A transmitter is an electronic device used in telecommunications to produce radio waves in

order to transmit or send data with the aid of an antenna. The transmitter is able to generate a
radio frequency alternating current that is then applied to the antenna, which, in turn, radiates
this as radio waves. There are many types of transmitters depending on the standard being
used and the type of device; for example, many modern devices that have communication
capabilities have transmitters such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC and cellular.

The general purpose of a transmitter is to transmit signals. These signals contain information,
which can be audio, video, or data. In essence, a transmitter launches signals into the air via a
transmitting antenna. After traveling some distance, the transmitted signal eventually reaches
the receiving antenna of a receiver. The receiver then deciphers and processes the information
contained in the transmitted signal.

A transmitter’s functionality is achieved through a series of steps. First, a carrier signal must
be generated. The actual information signal then modulates this carrier signal. Thus, the
information signal is often referred to as the modulating signal (it is also occasionally called
the message signal). The carrier signal essentially “carries” the modulation information.

Once the carrier signal is modulated, it is amplified to a level sufficient to allow for
transmission over the required distance. The final amplification stage is realized by a power
amplifier (PA), an important component in any transmitter. Once the PA amplifies the signal,
it is fed to the transmitter’s antenna and subsequently launched.

The PA’s performance depends on the requirements of the specific application. Thus, any
transmitter has its own specific power requirements. For example, base-station power
requirements have been increasing in recent years, with power levels expected to be as high
as 100 W in the future. For AM radio broadcasting, power levels of transmitted signals reach
the kilowatt range.

1. This is a block diagram of a high-level AM transmitter.

Of course, many transmitter implementations are possible. Take, for instance, the large
number of modulation techniques currently being employed. However, the process described
here can be considered a very general overview of a transmitter’s functionality
Smart and Intelligent Transmitter:

The simplified smart transmitter diagram shown in the below figure. It consists of a sensor or
input circuitry, the microprocessor, memory, and a communication block. The word multi-
variable transmitter is also used sometimes particularly for a device like a smart flow
measuring instrument. This measures absolute pressure, differential pressure, and process
temperature. Computes mass flow rate and volumetric flow rate of the process fluid.

The output from the smart transmitter no longer just the primary process variable, but also
includes secondary process variables, sensor health, sensor performance characteristics,
calibration information, and real-time diagnostics. (These data can be accessed through
HART protocol or via fieldbus communication). All this information is used to improve the
process, optimize the performance of the instrument while extending its life, and maximize
the productivity of the personnel. With the advent of the internet, high data speed, and with
these smart field instruments and systems are further transformed and become part of IoT
(Internet of Things).

Advantages of SMART Transmitters

 Smart transmitters consist of microprocessors and have bi-directional communication.

 Smart transmitters include secondary sensors, that can measure and compensate for
environmental disturbance.
 Signal conditioning will be done and also analog to digital conversion.
 Smart Transmitters consists of multiple sensors and covering various measurement
ranges and allow automatic selection of the required range.
 Smart transmitters have a self-calibration capability that allows the removal of zero
drift and sensitivity drift errors.
 Smart transmitters will have a self-diagnostic capability and one can plan for
maintenance requirements.
  It can adjust for non-linearities and give linear output.
 Smart transmitters provide improved accuracy and reliability.
 Long term stability can be improved, re-calibration frequency can be reduced.
 Reduced maintenance costs.
 Allows interoperability and becomes possible for selecting vendors of choice.
 Allows remote re-calibration and re-ranging.
 Reduction in managing a number of spare transmitters, since one transmitter can be
configured to cover any range and makes it possible to replace the transmitters.
 Some transmitters like temperature measurement have the facility to connect
redundant sensors, which is not possible with ordinary transmitters. In the event of
failure of one sensor, the other sensor helps to find the temperature which improves
the plant reliability.
 Configuration data that was stored under the same Tag can be transferred from
handheld communicators or from DCS systems.
 The majority of smart transmitters are loop powered (two-wire).
Disadvantages of SMART Transmitters

 As a part of preventive maintenance, calibration or validation can not be avoided,

though the transmitters are SMART

Force balance Transmitter