Mansia, Maidy Anne P. Pearedonda, Limuel R. Upao, Sherwin Harvey M.

EC41FA2/Chapters 1 and 2: DRAFT/September 20, 2012

CHAPTER I: Introduction

Listening to radio has become part of our daily life. None of our lives might have been passed without tuning into an FM Station for various reasons. It does not only bring entertainment towards the listeners but it also gives important updates and provides various information on what is happening around us. This project is designed to focus more on developing, designing and making a simple FM receiver as well as analysing its function in connection to frequencies. Throughout the project, the researchers should be able to figure out how many Radio Channels were being received and the functionality of FM Receiver for these will be the basis of the efficacy and effectiveness of the project. Today, radio is used for many forms of communication from long distance satellite communications to personal cellular phones that are widely used in the global market. In addition to, wireless communications are becoming more important for data as demonstrated by the rapid growth of wireless fidelity (wi-fi). One of the most common radios being spread out globally is the FM Radio. FM (Frequency Modulation) is a form of modulation that represents information as variations in the instantaneous frequency of a carrier wave. FM is commonly used at VHF radio frequencies for high fidelity broadcasts of musical and speech. [1]

Conceptual Framework

This project exemplifies to some extent the concepts, design and implementation on how a simple F.M. Receiver functions. It aims to build a working FM radio receiver that receives good and audible radio channels following the instructions given on the electronics kit. This chapter presents an overview of the functionality of a radio in receiving several ranges of frequencies in some areas.

Figure 2.1 shows how a signal is being modulated under frequency modulation.

Signals being received by the antenna are very low thus these are ought to be amplified (LNA) and tuned to desired frequencies to avoid interference. Detector finds the information signal from the RF signal. Further amplification is needed to give it enough power to drive a loudspeaker so that a clearer sound from the radio can be heard. [2] From the figure above, FM radio uses the electrical image of a sound source to modulate the frequency of a carrier wave. In the detection process, the image is stripped back off the carrier and turned back into sound by a loudspeaker. [3] Carrier waves are being generated at the transmitter passing through a frequency modulator. The signal will then be modulated. Electrical image of sound being transmitted were then be formed through a microphone or speaker.

Figure 2.2 displays how a simple FM radio works.

There are signals from many radio transmitters in this band inducing signal voltages in the aerial. The rf amplifier selects and amplifies the desired station from the many. The mixer and oscillator form a FREQUENCY CHANGER circuit and the output

from the mixer is the intermediate frequency. Some of the audio is fed back to the oscillator as an AUTOMATIC FREQUENCY CONTROL voltage.

This ensures that the oscillator frequency is stable in spite of temperature changes. Afterwards, the audio signal voltage is increased in amplitude by a voltage amplifier. Finally, the power level is increased sufficiently to drive the loudspeaker by the power amplifier.[4]

References: [1]http://www.hobbyprojects.com/block_diagrams/fm_receiver.html [2]http://www.docstoc.com/docs/33917179/Block-Diagram-of-FM-Receiver-Block-Diagram-ofFM-Receiver-FM-Receivers [3]http://www.ee.ic.ac.uk/hp/staff/dmb/courses/DSPDF/01400_FmRadio.pdf [4]http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/rf-technology-design/superheterodyne-radioreceiver/block-diagram.php