Kerala Engineering Entrance 2008 Questions on Communication Systems

Four questions on communication systems appeared in the KEAM (Engineering) 2008 test paper. Generally you will be able to answer all the questions in this section within the stipulated time. It will be a good idea to answer questions from simple sections like this before proceeding to attempt difficult and time consuming ones. Here are the questions with their solutions:

(1) A signal wave of frequency 12 kHz is modulated with a carrier wave of frequency 2.51 MHz. The upper and lower side band frequencies are respectively

(a) 2512 kHz and 2508 kHz

(b) 2522 kHz and 2488 kHz

(c) 2502 kHz and 2498 kHz

(d) 2522 kHz and 2498 kHz

(e) 2512 kHz and 2488 kHz

This question should have been stated like this:

A carrier wave wave of frequency 2.51 Mz is amplitude modulated with a signal wave of frequency 12 kHz. The upper and lower side band frequencies are respectively

(a) 2512 kHz and 2508 kHz

(b) 2522 kHz and 2488 kHz

(c) 2502 kHz and 2498 kHz

(d) 2522 kHz and 2498 kHz

(e) 2512 kHz and 2488 kHz

Since there is just one frequency (12 kHz) in the modulating signal, there is just one frequency in the upper side band. The upper side frequency is 2.51 MHz + 12 kHz = 2510 kHz + 12 kHz = 2522 kHz.

Similarly the lower side frequency is 2.51 MHz – 12 kHz = 2510 kHz – 12 kHz = 2498 kHz [Option (d)].

(2) Which of the following statements is wrong?

(a) Ground wave propagation can be sustained at frequencies 500 kHz to 1500 kHz

(b) Satellite communication is useful for the frequencies above 30 MHz

(c) Sky wave propagation is useful in the range of 30 to 40 MHz

(d) Space wave propagation takes place through tropospheric space

(e) The phenomenon involved in sky wave propagation is total internal reflection

The frequency range 500 kHz to 1500 kHz is the medium wave band for AM sound broadcast which you know is based on ground wave propagation. So option (a) is correct. Option (b) is correct since frequencies above 30 MHz will not be reflected by the ionosphere. For the same reason option (c) is wrong.

Since the questions you get in this test are single answer type your answer option is (c).

(3) The principle used in the transmission of signals through an optical fibre is

(a) total internal reflection

(b) reflection

(c) refraction

(d) dispersion

(e) interference

In an optical fibre the refractive index is decreased as the ray proceeds radially outwards from the centre and hence it undergoes total internal reflection[Option (a)].

(4) In satellite communication

1. the frequency used lies between 5 MHz and 10 MHz

2. the uplink and downlink frequencies are different

3. the orbit of geostationary satellite lies in the equatorial plane at an inclination of 0º.

On the above statements

(a) only 2 and 3 are true

(b) all are true

(c) only 2 is true

(d) only 1 and 2 are true

(e) only 1 and 3 are true

Statement 1 is false since 5 MHz and 10 MHz will be reflected by the ionosphere. Statements 2 and 3 are true in the case of geostationary satellite. So the correct option is (a).