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UNIT 2 Revision MEMO ASSESSOR: MR LP MOJI

DATE: 12 November 2020 TIME: 18:00

SUBJECT: Electronic Communication 3 CODE: ECM226A
STATONERY:
1. Answer books
2. Non-alphanumeric calculators are allowed.

INSTRUCTIONS:
Duration of Paper: 60 Minutes Maximum marks: 33
1. Answer all questions
2. Show all units for each answer without space between answer and units.
3 Express each answer accurate to 2 decimal places.
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Unit 2: Basic radio frequency circuits and transmission lines [33]

LO4: Analyse a basic radio frequency (RF) Circuit
[Knowledge area: Engineering Science; GA1 partially assessed]

Q1 A small RF amplifier below has the following data:

VCC = 18 V, VBE = 0.65 V, Ct = 110 pF, R1 = 12 kΩ, R2 = 82 kΩ, RE = 1.1 kΩ, RL = 75 Ω,
R3 = 10 kΩ, LP = 5.1 μH, ac collector resistor rc = 250 kΩ, unloaded quality factor
Qu = 100, primary to secondary turns ratio = 5.
The base biasing voltage is [a]. The emitter biasing voltage is [b]. The dc emitter current
is [c]. The emitter ac resistance is [d]. Resonant voltage is [e]. Dynamic impedance is [f].
Reflected load impedance is [g]. Effective load impedance at resonant frequency is [h].
Voltage gain at the resonant frequency in decibels is [i]. Loaded quality factor is [j].
Amplifier’s bandwidth is [k]. (11)

𝑅1 12000
𝑉𝐵 = 𝑉 = × 18 = 2.30𝑉
𝑅1 +𝑅2 𝐶𝐶 12000+82000

𝑉𝐸 = 𝑉𝐵 − 𝑉𝐵𝐸 = 2.30 − 0.65 = 1.65𝑉

𝑉𝐸 1.65
𝐼𝐸 = = = 1.50𝑚𝐴
𝑅𝐸 1100
𝑉𝑇 26 𝑚𝑉 26 𝑚𝑉
𝑟𝑒 = = = = 17.33𝛺
𝐼𝐸 𝐼𝐸 1.50 𝑚𝐴

1 1 1 1
𝑓𝑂 = = = = = 6.72𝑀𝐻𝑧
2𝜋√𝐿𝐶 2𝜋√𝐿𝐶 2𝜋√𝐿𝑃 × 𝐶𝑡 2𝜋√5.1𝜇𝐻 × 110𝑝𝐹
𝑍𝐷 = 𝑄𝑢 𝑋𝐿 = 100 × 2𝜋 × 6.72𝑀𝐻𝑧 × 5.1𝜇𝐻 = 21.53𝑘Ω
𝑅𝐿 (𝑟𝑒𝑓) = 𝑛2 𝑅𝐿 = 52 × 75 = 1.88𝑘Ω
𝑅𝐶 (𝑒𝑓𝑓) = 𝑟𝑐 ‖𝑅3 ‖𝑍𝐷 ‖𝑅𝑟 = 250‖10‖21.53‖1.88 =1465Ω
𝑅𝑐 (𝑒𝑓𝑓)
𝐴𝑣 (𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑂 )𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝐵 = 20𝑙𝑜𝑔 ( )
𝑛𝑟𝑒
1465
= 20𝑙𝑜𝑔 ( )
5 × 17.33
= 24.56 𝑑𝐵
𝑅𝐶 (𝑒𝑓𝑓) 1465
𝑄𝐿 = = = 6.80
𝑋𝐿 2𝜋×6.72×106 ×5.1×10−6

𝑓𝑜 6.72 × 106
𝐵𝑊 = = = 988.24𝑘𝐻𝑧
𝑄𝐿 6.80
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Q2 Signals at 102.5 MHz from the local oscillator and 90.2 MHz from the RF amplifier are
applied to the input of a mixer. Determine the output frequencies if the mixer is a multiplier.
(2)
Minimum output frequency is [a]. Maximum output frequency is [b].

𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑡 (𝑚𝑖𝑛) = 𝑓𝐿𝑂 − 𝑓𝑅𝐹 = 102.5 − 90.2 = 12.3𝑀𝐻𝑧

𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑡 (𝑚𝑎𝑥) = 𝑓𝐿𝑂 + 𝑓𝑅𝐹 = 102.5 + 90.2 = 192.7𝑀𝐻𝑧
LO5: Design a basic RF circuit [Knowledge area: Design and Synthesis; GA3 partially
assessed]
Q3 Design a fourth order high-pass π filter for 50 Ω source and load impedances, with a cut-
off frequency of 4.5 MHz. State the E24 value for each calculated component value.
(4)

L1 E24 value is [a]. C2 E24 value is [b]. L3 E24 value is [c]. C4 E24 value is [d].
𝑅𝐿 50
𝐿1 = = = 2.31𝜇𝐻(2.2𝜇𝐻)
𝜔𝑅𝐿 𝐶1 (𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒) 2𝜋×4.5×106 ×0.7654

1 1
𝐶2 = = = 19.14 𝑛𝐹(18𝑛𝐹)
𝜔𝑅𝐿 𝐿2 (𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒) 2𝜋 × 4.5 × 106 × 1.8478
𝑅𝐿 50
𝐿3 = = = 0.96 𝑛𝐻(1𝑛𝐻)
𝜔𝑅𝐿 𝐶3 (𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒) 2𝜋×4.5×106 ×1.8478

1 1
𝐶4 = = = 46.21 𝑛𝐹(47𝑛𝐹)
𝜔𝑅𝐿 𝐿4 (𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒) 2𝜋 × 4.5 × 106 × 0.7654
Q4 An RF amplifier should be designed based on an ideal transformer and the following data.
PO = 5 mW, RL = 75 Ω, β = 100, VCC = 9 V, C (stray) = 5 pF, CCB = 2 pF, VBE = 0.7 V,
rc = 10 kΩ, η = 50%.
Provide a partial design solution with R1, R2, and RE values only. (7)
Emitter current is [a]. Voltage across emitter resistor is [b]. Emitter resistance is [c]. I1 is
[d]. R1 is [e]. I2 is [f]. R2 is [g].

2×5×10−3
𝐼𝐸 = 𝐼𝐶 = = 1.23𝑚𝐴
0.9×9

As a Rule of Thumb let VE = 0.1 × 9 = 0.9V

𝑉𝐸 0.9
𝑅𝐸 = = = 731.71Ω
𝐼𝐸 1.23 × 10−3
1.23×10−3
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝐼1 = 10𝐼𝐵 = 10 = 123𝜇𝐴
100
𝑉𝐸 + 𝑉𝐵𝐸 0.9 + 0.7
𝑅1 = = = 13008Ω
𝐼1 123𝜇𝐴
1.23×10−3
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝐼2 = 11𝐼𝐵 = 11 = 135.30𝜇𝐴
100

𝑉𝐶𝐶 − (𝑉𝐸 + 𝑉𝐵𝐸 ) 9 − 1.6

𝑅2 = = = 54693Ω
𝐼2 135 𝜇𝐴
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LO6: Choose a suitable transmission line for a required application [Knowledge area:
Engineering Science; GA1 partially assessed]

Q5 Contrast between fibre-optic and coaxial transmission lines under the following factors.
Construction, attenuation, bandwidth, cost, weight, cable diameter, tapping, safety, and
data transmission rate. (9)
Fibre cable is constructed from [a]. Fibre-optic cable has [b] over a given distance than
coaxial cable. Fibre-optic line has a [c] than a coaxial line. Optical fibre cable is [d]. Fibre-
optic cable is [e] than coaxial cable. Practical fibre-optic cable is [f]. Fibre-optic line cannot
be [g], and it does not radiate signals that can be picked up for eavesdropping purposes.
Fibre-optic line provides [h] for there are no conductors. Fibre optic line provides [i] than
coaxial line.

Construction: Fibre cable is constructed from glass or plastic while coaxial cable is
constructed from plastic, metal foil and metal wire.
Attenuation: Fibre-optic cable has less signal attenuation over a given distance than
coaxial cable.
Bandwidth: Fibre-optic line has a wider bandwidth than a coaxial line.
Cost: Optical fibre cable is highly expensive while coaxial cable is less expensive.
Weight: Fibre-optic cable is lighter than coaxial cable.
Cable diameter: Practical fibre-optic cable is much smaller in diameter than coaxial
cable.
Tapping: Fibre-optic line cannot be easily tapped as it the case with a coaxial line, and
it does not radiate signals that can be picked up for eavesdropping purposes.
Safety: Fibre-optic line provides greater safety for there are no conductors.
Data transmission rate: Fibre optic line provides higher data rates than coaxial line.
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Useful Tables and Equations

Useful Trigonometric Identities

sinx siny = 0.5[cos(x-y) - cos(x+y)]
cosx cosy = 0.5[cos(x-y) + cos(x+y)]
sinx cosy = 0.5[sin(x-y) + sin(x+y)]
cosx siny = 0.5[sin(x-y) + sin(x+y)]

Useful Constants
Boltzmann’s constant k = 1.38 × 10-23 J/K
Electronic (fundamental) charge q = 1.602 × 10-19 C
Standard (absolute) temperature = 273K
Thermal voltage VT = 26 mV at room temperature
Speed of light c = 3 x 108m/s

RF Circuits
𝑍𝐷 = 𝑄𝑢 𝑋𝐿
𝑅𝐿 (𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑) = 𝑛2 𝑅𝐿
1
𝑓𝑂 =
2𝜋√𝐿𝐶
𝑉𝑇
𝑟𝑒 =
𝐼𝐸
𝑅𝑐 (𝑒𝑓𝑓)
𝐴𝑣 (𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑂 )𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝐵 = 10𝑙𝑜𝑔 ( )
𝑛𝑟𝑒
𝑅𝐶 (𝑒𝑓𝑓)
𝑄𝐿 =
𝑋𝐿
𝑓𝑂
𝐵𝑊 =
𝑄𝐿
𝑛𝑝
𝑛=
𝑛𝑠
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Table 1: Normalised Passive Butterworth Low-Pass Filters’ Design Table

(Rs = 1Ω, 1/Rs = 1Ω, RL = 1Ω)

Low-Pass Scaling Rules:

𝑅𝐿 𝐿𝑛 (𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒)
𝐿𝑛 (𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙) =
𝜔
𝐶𝑛 (𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒)
𝐶𝑛 (𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙) =
𝜔𝑅𝐿

High-Pass Scaling Rules:

𝑅𝐿
𝐿𝑛 (𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙) =
𝜔𝐶𝑛 (𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒)
1
𝐶𝑛 (𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙) =
𝜔𝑅𝐿 𝐿𝑛 (𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒)