Design And Construction Of A Crystal AM Transmitter
The design and construction of a crystal AM transmitter involves meticulous planning and execution to ensure optimal performance and adherence to regulatory standards. Beginning with the selection of high-quality components such as a crystal oscillator, modulator circuitry, and RF amplifier, the transmitter’s architecture must balance efficiency, stability, and signal purity. Incorporating a robust power supply system and appropriate shielding to minimize interference is essential. Additionally, meticulous attention to antenna design and tuning facilitates optimal signal propagation. The construction process involves meticulous soldering, wiring, and testing to ensure proper functionality and compliance with FCC regulations. Emphasizing efficient circuit layout and grounding techniques enhances stability and reduces noise. Throughout the process, considerations for power efficiency, signal purity, and regulatory compliance guide the design and construction phases, resulting in a reliable and high-performance crystal AM transmitter ready for deployment in various communication applications.
ABSTRACT
Radio transmitter is described as an electronic device which produces radio waves with an antenna. The transmitter itself generates a radio frequency alternating current, which is applied to the antenna. When excited by this alternating current, the antenna radiates radio waves.
Amplitude modulation (AM) is a modulation technique used in electronic communication, most commonly for transmitting information via a radio carrier wave. In amplitude modulation, the amplitude (signal strength) of the carrier wave is varied in proportion to the waveform being transmitted. That waveform may, for instance, correspond to the sounds to be reproduced by a loudspeaker, or the light intensity of television pixels. This technique contrasts with frequency modulation, in which the frequency of the carrier signal is varied, and phase modulation, in which its phase is varied.
AM was the earliest modulation method used to transmit voice by radio. It was developed during the first two decades of the 20th century beginning with Landell de Moura and Reginald Fessenden’s radiotelephone experiments in 1900.[1] It remains in use today in many forms of communication; for example it is used in portable two-way radios, VHF aircraft radio, citizens band radio, and in computer modems (in the form of QAM). “AM” is often used to refer to mediumwave AM radio broadcasting.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE
APPROVAL PAGE
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ABSTRACT
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT
1.5 PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT
1.6 EFFECT OF NOISE ON AM TRANSMITTER
1.7 METHODOLOGY
1.8 PROJECT ORGANISATION
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 REVIEW OF RELATED STUDIES
2.2 REVIEW OF RELATED TERMS
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 CONSTRUCTION METHODOLOGY
3.1 SYSTEM CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
3.2 SYSTEM OPERATION
3.3 CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
3.4 SYSTEM CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
3.5 CIRCUIT OPERATION
3.6 IMPORTANCE AND FUNCTION OF THE MAJOR COMPONENTS USED IN THIS CIRCUIT
3.7 POWER SUPPLY UNIT
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULT ANALYSIS
4.0 CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURE AND TESTING
4.1 CASING AND PACKAGING
4.2 ASSEMBLING OF SECTIONS
4.3 TESTING
4.4.1 PRE-IMPLEMENTATION TESTING
4.4.2 POST-IMPLEMENTATION TESTING
4.5 RESULT
4.6 COST ANALYSIS
4.7 PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED
CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 CONCLUSION
5.2 RECOMMENDATION
5.3 REFERENCES
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Radio transmitter is an electronic device which produces radio waves with an antenna. The transmitter itself generates a radio frequency alternating current, which is applied to the antenna. When excited by this alternating current, the antenna radiates radio waves.
Amplitude modulation (AM) is a modulation technique used in electronic communication, most commonly for transmitting information via a radio carrier wave. In amplitude modulation, the amplitude (signal strength) of the carrier wave is varied in proportion to the waveform being transmitted. That waveform may, for instance, correspond to the sounds to be reproduced by a loudspeaker, or the light intensity of television pixels. This technique contrasts with frequency modulation, in which the frequency of the carrier signal is varied, and phase modulation, in which its phase is varied.
AM was the earliest modulation method used to transmit voice by radio. It was developed during the first two decades of the 20th century beginning with Landell de Moura and Reginald Fessenden’s radiotelephone experiments in 1900.[1] It remains in use today in many forms of communication; for example it is used in portable two-way radios, VHF aircraft radio, citizens band radio, and in computer modems (in the form of QAM). “AM” is often used to refer to medium wave AM radio broadcasting.
In AM radio broadcasting, the audio signal (music and speech) is used to modulate the amplitude of the carrier wave. In the receiver a rectifier (diode) is used to recover the audio waveform from the tuned signal and convert it to audio.
Some radio-controlled equipment uses AM as it’s method of modulation. Rather than using an audio signal to modulate the carrier, Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) or Pulse Position Modulation (PPM) is often used.
It is also very easy to modulate something like RS232 serial data onto an AM signal and AM was often used in early RF modems in telemetry and control. I have worked with both 27MHz and 35MHz AM telemetry over the years, although FM is more common today.
AM transmitters is very simple devices which is why they were invented before FM. For AM radio broadcasts on medium wave (526.5 kHz to 1606.5 kHz,) or long wave (153 to 279kHz), the simplest working receiver is a ‘crystal set’ which can be made from as few as five components (tuning coil, variable capacitor, germanium diode, small ceramic capacitor and a high impedance earphone).
1.2 OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
The objective of this work is to construct a transmitter that transmits a radio signal in a frequency of 526.5 kHz to 1606.5 kHz.
1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT
- Coverage area of AM transmitter is wider than FM because atmospheric propagation
- AM is long distance propagation
- AM Circuit is cheaper and non complex than FM.
- AM have bandwidth limited
1.4 PROBLEMS OF THE PROJECT
- The only one way to withstand to noise happen is increasing power of transmitter
- Signal of AM is not stronger than FM when it propagate to obstacle.
- Only one sideband of AM transmits Information Signal, So it loss power on other sideband and Carrier.
- Noise mixes AM Signal in amplitude when it propagates in free space that it make difficulty to recover Original Signal at receiver.
1.5 APPLICATIONS OF THE PROJECT
- Radio broadcasting
- Picture transmission in a TV system
1.6 EFFECT OF NOISE ON AM TRANSMITTER
When the AM wave travels from the transmitter to receiver over a communication channel, noise gets added to it.
The noise changes the amplitude of the envelope of AM in a random manner.
As the information is contained in the amplitude variations of the AM wave, the noise will contaminate the information contents in the AM.
Hence, the performance of AM is very poor in presence of noise.
1.7 METHODOLOGY
To achieve the aim and objectives of this work, the following are the steps involved:
- Study of the previous work on the project so as to improve it efficiency.
- Draw a block diagram.
- Test for continuity of components and devices,
- Design and calculation for the device was carried out.
- Studying of various component used in circuit.
- Construction of the circuit was carried out.
- Finally, the whole device was cased and final test was carried out.
1.8 PROJECT WORK ORGANISATION
The various stages involved in the development of this project have been properly put into five chapters to enhance comprehensive and concise reading. In this project thesis, the project is organized sequentially as follows:
Chapter one of this work is on the introduction to an fm transmitter. In this chapter, the background, significance, objective limitation and problem of an fm transmitter were discussed.
Chapter two is on literature review of an fm transmitter. In this chapter, all the literature pertaining to this work was reviewed.
Chapter three is on design methodology. In this chapter all the method involved during the design and construction were discussed.
Chapter four is on testing analysis. All testing that result accurate functionality was analyzed.
Chapter five is on conclusion, recommendation and references.
Design And Construction Of A Crystal AM Transmitter:
A crystal AM transmitter is a type of radio transmitter that utilizes a crystal oscillator to generate the carrier frequency for amplitude modulation (AM) transmission. Here’s a brief overview of how it works:
1. **Crystal Oscillator**: The heart of the transmitter is the crystal oscillator. A crystal oscillator is a circuit that uses the mechanical resonance of a vibrating crystal to create an accurate frequency signal. In the case of an AM transmitter, the crystal oscillator generates the carrier frequency, which is the base frequency onto which the audio signal is modulated.
2. **Modulation Circuit**: The audio signal, which typically comes from a microphone or other audio source, is modulated onto the carrier frequency. In AM modulation, the amplitude of the carrier signal is varied in accordance with the amplitude (volume) of the audio signal. This modulation circuit mixes the audio signal with the carrier frequency to produce the modulated signal.
3. **Amplification**: The modulated signal is then amplified to a level suitable for transmission. This amplification ensures that the signal is strong enough to be received over the desired distance.
4. **Antenna**: The amplified signal is then fed to an antenna. The antenna radiates the signal out into space, allowing it to be picked up by receivers tuned to the same frequency.
Crystal AM transmitters are often used in low-power applications such as hobbyist broadcasting, community radio stations, or in situations where a simple, cost-effective transmitter is required. They are relatively simple to build and operate compared to more complex transmitter designs, making them popular choices for educational purposes or small-scale broadcasting. However, their range is limited compared to higher-power transmitters, and they may be subject to interference from other radio sources due to their lower power output.