Transmitter: Difference between revisions
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= Transmitter = | |||
A '''transmitter''' is an electronic device that produces radio waves with an antenna. The transmitter itself generates a radio frequency alternating current, which is applied to the antenna. When excited by this alternating current, the antenna radiates radio waves. Transmitters are necessary components of all electronic devices that communicate by radio, such as [[radio]] and [[television]] broadcasting stations, [[cellular phone]]s, [[walkie-talkie]]s, [[wireless network]]s, [[Bluetooth]]-enabled devices, [[garage door opener]]s, [[two-way radio]]s in aircraft, ships, [[spacecraft]], [[radar]] sets, and [[navigational beacon]]s. | |||
A ''' | |||
== | == Components == | ||
A typical transmitter consists of several key components: | |||
=== | === Power Supply === | ||
The power supply provides the necessary electrical power to operate the transmitter. | |||
=== | === Oscillator === | ||
The oscillator creates the alternating current at the frequency on which the transmitter will transmit. This is the carrier wave. | |||
=== | === Modulator === | ||
The modulator adds the information to be transmitted to the carrier wave. This can be done by varying the amplitude, frequency, or phase of the carrier wave. | |||
== | === Amplifier === | ||
The amplifier increases the power of the signal to a level suitable for transmission. | |||
=== Antenna === | |||
The antenna converts the amplified signal into radio waves. | |||
== | == Types of Transmitters == | ||
== | === Radio Transmitters === | ||
[[File:WDET-FM_transmitter.png|thumb|right|A radio transmitter for WDET-FM]] | |||
Radio transmitters are used in [[broadcasting]] to send audio signals to radios. They can be [[AM]] or [[FM]] transmitters, depending on the modulation technique used. | |||
== | === Television Transmitters === | ||
Television transmitters send both audio and video signals to television receivers. They use [[frequency modulation]] for audio and [[amplitude modulation]] for video. | |||
[[Category: | === Communication Transmitters === | ||
[[File:CB-Funkgerät_im_LKW.JPG|thumb|left|A CB radio transmitter in a truck]] | |||
These transmitters are used in various communication devices such as [[cell phones]], [[walkie-talkies]], and [[CB radios]]. | |||
=== Radar Transmitters === | |||
Radar transmitters send out pulses of radio waves and receive the echoes to determine the location and speed of objects. | |||
=== Microwave Transmitters === | |||
Microwave transmitters are used for point-to-point communication links and in [[satellite communication]]. | |||
== Signal Processing == | |||
[[File:Signal_processing_system.png|thumb|right|Signal processing system]] | |||
Signal processing in transmitters involves the manipulation of the signal to improve transmission quality and efficiency. This includes filtering, modulation, and amplification. | |||
== Historical Transmitters == | |||
=== Vacuum Tube Transmitters === | |||
[[File:Transmisor_de_bulbos_AM_Elcom_Bauer_701_B_XEQK.jpg|thumb|left|A vacuum tube AM transmitter]] | |||
Early transmitters used vacuum tubes to generate and amplify signals. These were large and required significant power. | |||
=== Solid State Transmitters === | |||
Modern transmitters use solid-state devices such as transistors, which are more efficient and compact. | |||
== Modern Transmitters == | |||
=== Digital Transmitters === | |||
Digital transmitters use digital modulation techniques to transmit data. They are used in modern [[digital television]] and [[digital radio]] broadcasting. | |||
=== Software-Defined Radio === | |||
Software-defined radio (SDR) transmitters use software to perform signal processing tasks that were traditionally done by hardware. | |||
== Applications == | |||
=== Broadcasting === | |||
Transmitters are used in radio and television broadcasting to send audio and video signals to the public. | |||
=== Telecommunications === | |||
[[File:Cordless_phone_icon.svg|thumb|right|Cordless phone]] | |||
Transmitters are essential in telecommunications for sending voice and data over long distances. | |||
=== Navigation === | |||
Transmitters are used in navigation systems such as [[GPS]] to send signals to receivers. | |||
== Related Pages == | |||
* [[Antenna (radio)]] | |||
* [[Modulation]] | |||
* [[Radio wave]] | |||
* [[Broadcasting]] | |||
* [[Telecommunication]] | |||
[[Category:Radio technology]] | |||
[[Category:Broadcast engineering]] | |||
[[Category:Telecommunications equipment]] | |||
Latest revision as of 14:13, 21 February 2025
Transmitter[edit]
A transmitter is an electronic device that produces radio waves with an antenna. The transmitter itself generates a radio frequency alternating current, which is applied to the antenna. When excited by this alternating current, the antenna radiates radio waves. Transmitters are necessary components of all electronic devices that communicate by radio, such as radio and television broadcasting stations, cellular phones, walkie-talkies, wireless networks, Bluetooth-enabled devices, garage door openers, two-way radios in aircraft, ships, spacecraft, radar sets, and navigational beacons.
Components[edit]
A typical transmitter consists of several key components:
Power Supply[edit]
The power supply provides the necessary electrical power to operate the transmitter.
Oscillator[edit]
The oscillator creates the alternating current at the frequency on which the transmitter will transmit. This is the carrier wave.
Modulator[edit]
The modulator adds the information to be transmitted to the carrier wave. This can be done by varying the amplitude, frequency, or phase of the carrier wave.
Amplifier[edit]
The amplifier increases the power of the signal to a level suitable for transmission.
Antenna[edit]
The antenna converts the amplified signal into radio waves.
Types of Transmitters[edit]
Radio Transmitters[edit]

Radio transmitters are used in broadcasting to send audio signals to radios. They can be AM or FM transmitters, depending on the modulation technique used.
Television Transmitters[edit]
Television transmitters send both audio and video signals to television receivers. They use frequency modulation for audio and amplitude modulation for video.
Communication Transmitters[edit]
These transmitters are used in various communication devices such as cell phones, walkie-talkies, and CB radios.
Radar Transmitters[edit]
Radar transmitters send out pulses of radio waves and receive the echoes to determine the location and speed of objects.
Microwave Transmitters[edit]
Microwave transmitters are used for point-to-point communication links and in satellite communication.
Signal Processing[edit]

Signal processing in transmitters involves the manipulation of the signal to improve transmission quality and efficiency. This includes filtering, modulation, and amplification.
Historical Transmitters[edit]
Vacuum Tube Transmitters[edit]

Early transmitters used vacuum tubes to generate and amplify signals. These were large and required significant power.
Solid State Transmitters[edit]
Modern transmitters use solid-state devices such as transistors, which are more efficient and compact.
Modern Transmitters[edit]
Digital Transmitters[edit]
Digital transmitters use digital modulation techniques to transmit data. They are used in modern digital television and digital radio broadcasting.
Software-Defined Radio[edit]
Software-defined radio (SDR) transmitters use software to perform signal processing tasks that were traditionally done by hardware.
Applications[edit]
Broadcasting[edit]
Transmitters are used in radio and television broadcasting to send audio and video signals to the public.
Telecommunications[edit]

Transmitters are essential in telecommunications for sending voice and data over long distances.
[edit]
Transmitters are used in navigation systems such as GPS to send signals to receivers.