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Introduction
Our industrial tour took place on 09th October 2024, as part of the course curriculum for
B.Sc(Engineering) in Electronics and Communication Engineering, Level–2, Semester-II. The
tour was supervised by Dr. Tangina Sultana Mam, Md. Kamal Hossain Sir and Mahfujur
Rahman Sir. The main purpose of this tour was to develop our practical engineering skills,
enhance technical experience, and provide exposure to real-world engineering problems.

Timeline
th
Date: 09 October, 2024
Place: Thaurgaon
First visit: BTV Sub-station, Thakurgaon.
Second visit: Bangladesh Radio Station, Thakurgaon.
Start Time: 09:30 AM
End Time: 05:30 PM

Bangladesh Television
Bangladesh Television, often referred to by its abbreviation BTV, is the national television
network of Bangladesh, owned and operated by the government. Initially established in 1964
as the East Pakistan branch of PTV, it holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest Bengali-
language television network. BTV is a counterpart to Bangladesh Betar, the national radio
broadcaster, and both are state-operated.
As Bangladesh’s sole terrestrial television provider, BTV primarily relies on television license
fees for its funding. While it has produced several acclaimed programs, it has also faced
criticism for being government-aligned and lacking in diverse content. Both BTV’s
headquarters and administrative offices are located in Rampura, Dhaka.

Before the emergence of satellite channels in the late 1990s, BTV was the only television
network in Bangladesh and enjoyed high viewership. However, as satellite TV gained
popularity, BTV’s dominance declined, partly due to its continued use as a platform for
government messaging since Bangladesh's independence.
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Currently, BTV operates two main stations, BTV Dhaka and BTV Chittagong, with fourteen
relay stations throughout the country, and it also offers a satellite channel, BTV World. As a
member of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, Asia vision, and an associate of the European
Broadcasting Union, BTV maintains international affiliations and has plans to launch six
additional channels.

BTV’s satellite coverage extends across Asia and parts of Europe and Africa. It shares ties with
Sangsad Television, a parliamentary channel, and has plans to make BTV World an
independent entertainment channel with a unique programming lineup. BTV Dhaka broadcasts
18 hours daily on terrestrial television and around-the-clock via satellite, with BTV World’s
content filling off-air hours. BTV Chittagong also broadcasts continuously every day.

BTV Sub-station Thakurgaon

Bangladesh has 14 BTV substations, with Thakurgaon being one of them. This substation
utilizes two dish antennas to receive signals, which also arrive via BTCL fiber. Operating
between 174 and 230 MHz at 7 MHz per channel, the station’s transmission range exceeds 50
kilometers.

After a one-and-a-half-hour bus journey, we arrived at the Bangladesh Television (BTV)

substation in Thakurgaon around 11:25 am. This was our first stop, and the BTV staff greeted
us warmly. One of the technical engineers guided us through the equipment and provided
insights into BTV's operations.
He began with an overview of BTV, explaining that Bangladesh Television, commonly known
by its acronym BTV, is the government-owned television network of Bangladesh. Founded in
1964 as part of East Pakistan’s PTV, it is the oldest Bengali-language television network
globally. Alongside Bangladesh Betar, the state-run radio broadcaster, BTV is managed by the
government.

As Bangladesh's sole terrestrial television network, BTV is funded mainly through license fees.
Despite having produced several notable programs, it faces criticism for its alignment with the
government and perceived lack of quality programming. Both its headquarters and main
administrative office are located in Rampura, Dhaka.
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At the substation, we saw a large parabolic dish antenna outside the building. Our instructor
introduced this as the signal receiver, and he provided a detailed explanation of its function.

Power Supply
The substation is powered by an 11-kilovolt, three-phase AC supply line. Additionally, it has
two backup power sources: a generator and an online UPS. The 11-kilovolt supply is first

Figure 1: Power Supply

stepped down to a 400-volt, three-phase AC supply through a transformer. This 400-volt supply
is then prepared to power the substation's operations effectively.

Parabolic Dish Antenna

A parabolic dish antenna, commonly known as a parabolic antenna or dish, is a directional

antenna frequently used for sending and receiving radio signals, such as those for
communication, satellite transmission, radar, and radio astronomy. Its unique parabolic design
enables it to concentrate incoming or outgoing electromagnetic waves to a specific focal point.
A typical parabolic dish antenna includes several essential components:
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Figure 2: Receiver Antenna

Parabolic Reflector
The most prominent part of the antenna is the parabolic reflector. It is a concave curved surface
shaped like a parabola. This shape is designed to concentrate incoming parallel electromagnetic
waves onto a single focal point. The reflective surface is typically made of metal, such as
aluminum, and is highly polished to ensure efficient reflection.

Feed Antenna: Positioned at the focal point of the parabolic reflector, the feed antenna is a
small component responsible for sending or receiving signals. It is carefully located to ensure
that the reflector accurately directs electromagnetic waves onto it. The feed antenna type may
vary, including options like horn antennas or dipoles.
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Figure 3: Receiver Antenna

Support Structure: The parabolic reflector is held by a support structure that secures it in
place and allows for precise positioning. This structure typically includes an assembly of arms,
struts, and a mount, enabling directional adjustments for optimal signal reception.

Feed System: The feed system consists of elements that connect the feed antenna to the
receiver or transmitter. Components like waveguides, coaxial cables, and other transmission
lines ensure strong connections with minimal signal loss.

Functioning: When electromagnetic waves, such as radio or microwave signals, strike the
parabolic reflector, they are directed off the curved surface and focused onto the feed antenna
at the focal point. This focusing significantly enhances the antenna’s gain, making it highly
directional, allowing it to transmit or receive signals with increased power and precision
compared to omnidirectional antennas.
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The parabolic dish antenna's design provides high gain, narrow beamwidth, and minimal side
lobes, making it well-suited for long-distance communication, point-to-point connections, and
precise radar use. Its ability to focus signals boosts signal strength and clarity.

BTV Control Room: BTV operates four main channels:

1. BTV
2. BTV World
3. BTV Chittagong
4. Sangsad TV
These channels receive their signals from the Bangabandhu satellite, which has 40
transponders. Fourteen of these transponders operate on the C band, commonly used for large
dish antennas, while the remaining 26 operate on the Q band, though Q band transmissions
may experience minor delays.

Upon receiving the satellite signals via the dish antenna, the signals are routed to the patch
panel, where they are decoded and processed. The patch panel is equipped with two
transmission channels, AM and FM, enabling the signals to be prepared for transmission on
either frequency.

Next, the signals are directed to the transmitter, where a carrier signal is combined with the
original signal. The amplified signal then passes through four amplifiers and is encoded,
making it ready for broadcast through the transmission antenna. The final transmission
frequency is set between 209 MHz and 216 MHz

Transmitter: A television transmitter is a device designed to broadcast TV signals over

the airwaves, allowing them to be received by television sets and antennas. It transforms video
and audio signals into electromagnetic waves that can travel through the air, making them
accessible to television receivers. Here’s a quick overview of how television transmitters
operate:
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Figure 4: FM Transmitter

1. Signal Encoding: Television content, including both video and audio, is converted into
electronic signals that carry the visual and audio information of the broadcast.

2. Modulation: These encoded signals are then modulated onto a carrier frequency.
Modulation involves changing certain properties of the carrier wave (usually a radio
frequency) to match the input signal. Common techniques for this include amplitude
modulation (AM) and frequency modulation (FM).

3. Amplification: The modulated carrier signal is then amplified to increase its strength,
ensuring it can cover a large area and overcome obstacles like buildings and terrain.
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4. Antenna Transmission: The amplified signal is sent to an antenna, which radiates the
electromagnetic waves carrying the television signal into the surrounding area, allowing the
signal to spread in all directions.

5. Reception: TV sets or antennas within the transmitter’s range pick up these

electromagnetic waves. The television receiver demodulates the signal, extracting the
original video and audio content.

6. Decoding and Display: The television set then decodes and processes the demodulated
video and audio signals, displaying the video on the screen and playing the audio through
the speakers.

Television transmitters are essential in broadcasting content to homes and other locations,
making them key components of the infrastructure that delivers TV programs to broad
audiences.
With the development of digital television (DTV), many countries have transitioned from
analog to digital broadcasts. Digital TV transmitters use digital modulation techniques, offering
advantages like improved picture and sound quality, more efficient spectrum use, and features
like electronic program guides and interactive options.

Bandpass Filter

A bandpass filter is an electronic component or circuit that permits a specific range of

frequencies to pass through while blocking frequencies outside this range. It is widely used in
applications such as signal processing, communications systems, and audio devices. The
bandpass filter operates by selectively transmitting only the designated frequency range.
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Figure 5: Bandpass Filter

Dummy Load

Before broadcasting a signal, it may first be routed through a dummy load for testing. This
device provides a 10-kW output after processing the input signals, verifying that they are ready
for transmission through the feeder cable to the antenna. A de-hydrator is connected to the
feeder cable to remove any moisture, ensuring the cable remains dry.

Antenna

A television broadcasting antenna, or TV transmitting antenna, is specifically designed to emit

electromagnetic waves that carry TV signals through the airwaves. These antennas are essential
for television stations to deliver their programming to viewers' receivers and television sets.
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Figure 6: Dummy Load

Figure 7: Transmit Antenna

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Radio Station

Radio station maintains a broadcasting chain. Radio station used IRD (Integrated Receiver
Decode) to receive signal. IRD is an electronic device used to pick up a radio frequency signal
and convert digital information transmitted in it. Radio station First use a microphone to send
a voice signal. Microphone sends the signal to input COMSOL. Then the COMSOL transmit
the signal to computer. Then computer encode the signal and transmit through the transmitter
on tower. Radio station has two studios to make radio transmit. Those are Top studio and music
studio. Music studio is on air system. The signal sometimes does not enter transmitter directly.
it makes a path though the patch to transmitter

Circuit Breaker: The devices used for making and breaking an electrical circuit under some
pre- determined conditions are called circuit breakers. The functions of a circuit breaker are as
follows:
1. It must close on and carry full load currents for long period.
2. It must open automatically to disconnect the load, on over load under pre-determined
condition.
3. It must rapidly interrupt the heavy current, which may flow under a short circuit condition
in any part of the system.
4. The circuit breaker must be capable of withstanding the effect of arcing at its contact and the
thermal conditions,

Voltage Stabilizer

It is an electrical appliance which is designed to deliver a constant voltage to a load at its

output terminals regardless of the changes in the input or incoming supply voltage. It protects
the equipment or machine against over voltage, under voltage, and other voltage surges.
It is also called as automatic voltage regulator (AVR). Voltage stabilizers are preferred for
costly and precious electrical equipment’s to protect them from harmful low/high voltage
fluctuations. Some of these equipment’s are air conditioners, offset printing machines,
laboratory equipment’s, industrial machines, and medical apparatus.
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Figure 8: Voltage Stabilizer

Radio Station Power Supply

Radio station has a 11KVA volt power supply with a huge generator for emergency. The
generator can back up the power supply for two days.

Figure 9: Power Supply

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AM Signal Transmission
Amplitude Modulation (AM) is a modulation technique used in communication systems to
transmit information through variations in the amplitude of a carrier signal.

Message signal: The information signal, also called the modulating signal, is the signal
that contains the actual information to be transmitted. This signal is usually a lower-frequency
audio signal.

Carrier Signal: The carrier signal is a high-frequency sinusoidal waveform that serves
as the basis for transmitting the information. It typically has a much higher frequency than the
frequency of the information signal.

Modulating signal: In the AM process, the amplitude of the carrier signal is varied
(modulated) in accordance with the amplitude variations of the information signal. When the
amplitude of the information signal is high, the carrier amplitude increases, and when the
amplitude of the information signal is low, the carrier amplitude decreases.

Transmission: The AM modulated signal is then transmitted over the air using antennas.
The modulated signal occupies a frequency spectrum that includes the carrier frequency and
two sidebands on either side of the carrier, corresponding to the positive and negative frequency
deviations caused by the modulation process.

FM Signal Transmission
Frequency Modulation (FM) is a modulation technique used in communication systems to
transmit information by varying the frequency of a carrier signal according to the variations in
the amplitude of the information signal. FM transmission is widely used in radio broadcasting
and other communication applications.

Message Signal: The information signal, or modulating signal, is the signal that carries the
actual information to be transmitted. In FM, changes in the amplitude of the information signal
cause variations in the frequency of the carrier signal.
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Figure 10: FM Transmitter

Carrier Signal: FM also starts with a carrier signal, which is a high- frequency sinusoidal
waveform. The carrier frequency is chosen to be much higher than the frequency of the
information signal.

Modulation: Instead of varying the amplitude of the carrier signal as in AM, FM varies the
frequency of the carrier signal. When the amplitude of the information signal increases, the
carrier frequency is increased, and when the amplitude decreases, the carrier frequency is
decreased. The result of FM modulation is the FM modulated signal. This signal consists of the
carrier frequency that varies above and below its central frequency, based on the changes in the
amplitude of the information signal.

Transmission: The FM modulated signal is transmitted over the air using antennas. Unlike
AM, FM signals are less affected by amplitude- related noise and interference, which
contributes to FM's high signal quality and clarity.
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Bandpass Filter: A bandpass filter is an electronic circuit or a device used to allow a certain
range of frequencies to pass through while attenuating frequencies outside that range. It's
commonly used in various applications such as signal processing, communication systems,
audio equipment, and more. The working principle of a bandpass filter involves the selective
transmission of a specific range of frequencies. Bandpass filter passes only high frequency
signal. The transmitted signal is passed though the Bandpass filter and filtering the signal.

Figure 11: Bandpass Filter

Dummy Load: Sometimes, before broadcasting the signal, they first send to the dummy
load. It is a testing device with 10 kw output. It is the device give 10 kw output after putting
the signals as input, then it can be said that the signal is perfectly ready for transmission antenna
by Feeder cable.
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There is a de-hydrator linked with the feeder cable. If there any wind of moisture in the feeder
cable. the de-hydrator cleans them and make the feeder cable moisture free.

Figure 12: Bandpass Filter

Radio Antenna
A radio station uses an antenna to transform the radio frequency produced by the transmitter
into electromagnetic waves and transmit its signal over long distances. A radio antenna is a
specialized device designed to transmit or receive electromagnetic radio waves, allowing for
the communication of information over the airwaves. Antennas play a crucial role in various
communication systems, including radio broadcasting, wireless communication, television
transmission.
Antenna size = λ/4

The approximate length of antenna is 76 meters. The antenna coverage range is 50 kilometer
and radiates 999 KHz radio frequency. When transmitting, an electrical signal containing
information, such as audio or data, is applied to the antenna. This signal is typically generated
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by a transmitter. The radiated electromagnetic waves travel through space as radio waves. Their
frequency is determined by the frequency of the electrical signal applied to the antenna.

Figure 13: AM Antenna

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Conclusion: We experienced a real-life application of communication system. We learned

the operation process of various device used in a broadcast system such as transmitter, antenna,
modulator etc. We learned how BTV is a great terrestrial channel. We experienced live music
recording in the music station.
After the educational visits we decided to go on Singra Forest. So, we went to the forest in the
way of returning back. We spent about 50 minutes there and returned to our university campus.
With a great help of our honorable supervisors, we finished the industrial tour successfully.