Skip to content
MathsGenie logo
Open app

Course home

  1. A Level
  2. Physics AQA
  3. Question bank

Data communication systems (A-level only)

EasyMediumHard
12345
Question 1

An electronic messaging system sends text updates. Each character in a message is represented by its own 8-bit binary code as it is converted to digital data.

a.
  1. The message consists of 280 characters. Show that the total amount of digital data in this message is 2240 bits.
  2. The transmitter sends this digital data at a rate of 14 kB s−114\text{ kB s}^{-1}14 kB s−1 (where 1 kB=1000 bytes1\text{ kB} = 1000\text{ bytes}1 kB=1000 bytes). Determine the minimum time required to send a 280-character message.
[3]
b.
  1. Describe one origin of electrical noise in a communication system.
  2. Describe the effect that electrical noise can have on the signal and on the communication system.
[3]
c.

A noisy digital signal is applied to a Schmitt trigger circuit. The circuit output VoutV_{\text{out}}Vout​ switches to:

  • 12 V12\text{ V}12 V when the input voltage VinV_{\text{in}}Vin​ falls below 2.0 V2.0\text{ V}2.0 V
  • 0 V0\text{ V}0 V when the input voltage VinV_{\text{in}}Vin​ rises above 4.0 V4.0\text{ V}4.0 V

The input voltage VinV_{\text{in}}Vin​ over a 10 μs10\ \mu\text{s}10 μs interval is described by four stages:

  • For t∈[0,2] μst \in [0, 2]\ \mu\text{s}t∈[0,2] μs: VinV_{\text{in}}Vin​ increases linearly from 1.0 V1.0\text{ V}1.0 V to 5.0 V5.0\text{ V}5.0 V
  • For t∈[2,6] μst \in [2, 6]\ \mu\text{s}t∈[2,6] μs: VinV_{\text{in}}Vin​ decreases linearly from 5.0 V5.0\text{ V}5.0 V to 1.0 V1.0\text{ V}1.0 V
  • For t∈[6,8] μst \in [6, 8]\ \mu\text{s}t∈[6,8] μs: VinV_{\text{in}}Vin​ increases linearly from 1.0 V1.0\text{ V}1.0 V to 5.0 V5.0\text{ V}5.0 V
  • For t∈[8,10] μst \in [8, 10]\ \mu\text{s}t∈[8,10] μs: VinV_{\text{in}}Vin​ decreases linearly from 5.0 V5.0\text{ V}5.0 V to 3.0 V3.0\text{ V}3.0 V

Assuming that VoutV_{\text{out}}Vout​ is initially at 12 V12\text{ V}12 V at t=0t = 0t=0, determine the exact times ttt at which VoutV_{\text{out}}Vout​ transitions, and state the final value of VoutV_{\text{out}}Vout​ at t=10 μst = 10\ \mu\text{s}t=10 μs.

[5]

Data communication systems (A-level only) Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Physics
  3. /Data communication systems (A-level only)