Introduction to

Communication
System
Introduction

Electronic communications All forms of information

system is the transmission, must be converted to
reception and processing of electromagnetic energy
information between two before being propagated
or more locations using through electronic
electronic circuits. communications system.
A Chronology of Electronic
Communications
 A chronology in electronic communications

Samuel Morse developed the first electronic

communications system in 1837. The Morse code is
used to transfer information in the form of dots,
dashes, and spaces. He called his invention the
telegraph.
1837

1876

In 1876 Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas A. Watson

successfully transfer human conversation over a crude
metallic system they called the telephone.
 A chronology in electronic communications

Guglielmo Marconi Commercial radio began in

successfully transmitted the 1920 when radio stations
first wireless radio signal began radio broadcasting
through earth’s atmosphere amplitude-modulated (AM)
in 1894. signal.

1894 1908 1920 1933

In 1908, Lee DeForest In 1933, Major Edwin H.

invented the triode vacuum Armstrong invented
tube which provided the first frequency modulation (FM).
practical means of amplifying Commercial broadcasting
electrical signals. began in 1936.
 Electronic communications system

System noise
and
interference

Transmission
Information
medium or Received
Source Transmitter Receiver information
(intelligence)
communications
channel
Physical facility
(metallic or optical
fiber cable) or free-
space (Earth’s
atmosphere)
Communication system block diagram
Electronic communication system

• The source of the information signal can be analog or digital

• Typical examples are video, audio, and digital data
• Sources may be described by the frequency range they
occupy
• Telephone-quality frequency range is 300 Hz - 3 kHz
• Music frequency range is 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Video requires a frequency range from dc to 4.2 MHz
Electronic communications system

A transmitter is a
collection of one or A receiver is a collection
The transmission
more electronic devices of electronic devices and
medium provides a
or circuits that converts circuits that accepts the
means of transporting
the original source transmitted signals from
signals from a
information to a signal the transmission
transmitter to a receiver
that is more suitable for medium and converts
(pair of conductor, fiber-
transmission over a them back to their
optic cable, RF)
given transmission original form.
medium
 Electromagnetic spectrum

• The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all possible

frequencies of electromagnetic radiation.
• Electromagnetic radiation is classified by wavelength into radio
wave, microwave, infrared, the visible region, ultraviolet, X-rays,
and gamma rays.
 Transmission frequencies
30 – 300 Hz Extremely Low Frequencies (ELF)
-AC power distribution signals (60 Hz) and low frequency
telemetry signals
300 – 3000 Hz Voice Frequencies (VF)
-Standard telephone channels or voice-
band channels
3 – 30 kHz Very Low Frequencies (VLF)
-Upper end of human hearing range
-Specialized government and military
systems such as submarine communications
30 – 300 kHz Low Frequencies (LF)
-Marine and aeronautical navigation
 Transmission frequencies
300 – 3000 kHz Medium Frequencies (MF)
-Commercial AM Broadcasting
(535 kHz to 1605 kHz)
3 – 30 MHz High Frequencies (HF)
-referred to as short waves
-two-way radio communications
30 – 300 MHz Very High Frequencies (VHF)
-mobile radio, marine and
aeronautical communications
- commercial FM broadcasting (88-
108 MHz)
- commercial TV broadcasting of
channels 2-13 (54 MHz to 216 MHz)
 Transmission frequencies

300 – 3000 MHz Ultra High Frequencies (UHF)

-commercial TV broadcasting of channels 14-83
-land mobile communications services, cellular
telephones, radar and navigation systems
-microwave (1 GHz and above) and satellite radio
system
3 – 30 GHz Super High Frequencies (SHF)
- microwave and satellite radio system
30 – 300 GHz Extremely High Frequencies (EHF)
 Transmission frequencies

0.3 – 300 THz Infrared

0.3 – 3 PHz Visible Light
3 – 30 PHz Ultraviolet light
30 – 300 PHz X rays
0.3 – 3 EHz Gamma Rays
3 – 30 EHz Cosmic Rays
*THz – terahertz (1012)
PHz – petahertz (1015)
EHz – exahertz (1018)
 Radio frequency (RF) spectrum

Radio waves can also be described according to their wavelength, which is

the distance a wave travels in one period. The general equation that
relates frequency to wavelength for any wave is:

v = fl
wherev = velocity of the wave in m/s
f = frequency of the wave in hertz
l = wavelength in meters
 Radio frequency (RF) spectrum

For a radio wave in free space, the velocity is the same as that of
light, which is approximately 300 x 106 meters per second. The usual
symbol for this quantity is c.

c = fl
where c = velocity of the wave in m/s
f = frequency of the wave in hertz
l = wavelength in meters
Example 1

Calculate the wavelength in free space corresponding to a frequency of:

(a) 1 MHz (AM radio broadcast band)
(b) 27 MHz (CB radio band)
(c) 4 GHz (used for satellite television)
Radio Frequency Amplifiers
and Oscillators
Tuned Amplifiers

They are particularly useful in

applications where it's necessary
Tuned amplifiers are a type of
to select and amplify signals of a
electronic amplifier designed to
particular frequency or narrow
amplify a specific range of
band of frequencies, such as in
frequencies while rejecting others.
radio receivers, television sets, and
communication systems.
 Tuned Amplifiers

When an amplifier circuit has its load replaced

by a tuned circuit, such an amplifier can be
called as a Tuned amplifier circuit. The basic
tuned amplifier circuit looks as shown here.

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/amplifiers/tuned_amplifiers.htm
Tuned Amplifiers

• The tuner circuit is nothing but a LC circuit which is also called as resonant or tank
circuit. It selects the frequency. A tuned circuit is capable of amplifying a signal over
a narrow band of frequencies that are centered at resonant frequency.
• When the reactance of the inductor balances the reactance of the capacitor, in the
tuned circuit at some frequency, such a frequency can be called as resonant
frequency. The formula for resonance

1
𝑓! =
2𝜋 𝐿𝐶
 Series Resonance Circuit

• A series resonant circuit consists of an inductor and a capacitor connected in

series.
• The circuit resonates at a particular frequency, called the resonant frequency
𝑓! , where the inductive and capacitive reactances cancel each other out.
Characteristics of a Series Resonance
Circuit
• At resonance, the circuit exhibits certain unique properties:
• At resonance, the impedance is at its minimum and equals the resistance R in the
circuit.
• The current I in the circuit reaches its maximum value at the resonant frequency 𝑓!
because the impedance is at its minimum.
• The current decreases on either side of the resonant frequency due to the increasing
impedance caused by the inductive or capacitive reactance.
• The voltage across the inductor 𝑉" and capacitor 𝑉# at resonance can be significantly
higher than the source voltage, even though they are equal in magnitude but opposite
in phase.
Parallel Resonance Circuit

• A parallel resonance circuit, also known as a tank circuit or anti-resonant

circuit, consists of an inductor 𝐿 and a capacitor 𝐶 connected in parallel.
• Unlike a series resonance circuit, where impedance is minimized at resonance,
the parallel resonance circuit has its impedance maximized at the resonant
frequency 𝑓! .
Characteristics of a Parallel Resonance Circuit

• At resonance, the circuit exhibits certain unique properties:

• the circuit's impedance is maximized and can become very high, theoretically
infinite in an ideal circuit (no resistance). However, in practical circuits, the
impedance is limited by the resistance of the components.
• At resonance, the current drawn from the source is minimized because the
impedance is maximum.
• The voltage across the inductor and capacitor is the same in a parallel circuit. At
resonance, this voltage can be significantly higher than the source voltage due to
the high circulating currents.
Quality Factor and Bandwidth

• The Quality Factor (Q) is a dimensionless parameter that characterizes the

sharpness of the resonance of a circuit. It essentially measures how
underdamped a resonator is, or how narrow or sharp the peak of the
resonance is in the frequency response.
• The Q factor is defined as the ratio of the resonant frequency 𝑓! to the
bandwidth BW of the resonator:

𝑓!
𝑄=
𝐵𝑊
Quality Factor and
Bandwidth
• A high Q factor means the circuit is highly selective,
with a narrow bandwidth and a sharp resonance peak.
This is typical in circuits where it's crucial to isolate a
specific frequency.
• A low Q factor indicates a broader bandwidth, meaning
the circuit is less selective, with a more gradual
resonance peak.
• For an LC circuit, the Q factor can also be expressed as

1 𝐿
𝑄=
𝑅 𝐶
 Quality Factor and Bandwidth
• Bandwidth (BW) refers to the range of frequencies over which the
circuit or system effectively operates or responds.
• In the context of a resonant circuit, it is the range of frequencies over
which the circuit's response is close to its maximum value.
• The bandwidth of a resonant circuit is typically defined as the
difference between the upper and lower cutoff frequencies, 𝑓# and
𝑓$ , where the power output drops to half its maximum value (or the
voltage drops to 1⁄ 2 of its maximum value):

𝐵𝑊 = 𝑓! − 𝑓"
𝐵𝑊 = 𝑓! − 𝑓"
Oscillators

They are essential components

Oscillators are electronic
in many electronic devices,
circuits that generate a
providing clock signals,
continuous, periodic waveform
generating radio frequency (RF)
without requiring an input
signals, producing audio tones,
signal.
and much more.
Types of Oscillators

Crystal
LC Oscillators RC Oscillators
Oscillators

Voltage-
Relaxation
controlled
Oscillators
oscillators
 Hartley Oscillators
• A Hartley Oscillator is a type of LC (Inductor-Capacitor)
oscillator that generates sinusoidal oscillations. It is widely
used in radio frequency (RF) applications due to its simplicity
and ease of tuning.
• Key Components
1. Tank Circuit: Comprises two inductors and a capacitor connected
in parallel, which forms the resonant or tank circuit.
• Inductors (L1 and L2): These are connected in series, and their combined
inductance sets the frequency of oscillation.
• Capacitor (C): Connected across the two inductors, determining the
frequency along with the inductances.
 Hartley Oscillators
• Key Components
2. Active Element: Usually a transistor or operational amplifier (op-
amp) is used to provide the necessary gain to sustain oscillations.
3. Feedback Network: Positive feedback is provided from the tank
circuit to the active element, ensuring sustained oscillations. The
feedback is taken from the center tap of the inductors.
 Hartley Oscillators
• Frequency of oscillation is

1
𝑓=
2𝜋 𝐿$ + 𝐿# 𝐶%
 Colpitts Oscillators
• A Colpitts Oscillator is another type of LC (Inductor-Capacitor)
oscillator that generates high-frequency sinusoidal oscillations. It
is similar to the Hartley oscillator but differs in its feedback
network, which uses a capacitive divider instead of an inductive
one.
Key Components
1. Tank Circuit: Composed of an inductor and two capacitors
connected in series to form a resonant circuit.
• Capacitors (C1 and C2): The capacitors act as a voltage divider, and their values
determine the amount of feedback and the frequency of oscillation.
• Inductor (L): Connected in parallel with the capacitor network, its inductance
contributes to the resonant frequency..
 Colpitts Oscillators
• Key Components
2. Active Element: Typically a transistor or an operational amplifier
is used to amplify the signal and maintain the oscillations.
3. Feedback Network: The feedback required for sustained
oscillation is derived from the capacitive divider (𝐶$ and C2). The
voltage across C2 is fed back to the base or input of the active
element.
 Colpitts Oscillators
• Frequency of oscillation is

1
𝑓=
𝐶$ 𝐶#
2𝜋 𝐿$ * 𝐶 +𝐶
$ #
Frequency Translation and
Modulation
Block Diagram of Communication System with Frequency
Translation and Modulation
Modulated Communications Modulated Modulated
wave channel wave wave

Transmitter Receiver

Low-
frequency Modulator Frequency
Power Demodulated
source and frequency Amplifier down- Demodulator
amplifier information
information up-converter converter
(analog or Transmission
digital) Medium

Single- High -
High -
frequency frequency
frequency
carrier signal local
oscillator
oscillator
 The term channel is often used to refer a specific
band of frequencies allocated to a particular
service.
Communication
system block
diagram A standard voice-band channel occupies
approximately a 3-kHz bandwidth and is used for
transmission of voice-quality signals; commercial
AM broadcast channels occupy approximately a
10-kHz frequency band, and 30 MHz or more of
bandwidth is required for microwave and satellite
radio channels.
 Information signals are up-converted
from low frequencies to high
frequencies in the transmitter and
down-converted from high frequencies
Communication in the receiver.
system block
diagram The process of converting a frequency
or band of frequencies to another
location in the total frequency
spectrum is called frequency
translation.
 Modulation is performed in a transmitter by a circuit
called a modulator.

A carrier that has been acted upon by an information

Modulation signal is called a modulated wave or modulated
and signal.

demodulation Demodulation is the reverse process of modulation

and converts the modulated carrier back to the
original information.

Demodulation is performed in a receiver by a circuit

called a demodulator.
 It is necessary to modulate the source information
onto a higher-frequency analog signal called a carrier.
Modulation
and The carrier signal carries the information through the
system
Demodulatio
n The information signal modulates the carrier by
changing either its amplitude, frequency, or phase

The frequency spectrum of the information signal is

referred to as the baseband.
 Modulation is the process of putting
Modulation low frequency (information) onto a
and higher frequency (carrier).
Demodulatio
n Modulation is also the process of
changing one or more properties of
the carrier in proportion with the
information signal.
 Modulation and Demodulation

Given the equation of a time-varying sine wave of voltage:

v(t ) = V sin(2p ft + q )
where :
v(t ) = time-varying sinewave of voltage
V = peak amplitude (volts)
f = frequency(hertz)
q = phase shift(radians)
 Modulation and Demodulation
A summary of various modulation techniques is shown
below:
Amplitude Frequency Phase
analog Modulation Modulation Modulation
(AM) (FM) (PM)

v(t) = V sin(2p × f t + q )

Amplitude –Shift Frequency –Shift Phase –Shift

digital Keying(ASK) Keying(FSK) Keying (PSK)
 There are two (2)
reasons why It is extremely difficult to
modulation is
necessary in
radiate low-frequency
electronic signals from an antenna in
communications: the form of electromagnetic
energy.
Modulation
and
Information signals often
Demodulation occupy the same frequency
band and, if signals are
transmitted at the same
time, they would interfere
with each other.
Classifications of transmitters

• The emission classifications are identified by a three-symbol code

containing a combination of letters and numbers.
• The first symbol is a letter that designates the type of
modulation of the main carrier
• The second symbol is a number that identifies the type of
emission
• The third symbol is another letter that describes the type of
modulation being transmitted
 Classifications of transmitters

• For example, the designation A3E describes a double-sideband, full-

carrier, amplitude-modulated signal carrying voice or music telephony
information;
•A double-sideband, full carrier (DSBFC)
•3 analog (sound or video)
•E telephony (sound broadcasting)
Classifications of transmitters

R3E – single J3E – a single

B8E – independent
sideband reduced sideband
sideband emission
carrier emission suppressed carrier
type
type emission type

C3F – vestigial H3E – single G3E – phase

sideband emission sideband full carrier modulation
type emission type emission type
Classifications of transmitters
A3C – a type of emission A3F – type of emission
is produced when an F3E is the emission produced when an
amplitude modulated designation for FM amplitude modulated
transmitter is modulated telephony transmitter is modulated
by a facsimile signal by a television signal

F3C - produced when a

A3H - transmit the lower
frequency modulated
sideband and half of the
transmitter is modulated
upper sideband
by a facsimile signal
Transmission Media
• Transmission media refers to the
physical pathways that connect
devices and enable data
transmission.
 Types of Transmission Media

Transmission
Media

Guided Unguided
(wired) (wireless)

Twisted-pair Coaxial Fiber optic Radio waves Microwaves Infrared

cable Cable cable
Guided
Transmission Guided media use a physical
Media path for data transmission.
(Wired)
Twisted pair cable

• Common in telephone and computer

networks.
• Two insulated copper wires twisted
together.
• Two types: Unshielded Twisted Pair
(UTP) and Shielded Twisted Pair
(STP).
Coaxial Cable
• Used for cable television, internet,
and early computer networks.
• Consists of a central copper
conductor, insulating layer, metallic
shield, and plastic cover.
Fiber optic
• Transmits data as light pulses.
• Made of glass or plastic fibers.
• Extremely high bandwidth and low
signal degradation.
• Two types: Single-mode (long
distances) and Multi-mode (short
distances).
Unguided Unguided media transmits data
Transmission without a physical conductor,
Media typically using electromagnetic
(Wireless) waves.
Radio Waves
• Used for radio and TV broadcasting, Wi-
Fi, and cellular communication.
• Covers short and long distances.
Microwaves
Infrared (IR)
• Used for short-range communication
(e.g., remote controls, wireless
peripherals).
• Requires line of sight and has a limited
range.

https://sensorpartners.com/en/knowledge-base/infrared-heat-imaging-came
working-and-types/
 • Tomasi, W. (2009). Electronics
Communications Systems – Fundamentals
Through Advanced. Upper Saddle River, N.J.:
Prentice-Hall
• Temes, L. (1979). Schaum’s Outline of
Electronic Communication. New York City,
New York:McGraw-Hill.
References • Tutorialspoint.com
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/amplifiers/tu
ned_amplifiers.htm