Unit-VI

Communication Systems
 CONTENTS

Basic Communication System:

• Block Diagram of Basic Communication System
• Modes of Transmission
• Communication Media: Wired and Wireless
•Electromagnetic Spectrum, Allotment of frequency band for different applications
• Block Diagram of AM and FM Transmitter and receiver,

Mobile Communication System:

• Cellular concept
• Simple block diagram of GSM system.
 Introduction
• Communication: Imparting or exchanging information by reading, writing, or by
using some other medium
• The best form of electronic communication is radio, television, and internet have
increased our ability to share information.
• We can communicate anytime & anywhere with the help of electronic communication.
• Electronic communication channels are available like electronic mail(e-mail), text
massaging, post cast(it is a digital media file that is distributed over the internet &
downloaded on portable media players or personal computers).
• Social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, twitter etc. have become some of
the key online sources & information sharing tools.
• We can not imagine ourselves living without knowledge & information that arrive
around the world by electronic communication.
 Introduction

• Samuel Morse developed the first electronic communication system in 1837.

He used electromagnetic induction to transmit information in the form of dots,

dashes & spaces across a length of metallic wire. He called his invention the

“ Telegraph”.

• Radio communication began in 1894 when Marconi transmitted the first

wireless signal through earth’s atmosphere.

• Commercial AM broadcast started in 1920.

• In 1933, Major Edwin Armstrong invented FM.

Block diagram of Basic Communication System
1. Information source :-

• The objective of any communication system is to convey information from

one point to the other. The information comes from the information source,
which originates it.
• It produces the required message that is to be transmitted such as sound,
picture, speech etc.

2.Transmitter

•The objective of the transmitter block is to collect the incoming message

signal so as to make it suitable for transmission and subsequent reception.
•In transmitter the information modulates the carrier.
• The modulation can be amplitude, frequency or phase depending upon the
requirements.
3. Channel
• Channel is the physical medium which connects the transmitter with that of the
receiver.
• It can be wired or wireless.
• It includes copper wire, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, radio waves, microwaves
etc.
• Noise enters in any communication system through channel.
• Noise is an unwanted signal, random in nature.
• It can not be removed but eliminated to some extent.

4. Receiver
•The receiver block receives the incoming modified message signal from the
channel and processes it to recreate the original (non-electrical) form of the
message signal.
•There are a great variety of receivers in communication systems.
•Its most important function is demodulation.
•The output of receiver may be fed to a loudspeaker, television picture tube,
computer etc.
5. Destination

• The destination is the final block in the communication system which receives
the message signal and processes it to determine the information present in it.
• Usually, humans will be the destination block.

6. Noise
• The quality of signal deteriorate during the process of transmission by the
addition of undesired or unwanted disturbance in the form of noise.
• The noise can be natural or manmade.
• The sources of natural noise are lightning, radiation from sun or moon etc.
• Manmade noise signal includes noise produced by electrical ignition system,
welding machines etc.
 Modes of Transmission

Definition

Transmission modes defines the direction of flow of information between two connected
devices. Thus it tells the direction of signal flow between two devices.

•There are 3 modes of transmission:

Simplex:

If the system is capable of sending information in one direction only, it is called a simplex
system ex. Public address system, broadcast and TV. The advantage of simplex mode of
transmission is, since the data can be transmitted only in one direction, the entire band
width can be used.

Half duplex:

In this system information can go in either direction but in one direction at a time. First the

sending end transmits to the receiver, and then they reverse roles ex: A walkie talkie.
Duplex:
Its a two-way communication, where both sender and receiver can transmit and receive at
the same time. It consists of two simplex channels, a forward channel and a backward
(reverse) channel, linking at the same points.
The bandwidth required here is twice as much bandwidth as a Half duplex system
ex: Telephone system and many computers. However it is much convenient to use.
 Communication Media
Wired: (Guided Channels)

1) Twisted wire pair:

•The two wires are typically “twisted'' together in a helix to reduce interference between
the two conductors Twisting decreases the crosstalk interference between adjacent
pairs in a cable.
• Typically, a number of pairs are bundled together into a cable by wrapping them in a
tough protective sheath.
• Can carry both analog and digital signals.
Actually, they carry only analog signals. However, the “analog'' signals can very closely
correspond to the square waves representing bits, so we often think of them as carrying
digital data.
• Data rates of several Mbps common.
• Spans distances of several kilometers.
• Data rate determined by wire thickness and length.
• UTP cables does not have shieling so that it have high degree of flexibility and
durability. Eg. Ethernet network and telephone lines.
•In addition, shielding to eliminate interference from other wires impacts signal-
to-noise ratio, and ultimately, the data rate.
• Good, low-cost communication. Indeed, many sites already have twisted pair
installed in offices – existing phone lines.
Fig: Unshielded twisted pair(UTP) and Shielded twisted pair(STP)
2) Co-axial cable:
• Typically bandwidth of 300 MHz, total data rate of about 150 Mbps.
• Operates at distances up to 100 km.
• Excellent noise immunity, low loses.
• Technology used in cable television.
• These are copper wire with better shielding. Hence signal can travel at longer
distance at faster speed compared to twisted pair.
• Outer cover is called protective shealth made up of plastic to encase the copper
wire. Next to outer cover, it is braid. It is closely woven braided mesh like
structure. Inside the braid, foil shield is present. It is insulating material
covering the core copper wire. Inside the insulating foil shield, thick copper
wire is placed at core.
3) Optical fiber:
• It has a cylindrical shape and consists of three concentric sections: the core, the cladding,
and the jacket.
• The core, innermost section having refractive index n1. The core is surrounded by cladding
of refractive index n2 that is less than n1.
• As a consequence, the light is propagated through multiple total internal reflection.
• The core material is usually made of ultra pure fused silica or glass and the cladding is either
made of glass or plastic.
• The cladding is surrounded by a jacket made of plastic.
• The jacket is used to protect against moisture, abrasion, crushing and other environmental
hazards.
3) Optical fiber:
• It has a cylindrical shape and consists of three concentric sections: the core, the cladding,
and the jacket.
• The core, innermost section having refractive index n1. The core is surrounded by cladding
of refractive index n2 that is less than n1.
• As a consequence, the light is propagated through multiple total internal reflection.
• The core material is usually made of ultra pure fused silica or glass and the cladding is either
made of glass or plastic.
• The cladding is surrounded by a jacket made of plastic.
• The jacket is used to protect against moisture, abrasion, crushing and other environmental
hazards.
Electromagnetic Spectrum:

• It is a signal made up of oscillating electric and magnetic fields.

• The entire range of frequencies that the EM wave can produce oscillations is
termed as Electromagnetic Spectrum.
• For the classification purpose, the EM spectrum is divided into small segments
and each segment is given a nomenclature.
• Each range is identified by end frequencies or wavelengths that differ by a
factor of 10.

Dr. D.Y.Patil Institute of Technology, Pimpri, Pune

Terminologies in Communication Systems:

• Time: Time (t) is a fundamental quantity with reference to which all

communications happen. It is typically measured in seconds (sec).

• Frequency: Frequency is another fundamental quantity with

reference to which all signals in a communication system are more
commonly distinguished. Frequency is defined as the number of
oscillations per second and is measured in hertz.

• Wavelength: Wavelength is defined as the distance travelled by an

EM wave during the time of one cycle. λ = (c/f)

• Spectrum: The frequency domain representation of the given

signal.
Terminologies in Communication Systems:

• Bandwidth: It is that portion of the EM spectrum occupied by a signal. More

specifically it is the range of frequencies over which the information is present in
the original signal and hence it may also be termed as signal bandwidth.
• Channel Bandwidth :The range of frequencies required for the transmission of
modulated signal.

• Modulation: Modulation is a process in which any of the characteristics of carrier

signal such as amplitude, frequency or phase is varied according to the
instantaneous value of modulating signal.

• Baseband Signal: Message signal in its original frequency range.

 Need of modulation

1) To reduce the height of antenna

2) Avoids mixing of signal
3) Allows multiplexing of signal
4) Allows long distance communication
5) Improves quality of reception
 Types of Modulation

Amplitude modulation:
If amplitude of carrier signal is varied according to instantaneous
amplitude of modulating signal ,the process is called as amplitude
modulation.
Frequency modulation:
If frequency of carrier signal is varied according to instantaneous
amplitude of modulating signal ,the process is called as frequency
modulation.
Phase modulation:
If phase of carrier signal is varied according to instantaneous
amplitude of modulating signal ,the process is called as phase
modulation.
Comparison of AM and FM
 AM Transmitter

* Unit VI : ( Communication System) 25

Contd.
• The audio signal is processed, or filtered, so as to occupy the correct bandwidth
(generally 10 kHz)
• The two types of AM transmitters that are used based on their transmitting powers are
High Level & Low Level
• The basic difference between the two transmitters is the power amplification of the
carrier and modulating signals.
• In high-level transmission, the powers of the carrier and modulating signals are
amplified before applying them to the modulator stage
• In low-level modulation, the powers of the two input signals of the modulator stage are
not amplified. The required transmitting power is obtained from the last stage of the
transmitter, the class C power amplifier.
• The RF oscillator generates the carrier signal.
• Both the modulating and the carrier signal is sent to AM modulator.
• Power amplifier is used to increase the power levels of AM wave. This wave is finally
*
passed to the antenna to be transmitted. 26
1. TRF (Tuned Radio frequency) RECEIVER

Speaker

Power
amplifier

2nd RF
Amplifier

Ganged Tuning
TRF receiver includes an
• RF stage, a detector stage and an audio stage .
• Two or three RF amplifiers are required to filter and amplify the
received signal to a level sufficient to drive the detector stage.
• RF section (Receiver front end) used to select the signal, Band
limit the received RF signal and amplifying the receive RF
signal.
• AM detector- Demodulates the AM wave and converts it to the
original information signal.
• Audio section- Used to amplify the recovered signal
Advantages of TRF

• TRF receivers are simple to design and allow the broadcast frequency 535
KHz to 1640 KHz.
• High sensitivity.

Disadvantages of TRF

• At the higher frequency, it produces difficulty in design.

• It has poor audio quality.
• Drawbacks are Instability, Variation in BW & Poor Selectivity
AM Receiver(Superheterodyne)
 Contd.
• The RF filter selects the desired station and rejects unwanted signals. This is called TUNING.
• The selected frequency is applied to the mixer.
• The output of an oscillator is also applied to the mixer.
• The mixer and oscillator form a FREQUENCY CHANGER circuit.
• The output from the mixer is the intermediate frequency (I.F.) The I.F.. is a fixed frequency of about
455 kHz.
• The I.F. signal is fed into the I.F.. amplifier. The advantage of the I.F. amplifier is that its frequency
and bandwidth are fixed, no matter what the frequency of the incoming signal is. This makes the
design and operation of the amplifier much simpler.
• The amplified I.F. signal is fed to the demodulator. This circuit recovers the audio signal and discards
the R.F. carrier. It usually incorporates a diode in the circuit.
• Some of the audio is fed back to the I.F. amplifier as an AUTOMATIC GAIN CONTROL voltage.
• This ensures that when tuning from a weak station to a strong one, the loudness from the loudspeaker
stays the same.
• The audio signal voltage is increased in amplitude by a voltage amplifier.
• The power level is increased sufficiently to drive the loudspeaker by the power amplifier.
FM Transmitter
Contd.
• The crystal oscillator generates the stable carrier signal.
• The modulating(AF) signal and the carrier signal are applied to the phase
modulator operating in the low power level to generate a narrowband FM wave.
• The narrowband FM wave is then passed through several stages of frequency
multipliers to increase the frequency deviation and also carrier signal frequency
to the required level
• The several stages of frequency multiplication are used for achieving the required
level of multiplication factors needed for deviation and carrier signal frequency.
• The output of the frequency multipliers stage will be a wideband FM.
• The WBFM is then passed through one or more stages of power amplifiers to
add required power levels.
• The WBFM with high power is then finally transmitted via the antenna towards
the receiver.
FM receiver
Contd.
• RF amplifier amplify the received signal and the it is applied to mixer.

• Mixer has two inputs one from RF amplifier and second from oscillator. Two input
frequencies of mixer generates an IF signal of 10.7 MHz

• This signal is amplified by IF amplifier. The output of the IF amplifier is applied to the
limiter circuit.

• The function of limiter is to remove noise in received signal and it gives constant
amplitude signal.

• Output of limiter is applied to discriminator which recovers the modulating signal. This
recovered signal is applied to de-emphasizer.

• De-emphasizing unit attenuates higher frequencies to bring them back to original

amplitudes as they are boosted before transmission.

• The output of the de-emphasizer is the required audio signal and this signal is applied to
audio stages and then given finally to speaker.
 Mobile communication system: Cellular concept

Why use of cellular network

•The immense potential of conventional telephone cannot be exploited to its
maximum due to the limitation imposed by the connecting wires. But this
restriction has been removed with the advent of the cellular radio.
•If we use dedicated RF loop for every subscriber, we need larger bandwidth to
serve even a limited number of subscriber in a single city.
•To overcome this B/W problem, subscribers have to share the RF channels on
need basis, instead of dedicated RF loops. This can be achieved by using
multiple access methods FDMA, TDMA, or CDMA. Even then the number of
RF channels required to serve the subscribers, works out to be impracticable.
•With limited frequency resource, cellular principle can serve thousands of
subscribers at an affordable cost. In a cellular network, total area is subdivided
into smaller areas called “cells”. Each cell can cover a limited number of mobile
subscribers within its boundaries. Each cell can have a base station with a
number of RF channels.
Contd.
Frequencies used in a given cell area will be simultaneously reused at a different cell which
is geographically separated.
For example, a typical seven-cell pattern can be considered.
• Total available frequency resources are divided into seven parts, each part consisting
of a number of radio channels and allocated to a cell site. In a group of 7 cells, available
frequency spectrum is consumed totally. The same seven sets of frequency can be used
after certain distance. The group of cells where the available frequency spectrum is totally
consumed is called a cluster of cells.
• Two cells having the same number in the adjacent cluster, use the same set of RF
channels and hence are termed as “Co-channel cells”. The distance between the cells
using the same frequency should be sufficient to keep the co-channel (co-ch)
interference to an acceptable level. Hence, the cellular systems are limited by Co-
channel interference.
 Contd.
Shape of Cells

• For analytical purposes a “Hexagon” cell is preferred to other shapes on due to

the following reasons.

• A hexagon layout requires fewer cells to cover a given area. Hence, it envisages

fewer base stations and minimum capital investment.

• Other geometrical shapes cannot effectively do this. For example, if circular

shaped cells are there, then there will be overlapping of cells.

• Also for a given area, among square, triangle and hexagon, radius of a hexagon

will be the maximum which is needed for weaker mobiles.

 GSM: Global System for Mobile Communication
• Global System for Mobile (GSM) is a second generation cellular standard developed to
cater voice services and data delivery using digital modulation .
Contd.
• The GSM network architecture consists of three major subsystems:
i) Mobile Station (MS)
ii) Base Station Subsystem (BSS)
iii) Network and Switching Subsystem (NSS)
• The wireless link interface between the MS and the Base Transceiver Station (BTS),
which is a part of BSS. Many BTSs are controlled by a Base Station Controller (BSC).
BSC is connected to the Mobile Switching Center (MSC), which is a part of NSS.
Figure shows the key functional elements in the GSM network architecture.
• 1. Mobile Station (MS):
A mobile station communicates across the air interface with a base station transceiver
in the same cell in which the mobile subscriber unit is located. The MS communicates
the information with the user and modifies it to the transmission protocols if the air-
interface to communicate with the BSS. The user’s voice information is interfaced with
the MS through a microphone and speaker for the speech, keypad, and display for short
messaging, and the cable connection for other data terminals. The MS has two
elements. The Mobile Equipment (ME) refers to the physical device, which comprises
of transceiver, digital signal processors, and the antenna. The second element of the MS
is the GSM is the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). The SIM card is unique to the
GSM system. It has a memory of 32 KB.
Contd.
2. Base Station Subsystem (BSS):
A base station subsystem consists of a base station controller and one or more base
transceiver station. Each Base Transceiver Station defines a single cell. A cell can
have a radius of between 100m to 35km, depending on the environment. A Base
Station Controller may be connected with a BTS. It may control multiple BTS units
and hence multiple cells. There are two main architectural elements in the BSS – the
Base Transceiver Subsystem (BTS) and the Base Station Controller (BSC). The
interface that connects a BTS to a BSC is called the A-bis interface. The interface
between the BSC and the MSC is called the A interface, which is standardized within
GSM.
3. Network and switching subsystem (NSS)
The NSS is responsible for the network operation. It provides the link between the
cellular network and the Public switched telecommunicates Networks.
 List of Text Books & Reference books

Text Books
1) “Electronics Devices” by Thomas. L. Floyd,9th Edition, Pearson (Unit I, II)
2) “Modern Digital Electronics” by R.P. Jain, 4th Edition, Tata McGraw Hill (Unit III)
3) “Electronic Instrumentation” by H.S. Kalsi, 3rd Edition, Tata McGraw Hill (Unit IV)
4) “Sensors and Transducers” by D. Patrnabis, 2nd Edition, PHI (Unit V)
5) “Electronic Communication Systems” by Kennedy & Davis, 4th Edition, Tata McGraw Hill
(Unit VI)
6) “Mobile Wireless communication” by M. Schwartz, Cambridge University Press (Unit VI)
Reference Books
1) “Digital Fundamentals” by Thomas. L. Floyd, 11th Edition, Pearson
2) “Mobile Communication” by J. Schiller, 2nd Edition, Pearson
3) “Sensors Handbook”, by S. Soloman, 2nd Edition.
4) "Electronics Communication System" By William Schweber
5) "Electronics Communication System" By George Kennedy 5th Edition, McGraw Hill