Averticalwireantenna is connected to a transmitter operating at a frequency.

of438 kHz.
a) i) State the polarisationofthe radiated field.
ii) Calculatethe wavelengthofthe signal.
iii) Explainwhya unipoleantenna is used. (4marks)
b) Theantenna isto be constructed using30 metre highmasts. Comparethe
advantages of obtainingthe correct electricallength forthe unipoleof using
i) an inverted Lconfiguration
ii) a loadingcoil. (6marks)
(Total marks 10)

2 a) Averticalloop receivingantenna issaid to have a 'figureof eight' polar diagram.

i) Sketchthe polar diagram.
ii) Describehow itoccurs by referringto the fieldcomponents of an
incidentwave. (8 marks)
b) Describeone use for this type ofantenna. (2 marks)
(Totalmarks 10)

3 a) Withreference to radiowavepropagation, describe the followingmodes.

i) Ionospheric.
ii) Groundwave.
iii) Space wave. (6 marks)
b) Anaircraftisflyingover the sea at 1000metres altitude. Calculatethe maximum
distance at whichcommunicationwitha ground station islikelyto be possible if
the station's antenna is25 metres above sea level. (4 marks)
(Totalmarks 10)

4 a) Anamplitudemodulated transmitter has an unmodulated carrier power of50 kW.

Theaverage modulationdepth is30%.Calculatethe
i) total power radiated
ii) power inthe lowersideband. (4 marks)
b) Describethe bandwidth and power benefits that can be obtained by using single
sideband modulationcompared to double sideband. (4 marks)
c) Explainwhysinglesideband isnot used for mediumfrequency publicservice
broadcasting. (2 marks)
(Totalmarks 10)

5 Withreference to a frequency modulated wave,

a) describe the distributionofside frequency components when a sinusoidal
carrier wave ismodulated bya singletone (3 marks)
b) explainthe effects on the frequency spectrum ofincreasingthe following
parameters ofthe modulatingtone
i) frequency
ii) amplitude. (4 marks)
c) Giventhat a deviationof:!:23 kHzisproduced by a tone of2300 Hz,calculate the
i) deviationratio
ii) approximatebandwidth. (3 marks)
(Totalmarks 10)

6 a) Describehow a fixedintermediate frequency isproduced ina superheterodyne

receiver. (4 marks)
b) Describethe disadvantagesofa tunedradiofrequency(TRF)receivercompared
to a superheterodyne receiver. (3 marks)
c) Describeone type ofinterferencewhichonly occurs ina superheterodyne receiver. (3 marks)
(Total marks 10)

2
7 a) Briefly explain the effect of multiplying together voltages at two different.
frequencies. (2marks)
b) Draw a circuit diagram and describe the action of a frequency mixer circuit
suitable for use in a superheterodyne receiver. (8marks)
(Total marks 10)

8 Draw a labelled block diagram of a typical Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN),
including the following components.
· Mobile Station (MS).
· BaseStation Controller (BSC).
· Home Location Register (HLR).
· Authentication Centre (AUC).
· Base Transceiver Station (BTS).
· Mobile Switching Centre (MSC).
· Visitor Location Register (VLR).
· Equipment identity register (EIR). (10 marks)

9 a) With referenceto mobile communicationsdescribe,

i) packetswitching
ii) circuit switching. (6marks)
b) State,with reasons,which of the switchingmethodsin a)are most appropriatefor
i) data communication
ii) voice communication. (4marks)
(Totalmarks 10)

10 With reference to a communications satellite.

a) Describe a geostationary orbit. (3 marks)
b) Describe two applications of a geostationary orbit. (4 marks)
c) Describe the coverage area of a geostationary satellite and why global coverage
cannot be achieved. (3 marks)
(Total marks 10)