Chapter 1: Introduction to Telecommunications

Chapter 1: Introduction to Telecommunications

1.1 Overview of Telecommunication Systems Telecommunications is all about sending information to, and receiving information from a distant location using integrated equipment. Nowadays, electronic communication system is generally viewed as that integrated equipment. In another words, the main function of electronic communication system is to transfer information from one place to another. 1.1.1 Basic Communication Model

This model is supposed to outline the concept of how communication flows between two points:

Source

Channel

Sink

Figure 1.1: Communication model In the model, a message flows from the source to a sink. The source can also be called as the sender The sink can also be referred as the receiver The information/message flows between these two points through a transmission path/medium called channel

A detailed model of communication system can be represented as the following block diagram:

Transmitter Modulator Sender

Channel/ Transmission medium

Receiver

Demodulator

Recipient

Figure 1.2: Communication system model

BENT 3113: Communication Principles

Chapter 1: Introduction to Telecommunications At its simplest, the communication system contains:

Transmission channel: Physical link between the communicating parties Modulator: Transform the information signal so that it is physically suitable for transmission channel Transmitter: Introduce modulated signal into the channel (usually amplifying the signal as it does so) Receiver: Detect the transmitted signal on the channel (and amplifies it as it will have been attenuated by its journey) Demodulator: Transform back the received signal to the original information signal

1.2 Communication/Transmission Modes A communication system can be designed for transmitting information in one or both direction. Generally, the mode of communication can be divided into three types: Simplex System: The system capable of sending information in one direction only where only the sender can send the information and only the recipient can receive the information Examples: Broadcast radio and TV Half-Duplex System: The system capable to carry information in both direction, but only one direction at a time. The sending end transmits to the intended receiver, and then they reverse roles Example: Walkie-talkie, two-way intercom Full-Duplex System: Information can be carried in both directions at the same time. I.e. either end can transmit information, whether or not the other end is sending information at the same time. The two directions of information travel are independent of each other Examples: Ordinary / Mobile phone systems, computer systems Half-Duplex versus Full-Duplex: Half -Duplex Limited bandwidth, no. of wires or signal channels User sharing the same bandwidth or wires but at different time Used when there is a need for 2way information flow Full-Duplex Requires twice as much bandwidth as a half-duplex path User do not have to take turns More convenient and more efficient to use in an overall communication system

BENT 3113: Communication Principles

Chapter 1: Introduction to Telecommunications 1.3 Need for Modulation and Demodulation

Because it is often impractical to propagate information signals over standard transmission media, it is necessary to modulate the signals onto a higher-frequency signal called a carrier. The information signal modulates the carrier by changing either its amplitude, frequency or phase. Modulation is simply the process of changing one or more properties of the carrier in proportion with the information signal. Modulation is performed in a transmitter by a circuit called a modulator. A carrier that has been acted on by an information signal is called modulated signal. Demodulation is the reverse process of modulation and converts the modulated carrier back to the original information signal and it is performed in a receiver by a circuit called a demodulator.

There are two reasons why modulation is necessary in communication systems: It is extremely difficult to propagate low-frequency information signals from an antenna in the form of electromagnetic energy. Information signals often occupy the same frequency band and if signals from two or more sources are transmitted at the same time, they would interfere with each other. For example: all commercial FM stations broadcast voice and music signals that occupy audio-frequency band (300 Hz - 15 kHz). To avoid interfering with each other, each station must convert its information to a different frequency band or channel.

Equation (1.1) is the general expression for a time-varying sine wave of voltage such as a high-frequency carrier signal:
v (t ) =V sin( 2 +) ft

(1.1) Where v (t ) = time-varying sine wave of voltage, V = peak amplitude, and = phase shift Let the information signal is analog. If the amplitude of carrier is varied proportional to the information signal, amplitude modulation (AM) is produced. If the frequency of carrier is varied proportional to the information signal, frequency modulation (FM) is produced. If the phase of the carrier is varied proportional to the information signal, phase modulation (PM) is produced.
f

= frequency

BENT 3113: Communication Principles

Chapter 1: Introduction to Telecommunications

AM is a linear modulation and is described in detail in Chapter 2, while FM and PM are forms of angle modulation and are discussed in detail in Chapter 4.

Let the information signal is digital. If the amplitude of carrier is varied proportional to the information signal, amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation is produced. If the frequency of carrier is varied proportional to the information signal, frequency shift keying (FSK) modulation is produced. If the phase of the carrier is varied proportional to the information signal, phase shift keying (PSK) modulation is produced. ASK, FSK and PSK are forms of digital modulation and are described in detail in Chapter 6.

1.4 Electromagnetic Frequency Spectrum Communicating the information between two or more locations is accomplished by converting original information into electromagnetic energy and then transmitting it to the receiver station where it is converted back to its original form. This electromagnetic energy is distributed throughout an almost infinite range of frequencies. The total electromagnetic frequency spectrum with the approximate locations of various services is shown below:

Figure 1.3: Electromagnetic Frequency Spectrum This spectrum is divided into bands, with each band having a different name and boundary. For the course, we will concentrate on the radio frequency band. The radio frequency (RF) spectrum is divided into narrower bands as given by the following table:

BENT 3113: Communication Principles

Chapter 1: Introduction to Telecommunications

Band Number 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Designations ELF (extremely low) VF (voice) VLF (very low) LF (low) MF (medium) HF (high) VHF (very high) UHF (ultrahigh) SHF (super high) EHF (extremely high) Frequency Range 30Hz 300Hz 0.3kHz 3kHz 3kHz 30kHz 30kHz 300kHz 0.3MHz 3MHz 3 MHz 30MHz 30MHz 300MHz 300MHz 3GHz 3GHz -30GHz 30GHz 300GHz Applications AC power distribution, telemetry Standard telephony Navigation, submarine comm. Marine/aeronautical navigation AM radio broadcasting 2-way radio comm., amateur radio Mobile radio, TV/FM broadcasting TV, mobile phone, radar/microwave systems Microwave/satellite radio comm. Research, radio astronomy

Table 1.1: Band Designations for RF spectrum When dealing with radio waves, it is common to use the units of wavelength rather than frequency. Wavelength is the length that one cycle of an electromagnetic wave occupies in space. It is inversely proportional to the frequency of the wave and directly proportional to the velocity of propagation
=
c f

(1.2)

where = wavelength (m),

c = velocity of light (3 10 8 m / s) , f = frequency (Hz)

The total electromagnetic wavelength spectrum with various services within the band:

Figure 1.4: Electromagnetic Wavelength Spectrum

BENT 3113: Communication Principles