Chapter 1: Introduction to Telecommunications 2

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 Sink
Channel

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:

Channel/ Transmission
Transmitter medium Receiver

Modulator Demodulator

Sender Recipient

Figure 1.2: Communication system model

At its simplest, the communication system contains:

• Transmission channel: Physical link between the communicating parties

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• 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 Full-Duplex

• Limited bandwidth, no. of wires or • Requires twice as much bandwidth as
signal channels a half-duplex path
• User sharing the same bandwidth or • User do not have to take turns
wires but at different time • More convenient and more efficient
• Used when there is a need for 2-way to use in an overall communication
information flow system

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.

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• 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( 2πft + θ ) (1.1)

Where v(t ) = time-varying sine wave of voltage, V = peak amplitude, f = frequency and θ
= 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.
• 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.

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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:

Band Number Designations Frequency Range Applications

2 ELF (extremely low) 30Hz – 300Hz AC power distribution, telemetry

3 VF (voice) 0.3kHz – 3kHz Standard telephony

4 VLF (very low) 3kHz – 30kHz Navigation, submarine comm.

5 LF (low) 30kHz – 300kHz Marine/aeronautical navigation

6 MF (medium) 0.3MHz – 3MHz AM radio broadcasting

7 HF (high) 3 MHz – 30MHz 2-way radio comm., amateur radio

8 VHF (very high) 30MHz – 300MHz Mobile radio, TV/FM

broadcasting
9 UHF (ultrahigh) 300MHz – 3GHz TV, mobile phone,
radar/microwave systems
10 SHF (super high) 3GHz -30GHz Microwave/satellite radio comm.

11 EHF (extremely high) 30GHz – 300GHz Research, radio astronomy

Table 1.1: Band Designations for RF spectrum

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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
λ= (1.2)
f

where λ = 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

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