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SMD FM Transmitter Circuit

P. MARIAN (HTTP://WWW.ELECTROSCHEMATICS.COM/AUTHOR/ADMIN/)

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fm transmitters (/tag/fm-transmitter-circuits)

Let’s construct a low-power FM transmitter using surface-mount devices (SMD) that will be received with a standard FM
radio. Soldering surface mounted devices is not so hard and actually is quite easy. There are many designs for small FM
transmitters but they have some problems. First, you need an audio ampli๴er to get enough modulation. Second, the
antenna is attached directly to the collector. Third, the coil L must be wound by hand and adjusted by stretching. It all ads
with a weak signal that tends to drift in frequency. In contrastm the transmitter schematic we present here eliminates some
of those problems, using varactor diode for tuning and modulation, givind great sensitivity without an audio ampli๴er.

FM Transmitter – How it works

The ๴gure below shows the schematic of the transmitter which consists of two stages: an oscillator and an output ampli๴er.
Modulation is from an electret microphone but you can use a low power audio source.

Oscillator stage

Transistor Q1 is a Colpitts oscillator where the frequency is determined by the parallel resonant circuit formed by inductor L,
Transistor Q1 is a Colpitts oscillator where the frequency is determined by the parallel resonant circuit formed by inductor L,
varactor V1 and capacitors C7 and C8. Q1 is a common-collector ampli๴er where the power gain counts. V1 is actually a dual
varactor that eliminate the possibility of forward conduction at the sinewave peaks.

The frequency of oscillation is set by adjusting the DC voltage on V1 with potentiometer R2. R4 and C3 form a low-pass ๴lter
to prevent RF from feeding back onto the DC.
Capacitors C7 and C8 form an AC voltage divider to provide feedback at the emitter of Q1 to sustain oscillation. A necessary
condition for oscillation to start is for the radio (C7+C8)/C7 to be su晑�ciently bigger than 1.

SMD transmitter circuit schematic

(http://www.electroschematics.com/wp-

content/uploads/2009/09/smd-fm-transmitter.gif)

Frequency Modulation
Modulation is done by superimposing an audio signal from the electret mic onto the DC bias applied to V1. R3 and C1 form a
low-pass ๴lter to prevent RF from feeding back to the mic. R3, R4 and R2 form a votage divider for the audio.

Transmitter output stage

The output of the oscillator is fed through C9 to the Q2 emitter-follower. The output of Q2 drives the antenna through C11.
The Q2 emitter-follower it ensures that the oscillator is not loaded down by the impedance of the antenna and it provides
power gain to drive the antenna.

SMD Transmitter layout

The ๴gure below shows the layout of the PCB and it uses surface-mounted devices like resistors and capacitors (non-polar
devices). All the caps are size 0805 and all resistors are size 1206. use through-hole components for Q1, Q2, IC1 and V1. You
can use an SOT-89 device for IC1 and an SOT-23 device for V1. Use MPSH10 or a transistor equivalent. Here you can learn
how to solder smd chips (http://www.electroschematics.com/564/how-to-solder-smd-chips/)

(http://www.electroschematics.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/smd-transmitter-layout.gif)

The inductor
A coil would consist of two or three turns of wire but for this schematic we will use an inductor with loops of copper on the
PCB. Such 䲵�at spiral inductor are common at these frequencies.
One formula for 䲵�at spiral inductors is:

where
L = inductance in uH
r = radius of coil (outer radius + inner radius divided by 2 ) inches
N = number of turns
d = depth of coil (outer radius minus inner radius) inches

Tuning range
While commercial FM band goes from about 88 MHz to 108 MHz, the L and C values used in this design allow tuning up to 100
MHz.
 Transmitter testing
You will need a portable FM radio and an assistant. First, ๴nd an empty spot on the FM dial and(/)
set your radio about 30 feet
away (9 meters). The radio’s volume control should not be set too high to prevend feedback. Next, power-up your transmitter
and talk to yourself as you adjust the frequency with the trim-pot. When your assintant hears you, your transmitter is tuned.
You might have to adjust the radio’s tuner slightly for best reception.

Have fun with it but remember that using the transmitter as a bugging device may not be legal in your country. To use the
circuit as a wireless microphone, increase the value of R3. The transmitter range is about 100 feet (30 meters) inside a
building.

Parts list

(http://www.electroschematics.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/parts-list.gif)

Previous
TDA1562Q Datasheet

(http://www.electroschematics.com/477/tda1562q-datasheet/)

Next
Low Noise
Microphone Ampli๴er
Circuit
(http://www.electroschematics.com/106/microphone-ampli๴er-
with-low-noise/)

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10 Comments

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bagumondigi
hi
may i replace V1 (MV104) by any typical component ?
Regards,
Marcus
Posted on March 27th 2015 | 12:35 pm (http://www.electroschematics.com/558/fm-transmitter-with-smd/#comment-1616201)
 Posted on March 27th 2015 | 12:35 pm (http://www.electroschematics.com/558/fm-transmitter-with-smd/#comment-1616201)
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peter
R4 is way too small .

Posted on May 21st 2014 | 11:43 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/558/fm-transmitter-with-smd/#comment-399643)

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sadapsuara
hello

Posted on October 10th 2012 | 9:26 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/558/fm-transmitter-with-smd/#comment-258527)

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lalit selwal
Gsabs says: May 14, 2012 at 8:25 am 0 0
I need help on the write of microphone FM transmitter
GIVE ME HELP

Posted on August 03rd 2012 | 11:20 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/558/fm-transmitter-with-smd/#comment-256725)

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dipak
what is output frequency

Posted on June 19th 2012 | 7:16 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/558/fm-transmitter-with-smd/#comment-254435)

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alpha
this circuit not full smd
this circuit have noise
if used smd transistor and capacitor
low noise in this sircuit
but this a naice circuit

Posted on June 08th 2012 | 10:39 pm (http://www.electroschematics.com/558/fm-transmitter-with-smd/#comment-254274)

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Gsabs
I need help on the write of microphone FM transmitter

Posted on May 14th 2012 | 8:25 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/558/fm-transmitter-with-smd/#comment-253381)

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bobo
Hello,

I want to know where I can ๴nd the BRD of this layout?

I am prfessor in an ingenior school in France and I want to do it with my students.

Regards,

Boris Ribaric

Posted on October 25th 2010 | 11:36 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/558/fm-transmitter-with-smd/#comment-18150)

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sarma
Dear Sir, I feel the trgulator should have covered the oscillator transistor also
only the power ampli๴er colletor need be from unregulated supply. even its bias could be from regulated DC.
this arrangement helps stability

regards
sarma

Posted on October 20th 2009 | 4:27 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/558/fm-transmitter-with-smd/#comment-4741)

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marius
Yes Sarma, the IC regulator may be used as you described, but there must be a 9V power supply for Q1, so it will be better to ๴t a
7809 IC regulator in the smt fm transmitter circuit.

Posted on October 20th 2009 | 5:30 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/558/fm-transmitter-with-smd/#comment-4743)

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