Transmitter
A
transmitter (sometimes abbreviated XMTR) is an
electronic device which with the aid of an
antenna propagates an
electromagnetic signal such as
radio,
television, or other
telecommunications.
A transmitter usually has a
power supply, an
oscillator, a
modulator, and
amplifiers for
audio frequency (AF) and
radio frequency (RF). The modulator is the device which piggybacks (or modulates) the signal information onto the
carrier frequency, which is then broadcast. Sometimes a device (for example, a
cell phone) contains both a transmitter and a
radio receiver, with the combined unit referred to as a
transceiver.
More generally and in
communications and
information processing, a "transmitter" is any object (
source) which
sends information to an
observer (receiver). When used in this more general sense, vocal cords may also be considered an example of a "transmitter".
In industrial process control a "transmitter" is any device which converts measurements from a sensor into a signal to be received, usually sent via wires, by some display or control device located a distance away. Typically in process control applications the "transmitter" will output a 4-20 mA
current loop or digital protocol to represent a measured variable within a range. For example, a pressure transmitter might use 4 ma as a representation for 50 psig of pressure and 20 ma as 1000 psig of pressure and any value in between proportionately ranged between 50 and 1000 psig. Older technology transmitters used pneumatic pressure typically ranged between 3 to 15 psig (20 to 100 kPa) to represent a process variable.
In the early days of radio engineering, radio frequency energy was generated using arcs or
mechanical alternators (of which a rare example survives at the
SAQ transmitter in
Grimeton,
Sweden). In the
1920s electronic transmitters, based on
vacuum tubes, began to be used.
In principle any conductor (
wire) carrying an
alternating current will radiate a radio signal. Thus a basic transmitter is just an
oscillator connected directly to a wire
antenna.
Since transmitters require excellent frequency stability, there are usually several
amplifier stages between oscillator and antenna. The intermediate amplifier stages prevent changes in the antenna circuit from affecting the frequency of the oscillator. Often the transmitter frequency is not the frequency produced by the oscillator, but one of its
harmonics. This is generated from the oscillator's output by a non-linear device (e.g. a
diode or an overdriven amplifier), then filtered with combinations of
inductors and
capacitors, and then amplified.
Special standard frequency transmitters use
frequency synthesis referenced to a very stable
atomic clock. Since this procedure, which gives the most precise carrier frequencies, is very complex, it is not used in most transmitters. Typically a
quartz crystal is used as a frequency reference, which provides adequate stability for nearly all purposes. Historically mechanically tuned were used, and are still found in classic
amateur radio and antique equipment.
During the generation and amplification, harmonics are created. These normally are filtered out by low pass filters before reaching the antenna.
Vacuum tubes are still occasionally used as amplifier elements in high-power stages, for more than a few kilowatts of radio-frequency power. At high transmitting powers these tubes are water-cooled. For microwave transmitters, special semiconductor components or vacuum tubes (such as the
klystron,
cavity magnetron or
TWT) are needed, because signals of these frequencies and power levels cannot be processed with normal semiconductors. The information to be transmitted is then added by
modulation of the frequency, amplitude or phase of the carrier.
Skin effect and waveguides
A varying magnetic field will generate an electric field in a conductor. Conversely, a varying electric field in a conductor will generate a magnetic field. At high frequencies, inside a conductor this reciprocal effect creates essentially a "dead zone" in the center of the conductor, which substantially reduces the
effective cross-sectional area of the conductor. In other words, if a cable is one inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, half an inch in the center may carry essentially no signal. This phenomenon is known as the
skin effect. At microwave frequencies, the effect is so severe that there is no point in having a center, so cables are replaced with hollow
waveguides, which can be thought of as metal pipes.
Low-power transmitters do not require special cooling equipment. Modern transmitters can be incredibly efficient, with efficiencies exceeding 98 percent. However, a broadcast transmitter with a megawatt power stage transferring 98% of that into the antenna can also be viewed as a 20 kilowatt electric heater.
For medium-power transmitters, up to a few hundred watts, air cooling with fans is used. At power levels over a few kilowatts, the output stage is cooled by a forced liquid cooling system analogous to an automobile cooling system. Since the coolant directly touches the high-voltage
anodes of the
tubes, only distilled, deionised water or a special dielectric coolant can be used in the cooling circuit. This high-purity coolant is in turn cooled by a heat exchanger, where the second cooling circuit can use water of ordinary quality because it is not in contact with energized parts. Very-high-power tubes of small physical size may use evaporative cooling by water in contact with the anode. The production of steam allows a high heat flow in a small space.
The high voltages used in high power transmitters (up to 40 kV) require extensive protection equipment. Also, transmitters are exposed to damage from
lightning. Transmitters may be damaged if operated without an antenna, so protection circuits must detect the loss of the antenna and switch off the transmitter immediately. Tube-based transmitters must have power applied in the proper sequence, with the filament voltage applied before the anode voltage, otherwise the tubes can be damaged. The output stage must be monitored for
standing waves, which indicate that generated power is not being radiated but instead is being reflected back into the transmitter.
Lightning protection is required between the transmitter and antenna. This consists of
spark gaps and gas-filled surge arresters to limit the voltage that appears on the transmitter terminals. The control instrument that measures the voltage standing-wave ratio switches the transmitter off briefly if a higher voltage standing-wave ratio is detected after a lightning strike, as the reflections are probably due to lightning damage. If this does not succeed after several attempts, the antenna may be damaged and the transmitter should remain switched off. In some transmitting plants
UV detectors are fitted in critical places, to switch off the transmitter if an
arc is detected. The operating voltages, modulation factor, frequency and other transmitter parameters are monitored for protection and diagnostic purposes, and may be displayed locally and/or at a remote control room.
A transmitter site will have a control building to shelter the transmitter components and control devices. This is usually a purely functional building, which may contain apparatus for both radio and television transmitters. To reduce transmission line loss the transmitter building is usually immediately adjacent to the antenna for
VHF and
UHF sites, but for lower frequencies it may be desirable to have a distance of a few score or several hundred metres between the building and the antenna. Some transmitting towers have enclosures built into the tower to house radio relay link transmitters or other, relatively low-power transmitters.
Since radio waves go over borders, international agreements control radio transmissions. In European countries like
Germany often the national Post Office is the regulating authority. In the
United States broadcast and industrial transmitters are regulated by the
FCC. In
Canada technical aspects of broadcast and radio transmitters are controlled by Industry Canada, but broadcast content is regulated separately by the
CRTC.
As in any costly project, the planning of a high power transmitter site requires great care. This begins with the location. A minimum distance, which depends on the transmitter frequency, transmitter power, and the design of the transmitting antennas, is required to protect people from the radio frequency energy. Antenna towers are often very tall and therefore flight paths must be evaluated. Sufficient electric power must be available for high power transmitters. Transmitters for long and medium wave require good grounding and soil of high electrical conductivity. Locations at the sea or in river valleys are ideal, but the flood danger must be considered. Transmitters for
UHF are best on high mountains to improve the range (see
radio propagation). The antenna pattern must be considered because it is costly to change the pattern of a long-wave or medium-wave antenna.
Transmitting antennas for long and medium wave are usually implemented as a
mast radiator. Similar antennas with smaller dimensions are used also for short wave transmitters, if these send in the round spray enterprise. For arranging radiation at free standing steel towers fastened planar arrays are used. Radio towers for UHF and TV transmitter can be implemented in principle as grounded constructions. Towers may be steel lattice masts or reinforced concrete towers with antennas mounted at the top. Some transmitting towers for UHF have high-altitude operating rooms and/or facilities such as restaurants and observation platforms, which are accessible by elevator. Such towers are usually called TV tower. For microwaves one uses frequently parabolic antennas. These can be set up for applications of radio relay links on transmitting towers for FM to special platforms. For the program passing on of television satellites and the funkkontakt to space vehicles large parabolic antennas with diameters of 3 to 100 meters are necessary. These plants, which can be used if necessary also as radio telescope, are established on free standing constructions, whereby there are also numerous special designs, like the radio telescope in Arecibo.
Just as important as the planning of the construction and location of the transmitter is how its output fits in with existing transmissions. Two transmitters cannot broadcast on the same frequency in the same area as this would cause co-channel interference. For a good example of how the channel planners have dovetailed different transmitters' outputs see
Crystal Palace UHF TV channel allocations. This reference also provides a good example of a grouped transmitter, in this case an A group. That is, all of its output is within the bottom third of the UK UHF television broadcast band. The other two groups (B and C/D) utilise the middle and top third of the band. By replicating this grouping across the country (using different groups for adjacent transmitters), co-channel interference can be minimised, and in addition, those in marginal reception areas can use more efficient grouped receiving antennas. Unfortunately, in the UK, this carefully planned system has had to be compromised with the advent of digital broadcasting which (during the changeover period at least) requires yet more channel space, and consequently the additional digital broadcast channels cannot always be fitted within the transmitter's existing group. Thus many UK transmitters have become "wideband" with the consequent need for replacement of receiving antennas (see external links). All of the above provides a perfect case study in transmission frequency planning.
Some cities in Europe, like
Muehlacker,
Ismaning,
Langenberg,
Kalundborg,
Hoerby and
Allouis became famous as sites of powerful transmitters. Some transmitting towers like the radio tower
Berlin or the TV tower
Stuttgart became landmarks of cities. Many transmitting plants have very high radio towers, which are masterpieces of engineering.
Having the tallest building in the world, the nation, the state/province/prefecture, city, etc., has often been considered something to brag about. Often, builders of high-rise buildings have used transmitter antennas to lay claim to having the tallest building. A historic example was the "tallest building" feud between the
Chrysler Building and the
Empire State Building in
New York, New York.
*Tallest radio mast
**1974-1991:
Konstantynow for 2000 kilowatt longwave transmitter, 646.38 metres (2120 ft 8 in)
**1963-1974 and since 1991:
KVLY Tower, 2,063 ft (628.8 m)
*Highest power
**Longwave,
Taldom transmitter, 2500 kW
**Medium wave, transmitter
Bolshakovo, 2500 kW
*Highest transmission sites (
Europe)
**FM Pic du Aigu in
Chamonix**MW Pic Blanc in
AndorraIn
broadcasting, the part which contains the oscillator, modulator, and sometimes
audio processor, is called the
exciter. Confusingly, the high-power amplifier which the exciter then feeds into is often called the "transmitter" by
broadcast engineers. The final output is given as
transmitter power output (TPO), although this is not what most stations are rated by.
Effective radiated power (ERP) is used when
calculating station coverage, even for most non-broadcast stations. It is the TPO, minus any
attenuation or
radiated loss in the line to the antenna, multiplied by the
gain (
magnification) which the antenna provides toward the
horizon. This is important, because the
electric utility bill for the transmitter would be enormous otherwise, as would the cost of a transmitter. For most large stations in the VHF- and UHF-range, the transmitter power is no more than 20% of the ERP.For VLF, LF, MF and HF the ERP is typically not determined separately. In most cases the transmission power found in lists of transmitters is the value for the output of the transmitter. This is only correct for omnidirectional aerials with a length of a quarter wavelength or shorter.For other aerial types there are gain factors, which can reach values until 50 for shortwave directional beams in the direction of maximum beam intensity.Since some authors take account of gain factors of aerials of transmitters for frequencies below 30 MHz and others not, there are often discrepancies of the values of transmitted powers.
Where a particular service needs to have wide coverage, this is usually achieved by using multiple transmitters at different locations. Usually, these transmitters will operate at different frequencies to avoid interference where coverage overlaps. Examples include national broadcasting networks and
cellular networks. In the latter, frequency switching is automatically done by the receiver as necessary, in the former, manual retuning is more common (though the
Radio Data System is an example of automatic frequency switching in broadcast networks). Another system for extending coverage using multiple transmitters is
quasi-synchronous transmission, but this is rarely used nowadays.
*
List of famous transmission sites*
Radio transmitter design*
Jim Hawkins' Radio and Broadcast Technology Page*
WCOV-TV's Transmitter Technical Website*
Major UK television transmitters including change of group information, see Transmitter Planning section.
