1 of 20

Modeling Digital Signals Lab

P. 62

Copy/write a response to all the ideas in blue

2 of 20

P. 62

Modeling Digital Signal Lab

Part 1

62

Graph & Def.

Practice Round

Digital Process

3 of 20

What does Analog mean?

Table Group Discussion:

  1. Discuss your findings in the Cup Phone Lab. How accurate (clear) was the signal you could send with the different cups?

  • What did the Cup Phone Lesson teach us about transmitting sound?
  • Different materials transmit sound in different ways → Density of material impacts it
  • Sounds/communication sent over string/wire is muffled and difficult to hear.

4 of 20

What are ANALOG signals

We live in an analog world…

With infinite possibilities

5 of 20

What are ANALOG SIGNALS

Analog Signal: A continuous wave that can vary in amplitude (volume) and frequency (pitch). The values of the measurements can be any number within a given range. Continuous means they are constant over time.

All real life signals are analog. For example, listening to an instrument being played live. The listener hears the waves (signals) directly. The waves are continuously being observed by your ears.

6 of 20

What are Digital signals

We also live in a digital world…

With finite possibilities

7 of 20

What is a Digital Signal?

Digital Signal: A signal that exists as a sequence of discrete bits of information.

In the case of a sound wave, this means the signal has been broken down into measurements of amplitude & frequency at only certain time intervals. It is not continuous. Digital signals are used to store and communicate information about analog signals.

8 of 20

Digital vs. Analog

Analog wave -

Continuous, all information is transmitted.

Digital Signal - Discrete, the wave information is coded into bits. The resolution of the signal depends on the size of the bits.

Take a moment to draw this graph in your notes! Label each line!

9 of 20

Digital vs. Analog

Analog Clock

Digital Clock

Discuss at your table:

How does this example demonstrate the properties of analog and digital signals?

What’s different about these two types of signals?

What are the benefits and drawbacks of each?

10 of 20

Digital Process - copy or draw your own

Digital communication is sent using Electromagnetic Waves (light).

Transmitter - The component in the electrical system that sends the wave based on some input (image/sound)

Receiver - Senses the electromagnetic wave when it arrives.

Image Generator - translates incoming signals received into an output message for humans to process.

11 of 20

Now starting the “Practice Round” Section!

12 of 20

Modeling Digital Signals

To investigate how digital communication compares to analog, we are going to set up a model of digital communication.

Electromagnetic Wave - Mini-flashlight (1 = 1 flash 0 = 2 flashes)

Volunteer 1 - Transmitter sends the input, a sequence of 1s and 0s

Volunteer 2 - Receiver senses the flashes and holds up # of fingers that correspond to message.

Volunteer 3 - Image generator records the sequence of 1s and 0s based on the receivers output

13 of 20

Whole-Class Practice

Draw a grid like this on your paper:

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

14 of 20

Modeling Digital Signals

110010111

Let’s see if our team can communicate the code with 100 % accuracy!

15 of 20

Translating Binary into Messages

Now, lets translate that message from before into the grid:

1 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

A “1” means colored in

A “0” means leave it blank

So, your grid should look like this!

16 of 20

P. 63

Modeling Digital Signals Lab

Part 2

63

You will tape the coding/recording sheet, on top of p. 64

Data Analysis

Reflection

17 of 20

Modeling Digital Signals

In your group of 4, try out the procedure. Take turns playing each role.

Student 1- Coder uses their Secret Code written in binary as the digital signal. Cover the rest of your secret code so Transmitter can just see the binary code.

Student 2 - Transmitter sends the input, a sequence of 1s and 0s (flashes the mini-light) based on the Coder’s binary sequence.

Student 3 - Receiver senses the flashes and holds up # of fingers that correspond to message.

Student 4 - Image generator records the sequence of 1s and 0s based on the receivers output and translates them into the grid and subsequently into a letter.

18 of 20

Pre-Lab

1- Write out the letters of your secret word

R

E

A

D

2- Shade the boxes to make the shape of each letter

3- Translate the image into Binary (0’s and 1’s)

This becomes your secret code during data collection!

1 1 1 1 0

1 0 0 1 0

1 1 1 1 0

1 0 1 0 0

1 0 0 1 0

1 1 1 1 0

1 1 1 1 1

1 0 0 0 0

1 0 0 0 0

1 1 1 1 1

19 of 20

Data Collection

1- When you are the Image Generator, fill in the first grid with the binary (1’s and 0’s)

Record ALL the binary for ALL the letters before moving to step 2

2- Translate the Binary into shaded/unshaded boxes to form the letter

3- Guess which letter it is!

1 0 0 0 0

1 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1 0

1 0 0 0 0

1 0 0 0 0

1 0 0 0 1

1 0 0 0 1

1 0 0 0 1

1 0 0 0 1

1 1 1 1 1

1 0 0 0 1

1 1 0 0 1

1 0 1 0 1

1 0 0 1 1

0 0 0 0 1

F

U

N

20 of 20

Reflection (Reflect the Question!)

  1. Did your word get correctly communicated using our model of digital communication?
  2. Make a flowchart of the steps in digital signal transmission.
  3. Describe at least 2 sources of error (challenges) in collecting data using digital signals.
  4. Make a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast digital and analog signals.