NJM2035 - HI-FI Stereo Encoder / Multiplexer

Part's List: Technical Specifications:

2x 47K 1x NJM2035 IC
1x 10K 1x 33uF 1x 38 KHz Crystal Voltage Supply: 1.2V - 3.6V MAX
1x 82K 1x 10uF Current Draw: >3mA
1x 50K POT 3x 100nF (104) Channel Separation: < 25dB
1x 100pF (101) Signal to Noise Ratio: 67 dB
1x 10pF (10) Operation Temperature: -20 - 75°C
Frequency Range: 20Hz - 15KHz

NJM2035 HI-FI Stereo Encoder has been recognized by MAKE Magazine.

HI-FI Stereo Encoder / Multiplexer
This stereo encoder is the perfect solution for those looking for a high quality stereo sound transmission at a
low cost. This stereo encoder produces an excellent crystal clear stereo sound and very good channel separation that can
match with many more expensive stereo encoders that are available on the market. It is all possible thanks to a 38KHz
quartz crystal that controls the 19kHz pilot tone, so you will never have to calibrate or re-adjust the circuit.
NJM2035 offers superb quality and is manufactured by NJR CORPORATION (JRC), a subsidiary of New Japan Radio,
a company that is known as the world’s best manufacturer of high end professional audio semiconductors. This
transmitter will work with any mono FM transmitter including TX300 and TX500 which are available on our website.
The whole circuit may easily fit on a small 1” x 1.5” printed circuit board allowing to fit in places where space is limited.
While building your stereo encoder please take your time and always double check with the schematic to make sure that
all the connections are done correctly. If you have any questions, comments or suggestion we will be glad to further
assist you.

NJM2035 - Internal Block Diagram

How Does Stereo Encoder Work?

The stereo encoder consists of three main stages; pre-emphasis, digital encoder and mixer stages.

Pre-emphasis stage is achieved by using two 47K resistors and two 1nF capacitors. This helps to eliminate the noise that
is produced during the FM transmission of your audio signal.

Second stage that is built around NJM2035 is a digital encoder. All of its internal blocks except for two audio amplifiers
(pins 1 & 14) that act as separators are created using digital circuits. The first digital circuit is a 38KHz oscillator that is
generated by using external 38KHz crystal (pin 7), 10pF capacitor (pin 6) and 100pF bypass capacitor (pin 5). Once
 38KHz frequency is generated it is then buffered and divided into two 19KHz signals with a phase difference of 180
degrees. Once that is done these two frequencies are connected with two time division MPX digital alternating
switchers ,one for each audio channel. Here audio channels are switched between each other with a total frequency of
38KHz. If you would be able to slow this frequency to 1Hz per second you would be able to hear that this all but a trick.
During the first half of the second you would hear the left audio channel and during the second half of the second you
would hear the right audio channel. Due to the fact that the channels are switched with a fast frequency of 38KHz per
second our brain is unable to recognize that these channels are really switched and receives this as a continuous audio
signal. At the same time another signal from the 38KHz oscillator is divided by half into 19KHz. This signal is called a
PILOT tone because it will help a stereo decoder on the receiver’s part to slice the MULTIPLEX signal (mixed L and R
audio channels) and separate them back into left and right audio channels.

The third stage is a mixer that consists of 33uF and 100nF capacitors and 82K and 10K resistors. The role of this circuit
is to mix the multiplex subcarrier and pilot signals together. The multiplex subcarrier signal that is coming out from the
pin 9 of the NJM2035 IC is the sum and difference of both left and right audio channels that are switched at 38Khz rate.
The PILOT signal that is coming out of pin 8 is a 19KHz frequency that is used to distinguish what channel is currently
being switched and without which stereo decoding would not be possible.

How to Connect a Stereo Encoder to your FM Transmitter

1) First test your FM Transmitter and make sure that an audio signal is properly transmitted on your desired frequency.
Once that is done turn off your transmitter and disconnect its audio inputs.

2) Connect left and right audio outputs from your audio source to the inputs of your stereo encoder.

3) Connect stereo encoder’s MPX output to your transmitter’s input (audio coax cable highly recommended).

4) Turn on your transmitter, FM receiver and audio source (making sure its audio volume is not too loud), and apply
voltage supply from a single 1.5 battery cell to a stereo encoder.

5) By now you should hear a stereo sound. Adjust 50K potentiometer making sure your L-R balance is set to the middle
and adjust the volume of your audio source making sure an audio signal is as clear as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I replace NJM2035 with BA1404?
No. BA1404 chip has been manufactured by a different company and these two chips have different internal architecture
and pin connections.

2. Can I use my own pre-emphasis circuit?

Yes that’s feasible. All you have to do is short circuit 47K resistor / 1nF capacitor and connect your pre-emphasis to
audio inputs.

3. Stereo Encoder works but the transmitted music comes out distorted. What can I do to eliminate that
distortion?
You have to remember not to over-modulate NJM2035 inputs with higher / louder audio signals than it can handle.
Placing 10K stereo potentiometer on audio inputs can help eliminate that problem, although it is not necessary to achieve
a good sound quality. All you have to do is lower the volume of the incoming audio source.

4. Stereo Encoder works but the transmitted music comes out with noise. What can be done to eliminate that
 noise?
Stereo Encoder has to be grounded properly and cannot be too close to the transmitter’s oscillator as it might cause an
oscillation. Another reason might be a lack of proper filtering on your power supply, if you are using one. If that’s the
case make sure that all the diodes on the rectifier are bypassed with a 10n capacitors and that your voltage supply is well
filtered with at least 4700uF capacitor.

5. Can I supply the encoder with a single 1.5V battery cell.

Yes. In fact due to the very little power consumption (>3mA) of the NJM2035 chip your encoder should work for quite a
while when supplying from just one single 1.5V battery!

6. I want to connect the encoder to the supply voltage of my FM transmitter which is higher than 1.5 V, how can
this be done?
You can easily build a simple power converter for the stereo encoder with a few simple components as shown below.

7. Can I use my transmitter's existing pre-emphasis?

Pre-emphasis can only be used before stereo encoder’s Audio Inputs not after its MPX Output. Doing otherwise may
produce undesired results as MPX signal contains crucial 19KHz PILOT signal needed for stereo decoding.

8. If I will use a stereo encoder will any mono FM receiver be able to receive the audio signal?
Yes. MPX stream that is generated by NJM2035 contains both stereo and mono audio signals.

9. Is it true that stereo transmitters require stronger power output comparing to mono FM transmitters?
Stereo transmitters may require 'slightly' stronger power output to achieve clear stereo sound on the receiving part
because transmitter has to also carry out clear 19KHz PILOT signal without which stereo transmission is not possible. If
stereo FM receiver does not receive a clear PILOT tone it may change from stereo to mono reception.

Where to get the Parts

If you are building the above Stereo Encoder and have trouble finding some of the components like NJM2035 or 38KHz
crystals, we are distributing the following components in our Electronic Store and also the kit version in Electronic
Kits section.

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