I.

DISCUSSION OF FM
The process of modulation simply means the usage of information signal systematically
in order to vary certain parameters of the carrier signal. The information signal is the signal that
is wanted to be transmitted. It is rarely to be transmitted as it is because it must be processed
first. It is converted from audio into electric signal in order to be use in an electromagnetic
transmission.Then, it is use to modulate a carrier signal. On the other hand, the carrier signal is
basically used for two reasons which is to reduce the wavelength for efficient reception and
transmission, and to allow simultaneous use of the same channel (which is also called
multiplexing).[1]The types of modulation can be categorized as Amplitude Modulation, Phase
Modulation and Frequency Modulation. In this project, the students only focused on Frequency
Modulation wherein they were able to design and create an FM Radio Receiver.
Frequency Modulation has been widely used for many decades up to the modern age.
Despite of the digital transmission and other upgrades in the field of communications that is used
these days, Frequency Modulation is still relevant and is an important form of modulation. It has
been essential in a variety of radio communications applications.FM Broadcasts are on the Very
High Frequency (VHF) bands. It is still use in mobile radio communications. Also, it can be used
in a variety of forms of two way radio communications. Frequency modulation is a form of
analog angle modulation in which the baseband information carrying signal, typically called the
message or information signal varies the frequency of a carrier wave. Audio signals transmitted
by FM radio communications are the most common. The low bandwidth digital information
known as Radio Data System (RDS) in Europe FM radio can also transmit digital data. In the
U.S. this low bandwidth digital information is known as Radio Broadcast Data System (RBDS).
[2]

There are different methods on how you can apply modulation to a signal. One of them is
by superimposing the audio signal into amplitude of the carrier. Another method is by varying

the frequency of the signal in order to obtain Frequency Modulation or FM.With the variation of
the frequency of the signal, the modulating signal also changes. One of the important aspects of
the Frequency Modulation is its deviation. It is the amount by which the signal frequency
varies.Also, it is used to determine the bandwidth of the overall signal. Different deviation used
in FM is used in different application. For example, 75 kHz is typically used deviation for the
broadcast stations that is in the VHF portion of the frequency spectrum that is between 88.5 and
108 MHz.Apparently, it involves a large of bandwidth that is also the sole reason why it is also
known as wideband FM(WBFM).These signals are efficient in supporting high quality
transmissions. Usually 200 kHz is allowed for each wideband FM Transmission. On the other
hand, less bandwidth is necessary in radio communication purposes. Narrowband FM (NBFM)
uses only deviation of 3 kHz or even a little lower than it. Radio communications application
hasnt given much of importance thus, the quality of it is not really necessary. In terms of radio
spectrum efficiency, much narrower bandwidth has advantages.[3]
The amount of how much the modulated variable of the carrier signal varies around its

unmodulated level is called the modulated index. It can be simply represented as

wherein

is the frequency deviation and

fm

m=

f
fm

is the modulation frequency. Apparently,

the modulation index will vary according to the frequency that is modulating the transmitted
carrier and the amount of deviation. It is necessary to know the bandwidth because it contains
approximately 98% of the signal power. The bandwidth can be easily computed simply as twice
the sum of the frequency deviation and the modulating frequency or simply as: B=2( f + fm)
.
II.DESCRIPTION OF FM RADIO
Radio stations broadcast over different frequencies making it possible for them to be
broadcasting at the same time. Radio receivers such as FM radios are designed to focus on a
single frequency of radio waves corresponding to a radio station and turn it into sounds. These
kind of devices are also used in a lot of communication technology including television sets,

radar equipment, two-way radios, cell phones, wireless computer networks, GPS navigation
devices, satellite dishes, radio telescopes, Bluetooth enabled devices, garage door openers, and
baby monitors.

The prototype in this project is a regenerative circuit that allows an electronic signal to be
amplified many times by the same active device. It consists of an amplifying vacuum tube or
transistor with its output connected to its input through a feedback loop, providing positive
feedback.

III. Design
A. Parts List
Material

Qt

Unit

Total

Ceramic

y
15PF 1

Price
1.00

1.00

50V
Ceramic

4.7PF 1

1.00

1.00

50V
Ceramic

102uF 2

1.00

2.00

50V
Ceramic

472uF 1

1.00

1.00

50V
Ceramic

473uF 2

1.00

2.00

50V
Ceramic

104uF 1

2.00

2.00

50V
Electrolytic 10uF 1

1.50

1.50

16V
Electrolytic

1.50

1.50

100uF 10V
Electrolytic

2.00

2.00

220uF 16V
10KOhms

0.50

0.50

1/4Watt
10Ohms 1/4Watt
1K

1
1

0.50
8.00

0.50
8.00

Potentiometer
10K

10.00

10.00

Potentiometer
Presensitized

110.00

110.0

Printed

Circuit

Board
Ferric Chloride
1
Mini
Slide 1

40.00
8.25

4.00
8.25

Switch
Baby Jack
MPF102

1
1

6.50
10.00

6.50
10.00

Transistor
LM386N-1
1
IC Holder 8-Pin 1
Condenser 15- 1

30.00
3.00
19.00

30.00
3.00
19.00

120pF
Soldering Lead

20.00

20.00
279.7

B. Schematic Design

Figure 4.1: A one transistor super-regenerative FM radio receiver

This radio uses a capacitor-inductor loop for tuning, a single transistor for the detector part and
the LM386 IC for audio amplification.
The first part of the circuit is the reception antenna in a form of an electrical conductor, where
voltages of various frequencies and amplitudes can be induced, under the influence of
electromagnetic fields from various radio transmitters of radio companies. The capacitor that
takes the signal from the antenna is C1and is therefore called coupled capacitor. . The
capacitance depends upon the length of the antenna. Through this coupling, the signals from the
antenna are being led into the oscillatory circuit. Its main role is to separate the signal of station
the receiver is tuned at from multitude of voltages existing in the antenna, amplify that signal and
turns it over to the detector.

The frequency is being adjusted by means of the variable capacitor C. Desired frequencies can be
obtained here thereby tuning in to a desired radio station frequency. The 10k potentiometer
controls the volume, so it is the one where amplification of the signal is dependent on. It is
connected to the PIN 3 of the audio amplifier, LM386. The power amplification part of the
receiver circuit is done by the IC LM386, the PIN1 and PIN8 is connected by a capacitor to have
amplification between 20 and 200. PIN 5 is where the audio output is connected, along with a
capacitor which is connected also to the ground. The headphones are the electro acoustic
convertor that transforms electrical signal into the sound.

IV.PROTOTYPE
V.RESULTS
REFERENCES:

[1]

Frequency

Modulation,

Retrieved

From:

Frequency

Modulation

http://fas.org/man/dod-

101/navy/docs/es310/FM.htm
[2]

Poole,

Ian,What

is

FM:

Tutorial,

Retrieved

From:http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/rf-technology-design/fm-frequencymodulation/what-is-fm-tutorial.php
[3]

Der,

Lawrence,Frequency

Modulation

(FM)

Tutorial

Retrieved

From:

http://www.silabs.com/Marcom%20Documents/Resources/FMTutorial.pdf
[4] website: http://www.mikroe.com/old/books/rrbook/chapter3/chapter3c.htm
[5]website:http://web.archive.org/web/20090121123846/http://braincambre500.freeservers.com/r
ss(1)(1)(1).htm#ac