TRANSMITTER FUNDAMENTALS

TRANSMITTER FUNDAMENTALS

The transmitter is the electronic unit that accepts the information

signal to be trans mitted and converts it to an RF signal capable
of being transmitted over long distances.
 4 BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF A
TRANSMITTER

1. It must generate a carrier signal of the correct frequency at a

desired point in the spectrum.
2. It must provide some form of modulation that causes the
information signal to modify the carrier signal.
3. It must provide sufficient power amplification to ensure that
the signal level is high enough to carry over the desired
distance.
4. It must provide circuits that match the impedance of the
power amplifi er to that of the antenna for maximum transfer
of power.
 TRANSMITTER CONFIGURATIONS

Continuous-wave (CW) transmission

• A basic transmitter uses a single transistor to create a carrier signal.
• This signal can be turned on/off to send Morse code (dots and
dashes).
• Adding a power amplifier boosts the signal strength, making it reach
farther.
• This simple setup forms the core of most radio transmitters.
• Nowadays transmitters such as this are built only by amateur (ham)
radio operators for what is called QRP or low-power operation for
personal hobby communication.
CONTINUOUS-WAVE (CW) TRANSMISSION

The CW transmitter can be greatly

improved by simply adding a power
amplifier to it, as illustrated in Fig. 8-1. The
oscillator is still keyed off and on to
produce dots and dashes, and the amplifier
increases the power level of the signal. The
result is a stronger signal that carries
farther and produces more reliable
transmission. The basic oscillator-amplifier
combination shown in Fig. 8-1 is the basis
for virtually all radio transmitters. Many
other circuits are added depending on the
type of modulation used, the power level,
and other considerations.
 HIGH-LEVEL AM TRANSMITTERS

• A high-level AM transmitter is designed to operate at high power

levels, suitable for applications like broadcast radio (e.g., AM stations).
• These transmitters produce stronger signals that can reach wider
areas. Modulation at High Power: In high-level transmitters, modulation
(combining audio and carrier signals) occurs at the final power stage.
• This requires a powerful audio amplifier to drive the modulation,
ensuring the signal maintains quality even at high output levels.
• Common in AM radio broadcasting, where transmitters need to cover
long distances with clear, reliable signals.
HIGH-LEVEL AM TRANSMITTERS

• Oscillator (Crystal Oscillator)

Generates carrier frequency, stable and precise.

• Buffer Amplifier (Class A)

Isolates oscillator from other stages to keep frequency stable.

Provides a slight increase in power output.

• Driver Amplifier (Class C)

Boosts signal power to prepare for final amplification.

• Final Power Amplifier ("The Final")

Amplifies signal to full power for transmission.

Power levels vary: CB radios (~5W), AM radio stations (250W - 50kW).

Uses transistors (or vacuum tubes for very high power).

• Microphone and Audio Amplifier:

Converts voice into an electrical signal, then boosts it to a usable level.

• Speech Processing:

Filtering: Restricts voice frequencies (300-3000 Hz) for clear

communication.AM Broadcast

Range: Can go up to 5-10 kHz for better sound quality.

 LOW-LEVEL FM TRANSMITTERS.

• Modulation is performed at low power levels on the carrier,

followed by amplification by power amplifiers.
• This approach works for both AM and FM.
• FM transmitters using low-level modulation are more common
than AM transmitters using the same method.
FM TRANSMITTER

Indirect FM Generation:
• A stable crystal oscillator generates the
carrier signal.
• A buffer amplifier isolates the oscillator
from the rest of the circuit.
• The carrier signal is applied to a phase
modulator.
Voice Input:
• Amplified and processed to limit the
frequency range and prevent
overdeviation.
• The output from the modulator is the
desired FM signal.
 SSB TRANSMITTERS (SINGLE-
SIDEBAND TRANSMITTER)

• Uses a carrier signal combined with audio for speech

processing.
• After modulation, only one sideband (upper or lower) is
sent, saving bandwidth.
• Uses a mixer to adjust the frequency for the final output,
making it suitable for various communication devices.
 VFO (VARIABLE FREQUENCY
OSCILLATOR)

• Generates different frequencies for tuning purposes.

• Useful in devices like amateur radios, where users may
need to adjust frequency ranges.
SSB TRANSMITTER
• Carrier Oscillator:
- Generates the initial carrier signal, which is the base frequency for the transmission.
• Buffer Amplifier:
- Stabilizes the carrier signal and isolates it from other stages, ensuring it maintains a stable frequency when passed to the next stage.
• Audio Input (Microphone, Audio Amplifier, and Speech Processing):
- The microphone captures the audio inputs.
- The audio amplifier strengthens the microphone signal
- Speech processing conditions the audio signal, enhancing clarity and preventing over-modulation
• Balanced Modulator:
- Combines the carrier signal and processed audio signal to produce a double-sideband (DSB) signal, which includes both upper and
lower sidebands.
• Sideband Filter:
- Removes one of the sidebands (either upper or lower) from the DSB signal, leaving only a single sideband (SSB) signal. This reduces
bandwidth and transmission power.
• Mixer:
- The SSB signal is sent to the mixer, where it is combined with a signal from a local oscillator (LO).
- The mixer shifts the SSB signal to the desired operating frequency by adding or subtracting frequencies. The tuned circuit then selects
the correct output frequency, either the sum or difference frequency, depending on the required output.
• Linear Driver Amplifier:
- Boosts the signal strength without distorting it, preparing it for the final power amplification stage.
• Final Linear Power Amplifier:
- Provides the final level of amplification to the SSB signal, making it strong enough for transmission.
- This stage uses class A or AB amplifiers to prevent signal distortion, preserving the integrity of the SSB signal
• Antenna:
- The amplified SSB signal is transmitted over the air through the antenna.
 DIGITAL TRANSMITTERS

A device that sends information by converting data into digital

signals and then transmitting those signals as electromagnetic
waves (like radio waves) over a communication medium (such as
the air or cables). In modern communication systems, digital
transmitters are commonly used in devices like cell phones, Wi-Fi
routers, and digital TV broadcasts.
DIGITAL TRANSMITTERS
 DIGITAL TRANSMITTERS

Digital Signal Processing (DSP)

•Most digital radios (e.g., cell phones) use DSP to handle data modulation and processing.
•Serial data to be transmitted is sent to the DSP, which generates two data streams.
Conversion and Filtering
•The data streams from the DSP are sent to Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs), converting them into analog
signals.
•These analog signals pass through a Low-Pass Filter (LPF) to remove unwanted high frequencies.
Mixing and Frequency Up-Conversion
•The filtered signals are sent to mixers, which adjust them to the desired output frequency.
•Mixers receive a secondary input from an oscillator or frequency synthesizer, selecting the operating
frequency.
Quadrature Signals
•The oscillator produces two signals: one sine wave and one cosine wave (shifted by 90°).
•The sine wave is the In-Phase (I) signal, and the cosine wave is the Quadrature (Q) signal.
Signal Output and Amplification
•Signals from both mixers are combined, then amplified by the Power Amplifier (PA) for transmission.
Receiving and Demodulation
•At the receiver, quadrature signals are used to decode and demodulate the signal, allowing the DSP to recover
the transmitted data.
•Modulation types are flexible, handled by algorithms within the DSP.