UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA
SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT
MAJOR TEST NO: 02
Semester Course
ELT4801
ELECTRONIC COMMUNCATION TECHNOLOGY
Examiner: Mr. NR Netshikweta Moderator: Prof. M Sumbwanyambwe
External Moderator: Mr. L Banda Marks: 50
Weight of Assessment: 35%
INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL STUDENTS:
1. Use of a non-programmable pocket calculator is permissible.
2. Closed book examination.
3. Honour Pledge: I have neither given nor received any aid on the examination.
4. Plagiarism is prohibited. Plagiarism is the act of taking words, ideas and thoughts of
others and presenting it as your own. It is a form of theft which involves several
dishonest academic activities.
5. This examination question paper remains the property of the University of South
Africa and may not be copied or printed.
6. Answer all questions.
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QUESTION 1: WIRELESS MULTIPLE ACCESS TECHNOLOGIES
1.1 Explain why a mobile user is assigned widely separated frequencies in both
uplink and downlink during transmission and reception. (1)
1.2 Discuss the fundamental difference between FDMA and TDMA multiple
access schemes. (4)
Answer:
1.1 To keep the interference between transmission and reception to a minimum.
✓
1.2 FDMA: separates different users by assigning a different carrier frequencies
per user ✓ /single user occupies the channel bandwidth for the entire
duration. Multiple users are isolated using band pass filters. Frequency guard
bands are provided between adjacent signal spectra to minimise crosstalk
between adjacent channels. ✓
TDMA: each user uses the whole channel bandwidth for a fraction of time. ✓
Time is divided into equal time intervals called slots. User data is transmitted
in the slots. Several slots make up a frame. Guard times are used between
each user’s transmissions to minimise crosstalk between channels ✓. Each
user is assigned a frequency and a time slot to transmit data. The data is
transmitted via a radio-carrier from a base station to several active mobiles or
cellphone handsets in the downlink. In the reverse direction (uplink),
transmission from mobiles or cellphone handsets to base stations is time-
sequenced and synchronised on a common frequency for TDMA.
1.3 The DS-CDMA system with an omnidirectional cell uses the following data:
• Bandwidth efficiency = 0.9 ,
b
• Frequency reuse efficiency = 0.45 ,
f
• Capacity degradation factor c d = 0.8 ,
• Voice activity factor v f = 0.4 ,
• Information bit rate R = 16.2 0.9 kbps ,
• E / I = 7 dB,
b 0
• One-way system bandwidth Bw =12.5 MHz.
Note: Neglect other sources of interference.
Calculate:
1.3.1 The capacity of the DS-CDMA system. (3)
1.3.2 1.3.2 The spectral efficiency of the DS-CDMA system. (2)
1.4 Suggest what could be done to improve capacity and spectral efficiency in the
scenario in question 1.1. (2)
1.5 Describe how orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) avoids
interference while multiple sub-channels overlapping each other? (3)
[10]
Solution:
0.7
1.1.1 E b = 10 = 5.012 ✓
I0
η f η bc dλ Bw
Nu = × ✓
vf R × (E b I0 )
0.45 × 0.9 × 0.8 ×1 12.5 ×106
Nu = × =124.5 =125 ✓
0.4 16.2×103 × 5.012
12.5 ×106 ×16.2
1.1.2 The spectral efficiency, η = ✓ = 0.162 bits/sec/Hz ✓
12.5 ×103
1.2 Use three sector antennas and increase the cell site. ✓✓
1.3 In OFDM, signals are combined together in a way that they are orthogonal to
each other. ✓ The signals act independently, ✓ i.e., without interference with
one another. ✓
QUESTION 2: 2G Mobile Networks (GSM/GPRS/EDGE/IS-95)
2.1 What in your opinion is the key feature that describes 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G
mobile communication systems? (1)
2.2 Which technologies are categorised as 2G standards? (3)
2.3 Briefly describe the functions of the following WWAN subsystems:
2.3.1 Radio Station Subsystem (RSS). (2)
2.3.2 Networking and Switching Subsystem (NSS). (2)
2.3.3 Operational and Maintenance Subsystem (OMSS) (2)
2.4 Sketch the WWAN architectural model. (5)
[15]
Solution:
2.1 Data rate. ✓
2.2 Global Systems for mobile communication (GSM); ✓General Packet Radio
Service (GPRS) ✓and Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE). ✓
2.3.1 The RSS is responsible for providing and managing transmission paths
between the user equipment and the NSS. ✓ This includes management of
the radio interface between the user equipment and the rest of the WWAN
system. ✓
2.3.2 The NSS has the responsibility of managing communications and connecting
user equipment to the relevant networks or other users. ✓The NSS is not in
direct contact with the user equipment, nor is the radio subsystem in direct
contact with external networks. ✓
2.4 WWAN architectural model:
✓✓✓✓✓
QUESTION 3: 3G Mobile Networks (WCDMA/CDMA 2000/UMTS/HSPA)
3.1 What are the two main standards of 3G technology? (2)
3.2 What are the two main standards of 4G technology? (2)
3.3 Which modulation scheme is used in LTE technology? (1)
3.4 Describe ‘beam forming’ concept in 5G technology? (2)
3.5 Give one example of each of the following 5G services:
3.5.1 Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB). (1)
3.5.2 Massive machine type communication (mMTC). (1)
3.5.3 Ultra-reliable and low latency communication (URLLC). (1)
[10]
Solution:
3.1 WCDMA – UMTS ✓ and HSPA (HSPA+). ✓
3.2 LTE (LTE-A) ✓and WiMax. ✓
3.3 OFDMA-MIMO. ✓✓
3.4 Antennas transmit data in all directions; each device collects its own data
based on addressing information; ✓ antenna arrays are used; data are sent in
particular angles using background messages between antenna and devices;
a beam is used towards the device data is sent to. ✓
3.5.1 Video, Smart office. ✓
3.5.2 Remote operation, Smart grid, Factory automation. ✓
3.5.3 Connected city/home, Smart logistics, ITS, Smart sensors. ✓
QUESTION 4: Short Range Wireless Networks
4.1 Mention two areas where Bluetooth can be used. (2)
4.2 A QPSK/DSSS WLAN has been designed at your campus for students. This
WLAN transmits in the 902–928 MHz ISM band and the symbol transmission
rate is 0.5 × 106 symbols/sec. An orthogonal code with 16 symbols is used
and a bit error rate of 10-5 is required. How many student users can be
supported by the WLAN? (3)
[5]
Solution:
4.1 Bluetooth applications:
i. Replacing serial cables with radio links ✓
ii. Wearable networks/WPANs ✓
iii. Desktop/room wireless networking
iv. Hot-spot wireless networking
v. Medical:
e.g., Transfer of measured values from training units to analytical systems,
and patient monitoring
vi. Automotive:
e.g., Remote control of audio/video equipment, and hands-free telephony
vii. Point-of-sale payments:
e.g., Payments by mobile phone
4.2 Bw = 928 − 902 = 26 MHz ✓
Rb = Rs log2 16 = 2 Mbps ✓
Number of student users that can be supported:
26
Gp = = 13 ✓
2
TOTAL = 40
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