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Baseband Data Transmission Fundamentals
Digital Communications Series - Volume 1
Comprehensive Notes on Basic Concepts and Principles
1. Introduction to Baseband Transmission
Definition: Baseband transmission refers to the direct transmission of digital data without modulation,
where the original signal occupies frequencies from DC (0 Hz) up to some maximum frequency.
1.1 Characteristics of Baseband Signals
Frequency Spectrum: Extends from 0 Hz to several MHz
No Carrier: Data is transmitted directly without modulation
Short Distance: Typically used for local area networks and short-range communication
High Data Rates: Can achieve very high bit rates due to efficient bandwidth utilization
1.2 Applications
Ethernet LANs
USB connections
Serial communication interfaces
Computer backplane communications
Cable TV distribution systems
2. Digital Data Representation
2.1 Binary Data Encoding
Digital information is represented using binary symbols (bits): 0 and 1. These bits must be converted to
electrical signals for transmission.
Example: The binary sequence "101100" can be represented as:
High voltage (+V) for '1', Low voltage (0V) for '0'
Positive voltage (+V) for '1', Negative voltage (-V) for '0'
Presence of pulse for '1', Absence for '0'
2.2 Bit Rate and Baud Rate
Bit Rate (R_b) = Number of bits transmitted per second [bits/s or
bps]
Baud Rate (R_s) = Number of signal changes per second [symbols/s]
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For binary systems: R_b = R_s
For M-ary systems: R_b = R_s × log₂(M)
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3. Line Coding Techniques
Line coding is the process of converting digital data into digital signals suitable for transmission over a
communication channel.
3.1 Unipolar Encoding
Unipolar NRZ: '1' = +V, '0' = 0V
Advantages: Simple implementation, low bandwidth
Disadvantages: DC component, no error detection, synchronization issues
3.2 Polar Encoding
Polar NRZ-L: '1' = +V, '0' = -V
Polar NRZ-I: '1' = transition, '0' = no transition
Polar RZ: Signal returns to zero during each bit period
3.3 Bipolar Encoding
AMI (Alternate Mark Inversion): '0' = 0V, '1' alternates between +V and -V
Advantages: No DC component, error detection capability
Disadvantages: Higher bandwidth requirement
4. Pulse Shaping and Bandwidth Considerations
4.1 Ideal vs. Practical Pulses
Ideal rectangular pulses require infinite bandwidth for transmission. Practical systems use pulse shaping
to limit bandwidth while maintaining signal quality.
4.2 Nyquist Criterion for Zero ISI
For zero Inter-Symbol Interference (ISI):
R_s ≤ 2B
where R_s is symbol rate and B is channel bandwidth
4.3 Raised Cosine Pulse Shaping
The raised cosine filter is widely used for pulse shaping:
H(f) = {
T, |f| ≤ (1-α)/(2T)
T/2[1 + cos(πT/α[|f| - (1-α)/(2T)])], (1-α)/(2T) < |f| ≤
(1+α)/(2T)
0, |f| > (1+α)/(2T)
}
Where α is the rolloff factor (0 ≤ α ≤ 1)
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5. Channel Characteristics and Impairments
5.1 Channel Bandwidth Limitations
Finite bandwidth causes pulse spreading
High-frequency components are attenuated
Results in intersymbol interference (ISI)
5.2 Noise Effects
Thermal Noise: Random noise due to thermal agitation
Impulse Noise: Short duration, high amplitude disturbances
Crosstalk: Interference from adjacent channels
5.3 Attenuation and Distortion
Amplitude Distortion: Frequency-dependent attenuation
Phase Distortion: Non-linear phase response
Group Delay Distortion: Frequency-dependent time delay
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