OMBOY, REGINE S.

1ST SEMESTER 2019-2020

BSECE – 5 PROJECT REQUIREMENT
“MODERN COMMUNCATIONS INSIGHTS”

CHAPTER 15 Tomasi: ANTENNAS AND WAVEGUIDES

Reported by: Christian P. Daray

INSIGHTS:
This insight is all about the antennas and waveguide. We are all know about a certain
antenna which is very familiar especially those who uses it with old version of televisions.
Mostly people didn’t even notice or even curious of how antenna works when it looks like only a
metal or stainless tube. Even when I was in elementary grade I always wanted to know how
antenna works, is there any different types of antenna etc. I learned in this topic that there are
types of antennas and the difference of it in waveguide, which I think they look similar. I thought
antenna before is only a metal tube that placed outside the house to collect signal so that the
television will get clearer but I was wrong since antennas have many different types.
 An antenna is a metallic conductor which is capable of radiating and capturing
electromagnetic energy or signals.
 So they interface transmission lines to the atmosphere, then from atmosphere to
transmissions lines. Which means it collects signal of captured electromagnetic energy in
the atmosphere.
In that transmission lines, there is a special type of transmission line that consists of metallic
tube through which high-frequency electromagnetic energy is propagated. This waveguide is
useful for efficiently interconnecting high-frequency electromagnetic waves between and
antenna and transceiver. That is how waveguide useful in antenna system also that is how
waveguide works.
All electrical circuits that carry alternating current radiate a certain amount of electrical
energy in the form of electromagnetic waves. However, the amount of energy radiated is
negligible unless the physical dimensions of the circuit approach the dimensions of wavelength
of the wave. For example, a power line carrying 60-Hz current with a 20 feet of separation
between conductors radiates virtually no energy because a wavelength at 60-Hz is over 3000
miles long, and 20 feet is insignificant in comparison. What I learned in comparison a 1cm long
inductor or coil carrying 6-Ghz signal will radiate a considerable amount of energy because 1 cm
is comparable with a 5-cm wavelength.
So way back about antenna, the size of antenna is inversely proportional to frequency. It
means a relatively small antenna can efficiently radiate high-frequency electromagnetic waves.
And those large antennas radiate low frequency electromagnetic waves. Every antenna has
directional characteristics and radiate more energy in certain directions relative to other
directions. There are different types of antennas which are first time to me like Dipole antenna
(means two poles), quarter-wave antenna or sometimes called Marconi antenna, also half-wave
dipole called Hertz antenna.
So far antenna is very useful in terms of transmission of signal, capturing and initiating
the signals to the applied equipment or a system. Furthermore, many developed antennas in
different applications that we needed to know and how to use that certain antennas and where
should it applied to.
 CHAPTER 17 Blake: ANTENNAS
Reported by: Jesse Ian Tristan D. Madjos & Arian P. Sevandal

INSIGHTS:
In the previous insights about antenna and waveguide I understand or knows the different
types of antenna and how do waveguide works. Here in this chapter it certainly talks about or
explains the basic principles of operation of antenna systems, to calculate the efficiency of the
antenna, determining the antenna gain, beamwidth, and front-to-back ratio also it shows the
antenna patterns. I also learned in this chapter to convert or calculate the antenna gains in dBi
and dBd, to calculate the effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP), the effective radiated power
(ERP) for antenna-transmitter combination. In this chapter also I learned to calculate the gain
and beamwidth for selected antenna types.
As I learned about antennas, antennas are reciprocals, that is, the same design works
equally well as transmitting or a receiving antenna but it doesn’t mean that transmitting or a
receiving antenna are necessarily identical. Because as we all know that conductors in
transmitting antenna must be sized to handle larger currents. However, the designs are quite
similar, and many calculations are identical.

CHAPTER 17 Blake: MICROWAVE DEVICES

Reported by: Caled Jade Reyes & King Godfrey P. Barber

INSIGHTS:
Before I really thought that microwave oven is just an appliance that used to heat food
and bake some stuffs but I also imagining before how does it works internally I mean how did
they eventually invent such nice thing. To be honest I first heard microwave devices in this
report only because I think it didn’t introduce to us before or maybe to me only but despite of
this what I learn is there are lots of microwave devices that are existing and applied it to many
applications. I literally know since this topic was introduced to me that the earliest application
for microwave is a radar I thought it was the microwave oven but since then the radar was
developed in the 1930s in England. It was shortly followed the development of microwave oven.
And I am shocked since microwave oven was developed accidentally so it means it was
accidentally existing which no one is planning to build or to think to invent this kind of device
but it was also a big impact to industry when the first practical microwave oven for home use
was called “Radarange” in honor of its heritage.
 Microwave frequencies are set at 1-Ghz at its lower boundary
 At microwave frequencies, the losses in conventional transmission lines are quite large.
Waveguides provide an alternative at microwave frequencies. Waveguide is essentially a
pipe through which an electromagnetic wave travels. And there are lots of different sizes or
shape of waveguide. Like this following:
 Rectangular waveguides of brass or aluminum, sometimes silver-platted
 Circular waveguides same as a brass or aluminum, sometimes silver-platted
 Elliptical waveguides also made of brass or aluminum or even sometimes a silver-platted
But the most commonly used are the circular and elliptical waveguides.
 CHAPTER 18 Blake: TERRESTRIAL MICROWAVE COMMUNICATIONS
Reported by: Ma. Liza E. Benial & Edison P. Maarat

INSIGHTS:
Asides from microwave devices there is also terrestrial microwave communications that
introduced in this chapter. Will terrestrial mean it sends a broadcast signal from the Earth and
microwave communication has very important role in terrestrial applications.
Terrestrial microwave systems use relatively low power transmitter with high-gain
parabolic antenna or hog-horn antennas. Path calculations in terrestrial microwave communication
generally use LOS propagation, as radio waves actually travel about one-third farther than visible
light under normal conditions.
The maximum distance between two stations depends on the height of the transmitting and
receiving antennas as well as on the nature or terminal terrain between them.
And that’s how terrestrial microwave communication deals to its applications.

CHAPTER 24 Tomasi: MICROWAVE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS & SYSTEM GAIN

Reported by: Mary Joy M. Ebuna & Lynch M.Curada

INSIGHTS:
In the previous topics it talks about microwave devices and terrestrial microwave
communications, here in this topic it describes the microwave frequencies and microwave
frequency bands. Also it introduced the advantages and disadvantages of microwave. Here we
will know the different types of microwave repeaters.
 Microwave are generally described as electromagnetic waves with frequencies that range
from approximately 500 MHz to 300GHz or more. Therefore, microwave signals,
because of their inherently high frequencies, have relatively short wavelengths, hence
name “Micro” wave.
 There are lots of microwave radio-frequency bands in different services or applications
like the following for example: in military it has 1710-1850 MHz in L band, then military
in C-band has 4400-4990 MHz then another military application in Ka-band has 14,400-
15,250 MHz each of this bands has its own functions though they have similar
applications in military but the thing is they have different ranging frequencies.
Microwave radio system has also an advantages and disadvantages as many other systems that
are build and exist. So let’s see some of those advantages of microwave radio system.
 Minimum delay times are introduced.
 Distance between switching centers are less.
 Underground facilities are minimized
 Fewer repeaters are necessary for amplification
Here are some of the disadvantages of microwave radio systems:
 It is more difficult to analyze and design circuits at microwave frequencies.
 Transient time is more critical at microwave frequencies.
 It is often necessary to use specialized components for microwave frequencies.
With systems that are longer than 40 miles or when geographical obstructions, such as a
mountain, block the transmission path, repeaters are needed. Microwave repeater is a receiver
and a transmitter placed back to back or in tandem with the system. And microwave repeaters
have three different types such as: IF repeaters, Baseband repeaters, and RF repeater.

 IF Repeaters are also called heterodyne repeaters, the received RF carrier is down-converted to an
IF frequency, amplified, reshaped, up-converted to an RF frequency, and then retransmitted.
 Baseband Repeaters, the repeater demodulates the RF to baseband, amplifies and reshapes it,and
then modulates the FM carrier.
 RF Repeaters, the received microwave signal is not down-converted to IF or baseband
 CHAPTER 25 Tomasi and Chapter 26 Blake: SATELLITE COMMUNICATION

Reported by: Kimberly Jane Padecio & Omar A. Orga

Reported by: Edmond Dagasdas & Emman Rey A. Madrid

INSIGHTS:
In this chapter it introduced the satellite communication, the history of satellite
communications, describes the geosynchronous satellite systems and their advantages and
disadvantages over other types of satellite systems. Also it describes satellite classifications,
spacing, and frequency allocation.
Satellite is a celestial body that orbits around a planet (e.g., the moon is a satellite of Earth)
In essence, a communication satellite is ma microwave repeater in the sky that consists of
a diverse combination of one or more of the following: receiver, transmitter, amplifier,
regenerator, filter, onboard computer, multiplexers, demultiplexer, antenna, waveguide, and
about any other electronic communications circuit ever developed.
Transponder is a satellite radio repeater of which a satellite may have many. A satellite
system consists of one or more satellite space vehicles, a ground-based station to control the
operation of the system, and user network of earth stations that provides the interface facilities
for the transmission and reception of terrestrial communications traffic through the satellite
system.
The simplest type of satellite is a passive reflector, which is a device that simply
“bounces” signals from one place to another. A passive satellite reflects signals back to Earth, as
there are no gain devices on board to amplify or modify the signals. The moon is a natural
satellite of Earth, visible by reflection of sunlight and having a slightly elliptical orbit.
Geosynchronous (sometimes called stationary or geostationary) satellites appear to
remain in a fixed location above one spot on Earth’s surface. Since a geosynchronous satellite
appears to remain in fixed location, no special antenna tracking equipment is necessary-earth
station antennas are simply pointed at the satellite. Here are some advantages of geosynchronous
satellites are as follows:
 Geosynchronous satellites remain almost stationary in respect to a given earth station.
 There is no need to switch from one geosynchronous satellite to another as they orbot
overload.
 The effects of Doppler Shift are negligible
The disadvantages of geosynchronous satellites are as follows:
 Geosynchronous satellite requires sophisticated and heavy propulsion devices onboard to
keep them in a fixed orbit.
 High-altitude geosynchronous satellites introduce much longer propagation delays.
 High-precision spacemanship is required to place a geosynchronous satellite into orbit
and to keep it here.
The two primary classifications for communications satellites are spinners and three axis
stabilizer satellites. A spinner satellite uses the angular momentum of its spinning body to
provide roll and yaw stabilization.
Geosynchronous satellites must share a limited space and frequency spectrum within a
given arc of a geostationary orbit. Each communications satellite is assigned a longitude in the
geostationary arc approximately 22,300 miles above the equator.
 CHAPTER 26 Tomasi: SATELLITE MULTIPLE ACCESSING ARRANGEMENTS
Reported by: Regine S. Omboy & Kristine C. Bantilan

INSIGHTS:
In this chapter it introduced the satellite multiple accessing arrangements, defines what is
a multiple accessing, introduced types of multiple accessing. Also what channel capacity and the
basic concepts of satellite radio navigation.
What I learned about multiple accessing or it sometimes called multiple destination means it
implies that more than one user has an access to one or more radio channels or transponders
within a satellite communication channel. Transponders typically leased by a company or
common carrier for purpose of providing voice or data transmission to a multitude of users.
There are three most commonly used multiple-accessing arrangements:
 Frequency-division multiple accessing (FDMA) – is a method of multiple accessing
where a given RF bandwidth is divided into smaller frequency bands called subdivisions.
 Time-division multiple accessing (TDMA) – is the predominant multiple-access method
used today. It provides the most efficient method of transmitting digitally modulated
carriers (PSK).
 Code-division multiple accessing (CDMA) – with CDMA there are no restrictions on
time or bandwidth. CDMA is sometimes referred to as spread-spectrum multiple access;
transmissions can spread throughout the entire allocated bandwidth.
So under channel capacity, there are two methods used to interface terrestrial voice-band
channels with satellite channels:
 Digital Noninterpolated Interfaces – assigns an individual terrestrial channel (TC) to
particular satellite channel (SC) for the duration of the call.
 Digital Speech Noninterpolated Interfaces – assigns a terrestrial channel to a satellite
channel only when speech energy is present on the TC.
Navigation can be defined as the art or science of plotting, ascertaining, or directing the
course of movements, in other words, knowing where you are and being to find your way
around. That’s how satellite radio navigation is being introduced in this chapter. The most
ancient and rudimentary method of navigation is wandering. Wandering is simply continuing to
travel about until you reach your destination, assuming of course that you have one.
In radio navigation there are most accurate and useful systems that introduced including
the following:
 Decca (terrestrial surface broadcast)
 Omega (terrestrial surface broadcast; provides global coverage)
 Loran (terrestrial surface broadcast)
 Navy Transit GPS (low-orbit satellite broadcast; provides global coverage)
 Navstar GSP (medium-orbit satellite broadcast; provides global coverage)