RAE3601/201/0/2016

Tutorial letter 201/0/2016

Radio Engineering III (Theory)

RAE3601

Year Module

Department of Electrical and Mining

Engineering

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This tutorial letter contains important information
about your module.
 ASSIGNMENT 2

QUESTION 1: INTRODUCTORY TOPICS

1.1 What is the term used to describe two-way communication in which each party takes
turns transmitting? Give three examples. (4)

1.2 What technique must sometimes be used to make an information signal compatible
with the medium over which it is being transmitted? (1)

1.3 What is a broadband signal? (1)

1.4 Name the process used to transmit two or more baseband signals simultaneously
over a common medium. (1)

1.5 List the four major uses of the VHF band. (4)

1.6 A signal level of 0.4 µV is measured on the input to a radio receiver. Express this
voltage in terms of dBµV. Assume a 50 Ω system. (1)

1.7 If an impedance matched amplifier has a power gain ( Pout Pin ) of 15, calculate is the
value for the voltage gain ( Vout Vin )? (2)

1.8 A 2.15 Vrms signal is measured across a 50 Ω load. Convert this measured value to
its dBm(50) equivalent. (1)
[15]

Solution:
1.1 Half-duplex 
Citizens band,  family radio,  amateur radio communication

1.2 Modulation 

1.3 A signal resulting after a baseband signal has been changed using modulation
techniques. 

1.4 Multiplexing 

1.5 Mobile radio 

Marine and aeronautical communication 
FM radio broadcasting (88 – 108 MHz) 
TV channel 2 through 13 

1.6 -7.95 dBμV 

P2 V22
1.7 = =15
P1 V12

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1/2
 V22 
 2  = 15  
1/2

 V1 
V2
= 3.87 
V1

V
1.8 dBm  50 = 20log
0.2236
2.15
dBm  50 = 20log =19.659 dBm 50  
0.2236

QUESTION 2: NOISE

2.1 Describe electrical noise. (1)

2.2 The signal input power to a receiver is 6.2 nW. The noise power is 1.8 nW.
2.2.1 Calculate the S/N ratio? (1)
2.2.2 Calculate the S/N ratio in dBm? (1)

2.3 Determine the total noise voltage for the circuit in Figure 1. The equivalent noise
bandwidth is 1 MHz and T = 27 ºC. (2)

R1 R2
1kΩ 1kΩ

Figure 1

2.4 Define electrical noise, and explain why it is so troublesome to a communications

receiver. (2)

2.5 Explain the difference between external and internal noise. (2)

2.6 The noise produced by a resistor is to be amplified by a noiseless amplifier having a

voltage gain of 75 and a bandwidth of 100 kHz. A sensitive meter at the output reads
240 µV rms. Assuming operation at 37 °C,
2.6.1 Calculate the resistance value of the resistor. (1)
2.6.2 Determine the expected output meter reading (in µV) if the bandwidth were cut
to 25 kHz. (2)

2.7 The noise spectral density is given by en2 / f  4kTR. Determine the bandwidth f of a
system in which the noise voltage generated by a 20-kHz resistor is 20 Vrms at room
temperature. (3)
[15]
3
Solution:
2.1 Electrical noise is any undesired voltages / or currents that ultimately end up
appearing in the receiver output.  A communication receiver is a very sensitive
instrument that receives a very small signal at its input that must be greatly amplified
before it can possibly drive a speaker.  If the noise level is of the same or greater
magnitude as the signal, the signal will not be intelligible. The situation is made even
worse because the receiver itself introduces additional noise

S 6.2×10-9
2.2.1 = = 3.444 
N 1.8 ×10-9

S  3.444 
2.2.2 dB = 10log   = 10log  -3 
= 3.537dBm 
N  1×10 

2.3 RT =1k / /1k = 500Ω ½ T = 273 + 27 = 300 K ½

en2 = 4kTΔfR = 4 1.38×10-23   310  25000  500  = 8.28pV ½
en = 2.877μv ½
(300)
2.4 Electrical noise is any undesired voltages / or currents that ultimately end up
appearing in the receiver output.  A communication receiver is a very sensitive
instrument that receives a very small signal at its input that must be greatly amplified
before it can possibly drive a speaker.  If the noise level is of the same or greater
magnitude as the signal, the signal will not be intelligible. The situation is made even
worse because the receiver itself introduces additional noise.

2.5 External noise: the noise present in a received signal that has been introduced in the
transmitting medium. 
Internal noise: the noise introduced by the receiver itself 

2.6.1 T = 37 + 273 = 310K

240μV
e n= = 3.2μV
75
 3.2×10-6 
2
en2
R= = = 5.984kΩ 
4kTΔf 4 1.38 ×10-23   310 100000 
2.6.2 en2 = 4kTΔfR = 4 1.38×10-23  310 250005989  = 1.6μV
en = 1.6μV   en = 75×1.6μV =120μV 
 20 ×10-6 
2
en2
2.7 Δf = = = 1.25MHz 
4kTR 4 1.38 ×10-23   290  20000 

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QUESTION 3: AMPLITUDE MODULATION TRANSMISSION

3.1 Describe an AM signal. (2)

3.2 If a 1500 kHz radio wave is modulated by a 2 kHz sine wave tone, calculate the
frequencies are contained in the modulated wave (the actual AM signal)? (3)

3.3 Given that the amplitude of an AM waveform can be expressed as the sum of the
carrier peak amplitude and intelligence signal, derive the expression for an AM signal
that shows the existence of carrier and side frequencies. (3)

3.4 The AM signal with carrier frequency of 980 kHz and modulation frequency of
10 kHz is transmitted from a 50 Ω antenna. Em = 2V, Ec = 10V.
3.4.1 Sketch the frequency spectrum of the modulated signal. (3)
3.4.2 If two more tones, producing a musical triad chord with the same amplitudes
as fm are also modulating the carrier, determine the total modulation index. (2)

3.5 A 1 MHz, 40 V peak carrier is modulated by a 5 kHz intelligence signal so that m =

0.7. This AM signal is fed to a 50 Ω antenna. Calculate the power of each spectral
component fed to the antenna. (4)

3.6 An AM signal is shown in Figure 2.

V x=206.3mV,o=36.40mV,xo=-169.9mV
0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.0

-0.1

-0.2

-0.3

-0.4

µs
-0.5
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
The AM Signal

Figure 2: AM signal from an oscilloscope

3.6.1 Calculate the modulation index showing values for Emin and Emax. (3)
3.6.2 Calculate the value of the modulating (intelligence) frequency. (1)

3.7 Discuss two main reasons for using DSB AM for broadcast radio transmission. (2)

5
3.8 An AM signal from a spectrum analyzer is shown in Figure 3 where the center
frequency is 1000 kHz. Complete Table 1 in your answer book with regard to this
sketch. The bottom dotted line has a value of -20 dBm. (6)

Figure 3: AM signal from a spectrum analyzer (5 dB per division and 5 kHz per division)

[TURN OVER]
Table 1: AM parameters
Question Parameter Answer Unit
3.8.1 Frequency of the first upper sideband MHz
3.8.2 Modulating (intelligence) frequency kHz
3.8.3 Amplitude of the carrier dBm
3.8.4 Power in the carrier mW
3.8.5 Amplitude difference between carrier dB
and lower sideband
3.8.6 Signal to noise ratio for the carrier dB

3.9 A double super heterodyne AM receiver is tuned to a radio station (frequency = 657
kHz). It uses high-side injection, a standard IF crystal and two input tuned filters
which each have a Q of 25. The input band pass filter adheres to international
standards. Calculate the image rejection in dB and show all calculations. (6)
[35]
Solution/Answer:
3.1 In AM, the information signal varies the amplitude of the carrier sine wave. The
instantaneous value of the carrier amplitude changes in accordance with the
amplitude of the modulating signal.  The carrier frequency remains constant, but its
amplitude varies in accordance with the modulating signal.

3.2 1500 kHz; 1500+2 = 1502 kHz and 1500 – 2 = 1498 kHz

3.3 The instantaneous value of the AM waveform can be developed as follows. The
equation for the amplitude of an AM waveform can be written as the carrier peak
amplitude, plus the intelligence signal, ei. Thus, the amplitude E is
6
 RAE3601/201

E = Ec + ei

but ei = Esinω
i i t, so that

E = Ec +Esinω
i it

Ei = mEc

E = Ec +mEcsinωit = Ec 1+msinωit 

The instantaneous value of the AM wave is e  E sin ct

e = Ec 1+msinωit  sinωc t

The product of two sine terms can be expanded using the trigonometric relation

1
sinxsiny = cos  x - y  - cos  x + y  
2
Therefore,

mEc mEc
e = Ecsinωc t + cos  ωc - ωi  t - cos  ωc + ωi  t 
2 2
3.4.1
Amplitude

10 V

1 V 1 V

970  980  990  F (kHz)

2
 2
3.4.2 ma = 3 ×   = 34.64% 
 10 

Vc 2  40 
2

3.5 P= = = 16W 
2R 2× 50

Pcm2 16×0.72
Psb = Plsb = Pusb = = = 1.96W 
4 4

7
3.6.1 and 2.6.2
3 3
Parameters Emax 206. 10 Emin 36. 10

Solution

Determine_Emax Emax = 0.206 V .

Determine_Emin Emin = 0.036 V .

Emax Emin.
Calculate_modulation_depth md 100 md = 70.248 % .
Emax Emin

6 6 4
Determine_time_period_of_fm T imePeriod 160. 10 60. 10 T imePeriod = 1 10 sec

1 4
Calculate_modulating_frequency fm fm = 1 10 Hz .
T imePeriod

3.7 It simplifies equipment at transmitter and receiver, thus reducing costs especially
when a large number of receivers are involved
A diode detector can be used at the receiver. It is simple to design and does not call
for any critical adjustment.

3.8 AM parameters

Table 1: AM parameters
Question Parameter Answer Unit
3.8.1 Frequency of the first upper sideband 1.01 MHz
3.8.2 Modulating (intelligence) frequency 10 kHz
3.8.3 Amplitude of the carrier 0 dBm
3.8.4 Power in the carrier 1 mW
3.8.5 Amplitude difference between carrier 2.5 dB
and lower sideband
3.8.6 Signal to noise ratio for the carrier 17.5 dB

3.9
6
High Side Oscillator Frequency Flo Fsig If Flo = 1.112 10
6
Image Rejection Fimage Fsig 2 . If Fimage = 1.567 10

Fimage Fsig
x x = 1.966
Fsig Fimage

2 2
IR 1 Q .x IR = 49.155

IRdB 20. log( IR ) IRdB = 33.831

As double input filter IRdBactual IRdB. Filter IRdBactual= 67.663

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QUESTION 4: AMPLITUDE MODULATION RECEPTION

4.1 What are the typical standard intermediate frequencies are for AM broadcast
receivers? (2)

4.2 Explain why sensitivity and selectivity are important characteristics in communication
radio receivers. (2)

4.3 A certain receiver has the following data:

Received signal at 50 Ω = 12 µV (carrier only)
1 RF amplifier with 12 dB of gain
1 Mixer with 6 dB of conversion loss followed by a multipole filter with 1 dB insertion
loss
Input power level at the detector = 0 dBm
Calculate:
4.3.1 The received power in dBm. (2)
4.3.2 The number of IF amplifiers required if Ap = 20 dB/ amplifier. (3)
4.3.3 Sketch a block diagram of a superheterodyne AM receiver showing the
power level, in dBm, at each block. (5)

4.4 Sketch and explain the operation of a diode detector. (5)

4.5 A superheterodyne receiver with fIF = 400 kHz and 2.0 < fLO < 4.0 MHz has a tuning
dial calibrated to receive signals from 3 to 2.0 MHz. It is set to receive a 3.0 MHz
signal. The receiver has a broadband RF amplifier, and it has been found that the
local oscillator (LO) has a significant third harmonic output.
4.5.1 Determine the carrier frequency with fLO of 2.0 MHz (2)
4.5.2 Hence determine the image frequency. (2)
4.5.3 The oscillator’s third harmonic is 10 MHz; what is the corresponding carrier
frequency hence the image frequency? (2)
[25]
Solution/Answer:
4.1 455 kHz and 470 kHz 

4.2 A communication receiver must be able to identify and select a desired signal from
thousands of others present in the frequency spectrum (selectivity)  and to provide
sufficient amplification to recover the modulating signal (sensitivity).  A receiver with
good selectivity will isolate the desired signal in the RF spectrum and eliminate or at
least greatly attenuate all other signals.

 12×10-6 
4.3.1 P dBm = 10log  -3 
 = -85dBm 
 50 ×10 
4.3.2 Required IF gain = 0-(-85 + 12 – 6 -1) = 80 dB
Required IF amplifiers = 80/20 = 4

9
4.3.3

4.4 The modulated carrier is introduced into the tuned circuit made up of LC 1. Since the
diode conducts only during half-cycles, this circuit removes all the negative half-
cycles.  The low-pass filter, made up of capacitor C2 and resistor R, removes the
RF (carrier frequency), which, so far as the rest of the receiver is concerned, serves
no useful purpose. Capacitor C2 charges rapidly to the peak voltage through the
small resistance of the conducting diode,  but discharges slowly through the high
resistance of R.  the resultant output with C2 in the circuit is a varying voltage that
follows the peak variation of the modulated carrier. 

D1 C2

T1

C1 R1 C3

50% 

4.5.1 Carrier frequency: fc = fLO – fIF = 3.5 – 0.5 = 3 MHz 

4.5.2 Image frequency: f’c = fc + 2fIF = 4 MHz 
4.5.3 Carrier frequency: f’’c = 3fLO – fIF = 10 – 0.5  = 9.5 MHz 
Image frequency: f’’’c = fc + 2fIF = 9.5 + 1  = 10.5 MHz 

QUESTION 5: SSB TRANSMITTERS AND RECEIVERS

5.1 What are the two major benefits of Single Sideband (SSB) transmission? (2)
5.2 Sketch the block diagram of SSB transmitter. (8)
[10]

10
 RAE3601/201

Answer:
5.1 The spectrum space occupied by the SSB signal is half that of AM and DSB
signals. This greatly conserves spectrum space and allows more
signals to be transmitted in the same frequency range. It also means that
there should be less interference between signals. 

The power previously devoted to the carrier and other sideband can be
channeled into the signal sideband, thereby producing a stronger signal that
should carry further and be more reliably received at greater distances. 

There is less noise in the signal. SSB signals experience less fading than AM
signals.
5.2

Mark allocation:
carrier oscillator(1/2); buffer(1/2); balanced modulator(1); audio input(1/2);
audio amplifier(1/2); crystal filter(1); IF amplifier(1/2); mixer(1); VFO or
frequency synthesizer(1); BPF(1); Driver and Power Amplifier(1/2)

TOTAL = 100

11
 ASSIGNMENT 03

QUESTION 1: FM TRANSMITTERS

1.1 An FM signal has a center frequency of 100 MHz but is swinging between 100.001
MHz and 99.999 MHz at a rate of 100 times per second. Determine:
1.1.1 The intelligence frequency. (2)
1.1.2 The intelligence amplitude. (2)

1.2 What would happen to the intelligence amplitude of question 1.1 if the frequency
deviation changed to between 100.002 and 99.998 MHz. (1)

1.3 Define modulation index (mf) as applied to an FM system. (1)

1.4 An FM signal, 2000 sin (2π × 108t + 2 sin π × 108t), is applied to a 50 Ω antenna.
Determine:
1.4.1 The carrier frequency. (1)
1.4.2 The transmitted power. (1)
1.4.3 Modulation index. (1)
1.4.4 Intelligence frequency. (1)
1.4.5 Bandwidth (use both methods). (2)
1.4.6 Power in the largest and smallest sidebands. (4)
(Use the Bessel Function Table (Table 1))

1.5 Explain the purpose of the guard bands for broadcast FM. (2)

1.6 How wide is an FM broadcast channel? (1)

Table 1: Bessel Functions of the First Kind, Jn(mf)

mf J0 J1 J2 J3 J4 J5 J6 J7 J8 J9 J10
(Carrier)
0.00 1.00 - - - - - - - - - -
0.25 0.98 0.12 - - - - - - - - -
0.5 0.94 0.24 0.03 - - - - - - - -
1.0 0.77 0.44 0.11 0.02 - - - - - - -
1.5 0.51 0.56 0.23 0.06 0.01 - - - - - -
2.0 0.22 0.58 0.35 0.13 0.03 - - - - - -
2.5 -0.05 0.50 0.45 0.22 0.07 0.02 - - - - -
3.0 -0.26 0.34 0.49 0.31 0.13 0.04 0.01 - - - -
4.0 -0.40 -0.07 0.36 0.43 0.28 0.13 0.05 0.02 - - -
5.0 -0.18 -0.33 0.05 0.36 0.39 0.26 0.13 0.05 0.02 - -
6.0 0.15 -0.28 -0.24 0.11 0.36 0.36 0.25 0.13 0.06 0.02 -
7.0 0.30 0.00 -0.30 -0.17 0.16 0.35 0.34 0.23 0.13 0.06 0.02
8.0 0.17 0.23 -0.11 -0.29 -0.10 0.19 0.34 0.32 0.22 0.13 0.06
9.0 -0.09 0.24 0.14 -0.18 -0.27 -0.06 0.20 0.33 0.30 0.21 0.12

[TURN OVER]

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1.7 The PLL block diagram in Figure 1 is set up so that the VCO free-runs at 125 MHz.
The VCO does not change until the input is within 5 kHz of 125 MHz. After that
condition, the VCO follows the input to ± 100 kHz of the 125 MHz before the
VCO starts to free-run again.
1.7.1 Determine the value of input 1 to the phase detector. (1)
1.7.2 The lock range of the PLL. (2)
1.7.3 The capture range of the PLL. (2)
1.7.4 What would be the frequency of the transmitted signal? (1)

Microphone Fc = 5 MHz
5-MHz varactor- ± 200 kHz
Audio Audio Amp. controlled crystal
oscillator/modulator /2

Input 1

Power VCO Phase

Amp. Fc=125 Amp. detector
MHz

Input 2

/50

Figure 1
[25]

Answer/Solution:
1.1.1 Because the FM has a changing frequency of 100 MHz rate, f i = 100 MHz
1.1.2 There is no way of determining the actual amplitude of the intelligence signal. Every
FM system has a difference proportionality constant between the intelligence
amplitude and the amount of deviation it causes. 

1.2 The frequency deviation has now been doubled, which means that the intelligence
amplitude is now double whatever it originally was. 

1.3 Modulation index is the maximum phase shift caused by the intelligence signal or the
measure of the extent to which a carrier is varied by the intelligence. 

1.4.1 fc = 100 MHz

13
 Vc 2  2000 
2

1.4.2 P= = = 40 kW 
2R 2×50
1.4.3 mf = 2
1.4.4 fm = 5 kHz
1.4.5 With mf = 2, significant sidebands exist to J4 (4 × 5 kHz = 20 kHz).
Thus bandwidth, BW = 2 × 20 kHz = 40 kHz
Using Carson’s rule yields

BW = 2(δmax + fimax) = 2(10 + 5) = 30 kHz

1.4.6 J1 is the largest sideband at 0.58 times the unmodulated carrier amplitude.

V 2  0.58  2000 
2

P c   13.5kW 
2R 2  50

or 2× 13.5 kW = 27 kW for the two sidebands at ± 5 kHz from the carrier. The
2

smallest sideband, J4, is 0.03 times the carrier or  0.03  2000  / 50  36W .
 2

1.5 Guard bands minimize interference with adjacent stations

1.6 Standard broadcast FM uses a 200 kHz bandwidth for each station

1.7.1 fc = 2.5 MHz ± 100 Hz. 

1.7.1 The capture occurred at 5 kHz from the free-running VCO frequency. For a
symmetrical operation, the capture will occur at 5 kHz × 2  = 25 kHz. 
1.7.2 Once captured, the VCO follows the input to a 200 kHz deviation, implying a lock
range of 100 kHz × 2  = 200 kHz. 
1.7.4 fc = 125 MHz ± 5 kHz 

QUESTION 2: FM RECEIVERS

2.1 Explain the term ‘Double Conversion’. (1)

2.2 Figure 2 provides a block diagram for a typical double-conversion system.

2.2.1 Determine the frequency in stage labeled (a). (2)
2.2.2 Determine the frequency in stage labeled (b). (2)
2.2.3 Determine the image frequency for the receiver. (2)

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 RAE3601/201

Figure 2

2.3 Sketch a block diagram of a phase-locked loop frequency demodulator. (3)

2.4 What is the basic aim of a PLL circuit? (2)

[12]
Solution:
2.1 Double conversion is the process of stepping down the RF signal to a first, relatively
high IF frequency and then mixing down again to a second, lower, final IF frequency.


2.2.1 30 MHz – 20 MHz = 10 MHz 

2.2.2 1 MHz = IF1 – LO 2
1 MHz = 10 MHz – LO 2
LO 2 = 11 MHz 

2.2.3 The image frequency is the one which when mixed with the 30 MHz first local
oscillator signal, will produce a first mixer output frequency of 10 MHz. The desired
frequency of 20 MHz mixed with 30 MHz yields a 10 MHz frequency. The other
frequency that provide 10 MHz is produced when the 40 MHz input signal mixes with
a 30 MHz local oscillator signal as

Fimage = 40 MHz – 30 MHz = 10 MHz 

15
2.3

VO



2.4 The aim is to lock or synchronize the instantaneous angle (i.e. phase or frequency) of
a VCO output to the instantaneous angle of an external bypass signal that may have
some type of CW operation. 

QUESTION 3: DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS

3.1 Draw the PAM signal for a sinusoid using

3.1.1 Natural sampling (2)
3.1.2 Flat-top sampling (2)

3.2 State Nyquist sampling theorem. (2)

3.3 An audio signal is band-limited to 15 kHz. What is the minimum sample frequency if
this signal is to be digitized? (2)

3.4 Provide two possible reasons why an analog signal is digitized when an analog
output is desired. (2)

3.5 A radio channel has a bandwidth of 3.4 kHz and an S/N ratio of 14 dB. Calculate:
3.5.1 The maximum data rate that can be transmitted using any system. (3)
3.5.2 The maximum data rate that can be transmitted using a code with four
possible states. (2)

3.6 Discuss asynchronous transmission with regard to clocks, characters and

framing. (3)
[18]
Solution/Answer:
3.1.1 Natural sampling



3.1.2 Flat-top sampling

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 RAE3601/201



3.2 The Nyquist rate states that the sample frequency (fs) must be twice the highest
input frequency (fa). 

3.3 Minimum sample frequency

fs  2 fa
f s  2 15000
f s  30kHz 

3.4 A digital signal can be restored to its original value (regeneration) 

Using a digital format involves the ability to process the signal at the transmitter
(preprocessing) and/or the receiver (postprocessing) [digital signal processing] 
Digital signals can be easily manipulated by algorithms

 S
3.5.1 C = B×log 1+  =16kbps  S / N =101.4 = 25 
 N
3.5.2 64 kb/s

3.6 Asynchronous transmission - transmit and receive clocks are free-running at

approximately the same speed ; start bit at beginning of each character with a stop
bit ; framing is set by the start bit 

QUESTION 4: TRANSMISSION LINES

4.1 Under which two conditions will all incident power on a line be reflected? (2)

4.2 Describe what happens if a transmission line is not terminated in its characteristic
impedance. (2)

4.3 A 75 Ω lossless line is terminated in error with a 93 Ω resistor. A generator sends 100
mW down the line. Calculate:
4.3.1 The SWR on the line. (2)
4.3.2 The reflection coefficient. (2)

4.4 A 165 m section of RG-58A/U at 100 MHz is being used to connect a transmitter to
an antenna. Its antenna for 100 m at 100 MHz is 5.3 dB. Its power from a transmitter
is 100 W. Calculate the total attenuation and the output power delivered to the
antenna? (3)

4.5 Figure 3 presents a basic RF communication system working at 92 MHz.

17
 P = 52 W Gt = 7 dBi Gr = 5 dBi
Ht = 150 m A Hr = 12 m C
B

4.2 dB -2.2 dB - -0.7 dB 21 dB -0.3 dB

RG 8 – 182 m RG 59 – 15 m
1.5 dB / 100 m loss Assume no loss

Figure 3: A RF communications system

4.5.1 Calculate the power (in dBW) available at point A (before entering the
antenna. (3)
4.5.2 Calculate the effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) in dBW. (1)
4.5.3 Calculate the maximum line-of-sight distance (in km) between the
transmitter and receiver. (1)
4.5.4 Assume the distance between the two stations to be 80 km and calculate the
loss of free space. (1)
4.5.5 Assume the power at point B to be 1 pW and calculate the RMS voltage at
point C. (3)
[20]
Solution/Answer:
4.1 Answer: If the line is not terminated in its characteristic impedance, there will be
reflected waves present in the line.  The type and amount of reflected waves
depend on the type and amount of mismatch.  When mismatch occurs, there is an
interaction between the incident and reflected waves.

4.2.1 The SWR on the line.

93
SWR = =1.24 
75
4.2.2 The reflection coefficient.
SWR-1 1.24-1
Γ= = = 0.107 
SWR+1 1.24+1

4.3 Cable attenuation = 5.3/100 = 0.053 dB/m 

Total attenuation = 0.053 × 165 8.745 dB or -8.745 
dB = 10 log(Pout/Pin) 
Pout/Pin = log-1(dBW /10) and Pout = Pin × log-1(dBW /10) 
Pout = 100 × log-1(-8.745/10) = 13.35 W 

QUESTION 5: RADIO WAVE PROPAGATION

5.1 A UMTS base station transmits a power of 10 W into a feeder cable with a loss of 10
dB. The transmit antennas have a gain of 12 dBd in the direction of a mobile

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 RAE3601/201

receiver, with antenna gain of 0 dBd and feeder loss of 2 dB. The mobile receiver has
a sensitivity of -104 dB. Determine:
5.1.1 The effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) in dBW. (2)
5.1.2 The maximum acceptable path loss (Lp) in dB. (2)

5.2 A C-band earth station has an antenna with a transmit gain of 54 dB. The transmitter
output power is set to 100 W at a frequency of 6.100 GHz. The signal is received by
a satellite at a distance of 37.500 km by an antenna with a gain of 26 dB. The signal
is then routed to a transponder with a noise temperature of 500 K, a bandwidth of 36
MHz, and a gain of 110 dB.
5.2.1 Calculate the path loss at 6.1 GHz. Wavelength is 0.04918 m. (2)
5.2.2 Calculate the power at the output port (sometimes called the output
waveguide flange) of the satellite antenna, in dBW. (2)
5.2.3 Calculate the noise power at the transponder input, in dBW, in a bandwidth of
36 MHz. (3)
5.2.4 Calculate the C/N ratio, in dB, in the transponder. (2)
5.2.5 Calculate the carrier power, in dBW, at the transponder output. (2)
[15]

Solution/Answer:
5.1.1 EIRP = PT + GT - LT = 10dB+ 12dB+ 2.15dB - 10dB (The gain of an antenna in dBi is
2.15 dB more than when expressed in dBd)
=14.15 dB 
EIRP =1014.15 10 = 26 W 
5.1.2 EIRP = PT + GT + GR - PR  - LF - LT = 10 + 12 + 2.15  -10 - -104  -10 - 2 
=106.15 dB 

 4πd   4π  37500000 
5.2.1 Path loss = 20log   = 20log   =199.63 dBW 
 λ   0.04918 
5.2.2 Pr = Pt +Gt +Gr -Lp
= 20+54+26-199.63 
= -99.63 dBW 

5.2.3 N= kTB = -228.6+27+75.6  = -126 dBW 

C
5.2.4 = Pr - N = -99.6 +126  = 26.4 dB 
N
5.2.5 Pt =Pr +G = -99.6+110  =10.4 dBW 
 10.4 
 
 10 
or 10 =11 W

QUESTION 6: ANTENNAS

6.1 Describe the following antenna terminology:

6.1.1 Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP). (1)

19
 6.1.2 Beamwidth. (1)
6.1.3 Polarization. (1)

λ
6.2 A dipole antenna is driven with a 5 W signal at 225 MHz. A receiving dipole 100
2
km away is aligned so that its gain is cut to half. The receiver input impedance is a 75
Ω. Determine
6.2.1 The received power. (5)
6.2.2 The voltage. (2)
[10]
Solution/Answer:

6.1.1 Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP): the power radiated by an isotropic
antenna with directivity and therefore gain. 
6.1.2 Beamwidth: The measure of antenna’s directivity/or the angle of the radiation pattern
over which a transmitter’s energy is directed or received/or angular separation
between two half-power points (3-dB points). 
6.1.3 Polarization: the orientation of the electric field with respect to earth. 

3×108 m / s P G Gr λ2
6.2.1 λ = = 0.03m ; Pr = t t
10×109  4πR 
2

(The gain of an antenna in dBi is 2.15 dB more than when expressed in dBd)
1 1  2.1510  1
Gr =  Gt  =  10  =  1.64 = 0.82 
2 2  2
 
The received power is
5 ×1.64 × 0.82×1.332
Pr =  = 7.5×10-12 W = 7.5 pW 
 
2
4π ×100 ×103

V2
6.2.2 P =
R
V = P×R = 7.5×10-12 75  
= 23.72 μW 
TOTAL = 100

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