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FM CONVERTER. Team Members. Dan Harkins Team Leader. George Henry. Dr. Georgios Lazarou Advisor. Beau Blackwell. Shawn Welch. Team Responsibilities. Project Significance. Car radios do not have audio inputs. Many cars only have a CD or cassette player.
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Team Members Dan Harkins Team Leader George Henry Dr. Georgios Lazarou Advisor Beau Blackwell Shawn Welch
Project Significance • Car radios do not have audio inputs • Many cars only have a CD or cassette player • FM converter can be used with FM radio • Keeps the owner from having to buy and install entire audio system
Current Technology Options • Cassette adapters are the most widely used means to play one audio device through another • Cassette Player Adapters • Existing tape player needed • Excess wiring can get in the way • Limited signal quality
Design Diagram Signal from Audio Device Process Signal (Convert to FM Signal) Transmit Converted FM signal to FM receiver
Design Specifications • 1. Operating Frequency:Operate throughout on the standard FM radio range (87.9-107.9 MHz) 2. Weight:Target weight is eight ounces • 3. FCC Requirements: Must be compliant with Part 15 of FCC regulations • 4. Signal Clarity:The unit will be able to broadcast a stereo • signal through the air 5. Packaging: Final product will be approximately 5” x 3” x 3” • 6. User Interface: The unit will feature: • push-button style tuner • LCD to display the operating frequency • Input signal LED
Design Specifications • 7. Durability: Must be resilient to the bumps • and bruises that can occur to a portable device. • 8. Power Requirements: Will operate off: • Four AA batteries • AC converter • 12V DC Adapter • 9. Cost: • Prototype Components: $80 – 90 • Mass production costs approximately • 10- 20% of our prototype cost • 10. Audio Input: The converter will use RCA audio inputs.
Benefits of RCA Connection • Cord more commonly used and widely available • Greater versatility: • RCA inputs offer the possibility to use both RCA and headphone outputs • Increased cord life • Cords can be removable for storage • User can replace worn or damaged cord without having to replace the entire unit
Benefits Over Tape Adapters • Portability • No wires to connect to FM receiver • Light-weight • Can be used with any FM receiver • Signal Clarity • No tape “hiss” • Low interference • Automotive design minimizes interference
Benefits of FM vs. AM • More widely used than AM radio • Consumers more familiar with FM dial • Better signal to noise ratio • Less interference than AM radio • Nearby electronic devices can cause “noise” • Even weather can cause static on AM radio
Research Prototype Simulation Performance Testing Debugging Final Documentation