Here's a PLL FM Transmitter using LMX1601, ATtiny2313 or AT90S2313 microcontrollers. The common characteristic of all of the previous low power FM transmitters I've built over the decades, is that their operating frequency is determined by an LC resonant circuit. Some of them had excellent stability, some of them didn't, but I had always wanted to make one that is crystal controlled. Various schemes had been considered from time-to-time, including the direct approach of modulating the load capacitance of a a crystal oscillator, a whimsical phase modulation scheme involving a phase shifter, some balanced modulators, and limiting amplifiers, and at times, the down-to-earth and sober approach of modulating a VCO within a phase locked loop (PLL). While browsing Digikey's online catalog, I found the LMX1601 frequency synthesizer chip and thought: "Just maybe, the PLL approach is finally within my grasp." The LMX1601, which apparently was designed for use in cell phones, includes everything need to make two phase locked loops except for the VCOs. More importantly, one of the PLLs, specifically the "AUX" PLL, is specified to work in the FM broadcast band. The LMX1600 and the LMX1602 were also considered, but the LMX1601 was selected because it has a "500 MHz option", meaning that it can work down to about 50 MHz.

     Simple FM Transmitter with BC549
     5W PLL FM Transmitter
     15W Transmitter Power Amplifier 88-108MHz
     Mini FM Transmitter
     A Wide Dynamic Range Field Strength Meter
     FM Transmitter Circuit
     FM Transmitter with Varactor Diode Tuning
     30W VHF FM Amplifier for 88 - 108 MHz with BLF245 MOSFET
     1.5V Spy FM Transmitter Bug
     30W Digital Wattmeter for RF (0-500MHz)

Circuit-Zone.com © 2020. All Rights Reserved.