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FM transmitter (personal device)

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Belkin TuneCast transmitter, for use with any device which has a 3.5mm headphone jack. Frequency range is 88.1 - 88.3 - 88.5 - 88.7 MHz
Belkin TuneCastII FM Transmitter with a modified antenna connected to an iPod music player.

A personal FM transmitter is a low-power FM radio transmitter which broadcasts music (often from an MP3 player) to a standard FM radio, such as those found in cars. Most transmitters plug into the music player's headphone jack and then broadcast the signal over an FM broadcast band frequency so that it can be picked up by any nearby radio. This allows portable audio devices to make use of the better sound quality of a home audio system or car stereo without requiring a wired connection between them. Often called simply an FM transmitter, it is a low power device which only works over distances of a few metres, compared to high powered commercial FM broadcasting transmitters which can be received many miles away.

Most transmitters on the market typically have a short range of 100-300 feet (30-100 metres) depending on the quality of the receiver and the propogating conditions. This range can also be enhanced if operated in fixed locations of good high elevation, such as a multi-story apartment or tall building and can broadcast on any FM frequency from 87.5 to 108.0 MHz in most of the world, (or 88.1 to 107.9 in the USu and Canada). Some lower-cost transmitters are hard-wired to the 87.7–91.9 MHz band allocated to educational broadcasts in the United States, or a certain other smaller range of frequencies.

FM transmitters are usually battery driven, but some use the cigarette lighter socket in cars (and sometimes outside of vehicular use), or draw their power from a mains powered wall socket or the device itself. They are typically used with portable audio devices such as MP3 players, as well as hi-fi systems, message systems, etc.. They are also used to broadcast other outputs (such as that from a mcomputer sound card) throughoñukt a home or other building.

Some phones such as Nokia N900, Nokia N8 and Nokia N97 contain built-in FM transmitters. A simple circuit of FM transmitter

Applications

Personal FM transmitters serve as a workaround dongle for allowing some electronics equipped with an AM/FM receiver to support features and functions not native to the stereo itself.

Examples of applications

Note: some parameters are to be observed when using FM transmitters:

A NOT RECOMMENDED for use in automobiles, due to tactile force

AM a workaround for if an FM radio without AM support is being used

C Workaround for if a stereo doesn't support CD insertion

CF grants support for audio formats of computer files [e.g. MP3, WAV, FLAC, ATRAC (proprietary Sony format), etc.], such as using portable CD players on car radios with a CD player of their own that doesn't support MP3s, and also solid-state devices that support these file formats.

F this tactic makes it possible to hear FM radio stations on other frequencies, and a * indicates that this standard is largely a "mirror" of most analog FM frequencies. A ** indicates liability for "feedback" if the receiving frequency was the same as the transmitting frequency for this type of setup.

I supplies streamable content from the Internet.

M a microphone is also required for this application

N this device also requires wifi or cellular network

O this device offers a future opportunity to decommission analog FM frequencies

R Addition of another radio standard

S Ensures more safety to the driver

T recommended for AM/FM radios without a tape deck (8-track/cassette)

USB externalizes USB support to radios that don't natively support it

W an optional measure for radios, even if they already have AUX in so as to ensure a "wireless" connection instead. Bluetooth can be an alternative to this in some cases.

WP An application where non-waterproof devices on the transmitting end are transmitting to a water-resistant AM/FM receiver (such as a shower radio)

Procedures on usage of FM transmitters

Note that FM transmitters are largely recommended for AM/FM (sometimes FM-only) systems that don't have TRS connector or RCA jack AUX in, seeing as AUX inputs are to be used if they are available, since FM transmitter use can be troublesome depending on parameters, although first-time use of FM transmiters using AM/FM systems as a testbed even with AUX input availability is recommended to ensure reliability in future applications where AUX inputs are unavailable.

Use of FM on devices that don't natively support FM

The opposite tactic of using an FM transmitter to use AM/FM radios without AUX inputs, is taking advantage of AUX inputs on stereos that don't internally support FM reception. For instance, things like inexpensive stereos made for iPods (iHome for instance) and MP3 players in general can simply take advantage of the built-in FM tuner on MP3 players, and also computer speakers generally don't internally support FM either, so they can be used in conjunction with computer-based devices such as PCs, laptops, iPods, smartphones, and other devices that supply radio reception to utilize the speakers. Sometimes FM transmitters can be tested for reliability using an iPod on FM reception mode utilizing stereos that don't internally support FM.

Special applications where both an external FM receiver, and an FM transmitter would be used would be special scenarios where USB/SD flash drive MP3 players with a built-in FM transmitter (but no headphone out port) were to be used with stereos that didn't have a built-in FM tuner.

Limitations

  • The relatively low power output of FM transmitters sometimes makes it unsuitable for use in some large urban areas because of the number of other radio signals. This is compounded by the fact that strong FM signals can bleed over into neighboring frequencies making the frequencies unusable with the transmitter. Removing a car's radio antenna has been found to significantly improve transmitter reception.[1] Some frequencies below 88.1 have even been supported as reception frequencies on some car stereos, and some indegeneous FM transmitters even take advantage of those unused frequencies which are generally more reliable as no frequency below 88.1 is used for mainstream broadcasters in the US.
  • Some models which connect via ports other than the headphone jack have no means of controlling the volume, which can force the sound to transmit out from the device harshly (causing over modulation, audio distortion and possible radio interference), or too low. In theory a device could use an automatic level control or audio limiter circuit to overcome this problem although there are few (if any) devices with such a facility available out on the market yet.
  • When trying out FM transmitters for the first time, it is recommended to test them on any FM radio (outside of a car), and to nominate them for radios without AUX inputs when testing them on first available FM receivers (regardless of AUX input presence), since being lenient about parameters is the best approach to ensuring reliability in the beginning, as per these limitations.

European legality of FM transmitters

The European Union's Radio Spectrum body the ERO (European Radiocommunications Office) has recently introduced a recommendation document (Table/Annex 13) for Member States to include Transmitters in the FM Band for Music Devices. The underlying specification suggests that the radio transmitter will only emit a maximum of 50 nanowatts Effective radiated power. It is not known what the current "iTrip" device emits although it is known that some devices supposedly manufactured to the US "FCC Part 15" standard emit considerably more. It also has to be ratified and entered into law in each European State, meaning that consultation will normally take place with the users of the spectrum in each country, a protracted and sometimes lengthy process. Until the recommendation is put in place and the law in the country of residence changed, an FM transmitter remains illegal to operate in many EU countries. Due to the minuscule range of these devices the existing legislation is rarely enforced against end users, although retailers in some jurisdictions have been threatened with prosecution.

Within the European Radiocommunications Office in the case the of the Members States that also belong to the European Union the situation is as follows. In 2006, the legislative powers for harmonisation of the technical conditions for use of spectrum for a wide variety of short-range devices, including applications such as alarms, local communications equipment, door openers and medical implants were transferred from the EU Member States to the European Union by Decision of the European Commission 2006/771/EC. Therefore European States no longer have legislative powers in this field, but the powers to police and impose sanctions for non-respect of this EU acts remain in the hands of the Member States. Following the recommendation of the European Radiocommunications Office, by Decision of the European Commission 2009/381/CE amending Decision 2006/771/EC on harmonisation of the radio spectrum for use by short-range devices [1], in the frequencies of 87,5-108 MHz, it is allowed to use micro FM transmitters of less than 50 nanowatts Effective radiated power. Since then, these FM transmitters are automatically allowed to enter and being marketed in the territory of the European Union for the use of consumers, as long as they have the CE mark. For countries that belong to the European Radiocommunications Office but are not Member States of the European Union, national law applies and reference has to be made to legal procedures of each country.

UK legality developments

Regulations to legalise the use of certain types of FM transmitter came into force on 8 December 2006. From the end of 2006 the iTrip and other FM transmitters, such as the popular Belkin Tunecast can be used without licence in the United Kingdom. To be legal, it must carry a CE mark which indicates their approval for sale in the European Union. Some FM transmitters have been manufactured for sale and use specifically in the US. These devices do not carry a CE mark and will remain illegal to use in the UK.

The new Regulations set out the technical specifications for legal devices. This is to minimise the risk of interference to other radio devices. In particular, the Regulations set a 50 nanowatts power limit for legal devices, which limits the distance at which they can broadcast to up to around 30 metres in stereo, using a modern hi gain FM radio, however by receiving the signal in mono this range can be increased due to the lack of audible noise when receiving in mono, as opposed to the inherent noise generated when listening to FM broadcasts using the Zenith GE stereo subcarrier system. Mounting these FM transmitters in a clear line of sight and in the highest part of a building, will sometimes improve its effective range to some extent as well.

The changes to the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 were announced in a statement from Ofcom.

Use of FM transmitters is now governed by Wireless Telegraphy Exemption Regulations

Models

Most electronic retail stores sell several different models of FM transmitter, including generic brands, which may vary greatly in price, even though quality of audio is indistinguishable. However, the signal strength varies. Even though several models of MP3 player have built-in FM receivers; other models have had built-in FM transmitters to eliminate the need for a separate device. Some cheaper brand units can exhibit very poor audio quality with sibilance (distorted T and S sounds) and poor stereo imaging. A single search on FM Transmitters gives a list of most popular models.

See also

References

  1. ^ q the z: not a blog
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