This is an extension of the bus

topology, and is sometimes referred

to as a hierarchical topology. As
shown in Fig. 9.14 the main bus has
spurs branching out from it. These
spurs may also be split into further
spurs. If this system is used to cover
any significant area, then repeaters
(regenerators) will be necessary at Fig 9.14
the various branching points.

9.11 Local Area Network (LAN)

A local area network is simply a data determining the actual combination
network that and between these of topologies provides the
computers and shared interconnection between computers,
chosen.
limitation is that the distance
between the extremities of the LAN The advantages of a network are:
is no more than about 2.5 km. The
(a) A number of users can share
connecting cabling may be either
common peripherals such as
coaxial or optic fibre. Since the
printers, file servers, fax servers etc.
bandwidth constraints of the PSTN
do not apply, LANs may operate (b) A number of microcomputers
with very high bit rates; up to 100 can access one another and/or access
Mbit/s where optic fibre is used. The a larger host computer.
network topology for a LAN may be (c) Programs and data may be
any one (or combination of) the stored anywhere in the network, but
topologies already described. The may be accessed by any user.
physical layout of the building(s)
will have a considerable affect in d) The LAN may provide access to a
wide area network via modems and
other links.
9.12 Wide Area Network (WAN)
A wide area network is one which feature in order to send as much data
covers far greater distances than a over the links, at as high a bit rate as
LAN, up to and including global possible. Two
systems. For this reason the
of the services offered by British
connections between stations will
Telecom are Kilostream and
involve the use of analogue and
Megastream, and being digital
digital telephone circuits, which in
systems the use of modems is not
turn may involve the use of
required. The Kilostream service
microwave links and satellite
offers bit rates of 2.4 kbit/s up to 64
communications. Due to the cost of
kbit/s, whilst the Megastream
using telephone systems,
service bit rates of 2.048 Mb It's up
multiplexing becomes an important
to 140 Mbit/s.

Assignment Questions 5. The Explain the difference

between a WAN and a LAN.
1. Compare the relative advantages/
Describe four topologies that may
disadvantages of serial and
be used with LANs.
parallel data transmission.
6. Compare therelative merits of
2. Compare the relative merits of
Bus, Mesh, and Star networks.
synchronous and asynchronous
data transmission. 7. Explain how digital data may be
transmitted over an analogue
3. Explain what is meant by the term
system such as the PSTN.
protocol, and name two
commonly used protocols. 8. Explain the advantages of digital
transmission compared with
4. Briefly explain the HDLC
analogue transmission methods.
protocol. Include a description of
the frame structure employed. 9. Explain why 'raw' digital data
cannot be transmitted directly
over the PSTN.

10 Modulation
Techniques
The reasons for, and principles of amplitude and frequency modulation are
covered in Volume 1. In this chapter we shall consider both procedures in more
details and also consider the application of pulse modulation techniques. On
completion you should be able to:
1] Explain the principles of various modulation techniques, and identify the type
of modulation employed by the use of an oscilloscope.
2] Understand the terminology used and perform simple calculations for
modulated waveforms.
3] Explain the operation of a simple demodulator
4] Compare the characteristics of am and fm
51 Explain how pulse modulation techniques are used to transmit analogue
signals.

10.1 Amplitude Modulation (am)

In this form of modulation the illustrated in Fig. 10.1. Since the

instantaneous amplitude of a high- modulated carrier to be transmitted
frequency sinusoidal carrier is a complex wave, then it must
waveform is controlled by the consist of a number of sine waves,
instantaneous amplitude of a of different frequencies and
modulating signal. The resulting amplitudes, that are effectively
waveform is known as the added together. In order to determine
modulated carrier. In practice, these so-called modulation products
virtually all modulating signals will we need to analyse the waveforms,
be complex waveforms, such as as follows:
speech, music, pulse trains etc. The
Let modulating signal be
mathematical analysis of the
resulting modulated carrier would be vm = Vm sin wm t volt
very and unmodulated carrier
complicated, so we shall consider vc = Vc sin wc t volt
the simplest case, which is a
sinusoidal signal. Such a signal, the V sin w! volt
unmodulated carrier and the
resulting modulated carrier are
It is apparent from Fig. 10.1 that the
amplitude the modulated carrier
varies in sympathy with
modulating signal, about its 'normal'
amplitude Ve Thus, the amplitude of
the modulated came V+V sin w and
its frequency remains unchanged.
The expression for the modulated
carrier is therefore: