory  FM transmitter of the Yenagoa, Nigeria, by using a constructed signal strength meter. It focuses on measuring using a range of distance along some selected route from the transmitter of Yenagoa and to identify the major causes of poor signal within the study area.

1.2                                          THESIS MOTIVATION

The rate at which FM radio stations have swept the world in recent time, has been so swift, and has been a major advancement in technology. But Nigeria being the giant of Africa in terms of market size of 200 million still does not get the best benefit out of this technology advancement which is also slowly evolving but not still able to spread its coverage to many parts of the country.

With the establishment of quality and digital transmitters ,  one would be tempted to think that the best services should be rendered, but we seem to be far from there.

The need then arouses to check what would have been the problem of these providers. Visualizing that receivers face more problems when receiving from different location, thus, a reason for that should be found there has always existed claims of effect of the radio signals system existing on humans, yet Nigeria in particular and African in general get even crazier about the signal strength variation.

The existence of signal strength variation of fm radio system has been a challenge in the telecommunication sector. Yenagoa city witness signal strength variation when receiving from different radio stations in the city. Being one of the indigent of this city it has been a motivation to me to undertake my final year project to compare the signals received from two radio stations in yenagoa – silverbird and Glory fm.

1.3                                          PROBLEM STATEMENT

Radio broadcasting has been the best communication device nationwide. A study on signal strength analysis of two fm radio broadcasting stations is taking into consideration (silverbird and Glory fm). This study was carried out in other to make sure that the signal strength of the stations are known over the city.

1.4                                          AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this project is to analyze and compare the signal strength of two FM radio broadcasting stations (silverbird and Glory FM) in Yenagoa.

1.5                                              OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objectives of this study are:

1. To determine the signal strength of the two selected radio stations in that area.
2. To outline the causes of signal strength variation of two FM radio broadcasting stations (silverbird and Glory FM)

• To outline Proper solution to the problem in the first stage

1.6                                                      METHODOLOGY

1. First stage of research involve going to the two fm radio broadcasting stations (silverbird and Glory fm) to inquire about their signal strength, taking measurement and knowing the strength of the transmitter used.
2. Second stage of this research is collection of some data from of two fm radio broadcasting stations (silverbird and Glory fm)

• Third stage of the research work is by downloading journals and browsing for necessary information

1.7                                          SCOPE OF STUDY

The project focused on analyzing signal strength of two FM radio broadcasting stations (silverbird and Glory FM) located in Yenagoa Bayelsa State. A signal strength meter was used in measuring the signal strength of the two stations.

1.8                                                   RESEARCH QUESTION

At the end of this work, answers to the following questions shall be made known:

1. What signal strength means?
2. How do you measure RF signal strength?

• What is acceptable signal strength?

1. What causes low signal strength in radio stations?
2. What is a good RF signal?

1.9                                           SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be a means of making the students involved in this work to become familiar with radio transmission and to learn how the signal generated from radio stations can be calculated and compared.

Readers of this work shall be able to know factors that affect radio signal at the receiving end and how to improve it.

This study would help radio station operators to enhance coverage, improve quality and increase capacity in the days to come.