Chapter 4.Information & Communication Technology Introduction SECTION 4.1 Managing and Using Information Technology SECTION 4.

2 Methods of Electronic Communication Chapter 4 Review and Assess Page 51

ESSENTIAL QUESTION How does information and communication technology impact your daily life? The term information technology is often used interchangeably with communication technology, but they are not exactly the same. Both refer to all of the methods, techniques, tools, and equipment that enable us to create, manage, store, send, and receive information. This information can be in the form of images, text, speech, sounds, numbers, or other data. Information technology, however, is specifically associated with computer-based communication systems. The computer is the key tool that makes information technology possible. It is an electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data. Information technology is important because so many systems rely upon computers and the processing and exchange of information. When you search the Internet to find facts for your history project, you are using information technology. Doctors may use information technologies to probe inside the human body with special computer-controlled devices. Airports rely upon information technology to schedule flights and track airplanes. Information technology has applications in nearly every field.

Using Information Technology Around 24,000 commercial flights take place each day in the United States. How could information technology help ensure each gets to its destination on time? Photo Credit: Creatas/Punchstock STANDARDS TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY ITEEA STL 4 Students will develop an understanding of the cultural, social, economic, and political effects of technology. ABILITIES FOR A TECHNOLOGICAL WORLD ITEEA STL 12 Students will develop abilities to use and maintain technological products and systems. THE DESIGNED WORLD ITEEA STL 17 Students will develop an understanding of and be able to select and use information and communication technologies. SCIENCE NSES G Students should develop understanding of science as a human endeavor, nature of scientific knowledge, historical perspectives. COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS MATHEMATICS Geometry

Geometric Measurement and Dimension Visualize relationships between two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects LANGUAGE ARTS Reading Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently. Page 52 Reading Guide Before You Read What are information and communication technologies? How are engineers involved in developing them? Objectives

Describe ways in which computers use and manage information. Discuss the role of the Internet in accessing information. Explain how signals are transmitted and received. Summarize how electronic communication devices work.

Main Idea Main Idea Information technologies are associated with computer-based communication systems, although many other kinds of communication technologies exist as well, such as cellular phones. Reading Strategy 1. 2. 3. 4. Use your notebook to write down the colored headings from Chapter 4. As you read the text, visualize what you are reading. Reflect on what you read by writing a few sentences under each heading to describe it. Continue this process until you have finished the chapter. Use your notes to review key concepts.

Go online to McGraw Hill for downloadable graphic organizers.

Vocabulary Content Vocabulary integrated circuit central processing unit hard drive programming language binary code biometrics artificial intelligence digitized virtual reality cable modem digital subscriber line wi-fi electromagnetic waves amplitude frequency wavelength fiber optics optical fiber modulation antenna transceiver pixel radio frequency identification (RFID)
Chapter 4.Information & Communication Technology Introduction

Academic Vocabulary

circuit alter multimedia

SECTION 4.1 Managing and Using Information Technology SECTION 4.2 Methods of Electronic Communication Chapter 4 Review and Assess Page 53 SECTION 4.1 Managing and Using Information Technology Computers and Computerized Devices In the 1940s, computers were monstrous machines weighing many tons. While the size had come down by the 1970s, they could still fill a small room. (See Figure 4.1)

Surprisingly, the desktop or laptop computer you use at school today has far more computing power than the one that filled a room. What's next? One example is a computer just one cubic millimeter big that can be implanted directly into the eye to track changes related to an eye disease called glaucoma.

Figure 4.1 Evolution of Computers As computer technology becomes more advanced, it gets smaller and smaller, but yet can process more and more information at faster and faster speeds. What are some advantages and disadvantages of computers decreasing in size? Photo Credit: (bl0 H. Armstrong Roberts/Classic Stock/CORBIS, (br) CORBIS No matter the size, a typical computer system today has these basic parts: input units, circuit boards containing all the integrated circuits, storage units, and output units. As the terms suggest, computers have devices to input information, or data such as text, images, and sound. They also have circuits, or paths through which the information moves as electric current. The largest integrated circuit in a computer is the central processing unit, or CPU. This computer within a computer guides processing and flow of information, performs the mathematical calculations using the data input, and stores the data. A computer's hard drive is a storage unit that holds all the programs used for doing word processing, playing games, and many other tasks. Small, removable storage units can hold a lot of data. Think of a small flash or thumb drive. All that data processing would not be very useful if it could never leave the computer. A monitor is a common output device that decodes information received from a computer. Printers and other machinery can also decode instructions to put ink on a piece of paper, turn on a fan, or cut a piece of wood. Check It Out! List the parts of a typical computer system.

To learn more about computers, how they are structured, and the language they use, go online to view:

Page 54 Processing Data Computers have their own language called programming language. It consists of only two symbols or signals: on (1) and off (0). Every computer instruction is written as a series of 1s and 0s. This sequence of 1s and 0s is digital binary code. Once something has been converted into binary code, it can be sorted, retrieved, sent, or altered. Pictures, sounds, numerals, words, and letters become series of 1s and 0s. The ability to convert data into digital information that can be used by the computer is the key to information technology systems. With the amazing speed and accuracy of computation and ability to manage massive amounts of data, people and companies can do things today that were once difficult or impossible. (See Figure 4.2.)

Figure 4.2 Quick Response Code These two-dimensional matrices encode more than is possible by the straight lines on a one-dimensional UPC code. A smart phone scanner reads the code as a text message, a website, a coupon, or other information. What is the difference between one dimension and two dimensions? Biometrics Biometrics - Biometrics is the name given to the measurement and analysis of a person's physical or behavioral information. Biometrics is often used to positively identify people by analyzing their unique features, such as their fingerprints, the iris of an eye, their face or hand geometry, or their voice. Biometric systems involve collecting the data that is unique to the individual and storing that information in the computer until it is needed. For example, the system might record a digital image of the fingerprint. When identification needs to be made, the system detects certain traits, and the data is analyzed and compared to the information on file. Then, a match can be made. (See Figure 4.3)

Figure 4.3 Biometric Identification A computer mathematically analyzes the patterns in the iris of the eye. These patterns are unique for everyoneeven identical twins. How could biometrics be used for everyday actions such as starting a car, cashing a check, or entering your home? Photo Credit: Brand X Pictures/Jupiter images Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence Some computers use programs to solve problems and make decisions that are commonly taken care of by humans. This is called artificial intelligence (AI). Computers cannot think like humans. Computers work by following a program. Basically, these instructions are logical steps to solving a problem. However, researchers are finding that computers can solve problems without logical solutions when they have instructions in the form of reasoning processes that people use. Page 55 Sometimes a person makes a decision based on a good guess, or a solution may be based on the way an expert might solve the problem. One application of artificial intelligence is the development of expert systems, or a program that has all the available facts about the topic. Experts in a particular area are interviewed. Based on the information they provide and the facts that are available, a complex program is developed. The program instructs the computer how to solve a problem or reach a decision. The program then controls the order in which the experts' rules will be followed. It also infers new rules and facts when possible. Various kinds of these programs are in use today, such as repair shop systems that figure out what is wrong with a car engine.

Altering Information Altering Information When information has been reduced to binary code, it becomes fairly easy to manipulate. Pictures, for example, can be digitized, or converted to digital information (series of 1s and 0s), and then altered. (See Figure 4.4) Changing pictures in this way can be fun and useful. Plastic surgeons can show patients how they would look after surgery. Police departments can produce pictures of suspects based on the descriptions of witnesses.

Figure 4.4 Digital Alterations Look closely to see that this is actually one woman in her 30s. Her photo has been digitally altered to show what she would look like in her 70s. What are some reasons people might want to digitally alter photographs? Photo Credit: Image Source/Getty Images This type of alteration also poses ethical questions. Suppose a news photographer takes a picture of a senator surrounded by her political supporters. Later at the news bureau, the editor notices that a tree behind the senator appears to be growing out of her head. He uses his computer to remove the tree. Is it ethical? Is the picture still true? What if it were not a tree behind the senator but an unethical businesswoman instead who appeared to be among the senator's supporters?

UPC Codes and Laser Light The Universal Product Code (UPC) is the striped code, or bar code, you see printed on most products. Each product has its own pattern of stripes. Bar codes are used to assign a unique identification code to products. Bar codes store data, such as alphabetic and numeric characters, in different width and spacing patterns of printed lines.

Photo Credit: Nick Koudis/Photodisc/Getty Images A computer reads these bar codes as a code passes over a window. A laser scanner under the window reads the white portions as light and the black portions as no light from the stripes. The information is sent to a computer, which interprets the pattern as binary code, or a series of 1s and 0s, that identifies the product. Information about the product, such as price and inventory, are connected to the code. Page 56 Connection Green reSource Using Simulators Learning a new process in an electronic environment rather than a real setting can reduce the waste produced as well as create a safer experience. What are some skills you might perfect in a simulator? Group Workspace ***Go to the Chapter 4 assignments to view the video From Textbooks to T.V.Construction Simulators Upgrade Skills and complete an activity. Then, join a class discussion in the Group Workspace.

Multimedia Applications Multimedia Applications Many information technologies involve more than one type of presentation. When data is presented in multiple formats, such as through sound, images, text, and video, it is often referred to as multimedia. Digital animation is an example. Animation refers to the process of creating the illusion of movement through the combined sequencing of many still images. Using digital multimedia technologies that integrate music, images, and video, designers can create characters with lifelike movements and seemingly real environments. These animations are key features of many video games and movies. Another interesting use of multimedia is in the area of virtual reality. Virtual reality (VR) uses 3D graphics to create a realistic simulation. In VR, you are part of the computer's artificial environment, called cyberspace. Instead of viewing a flat computer screen, you are surrounded by the image. You can interact with the computer by using special equipment such as a viewer and a glove. (See Figure 4.5) The computer senses your head, eye, hand, and finger movements and responds to them. You can move through the virtual world and control what is happening or what you are seeing by turning your head and moving your hand.

Figure 4.5 Training in Virtual Reality - This astronaut wears virtual reality goggles as he prepares for working in outer space. The virtual reality environment allows him to practice making repairs before he needs to make the actual repairs in outer space. What are some other uses of virtual reality environments that you can imagine?

Photo Credit: NASA/JSC Check It Out! Describe how artificial intelligence programmed into a robotic dog might make the dog more like a real one.

Career Center Accessing Information on the Jobsite People who excel in one area within a company often can move into sales or project management within the same company. How does a tablet computer help this ready-mix operator who became a sales person provide value to his customer and his company? ***Go to the Chapter 4 assignments to view the video iPads at WorkJobsites Buzz with Tablets and complete an activity. Then, join a class discussion in the Group Workspace. Page 57 The Internet and Online Services As you know, you can find an immense amount of information on the Internet because it connects computers from all around the world. The Internet changes daily as new computer network sites, called nodes, are added, deleted, and updated. When you access the Internet, you move around it electronically by jumping from one computer to another until you find the specific bit of information that you want. What is the Internet? The Internet is a noncommercial computer network, which means it is not owned by any one company or operated for profit. Any person can access the Internet with the right hardware, software, and Internet access. People commonly access the Internet through a cable modem, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wirelessly through a wi-fi connection. On one part of the Internet, the World Wide Web, you can find information in almost any formpictures, text, sound, and videoand on almost any topic. (See Figure 4.6)

Hypertext markup language (HTML) A special language that a computer interprets that results in multimedia data Web page - A document designed for viewing in a web browser. Website A collection of web pages and other information that use the same basic URL. Uniform resource locater (URL) - A specific address for a web page. Browser A software program that helps your computer access and use the Internet, such as Safari, Internet Explorer, and Firefox. Search engine A software program such as Google or Yahoo! that makes it easier to search the Internet without the URL. Figure 4.6 Surfing the Web - Anyone can create and post a website, whether an institution, government agency, or you! When doing research on the Internet, why should you pay attention to who created the source you are using? Photo Credit: (l) Jeffrey Coolidge/Photodisc/Getty Images, (r) Editorial Image, LLC/Alamy

Page 58 Using the Internet Using the Internet - The Internet, commercial online services, and other tools make it possible for individuals to communicate with large numbers of people instantaneously. Old science fiction stories about people being able to videochat are now a reality. Chat rooms, email, blogs, and tweets are commonplace. Communication is so easy that sometimes you might talk with people whom you would usually avoid. Occasionally, this might result in a new friendship. Far too often, posting personal information such as your full name, address, phone number, school, or picture on the Internet can be dangerous. Even naming specific places where you hang out can be unsafe. Parents and teachers can help guide you in the appropriate way to communicate online. The Internet has also changed the way people can access information. Students once had to visit a library in order to find information. Today, they can do research from a cell phone linked to the Internet. Without leaving their laboratories, scientists can use the Web to instantly share their research findings and evaluate incoming data with other experts from around the world. Consumers can sell or purchase products without ever visiting a store or having a yard sale. You can even zoom in from outer space to a specific location on Earth and take a look around. You can tilt or rotate your view to see what is around you. The Internet can take you almost anywhere. (See Figure 4.7)

Figure 4.7 Travel the World - Using certain software programs with the Internet can take you almost anywhere you want to gofrom the Statue of Liberty to a faraway galaxy. What advantages does software such as this give you? Photo Credit: (tl) Photodisc/Punchstock, (b) NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona The Future of the Internet The Future of the Internet There is no doubt that the Internet will continue to open new doors for sharing and accessing information. A nonprofit group called Internet 2 consists of scientists, engineers, and other researchers from more than 200 universities, industries, and government agencies who have access to advanced, high-speed data-transfer technologies that make it faster and easier to send and retrieve information for research and problem solving. Keeping the Internet free, open, and neutral allows everyone to connect and share content freely. Enabling entire communities to use the Internet free of charge allows individuals to be empowered.

4.1 Check Your Understanding Perform the following tasks. 1. Describe how computers process information and data. 2. Explain how a biometric system works. 3. Conclude why artificial intelligence can help solve problems and create problems. Extend Develop Communication Skills Listening Ask older adults their opinion of whether the Internet is beneficial to society. Then, ask questions to ensure you have their opinions correct.

Chapter 4 - Information & Communication Technology Introduction SECTION 4.1 Managing and Using Information Technology SECTION 4.2 Methods of Electronic Communication Chapter 4 Review and Assess Page 59 SECTION 4.2 Methods of Electronic Communication Communication and Electromagnetic Waves Electronic communication involves the transmission of information using electricity. However, most modern systems use invisible electromagnetic waves that travel through the atmosphere. These waves are created by electric and magnetic fields. Waves in the electromagnetic spectrum travel through space and matter like ripples in a pool of water. (See Figure 4.8) Devices that use electromagnetic waves for communication range from keyless door locks on a car to telecommunication systems such as television, radio, and telephone that operate over long distances.

Figure 4.8 The Electromagnetic - Spectrum Electromagnetic waves are classified according to their respective frequencies and wavelengths. How do the wavelengths change with increasing frequency and amount of energy? The electromagnetic waves used by communication devices are the result of electromagnetic radiation. Visible light, for example, is a type of electromagnetic radiation that you can see. Other forms, such as radio waves and microwaves, are invisible. Electromagnetic waves are sine waves that all have certain properties. Amplitude refers to the strength of the wave and can be seen in its height. A sound wave with greater amplitude, for example, would be stronger and louder than one with less height. Frequency is the number of waves that pass through a given point in one second. Frequency is commonly described in units called hertz. One hertz equals one cycle (one complete wave) per second. Wavelength is the distance a given point on a wave travels in one cycle. (See Figure 4.9)

Figure 4.9 Wave Properties - One type of electromagnetic wave, radio signals, are measured in cycles per second, or hertz. What is the frequency of this wave? Page 60 Transmission Channels Transmission Channels Electromagnetic waves travel much faster than sound waves. In fact, they travel nearly 186,000 miles per second! They travel as sine waves, a shape with gradual peaks and valleys. Since electromagnetic waves do not need wires or cables in order to be sent from one place to another, they make it much easier to transmit and receive information over great distances. Transmission channels are the paths over which messages must travel to get from the sender to the receiver. They are like highways for moving information. Information may travel over wires, cable, or optical fibers. Copper Wire Copper Wire - Landline telephone messages often travel over twisted-pair wire, which consists of two thin, insulated copper wires twisted around each other. This older technology could also be bundled together to form large cables that stretch long distances connecting computer networks together. Coaxial Cable Coaxial Cable - Most cable television signals are transmitted by coaxial cable. Coaxial cable usually consists of four layers: a central conducting wire surrounded by an insulator, which is surrounded by yet another conducting layer and a final insulating layer.

Optical Fibers Optical Fibers - Also called fiber optics, this technology is being used increasingly to carry telephone, television, and computer data. Optical fibers are thin, flexible fibers of pure glass that carry signals in the form of pulses of light. Each optical fiber is surrounded by a reflective cladding (covering) and an outside protective coating. (See Figure 4.10) A single fiber is about the thickness of a human hair, yet it can carry much more data than a copper wire at less cost. So optical fiber cables are much better for handling the high-speed data-transmission needs of modern computer networks, including video data and the Internet. Because optical fiber cables are lighter and thinner than copper wires, they are also ideal for communication systems in places where the space is limited. In addition, the signals that travel on optical fibers do not fade as quickly as electrical signals sent on copper wire.

Figure 4.10 How Fiber Optics Work Electrical signals from a transmitter, such as a telephone, activate a laser. The resulting laser light pulses enter the glass fiber and bounce rapidly back and forth off the reflective surface of the cladding as they pass through. At the receiving end, the light pulses are changed back to an electrical signal. In a telephone, what are the electrical signals changed back into? Page 61 Many devices, however, use other electromagnetic waves as a transmission channel. Infrared waves used to be a common channel for remote-controlled devices. However, a direct line of sight was required. Today, microwaves and radio waves are often used. These forms are able to pass through buildings, water, and Earth's crust. Check It Out! Identify three properties that all electromagnetic waves have in common. Sending and Receiving Signals In order to send and receive signals, information must be in a form that will work with the chosen transmission system. Special processes must be used if signals are going to be changed into electromagnetic waves that will be radiated into the atmosphere.

Transmitters are devices that encode (change) signals into sine waves and send them out carried on radio waves or microwaves. Receivers collect the waves and decode the signals. The sine waves are superimposed on electromagnetic carrier waves using modulation. The carrier signal's frequency or amplitude can be modulated, or changed, in such a way that the original information can travel with it. Antennas Antennas In the transmitter, the modulated signal is amplified and sent to an antenna for transmission. The waves travel through the air in all directions where they are picked up by other antennas that act as receivers. These receivers detect the signals, boost them to a usable strength, and convert them into the voice, sounds, or data originally encoded at the transmitter. (See Figure 4.11)

Figure 4.11 Antenna Examples - Antennas transmit and receive signals that travel as electromagnetic waves. The shape and size of antennas vary depending on the types of waves and the distance they must travel. Which of these antennas do you think is sending data the farthest? Photo Credit: (bl) Comstock Images/Jupiter images, (br) Stock disc/Getty Images Page 62 Satellites Satellites - A satellite is any object that orbits another. A communications satellite is a device placed into orbit about 22,000 miles above Earth to receive messages from one location and transmit them to another. They travel at the same speed as Earth rotates. Thus, they remain above the same part of Earth at all times in a geostationary orbit. The satellite serves as a transmitter and a receiver. A satellite contains many transponders. Transponders are radios that receive signals at one frequency, amplify them, and then transmit them at a different frequency. The satellite is a relay station for signals.

Satellites make it possible to communicate instantly. How? Signals are sent to orbiting satellites through earth stations. An earth, or ground, station is a large, pie-shaped antenna. It receives signals and transmits them to the satellite. Receiving earth stations capture the signals and send them to the desired receivers. (See Figure 4.12)

Figure 4.12 Satellite Relay Stations - When a signal is transmitted, the sender puts a certain code at the beginning of the message. The code directs the signal to the intended receiver. In addition, messages can be scrambled. Then, only certain earth stations can pick up the message and decode the information. Why are codes needed on satellite transmissions? Photo Credit: Rob Atkins/Photographer's Choice/Getty Images Check It Out! Explain why wireless electronic communication devices have antennas located somewhere in the device. Telephones, Radios, and Televisions The three most common electronic communication technologies are the telephone, radio, and television. All use one or more of the transmission channels discussed earlier or signals that are relayed by satellite. When waves are described by their frequency, the unit used is the hertz (Hz). One hertz is one wave cycle per second. Most radio broadcasts use waves that have frequencies in the kilohertz (kHz) and megahertz (MHz) rangesthousands or millions of waves per second. A specific group of frequencies is available for each type of broadcast. (See Figure 4.13)

Figure 4.13 Wave Frequencies - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has assigned frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum for cell phone systems, air traffic control, global positioning systems, television remote controls, and even baby monitors and garage door openers. How do you think these various waves differ? Examples of Common Frequencies Frequencies Uses 30 kHz to 300 kHz (Low) Cordless telephones 300 kHz to 3MHz (medium) AM radio 30 MHz to 144 MHz (very high) Local TV stations and FM radio 806 MHz to 960 MHZ (Ultra high)Cell phones How Telephones Work How Telephones Work The telephone is based on the principle that sound waves cause vibrations that can be encoded into signals. The telephone includes a transmitter and a receiver. Modern telephones are mostly digital electronic devices. Integrated circuits (ICs) have replaced many of the parts in the older telephones, such as the bulky wire coils. In the microphone, devices produce electrical currents in response to sound waves. Page 63 The most significant development in telephone technology in the past few decades has been wireless communication with lightweight cellular telephones, or cell phones. These devices use radio waves to transmit conversations, thereby omitting the need for connecting wires and cables. As you move about with your mobile telephone, your call is transferred from one operating area to another in order to maintain good signal transmission. Each operating area, or cell, may range from a few hundred yards to several miles in diameter. Every cell has its own transmission tower that is linked to an electronic switching office. A cell phone contains a device called a transceiver, which is a transmitter and receiver combined into a single unit. The transmitter portion converts the signals into radio waves, which are transmitted to an antenna. The receiver portion of the transceiver receives radio waves from the antenna, changes them back into electrical signals, and sends them to the phone's control unit. Cellular calls use digital technology. They convert the voice into binary code before transmitting it via radio waves. Digital technology makes it easy to encrypt electronic signals so that no one can listen in on the conversations.

The data processing power of a cell phone can be as much as or greater than many computers in your school. Cell phones have rapidly become multimedia tools, with the capacity to take photographs, record and play music, and have video chats. (See Figure 4.14.)

Figure 4.14 Cell Phone Circuitry - Cell phones are constructed very similarly to computers. What capabilities do you think cell phones might have in the future? Photo Credit: Greg Dale/National Geographic/Getty Images How Radios Work How Radios Work Each radio station and device that works on radio waves (such as CB radios, military radios, and pagers) is assigned a certain frequency. The numbers on your radio dial indicate frequencies of different radio stations. When you set your dial at a number, you are tuning in the frequency of a particular station. The antenna on the radio picks up the waves that have that frequency. The circuitry boosts the electrical signal and sends it to the speaker, which changes the signal back into sounds. Radio stations usually broadcast their signals in specific geographical areas, perhaps 3040 miles from the station's transmitters. As you move farther from the station's transmitter, static interferes and the signal may eventually be lost completely. Then, you tune your radio to another channel that picks up signals in that area.

Some radio stations use technology to broadcast digital signals. A special kind of radio is required to receive the signals, but more information can accompany the signal, such as the song title, artist, and other data. And as long as you have the right kind of radio, you can hear the signal. Satellite radio also requires a special kind of receiver and you pay a subscription to listen. But it is generally available in areas where other signals cannot reach because the signals are relayed through a satellite. Usually this is a digital signal that also includes additional information. Page 64 How Televisions Work How Televisions Work Television is an electronic system of transmitting pictures and sounds over a wire or through the air. A complex broadcasting network is set up to transmit television programs around the world 24 hours a day. The Television Camera The Television Camera - A television camera is most often referred to as a camcorder. The camera converts images and light (video) and sounds (audio) into electrical signals that can be recorded. The recorder puts this information onto magnetic tape, discs, or memory cards. It can also play back the recorded images and sounds. Camcorders record audio and video information separately. A microphone is used for sound, while images and light are converted into electrical signals using a charge-coupled device (CCD). The CCD is a tiny (less than one centimeter across) panel having about 500,000 lightsensitive cells called photosites, or photodiodes. The amount and color of light hitting each photosite on the CCD determines the electrical charge produced. Electronic circuits in the camera combine these thousands of separate signals into a complete picture called a frame. (See Figure 4.15 )

Figure 4.15 Interlacing - In this process, each frame is divided electronically into two fields of alternating lines. Typical camcorders record 30 complete frames per second, creating 60 separate fields. When these series of images are played back on your television, your brain sees them as a continuously moving scene. How do you think the movement might look if fewer frames per second were recorded? Transmission

Transmission - Broadcast television signals (audio and video) are first sent to an antenna. The signals are amplified and modulated before they are transmitted via antenna, satellite, or cable. Your television receives the transmitted signals and converts them to electrical signals. The video and audio signals are then separated. The audio signals are sent to the television's speaker, which converts the signals back into sound. The video signals are sent to the display unit, which is usually a cathode ray tube (CRT), but might also be a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a plasma display. Television Receivers Television Receivers - Recently, television signal receivers have been undergoing technological change. Larger, bulky receivers with CRTs are being replaced with thin plasma or LCD receivers that can be hung on walls. In all receivers, the material that makes up the screen responds to moving electrons (electrical impulses) that excite the material or make it glow.

CRT TVs The television screen is the flat part of the CRT. The surface of the CRT is covered by groups of red, green, and blue phosphors. Each phosphor emits light when given energy. Each dot of light produced is called a pixel. LCD TVs Liquid crystal technology commonly used in clock displays and thermometers has been adapted for larger screens. This crystal reacts to electric currents by twisting and untwisting depending on the amount of current. These actions let varying amounts of light through from the lights behind the screen, which are either fluorescent bulbs or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Each pixel is divided into a red, green, or blue subunit that glows and is combined with special filters that result in the colors you see. Page 65

Plasma TVs In flat-panel plasma displays, pixels are made from cells filled with electrically charged gas atoms (plasma). Electrodes extending across the screen intersect these cells. Current from the electrodes excites the gas atoms, and they release energy. This energy interacts with the phosphors coating the inside of the screen and producing the color image.

Digital Television Digital Television - In 2009 the Federal Communications Commission required digital technologies for television signal transmission, so since then television signals can be seen only on receivers that receive digital signals. This paved the way for a special class of digital televisionhigh-definition television (HDTV)that makes cinema-quality video and CDquality sound available on home television sets. Some HDTV screens offer 10 times more picture detail than earlier television screens.

3D Television 3D Television - Special glasses enable your eyes to perceive the two-dimensional image projected by a television receiver as three-dimensional. The signal consists of two images that are slightly overlapping. The glasses cause one eye to see one image and the other eye to see the other image. Your brain perceives both images together as one in three dimensions. New technologies, on the market now, enable you to see 3D television without glasses. (See Figure 4.16)

Figure 4.16 3D TV without Glasses - Instead of glasses being used to view the results, the optical part of the system is the screen itself. It is the rippled surface of the screen that combines the two images forming the desired 3D effect. What shows would you like to watch in 3D? Photo Credit: Pascal Goetgheluck/Photo Researchers, Inc. Check It Out! Identify three kinds of receivers that detect signals from 30 MHz to 144 MHz Page 66 Connection CONNECTION Three-Dimensional Figures We view most movies and television shows in two dimensions. While the photography may appear to have depth of field, the display on a flat screen restricts the image to two dimensions. Movies and television programs filmed for 3D effects have true depth of field as objects and actors appear to come out of the screen. Personal Tutor

Go to the Chapter 4 assignments to view the Personal Tutor: Three Dimensional Symmetry and complete an activity. Advances in Electronic Communication Some engineers are designing innovative ways to apply electronic communication technologies to new products and systems. Others are finding ways to improve our comfort and safety when using electronic communication devices. RFID Technology RFID Technology Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is a wireless system that can be used to track goods or vehicles. An RFID tag is basically a microprocessor (computer) and antenna packaged together in an extremely small space. Each tag can carry a unique product number and other information. A special radio-emitting scanner or transceiver reads the information when the tag is within range. (See Figure 4.17.)

Figure 4.17 RFID Tag -The size of RFID tags varies. Many RFID tags are paper thin like these. They can be attached to items in inconspicuous places and remain there after you take the items home. Large plastic anti-theft tags carry RFID technology and have to be removed with special tools before you leave the store. What are some advantages of each type of tag? Photo Credit: Steven Puetzer/Photographer's Choice/Getty Images RFID technology has many applications. Electronic toll collection systems use RFID technology. A special transponder is mounted on the windshield of your vehicle. As you pass through the toll lane, an antenna activates the transponder and detects your account information so that you can be charged the proper amount. This speeds up the toll collection process and alleviates traffic backups. One day it may completely replace the universal bar codes that are currently in place on nearly every product you purchase. Instead of scanning each product at a checkout station, you would simply walk out of the store. (See Figure 4.18)

RFID technology has many benefits. However, some people are concerned about how access to personal information will affect privacy. Opponents of RFID technology sometimes refer to tags as spy chips. Using this technology will require trade-offs between the positive and negative effects. Reducing EMI Reducing EMI Any device with an electrical circuit emits some electromagnetic radiation. The effect of radiation from cell phones, microwaves, RFID, and other devices is the subject of much ongoing research. Electromagnetic radiation can also cause unwanted electromagnetic interference (EMI) that can disrupt how other electronic devices work. For example, some medical researchers are concerned about the effects of EMI on patient care. Signals from nearby radio transmitters, police radios, or cellular phones have caused patient monitors to not work properly. Electrical devices for maintaining the heartbeat, called pacemakers, and other medical appliances have also malfunctioned. Page 67 Human factors engineers must design products and systems so that people will not be harmed by this radiation. Engineers and product developers can address these problems by designing electrical circuits to reduce EMI. They can also shield the devices. Shielding involves adding coverings that block unwanted signals.

Figure 4.18 Using RFID to Make Purchases -While RFID is often used to deter theft, it could also be used to make purchases. You would carry a tag with your personal credit card or account numbers that would be read at the same time as the tags on the goods you want to purchase. What are some benefits and drawbacks to making purchases like this? Photo Credit: Dorling Kindersley/Getty Images 4.2 Check Your Understanding Perform the following tasks. 1. Compare electromagnetic waves. What properties do they have in common and how do they differ? 2. Summarize how text messages get from your phone to your friend's phone. 3. Explain how RFID technology works. Extend Develop Communication Skills Speaking Tell a classmate how satellites are involved in communication. Be sure to explain why it is important that they revolve around Earth at the same rate that Earth rotates. Section 4.2 Review Chapter 4 - Information & Communication Technology Introduction SECTION 4.1 Managing and Using Information Technology SECTION 4.2 Methods of Electronic Communication Chapter 4 Review and Assess Page 68 CHAPTER 4 Think Like an Engineer Engineering Design Process: Build a Website Design Brief Given the right software and hardware, any person can create a web page and make it available for others to access. Professional website designers typically spend weeks or months preparing their websites in order to ensure that they work well and effectively communicate their information. 1. Identify a Problem or Opportunity 1. Identify a Problem or Opportunity As part of a technology team, you will design and build a multipage website focused on a specific topic of interest involving engineering and design. Your website should provide high school students with background information and examples with the intent to pique their interest in the topic.

2. Define the Project Constraints 2. Define the Project Constraints Your finished website must include three to six pages linked together. The website must effectively use text, images, sound, video, and data to present the content in interesting and creative ways. The website will incorporate on the main page a clear and noticeable headline, a date, and copyright information. Your working model must be tested by at least three other class members with feedback documented and answered. 3. Research and Brainstorming 1. With your team, discuss possible solutions. You can use this textbook or other sources for engineering and design topics. Ask: How is this topic of high interest to high school students? What important features of the website should we include in the model? 2. Brainstorm topics of high interest in engineering and design. Focus on no more than three topics that you can emphasize in your website. 3. Do a preliminary evaluation of the possible topics by comparing them to the given constraints. 4. Development and Prototyping 1. Develop and propose designs and choose among alternative solutions. Choose the topic and identify site design elements you want to use. Look at appropriate websites to see what elements you may want to include. Create a map of your website. 2. Implement the proposed solution. Decide on the process you will use for making the site. Gather any needed tools or materials. 3. Make a model or prototype. Create your initial site. Follow all Internet safety rules. 5. Testing, Analysis, and Optimization 1. Evaluate the solution and its consequences. Have your site evaluated by other classmates. Have them evaluate the content as well as the design. Ask: Does the website convey the information in a high-interest way? Is the organization of the website easy to follow? 2. Refine your design. Based on your evaluation, change the design of your model if needed. 3. Create the final design. After making changes or improvements, create your final website. 6. Evaluation and Presentation 6. Evaluation and Presentation Communicate your processes and present your website to the class. Be prepared to answer questions. Turn in your assignment to your teacher. Be sure to include the name of the activity, your definition of the problem, a description of how you solved the problem, and any documentation you gathered during this project.

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Connect Activity Center Go to the Activity Center to review chapter vocabulary. Main Ideas

Information technology is specifically associated with computer-based communication systems. All parts of a computer work together to use and manage information, which is in binary code. Electronic communication systems involve the transmission of information using electricity. Transmission channels are the paths over which messages must travel to get from sender to receiver, and back again. Advances in electronic communication include RFID tags and technologies used to reduce electromagnetic interference.

Understanding Concepts 1. 2. 3. 4. What are biometrics, artificial intelligence, and UPCs examples of? Describe what a circuit is. Name the four types of transmission channels. How are signals transmitted and received?

Thinking Critically 1. Connect How is the Internet similar to a massive library? 2. Analyze What do you think the danger is in being a blogger? How can you avoid these dangers? 3. Generalize How have cell phones and the Internet changed social interaction? 4. Make Judgments The RFID tag in the photo is commonly placed in pets to help identify them if they become lost. Tags have also been approved for implantation in humans as a medical identification tag. With your fellow students, discuss the positive and negative impacts of these kinds of uses of RFID technology.

Don Farrall/Photographer's Choice RF/Getty Images Problem Solving 1. Science How did engineers solve the problem of satellites remaining at the same place in the sky relative to Earth? 2. Hypothesize What are some positive and negative impacts of cell phones becoming smartphones that carry out many different functions? How can the negative impacts be remedied? Review Ch 4