University of Management and Technology Lahore

School of Engineering
Department of Electrical Engineering
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Hardware Implementation of an FM Audio Transmitter and Receiver
Complex Engineering Problem
Semester: Fall 2020
Course: Communication Systems (EE 410)
Maximum Marks 15/100
Submission Date: Monday Week 13
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Resource Persons: Dr Jameel Ahmad, Muhammad Asim Butt, Khalid Ijaz
Emails: {jameel.ahmad, asim.butt, khalid.ijaz} @umt.edu.pk

TABLE I
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLOs).
CLO Description
CLO 1 Use theorems such as Parseval/Rayleigh Energy’s theorem and tools such as Fourier
transform to represent and analyze signals in time and frequency domain as well as
understand the characteristics of distortion-less communication channel. (C4).
CLO 2 Identify and differentiate various blocks in Amplitude and Frequency/Phase
Modulation/Demodulation. Analyze the working of AM/FM MODEMS using time and
frequency domain analysis. (C4)
CLO 3 Learn and evaluate performance parameters such as Bandwidth, Power and Signal-to-
Noise Ratio of communication receivers. (C6)
CLO 4 Design AM and FM transmitter and receiver to achieve the desired performance
specifications. (C6)
TABLE II
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES (PLOs) FOR CEP.
PLO Description
2 Problem Analysis: An ability to identify, formulate, research literature, and analyze
complex engineering problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first
principles of mathematics, natural sciences and engineering sciences.
3 Design/Development of Solutions: An ability to design solutions for complex
engineering problems and design systems, components or processes that meet
specified needs with appropriate consideration for public health and safety, cultural,
societal, and environmental considerations.
TABLE III
Range of Complex Problem Solving
S. No. Attribute Complex Problems
2 Range of conflicting Involve wide-ranging or conflicting technical, engineering
requirements and other issues.
3 Depth of analysis Have no obvious solution and require abstract thinking,
required originality in analysis to formulate suitable models
4 Depth of knowledge Requires research-based knowledge much of which is at, or
required informed by, the forefront of the professional discipline and
which allows a fundamentals-based, first principles
analytical approach.
5 Familiarity of issues Involve infrequently encountered issues
9 Interdependence Are high level problems including many component parts or
sub-problems.
TABLE IV
ASSESSMENT RUBRIC AND DELIVERABLES (MAX. MARKS:15).
Assessment Criteria CEP Attribute CLO / Outstanding Effective Inadequate
PLO
Problem analysis Familiarity of issues 2/2 3 2 1
resulting in
constraints to be
imposed on
solution
Select appropriate Depth of analysis 3/2 3 2 1
Components required
Design subblocks at Depth of knowledge 4/3 3 2 1
Circuit Level/ IC required
Low cost , low Range of conflicting 3/3 3 2 1
power and High requirements
SNR
Show Interdependence 4/3 2 2 1
interdependence
of submodules and
their
communication
System Description:
Frequency modulation is used for sound broadcasting, mobile and radio relay systems in the VHF,
UHF and SHF bands respectively. Efficiency and bandwidth of FM signal depends on maximum
modulating frequency and modulation index. FM offers better efficiency in terms of bandwidth
and immunity to noise when compared with AM and PM. Though the side-band structure is quite
complex but the efficiency is normally enhanced by making the bandwidth larger. A tradeoff is
made between efficiency and performance. The modulation index can be varied based on the
application. This CEP attempts to design a 88-108 MHz FM transmitter and receiver that can be
used for FM radio system.

Fig.1. FM communication system block diagram

Fundamental components of frequency modulator include amplifier, modulator, oscillator, power

amplifier and antenna system as shown in Fig.2. Frequency modulator is that particular electronic circuit
that generates frequency modulated signal. This device modifies the frequency coming from an oscillator
with respect to the information signal’s amplitude. Frequency changes proportionally with the change in
amplitude if the modulation is linear. Oscillator operates in higher frequency generally use either
inductance-capacitance tuned circuits or piezoelectric crystals to generate carrier. By changing the value
of capacitance or inductance frequency can be tuned in accordance with the modulating signal. Typically,
varactor diode is utilized to change the frequency in accordance with the information signal. To obtain
precise control over the carrier frequency, piezoelectric crystals are used in frequency modulator. These
crystals are comparable to a series LC tuned circuit with an exceptionally high-quality factor. The crystal
holder has a small capacitance which is in parallel with the crystal and therefore causes parallel resonance
at a slightly higher frequency than the series resonant frequency of the crystal.

Fig.2. FM Transmitter
 Fig.3. FM Waveform
Low power received RF signal is boost up through the power amplifier which is an electronic
amplifier that drives the antenna of a transmitter. RF amplifier is a tuned amplifier used in radio
communications to amplify the signal. Value of inductance and capacitance are changed to obtain
the desired frequency at which maximum gain occurs in an RF amplifier. The shunt capacitance
allows high gain at radio frequencies because it unfavorably affects the gain of a resistance-
capacitance coupled amplifier. There are different types of RF amplifiers and the categories are
based on frequency range, supply current, supply voltage, noise figure, gain, output power at 1
dB compression and packaging type. Classification of RF amplifiers includes, Gain Blocks, RF Low
Noise Amplifier, RF Low Power Amplifier or RF Power Amplifiers.

Fig.4. FM Receiver
Problem Statement
Design and implement FM Transmitter-receiver at circuit level. Simulation can be done in any appropriate
simulation software. However final solution should be implemented using transistors/MOSFETs/ICs and
other discrete electronic components. Use the following design parameters given in the table V.

TABLE V
Design Parameters and Specifications
Parameters Value
Information Speech signal (0-20kHz)
signal/Message signal
Modulation Index 3
Noise random
Antenna Length <50cm

Operational voltage 9VDC

Transmission Range <100m
Transmit Power Adjustable
Receiver SNR >50dB

The Carrier frequency used in the FM communication system will be the average of the last two digits of
the student’s ID in a group. For example:
TABLEVI
Carrier Frequency
Student ID Last 2 digits Average Carrier Frequency
F2017019089 89
89 + 90 + 91
F2017019090 90 90 MHz
F2017019091 91 3

Tasks to be included in Report ( 10-15 pages, with appropriate references)

1. Derive the relationship between the Bandwidth and frequency deviation of the system.
2. Calculate the Bandwidth (BW) of the system using the selected parameters.
3. Prepare the plots of audio signal, noise, corrupted audio signal, carrier signal and the transmitter
components such as modulator output, output of the amplifier in time-domain and frequency
domain.
4. Indicate the sidebands in the modulated signal spectrum.
5. Select suitable channel model and explain the choice of your selection.
6. Plot the received audio signal at the receiver front end (after antenna) in both time domain and
frequency domain.
7. Compare the received audio signal with the transmitted audio signal to check if the signal is
faithfully reconstructed/received.
8. Calculate Signal-to-noise (SNR) at the Output of the receiver.

Submission Rules and Regulations

1) 3 students are allowed to make a group of 3 students.
2) Although team work is encouraged and also carry weight in this assessment, each individual
would also be evaluated separately.
3) A complete report has to be submitted by each group.