FM Transmitter

6
FM TRANSMITTER
Introduction
There is too much over-crowding in the AM broadcast bands and shrinkage in the night-
time service area due to fading, interference, etc. FM broadcasting offers several
advantages over AM such as uniform day and night coverage, good quality listening and
suppression of noise, interference, etc. All ndia !adio has gone in for FM broadcasting
using modern FM transmitters incorporating state-of-art technology.
The configurations of the transmitters being used in the network are "
# k$ Transmitter
% & # k$ Transmitter
' k$ Transmitter
% & ' k$ Transmitter
Salient Features of BEL/GCEL FM Transmitters
(. )ompletely solid state.
%. Forced air cooled with the help of rack-integrated blowers.
#. *arallel operation of two transmitters in passive e&citer standby mode.
+. Mono or stereo broadcasting
'. Additional information such as ,)A signals and radio traffic signals -!.,/
can also be transmitted.
0. 1ocal2!emote operation
3. 4ach transmitter has been provided with a separate power supply.
5. Transmitter frequency is crystal controlled and can be set in steps of (6 k78
using a synthesi8er.
Modern FM Transmitter
,implified block diagram of a Modern FM Transmitter is given in Fig.(. The left and right
channel of audio signal are fed to stereo coder for stereo encoding. This stereo
encoded signal or mono signal -either left or right channel audio/ is fed to 97F oscillator
and modulator. The FM modulated output is amplified by a wide band power amplifier
and then fed to Antenna for transmission.
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Induction Course(Radio)
9oltage controlled oscillator -9):/ is used as 97F oscillator and modulator. To stabili8e
its frequency a portion of FM modulated signal is fed to a programmable divider, which
divides the frequency by a factor ;<= to get (6 k78 frequency at the input of a phase and
frequency comparator -phase detector/. The factor ;<= is automatically selected when
we set the station carrier frequency. The other input of phase detector is a reference
signal of (6 k78 generated by a crystal oscillator of (6 M78 and divided by a divider
-(2(666/. The output of phase detector is an error voltage, which is fed to 9): for
correction of its frequency through rectifier and low pass filter.
Fig. 1 Block Diagram of Modern FM Transmitter
! " k# FM Transmitter
,implified block diagram of a % & # k$ FM transmitter is shown in Fig.%. % & # k$
Transmitter setup, which is more common, consists of two # k$ transmitters, designated
as transmitters A and >, whose output powers are combined with the help of a
combining unit. Ma&imum of two transmitters can be housed in a single rack along with
two 4&citer units. Transmitter A is provided with a switch-on-control unit -?, 6##A(/
which, with the help of the Adapter plug-in-unit -@A 6##A(/, also ensures the parallel
operation of transmitter >. )ombining unit is housed in a separate rack.
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FM Transmitter
Fig. Block Diagram $f !" %& Fm Transmitter
'ef.Drg.(o.)*STI+T,"-./+DC101,
1ow-level modulation of 97F oscillator is carried out at the carrier frequency in the
4&citer type ,A (('. The carrier frequency can be selected in (6 k78 steps with the
help of >). switches in the synthesi8er. The e&citer drives four (.' k$ 97F amplifier,
which is a basic module in the transmitter. Two such amplifiers are connected in parallel
to get # k$ power. The transmitter is forced air-cooled with the help of a blower. A
standby blower has also been provided which is automatically selected when the pre-
selected blower fails. >oth the blowers can be run if the ambient temperature e&ceeds
+6
o
).
*ower stages are protected against mismatch -9,$! B (.'/ or e&cessive heat sink
temperature by automatic reduction of power with the help of control circuit. 4lectronic
voltage regulator has not been provided for the .) supplies of power amplifiers but a
more efficient system of stabili8ation in the A) side has been provided. This is known as
A)-switch over. Transmitter operates in the passive e&citer standby mode with help of
switch-on-control unit. $hen the pre-selected e&citer fails, standby e&citer is
automatically selected. !everse switch over, however, is not possible.
A simplified block diagram of a % & ' k$ FM Transmitter is also given in Fig. #.
Fig." 'F Block Sc2ematic of !. k# FM Transmitter
'ef.Drg.(o.)*STI+T,..1/+DC"3-,
E!citer +S4 11.,
The 4&citer -,A(('/ is, basically, a self-contained full-fledged low power FM Transmitter.
t has the capability of transmitting mono or stereo signals as well as additional
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information such as traffic radio, ,)A -,ubsidiary )hannel Authorisation/ and !.,
-!adio .ata ,ystem/ signals. t can give three output powers of #6 m$, ( $ or (6 $ by
means of internal links and switches. The output power is stabili8ed and is not affected
by mismatch -9,$! B (.'/, temperature and A) supply fluctuations. *ower of the
transmitter is automatically reduced in the event of mismatch. The (6 $ output stage is
a separate module that can be inserted between ( $ stage and the low pass harmonics
filter. This stage is fed from a switching power supply which also handles part of the !F
output power control and the A) supply stabili8ations. n A! set up this (6 $ unit is
included as an integral part of the 4&citer.
This unit processes the incoming audio signals both for mono and stereo transmissions.
n case of stereo transmission, the incoming 1 and ! channel signals are processed in
the stereo coder circuit to yield a stereo base band signal with (C k78 pilot tone for
modulating the carrier signal. t also has a multiple&er wherein the coded !., and ,)A
signals are multiple&ed with the normal stereo signal on the modulating base band. The
encoders for !., and ,)A applications are e&ternal to the transmitter and have to be
provided separately as and when needed.
Fre5uenc6 Generation/ Control and Modulation
The transmitter frequency is generated and carrier is modulated in the ,ynthesiser
module within the 4&citer. The carrier frequency is stabili8ed with reference to the (6
M78 frequency from a crystal oscillator using *11 and programmable dividers. The
operating frequency of the transmitter can be selected internally by means of >).
switches or e&ternally by remote control. The output of these switches generates the
desired number by which the programmable divider should divide the 9): frequency
-which lies between 53.' to (65 M78/ to get a (6 k78 signal to be compared with the
reference frequency. The stablised carrier frequency is modulated with the modulating
base band consisting of the audio -mono and stereo/, !., and ,)A signals. The
9aractor diodes are used in the synthesi8er to generate as well as modulate the carrier
frequency.
S&itc2*$( Control 4nit +T67e GS 3"" 81,
The switch-on-control unit can be termed as the DbrainE and controls the working of the
transmitter ;A=. t performs the following main functions"
(. t controls the switching :< and :FF sequence of !F power amplifiers, rack
blower and !F carrier enable in the e&citer.
%. ndicates the switching and the operating status of the system through 14.s.
#. *rovides automatic switch over operation of the e&citer in the passive e&citer
standby mode in which either of the two e&citers can be selected to operate as
the main unit.
+. t provides a reference voltage source for the output regulators in the !F
amplifiers.
'. t is used for adFusting the output power of the transmitter.
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FM Transmitter
0. t evaluates the fault signals provided by individual units and generates an overall
sum fault signal which is indicated by an 14. on the front panel. The fault is also
stored in the defective unit and displayed on its front panel.
8da7ter 4nit +%8 3""81,
Adapter Anit is a passive unit which controls transmitter > for its parallel operation with
transmitter A in active standby mode. The control signals from the ,witch-on control unit
are e&tended to transmitter > via this Adapter unit. f this unit is not in position the
transmitter > can not be energi8ed.
1.. k# 9:F 8m7lifier +94 "1.,
This amplifier is the basic power module in the transmitter. t has a broad band design
so that no tuning is required for operation over the entire FM >roadcast band. !F power
transistors of its output stages are of plug in type which are easy to replace and no
adFustments are required after replacement. 4ach power amplifier gives an output of (.'
k$. .epending on the required configuration of the transmitter, output of several such
amplifiers is combined to get the desired output power of the transmitter. For instance,
for a # k$ set-up two power amplifiers are used whereas for a % & # k$ set-up, + such
amplifiers are needed. The simplified block diagram of (.' k$ *ower Amplifier is given
in Fig. +.
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Fig. 0 Block Diagram of 1.. k# 8m7lifier 94 "1.
'ef. Drg.(o.)*STI+T,000+DC1-;,
This amplifier requires an input power of %.' to # $ and consists of a driver stage
-output #6 $/ followed by a pre-amplifier stage -(%6 $/. The amplification from (%6 $
to ('66 $ in the final stage is achieved with the help of eight %66 $ stages. 4ach %66
$ stage consists of two output transistors -T* C#5#, ,.(+06 or FM ('6/ operating in
parallel. These !F transistors operate in wide band )lass ) mode and are fitted to the
*)> by means of large gold plated spring contacts to obviate the need for soldering.
The output of all these stages is combined via coupling networks to give the final output
of (.' k$. A monitor in each amplifier controls the power of the driver stage depending
on the reference voltage produced by the switch-on-control unit. ,ince this reference
voltage is the same for all the 97F amplifiers being used, all of them will have the same
output power.
4ach amplifier has a meter for indicating the forward and reflected voltages and
transistor currents. Also a fault is signaled if the heat sink temperature or the 9,$!
e&ceed the prescribed limits. n both cases, the amplifier power is automatically reduced
to protect the transistors.
<o&er Su77l6 S6stem
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FM Transmitter
The FM transmitter requires #-phase power connection though all the circuits, e&cept the
power amplifiers, need only single phase supply for their operation. An A9! of '6 k9A
capacity has been provided for this purpose.
*ower consumption of the transmitters under various configurations is as follows "
Fre5uenc6 of <o&er Consum7tion
o7eration " k# . k# ! " k# ! . k#
53.' to (66 M78 '(66 $ 5'66 $ (6%66 $ (3666 $
(66 to (65 M78 '#%6 $ 5506 $ (60+6 $ (33%6 $
These figures do not include the power consumption of blowers which is %66 $ for each
blower.
For each transmitter, there is a separate power distribution panel -mounted on the lower
portion on the front of the rack/. >oth the distribution panels AG> are identical e&cept for
the difference that the 14.s, fuses and relays pertaining to switching circuit of blowers
and absorber are mounted on the ;A= panel.
<o&er 'eduction in case of 8m7lifier or Transistor Failure
$hen an amplifier module or a push-pull output stage in an amplifier module fails due to
failure of any one transistor, the output gets reduced according to the following formula. "
* H *o I -m-n/2mJ
%
$here
*o H nominal power
* H reduced power available at the antenna
M H total number of amplifier modules or of push
*ull output stages in circuit
< H number of faulty amplifiers or push pull output stages.
The power consumed in the absorber resistors is calculated according to the formula "
*absorber H *o K *n
$here *n is the faulty partial power, which in case of failure of an entire amplifier module
equals (%'6 $.
f power reduction occurs due to failure of one or more 97F amplifiers, the transmitter
should be switched off immediately and the working transmitter should be selected on
the antenna using the A-links on the )ombining unit.
FM 8ntenna and Feeder Ca=le S6stem
The Antenna system for FM Transmitters consists of # main sub-systems, namely "
a/ ,upporting tower
b/ Main antenna
c/ Feeder )able
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To&er
A tower of good height is required for mounting the FM antenna since the coverage of
the transmitter is proportional to the height of the tower. For a (66 m height, the
coverage is about 06 km. $herever new towers were to be provided, generally they are
of (66 m height since beyond this height, there is steep rise in their prices because of
e&cessive wind load on the top of the tower. At some places e&isting towers of
.oordarshan have also been utili8ed for mounting the FM antenna. *rovision has also
been made on the A! towers for top mounting of T9 antenna below FM antenna
-Aperture for >and /.
8ntenna
The main requirements of the antenna to be used for FM transmitters are "
- $ide-band usage from 55 to (65 M78 range.
- :mni-directional hori8ontal pattern of field strength.
- )ircular polari8ation for better reception.
- 7igh gain for both vertical and hori8ontal signals.
- Two degrees beam tilt below hori8ontal
- ,turdy design for maintenance-free service.
Further, depending on the type of tower available for mounting the requirement is for two
types of antenna. The first type is to be mounted on a small cross-section A! Tower.
For which a pole type FM antenna has been selected. For mounting on the e&isting T9
towers, a panel type antenna has been used. The cross section of the T9 tower at the
A! aperture is %.+ & %.+ m. the pole type antenna is quite economical as compared to
panel type antenna, but it can not be used on large area towers. For our requirement,
the antennae supplied by M2s. ,!A have been found suitable.
<ole T67e 8ntenna
The pole type antenna is mounted on one of the four faces of the tower. This system will
give a field pattern within a range of # d>. The antenna is mounted in such a direction in
which it is required to enhance the signal. The important parameters for this antenna
are "
$eight %66 @g. -for 0 dipoles/.
9,$! (.+ " (
?ain ' d>
!ating of each dipole ' k$
The other important features are "
9ery low power radiation towards Transmitter building.
,pacing between dipoles is %.0 m and all the dipoles are mounted one
above the other on the same face.
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FM Transmitter
1engths of feed cables of dipoles will be different and has been calculated to
give a beam tilt of %
o
below hori8ontal.
The feed point of the antenna is looking towards ground so as to avoid
deterioration of the insulating flange. This flange consists of high density
*9). The life of this is e&pected to be about 3 to (6 years.
The distance of the feeding strip is %+6 mm from edge and this should not be
disturbed. All the si& dipoles are mounted on a (66 mm dia *ole. This pole
is supported by the main tower.
The antenna is fed through a power divider which divides total power into 0
outlets for feeding the 0 dipoles. The power divider is mounted on a different
face of the tower.
The main feeder cables, power divider branch feeder cables, and dipoles are
of hollow construction to enable pressuri8ation of the system.
The antenna can handle two channels with diple&ing.
,uitable terminations are supplied for terminating the output of power divider
in case of failure of any dipole.
<anel T67e 8ntenna
The panel type antenna is to be used on T9 tower. .oordarshan have provided an
aperture for FM antenna on their towers. The si8e of this section is %.+ & %.+ mtrs.
and its height is different at different places. The antenna system envisaged for FM
broadcasting consists of a total of (0 panels. For omni-directional pattern + panels
are mounted on each side of the tower. 1adders for mounting these panels have
already been provided on the four sides of the tower.
4ach panel consists of "
!eflector panel
Two numbers of bent hori8ontal dipoles and
Two numbers of vertical dipoles
The capacity of each dipole is %.' k$. Therefore, each panel is able to transmit (6
k$ power. The reflector panels are constructed of ? bars whereas the dipoles are
made out of steel tubes. ,ince each panel consists of + dipoles, there are a total of
0+ dipoles for all the (0 panels. Therefore the power divider has 0+ outlets to feed
each of the dipoles. The power divider will be mounted inside the tower. This
antenna gives an omni-directional pattern when the panels are mounted on all the
four faces.
Feeder Ca=le
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For connecting the output power of the transmitter to the dipoles through the power
divider, a #E dia feeder cable has been used.
This cable is of hollow type construction and has to be handled very carefully. From
the building to the base of the tower, the cable is laid on hori8ontal cable tray. Along
with the tower this is fi&ed on the cable rack provided for this purpose. The cable is
clamped at every (.' m and the minimum radius of bending of this cable is about (
m. The cable has been provided with two numbers of 4A flange connectors of #
(25E si8e on both ends. >oth the connectors are of gas-stop type. The cable
connector on the antenna end i.e. on top of the tower is made gas-through before
hoisting. This is achieved by drilling a hole through the Teflon insulator inside the
connector. A dummy hole -drilled only half way/ is already provided by the
manufacturer for this purpose.
The weight of the cable is about %.3 kg per meter and the power handling capacity is
about %3 k$. ,ince enough safety margin has been provided in the power handling
capacity, no standby cable has been provided. This cable can be used later for two
transmitters by diple&ing. The attenuation loss of the cable is about 6.++ d> per (66
meter length. The cable and the antenna system should be fed with dry air by
means of a dehydrator provided with the transmitter.
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