signal

Subject: telecom system

semester: IT6
 signal
• A physical quantity that carries information from
one place to another.
• It can be:
• Electrical (voltage, current)
• Optical (light in fiber)
• Electromagnetic waves (radio waves in air)
• A signal is an electrical or elctromagnetic current
that is uesd for carrying data from one device or
network to another.
 Basic Properties of a Signal
• Every signal has these important characteristics:
• 1. Amplitude (Strength)
• Height of the signal
• Represents power or intensity
• 👉 Example: Loud voice = high amplitude
• 2. Frequency (f)
• Number of cycles per second (Hz)
• Shows how fast signal changes
• 👉 Example:
• Human voice: ~300 Hz to 3.4 kHz
• 3. Time (t)
• Signals change over time
• 4. Phase
• Position of waveform relative to time
 Types of Signals
• Signals are mainly divided into two types:
• 1. Analog Signal
• 2. Digital Signal
• Analog signal is a type of signal that represents continuous data
using a continuous range of values.
• In other words, it can take on any value within a certain range.
Analog signals are characterized by their smooth and continuous
nature.
• Shape:
• Smooth wave (usually sine wave).
• Example:
• Human voice
• Temperature
• Radio signals
• Real-life Example:
• When you speak:
• Your voice → continuous sound waves → analog signal
 Characteristics of Analog
Signals
Analog signals have three main characteristics. Here are the analog signal
characteristics:
1. Amplitude
Amplitude is the height of the signal. It represents the strength or volume of the signal.
For example, in a sound wave, the amplitude determines how loud the sound is.
2. Frequency
It is how often the signal repeats in one second. It is measured in Hertz (Hz). For
example, if a signal repeats 50 times in one second, its frequency is 50 Hz. Frequency
determines the pitch of a sound. A high-frequency signal produces a high-pitched
sound, while a low-frequency signal produces a low-pitched sound.
3. Phase
It is the starting point of the signal. It tells us where the signal begins in its cycle. Phase
is important when combining multiple signals. If two signals have the same frequency
but different phases, they can cancel each other out or amplify each other.
 How Analog Signals Work

• Analog signals are generated by devices like microphones,

sensors, and antennas. For example, a microphone
converts sound waves into electrical signals. These signals
are then transmitted through wires or air.
• When the signal reaches its destination, it is converted back
into sound, light, or another form. For example, a speaker
converts electrical signals into sound waves. This process is
called signal transmission and reception.
• In communication systems, analog signals are often
modulated before transmission. Modulation means
changing the signal so it can travel long distances. At the
receiving end, the signal is demodulated to recover the
original information.
 Analog Signal Processing

• Analog signal processing involves modifying analog signals.

Common techniques include amplification, filtering, modulation,
and demodulation.
• Amplification increases the strength of the signal. This is useful
when the signal is weak, such as after travelling a long distance.
• Filtering removes unwanted frequencies from the signal. For
example, a low-pass filter allows low frequencies to pass while
blocking high frequencies.
• Modulation changes the signal so it can travel long distances. For
example, in radio broadcasting, the audio signal is modulated onto
a carrier wave.
• Demodulation recovers the original signal from the modulated
signal. This is done at the receiving end of a communication system.
 Applications of Analog Signals

• 1. Audio Systems
• Analog signals are used in many real-world applications. One common use is in
audio systems. Vinyl records and analog radios use analog signals to produce
sound. When you play a vinyl record, the needle reads the continuous grooves on
the record, representing the analog signal.
• 2. Television Broadcasting
• Another application is in television broadcasting. Older TVs used analog signals to
display images and sound. The signal was transmitted through the air and received
by an antenna on the TV.
• 3. Sensors
• Sensors also use analog signals. For example, a thermometer measures
temperature and produces an analog signal. This signal can be displayed on a dial
or converted into a digital reading.
• 4. Communication Systems
• Communication systems, like landline telephones, use analog signals to transmit
voice. When you speak on a telephone, your voice is converted into an analog
signal and sent through the phone line.
 Advantages and Disadvantages of
Analog Signals
• The following are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Analog Signals:
• Advantages
• High Precision: Analog signals can represent data with high accuracy.
• Simple Design: Analog devices are often simpler and cheaper to build.
• Better for Certain Applications: Analog signals are better for audio
recording and natural data representation.
• Disadvantages
• Noise and Interference: Analog signals are easily affected by noise, which
can distort the signal.
• Limited Range: Analog signals weaken over long distances.
• Storage and Processing: Storing and processing analog signals is harder
than digital signals.
 Digital Signal

• A digital signal is a type of signal that

uses discrete values (like 0 and 1).
• Computers and digital devices use it to process
and transmit information. Unlike analog signals,
which are continuous waves. Digital signals are
made up of clear, separate steps.
• Think of it like a light switch:
• Analog signal = A dimmer switch (infinite
brightness levels).
• Digital signal = A regular switch (only ON or OFF).
 Characteristics of Digital Signals

• Binary Nature (0s and 1s)

• Digital signals use only two values: 0 (Low) and 1 (High).
• Example: A light switch is either ON (1) or OFF (0).
• Discrete Values
• Analog signals are smooth and continuous (like a wave).
• Digital signals jump between fixed levels (like stairs).
• Time-Based Sampling
• Digital signals are measured at specific time intervals.
• Example: A music CD samples sound 44,100 times per second (44.1 kHz).
• Amplitude and Frequency
• Amplitude = Strength of the signal (height of the wave).
• Frequency = How many times the signal repeats per second (measured in
Hertz, Hz).
 Advantages of Digital Signals

• 1. Less Noise Interference: Analog signals get distorted

over long distances. Digital signals stay clean because
they only use 0s and 1s.
• Speakers
• 2. Easy Storage & Processing: Computers work best
with digital data. Storing, copying, and editing digital
signals is simple.
• 3. Better Error Correction: If a digital signal gets
corrupted, error-checking codes can fix mistakes.
• Computer Monitors & Displays
• 4. Secure Transmission: Encryption (like in online
banking) works better with digital signals.
 Disadvantages of Digital Signals

• 1. Needs More Bandwidth: High-quality digital

signals (like 4K video) require a lot of data.
• 2. Requires Conversion: Real-world signals (like
voice) start as analog. They must be converted
using an ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter).
• 3. Complex Systems: Digital devices need more
processing power than simple analog circuits.
 Components of a Digital Signal
System
• A digital signal system has five main parts. Each part has a special role.
• 1. Source (Where the Signal Starts)
• The source creates the original signal. Examples:
• A microphone (for sound)
• A keyboard (for typing)
• A temperature sensor (for weather data)
• 2. Encoder / Converter (Changes Analog to Digital)
• Most real-world signals (like voice) are analog. The Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) changes them into digital signals (0s and 1s).
• Example:
When you speak into a phone, the ADC converts your voice into digital data.
• 3. Transmission Medium (How the Signal Travels)
• The digital signal moves through:
• Wires (USB, Ethernet cables)
• Fiber optics (fast internet cables)
• Wireless (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)
• 4. Receiver & Decoder (Changes Digital Back to Analog)
• The Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) changes the digital signal back into analog so we can understand it.
• Optoelectronics & Fiber
• 5. Output Device (Displays or Plays the Signal)
• This is where we see or hear the result. Examples:
• Speaker (plays sound)
• Monitor (shows images)
• Printer (prints documents)
 Forms of Signals
• Both analog and digital signal can be in periodic or
aperiodic form.
• 1. Periodic Signal :A signal is a periodic signal if it
completes a pattern within a measurable time frame
called period and repeats that pattern over identical
subsequent periods.
• The completion of one full pattern is called a cycle.
• A period is defined as the amount of time required to
complete one cycle. The duration of a period is
represented by T and expressed in seconds.
Perodic signal
 Aperiodic signal

• An aperiodic signal changes constantly

without a pattern or cycle that repeats over
time.
• It means that it has no repetitive pattern.
• An aperiodic signal can be decomposed into
an infinite number of periodic signals. It is also
called non periodic signal.