Republic of the Philippines

BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY

SARMIENTO CAMPUS
City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan

Multi-Functional Wireless Microphone: Low Cost Version

DEMETRIO B. DELA CRUZ

RATIONALE

Wireless Technology nowadays is dominating most of the daily activities of men obviously
because of the benefits it can give even from the time the first crude wireless technology had begun.
From the complex electronic system to a very simple electronic gadget, wireless technology can always
be found benefiting every individual. The main reason why wireless technology is applied to a system
which before does not use such technology is because of the easiness of usage due to its advantageous
features such as portability and mobility. The day to day operation does not limit any user from being in
one place likewise the gadget or device can be held without long wires or cable, connecting the whole
system.

One important situation that needs the application of wireless technology is when one teaches
and/or speaks before a large audience while demonstrating something or writing on the board and
speaks at the same time. The most common applied technology to it is the use of wireless microphone
along with appropriate sound system making the voice of the speaker loud enough to hear by the large
audience, and at the same time allowing him to go to a place quickly, easily and wirelessly. Secondly,
the complain of some Instructors who always suffer from loss of their loud and clear voice soon after
holding a big size class knowing that they still have to use their vocal cord in their class that follows
next.

To augment the aforementioned situations with much more easier facilitation, the researcher
seeks to design and develop a low cost wireless device with some additional features but still have the
best level of performance. One advantage of it is that the use of this research project eliminates sound
system setup for the receiver because ordinary FM radio with appropriate sound power (with built-in
amplifier) can be used with it as the receiver that’s why the operation can be a plug and play setup. In
other words, this project is just one device (transmitter only) that doesn’t need a second device (its
receiver) since FM radio with louder sound can be used with it as its receiver and almost all households
nowadays own an FM
 radio or Karaoke which has a built-in amplifier loud enough for classroom size area, thus the second
device is already available in every home.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The general objective of this study is to design/develop and fabricate wireless headset type
microphone transmitter with the use of ordinary household FM radio as its receiver. The study also
aims to maximize its usage in a way that it can be utilized for other related purposes, making it a
versatile one.

Moreover, the study specifically seeks to fulfill the following:

1. To be able to fabricate and utilize a low-cost version of wireless headset type microphone.

2. To be able to convert the device from hands-free to a handheld wireless microphone.

3. To be able to play music from audio players such as Mp3 or Laptop through the device with
a good result.

4. To be able to utilize commercially available rechargeable cell-phone battery as its built-in

battery pack for much longer uninterrupted operation period.

5. To be able to allow the user to adjust the volume control during unwanted feedback only at
the transmitter.

6. To be able to allow the user to use the same mic input jack as jack for charger/adaptor mini
plug.

7. To be able to transmit exactly at blank FM station frequencies like 102.3 MHz up to 108.7
MHz to avoid interference to other stations (radio or T.V).

8. To be able to adjust the tuning range of FM radio receiver to 108.7 by merely expanding the
tuning coil inside it.

9. To be able to use it as an instructional model.

CONCEPT OF THE STUDY

The study is focused on how wireless microphone can be designed to an affordable low-cost
version that still provides advantageous features as that of high-priced commercial type. The
researcher, however still seeks to incorporate additional features that will make the project versatile
and easy to use. The project was conceptualized to be received at any FM radio with appropriate sound
power such as 5W or greater. Even more than one fm radio receiver can be simultaneously turned on to
the same tuned blank FM station to facilitate the spreading of voice from different strategic places in a
large size audience. The user is allowed to use the project hands free specially during demo-teaching
and lecture-speaking in a class, seminar or review session plus giving a relief to his vocal cord to
minimize throat fatigue because the effort of speaking is reduced. Additionally, the researcher
conceptualized a prompt conversion of the project to a handheld microphone during when the
speaking activity becomes just a meeting, forum, and conference which are entirely speaking
engagement.
 CONCEPTUAL PROCESS

START

CONCEPTS, IDEAS, RELATED STUDIES

DEVELOPMENTAL PLANNING

NO ATTAINABLE
YES
TOOLS AND MATERIALS

FABRICATION

ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION

TESTING AND EVALUATION

IMPROVEMENT/MODIFICATION

ACCEPTABL NO
E
YES
FINISHED PROJECT

MAINTENANCE CHECKS AND TESTING

RECOMMENDATION FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENT

END
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

All diagrams presented including the list of materials show the simplicity of the project, that’s
why the cost of the whole project is minimal. All the components are available commercially allowing
the easy fabrication of the project and since the receiver which completes the system is already at
hand, the project development becomes much easier.
FABRICATION PROCEDURE

A. The wireless microphone circuit assembly

1. Prepare all the materials needed

2. Make a pcb copper clad design of the circuit based on its schematic diagram.

3. Use pcb size as small as possible. But be sure all major components can be accommodated
therein.

4. Etch the pcb design using etching materials like ferric chloride and masking tape.

4. Solder all the necessary components directly even without holes.

B. The plastic case assembly

1. Make necessary holes for mounting the volume control, mic/charger input jack, and power
switch.

2. Mount the pcb-assembled wireless microphone circuit inside the plastic case using screws.

3. Make a necessary wiring installation for the volume control, mic/charger input jack and
power switch including the battery.

4. Double check the finished assembly for possible short circuits inside the case.

C. The lapel/headset assembly

1. Bend the stainless steel wire in the form of hair band to a size fitted to lower back portion of
the head up to the ears.

2. Extend one right end of the wire reaching the lips for the microphone to be placed using
quick drying hard glue.

3. Solder and connect one meter length of small mic cable to the microphone and mini mic plug.

SET UP PROCEDURE

1. Push the power switch of the transmitter to on position while its case is half open and plug-in
the headset microphone to its jack while its volume control is set to minimum.
2. Turn on the fm radio receiver while it is positioned 3 feet away from the transmitter and tune
it somewhere in the vicinity of 105.5 MHz. with the volume set to half and a minimal hissing
sound should be heard from its speaker. Note 105.5 MHz is a blank station just right after the
station Crossover 105.1

3. On the other hand, make a simple tap on the mic or if necessary do speaking while the
adjustment of the tuning coil in the transmitter is continuing until it is exactly tuned to 105.5
MHz

4. Continue adjusting the tuning coil until your voice, background noise or feed- back is heard
on the fm receiver’s speaker.

5. Make necessary find tuning to achieve clear reception of sound by readjusting the tuning dial
of the receiver slightly to the left or right direction.

6. Always adjust the volume control of the transmitter to eliminate unwanted feedback and also
to obtain normal amplified voice from the receiver’s speaker.

OPERATIONAL TEST RESULTS/FINDINGS

For the initial evaluation, the researcher constructed the prototype and used
performance-based qualitative approach to determine whether the objectives are met and to
draw conclusion for improvements and modifications.

After series of testing of the prototype, the following positive findings and observations came to
appear:

1. Both the transmitter and the receiver were able to be tuned to the desired FM blank station
which is at 105.5 Mhz.

2. The volume control of the transmitter was functional in minimizing the unwanted feedback
signal up to the extent that the sound level could be properly adjusted.

3. The two cell-phone battery pack achieved the prolongation of its operation period even up to
6 hours or more.

4. The two-in-one function of input jack as a mic jack and also as a charger jack was achieved.

5. The range of transmission was stable and good within the classroom size area.

6. The sound from receiver’s speakers is acceptably loud and clear.

7. The bill of materials indicated that the project is surprisingly less than the price of the one
available in the market.

8. Other operations like playing music from Mp3 or Laptop besides being a wireless mic were
successfully achieved, making it a multi-purpose gadget.

9. Both music and voice can be mixed in transmitter with an acceptable outcome.

After series of testing of the prototype, the following negative findings and observations came
to appear:

1. Sometimes the reception was blanked momentarily, during when the user’s body where the
transmitter is attached was in the position covering the transmitter from the receiver.

2. After charging of the built-in cell-phone battery pack and the transmitter is immediately put
to use, the operation was not as good as it was before charging.

CONCLUSION

The positive findings/results which are obviously surpassing the negative ones might
lead to a conclusion that the project is possibly feasible for its intended use as it seemingly has
reached almost all of the objectives to which the project is focused. Apparently of course it still
has to undergo some refinements for its improvement that will require sufficient time in the
future because it is not yet perfectly comparable to the qualities of the high-priced commercial
type. Needless to say, some advance or sophisticated kind of measuring instruments intended
for this purpose are also necessary in resolving negative technical issues that might additionally
arise aside from the two being mentioned above, until it reach perfection.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Some members of the faculty who personally saw the project recommend it for classroom
use.

2. Some of my students are satisfied with the testing I have made with them during our
discussion.