a
a
Working Principle: In ASK, the amplitude of the carrier signal is varied in accordance
with the digital data stream. For example:
o A binary 1 might be represented by a high-amplitude carrier signal.
o A binary 0 might be represented by a low or zero-amplitude carrier signal.
This method is simple but vulnerable to noise and interference.
Working Principle: PSK involves changing the phase of the carrier signal to represent
digital data.
o In Binary PSK (BPSK), there are two phases: one for binary 1 and another for
binary 0 (usually separated by 180°).
o More complex versions like Quadrature PSK (QPSK) can represent two bits per
symbol using four different phase shifts.
PSK is more noise-resistant than ASK.
Working Principle: QAM combines both amplitude and phase modulation, allowing
more data to be transmitted. It uses multiple amplitude levels and phases. For example:
o 16-QAM uses 16 different combinations of amplitude and phase, allowing the
transmission of 4 bits per symbol.
QAM is widely used in broadband communication systems like cable modems and digital
TV.
Bandwidth Efficiency: QAM has the highest bandwidth efficiency as it can transmit
more bits per symbol. ASK is the least bandwidth-efficient.
Noise Immunity: PSK and QAM offer better noise immunity than ASK and FSK, as
they change the phase and both phase and amplitude, respectively, which makes them
less prone to noise compared to amplitude or frequency changes alone.
Power Efficiency: ASK is the least power-efficient since high amplitudes are required to
maintain the signal strength, whereas PSK and QAM are more power-efficient.
Complexity of Implementation: QAM is the most complex to implement due to its use
of both amplitude and phase variations, while ASK is the simplest.
d) Practical Applications
Thus, QAM is preferred for high-speed communication systems due to its combination of high
bandwidth efficiency, good noise immunity, and capacity to carry a large amount of data over
limited bandwidth.
Pulse Modulation is a technique where the amplitude, width, position, or code of pulses is
varied in accordance with the information signal. This technique is primarily used to convert an
analog signal into a digital signal, which can then be transmitted more effectively over digital
communication systems, such as computers, networks, and wireless communication.
In Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM), the amplitude of a series of pulses is varied according
to the instantaneous value of the analog signal. The information is encoded by the amplitude of
each pulse.
Working Principle: A continuous analog signal is sampled at regular intervals, and each
sample is represented by a pulse whose amplitude is proportional to the value of the
signal at the time of sampling. The result is a series of pulses, each representing a sample
of the original signal.
Applications: It is commonly used in digital communication systems for sending signals
over long distances. It is also the foundation for other digital communication schemes.
In Pulse Width Modulation (PWM), the width (or duration) of each pulse is varied in
accordance with the amplitude of the analog signal.
Working Principle: The signal is sampled at regular intervals. The pulse width at each
sample is proportional to the instantaneous amplitude of the analog signal. In this way,
information is encoded in the width of the pulses rather than their amplitude.
Applications: PWM is widely used in control systems, such as motor speed controllers,
and in power supplies (like switching regulators). It's also commonly used in audio signal
processing for encoding and transmission.
In Pulse Position Modulation (PPM), the position of each pulse in time is varied according to
the instantaneous amplitude of the analog signal.
Working Principle: The analog signal is sampled at regular intervals, and the pulse
position is shifted based on the value of the signal at the sampling time. Unlike PAM, the
amplitude is not directly encoded; rather, the time position of the pulse carries the
information.
Applications: PPM is mainly used in optical communication, including fiber-optic
systems, and in certain radar systems. It offers advantages in terms of resistance to noise
and interference.
iv. Pulse Code Modulation (PCM)
In Pulse Code Modulation (PCM), the analog signal is sampled and then quantized to a set of
discrete levels. Each sample is represented by a binary code that encodes the quantized value of
the signal.
Working Principle:
o Sampling: The continuous analog signal is sampled at a regular rate (Nyquist
rate).
o Quantization: The amplitude of each sample is mapped to the nearest value from
a finite set of discrete values.
o Encoding: Each quantized value is then converted into a binary code. This results
in a series of binary numbers, which are transmitted as pulses.
Applications: PCM is widely used in digital audio and video, including
telecommunication systems, CDs, DVDs, and modern digital broadcasting systems. It is
the core of modern telephony and digital communication systems.
d) Why Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) is Considered the Most Commonly Used
Pulse Modulation Technique in Modern Communication Systems
Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) is the most widely used pulse modulation technique in modern
communication systems for several reasons:
High Noise Immunity: PCM is more immune to noise and interference compared to
other pulse modulation techniques because the signal is encoded as a digital signal
(binary). Digital signals are less susceptible to degradation over long distances than
analog signals.
Standardization: PCM is the foundation for digital transmission and has been
standardized in many communication protocols (such as telephony and audio
compression standards).
Compatibility with Digital Systems: PCM allows for the integration of analog signals
into digital systems, enabling high-quality data transmission over digital communication
networks.
Error Detection and Correction: Being digital, PCM allows the use of sophisticated
error detection and correction techniques, which further enhances its reliability in modern
systems.
Bandwidth Efficiency: With advancements in encoding and compression algorithms,
PCM can be optimized for efficient use of bandwidth, balancing between signal quality
and data rate.
In conclusion, PCM is favored due to its robustness, high quality of signal representation, and
wide range of applications in telecommunications, digital media, and modern audio/video
systems.
1. Transmitter
The transmitter is responsible for encoding and sending the information to be communicated. It
performs several key tasks:
Signal Generation: The transmitter generates the message signal, which could be an
analog or digital signal, depending on the system.
Encoding and Modulation: The transmitter encodes the message for transmission and
modulates it (if necessary) to match the characteristics of the transmission medium (e.g.,
electromagnetic waves in wireless communication). For digital communication systems,
this could involve techniques like Pulse Code Modulation (PCM), Frequency Modulation
(FM), or Amplitude Modulation (AM).
o Modulation is crucial because it shifts the baseband signal (original message) to a
higher frequency, making it suitable for transmission over long distances without
distortion or loss of data.
Power Amplification: The transmitter often amplifies the modulated signal to ensure it
has sufficient strength to travel through the channel.
Signal Conditioning: In some cases, the transmitter may also condition the signal,
filtering out unwanted noise or interference before sending it out.
2. Channel
The channel is the medium through which the signal travels from the transmitter to the receiver.
It can take various forms, such as:
The channel plays a significant role in the transmission process, and several factors can affect
the quality of the transmission:
Attenuation: The signal loses strength as it travels through the channel due to distance
and resistance, especially in wired channels.
Noise: Unwanted signals (e.g., electromagnetic interference) can corrupt the transmitted
signal.
Distortion: The signal may undergo distortions such as phase shifts or frequency
changes, especially in non-ideal channels (e.g., wireless environments).
Multipath Propagation: In wireless communication, the signal may take multiple paths
to the receiver (due to reflections, diffraction, and scattering), which can lead to signal
interference and degradation.
To deal with these issues, communication systems employ various strategies such as error
correction codes, signal processing techniques, and modulation schemes that enhance the
robustness of the transmission over the channel.
3. Receiver
The receiver is responsible for receiving the signal from the channel, extracting the information,
and converting it back to a usable form. The key tasks of the receiver are:
Signal Detection: The receiver detects the incoming signal, which may be weak and
subject to noise and interference.
Demodulation: If the signal was modulated (e.g., using techniques like AM or FM), the
receiver demodulates the signal to retrieve the baseband (original) message. The
demodulation process is the inverse of modulation.
Signal Decoding: In digital communication systems, the receiver decodes the message,
converting it from a series of modulated or encoded pulses back to its original form (e.g.,
bits, text, audio, etc.).
Error Detection and Correction: The receiver also employs techniques to detect errors
that may have occurred during transmission (e.g., due to noise or distortion) and can
correct some of these errors using error correction algorithms (e.g., Hamming code,
CRC).
Output Delivery: Once the message is successfully decoded and errors are corrected, the
information is passed on to the end-user in a usable format (e.g., audio, video, or digital
data).
Efficiency: Efficient transmission means minimizing the use of bandwidth and power
while maintaining the quality of the signal. Modulation techniques like Frequency
Division Multiplexing (FDM), Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), and Orthogonal
Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) allow multiple signals to be transmitted
over the same channel without interference.
Reliability: Reliable transmission ensures that the information reaches the receiver
accurately and in a timely manner. This is achieved through methods such as error
correction, automatic retransmission requests (ARQ), and redundancy in the data.
For example, Forward Error Correction (FEC) adds extra bits to the message to allow
the receiver to detect and correct errors.
Accuracy: To maintain accuracy, it’s essential to minimize errors caused by noise or
interference in the channel. Digital communication systems use modulation schemes
(such as QAM or PSK) that allow for more reliable transmission, as they distinguish
between different states of the signal clearly. Additionally, synchronization ensures that
the timing of the transmitted and received signals aligns correctly.
Conclusion
In summary, the transmitter, channel, and receiver each play a vital role in ensuring the
communication system functions properly:
The transmitter prepares and sends the signal, ensuring it is robust enough for
transmission.
The channel carries the signal, though it may introduce noise or attenuation that degrades
its quality.
The receiver works to recover the signal, mitigate the effects of noise and distortion, and
ensure the message is accurately decoded and delivered.
Together, these components use a combination of encoding, modulation, error correction, and
signal processing techniques to achieve efficient, reliable, and accurate communication.