Name:_________________________________________ Date:___________
What is communication?
Communication is the process of exchanging information. Through this process, humans
express their feelings, thoughts and ideas to one another. Thus it is way for people to
understand and convey messages. Communication can
be classified as either verbal or non-verbal. When we say
verbal, we mean to say that the information is expressed
through the spoken word-the easier way to relay the
information. On the other hand, non-verbal type involves
writing, facial expression and hand gestures. This
process does not involve the exchange of verbal words
just to convey the information. Humans develop signs
and symbols in communicating this way.
At large scale, verbal way of communicating is prevalent
since the ideas are easily relayed while the non-verbal
way requires signs and symbols agreed by the sender
and the receiver. Hence, it is suggested that both of
them must understand the symbols they are using or
else the process becomes useless and meaningless.
Why is there a need for Electronic Communications System?
In the past, people use face-to-face conversation as the primary way of expressing their
thoughts and ideas. Later on, they realized that this type of communicating is difficult to
attain with distance. As the distance between the sender and receiver increases, the
process of relaying the information becomes totally impossible.
Since communicating over long distance is not possible, people learned to use non-
verbal languages through the use of letters, symbols and figures. With this, the
limitation of distance is extended for a few kilometers. However, the need for
satisfactory communication over much longer distances in several miles arises when
people from different nations across the globe tend to connect with each other.
The world of communications took a big leap in the late nineteenth century when
electricity was discovered. From that time, communications become highly developed,
making conversation over long distances possible.
Basic Elements of Electronic Communications System
Electronic communications is the transmission, reception, and processing of information
between two or more locations with the use of electronic circuits. The basic components
of electronic communications system are the transmitter, communications channel or
medium, receiver, and noise. Analog signals (such human voice) or digital signals
(binary data) are inputted to the system, processed in the electronic circuits for
transmission, and then decoded by the receiver. The system is said to be reliable and
effective only when errors are minimized in the process. Lets discuss each component
of the system and well take note of their important functions.
A sample diagram as to how signal is being processed in electronic communications.
Source: Brews ohare, CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Transmitter
Transmitter is defined as a collection of one or more electronic devices or circuits that
converts the original source information - also called as baseband signal - to a form
suitable for transmission. It is a part of the system where the sender inputs or encodes
the information. Examples of transmitters are our mobile phones and AM radio
transmitters.
Functions of a Radio Transmitter
A radio transmitter is an electronic unit that accepts the information signal to be
transmitted and converts it into a radio frequency (RF) signal capable of being
transmitted over long distances.
A transmitter must:
generate a signal of desired frequency
provide some form of modulation that allows the information signal to modify a
signal of higher frequency, also known as the carrier signal. Amplitude Modulation
(AM) and Frequency Modulation are commonly used in broadcasting.
provide power amplification in order to ensure that the signal level is high, in
such a way that it will carry over the desired distance for which the signal is to be
sent
Communications channel
The channel is the medium by which the electronic signal is sent or propagated from
one place to another. It provides a means of transporting signals between a transmitter
and a receiver. The channel can be as simple as copper wire or as complex as the
optical fiber and satellite systems. Signals can also be propagated through radio waves
or free space depending upon the type of modulation and frequency being used.
Although channel provides a way for communication, it also attenuates the signal that
carries the message. All types of media are capable of degrading the signals, resulting
to weaker signals, and appear to have smaller amplitudes. Amplifiers are included both
in the transmitter and receiver to compensate this problem.
Receiver
The receiver is a collection of electronic devices and circuits that accepts the
transmitted signals from the transmission medium and then converts those signals back
to their original form which is understandable by humans. One good example of a
receiver is the television. Primary requirements for any communications
receiver:
Selectivity
The ability of a receiver to select a signal of a desired frequency while rejecting
those on closely adjacent frequencies. With good selectivity, the receiver can select
the desired signal and eliminate all other RF signals. Tuned circuits or LC circuits are
used to obtain selectivity.
Sensitivity
It is the ability of a receiver to pick up weak signals. Sensitivity is directly related
to receiver's gain. By the way, gain is the factor by which an input signal is
multiplied to produce the output. This can be increased by having a series of
amplification. Better sensitivity is attained with higher gain.
System noise
Noise is any unwanted electrical signals that interfere with the information signal.
It is a random electrical energy that enters the system via the medium. However,
noise can also be generated in the receiver which causes some errors in
demodulation process. Noise may come from different sources such as the
atmosphere, particularly lighting and thunderstorms. It may also come from the
outer space where the sun and billions of stars emit radiation which interferes with
the signal.
Noise is inevitable, it is always present in a system- it can never be avoided, but
can always be minimized with the use of sophisticated techniques and electronic
circuits.
1. What are the primary requirements for any receiver?
2. What is considered one of the largest barriers of human communications?
3. Please create a list that contains the different elements of an electronic
communication system. CIRCLE the parts that are similar to the parts of a
communication system from our notes.
