Anna University Examination Questions

QUESTION PAPER CODE: 90207

B.E. / B.Tech. DEGREE EXAMINATION, APRIL 2019
Fourth Semester (Regulations 2017)
EC 8395 – COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING
PART A – (10 X 2 = 20 marks)
1.What will be the power in each sideband in amplitude modulated signal if power
of carrier wave is 176 W and there is 60 % modulation.
Modulation index = 0.6 and Pc = 176W. Power in sidebands is calculated as

2.What is Pre – emphasis and De - – emphasis circuit? Where these circuits are used?
Pre-emphasis circuit is a high pass filter or differentiator which allows high
frequencies to pass, whereas de-emphasis circuit is a low pass filter or integrator
which allows only low frequencies to pass.
3.What is bit depth in PCM?
Bit depth is the number of bits of information in each sample, and it directly
corresponds to the resolution of each sample
4.What is Companding?
Companding refers to a technique for compressing and then expanding (or
decompressing) an analog or digital signal. It is a combination of the words
"compressing" and "expanding."
5.What is duobinary encoding? Why Pre coding is used?
Duo binary encoding reduces the maximum frequency of the base band signal the
“word duo” means to the double transmission capacity of the binary system.
Precoding is a technique in which the transmitter sends the coded information to the
receiver to achieve pre-knowledge of the channel. This technique will reduce the
corrupted effect of the communication channel.
6.Draw the constellation diagram of QPSK.

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7.What is the need of channel coding?
Channel coding is often used in digital communication systems to protect the digital
information from noise and interference and reduce the number of bit errors.
8.List the properties of cyclic codes.
Linearity property : The sum of two code words is also a code word.
Cyclic property : Any cyclic shift of a code word is also a code word.
9.What is the benefit of multiple access techniques in the communication system?
A large number of geographically separated users share a common communication
medium to transmit information to a receiver.
10.Define near-far problem in CDMA.
Near-far problem is one of the major problems that hurts mobile communications
badly. In a CDMA system, mutual interference will determine the majority of SN
ratio of each user.
PART – B (5x 13 =65 marks)
11.a) (i) The efficiency ῃ of ordinary AM is defined as percentage of the total power
carried by the side bands, that is,
Ps
 100%
Pt

Where Ps is the power carried by the sidebands and Pt is the total power of the
AM signal.
(1) Find ῃ for µ = 0.5
(2) Show that for a single tone AM ῃ max is 33.3 percent at µ = 1. [6]

11.a.(ii) Explain the working of FM super heterodyne receiver with neat block
diagram. [7]

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11.(b) (i) Discuss the method for the generation of FM using direct method. [6]
Direct FM is an angle modulation in which the instantaneous frequency of the carrier
is varied directly in accordance with the modulating signal by means of a device
known as VCO. With direct FM, the instantaneous frequency deviation is directly
proportional to the amplitude of the modulating signal.
i. Varactor diode modulators

ii. FM reactance modulators

iii. Linear integrated circuits direct FM modulators

FM reactance modulators:
Fig.(a) shows a schematic diagram for reactance modulator using JFET as the
active device. The circuit configuration is called a reactance modulator because the
JFET looks like a variable reactance load to the LC tank circuit. The modulating
signal varies the reactance of Q1, which causes a corresponding change in the
resonant frequency of the oscillator tank circuit.

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The figure (b) shows the equivalent circuit. R1,R3,R4 and RD provide the DC bias for
Q1. Rs is bypassed by Cc and is, therefore, omitted from the ac equivalent circuit.
Circuit operation is as follows:
Assuming the ideal JFET (gate current ig = 0).
Vg  ig  R
V
ig 
R  jX c
 V 
Vg    R
 R  jX c 
 RV 
id  g m  Vg  g m   
 R  jX c 
V R  jX c 1   jX c  j
Zd     
id gm R g m  R  2 f m ( g mCR)

Fig. JFET reactance modulator (a) Schematic diagram (b) AC equivalent circuit
gmRC is equivalent to the variable capacitance, and Zd is inversely
proportional to resistance (R), the angular velocity of the modulating signal (2πfm),
and the transconductance(gm) of Q1.,which varies with the gate to source voltage.
When a modulating signal is applied to the bottom of R3., the gate to source is varied
accordingly, causing a proportional change in gm. As a result, the equivalent circuit
impedance (Zd) is the function of the modulating signal. Therefore the resonant
frequency of the oscillator tank circuit is a function of the modulating signal, and the
rate at which it changes is equal to fm.
11.b. (ii) Explain the detection of FM using PLL detector. [7]
FM demodulation can be accomplished quite simply with a phase locked
loop. A PLL frequency demodulator shown in Fig. requires no tuned circuits and
automatically components for changes in the carrier frequency due to instability in
the transmit oscillator. Fig shows the simplified block diagram for a PLL FM
demodulator.

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It was shown that after frequency lock had occurred the VCO would track
frequency changes in the input signal by maintaining a phase error at the input of
the phase comparator. Therefore , if the PLL input is a deviated FM signal and the
VCO natural frequency is equal to the IF center frequency, the correction voltage is
produced at the output of the phase comparator and fed back to the input of the
VCO is proportional to the frequency deviation and is, thus, the demodulated
information signal.if the IF amplitude is sufficiently limited prior to reaching the
PLL and the loop is properly compensated , the PLL loop gain is constant and equal
to Kv, therefore , the demodulated signal can be taken directly from the output of
the internal buffer.

Fig. PLL frequency demodulator

12.(a) Describe delta modulation in detail with neat block diagram. Also describe the
quantization error in delta modulation. [13]
In Delta Modulation, only one bit is transmitted per sample. That bit is a one if the current
sample is more positive than the previous sample, and a zero if it is more negative. Since so
little information is transmitted, delta modulation requires higher sampling rates than PCM
for equal quality of reproduction. This scheme sends only the difference between pulses, if
the pulse at time tn+1 is higher in amplitude value than the pulse at time tn, then a single bit,
say a “1”, is used to indicate the positive value. If the pulse is lower in value, resulting in a
negative value, a “0” is used. This scheme works well for small changes in signal values
between samples. If changes in amplitude are large, this will result in large.

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12.(b) Draw and explain the TDM with its application. [13]
Time Division Multiplexing:
The sampling theorem provides the basis for transmitting the information
contained in a band-limited message signal m(t) as a sequence of samples of m(t)
taken uniformly at a rate that is usually slightly higher than the Nyquist rate. An
important feature of the sampling process is a conservation of time. That is, the
transmission of the message samples engages the communication channel for only a
fraction of the sampling interval on a periodic basis, and in
this way some of the time interval between adjacent samples is cleared for use by
other independent message sources on a time-shared basis. Hence a time-division
multiplex(TDM) system, enables the joint utilization of a common communication
channel by independent message sources without mutual interference between
them.
The concept of TDM is illustrated by the block diagram shown in Fig. Each
input message signal is first restricted in bandwidth by a low-pass anti-aliasing filter
to remove the frequencies that are nonessential to an adequate signal representation.
The low-pass filter outputs are then applied to a commutator, which is usually
implemented using electronic switching circuitry. The function of the commutator is
twofold:(1) to take a narrow sample of each of the N input messages at a rate that
is slightly higher than 2W, where W is the cutoff frequency of the anti-aliasing filter,
and (2) to sequentially interleave these N samples inside the sampling interval .
Indeed, this latter function is the essence of the time-division multiplexing operation.
It is clear that the use of time-division multiplexing introduces a bandwidth
expansion factor N, because the scheme must squeeze N samples derived from N
independent message sources into a time slot equal to one sampling interval. At the
receiving end of the system, the received signal is applied to a pulse demodulator,
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which performs the reverse operation of the pulse modulator. The narrow samples
produced at the pulse demodulator output are distributed to the appropriate low-
pass reconstruction filters by means of a decommutator, which operates in
synchronism with the commutator in the transmitter. This synchronization is
essential for a satisfactory operation of the system.
The TDM system is highly sensitive to dispersion in the common channel, that is,
to variations of amplitude with a frequency or lack of proportionality of phase with
frequency. Accordingly, accurate equalization of both magnitude and phase
responses of the channel is necessary to ensure a satisfactory operation of the system.
However, TDM is immune to nonlinearities in the channel as a source of crosstalk.
The reason for this behavior is that different message signals are not simultaneously
applied to the channel.

Fig.Block diagram of TDM system

13. (a) (i) Derive the expression of probability of error in BPSK. [8]
PROBABILITY OF BIT ERROR:
Probability of bit error P(e) is the theoretical expectation of the bit error rate for the
givensystem. BER is an empirical record of a system’s actual bit error performance.
Coherent Binary PSK System:
In a coherent BPSK system the pair signals S1(t) and S2(t) used to represent binary
symbols
‘1’ and ‘0’ respectively are defined by

2 Eb 2 Eb
S1 (t )  cos 2 f ct ( symbol 1) S2 (t )   cos 2 f ct ( symbol 0)
Tb Tb

The transmitted signals S1(t) and S2(t) in terms of ortho normal basis functions are
given as,

S1 (t )  Eb 1 (t ) for 0  t  Tb S2 (t )   Eb 1 (t ) for 0  t  Tb

Where, 1 (t )  2 / Tb cos 2 fct

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A coherent BPSK system is characterized by having a signal space. (ie) one
dimensional with two message points. The coordinates of message points are
Tb Tb

S1   S1 (t )1 (t )dt  Eb & S2   S2 (t )1 (t )dt   Eb

0 0

Fig. Signal space diagram and decision boundary for coherent binary PSK system

The message point corresponding to S1(t) is located at  Eb and for S2(t) is located at

 Eb

To realize a rule for making a decision in favor of symbol ‘1’ or symbol ‘0’ and the
signal space is partitioned into 2 regions. The decision is made in favor of binary ‘1’
if the received signal point falls in region R1 and decisions is made in favor of binary
0 if the received signal point falls in region R2. Two kinds of erroneous decision may
be made. Signal S2(t) is transmitted but the noise is such that the received signal
point falls inside region R1. So the receiver decides in favor of signal S1(t). Similarly
signal S1(t) is transmitted but the noise is such that the received signal point falls
inside region R2 & so the receiver decides in favor of signal S2(t).

In general the error probability depends on the distance between two signal points.

1  d 2  1  4 Eb  1  2 Eb 
pe  erfc  12   erfc    erfc  
2  2 N0  2
   2 N0  2  N0 
13.a.(ii) Explain QAM modulation system with its constellation and schematic
diagram. [5]
Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM ) is a form of modulation which is
widely used for
modulating data signals onto a carrier used for radio communications. QAM
is a signal in which two carriers shifted in phase by 90 degrees are
modulated and the resultant output consists of both amplitude and phase
variations.

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13.(b) Explain coherent detection of BFSK signal and derive expression for
probability of error .
PLL FSK demodulator:
As the input to PLL shifts between the mark and space frequencies, dc error voltage
at the output of the phase comparator follows a frequency shift. There is only two
output error voltages. One represent logic ‘1’ and other a logic’0’.

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Coherent binary FSK system:

In a Binary FSK system the pair of signal S1(t) and S2(t) used to represent binary
symbol ‘1’ and ‘0’ respectively are defined by

2 Eb
S1 (t )  cos 2 f st for 0  t  Tb
Tb

2 Eb
S2 (t )  cos 2 f mt for 0  t  Tb .
Tb

The set of orthonormal basis functions are,

2
1 (t )  cos 2 f s t for 0  t  Tb for symbol ‘1’
Tb

2
2 (t )  cos 2 f mt for 0  t  Tb for symbol ‘0’
Tb

The coordinates of message point are determined as follows:

S11  Eb , S22  Eb for i  j

S12  0, S21  0 for i  j

The observation vector X has two elements x1 and x2 which are defined by
Tb Tb

x1   x(t )1 (t )dt x2   x(t )2 (t )dt

0 0

Where x(t) is the received signal.

When symbol ‘1’ was transmitted, the received signal is, x(t)=S1(t)+w(t)
And when symbol ‘0’ was transmitted , the received signal is, x(t)=S2(t)+w(t),where
w(t) is the noise signal.

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The receiver decides in favor of symbol’1’ if the received signal point falls inside
region R1.This occurs when x1 > x2 . If x1 < x2 the received signal point falls inside
region R2 and the receiver decides in favor of symbol ‘0’.

Fig. Signal space diagram and decision boundary for BFSK Signal

In general the error probability depends on the distance between two signal points.

1  d 2  1  2 Eb  1  Eb 
pe  erfc  12   erfc    erfc  
2  2 N0  2
   2 N0  2  N0 
14. (a) (i) Consider a binary memory less source X with two symbols x1 and x2 .Show
that H(X) is maximum when both x1 and x2 are equi probable.

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14. (a) (ii) A discrete memory less source X has four symbols x1,x2,x3,and x4 with
p(x1) =0.5, p(x2) = 0.25, and p(x3) = p(x4) 0.125.Construct a Shanon – Fanno code for X;
Show that this code has the optimum property that ni= I(xi) and that the code
efficiency is 100 percent.

14.(b) Consider the convolutional encoder shown in fig. 1.

(i) Find the impulse response of the encoder.
(ii) Find the output code word if the input code sequence is all 1’s ( 1 1 1 1 1….)
(iii) Discuss the result of ( ii).

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(i)

(ii) Let the information sequence u= (1 1 1 1 1). Then the output sequences are,
V1 = (11111) x (1111) = (11111111)
V 2 = (11111) x (1011) = (11100101)
Code Word V = 11, 01,00,01,01,01,00,11
15.(a) Explain the operation of FH-SS. Compare slow and fast FH-SS
This variation of spread spectrum allows the signal to hop from frequency to
frequency within a predetermined bandwidth. This makes eavesdropping difficult.
Basically, the pseudorandom sequence is used with a channel table to produce
random channels; those are then used to generate the frequencies (at a given time
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interval) which will carry the signal. Users are made to change the frequencies of
usage, from one to another in a specified time interval, hence called as frequency
hopping. For example, a frequency was allotted to sender 1 for a particular period of
time. Now, after a while, sender 1 hops to the other frequency and sender 2 uses the
first frequency, which was previously used by sender 1. This is called as frequency
reuse. The frequencies of the data are hopped from one to another in order to
provide a secure transmission. The amount of time spent on each frequency hop is
called as Dwell time.
First, digital data is modulated using some digital-to-analog scheme.
This baseband signal is then modulated onto a carrier c(t). The frequency of the
carrier c(t), i.e. the sequence of channels, depends on the spreading code, which is
generated by a pseudo noise (PN) source. Every TC seconds, the PN source produces
a new k-bit value. This value is then used to look up a channel in the channel table,
and that determines the frequency of c(t) for that time interval.

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Slow frequency hopping Fast frequency hopping
In slow frequency hopping, multiple symbols In fast frequency hopping, multiple hops are
are transmitted in one frequency hop. required to transmit one symbol.

One or more symbols are transmitted over One symbol is transmitted over multiple carriers in
the same carrier frequency. different hops.

Symbol rate is equal to chip rate. Hop rate is higher than symbol rate.
Hop rate is lower than symbol rate. Hop rate is higher than symbol rate.
A jammer can’t detect this signal because one symbol
A jammer can detect this signal if carrier
is transmitted using more than one carrier
frequency in one hop is known.
frequencies.
15.(b) Discuss the FDMA and TDMA techniques used in wireless communication
with their merits and demerits.
In FDMA method, guard bands are used between the adjacent signal spectra to
minimize crosstalk between the channels. A specific frequency band is given to one
person, and it will received by identifying each of the frequency on the receiving
end. It is often used in the first generation of analog mobile phone.

Advantages of FDMA

 Reduces the bit rate information and the use of efficient numerical codes
increases the capacity.
 It reduces the cost and lowers the inter symbol interference (ISI)
 Equalization is not necessary.
 An FDMA system can be easily implemented. A system can be configured so
that the improvements in terms of speech encoder and bit rate reduction may
be easily incorporated.
 Since the transmission is continuous, less number of bits are required for
synchronization and framing.

Disadvantages of FDMA

 It does not differ significantly from analog systems; improving the capacity
depends on the signal-to-interference reduction, or a signal-to-noise ratio
(SNR).
 The maximum flow rate per channel is fixed and small.
 Guard bands lead to a waste of capacity.
 Hardware implies narrowband filters, which cannot be realized in VLSI and
therefore increases the cost.

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Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) is a complex technology, because it requires
an accurate synchronization between the transmitter and the receiver. TDMA is used
in digital mobile radio systems. The individual mobile stations cyclically assign a
frequency for the exclusive use of a time interval. In most of the cases, the entire
system bandwidth for an interval of time is not assigned to a station. However, the
frequency of the system is divided into sub-bands, and TDMA is used for the
multiple access in each sub-band. Sub-bands are known as carrier frequencies. The
mobile system that uses this technique is referred as the multi-carrier systems. In the
following example, the frequency band has been shared by three users. Each user is
assigned definite timeslots to send and receive data. In this example, user ‘B’ sends
after user ‘A,’ and user ‘C’ sends thereafter. In this way, the peak power becomes a
problem and larger by the burst communication.

Advantages of TDMA

 Permits flexible rates

 Can withstand gusty or variable bit rate traffic. Number of slots allocated to a
user can be changed frame by frame
 No guard band required for the wideband system.
 No narrowband filter required for the wideband system.

Disadvantages of TDMA

 High data rates of broadband systems require complex equalization.

 Due to the burst mode, a large number of additional bits are required for
synchronization and supervision.
 Call time is needed in each slot to accommodate time to inaccuracies (due to
clock instability).
 Electronics operating at high bit rates increase energy consumption.
 Complex signal processing is required to synchronize within short slots.

PART C ( 1 x 15= 15 marks)

16. (a)A compact disk (CD) recording system samples each of two stereo signals with
a 16-bit analog to digital converter (ADC) at 44.1 Kb/s.
(i) Determine the output signal-to-quantization – noise ratio for a full scale
sinusoid.

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(ii) The bit stream of digitized data is augmented by the addition of error-
correcting bites, clock extraction bites, and display and control bit fields. These
additional bits represent 100 percent overhead .Determine the output bit rate of the
CD recording system.
(iii) The CD can record an hour’s worth of music. Determine the number of bits
recorded on a CD.
(iv) For a comparison a high – grade collegiate dictionary may contain 1500 pages 2
columns per page ,100lines per column, 8words per line , 6 letters per words ,and 7 b
per letter on average . Determine and estimate the number of bits required to
describe the dictionary and estimate the number of comparable books that can be
stored on a CD.

16.(b) An analog signal having 4 KH z bandwidth is sampled at 1.25 times the

Nyquist rate and each sample is quantized into one of 256 equally likely levels.
Assume that the successive samples are statistically independent.
(i) What is the information rate of this source?
(ii) Can the output of this source be transmitter without error over an AWGN
channel with a bandwidth error over of 20dB?
(iii)Find the S/N ratio required for error- free transmission for part (ii)
(iv) Find the bandwidth required for an AWGN channel for error – free transmission
of the output of this source if the S/N ratio is 20 dB

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