Communication System

Unit-1

1. Introduction to Communication Systems

2. The essentials of a Communication system
3. modes and media‘s of Communication
4. Classification of signals

a) Introduction to Communication Systems:

The communication system is a system which describes the information exchange between
two points. The process of transmission and reception of information is called
communication. The major elements of communication are the Transmitter of information,
the Channel or medium of communication and the Receiver of information.

Types of Communication Systems

Depending on signal specification or technology, the communication system is classified as

follows:

(1) Analogue: Analogue technology communicates data as electronic signals of varying

frequency or amplitude. Broadcast and telephone transmission are common examples of
analogue technology. Includes conventional radio, telephonic and television transmissions
(2) Digital: In digital technology, the data are generated and processed in two states: High
(represented as 1) and low (represented as 0). Digital technology stores and transmits data in the
form of 1s and 0s. Computer-mediated communication, computer networking and telegraphy

(3) Baseband communication system: Baseband communication is the transfer of signals

that are not amplified to higher frequencies. They help in transferring signals with near-zero
frequency.

(4) Carrier communication system: Carrier communication systems transfer the

information especially voice messages and calls by improving the frequency much higher than
the actual rate.

Depending on the communication channel, the communication system is categorised as follows:

1. Wired (Line communication)

 Parallel wire communication

 Twisted wire communication

 Coaxial cable communication

 Optical fibre communication

2. Wireless (Space communication)

 Ground wave communication

 Skywave communication

 Space wave communication

 Satellite communication

The most commonly used data communication media include:

 Wire pairs
 Coaxial cable
 Microwave transmission
 Communication satellites
 Fiber optics

The communication media acts as a channel for linking various computing devices so that they
may interact with each other. Contemporary communication media facilitate communication and
data exchange among a large number of individuals across long distances via email,
teleconferencing, internet forums and many other forms of communication.

Examples of Communication Systems

The following are a few examples of communication systems:

1. Internet

2. Public Switched Telephone Network

3. Intranet and Extranet

4.Television
b) The essentials of a Communication system:

Elements of Communication Systems

The definitions of the terms used in the communication system are discussed below.

Information: Message or information is the entity that is to be transmitted. It can be in the

form of audio, video, temperature, picture, pressure, etc.

Signal: The single-valued function of time carries the information. The information is
converted into an electrical form for transmission.

Transducer: It is a device or an arrangement that converts one form of energy to the other. An
electrical transducer converts physical variables such as pressure, force, and temperature into
corresponding electrical signal variations. For example, a microphone converts audio signals into
electrical signals. The photodetector converts light signals into electrical signals.

Input Transducer: The wide variety of possible sources of information results in many
different forms for message. Regardless of their exact form, however, messages may be
categorized as analog or digital. The former may be modeled as functions of a continuous-time
variable (for example, pressure, temperature, speech, music), whereas the latter consist of
discrete symbols (for example, written text or a sampled/quantized analog signal such as speech).
Almost invariably, the message produced by a source must be converted by a transducer to a
form suitable for the particular type of communication system employed. For example, in
electrical communications, speech waves are converted by a microphone to voltage variations.
Such a converted message is referred to as the message signal. Therefore, a signal can be
interpreted as the variation of a quantity, often a voltage or current, with time.

Transmitter: It is the arrangement that processes the message signal into a suitable form for
transmission and, subsequently, reception. The purpose of the transmitter is to couple the
message to the channel. Although it is not uncommon to find the input transducer directly
coupled to the transmission medium, as for example in some intercom systems, it is often
necessary to modulate a carrier wave with the signal from the input transducer. Modulation is the
systematic variation of some attribute of the carrier, such as amplitude, phase, or frequency, in
accordance with a function of the message signal. There are several reasons for using a carrier
and modulating it. Important ones are (1) for ease of radiation, (2) to reduce noise and
interference , (3) for channel assignment, (4) for multiplexing or transmission of several
messages over a single channel, and (5) to overcome equipment limitations. Several of these
reasons are self-explanatory; others, such as the second, will become more meaningful later.

In addition to modulation, other primary functions performed by the transmitter are filtering,
amplification, and coupling the modulated signal to the channel (for example, through an
antenna or other appropriate device).

Amplifier: The electronic circuit or device that increases the amplitude or the strength of the
transmitted signal is called an amplifier. When the signal strength becomes less than the required
value, amplification can be done anywhere between the transmitter and receiver. A DC power
source will be provided for the amplification.

Bandwidth: Bandwidth explains the range of frequency over which a signal has been
transmitted.
Modulator: As the original message signal cannot be transmitted over a large distance
because of their low frequency and amplitude, they are superimposed with high frequency and
amplitude waves called carrier waves. This phenomenon of superimposing of message signals
with a carrier wave is called modulation, and the resultant wave is a modulated wave which is to
be transmitted.

There are different types of modulation, and they are explained below:

i. Amplitude Modulation (AM): The process of changing the amplitude of the signal wave
by impressing or superimposing it on a high-frequency carrier wave, keeping its frequency
constant, is called amplitude modulation.

ii. Frequency Modulation (FM): Frequency modulation is a technique in which the

frequency of the message signal is varied by modulating with a carrier wave. It is better than
amplitude modulation because it eliminates noise from various sources.
iii. Phase Modulation (PM): The phase of the carrier wave changes the phase of the signal
wave. The phase shift after modulation is dependent on the frequency of the carrier wave as well.
Phase modulated waves are immune to noise to a greater extent.

Antenna: An antenna is a structure or a device that will radiate and receive electromagnetic
waves. So, they are used in both transmitters and receivers. An antenna is basically a metallic
object, often a collection of wires. The electromagnetic waves are polarised according to the
position of the antenna.

Channel: A channel refers to a physical medium such as wire, cables, or space through which
the signal is passed from the transmitter to the receiver. There are many channel impairments
that affect channel performance to a pronounced level. Noise, attenuation and distortion, to
mention the major impairments.The channel can have many different forms; the most familiar,
perhaps, is the channel that exists between the transmitting antenna of a commercial radio station
and the receiving antenna of a radio. In this channel, the transmitted signal propagates through
the atmosphere, or free space, to the receiving antenna. However, it is not uncommon to find the
transmitter hard-wired to the receiver, as in most local telephone systems. This channel is vastly
different from the radio example. However, all channels have one thing in common: the signal
undergoes degradation from transmitter to receiver. Although this degradation may occur at any
point of the communication system block diagram, it is customarily associated with the channel
alone. This degradation often results from noise and other undesired signals or interference but
also may include other distortion effects as well, such as fading signal levels, multiple
transmission paths, and filtering. More about these unwanted perturbations will be presents
shortly.

Noise: Noise is one of the channel imperfections or impairments in the received signal at the
destination. There are external and internal sources that cause noise. External sources include
interference, i.e. interference from nearby transmitted signals (cross talk), interference generated
by a natural source such as lightning, solar or cosmic radiation, automobile-generated radiation,
etc. The external noise can be minimised and eliminated by the appropriate design of the channel
and shielding of cables. Also, by digital transmission, external noise can be minimised.
Internal sources include noise due to random motion and collision of electrons in the conductors
and thermal noise due to diffusion and recombination of charge carriers in other electronic
devices. Internal noise can be minimised by cooling and using digital technology for
transmission.

⎫ A different cable design.

⎫ Proper design of the channel.

⎫ Use digital transmission

⎫ Using BPF or LPF at the receiver side.

Attenuation: Attenuation is a problem caused by the medium. When the signal is propagating
for a longer distance through a medium, depending on the length of the medium, the initial
power decreases. The loss in initial power is directly proportional to the length of the medium.
Using amplifiers, the signal power is strengthened or amplified so as to reduce attenuation. Also,
digital signals are comparatively less prone to attenuation than analogue signals.

Distortion: It is also another type of channel problem. When the signal is distorted, the
distorted signal may have a frequency and bandwidth different from the transmitted signal. The
variation in the signal frequency can be linear or non-linear.

Receiver: An arrangement that extracts the message or information from the transmitted signal
at the output end of the channel and reproduces it in a suitable form as the original message
signal is a receiver. The receiver’s function. Is to extract the desired message from the received
signal at the channel output and to convert it to a form suitable for the output transducer.
Although amplification may be one of the first operations performed by the receiver, especially
in radio communications, where the received signal may be extremely weak, the main function
of the receiver is to demodulate the received signal. Often it is desired that the receiver output be
a scaled, possibly delayed, version of the message signal at the modulator input, although in
some cases a more general function of the input message is desired. However, as a result of the
presence of noise and distortion, this operation is less than ideal. Ways of approaching the ideal
case of perfect recovery will be discussed as we proceed.

Demodulator: It is the inverse phenomenon of modulation, i.e., the process of separation of

the message signal from the carrier wave takes place in the demodulator. The information is
retrieved from the modulated wave.

Repeaters: Repeaters are placed at different locations in between the transmitter and receiver.
A repeater receives the transmitted signal, amplifies it and sends it to the next repeater without
distorting the original signal.

Output Transducer: The output transducer completes the communication system. This
device converts the electrical signal at its input into the form desired by the system user. Perhaps
the most common output transducer is a loudspeaker or ear phone.

Block Diagram of Communication Systems

The block diagram given below represents the flow of the signal from the source to the
destination. The role of every device and arrangement discussed above will help to understand
better.
The following figure shows a commonly used model for a single-link communication system.
Although it suggests a system for communication between two remotely located points, this
block diagram is also applicable to remote sensing systems, such as radar or sonar, in which
the system input and output may be located at the same site. Regardless of the particular
application and configuration, all information transmission systems invariably involve three
major subsystems - a transmitter, the channel, and a receiver. We usually think in terms of
systems for transfer of information b twenty remotely located points. It is emphasized,
however, that the techniques of systems analysis are not limited to such systems.

Communication is the act of transmission of info. Every living creature within the world
experiences the necessity to impart or receive information virtually unceasingly with
alternatives in the close world. Communication pervades all stages of the lifetime of all living
creatures. No matter its nature, each communication system has three essential elements:
 transmitter, medium/channel and receiver. The essential parts of communication include the
transmitter, channel and receiver.

c) Classification of signals: done in class—refer notes

Conveying an information by some means such as gestures, sounds, actions, etc., can be
termed as signaling. Hence, a signal can be a source of energy which transmits some
information. This signal helps to establish communication between a sender and a receiver.

An electrical impulse or an electromagnetic wave which travels a distance to convey a

message, can be termed as a signal in communication systems. Depending on their
characteristics, signals are mainly classified into two types: Analog and Digital. Analog and
Digital signals are further classified, as shown in the following figure.

What is Signal Modulation?

A message carrying signal has to get transmitted over a distance and for it to establish a
reliable communication, it needs to take the help of a high frequency signal which should not
affect the original characteristics of the message signal.

The characteristics of the message signal, if changed, the message contained in it also alters.
Hence it is a must to take care of the message signal. A high frequency signal can travel up to
a longer distance, without getting affected by external disturbances. We take the help of such
high frequency signal which is called as a carrier signal to transmit our message signal. Such
a process is simply called as Modulation.

Modulation is the process of changing the parameters of the carrier signal, in accordance
with the instantaneous values of the modulating signal.

Need for Modulation: The baseband signals are incompatible for direct transmission. For
such a signal, to travel longer distances, its strength has to be increased by modulating with a
high frequency carrier wave, which doesn’t affect the parameters of the modulating signal.
Advantages of Modulation: The antenna used for transmission, had to be very large, if
modulation was not introduced. The range of communication gets limited as the wave cannot
travel to a distance without getting distorted.

Following are some of the advantages for implementing modulation in the communication
systems.

 Antenna size gets reduced.

 No signal mixing occurs.
 Communication range increases.
 Multiplexing of signals occur.
 Adjustments in the bandwidth is allowed.
 Reception quality improves.
Signals in the Modulation Process

Following are the three types of signals in the modulation process.

Message or Modulating Signal

The signal which contains a message to be transmitted, is called as a message signal. It is a

baseband signal, which has to undergo the process of modulation, to get transmitted. Hence, it
is also called as the modulating signal.
Carrier Signal

The high frequency signal which has a certain phase, frequency, and amplitude but contains
no information, is called a carrier signal. It is an empty signal. It is just used to carry the
signal to the receiver after modulation.

Modulated Signal

The resultant signal after the process of modulation, is called as the modulated signal. This
signal is a combination of the modulating signal and the carrier signal.

Types of Modulation

There are many types of modulations. Depending upon the modulation techniques used, they
are classified as shown in the following figure.

The types of modulations are broadly classified into continuous-wave modulation and pulse
modulation.

Continuous-wave Modulation

In the continuous-wave modulation, a high frequency sine wave is used as a carrier wave.
This is further divided into amplitude and angle modulation.
 If the amplitude of the high frequency carrier wave is varied in accordance with the
instantaneous amplitude of the modulating signal, then such a technique is called
as Amplitude Modulation.
 If the angle of the carrier wave is varied, in accordance with the instantaneous value of the
modulating signal, then such a technique is called as Angle Modulation.
The angle modulation is further divided into frequency and phase modulation.
o If the frequency of the carrier wave is varied, in accordance with the instantaneous value

of the modulating signal, then such a technique is called as Frequency Modulation.

o If the phase of the high frequency carrier wave is varied in accordance with the

instantaneous value of the modulating signal, then such a technique is called as Phase
Modulation.
Pulse Modulation

In Pulse modulation, a periodic sequence of rectangular pulses, is used as a carrier wave. This
is further divided into analog and digital modulation.

In analog modulation technique, if the amplitude, duration or position of a pulse is varied in

accordance with the instantaneous values of the baseband modulating signal, then such a
technique is called as Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM) or Pulse Duration/Width
Modulation (PDM/PWM), or Pulse Position Modulation (PPM).

In digital modulation, the modulation technique used is Pulse Code Modulation

(PCM) where the analog signal is converted into digital form of 1s and 0s. As the resultant is
a coded pulse train, this is called as PCM. This is further developed as Delta Modulation
(DM), which will be discussed in subsequent chapters. Hence, PCM is a technique where the
analog signals are converted into a digital form.

In any communication system, during the transmission of the signal, or while receiving the
signal, some unwanted signal gets introduced into the communication, making it unpleasant
for the receiver, questioning the quality of the communication. Such a disturbance is called
as Noise.

What is Noise?
Noise is an unwanted signal which interferes with the original message signal and corrupts
the parameters of the message signal. This alteration in the communication process, leads to
the message getting altered. It is most likely to be entered at the channel or the receiver.

The noise signal can be understood by taking a look at the following example.

Hence, it is understood that noise is some signal which has no pattern and no constant
frequency or amplitude. It is quite random and unpredictable. Measures are usually taken to
reduce it, though it can’t be completely eliminated.

Most common examples of noise are −

 Hiss sound in radio receivers

 Buzz sound amidst of telephone conversations
 Flicker in television receivers, etc.
Effects of Noise

Noise is an inconvenient feature which affects the system performance. Following are the
effects of noise.

Noise limits the operating range of the systems

Noise indirectly places a limit on the weakest signal that can be amplified by an amplifier.
The oscillator in the mixer circuit may limit its frequency because of noise. A system’s
operation depends on the operation of its circuits. Noise limits the smallest signal that a
receiver is capable of processing.
Noise affects the sensitivity of receivers

Sensitivity is the minimum amount of input signal necessary to obtain the specified quality
output. Noise affects the sensitivity of a receiver system, which eventually affects the output.

Types of Noise

The classification of noise is done depending on the type of the source, the effect it shows or
the relation it has with the receiver, etc.

There are two main ways in which noise is produced. One is through some external
source while the other is created by an internal source, within the receiver section.

External Source

This noise is produced by the external sources which may occur in the medium or channel of
communication, usually. This noise cannot be completely eliminated. The best way is to avoid
the noise from affecting the signal.

Examples

Most common examples of this type of noise are −

 Atmospheric noise (due to irregularities in the atmosphere).

 Extra-terrestrial noise, such as solar noise and cosmic noise.
 Industrial noise.
Internal Source

This noise is produced by the receiver components while functioning. The components in the
circuits, due to continuous functioning, may produce few types of noise. This noise is
quantifiable. A proper receiver design may lower the effect of this internal noise.

Examples

Most common examples of this type of noise are −

 Thermal agitation noise (Johnson noise or Electrical noise).

 Shot noise (due to the random movement of electrons and holes).
 Transit-time noise (during transition).
 Miscellaneous noise is another type of noise which includes flicker, resistance effect and
mixer generated noise, etc.