B1P1 - Channels for communication Flashcards
absorption
where EMR is attenuated from passing through a medium;
amplitude
the maximum absolute value of a periodic signal;
analogue signal
a signal that can take any value within a continuous range;
attenuation
reduction in the power of a signal, e.g. through absorption;
attenuation coefficient
how much a signal is attenuated when passing through a specific medium; units are dB m^-1;
bandwidth (B)
the amount of spectrum occupied by the signal spectrum: B = f_max - f_min;
beamwidth
the cone angle containing the antenna’s radiation above maxPower - 3dB;
antenna
EMR <==> current
bipolar signal
a signal that uses positive and negative voltages to rep data 1s and 0s;
Carson’s rule (formula)
gives bandwidth of a freq-modulated signal:
B_fm = 2 * (delta_f + f_mod) = 2 * (1 + beta) * f_mod
…where
delta_f = f_max - f_min
f_mod = is the max(mod_freq)
beta = mod_index;
cladding
the layer (with a lower refractive index) surrounding the central core of an optical fibre;
combiner
a device taking input signals from 2+ optical fibres and merging them into a single output;
core
the innermost part (with a higher refractive index) of an optical fibre;
crosstalk
where neighbouring copper cables carrying different signals interfere with each other;
current
transfers energy in a cable through the movement of electrons;
decade
a range of values covering a ten-fold increase, e.g. 20 to 200;
decibel
an alternative rep of = power1/power2 = G_dB:
G_dB = 10 * log_10(power1 / power2);
power1/power2 = 10^(G_dB/10);
demultiplexing
converting a multiplexed signal back to the original set of signals;
dielectric (insulating) loss
where the signal energy is dissipated through the material separating the copper cable’s conductors;
diffraction
where EMR spreads / bends / wraps round when passing through a gap or by a sharp corner;
digital signal
can take one of a set of discrete values;
dipole
an antenna consisting of two straight conductors in a line:
———-<>———-;
directional coupler
combines or splits optical signals;
dispersion
where the signal is distorted due to there being light of varying frequencies and speeds in the optical fibre;
distributed amplifier
a device which laser-zaps an optical fibre’s full transmission path to amplify the signal;
envelope
the shape of an amplitude modulated signal;
erbium-doped fibre amplifier (EDFA)
where erbium atoms are added to a section of the optical fibre and then lazer-zapped to amplify the signal;
far field
all space outwith a few wavelengths from the antenna and where 1/d^2 law applies;
filtering
where only a subset of frequencies are allowed to pass through;