MAHALAKSHMI

ENGINEERING COLLEGE

TIRUCHIRAPALLI 621213

QUESTION BANK

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Sub. Code : GE6252 Semester : II

Subject : BEEE Unit : V

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PART-A

1.what is modulation ? (AU MAY 09)

The process by which the base band signal modifies the carrier signal is
called modulation and resultant signal is called modulated signal.

2.What is demodulation ? (AU MAY 09)

At the receiving end ,the baseband signal and carrier signal are separated from
modulated signal by the process of demodulation.

3.List the different types of modulation techniques ? (AU MAY 11)

There are two types of modulations:

Analog modulation
pulse modulation

4.Define modulation index for AM ? (AU DEC 09)

Modulation index is the ratio of amplitude of the modulating signal and amplitude of
the carrier signals. It is also called modulation factor ,modulation coefficient or thr
degree of modulation.

5.Define frequency modulation? (AU DEC 10)

When frequency of the carrier varies as per amplitude variations of modulating

signal is known as frequency modulation (FM)

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6.State the merits of FM over AM ? (AU DEC 10)

Frequency modulation has the following advantages :

The amplitude of FM wave is constant and hence transmitted power is

constant,independent of modulation depth ;whereas in A.M modulation
depth controls the transmitted power.
This means that low level modulation can be employed in FM
transmitters.Since the power is constant ,the FM calculated signal ,after the
low level modulation ,can be amplified by more efficient class-C amplifiers.
In AM ,67% of transmitted power is in the carrier ,for maximum modulation
depth ,which is totall y wasted as carrier does not carry any intelligence .In
FM ,all the transmitted power is useful .
FM receivers use the amplitude limiter circuits to eliminate the amplitude
variations caused by noise .Due to this ,FM reception is more immune to
noise than AM reception.

7.What are the applications of microwave application ? (AU DEC 09)

Because the terrestrial microwave application does not use cables

,microwave links often connect separate buildings where cabling would be too
expensive ,difficult to install or prohibited.

For example ,if two buildings are separated by a public road ,you may not be able to
get permission to install cable over or under the road.Microwave links would be a good
choice in this type of situation.

8.Mention the two advantages of modulation when compared to transmission of

unmodulate signal ? (AU DEC 10)

Reduces the height of antenna

Avoids mixing of signals
increases the range of communication
Allows the multiplexing of signals

9.What is the basic function of communication satellite ? (AU DEC 08)

communication satellite receives the microwave signals from the transmitter

on the earth.It amplifies the received signals and sends them back to the earth.

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OTHER QUESTIONS:

1. What is an antenna?

An antenna is a transducer which converts the electrical energy to electromagnetic

energy to ease transmission of message through free space. At the receiver, we

make use of a receiving antenna and convert the electromagnetic signal back to

electrical signal.

2. Define analog signal.

The amplitude of the signal is varies continuously with time. This signal is called

analog signal. Example, voltage or current varies continuously with time.

3. What is meant by modulation?

Modulation is basically a process of increasing the frequency of the signal to be

transmitted. In the process of modulation, we take a high frequency signal called as

carrier signal and vary some characteristics of the carrier signal like amplitude,

frequency or phase in accordance with the instantaneous amplitude variation of the

message signal.

4. What are the types of modulation?

Modulation can be broadly classified into two types based on the nature of carrier

signal.

1. Sinusoidal Modulation
2. Pulse Modulation
In sinusoidal modulation, the carrier signal used is a sine signal.

In pulse modulation, the carrier signal used in a pulse signal.

5. Define Amplitude Modulation.

In amplitude modulation, the amplitude of the carrier is varied in accordance with the

instantaneous amplitude of the message signal. i.e. whenever the modulating

signal

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 reaches maximum amplitude, the amplitude of the carrier is also made higher and

whenever the message signal reaches minimum amplitude, the amplitude of the

carrier is also minimum.

6. Define Frequency Modulation.

In frequency modulation, the frequency of the carrier signal is varied in accordance

to the instantaneous amplitude of the message signal. i.e. whenever the amplitude

the message signal is high, FM wave has higher frequency and whenever the

amplitude of the message is low, frequency of FM wave is also less.

7. What is bandwidth for AM wave?

Bandwidth is the difference between highest and lowest frequencies in the

transmission of AM wave.

Bandwidth = Upper side band frequency lower side band frequency

= (fc + fm) (fc fm) = 2fm

i.e., bandwidth of AM is equal to twice the modulating signal frequency.

8. Define pulse Amplitude Modulation.

In pulse amplitude modulation, the amplitude of the pulse is varied in accordance to

message signal amplitude.

9. What is meant by sampling?

Sampling in the process of taking the samples (Splitting) of a continuous time

signal at regular interval of time (called the samples).

10. What is meant by Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)?

Amplitude shift keying is a digital modulation technique, in which a sinusoidal

signal of particular amplitude and frequency to the ON state pulse and a sinusoidal
signal of different amplitude or even zeros amplitude for the OFF state pulse.

11. What is meant by Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)?

FSK is a digital modulation technique, in which, a logic 0 and logic 1 will be

differentiated with a sinusoidal signal of different frequencies.

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12. Compare AN and FM.

Sl.No. Amplitude Modulation Frequency Modulation

1. The amplitude of AM signal The amplitude of FM signal is

varies depending on constant and independent of
modulating signal. depth of modulation.

Transmitters are simple and Transmitter are complex and

2. cheap. hence expensive.

Bandwidth (BW) is very small BW is very high.

3.
Area of reception is large Area of reception is small.

4.
Noise cannot be easily Noise can be easily minimized.
minimized.
5.

13. What is the radio transmitter?

The transmitter is the electronic unit that accepts the information signal to be

transmitted and converts it into an RF signal capable of being transmitted over

long distances.

14. What are the primary functions of a radio receiver?

A radio receiver is required to perform three main functions.

1. Selection of the desired frequency from a large number of modulated

carrier frequencies that strike the receiving antenna at the same time.

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 2. Separation of the modulating audio frequencies from the modulated
carrier frequency by the process of detection or demodulation.

3. Conversion of AF currents into sound waves that can be easily heard by

the human ear.

15. What are the main characteristics of a receiver?

There are three main characteristics by which the quality of a receiver can be

judged. These are, 1. Selectivity 2. Sensitivity 3. Fidelity.

16. List the advantages of a Superheterodyne receiver

Improved selectivity in terms of adjacent channels.

More uniform selectivity over the complete frequency range.
Improved receiver stability
Higher gain per stage because IF amplifiers are operated at a lower
frequency.
Uniform Bandwidth because of fixed intermediate frequency.

17. What is meant by progressive scanning?

The scanning process in which the scanning electron beam sweeps across each

horizontal line in regular succession from top to bottom of the picture is called

Progressive Scanning.

18. What are the modes of propagation in a optical fiber?

Apogee is the farthest point on the orbit of a satellite from the earth.
Perigee is the nearest point on the orbit of a satellite from the earth.

19. Define numerical aperture.

The numerical aperture (NA) is a measure of the light gathering ability of an

optical fiber. The fiber with a large numerical aperture accepts more light an compared
to fiber with small numerical aperture.

20. Write briefly on principle of total internal reflection used in fiber optics.

When light waves travel from one medium to another medium of different

refractive index, it undergoes refraction. When the angle of incidence is gradually

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 reduced, lesser than a critical angle, the light wave get reflected back into the
same medium without getting refracted. This phenomenon is called as total internal
reflection.

The principle of total internal reflection is employed in fiber optic

communication while transmitting information in the form of light waves.

PART-B

1.Explain the need of modulation .What are the difficulties will be faced if the
unmodulated signals are transmitted ?How the modulation overcomes them ?
(AU DEC 11)

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2.With a neat diagram, explain the operation of amplitude modulation? (AU DEC
11)

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3.Explain the power relations in AM Wave ? (AU DEC 09)

4.Sketch the circuit of simple resistor AM modulator and explain its working ?
(AU MAY 08)

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5.Draw the circuit diagram of balanced modulator and explain its operation ? (AU
MAY 11)

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6.With the help of suitable block diagram describe the working of TV transmitter
?(AU MAY 12)

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7.Describe the satellite communication system ,with the help of block diagrams of
earth station transmitter and earth station receiver ?(AU MAY 12)

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8.Write the detailed note on optical fiber communication ?(AU MAY 11)

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9.With a neat diagram explain the operation of frequency modulation ?(APR 09)

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10.Explain the microwave communication ?(AU APR 09)

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11.Explain the fax machine with the block diagram ?(AU APR 12)

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