Communication Engineering Notes
1. Introduction
Communication Engineering deals with the transmission, reception, and processing of
information using electronic systems.
Information can be in the form of voice, data, image, or video.
The main goal: Efficient and reliable transfer of data from source to destination.
2. Basic Communication System
Block Diagram Components:
1. Information Source – Origin of message (e.g., voice, data).
2. Transmitter – Converts message into suitable form for transmission (modulation,
encoding).
3. Channel – Medium used to transmit signals (wire, fiber optics, air, etc.).
4. Noise – Unwanted interference affecting the signal.
5. Receiver – Reconstructs the original message (demodulation, decoding).
6. Destination – The final recipient of the message.
3. Types of Communication
Analog Communication – Continuous signal transmission (e.g., AM, FM radio).
Digital Communication – Information sent in discrete binary form (e.g., SMS, internet).
Wired Communication – Uses physical media (e.g., coaxial, fiber optics).
Wireless Communication – Uses electromagnetic waves (e.g., mobile phones, Wi-Fi,
satellites).
4. Modulation and Demodulation
Modulation – Process of varying a carrier signal to carry information.
Demodulation – Extracting the original message from the modulated carrier.
Types of Modulation:
Analog Modulation: AM, FM, PM
Digital Modulation: ASK, FSK, PSK, QAM
5. Noise and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)
Noise – Random unwanted signals that interfere with communication.
SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) – Ratio of signal power to noise power (higher SNR means
better quality).
6. Transmission Media
Guided Media: Twisted Pair Cable, Coaxial Cable, Optical Fiber.
Unguided Media: Radio Waves, Microwaves, Infrared, Satellite Links.
7. Multiplexing
Used to send multiple signals through a single channel.
Types: TDM (Time Division), FDM (Frequency Division), WDM (Wavelength Division).
8. Antennas
Purpose: Transmit and receive electromagnetic waves.
Parameters: Gain, Directivity, Bandwidth, Polarization.
Examples: Dipole, Parabolic, Yagi-Uda, Horn, Patch antennas.
9. Communication Systems
Radio Communication – AM/FM broadcasting.
Microwave Communication – Point-to-point high-frequency links.
Satellite Communication – Global coverage, TV and GPS.
Optical Fiber Communication – High-speed, low-loss data transfer.
Mobile Communication – Cellular networks (2G → 5G).
Data Communication – Computer networks and internet.
10. Digital Communication Concepts
Sampling Theorem – A signal can be reconstructed if sampled at ≥ twice its highest
frequency.
Quantization – Converting analog samples to discrete levels.
Encoding – Representing quantized values in binary form.
Error Detection and Correction – CRC, parity, Hamming codes.
11. Modern Communication Technologies
5G Networks – High-speed, low-latency mobile communication.
IoT (Internet of Things) – Connected smart devices.
Bluetooth/Wi-Fi – Short-range wireless technologies.
Optical Communication – Fiber networks and lasers.
Satellite Internet – Starlink and global coverage.
12. Important Terms
Bandwidth – Range of frequencies a channel can transmit.
Bit Rate – Number of bits transmitted per second.
Baud Rate – Number of signal changes per second.
Modem – Device for modulation and demodulation.
Attenuation – Signal power loss during transmission.
Amplifier – Boosts signal strength.
