MODULE 1: The World Communicates

1 Electromagnetic waves are produced by accelerating charges. As electrons are accelerated in aerials or within atoms they generate changing electric fields, this in turn produces changing magnetic fields, resulting in another electric field. In other words, the electric field produces a perpendicular magnetic field that in turn induces an electric field and so on. Hence, they do not require a medium for propagation. 8 -1 All electromagnetic energy passes through the vacuum of space at the common speed of light, 3 10 ms . The Earths atmosphere and ionosphere absorb most of the incoming electromagnetic radiation from space except for visible light and some high-frequency radio waves in the microwave region. Most UV, X-rays and gamma rays are absorbed and filtered out by the ozone layer. About 30% of IR and light are reflected back into space. The amount of any particular frequency of electromagnetic waves that penetrate through to the surface of the Earth varies seasonally and with space an atmospheric weather conditions. Because of this variation, every frequency of the spectrum does penetrate to the Earths surface to some degree. Electromagnetic wave gamma x-rays ultra-violet visible light infrared microwave radio Detection method Geiger counter, photographic film photographic film fluorescence materials, electronic photo detectors light meters, photoreceptors in the eyes infrared goggles, thermoreceptors in the skin aerials, antennas radio receivers

Sect. 3

The inverse square law applied to EMR states that the intensity of electromagnetic radiation is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source of the radiation. Thus when the distance is doubled, the intensity decreases to a quarter of the original value.

A radio signal occupies a bandwidth (a series of adjacent frequencies forming a band within the spectrum). In the middle of that bandwidth is the carrier wave, which does not carry any information as it is a by-product of the radiowave transmitter and acts as the central frequency to which you tune your receiver. Amplitude modulation (AM) is used to transmit information by superimposing a signal wave with the carrier wave to alter the amplitude of the superimposed wave, but not the frequency. o advantages: requires a smaller bandwidth of frequencies for transmission, thus the number of transmissions in the AM band is larger o disadvantages: most of the natural and artificial sources of static are AM in nature Frequency modulation (FM) is used to transmit information by superimposing a signal wave with the carrier wave to vary the frequency of the superimposed wave, but not the amplitude. o advantages: the effects of static are reduced by the limiting circuit in the receiver, as the signal is not dependent on the strength (amplitude) but rather frequency of the signal o disadvantages: requires a large bandwidth of the limited electromagnetic spectrum

MODULE 1: The World Communicates

6 DISTANCE: Attenuation is when waves decrease in strength after travelling over long distances. This affects communication because the signal will become weaker and less effective for the receiver. To reduce this, electromagnetic waves need to be sent out with great strength initially or be amplified at booster or repeater stations. CONGESTION OF FREQUENCIES: As more and more people access the limited range of frequencies, they become more and more congested and interference becomes a greater issue. To reduce this, new methods of technology need to be created which utilise other types of electromagnetic waves. HEALTH ASPECTS: Microwaves, used in mobile phones in particular, are controversial as their frequency may be high enough to enable them to enter human cells and cause damage.

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The waves involved in the transfer of energy that occurs during the use of mobile phones are microwaves of frequency about 900MHz to transmit data from the phone to the phone tower. The electromagnetic spectrum range used in modern communication technologies: visible light optical fibre networks for TV, Internet, international phone lines etc. infrared waves television remote controls microwaves mobile phone communications radio waves AM and FM radio, VHF and UHF television