Introductory Topics RAE3601

QUESTION 1 INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

1.1 What is the function of communication system? (1)

1.2 Which three components make up or comprise an electronic communication

system. (3)

1.3 Briefly discuss the limitations of transmitting the low frequency intelligence. (2)

1.4 One of the limitations of transmitting the low frequency intelligence is the
requirement of more antennas for efficient propagation. Briefly explain the
technique that can be used to transmit the low frequency signals. (2)

1.5 Name the technique used to extract multiple intelligence signals that have
been transmitted simultaneously over a single communication channel. (2)
1.6 Mathematically present the three basic methods of putting low frequency
intelligence onto carrier. (6)

1.7 Barkhausen states criteria for converting the electrical energy from dc to ac,
name them. (2)

1.8 Define transducer and give one example. (1)

1.9 Explain the process of transmitting the information by means of block diagram
and mention the examples of mediums. (10)

1.10 Define the “decibel” and write the formula that relates decibel to power and

decibels to voltage. (3)

1.11 What are decibels used for and what is important when using the decibels in
calculations? (3)

1.12 What are the considerations when choosing the sine wave oscillators for use
in electronic circuits? (5)

1.13 What could be the possible fault/s if the crystal oscillator does not oscillate at
all or oscillates at the incorrect frequency? (3)

1.14 A transmitter system operating in the heart of Johannesburg requires a +8-

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dBm audio level to provide 100% modulation. Determine the voltage level
required to provide a +8-dBm level. Take the reference voltage as 0.775V.
(2)

1.15 Draw the equivalent output signal of the two signals in Figure 1 and briefly
discuss what happens when the output from the two signals is fed into the
transmitter. (3)

Figure 1: Received signal and noise

Figure 2: RLC circuit

1.16 Briefly explain what resonance is and determine the resonant frequency for
the circuit in Figure 2. (3)

1.17 A resonant RLC circuit is operating at 12 kHz with 30 Ω resistor and 3 mH

inductor. Determine:
1.17.1 The impedance of the circuit. (1)
1.17.2 The capacitance of the circuit. (2)
1.17.3 The value of the capacitor. (2)

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1.17.4 Quality factor of the inductor. (2)

1.18 A Telkom telephone channel has the minimum signal to noise ratio of 30dB
while the signal and channel bandwidth are both equal to 3 kHz.

1.18.1 Determine the capacity of the telephony channel. (3)

1.18.2 Explain what would happen if the data rate at which the information
sent is more than the channel capacity (1)

1.19 Determine the THD if the spectrum analyser display in Figure 3 has V1 = 1V,
V2 = 0.03V, V3 = 0.03V, V4=0.02V and V5 = 0.04V.
(2)

Figure 3: Relative harmonic distortion

1.20 Complete the table below by providing any three examples of the types of
communication below. (3)

Type of communication Examples

Simplex

Half duplex

Full duplex

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QUESTION 2 NOISE

2.1 What is the effect of noise in communication system? (2)

2.2 Differentiate between external and internal noise, and give one example for
each. (4)

2.3 What can be done to reduce thermal noise in a circuit? (2)

2.4 A receiver has the noise power bandwidth of 10 kHz. The resistor that
matches the receiver input impedance is connected across its antenna
terminals.

2.4.1 What is the noise power contributed by that resistor in the bandwidth, if
the resistor has a temperature of 27 C? (4)

2.4.2 What is the effective noise bandwidth? (2)

2.5 A receiver produces a noise power of 200mW with no signal. The output
levels increase to 5 W when signal is applied. Calculate:

2.5.1 Signal to noise. (1)

2.5.2 Signal to noise in decibel. (1)

2.6 Explain similarities and differences of equivalent noise temperature and

equivalent noise resistance. (4)

2.7 Define electrical noise. (1)

2.8 Differentiate between atmospheric and space noise. (2)
2.9 What is the advantage of decreasing the bandwidth and temperature of the
circuit? (1)
2.10 An amplifier is operating at 6 MHz bandwidth has 100 Ω source resistance. It is
operating at 30C, has a voltage gain of 150, and has an input signal of 5 µV
rms.
2.10.1 Determine the noise signal. (3)
2.10.2 Determine the rms output signals (desired and noise), assuming
external noise can be disregarded. (2)
2.10.3 Calculate the signal power and noise power. (4)
2.10.4 Determine signal to noise ratio in decibels. (3)

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2.10.5 Determine the effective bandwidth of the amplifier. (2)

(𝑒𝑛 )2
2.11 The noise spectral density is given by = 4𝑘𝑇𝑅. Determine bandwidth of the
𝑓
system in which noise voltage generated by 20 kΩ resistor is 20 µV at room
temperature. (2)

2.12 Define the following types of noise

2.1.1 External noise (1)

2.1.2 Internal noise (1)

2.1.3 Thermal noise (1)

2.13 A receiver has noise power bandwidth of 10 KHz. The resistor that matches
the receiver input impedance is connected across its antenna terminals. What
is the noise power contributed by the resistor in the receiver bandwidth, if
the resistor has the temperature of 27 C. (4)

2.14 How can the thermal noise be reduced on the circuit? (2)

2.15 What kind of circuit is used for clipping the noise? (1)

2.16 Radio Mzantsi has an amplifier with resistors of R1 =20 KΩ and R2 = 50kΩ
and the room temperature is T= 290K. For given bandwidth = 100kHz, find
thermal noise for:

2.16.1 each resistor. (4)

2.16.2 Resistors connected in series (2)

2.16.3 Resistors connected in parallel (2)

2.17 A receiver produces a noise power of 200 mW with no signal. The output level
increases to 5W when signal is applied. Calculate:

2.17.1 Signal to noise ratio in power ratio. (1)

2.17.2 Signal to noise ratio in decibel. (1)

2.18 Describe the term Noise? (2)

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2.19 What is the name given to undesirable interference that is added to a signal
being transmitted? (1)
2.20 What is the difference between the noise figure and signal to noise (S/N)
ratio? (2)
2.21 A three stage amplifier system has a 3-dB bandwidth of 200 kHz, determined
by a LC-tuned circuit at its input and operates at 22C. The first stage has
power gain of 14 dB and an NF of 3 dB. The second and third stages are
identical, with power gain of 20 dB and NF equal to 8 dB. The output load is
300Ω and input noise is generated by a 10 kΩ resistor. Calculate the:

2.21.1 Noise voltage and power at the input and the output of this system,
assuming ideal noiseless amplifiers. (4)

2.21.2 Output noise voltage driven by the 300Ω load resistor. (2)

2.21.3 Overall noise figure for the system. (5)

2.21.4 Actual output noise and the power. (2)

2.22 Two random signal voltage generators are connected in series. The two
voltage generators have maximal rms amplitudes e1 = 1V and e2 = 10V
respectively.
2.22.1. Derive the expression for the rms voltage amplitude at the terminals
of this two-source network. (3)
2.22.2. Comment on the result if the specific numerical values in this
example are used. (2)

2.23 Resistors R1=20 k Ω and R2=50 k Ω are at room temperature T =

290K. For a given bandwidth of BW = 20 kHz find the thermal noise
voltage for the three cases shown in Figures 4:

Figure 4: resistor combinations

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2.23.1. Each resistor separately. (2)

2.23.2. Their serial combination. (2)

2.23.3. Their parallel combination. (2)

2.14. An amplifier with the input signal power of 5 × 10−6 W, noise input power
1 × 10-6 W, has output signal power of 50 × 10−3 W and the output noise
power 40×10-3 W.
2.14.1. Calculate the noise factor F. (3)
2.14.2. The nose figure NF of this amplifier. (1)