External Communications Flashcards
What is the purpose of a communication system?
To create an acceptable reproduction of the source message at the destination.
In communication systems, why do we modulate?
1) Efficiency
2) Hardware limits
3) Resist noise and interference
4) Frequency assignments
5) Multiplexing
Where is noise most significant?
At the receiver where the transmitted signal is weakest.
What is the difference between noise and interference?
1) Noise is random and unpredictable
2) Interference is a structured, human-made signal such as someone else’s transmission.
What can affect received signal strength?
1) Attenuation
2) Free space loss
3) Fading
4) Reflection
5) Refraction
6) Diffraction
7) Scattering
What is an analog signal?
Analog signals are waveforms where the voltages vary over time. This means that at a given time, there are infinite possible amplitude values.
What is a digital signal?
A digital signal is discrete in amplitude.
What is a modulated signal?
A baseband signal combined with a carrier frequency.
What is modulation?
The information of the message (baseband) is imbedded in a carrier signal. Modulation occurs by altering the amplitude, frequency or phase of the carrier.
What is the purpose of “band limiting”?
Restrict signal bandwidth to fit assigned channel
What is the difference between analog and digital signals?
1) Analog - continuous in time and amplitude
2) Digital - discrete in amplitude and continuous in time.
What is the transmission frequency for coaxial cable?
1kHz to 4 GHz
What are some advantages of fiber optic cables?
1) Immune to EMI
2) High data rates
3) Lightweight
4) No sparks
5) Difficult to intercept
6) Small cables
What are some disadvantages of fiber optic cables?
1) Cost
2) Difficult to repair and install
What is attentuation?
Decrease in signal strength as a function of distance as it travels through the medium.
What is the 3dB loss?
3dB loos is equivalent to losing half the power. If a 1W signal is attenuated to 0.5 W in 1 meter, the attenuation of the signal is 3dB/m
What is the Hartley Shannon Law
Maximum channel capacity for a finite bandwidth, continuous time channel.
What is the Voltage Standing Wave Ratio?
Ratio of the maximum amplitude to the minimum amplitude of the standing wave in a transmission line.
Define reflection, refraction and diffraction.
1) Reflection - EM waves bouncing off a surface
2) Refraction - EM wave bending due to changes in propagation velocity
3) Diffraction - tendency of a wave to bend around a boundary.
What is Snell’s Law?
Gives the relationship between the angles of light as it passes from one medium to another.
Do any of the LINK systems require keys?
1) LINK-11 - No
2) LINK 16 - Yes key goes in cabinet in OPS
3) LINK 22 - No
How does LINK interface with GCCS - M?
What is MSCU?
MSCU is another source of internet. It requires a lease, I am not sure if STJ currently has one.
The AE is in the middle of the hangar top.
It functions in X and K band.
The user laptop is located in the CCR next to the NMT laptop.
What is JREAP-C and where is it located?
Joint Range Extension Application Program. Hardware is located in the CCR, aft bulkhead on the bottom shelf.