WICN Tower Broadcast Expansion Interactive Qualifying Project completed in partial fulfillment of the Bachelor of Science degree at Worcester Polytechnic Institute Submitted to: Professor Vincent Manzo Submitted by: Alexander Arnold ____________________________________ Ben Sharron ____________________________________ Devon Locke ____________________________________ Doruk Uzunoglu ____________________________________ May 5, 2015 Abstract Signal expansion is an important mechanism that radio stations rely on expand their listener base. In this project, our team examined several methods to help WICN reduce interference with other stations, and expand and improve the quality of their broadcast signal. We investigated a wide range of potential solutions including the notion of implementing a GPS- based booster station, which included our development of an original prototype, as this technology does not currently exist. We measured and tested the viability of our prototype as a means to expand WICN’s signal, and provided recommendations for more focused future projects. i Acknowledgements The WICN Tower Expansion team would like to thank our advisor, Professor Vincent J. Manzo for his help and feedback throughout this project. We would like to like to thank Dave Doherty, a Consultant Engineer for his feedback and insight in radio technology. Lastly we would like to thank Gerry Weston for sponsoring this project, sharing his knowledge about the radio industry, and providing us detailed information about WICN’s goals regarding signal improvement and expansion, which helped shape the course of our project greatly. ii Table of Authorship Abstract AA, BS, DU Executive Summary AA, BS, DU Chapter 1: Introduction AA, BS Chapter 2: Background AA, BS, DL, DU 2.1 History of Radio Technology BS, DL 2.2 FCC Regulations AA, DU 2.3 The Problems and Goals BS, DU 2.4 Radio Interference AA, DU 2.4.1 Past Project: “FM Radio Interference Investigation” AA, DU 2.5 Signal Expansion and Improvement AA, DU 2.5.1 Translator Stations AA, DU 2.5.2 Booster Stations AA, DU 2.5.3 Tower Height and Location AA, BS 2.5.4 Transmission Power AA, BS 2.5.5 Antennas AA, BS 2.6 Internet Booster Station AA, DU 2.6.1 Wireless Communication AA, DU 2.6.2 Clock Synchronization AA, BS, DU 2.7 Background Summary BS, DU Chapter 3: Methodology AA, BS, DU 3.2 Software BS, DU 3.2.1 User Interface and Settings BS, DU 3.2.2 GPS Location and Time Synchronization BS, DU 3.2.3 Internet Music Stream BS, DU 3.2.4 Software Integration BS, DU 3.3 Modulation and Transmitter Hardware AA, BS 3.3.1 Amplitude Modulation Circuit AA, BS 3.3.2 Radio Frequency Modulator AA, DU 3.4 Functionality Testing AA, DU Chapter 4: Results and Errors AA, BS, DL 4.1 Results AA, BS, DL iii 4.2 Errors AA, BS, DL Chapter 5: Recommendations AA, BS, DU 5.1 General Recommendations AA, DU 5.2.1 Interference AA, BS 5.2.2 Expansion BS, DU 5.2.3 Improvement BS, DU 5.2 Internet Booster Station Recommendations AA, DU 5.2.1 Software Defined Radio AA, BS 5.1.2 GPS Time Synchronization AA, BS 5.1.3 Timestamp System BS, DU 5.3 Conclusion AA, BS, DU iv Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ i Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... ii Table of Authorship ....................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ v Table of Figures ............................................................................................................................ vii Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2: Background ................................................................................................................... 2 2.1 History of Radio Technology................................................................................................ 2 2.2 FCC Regulations ................................................................................................................... 3 2.3 The Problems and Goals ....................................................................................................... 3 2.4 Radio Interference ................................................................................................................. 4 2.4.1 Past Project: “FM Radio Interference Investigation” .................................................. 4 2.5 Signal Expansion and Improvement ..................................................................................... 5 2.5.1 Translator Stations ......................................................................................................... 6 2.5.2 Booster Stations ............................................................................................................. 6 2.5.3 Tower Height and Location ........................................................................................... 7 2.5.4 Transmission Power ....................................................................................................... 8 2.5.5 Antennas ........................................................................................................................ 9 2.6 Internet Booster Station ...................................................................................................... 10 2.6.1 Wireless Communication ............................................................................................. 10 2.6.2 Clock Synchronization ................................................................................................. 15 2.7 Background Summary ........................................................................................................ 15 Chapter 3: Methodology ............................................................................................................... 17 3.1 Software .............................................................................................................................. 17 3.1.1 User Interface and Settings .......................................................................................... 17 3.1.2 GPS Location and Time Synchronization.................................................................... 19 3.1.3 Internet Music Stream .................................................................................................. 20 3.1.4 Software Integration..................................................................................................... 21 3.2 Modulation and Transmitter Hardware ............................................................................... 22 3.2.1 Amplitude Modulation Circuit ..................................................................................... 22 3.2.2 Radio Frequency Modulator ........................................................................................ 25 v 3.3 Functionality Testing .......................................................................................................... 27 Chapter 4: Data and Analysis ....................................................................................................... 29 4.1 Results ................................................................................................................................. 29 4.2 Errors................................................................................................................................... 29 Chapter 5: Recommendations and Conclusion ............................................................................. 31 5.1 General Recommendations ................................................................................................. 31 5.1.1 Interference .................................................................................................................. 31 5.1.2 Expansion ..................................................................................................................... 32 5.1.3 Improvement ................................................................................................................ 34 5.2 Internet Booster Station Recommendations ........................................................................ 36 5.2.1 Software Defined Radio ............................................................................................... 36 5.2.2 GPS Time Synchronization.......................................................................................... 37 5.2.3 Timestamp System ....................................................................................................... 38 5.3: Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 39 References ..................................................................................................................................... 41 Appendix A: Signal Maps of WICN Provide by Dave Doherty ................................................... 43 vi Table of Figures Figure 1 Simulated Signal ............................................................................................................