Tutorial Letter

RAE3601 ASSIGNMENT 1

2023

Department of Electrical Engineering

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 RAE3601-2023-Assignment 1

QUESTION 1 INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

1.1 What is the function of communication system? (1)

1.2 Name the technique used to extract multiple intelligence signals that have
been transmitted simultaneously over a single communication channel. (1)

1.3 What are decibels used for and what is important when using the decibels in
calculations? (3)

1.4 One of the limitations of transmitting the low frequency intelligence is the
requirement of more antennas for efficient propagation. Briefly explain the
technique that can be used to transmit the low frequency signals. (2)

1.5 Barkhausen states criteria for converting the electrical energy from dc to ac,
name them. (2)

[9]

QUESTION 2 AMPLITUDE MODULATION

2.1 Describe AM signal. (2)

2.2 Suppose that on an AM signal, the 𝑉𝑉max (𝑝𝑝−𝑝𝑝) value read from gratitude on the

oscilloscope screen is 5.9 divisions and 𝑉𝑉min (𝑝𝑝−𝑝𝑝) is 1.2 divisions.

2.2.1 Calculate the modulation index. (2)

2.2.2 If the vertical scale is 2 V per division, calculate:

2.2.2.1 The carrier voltage (Vc) (2)

2.2.2.2 The modulation voltage (Vm) (2)

2.3 The AM broadcast station is allowed to operate at its maximum output power

at 90 percent. Given that its antenna has 40V and 4.8 A, calculate:

2.3.1 The carrier power (Pc) (2)

2.3.2 The total power (Pt) (2)

2.3.3 The total intelligence signal (Pi) (2)

2.3.4 The total effective modulation index if the carrier is simultaneously

2
 RAE3601-2023-Assignment 1

modulated with another sine wave at 80 percent modulation (2)

[16]

QUESTION 3 FREQUENCY MODULATION

3.1 Suppose you are driving along the Jan smuts avenue listening to 5FM radio.

Suddenly you hear another radio station overriding the 5FM radio. Explain the

phenomenon that just happened. (3)

3.2 An FM signal, 1000 sin [ 2π x 108t + (2π x104) cos (π x 104 t)] is applied to a
50 Ω antenna. Determine:

3.2.1 The carrier frequency. (2)

3.2.2 The modulation index. (2)

3.2.3 The transmitted power. (2)

3.2.4 Power in the smallest and largest sidebands (use Bessel table) (2)

3.3 Considering the functions, differentiate between limiters and discriminators in

FM receivers? (2)

3.4 A certain receiver provides a voltage of 200,000 (106dB) prior to its limiter.
The limiter quietening voltage is 200mV. Determine the receiver’s
sensitivity? (2)

[15]

TOTAL= [40]

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