What is Communication
Communication is the process of transferring information from one point to another with
minimum distortion (a source to a destination through a channel)
Examples
• Mobile phone communication
• Television broadcasting
• Satellite communication
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• Radar communication
Different Blocks of Communication
Information Source
• Produces the message
• Analog and Digital
• Examples: Human voice, Video, Sensor output, Computer data
Input Transducer
• Converts physical information into electrical signals
• Examples: Microphone: Voice → Electrical signal
Camera: Image → Electrical signal
Sensors
Different Blocks of Communication
Transmitter
• Processes the signal before transmission.
• Functions: Modulation, Amplification, Frequency translation, Signal Processing
Communication Channel
• Medium through which signal travels.
• Examples
• Guided - Twisted pair, Coaxial cable, Optical fiber
• Unguided – Air, Satellite, Space
Different Blocks of Communication
Noise
Unwanted electrical (disturbances) signal added during transmission.
Examples - Atmospheric noise, Thermal noise, Man-made noise, Industrial
Effects – Degrades signal quality
Receiver
Performs reverse operation.
Signal recovery, Filtering, Amplification, Demodulation
Different Blocks of Communication
Output Transducer
Converts electrical signals back to physical information
Speaker, Monitor, Printer, Mobile phone, Loudspeaker
Destination
Final user of information.
Block Diagram of a Communication System
Types of Communication
Simplex
• One-way communication
• Example - TV Broadcasting
Half Duplex
• Both directions but one at a time
• Example - Walkie Talkie
Full Duplex
• Simultaneous communication
• Example - Mobile phones
Why is Modulation Needed?
• Practical Antenna Size
• Antenna height: h=λ/4
• Long Distance Transmission
• Higher frequency waves propagate more efficiently.
• Prevent Mixing of Signals
• Without modulation, every transmitter would radiate similar frequencies.
• Different carrier frequencies separate different stations.
• Multiplexing
• Many signals can be transmitted simultaneously.
• Improved Radiation Efficiency
• High-frequency antennas radiate efficiently.
Why is Modulation Needed?
• Practical Antenna Size
Amplitude Modulation
Derivation of the AM Signal Equation
Derivation of the AM Signal Equation
Derivation of the AM Signal Equation
Derivation of the AM Signal Equation
Derivation of the AM Signal Equation
Derivation of the AM Signal Equation
Envelope
Envelope
Frequency Spectrum
DSB-SC
SSB
VSB
Superheterodyne Receiver
A Superheterodyne Receiver is a radio receiver that converts all received radio frequency
(RF) signals into a fixed Intermediate Frequency (IF) before amplification and
demodulation.
Suppose we want to listen to AIR FM 100.1 MHz.
Tomorrow, we switch to Radio Mirchi 98.3 MHz.
The receiver should work equally well for both frequencies.
If we amplify signals directly at every incoming frequency, the amplifier would have to
continuously change its characteristics, which is difficult and expensive.
Solution: Convert every incoming frequency to the same intermediate frequency (IF). This
is the basic idea behind the superheterodyne receiver.
Superheterodyne Receiver
ANTENNA
The antenna captures electromagnetic waves from space. It converts electromagnetic
energy into a very small electrical signal.
What does it receive?
The antenna receives all stations simultaneously. For example, 91.1 MHz, 93.5 MHz, 98.3
MHz, 100.1 MHz, 102.7 MHz. All of them arrive together.
Output: A mixture of all radio signals.
Question: Can we directly send this mixture to the speaker?
Answer: No, because the speaker would play all stations at once.
Superheterodyne Receiver
RF Amplifier
Example: Suppose the antenna receives: 100 µv. The RF amplifier increases it to 1 mV making further
processing easier.
Superheterodyne Receiver
MIXER
This is the heart of the superheterodyne receiver.
Function: The mixer combines: the incoming RF signal, the local oscillator signal.
Mathematically,
If
𝑓𝑅𝐹 = 100 MHz
and
𝑓𝐿𝑂 = 100.455 MHz,
then the mixer produces two new frequencies:
𝑓𝐿𝑂 + 𝑓𝑅𝐹 = 200.455 MHz
and
∣ 𝑓𝐿𝑂 − 𝑓𝑅𝐹 ∣= 455 kHz.
The receiver keeps only the 455 kHz signal. Why? Because it is much easier to design
high-performance amplifiers and filters that always operate at one fixed frequency.
Superheterodyne Receiver
Local Oscillator (LO)
The local oscillator generates a variable frequency.
Its frequency changes whenever the tuning knob is adjusted.
The oscillator frequency is chosen so that
𝑓𝐼𝐹 =∣ 𝑓𝐿𝑂 − 𝑓𝑅𝐹 ∣.
For AM receivers,
𝑓𝐼𝐹 = 455 kHz.
Superheterodyne Receiver
IF Amplifier (Intermediate Frequency Amplifier)
This is the most important amplifier in the receiver.
It provides: Most of the receiver's gain. High selectivity. Noise reduction.
Since it always operates at the same frequency (455 kHz for AM), it can be optimized for
maximum performance.
Why not amplify the RF signal directly? Because RF frequencies vary from station to
station, making it difficult to maintain consistent gain and selectivity.
Superheterodyne Receiver
Demodulator
Superheterodyne Receiver
AF Amplifier
Superheterodyne Receiver
Speaker
Superheterodyne Receiver