Consumer Electronics
Consumer Electronics
Author(s)
Dr. Amit M. Joshi
Assistant Professor ,
Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur (MNIT), Jaipur
Reviewer
Dr. Savitesh Madhulika Sharma
Professor and Dean (R&D),
Siddartha Institute of Science and Technology Puttur (A.P)
(ii)
BOOK AUTHOR DETAILS
Dr. Amit M. Joshi, Assistant Professor, Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur (MNIT),
Jaipur.
Email ID: [email protected]
Dr. Maulin M. Joshi, Professor, Sarvajanik University, Surat.
Email ID: [email protected]
Dr. Urvashi Prakash Shukla, Assistant Professor, Banasthali Vidyapith, Newai.
Email ID: [email protected]
Dr. Savitesh Madhulika Sharma, Professor and Dean (R&D), Siddartha Institute of Science and
Technology Puttur (A.P).
Email ID: [email protected]
Disclaimer: The website links provided by the author in this book are placed for informational,
educational & reference purpose only. The Publisher do not endorse these website links or the
views of the speaker / content of the said weblinks. In case of any dispute, all legal matters to be
settled under Delhi Jurisdiction, only.
(iii)
(iv)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors are grateful to the authorities of AICTE, particularly Prof. T. G. Sitharam,
Chairman; Prof. M. P. Poonia, Vice-Chairman; Prof. Rajive Kumar, Member-Secretary
and Dr. Amit Kumar Srivastava, Director, Faculty Development Cell for their planning to
publish the books on Consumer Electronics. We sincerely acknowledge the valuable
contributions of the reviewer of the book Dr. Savitesh Madhulika Sharma, Professor and
Dean (R&D), Siddartha Institute of Science and Technology Puttur (A.P) for making it
students’ friendly and giving a better shape in an artistic manner.
This book is an outcome of various suggestions of AICTE members, experts and authors
who shared their opinion and thought to further develop engineering education in our
country. Acknowledgements are due to the contributors and different workers in this field
whose published books, review articles, papers, photographs, footnotes, references and
other valuable information enriched us at the time of writing the book.
(v)
PREFACE
Reflecting past experience in classrooms, this text book on Consumer Electronics is written
with a view to provide foundation of the subject. Using simple and lucid language, this text
book aims to take reader for a journey to the important technical concepts of consumer
electronics devices being used in daily life and offices. This book is suitable for use as
one-semester course material for diploma students of Electronics, Electronics and
communication engineering, Electrical and electronics engineering, Electronics &
Instrumentation engineering.
The first edition of this book is organized in 6 modules. The outline of the book is as follows:
First unit describes the fundamentals of sound and its characteristics. Then after, a
microphone’s basic operating principle and its defining features are outlined. In addition,
the differences and similarities between different types of microphones like carbon, moving
coil, and cordless microphones have been discussed. Subsequently it explains how
speakers work and their categorization. Unit also details three main types of sound
recording—magnetic, direct, and optical.
Second unit of the book discusses fundamentals of a CD player, a sound system for a home
theatre, a digital audio console, surround sound, and a public address (PA) system. It has
also detailed of digital audio console's inner workings along with their various
applications. In order to provide a deeper understanding, explanation as well as the
functions for each component of a public address system is provided. The process to be
followed to establish a public address system in different scenarios have been outlined in
the module.
Television is the important part of communication and Fundamentals of television systems
and its foundations of monochrome and colour television operations in the third unit of the
book. It explains the standards used in monochrome television, including the scanning
process and video signal components. Furthermore, the application of colour television is
described in detail. This describes the additive and subtractive mixing techniques used to
create various colours. In order for television programmes to be received by the receiver,
they must comply with specific transmission standards, which are discussed in detail. It
also discusses the various TV cameras and transmission of TV channels.
Knowledge of current generation television receiver systems and general technical know-
how of sound and video systems are important for engineers. Fourth unit describes how
the PAL-D colour TV receiver functions in depth. The television receiver includes a video
amplifier, sound section, sync separator, and processor that have been thoroughly
discussed. In addition, various types of video cables and interfaces have been discussed.
Finally, the unit incorporates fundamentals of CD and DVD players. Types and
functionality of various TVs namely Digital, LCD, LED, Plasma, HDTV, 3-D TV, and
Projection TV have been briefly described, as well as their benefits and drawbacks stated.
Additionally, the unit demonstrates the operation of the outdoor and indoor units of direct-
to-home (DTH) technology.
(vi)
Microwave oven and the washing machine, two staples of the modern household.
Microwave oven basic operating principle, components, technical specifications and
necessary user precautions have also been outlined in the fifth unit. In the second part,
various types of washing machines have been broken down into their component parts and
discussed in greater detail. In addition, the controller, fuzzy logic, and technical
specifications of a washing machine have all been discussed
Various digital electronic devices including a fax machine, photocopier, air conditioner,
refrigerator, digital camera, and camcorder are frequently found in daily affairs.
Understanding of basic operational principles and fault diagnosis is required in order to
enhance the life span of these products. Sixth module of the book delves deeply into the fax
machine’s details, its origins, functionalities, operation, and the basics of sending and
receiving faxes. Additionally, the components and operating principles of the photocopier,
also known as electrophotography, have been covered. One of the most widespread types
of technology, air conditioners come in a wide variety of models. Moreover, aspects of AC
operation are also discussed in this unit. A number of different parts, including the
refrigerant fluid, compressor, condenser, thermostatic expansion valves, evaporator, and
receiver, carry out a refrigerator’s cooling process. Digital cameras, including their
operation and classification, have also been outlined. Camcorder fundamentals have been
highlighted in the last section of the chapter. Besides giving several of multiple choice
questions as well as questions of short and long answer types marked in two categories
following lower and higher order of Bloom’s taxonomy, assignments through a number of
numerical problems, a list of references and suggested readings are given in the unit so
that one can go through them for practice.
After the related practical, based on the content, there is a “Know More” section. This
section has been carefully designed so that the supplementary information provided in this
part becomes beneficial for the users of the book. This section mainly highlights the initial
activity, examples of some interesting facts, analogy, history of the development of the
subject focusing the salient observations and finding, timelines starting from the
development of the concerned topics up to the recent time, applications of the subject
matter for our day-to-day real life or/and industrial applications on variety of aspects, case
study related to environmental, sustainability, social and ethical issues whichever
applicable, and finally inquisitiveness and curiosity topics of the unit.
(vii)
OUTCOME BASED EDUCATION
For the implementation of an outcome-based education the first requirement is to develop
an outcome-based curriculum and incorporate an outcome-based assessment in the
education system. By going through outcome-based assessments, evaluators will be able
to evaluate whether the students have achieved the outlined standard, specific and
measurable outcomes. With the proper incorporation of outcome-based education there
will be a definite commitment to achieve a minimum standard for all learners without
giving up at any level. At the end of the programme running with the aid of outcome-based
education, a student will be able to arrive at the following outcomes:
Programme Outcomes (POs) are statements that describe what students are expected
to know and be able to do upon graduating from the program. These relate to the skills,
knowledge, analytical ability attitude and behavior that students acquire through the
program. The POs essentially indicate what the students can do from subject-wise
knowledge acquired by them during the program. As such, POs define the professional
profile of an engineering diploma graduate.
National Board of Accreditation (NBA) has defined the following seven POs for an
Engineering diploma graduate:
PO1. Basic and Discipline specific knowledge: Apply knowledge of basic mathematics,
science and engineering fundamentals and engineering specialization to solve the
engineering problems.
PO2. Problem analysis: Identify and analyses well-defined engineering problems using
codified standard methods.
PO3. Design/ development of solutions: Design solutions for well-defined technical
problems and assist with the design of systems components or processes to meet
specified needs.
PO4. Engineering Tools, Experimentation and Testing: Apply modern engineering
tools and appropriate technique to conduct standard tests and measurements.
PO5. Engineering practices for society, sustainability and environment: Apply
appropriate technology in context of society, sustainability, environment and ethical
practices.
PO6. Project Management: Use engineering management principles individually, as a
team member or a leader to manage projects and effectively communicate about well-
defined engineering activities.
PO7. Life-long learning: Ability to analyse individual needs and engage in updating in
the context of technological changes.
(viii)
COURSE OUTCOMES
CO-1 3 3 3 3 1 1 3
CO-2 3 2 2 2 1 1 3
CO-3 3 2 2 2 1 1 3
CO-4 3 2 2 3 1 1 3
CO-5 3 3 3 3 1 1 3
(ix)
GUIDELINES FOR TEACHERS
To implement Outcome Based Education (OBE) the knowledge level and skill set of the
students should be enhanced. Teachers should take a major responsibility for the proper
implementation of OBE. Some of the responsibilities (not limited to) for the teachers in
OBE system may be as follows:
● Within reasonable constraints, they should manoeuvre time to the best advantage
of all students.
● They should assess the students only upon certain defined criterion without
considering any other potential ineligibility to discriminate against them.
● They should try to grow the learning abilities of the students to a certain level before
they leave the institute.
● They should try to ensure that all the students are equipped with quality knowledge
as well as competence after they finish their education.
● They should always encourage the students to develop their ultimate performance
capabilities.
● They should facilitate and encourage group work and team work to consolidate
newer approaches.
● They should follow Bloom's taxonomy in every part of the assessment.
Bloom’s Taxonomy
Teacher should Student should Possible Mode of
Level
Check be able to Assessment
Students ability
Create Design or Create Mini project
to create
Students ability
Evaluate Argue or Defend Assignment
to justify
Students ability Differentiate or Project/Lab
Analyse
to distinguish Distinguish Methodology
Students ability Technical
Operate or
Apply to use Presentation/
Demonstrate
information Demonstration
Students ability
Explain or Presentation/Semin
Understand to explain the
Classify ar
ideas
Students ability
Remember to recall (or Define or Recall Quiz
remember)
(x)
GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS
Students should take equal responsibility for implementing the OBE. Some of the
responsibilities (not limited to) for the students in OBE system are as follows:
● Students should be well aware of each UO before the start of a unit in each and
every course.
● Students should be well aware of each CO before the start of the course.
● Students should be well aware of each PO before the start of the programme.
● Students should think critically and reasonably with proper reflection and action.
● Learning of the students should be connected and integrated with practical and real
life consequences.
● Students should be well aware of their competency at every level of OBE.
(xi)
ABBREVIATIONS AND SYMBOLS
List of Abbreviations
General Terms
Abbreviations Full form Abbreviations Full form
A/C Air Conditioning DVD Digital Versatile Disc
AC Alternating Current DVI Digital Visual Interface
Analogue-to-Digital Eight-to-Fourteen
ADC Converter EFM Modulation
AFT Automatic Frequency tuning EMF Electro Motive Force
AHU Air Handling Unit EIA Electronic Industries Alliance
AI Artificial Intelligence Fax Facsimile
AGC Automatic Gain Control FCU Fan Coil Unit
AM Amplitude modulation FPS Frames Per Second
APC Automatic Phase Control FM Frequency Modulation
Cold Cathode Fluorescent
CCFL Lamps H Height
Consultative Committee for
C.C.I.R. International Radio HD High-Definition
High-Definition Multimedia
CCD Charge Coupled Device HDMI Interface
CCTV Closed Circuit Television HDTV High Definition TV
Heating, Ventilation, and Air
CD Compact Disc HVAC system conditioning system
CEA Central Electricity Authority I/O Input/Output
Complementary Metal–
CMOS Oxide–Semiconductor IC Integrated Circuit
CPU Central Processing Unit IF Intermediate Frequency
International Standards
CRT Cathode-Ray Tube ISO Organization
CVD Composite Video LED Light-Emitting Diode
(xii)
General Terms
Abbreviations Full form Abbreviations Full form
DAC Digital-to-Analog Converter LCD Liquid Crystal Display
DBS Direct Broadcast Satellite LNA Low Noise Amplifier
Moving Picture Experts
DC Digital Current MPEG Group
Digital Display Working National Television
DDWG Group NTSC Standards Committee
Organic Light-Emitting
DSLR Digital Single-Lens Reflex OLED Diode
(xiii)
List of Symbols
Symbols Description Symbols Description
cm Centi-meter mm Milli-meter
dB Decibels ms Milli-seconds
2
GHz Giga Hertz N/m Newtons per square meter
Hz Hertz Ω Ohms
kHz Kilo Hertz Pa Pascal
kW Kilo Watt s Seconds
kg Kilo-gram V Volt
MHz Mega Hertz W Watt
m Meters W/m2 Watts per square meter
µs Micro seconds - -
(xiv)
LIST OF FIGURES
(xv)
UNIT 4 TELEVISION RECEIVERS AND VIDEO
SYSTEMS
Fig. 4.1 PAL-D colour TV receiver block diagram 70
Fig. 4.2 LCD TV 71
Fig. 4.3 Rear projection 76
Fig. 4.4 Front projection 76
Fig. 4.5 Block diagram of DTH technology 77
Fig. 4.6 Schematic diagram of the Outdoor Unit 78
Fig. 4.7 Block diagram of Indoor Unit 78
Fig. 4.8 Block schematic circuit arrangement of the AGC system 81
Fig. 4.9 Generalized Block diagram of sync separator 81
Fig. 4.10 Circuit for Separation of vertical and horizontal syncl 82
Fig. 4.11 Block Diagram of CD Recording 86
Fig. 4.12 Essential components of a DVD player 87
(xvi)
LIST OF TABLES
(xvii)
Contents
Foreword vi
Acknowledgement v
Preface vi
Outcome Based Education viii
Course Outcomes ix
Guidelines for Teachers x
Guidelines for Students xi
Abbreviations and Symbols xii
List of Figures xv
List of Tables xvii
(xviii)
1.3.3.1 Magnetic Recording 16
1.3.3.2 Digital Recording 16
1.3.3.3 Optical Recording 17
Unit Summary 18
Exercise: Multiple Choice Questions 19
Short and Long Answer Type Questions20 20
Numerical Problems 20
Practicals 21
Know more 22
References 22
(xxiv)
Audio Fundamentals and Devices|1
UNIT SPECIFICS
Through this unit, we have discussed the following aspects:
Understand various types of Microphones and Speakers;
Troubleshoot the Audio Systems;
Study of basic Operating Principle of Color TV
Analysis of TV Receiver System
The basic troubleshoot of various Electronic Appliances
Understand the Electromechanical systems used in Electronic Appliances
The topics are discussed with various examples for generating further curiosity and
creativity and improving problem-solving capacity.
Besides giving a large number of multiple-choice questions as well as questions of
short and long answer types marked in two categories following lower and higher order of
Bloom’s taxonomy, assignments through several numerical problems, a list of references,
and suggested readings are given in the unit so that one can go through them for practice.
After the related practical, based on the content, there is a “Know More” section. This
section has been carefully designed so that the supplementary information provided in this
part becomes beneficial for the users of the book. This section mainly highlights the initial
activity, examples of some interesting facts, analogy, history of the development of the
subject focusing on the salient observations and finding, timelines starting from the
development of the concerned topics up to the recent time, applications of the subject
matter for our day-to-day real life or/and industrial applications on a variety of aspects,
case study related to environmental, sustainability, social and ethical issues whichever
applicable, and finally inquisitiveness and curiosity topics of the unit.
2| Consumer Electronics
RATIONALE
This unit describes the fundamentals of sound, including its loudness and volume, pitch,
frequency response, fidelity, sensitivity, and selectivity, as measured by audio level
metres. Then after, a microphone's basic operating principle and its defining features are
outlined. In addition, the differences and similarities between carbon, moving coil, and
cordless microphones have been discussed. This module not only explains how speakers
work and what qualities they should have but also categorised them. The three main types
of sound recording—magnetic, direct, and optical—have been outlined with suitable
diagrams.
PRE-REQUISITES
Mathematics: Electronics Circuits (Class XII)
Physics: Signal and Wave (Class XII)
UNIT OUTCOMES
Outcomes of this unit are: After learning this unit student will be able to
U1-O1: Explain the basic characteristics and parameters of the sound signal
U1-O2: Describe characteristics, working principles and types of microphone
U1-O3: Describe characteristics, working principles and types of speakers
U1-O4: Explain the type of sound recording
amplitude, frequency, velocity, wavelength, and phase. Pure tonal intensity is depicted in
Fig. 1.1 as a sine wave.
ℷ (1.3)
1.1.4 Pitch
The term "pitch" is used to describe the audible quality of a sound based on its
perceived frequency. Furthermore, when there are no harmonics (pure tone) present in the
sound, frequency alone is used to identify the pitch. On the other hand, the frequency and
intensity of a sound determine its pitch in speech and music. It can be observed in Fig.1.2
that higher-pitched sounds have a higher-frequency wave, while lower-pitched sounds have
a lower-frequency wave.
it reproduces all audible frequencies. Therefore, we can define it as the range of frequencies
within ± 1𝑑𝐵 of the microphone's 1000 Hz output.
Both electrical inductance and capacitance can be thought of as analogous to the
mass of the vibrating system and its compliance. The effect of mass is attenuation at high
frequencies and compliance at low frequencies. Because of its movable parts, a microphone
has a resonant frequency, where the signal is amplified.
1.1.6 Fidelity
The term "fidelity" is used to describe the degree to which an audio copy is faithful
to the original. The term "high fidelity" (also spelt "Hi-Fi") first gained popularity in the
1950’s to describe audio components and recordings that were able to faithfully recreate
the original recording. The following are qualities that ought to characterise the ideal
fidelity:
1. Infinite signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)
2. No frequency distortion
3. No amplitude distortion (non-linear distortion)
4. No spatial distortion
5. High dynamic range: 0 dB - 130 dB
6. The space in which the sound is being reproduced should be made to feel like its
original environment.
1.1.7 Sensitivity and Selectivity
The human ear is extremely sensitive and able to detect sound with an intensity as
low as 0.1 . In addition, the ear is sensitive not to absolute but to relative values of
intensity (or dB). The selectivity of a receiver is defined as its capacity to filter out
unwanted signals while retaining the ones that are of interest. The human ear possesses the
following attributes:
1. For all ages, the ear is the most sensitive from 3-4 kHz.
2. As age increases, the sensitivity of the ear to high frequencies decreases.
3. For frequencies below 500 Hz, the sensitivity of the ear is low for all age groups.
1.2 MICROPHONE
1.2.1 Working Principle
Microphones are transducers that measure and record changes in ambient sound
levels by means of minute electrical currents. When sound waves are applied to a
8| Consumer Electronics
diaphragm, it vibrates, which in turn causes a magnet to move in close proximity to a coil
which may be flexible in some configurations. In contrast, condenser microphones use
capacitance as their operating principle. Parallel conducting plates in a capacitor store
charge and dampen fluctuations in a signal, such as those caused by a power supply's
voltage. The incoming sound in a condenser microphone causes vibrations in one plate of
a capacitor. In order to make sense of the varying capacitance, an electrical signal must be
generated.
The following are the steps about how a microphone converts sound energy into
electrical energy:
1. The energy of your voice travels in the form of sound waves that are emitted when
you speak into a microphone.
2. The sound waves that strike a microphone cause the diaphragm inside to move back
and forth. Consequently, the coil that is attached to the diaphragm also vibrates.
3. The magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet penetrates the coil and an
electric current is generated in the coil as it oscillates within the magnetic field.
4. At last, the microphone discharges its electric current to an external sound amplifier
or recorder.
1.2.2 Characteristics
There are a few key factors that determine a microphone's overall quality:
1. Sensitivity: A microphone's sensitivity is a quantitative indicator of how well it
functions as a transducer. Its sensitivity is measured in terms of the ratio of the
voltage it produces (the intensity of the audio signal) to the sound pressure level to
which it is exposed. It is measured in millivolts per one pascal of pressure at one
thousand hertz.
2. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR): There is internal noise in a microphone due to the
circuit's resistance, the transformer, and other components and the noise level is
represented as the corresponding sound pressure level (SPL). Therefore, SNR is
defined as the dB ratio of the output at 1 Pascal sound pressure level to the output
at silence. The SNR is the comparison between the strength of the signal of interest
and the strength of any interfering noise. A high SNR indicates a well-operating
microphone.
3. Frequency response: In order to quantify the magnitude and phase of the output
as a function of the input frequency, we need to measure the frequency response of
the system. Components are designed to provide a consistent response across the
Audio Fundamentals and Devices|9
Self-noise Less than Less than moving Less than Lowest Highest
carbon coil ribbon
Distortion 5% 1% 1% 1% 10%
10| Consumer Electronics
metal plates, with the upper plate (the diaphragm) connected to a movable metal plate via
a metal piston or plunger. Further, the metal plate below the diaphragm is permanently
installed and separated from it. The device is shielded by a protective cover with holes.
When the load is connected to the metal plates, water passes through the carbon
granules and the load from a battery connected between the metal plates. Furthermore, the
output transformer's job is to filter any DC noise from the microphone's signal. Fig 1.3
illustrates the construction of a typical carbon microphone.
field. This causes a force proportional to the audio current to act upon the movable
coil. Inducing vibratory motion in the coil causes a conical paper diaphragm to
vibrate and generate pressure vibrations in the air, resulting in the generation of
sound waves. However, cone speakers have considerably low efficiency and are
limited to mid-range frequencies. Typically, the SNR exceeds 30 dB. The magnetic
flux density is non-uniform due to non-linearity, which may result in significant
amplitude distortion.
2. Indirect Radiating: Indirect radiating loudspeakers use a moving coil placed in
a magnetic field, but instead of radiating acoustic power directly in the open space
of the listeners' area, the power is primarily delivered to the air trapped in a fixed,
non-vibrating, tapered horn, and then to the air in the listeners' area. Horn speaker
functions as an acoustic transformer, that allows better impendence match between
speaker. Fig 1.8 depicts five speakers arranged in a column. On the axis of the
system, all the drive units' sound waves are in phase and, as a result, they reinforce
each other in the front. Away from the axis, the path lengths of various loudspeakers
will vary, resulting in phase differences and there will be a reduction in side sound
due to the differences. Consequently, the column would emit the most sound in the
front.
Moreover, digital audio is modulated by a powerful laser beam, and the resulting signal is
used to record onto a Resist Mater Disc (RMD). The sampling frequency of the audio signal
is 44.1 kHz. There are 705,600 bits per second, plus additional bits for error correction,
signal control, and modulation. The laser beam's ON/OFF state is then modulated using the
pulses. Fig 1.10 displays the block diagram of the recording system. A laser beam is
concentrated and then incident upon the master disc.
to process the digital signal from the diode's output and return to its original analogues
form.
Transducers known as microphones detect and record fluctuations in ambient sound levels
via extremely small electrical currents. Microphones can be broken down into a wide
variety of subsets, each of which serves a unique function. The PA system, broadcasting,
military operations, and telephone industries rely heavily on carbon microphones because
of their high output levels and durability. Moreover, they are the most effective solution
because of the low manufacturing cost and simplistic style. The magnet, the diaphragm,
and the coil are the main components of a moving coil microphone, which uses
electromagnetic induction to detect and record sound. Wireless microphones, also known
as radio microphones, use a low-power, frequency-modulated, very high-frequency (VHF)
transmitter. These microphones can be placed directly on the amplifier without the need
for an additional cable.
A loudspeaker is an electrical signal transducer that efficiently converts audio-frequency
electrical signals into audible sound waves. They can be classified into three types: direct
radiating, indirect radiating and multi-speaker systems.
Using magnetic recording, the fluctuations in sound pressure are captured and stored as
simple magnets. It is predicated on the idea that iron oxide and other materials can be
magnetised by exposure to a magnetic field and then maintain their magnetism indefinitely.
The relatively close elimination of background noise in digitally recorded sounds
motivated the development of the CD format. As an added step, a strong laser beam is used
to modulate digital audio, and the resulting signal is recorded onto a Resist Mater Disc
(RMD). In the optical recording, a laser beam is an incident on the CD from behind a half-
silvered mirror which permits the incoming beam to pass while blocking the outgoing
beam.
EXERCISES
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What type of wave motion is sound?
a. Transverse
b. Pulse type
c. Electromagnetic
d. Longitudinal
2. Pascals is a unit of ____
a. Frequency
b. Amplitude
c. Time period
20| Consumer Electronics
d. Velocity
3. What is the typical frequency of a standard pitch?
a. 440 kHz
b. 4400 Hz
c. 440 Hz
d. 4.40 Hz
4. Which of the following is not a characteristic of ideal fidelity?
a. Low signal-to-noise ratio
b. High dynamic range
c. No spatial distortion
d. No frequency distortion
5. Which of the following microphones has the highest noise pick-up?
a. Ribbon microphone
b. Crystal microphone
c. Carbon microphone
d. Moving coil microphone
Answers of Multiple-Choice Questions
1)d 2)b 3)c 4)a 5)d
Short and Long Answer Type Questions
1. Describe the following terminologies: amplitude, frequency, velocity, wavelength and
phase.
2. Outline audio-level metering.
3. State the characteristics of ideal fidelity.
4. Differentiate between crystal microphones and ribbon microphones.
5. Classify the various types of speakers.
6. Describe the working principle of a microphone and state its characteristics.
7. Explain the moving coil microphone with the help of a suitable diagram.
8. Explain any four characteristics of a sound signal.
9. Describe the working principle of a speaker and state its characteristics.
10. Explain the digital and optical recording of sound.
NUMERICAL PROBLEMS
1. Calculate the wavelength of sound at 900 Hz assuming its velocity is 344 m/s.
Audio Fundamentals and Devices|21
2. A car's sound has a pressure of 20x10-3 Pascal and an intensity of 50 dB. Determine
the sound pressure level needed to trigger a person's threshold for sound.
3. A sound pressure intensity of 20x10-3 Pascal is 0 decibels. What will its intensity
be at 0.2 Pascal Pressure?
4. Determine the velocity of sound at 273℃ if its velocity at 0℃ is 344m/s.
PRACTICAL
1. To study the basic characteristics of a sound signal.
2. To study the working principle of a microphone. Understand the various
characteristics of different types of microphones.
3. To study the working principle of a speaker.
4. To study the different methods of recording sound.
KNOW MORE
● With his 1876 patent, Alexander Graham Bell created the first microphone. His mic
was just a piece of wire that carried DC electricity (DC). A transmitter with a
moving armature and a receiver was able to send and receive audio signals in both
directions.
● Acoustician and inventor James Edward Maceo West was born in the United States.
More than 250 U.S. and international patents cover his innovations in microphone
construction and design, as well as his methods for making polymer foil electrets.
● The word "microphone" can be split into the components "micro" and "phone."
Greek for "small" (micro) and "sound" (phone) combine to form the word
"microphone." Because it picks up very faint sounds, the word microphone literally
means "small sound."
● Johann Philipp Reis, a teacher in Friedrichsdorf, Germany, invented a basic
electronic loudspeaker in 1861. The speaker's reproduction of the noise was rough,
but it was an experiment.
● Oliver Lodge created the first unconventional moving-coil (or dynamic)
loudspeaker in 1898. In 1915, in Napa, California, Danish engineers Peter L. Jensen
and Edwin Pridham produced the first functional moving-coil loudspeakers.
22| Consumer Electronics
REFERENCES
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<https://in.rsdelivers.com/product/rs-pro/rs-pro-15w-grey-horn-speaker-ip66-250-hz-16-
khz/5350316>
[2] Indirect radiating loudspeaker, accessed on 10 November 2022,
<https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/dual-cone-loudspeaker-x300-15inch-
8705002112.html>
[3] Multi-Speaker System, accessed on 10 November 2022,
<https://www.crutchfield.com/S-
ZbSK2YTH4pY/learn/learningcenter/home/multiroom_power.html>
[4]Gupta, R. G. (2010). Audio & Video Systems, 2e. Tata McGraw-Hill Education.
[5] Crowhurst, N. H. (1969). Audio Systems Handbook. G/L Tab Books.
[6] Adams, J. J. (1998). Complete Guide to Audio. Prompt.
[7] Winer, E. (2017). The audio expert: everything you need to know about audio.
Routledge.
[8]Whitaker, J., & Benson, B. (2001). Standard handbook of audio engineering. McGraw-
Hill Education.
[9] Harris, K. D. (2007). U.S. Patent Application No. 29/224,646.
[10] Self, D. (2012). Audio engineering explained. Routledge.
|Audio Systems
Audio Systems
d
2
UNIT SPECIFICS
Through this unit we have discussed the following aspects:
● Working of CD Player;
● Complete overview of Home Theatre Sound System;
● Understanding the Surround Sound System;
● Analysis of Digital Console Block;
● Diagram and Working Principle of FM Tuner;
● PA Address System working and applications;
● Speaker Impedance Matching;
The topics are discussed with various examples for generating further curiosity and
creativity and improving problem-solving capacity.
Besides giving a large number of multiple-choice questions as well as questions of
short and long answer types marked in two categories following lower and higher order of
Bloom’s taxonomy, assignments through several numerical problems, a list of references,
and suggested readings are given in the unit so that one can go through them for practice.
After the related practical, based on the content, there is a “Know More” section. This
section has been carefully designed so that the supplementary information provided in this
part becomes beneficial for the users of the book. This section mainly highlights the initial
activity, examples of some interesting facts, analogy, history of the development of the
subject focusing on the salient observations and finding, timelines starting from the
24 |Consumer Electronics
development of the concerned topics up to the recent time, applications of the subject
matter for our day-to-day real life or/and industrial applications on a variety of aspects,
case study related to environmental, sustainability, social and ethical issues whichever
applicable, and finally inquisitiveness and curiosity topics of the unit.
RATIONALE
The fundamentals of using a CD player, a sound system for a home theatre, a digital
audio console, surround sound, and a public address (PA) system will be addressed in this
module. A digital audio console's inner workings are broken down here, along with their
various applications, to provide a deeper understanding of the device's operation. In addition,
an explanation has been provided for each component of a public address system as well as
the function that it serves. The process that must be followed in order to establish a public
address system is variable and must be tailored to the particulars of each scenario, which have
been outlined in the module.
PRE-REQUISITES
Mathematics: Electronics Circuits (Class XII)
Physics: Signal and Wave (Class XII)
UNIT OUTCOMES
Outcomes of this unit are: After learning this unit student will be able to
U2-O1: Explain CD players and Home Theatre including Surround Sound System
U2-O2: Describe the working of the Digital Console Block
U2-O3: Evaluate Public Address Systems as per design requirements
U2-O4: Design requirements of appropriate PA system for different applications
2.1 CD PLAYERS
Numerous optical disc varieties exist, each with its own set of features. CDs, or Compact
Discs, are mass-produced digital audio recordings aimed at consumers. Philips' strategy was
to develop a new optical medium that, like the vinyl record, could be mass-produced by
moulding or stamping without requiring the user to create a personal copy. Data is stored on
it as bumps with flat tops embedded in a plastic sheet. These relief structures are typically too
low-contrast to be read without the aid of phase contrast microscopy, which creates an optical
interference effect to give the illusion of contrast.
The layer's reflectivity comes from a thin aluminium coating. Discs are read by focusing a
pinpoint of light onto the data layer and measuring how its surface texture modifies the light's
reflection back to the sensor. The optical disc track dimensions are extremely small. This
concept is used in recordable CDs, where the relief structure is read like a regular CD.
Evidently, a pattern of holes or blisters formation is irreversible once it has begun.
station from among many, and its selection frequency can be changed as needed. This process
is called tuning. The mixer receives both the specified frequency and the oscillator's output. A
frequency-altering circuit is composed of a mixer and an oscillator. The Intermediate
Frequency (IF) that comes out of the mixer is always at a consistent 10.7 MHz. An IF amplifier
receives the input signal at its input. IF amplifiers are useful since their frequency and
bandwidth are unaffected by the signal's frequency. This greatly simplifies the amplifier's
design and operation. Moreover, the audio signal is reconstructed while the RF carrier is
discarded by this circuit. A voltage amplifier is used to boost the volume of an audio signal by
amplifying its voltage. The power amplifier boosts the signal sufficiently to power the speaker.
The block diagram of a typical FM tuner is depicted in Fig 2.4.
to the loudspeaker so that the low impedance of the loudspeaker doesn't limit the
amount of power that can be transferred to it.
7. Loudspeaker: It takes in electrical audio signals and transforms them into pressure
variations, which we perceive as audible sounds.
2.6 PLANNING
2.6.1 Planning for various Specification requirements
1. Acoustic Feedback: In order to prevent an extremely loud howling noise caused by
acoustic feedback, the microphone must be kept well away from the loudspeaker.
2. Distribution of Sound Intensity: The high notes are what allow us to understand
what are being heard by us while the low ones provide the volume. Intelligibility
decreases at greater distances because high notes attenuate more quickly than low notes
when propagated further. Because of this, the sound pressure level needs to be split
between multiple speakers so that it can reach even the farthest corners of the room.
3. Reverberation: Because sound waves in a reverberating medium overlap with one
another, intelligibility is diminished. If the direct sound is getting lost in the echoes,
the PA system should boost the volume there. Multiple low-power loudspeakers placed
strategically around the auditorium are preferable to a single, large one because they
reduce echo.
4. Orientation of Loudspeakers: Loudspeakers should be positioned so that the
maximum output of the PA system is directed toward the audience and not the walls.
In addition, they should be elevated one metre from the ground, with their axes roughly
at the level of the seated audience members' ears. Reflections from faraway buildings
can also cause audible echoes that need to be managed.
5. Ambient Noise: When there is a lot of background noise like in a busy market, the
high frequencies (treble boost) need to be amplified in order to restore intelligibility.
The high levels of amplification is required in a noisy environment which makes the
sound seem artificial because bass is emphasised over treble. Therefore, in a noisy
environment, the PA system should tone down the bass to preserve the quality of the
sound. In addition, microphones with built-in noise reduction are useful.
6. Dynamic Range: Good public address systems have a level limiter built into the
amplifier, which prevents the volume from rising above a certain threshold.
7. Microphone selection: The best microphones for a public address system are cardioid
types, which pick up neither reflected sound nor sound from the loudspeakers
themselves.
Audio Systems| 31
8. The direction of arrival of sound: The loudspeakers need to be positioned so that the
sound appears to originate in that area. In general, the human ear can determine the
source of a sound within a few seconds of hearing it. Accordingly, small speakers can
be placed in such a way as to point listeners in the right direction, while larger speakers
can be placed further apart to increase volume. Alternately, in digital systems, the
signal can be artificially delayed by 10–20 ms before it reaches the loudspeakers,
causing the loudspeakers to be heard after the sound directly from the speaker.
Whatever the placement of the speaker, the desired volume and directionality will be
achieved.
9. Phase delay: When multiple loudspeakers are playing at once, it is possible to hear
both the sound coming from the closest loudspeaker and the other loudspeakers. When
there is a delay of 45 milliseconds or more, the intelligibility of the delayed sound is
compromised. The lag time is roughly 16 metres. Therefore, the maximum distance
between speakers should not be more than 16 metres. When maintaining a safe
distance, 10 metres is ideal.
10. Grounding: Earthing the chassis and shield of electronic devices and coaxial cables
via plumbing is essential.
11. Choice of Loudspeakers: The selected loudspeaker must be able to cope with the
amplifier's output power. Speaker columns with woofers, squawkers, and tweeters can
be used to achieve high fidelity. Moreover, the efficiency of a public address system is
improved by using horn-type speakers rather than cone-type speakers.
12. Placement of Microphones: Microphones should be positioned to pick up all of the
program's sound without picking up any background noise.
13. Speaker Impedance Matching: Maximum power transfer from the amplifier to the
loudspeaker is achieved by matching the total loudspeaker impedance to the amplifier's
output impedance. Thus, the loudspeaker series-parallel combination should be
optimized for maximum power transfer. For example, contemporary solid-state
amplifiers, often known as "bridging" devices, take a voltage signal from an audio
source and produce an amplified version of that signal. Output voltage and power are
both dynamically regulated, and the output impedance is low.
14. Power Amplifier: The audience can hear us clearly from a distance thanks to the PA
system's amplification. The amplifier's output power can range from a few watts for
use in a classroom or at a small event to several hundred watts for use at a large public
event or sporting competition.
32 |Consumer Electronics
into the walls. The areas to the left and right of the podium will be covered by the loudspeakers
Q and R. S, T, V, X, Y, and Z loudspeakers cover the meeting park's outdoor audience. As
Audio Systems| 33
depicted in the illustration, they could be slightly slanted. Microphones should be cardioid,
while loudspeakers can be horn-type.
2.6.2.2 Auditorium
A variety of events, including public gatherings, conferences, cultural programmes, etc., can
be held in an auditorium. Therefore, the loudspeaker system needs to span a large frequency
range (20Hz-20kHz) and have a high dynamic range (40dB-120dB). On either side of the
stage, you should install a column of loudspeakers so that they point toward the audience.
Moreover, having a dedicated, multifunctional mixer unit is preferable. It may accept a variety
of microphones in addition to tapes and discs. Because of its potential for abuse in handling,
moving-coil amplifiers are the best option. Fig 2.7 depicts the layout of a typical auditorium.
Additionally, the side speakers' axis should point towards the audience's ears rather than the
floor or ceiling.
intentionally delaying the signal produced by the two channels, surround sound effects were
made possible in digital systems.
Control, processing power, and the desired audio quality can all be generated in large
quantities by a professional digital mixing console. Mix, routing, signal dynamics, and
equalisation are just a few examples of how sonic qualities can be manipulated by digital signal
processing to fit a variety of uses.
To magnify sound, one should have the knowledge about as a public address system (PA
system). With the use of amplifiers, public speakers can now address the big audiences in far-
flung locations. Microphones, a mixer, a voltage amplifier, processing circuits, a driver
amplifier, a power amplifier, and speakers are the main parts of a public address system. A
public address system's setup procedure can change based on its requirements and the
environment.
EXERCISES
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of the following is false for a Dolby-B system?
a. The signal is inverted before sending it to filter
b. It uses multiple frequency bands of encoding
c. The adder spits out the decoded data
d. Filter boosts the signal from low to high-frequency range
2. Which component is used to boost the low sound output of the digital audio console?
a. IC LM386
b. Audio mixer
c. IC TDA 7021T
d. Gain control
3. Good PA systems have a level limiter which ____
a. Amplify ambient noise
b. Produce a delay of 45 milliseconds
c. Pick up ambient noise
d. Prevents the volume from rising above a certain threshold
4. The maximum distance between speakers should not be more than
a. 160m
b. 0.0016km
c. 0.016km
d. 16km
36 |Consumer Electronics
5. For an auditorium, the loudspeaker system should have a dynamic range of ____
a. 40 - 120 dB
b. 70 - 200 dB
c. 100 - 400 dB
d. 10 - 70 dB
e.
Answers of Multiple Choice Questions :
1)b 2)a 3)d 4)c 5)a
Short and Long Answer Type Questions
1. Write a short note on CD players.
2. Briefly describe the Dolby-B system.
3. Briefly describe a digital audio console.
4. State the components of a PA system.
5. Describe the planning of the PA system considering any 2 situations.
6. Explain the working of a digital audio console.
7. Describe the planning of the PA system for various specification requirements.
8. Explain the basic PA system with the help of a suitable block diagram.
9. Explain the installation plan of the PA system for a public meeting and an
auditorium.
PRACTICAL
1. To study the block diagram of digital audio console.
2. To study the working of a FM tuner. Understand the components of a FM tuner.
3. To study functions of the components of a PA system.
4. To study the planning of PA system based on various specification requirements and
different situations.
KNOW MORE
A group of engineers from Sony and Philips collaborated in 1979 to develop the
first digital audio disc. In 1980, the Red Book CD-DA standard was published
following a year of testing and debate. Moreover, after their 1982 commercial
debut, compact discs and players quickly gained widespread acceptance.
Audio Systems| 37
In the 1920s, 16mm projectors were used to create the first home theatres and in
the 1930s, technological advances allowed for the creation of 8mm and sound
16mm film.
Once the cost of a Kodak 8 mm film projector dropped, showing home movies
became increasingly common among middle- and upper-class American
households in the 1950s.
Surround sound was first used in a film in 1940 for the Disney animated short
Fantasia. The operatic composition Flight of the Bumblebee by Nikolai Rimsky-
Korsakov inspired Walt Disney to include a bumblebee in his musical Fantasia and
make it seem as if it were flying in all corners of the theatre.
When the REDD 17 stereo mixing system was built at London's Abbey Road
Studios by EMI's Record Engineering Development Department in 1958, it marked
a significant step forward in the recording industry.
From 1911 through 1915, a series of experiments were conducted in which a
microphone and loudspeaker were linked to a 12-volt battery, resulting in the first
such instance of auditory feedback. Further studies led to the creation of
'Magnavox,' the first electric public address system.
REFERENCES
[1] CD Player, accessed 3 November 2022, <https://www.reevoo.com/p/sony-scdxe597-
600975>
[2] Dolby Atmos, accessed 3 November 2022,
<https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/home-entertainment/tips-and-solutions/dolby-
atmos-and-dtsx-what-are-they-and-how-do-i-get-them>
[3] Gupta, R. G. (2010). Audio & Video Systems, 2e. Tata McGraw-Hill Education.
[4] Harris, K. D. (2007). U.S. Patent Application No. 29/224,646.
[5] Watkinson, J. (1997). Audio for Television. Routledge.
[6] Crowhurst, N. H. (1969). Audio Systems Handbook. G/L Tab Books.
[7] Winer, E. (2017). The audio expert: everything you need to know about audio.
Routledge.
[8] Whitaker, J., & Benson, B. (2001). Standard handbook of audio engineering. McGraw-
Hill Education.
38 |Consumer Electronics
Television Systems
d
3
UNIT SPECIFICS
Through this unit we have discussed the following aspects:
● Monochrome TV standards;
● Aspect ratio of frame;
● Analysis and synthesis of picture details;
● Main components of the composite video signal;
● Colour TV standards;
● PAL system;
● Colour TV channels and transmitters.
The practical applications of the topics are discussed for generating further curiosity and
creativity and improving problem-solving capacity. Besides giving a large number of
multiple-choice questions as well as questions of short and long answer types marked in
two categories following the lower and higher order of Bloom’s taxonomy, assignments
through a number of numerical problems, a list of references and suggested readings are
given in the unit so that one can go through them for practice.
After the related practical, based on the content, there is a “Know More” section. This
section has been carefully designed so that the supplementary information provided in
thispart becomes beneficial for the users of the book. This section mainly highlights the
initial activity, examples of some interesting facts, analogy, history of the development of
the subject focusing the salient observations and finding, timelines starting from the
development of the concerned topics up to the recent time, applications of the subject matter
for our day-to-day real life or/and industrial applications on a variety of aspects, case study
related to environmental, sustainability, social and ethical issues whichever applicable, and
finally inquisitiveness and curiosity topics of the unit.
Television Systems| 39
RATIONALE
This fundamental unit of television systems demonstrates the foundations of monochrome
and colour television operation. It explains the standards used in monochrome television,
including the scanning process and video signal components. Scanning is an important
process performed in a television system to obtain continuous frames and provide picture
motion. Understanding how monochrome television works is essential because it serves as
the foundation for colour television. Furthermore, the application of colour theory in colour
television is described in detail. This describes the additive and subtractive mixing
techniques used to create various colours. Furthermore, in order for television programmes
to be received by the receiver, they must comply with specific transmission standards, which
are discussed in detail. It also discusses the various TV cameras that have been developed.
Finally, the transmission of TV channels is summarised.
PRE-REQUISITES
Mathematics: Electronics Circuits (Class XII)
Physics: Signal and Wave (Class XII)
UNIT OUTCOMES
Outcomes of this unit are: After learning this unit student will be able to
U1-O1: Describe the basic scanning process
U3-O2: Describe the components of a Video signal
U3-O3: Explain the colour theory for colour TV standards
U3-O4: Describe the different TV cameras
U3-O5: Explain the channels for TV transmission.
Unit-3 EXPECTED MAPPING WITH COURSE OUTCOMES
(1- Weak Correlation; 2- Medium correlation; 3- Strong Correlation)
Outcomes
CO-1 CO-2 CO-3 CO-4 CO-5 CO-6
U3-O1 - - 3 3 1 1
U3-O2 - - 3 3 1 2
U3-O3 - - 3 3 1 2
U3-O4 - - 3 3 2 2
U3-O5 - - 3 3 2 2
40 |Consumer Electronics
3.1 INTRODUCTION
A combination of the terms "tele" which means "far away," and "vision," which means
gave rise to the term "television." People had been talking about seeing content at farther d
but it couldn't be realized until J.L. Baird and others showed a conceptual demonstration
1927 and 1930. After World War II, consumer markets had access to televisions that wer
tolerable, thanks to advancements like the scanning of picture tubes, beam deflectio
amplification, and other related technologies. People of all ages and social groups have
television as a part of their family for a variety of reasons, including the capturing the info
education, and amusement.
Iconoscope is the first camera tube, which had the same working principle as cathode ray.
1930, marked the beginning of the use of electromagnetic scanning in imaging equipmen
cameras and television sets. The use of television as a medium for the dissemination of inf
and the provision of public enjoyment began to rapidly develop around the time when th
World War came to an end. Because of this, there have been three distinct approaches
television developed, all of which are consistent with the three distinct criteria for black-a
television.
Television has found its applications in human life in many ways including enter
education, news updates, advertisement, and public addressing (such as at airport/rai
terminals) etc. Closed Circuit Television (often abbreviated as CCTV) is a subgenre of t
in which only a limited number of sites are permitted access to the camera feeds that are tra
through cable connections. Users can use this feature to observe locations that they w
otherwise have access to for security or convenience reasons.
The quality of both transmission and reception saw significant improvements as a resu
development of transistors and integrated circuits. Because of vidicon and plumbicon, it
possible to broadcast television shows in environments with low levels of illumination. V
television are constructed using something called "pixels." The transition from analogue
technology made it possible to greatly increase the number of pixels in a picture, which
drives up the resolution. The medium of television is always undergoing change. Televis
use organic light-emitting diode technology (OLED) have the potential to produce as
effects, such as a high contrast ratio, thanks to electroluminescence. The introduction of t
TV platform made this achievement attainable. Applications for programming that are
the internet are typically bundled together with the product. OTT (Over The Top) platfor
Television Systems| 41
as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, allow users to stream content to their devices. If in
decade, every television can learn and make decisions on its own, virtual reality an
programming will have far more potential and power.
In this scanning, the electron beam moves faster by scanning every alternate line rather than
every line sequentially. As a result, it can read through more data in less time.
To finish its scan of lines that were missed during previous scans, the beam will reach the
bottom of the picture frame. Total lines are divided into two independent groups known as
"fields," and each field is scanned sequentially one after the other, as shown in Fig. 3.3. The
vertical retrace time is assumed to be zero.
where 𝑁 denotes the active number of lines and 𝑘 is the resolution factor.
Assuming 𝑘 0.69,
𝑅 585 0.69 400 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 (3.2)
The horizontal resolution (Rh) is determined by denoting the ability of a scanning system
to present picture details in the horizontal direction. This can be evaluated by considering a
vertical bar pattern as shown in Fig. 3.4. The aim is to have an equal vertical and horizontal
resolution which is equal to
𝑅 =𝑁 𝑎𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 585 4/3 780 (3.3)
The efficiency of a single line can change based on the number of black and white portions
that are present in the image at any one point in time. As a result, when calculating the
number of distinct picture components in a horizontal line, the same resolution factor can
be applied to both vertical and horizontal resolution. This is due to the fact that equal vertical
and horizontal resolution necessitates the same number of picture elements in each line.
Given a horizontal line with the same vertical and horizontal resolution, the following
equation can be used to determine the effective number of alternate black and white
segments:
𝑁 𝑁 𝑎𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 𝑘 585 4/3 0.69 533 (3.4)
Television Systems| 47
The front porch comes before the sync pulse, and it allows the video circuit sufficient time
to settle down to the blanking level from the currently present video level.
After the sync, the pulse has begun and the front porch of blanking has been completed, a
horizontal retrace will be produced. Line sync pulses are split up at the receiver so that the
receiver's line time base remains perfectly in sync with the line time base of the distant
transmitter. In this amount of time, the backstroke (retrace) of the beam will almost certainly
be finished, and it will arrive at the far left end of the raster. This is the shortest possible
amount of time that it takes (4.7 µs).
When the blanking level is set to 5.8 µs, there is sufficient time for line flyback and reversal
of current in the horizontal time-base circuit before scanning the next line can begin. When
the blanking level is set to 5.6 µs, there is insufficient time for these processes.
3.2.7.2 Vertical Sync Details
In both even and odd fields, the vertical sync added at the end is difficult to interpret. If the
receiver is to be able to derive an acceptable field sync pulse for use in triggering the field
sweep oscillator, the width of the field sync pulse must be maintained at a level much greater
than the horizontal sync pulse. So the vertical sync duration is 2.5-3 times as long as the
Television Systems| 49
horizontal sync period as a result of this. In order to clearly distinguish horizontal and
vertical pulses from each other, the width of vertical sync is kept sufficiently high.
Active and blanked lines have accessible sync pulses, however, the 2.5-line vertical sync
period does not have any available leading edges. In both line periods, the horizontal sync
pulses are accessible. Due to the fact that it operates at 15625 Hz, the horizontal sweep
oscillator is more likely to go out of synchronism during each vertical sync interval.
3.2.8 Scanning Sequence
There are 625 lines per frame for scanning an image. This is divided into two parts: the first
field (Table 3.2) and the second field (Table 3.3).
1, 2 and 3rd
Vertical sync pulses 2.5 lines
(initial half) lines
Post-vertical
3rd (later half), 4 and 5 2.5 lines
sync equalizing pulses
Blanking
6 to 17 and 18th (initial half) 12.5 lines
retrace pulses
Pre-vertical sync
311, 312 and 313th (initial
equalizing pulses 2.5 lines
half)
for the 2nd field.
Vertical
313th (later half), 314, 315 2.5 lines
sync pulses
Post-vertical sync
316, 317, 318th (initial half) 2.5 lines
equalizing pulses.
50 |Consumer Electronics
Blanking
318th (latter half) to 330 12.5 lines
retrace pulses
Pre-vertical sync
623 (latter half),
Equalizing 2.5 lines
624 and 625
pulses for the 1st field.
Interlaced scanning results in the V-sync pulse not being in the same location at the end of
the two fields as it would be otherwise. In order to differentiate V-sync pulses from H-sync
pulses that came before them, an integrating circuit is utilized. Post-equalizing pulses are
what is utilized to counteract the effect that interlaced scanning has on the half-line. These
pulses are introduced into the rear portion of the blanking pulse, shortly after the V-sync
pulse and before the blanking pulse itself.
3.3 Colour TV Standards
The first colour television sets were made commercially available to consumers in the year
1954. On the other hand, it did not become widely used until the middle of the 1960s. In a
perfect TV system, the colours would be true to life, the brightness would be just right, and
the definition would be sharp enough to be read by the naked eye. In spite of the fact that
the image contains data on its brightness, there is a lack of colour information in certain
parts of a monochrome picture. As a consequence of this, adding colour to the raster image
that was previously white is essential. There are three characteristics of colour that can be
used to characterize different aspects of visual information: luminosity, hue, and saturation.
3.3.1 Colour Theory
The creation of colour images requires the utilization of three bytes, which is equivalent to
24 bits of information. When a stimulus of adequate brightness is presented to the cones
that are responsible for operational vision, the human eye is able to distinguish three primary
colours: red, green, and blue. A total of eight bits are allotted to each colour in the pixel
representation. The value '0' represents the absence of colour, also known as black, while
the value '255' represents the colour white.
Television Systems| 51
from other colours. The cones in the retina are responsible for the perception of hue, which
is determined by the varying wavelengths of the spectrum of radiation that are emitted. The
term "tint" is another name for this substance.
3.3.3 Luminance
The amount of light that can be measured and is equivalent to brightness is referred to as
luminosity. It provides a numerical representation of the amount of light that travels through
or is emitted from a specific region when viewed at a particular angle. In black and white
photographs, the sections that are better have a higher luminance level than the areas that
are darker.
3.3.4 Saturation
When you apply a stain on a picture that has a higher saturation level, the image will appear
more vivid and bright. When contrasted with this, a lower saturation level results in colours
that have a more washed-out or faded appearance. Because white makes colours less strong,
a higher saturation level indicates that colour has greater depth. A fully saturated colour
does not contain any visible traces of white. Images that have a high saturation level are
characterized by having vibrant colours that are saturated.
3.3.5 Chrominance
The term chrominance, often known as Chroma, refers to the combination of hue and
saturation. However, it does not carry any information about the brightness of the object.
The usage of chromaticity diagrams provides a depiction of all the spectral colours and their
mixes that is clear to understand and is based on the primary colours that are contained
within them.
3.3.6 Different Types of TV Cameras
A colour camera's job is to take an image and convert the intensity of each of the three main
colours—red, green, and blue—into an equivalent amount of electrical voltage pixel by
pixel. Instead of the brightness that is seen by the human eye, the voltage of the camera
tubes is set up to match the actual brightness that is there in the colour. This is in contrast
to how brightness is perceived by the human eye. As a direct consequence of this, the
signals that were picked up are chrominance signals. There are two distinct varieties of
camera tubes, namely the single-tube camera and the three-tube camera.
3.3.6.1 Three-tube camera
It is composed of three camera tubes that are identical to one another. These tubes can be
vidicons, plumbicons, or any other form that is a modified version of these. They are the
same kind of tubes that are used in monochrome television transmitters. The video voltage
produced by colour cameras is used to indicate the absolute strength of each pixel, whereas
Television Systems| 53
the video voltage produced by monochrome cameras is used to represent how sensitive an
eye is to each of its different colours. White balance is something that can be adjusted to
make this possible.
3.3.6.2 Single-tube camera
The face plate of a single-tube camera features red, green, and blue stripes that are relatively
close to one another. These stripes are where the colour filters are built in. The target, which
likewise consists of stripes of the equivalent colour, is responsible for converting colour
signals into the correct charge signal pattern. The scanning beam is responsible for the
generation of visual signals by way of the corresponding load resistor. As a direct
consequence of this, it is possible to observe video signals in the colours red, green, and
blue.
3.4 TRANSMISSION STANDARDS
Television programmes can only be received by the receiver if it satisfies the requirements
laid out by the transmission standards. As a result, it is necessary for the scanning processes
utilized by both the receiver and the transmitter to be consistent with one another and
coordinated. In a similar manner, for the receiver to be able to identify colour signals, it
needs to generate the same subcarrier that was utilized by the transmitter. Different
countries have developed their own unique sets of guidelines. As a consequence of this,
receivers in a country are developed to be able to receive television transmissions that are
in accordance with the standards of that country. Countries prefer minor changes in channel
width, bandwidth, inter-carrier frequency, and the like because their scientists believe that
minor changes will improve picture quality.
3.4.1 PAL System
A television encoding scheme known as Phase Alternate Line (PAL) is used to transmit
analogue signals. 625 interlaced lines make up a PAL picture, which is shown in 25 fps.
Colour systems that use an eye as an average mechanism for hue are called PAL colour
systems. Above a certain threshold, the eye can see the effect of colour changes on
alternating lines. As a result, this system must be modified. This can be improved by
averaging the colours before displaying them to the eye.
This is because the PAL system has a higher number of scan lines. Stable colours are
ensured through phase alternation error correction. The gamma and brightness signal
bandwidths are also greater. Because it has more contrast than NTSC, another colour
television standard.
The receivers, on the other hand, are expensive because they feature intricate electronic
switching circuits. Compared to NTSC, the sound-to-noise ratio is lower with PAL. Phase
differences cancel each other out, resulting in a reduction in colour saturation.
54 |Consumer Electronics
Electromagnetic waves with vertically polarised fields move toward the ground at very
small angles. This is called "ground wave propagation," and the conducting surface of the
earth guides them. This medium-wave transmitter is in charge of both long-wave telegraph
and phone transmissions and medium-wave broadcasting.
Ground wave propagation becomes inefficient at frequencies above 1600 kHz due to signal
attenuation caused by short-range transmission lag time. This occurs because of the lag time.
As a result, sky waves are responsible for the overwhelming bulk of broadcasts in shortwave
frequencies up to 30 MHz (11 meters). These waves travel in a direct line until they reach
the ionosphere, where they are absorbed before continuing on their journey. As the
frequency of the signal grows, the maximum angle at which it may be deflected back to
Earth decreases until it is no longer possible to do so.
Radio waves with a frequency greater than 40 MHz cannot be carried by either surface or
sky wave propagation (the start of the television broadcast band). As a result, the only option
for transmitting signals in the VHF and UHF bands is to use radio waves that travel in a
straight line from the transmitter to the receiver. The technical term for this phenomenon is
"space wave propagation." For the signal to be propagated, the distance between the
transmitter and the receiver must be in a direct line of sight.
3.4.4 Interference suffered by TV channels
There are numerous factors that interfere with carrier signals. These include thermal noise,
man-made noise and various interfering signals originating from other similar sources of
video or radio. Interferences can be categorized into three types:
3.4.4.1 Co-channel Interference
In the event that two stations that use the same carrier frequency are situated in close
proximity to one another, interference will occur. The phenomenon known as "venetian
blind" interference emerges when two stations on the same co-channel are almost the same
distance apart from one another. The visuals of the channels are displayed in black and
white with a horizontal bar overlay that is also black and white. Interference levels cannot
be ignored when the signal-to-interference ratio falls below 45 dB; at this point, these bars
become more visible and move up and down the screen.
3.4.4.2 Adjacent Channel Interference
Beats of frequencies generated by one channel can also generate interference in adjacent
channels. The receiver antenna picks up a wide variety of additional signals in addition to
the signal from the channel that is now selected. A significant portion of them is integrated
in the RF tuner, so they are never even transmitted to the first IF stage. Interference signals
from neighbouring channels can occasionally be so strong and so close to the channel of
interest that they pass through the tuner section and appear at the first IF stage's input
56 |Consumer Electronics
instead. The primary sources of interference are the various products produced by the
various oscillator frequencies in conjunction with the sound carrier of the lower
neighbouring channel and the picture carrier of the higher neighbouring channel.
On the display, a coarse dot pattern will appear any time the picture carrier of the desired
channel is either quicker than the sound carrier of the lowest adjacent channel or faster than
both of those
Table 3.4 Television Channel Allocation (as per CCIR) in Bands I and III
(41–68 MHz)
(174–230 MHz)
carriers combined. If the lower neighbouring sound carrier is quite loud and the receiver
does not muffle it suitably, beat patterns will become more noticeable.
3.4.4.3 Ghost Interference
Ghost interference is created by stray reflections of the signal from various structures such
as building walls and roof surfaces. The reflected signal path is longer than the direct path,
causing delayed arrival of the reflected signal. This delay is due to the greater direct signal
regulating the synchronising circuitry, causing the image to be skewed. The greater direct
signal causes this delay. In the industry, these displaced images are referred to as "trailing
ghosts."
3.4.5 TV broadcast channels for Terrestrial Transmission
The most significant disadvantage of broadcast television is that it only has a limited
audience. In order for signals to be received via terrestrial transmission, there must be a
clear line of sight between the antenna that is transmitting the signal and the antenna that is
receiving the signal. The greatest challenge presented by long-distance reception is posed
by the spherical shape of the Earth, which causes the signal's line of sight to eventually
become interrupted. As a result, satellite television is the superior choice because it is a
wireless system that transmits programming straight to the customer's residence.
58 |Consumer Electronics
37 606-614 54 742–750
38 614-622 55 750–758
39 622-630 56 758–766
40 630-638 57 766–774
41 638-646 58 774–782
42 646-654 59 782–790
43 654-662 60 790–798
44 662-670 61 798–806
45 670-678 62 806–814
46 678-686 63 814–822
60 |Consumer Electronics
47 686-694 64 822–830
48 694-702 65 830–838
49 702-710 66 838–846
50 710-718 67 846–854
51 718-726 68 854–862
52 726-734 69 862–870
53 734-742 - -
UNIT SUMMARY
Monochrome television displays images that are only shades of grey between black and
white. To obtain continuous frames and provide picture motion, the scene is scanned in both
the horizontal and vertical directions at a rapid rate. A typical television picture frame has
a 4:3 aspect ratio. Furthermore, the motion picture rate of 24 fps and the scanning rate of 25
fps are used to avoid visual persistence. Flicker is caused by a blank screen between each
frame. This can be avoided by employing interlaced scanning.
Television Systems| 61
wavelengths of the waves involved: ground wave (or surface wave), sky wave, and space
wave. Furthermore, there are numerous factors that interfere with carrier signals, which can
be classified into three types: co-channel interference, adjacent channel interference, and
ghost interference. To receive signals via terrestrial transmission, a clear line of sight must
exist between the antenna transmitting the signal and the antenna receiving the signal.
EXERCISES
Multiple Choice Questions
1) What is the aspect ratio of a typical picture frame in a television?
a) 1:1
b) 4:3
c) 2:3
d) 16:9
2) In interlaced scanning, there is one-half line spacing between the start positions for
scanning odd and even fields. This is done to produce
a) Horizontal Scanning
b) Linear Scanning
c) Exact Interlacing
d) Line Pairing
3) What are the primary colours of the colour theory?
a) Red, Green, Blue
b) Yellow, Red, Blue
c) Blue, Green Yellow
d) Cyan, Yellow, Magenta
4) Which of the following is not a category of interference?
a) Co-channel interference
b) Adjacent Channel interference
c) Thermal interference
d) Ghost interference
5) The value of resolution (Kell) factor is about ____
a) 0.67
b) 0.71
c) 0.59
d) 0.69
Television Systems| 63
KNOW MORE
● Although the requirements for monochrome transmission had been established
before WWII, progress in civilian electronics was halted for the duration of the
conflict.
● When television first debuted in 1936, it aired in black and white for the next 30
years, until 1967. Also, the first mechanical television broadcasts (1929–1935) only
had a few thousand viewers, and the images they saw were black and orange because
of the neon gas used in the lights.
● Scottish innovator John Logie Baird created the first successful colour TV systems
in 1928. Based on Baird's 1928 mechanical TV concepts, CBS engineers developed
a colour television system in 1940. The original colour televisions had awful picture
quality and were not backwards-compatible with monochrome sets.
● In 1942, a young Mexican inventor called Guillermo González Camarena was
granted a patent for a colour television. His invention, a "enhanced chromoscopic
adapter" for Trichromatic-based colour TV transmissions, was granted a patent. He
pioneered the use of colour on television and became widely recognised for this
achievement.
REFERENCES
[1] Gulati, R. R. (2005). Monochrome and colour television. New Age International.
[2] Gupta, R. G. Audio & Video Systems, 2e. Tata McGraw-Hill Education, 2010.
[3] Yang, K., Li, Z., Shang, L., & Yi, W. (2011). Design and analysis of a novel surface
acoustic wave micro position sensor. Journal of Electromagnetic Analysis and
Applications, 2011.
[4] Bhikshapathy, M. B., Pandharipande, V. M., & Krishna, P. G. Analysis & Design of
Portable Video Transceiver.
[5] Alkhatib, M. (2016). A New Optimized Double Stacked Turnstile Antenna Design.
[6] Patel, C., & Kulkarni, G. R. (2010, December). Simulation and performance analysis
of NTSC television system and standards. In 2010 IEEE International Conference on
Computational Intelligence and Computing Research (pp. 1-5). IEEE.
[7] Trundle, E. (2001). Newnes guide to television and video technology. Newnes.
[8] Whitaker, J. C., & Benson, B. (2003). Standard handbook of video and television
engineering. McGraw-Hill Education.
[9]Tozer, E. P. J. (2012). Broadcast engineer's reference book. Routledge.
[10] Fink, D. G. (1957). Television engineering handbook. McGraw-Hill.
Television Systems| 65
[11] Jack, K., & Tsatsoulin, V. (2002). Dictionary of video and television technology.
Gulf Professional Publishing.
[12] Goldmark, P. C. (1949). Brightness and contrast in television. Electrical Engineering,
68(3), 237-242.
[13] Sharma, K. K. (2009). Fundamentals Of Television And Radar Engg. Seagull Books
Pvt Ltd.
[14] Dhake, A. M. (1980). Television Engineering (CCIR System-B Standards). McGraw-
Hill Companies.
[15] Roberts, R. S. (Ed.). (1985). Television Engineering: Broadcast, Cable, and Satellite.
Pentech Press.
[16] Srivastava, H. O., & Jain, R. C. (1999). Broadcast Technology—Past, Present and
Future: A Review. IETE Technical Review, 16(3-4), 317-334.
Television Receivers and
d
4 Video Systems
UNIT SPECIFICS
Through this unit we have discussed the following aspects:
● Basic components of PAL-D TV;
● Various parts of TV;
● Recent types of TV and their functionality;
● High-Definition Television (HDTV) standards;
● Direct to Home (DTH) working;
● Types of videos;
● Digital Videos.
The practical applications of the topics are discussed for generating further curiosity and
creativity and improving problem-solving capacity.
Besides giving a large number of multiple-choice questions as well as questions of short
and long answer types marked in two categories following the lower and higher order of
Bloom’s taxonomy, assignments through a number of numerical problems, a list of
references and suggested readings are given in the unit so that one can go through them for
practice.
After the related practical, based on the content, there is a “Know More” section. This
section has been carefully designed so that the supplementary information provided in this
part becomes beneficial for the users of the book. This section mainly highlights the initial
Television Receivers and Video Systems| 67
activity, examples of some interesting facts, analogy, history of the development of the
subject focusing the salient observations and finding, timelines starting from the
development of the concerned topics up to the recent time, applications of the subject matter
for our day-to-day real life or/and industrial applications on variety of aspects, case study
related to environmental, sustainability, social and ethical issues whichever applicable, and
finally inquisitiveness and curiosity topics of the unit.
RATIONALE
This unit of television systems illuminates the concepts of television receivers and
video systems. The human eye can not perceive the effect of changes in the "simple PAL"
colour system hence for improvements it requires modifications, and this modified system
is known as the "PAL-D" ( PAL -Delay Line) method which uses a delay line to compute
averaging before presenting the colour to the eye. This unit describes how the PAL-D colour
TV receiver functions in depth.
Furthermore, televisions have evolved significantly over the years. Digital, LCD,
LED, Plasma, HDTV, 3-D TV, and Projection TV has been briefly described, as well as
their benefits and drawbacks stated. Additionally, the unit demonstrates the operation of
the outdoor and indoor units of direct-to-home (DTH) technology.
The television receiver includes a video amplifier, sound section, sync separator, and
processor that have been thoroughly discussed. In addition, various types of video cables
and interfaces have been discussed. Finally, the unit incorporates fundamentals of CD and
DVD players.
PRE-REQUISITES
Mathematics: Electronics Circuits (Class XII)
Physics: Signal and Wave (Class XII)
UNIT OUTCOMES
List of outcomes of this unit is as follows: After learning this unit student will be able to
U4-O1: Describe PAL-D Colour TV Receiver Block Diagram along with its components
U4-O2: Describe DTH Concept Receive Block Diagram
U4-O3: Explain recent types of TV and their functionality
U4-O4: Explain interfaces and players of TV
68 |Consumer Electronics
4.1 INTRODUCTION
A television receiver combines AM and FM systems - AM for picture and FM for sound
reception. Furthermore, the receiver circuitry includes scanning and synchronising blocks
for clear image reproduction at the picture tube screen. The antenna section of the TV
intercepts incoming signals and forwards picture plus sound carrier signals to the RF tuner.
A TV receiver is a heterodyne type consisting of two or three phases of intermediate
frequency (IF) amplifiers. The video signal is recovered by demodulating the output of the
final IF stage. Picture information-carrying signal is driven to the picture tube, where picture
elements are retrieved from electrical signals.
4.2 PAL-D Colour TV Receiver Block Diagram
Modern TV receiver circuit diagrams rarely allow for detailed signal tracing because of the
widespread use of integrated circuits, which perform multiple functions at once. Although
this demands a significant amount of circuit design standardisation, a wide variety of
integrated circuits are available for colour TV receivers due to the many permutations of
the functional units. Among the various PAL-D Colour TV Receivers that have been
developed, The schematic representation of a commonly used setup is shown in Fig. 4.1.
The overall signal flow pattern of a PAL-D colour TV receiver is similar to that of an NTSC
receiver. The block diagram is divided into the following sections:
4.2.1 Tuner
A TV receiver tuner employs an additional circuit known as automatic frequency tuning
(AFT) to retain the correct local oscillator frequency. In order to obtain perfect colour
reproduction, a colour burst is required and in turn, it depends on AFT. Moreover, a picture
IF is achieved at 38.9 MHz. The discriminator part of AFT processes IF signals to generate
Television Receivers and Video Systems| 69
major change to television technology since the emergence of colour in the 1950s, so its
creation was greeted with excitement and anticipation. The widescreen aspect ratio
(typically 16:9) is used, which is different from the more conventional 4:3 employed in
analogue television. Compared to analogue TV, it is more efficient in its use of the radio
spectrum, as it can transmit up to seven channels using the same amount of bandwidth as a
single analogue channel.
Moreover, it consists of a grid of individual picture elements (pixels) that can be moved
around and rearranged to create a new visual. Both passive and active-matrix display grids
can be used in an LCD screen. Both the active-matrix LCD (also called a thin film transistor
72 |Consumer Electronics
(TFT) display) and the passive matrix LCD (also called a dot matrix LCD) use a grid of
conductors to organise their displays, with individual pixels placed at the grid's
intersections. In order to adjust the brightness of a specific pixel, a current must be passed
between two grid conductors.
Furthermore, to reduce the amount of power needed to regulate each pixel's brightness, an
active matrix places a transistor at each pixel's intersection. In an active-matrix display, this
means the current can be turned on and off frequently, increasing the refresh rate. Some
passive matrix LCDs are dual-scanned, which means that the grid is scanned with current
twice as fast as it was scanned once with the older technology. The active matrix, on the
other hand, is a far more advanced method.
4.4.1 Advantages:
1. Bright images are generated due to high peak intensity
2. Zero geometric distortion
3. Flat Screens
4. Lesser consumption of electricity and less heat production
4.4.2 Disadvantages:
1. Require precision in the tracking of pixels for noise reduction
2. Limited viewing angle
3. Saturation and compression occur when the LCD's bright end of the intensity scale is
overworked
4. Slower response times may lead to poorer quality of image
4.5 LED TV
LED TVs replace cathode ray tubes to incorporate light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for
illumination of display rather than the CCFLs used in standard LCD televisions. As a result
of their high visibility in direct sunlight, they can be used as outdoor store signs or
advertisements. Additionally, they have seen widespread use in variable-message signs
along highways and as destination signs on public transportation vehicles in recent years.
LED displays are an alternative to conventional projection screens because they provide
higher contrast ratios and can be used to create massive, seamless video streaming.
Edge-lit displays have LEDs only along their outer edges, while full-array displays
illuminate their entire backs with the same technology. However, Sony, Samsung, Vizio,
Television Receivers and Video Systems| 73
and LG all use edge lit technology, while Sharp and Toshiba use full array lit technology.
Full-array LED TVs, which illuminate the entire screen with LEDs, are bulkier and more
expensive than edge-lit LED TVs.
4.5.1 Advantages:
1. Provides good brightness of the screen to improve the user experience
2. Removes the light flickering across the screen
3. Allows for longer display usage
4. Eases control and displays specific colour characteristics using a variety of hues
5. Easily portable because it is thin and light-weight
4.5.2 Disadvantages:
1. Very expensive
2. Must use a good quality antenna
4.6 Plasma TV
One of the alternates in TV is Plasma TVs in which tiny pockets of gas convert to plasma
upon application of a voltage to them. The application of voltage makes mercury collide
within the plasma, to emit ultraviolet (UV) rays. In turn, it passes through phosphor cells to
create an image. Three phosphor cells (red, green, and blue) combine to form a colour. Each
pixel in plasma TV is self-emissive and able to produce its own light. They are able to
provide a stunning true black effect because they do not need an external source of light to
power the display. But a glass panel is required for a plasma TV, which is why they are
relatively large and have a lot of glares during the day.
4.6.1 Advantages:
1. Less bulky than rear projection television
2. Large screen sizes can be manufactured commercially
3. Much greater viewing angle
4. Can be wall mounted
4.6.2 Disadvantages:
1. A picture is not so clear under bright conditions
2. Higher energy consumption
3. Doesn't work well at high altitudes
4. Produce glare due to reflection
74 |Consumer Electronics
4.7 HDTV
One of the most promising technologies in TV is HDTV (High-Definition Television).
HDTV provides high-quality video by utilisation of digital signals. As a result, interference
caused by analogue parts in electrical currents is eliminated. HDTV employs a wider aspect
ratio of 16:9 resulting in better image perception. The higher resolution of HDTV produces
much finer images, with more detail and colour than previous formats. Additionally,
watching HDTV feels more natural because the screen's viewing angle is similar to that of
the human eye. Direct-view TVs, plasma TVs, rear- and front-projection TVs, and front-
projection HDTVs are all examples of HDTV displays. However, an HDTV tuner is needed
to enjoy the highest quality format (1080i).
4.7.1 Advantages:
1. An increase in resolution improves picture quality.
2. The use of interlaced scanning improves the visual experience.
3. Audio quality is greatly improved because Dolby technology is used.
4. The HDMI allows for automatic configuration and bidirectional communication
between video sources.
4.7.2 Disadvantages:
1. Authentication delays are a potential cause of blank screens. It's also possible for there
to be issues with the screen flashing.
2. The cost of an HDMI cable is higher per metre than that of an analogue one.
3. Greater heat production and power usage compared to alternative technologies.
4. Life expectancy is comparatively low.
4.8 3-D TV
Through the use of special glasses, viewers of 3-D televisions are given the impression that
the images they are viewing have depth in addition to height and width, just like real-world
objects. It makes use of techniques like multi-view display, stereoscopic display, 2D-plus-
depth, and any other type of 3D display. The majority of modern 3D TVs employ an active
shutter 3D system or a polarised 3D system, and some are autostereoscopic, requiring no
glasses. Furthermore, it works by creating two distinct moving images, one for each eye.
Because the image seen by the right eye is blocked from view by the left eye, we perceive
depth.
Television Receivers and Video Systems| 75
sparkle in the image. Most projectors necessitate maintenance that is not applicable in case
of flatscreen and standard televisions.
Rear-projection systems resemble standard televisions. TVs with built-in projectors are able
to display content by projecting an image onto the rear of a screen. A rear projection TV is
significantly less expensive than a comparable-sized plasma TV. Rear projection televisions
used to be thick and boxy, taking up a lot of floor space but a majority of them are now less
than 18" deep, thanks to the new digital light engines. Moreover, it tends to perform
reasonably well in rooms with some ambient light, as long as you view them head-on at eye
level. However, it has limited viewing angles and tends to reflect anything illuminated by
ambient light in the room.
Using a small, personal dish for direct reception of satellite signals on a TV is referred to as
DTH technology (Fig. 4.5). DTH services aimed at providing better quality satellite signals
plus more channels to compete with local cable TV operators. The satellites compress and
encrypt signals and then the transmission is done through high-powered geo satellites.
Signals are received by dishes of DTH providers to the end users. This technology was
traditionally known as Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) technology. The home receiver
system of a DBS consists primarily of two units: an outdoor unit and an indoor unit.
4.10.1 The Outdoor Unit
The dish antenna at the receiver first receives the satellite's downlink signal, which ranges
from 12.2 GHz to 12.7 GHz. The received signal is then directed to the receiving horn which
directs the signal to the polarizer. This aids in the transmission of left-hand circular or right-
hand circular polarised signals by performing good switching. This outdoor unit's schematic
is depicted in Fig. 4.6.
78 |Consumer Electronics
bandwidth. As a result, any of the 32 transponders must be received by the indoor unit. Only
a signal from 16 transponders must be available for a single polarization and QPSK
modulation of the carrier at the centre frequency. The quadrature phase-shift keying
modulated signal is then demodulated and converted into the equivalent bitstream. After
that, an error correction scheme is implemented to remove the errors from the received
sequence.
4.11 Video Amplifier
The video amplifier must meet the following specifications to generate a favourable image
on the picture tube's screen.
4.11.1 Video Gain
Video gain is referred to as the ability of the amplifier to produce a good raster for all values
of intensity of the picture tube scanning beam.
4.11.2 Bandwidth
Bandwidth is referred to as the ability to reproduce a picture's all frequency range of
information including Higher frequencies that are required for horizontal sections
requirements.
4.11.3 Frequency Distortion
Frequency distortion is the change in the amplitude of harmonics after the amplification.
The amplitude of the harmonics is a higher value than its effect. This normally occurs when
there is a change in amplification level as a result of a change in frequency. An input signal
to a practical amplifier will have both the fundamental frequency and harmonics of higher
and lower frequencies. Because of the amplification process, the amplitude of harmonics is
only a small percentage of the amplitude of the fundamental frequency. Because of this, the
waveform at the output is not significantly altered. However, if the harmonic amplitude
grows after amplification, the result will be audible at the output.
4.11.4 Phase Distortion
Phase distortion is considered important in video amplifiers as phase shift implies time shift,
which in turn implies position shift in the reproduced visual image. It is important to note
that the human eye can detect shift relative positions of the various picture elements and it
appears as distortion. This requires that relative phases should be preserved for all frequency
80 |Consumer Electronics
components present in the video. However, it is worth noting that uniform delay in all
frequency components would be considered as would be to delay the entire signal.
4.11.5 Amplitude Distortion of Nonlinear Distortion
When the transistor's non-linear characteristics dampen the amplification applied to the
wave's positive and negative extremes, a phenomenon known as amplitude distortion
occurs. The wave's amplitude is reduced, but the parts of the waveform to either side of the
centre are unaffected. However, the ear is much more sensitive to the associated change in
the shape of the waveform tips, making the resulting decrease in amplitude in audio signals
much less noticeable.
4.11.6 Manual Contrast Control
For better contrast values between the white and black portions of the image, there should
be provided to control amplitude for the given video signal. Video amplifiers employ direct-
coupled and RC-coupled configurations. Both configurations require high-frequency
compensation.
4.12 SOUND SECTION
FM sound signal with a weak amplitude having a carrier frequency of 5.5 MHz, passes
through a tuned amplifier, known as sound IF. This signal is then fed into the FM detector,
which is typically either a ratio detection circuit or a discriminator circuit. Subsequently,
the output is given to a limiter circuit. FM detectors generally have the following
characteristics:
1. Obtained sound output signal is proportional to deviations from the sound carrier
frequency.
2. Rate of frequency deviation is helpful to determine the frequency of the signal.
De-emphasis circuit at the output of the sound detector works as the counterpart of the pre-
emphasis circuits (used at the transmitter) and restores the higher audio frequency
amplitudes. Before being delivered to the audio output (power) amplifier, the audio signal
is at least once amplified. Volume and tone controls are built into audio amplifiers and either
single-ended or push-pull is used as a power amplifier. FM demodulator circuits are found
in the form of integrated circuits (ICs) that drive one or two loudspeakers mounted at the
receiver's front panel.
AGC circuit maintains controls over the gain of the RF and IF circuitries to nullify changes
observed during a reception and to deliver nearly constant signal voltage to the video
Television Receivers and Video Systems| 81
detector. a bias voltage generated in the AGC circuit changes the operating points of the
amplifying devices. It is worth noting that regardless of the picture signal details, the sync
levels of the composite video signal is unchanged and a rectifier circuit generates a control
voltage in accordance with the sync level. The AGC control, as described above, is depicted
by a block schematic circuit arrangement in Fig. 4.8.
The sync separator works on the biasing of the circuit so that video signals cause current to
flow in the device. Self-biasing is used as the dc bias voltage that is produced by the ac
signal itself.
4.14 SYNC PROCESSING
Fig. 4.10 Circuit for separation of vertical and horizontal sync pulses
The receiver has two scanning circuits, one for vertical and one for horizontal electron beam
deflection. Horizontal sync obtained by locking the horizontal oscillator's frequency holds
the picture's line structure. Vertical sync locks the vertical frames by triggering the vertical
oscillator. Equalising pulses make even and odd fields vertically synchronised for good
interlacing. Fig. 4.10 shows the circuit diagram used to separate out these sync pulses.
4.15 VIDEO INTERFACE
Video interfaces are used to transfer data from computer memory to a monitor for display.
For the given line, input video signal voltage reproduces picture elements. The video
signal's black level should cut off the grid voltage and the blacker-than-black grid voltage.
At the picture tube grid, sync pulses are used to time vertical and horizontal scanning circuits
in the receiver.
4.16 COMPOSITE VIDEO
Image data is not transmitted alone. Along with it, blanking and sync pulses are also
transmitted. CVD (composite video signal) is the signal that contains all of these
Television Receivers and Video Systems| 83
components and it can be represented with either positive or negative polarity. For positive
polarity, the brighter the screen requirements, the greater the amplitude of the video signal
available. The blanking level is zero, and the sync pulse is less than zero. As a result, the
sync top is at its lowest point. On the other hand, for negative polarity, the brighter the
screen, the smaller the amplitude. As a result, the sync pulse is positive, above the blanking
level.
An RCA or "yellow plug" cable is a composite video cable, which has been used for
transmitting a video signal. However, it cannot support HD content. Video signals range all
the way from high definition to the lowest common denominator, composite. When
compared to other video formats, the quality of video produced by a composite signal
(which transmits all colour and brightness data over a single cable) is noticeably lower.
Moreover, the composite video input and output is a standard feature on almost all video
equipment. Therefore, with this setup, just one RCA or BNC plug is required. As video
signals have to travel through a distance, there can be a significant loss of resolution and
clarity of the picture. Losses due to radio frequency interference further may reduce picture
quality. Common uses for composite video signals in professional editing settings include
menu outputs, troubleshooting, and low-quality preview monitoring. They're also frequently
used to connect electronics like VCRs and DVD players to home televisions.
4.17 COMPONENT VIDEO
Component video divides video contents into three cables — green, blue, and red — each
of which transmits a different component of the video signal. The green cable (also known
as the Y cable) transmits the signal's brightness-related information, the blue and red cables
carry the blue and red components of the picture's colour and a combination of all three
signals infers gray components. Because component video is distributed across three
separate cables it can satisfy the need for HD resolutions to produce smoother images with
more defined edges.
Component cables have now been used as video cables due to their promising high picture
quality and HD support capabilities. Almost all modern HDTVs, most video game consoles,
DVD players, digital video recorders, and cable set-top boxes also support component
video.
4.18 SEPARATE VIDEO
Separate video (S-Video), is a video signalling standard with resolutions of 480i or 576i.
This is a video analogue signal that contains information in two parts (a) chroma signal
84 |Consumer Electronics
which stands for colour information and (b) luma signal which stands for brightness,
contrast etc. It transmits video information in a single cable without combining it with audio
signals. In comparison to composite video, S-Video can achieve better image quality but
lower colour resolution. S-video signals are typically transmitted via a cable with a 4-pin
mini-DIN connector.
4.19 DIGITAL VIDEO
DVI, or Digital Visual Interface, allows for the transmission of HD digital or analogue
signals from computers or HD video devices to flat-panel screens or projectors. Moreover,
up to 24 digital signals and 4 analogue signals can be transmitted via a DVI connector.
Recently, all-digital workflows involving image capturing to projections have been in
digital form for the following reasons:
Digital video is very effective for all the steps in communications including recording,
storing, processing, manipulating, transmitting, receiving and recovering. being SNR very
high it is almost error-free. According to the need and availability of bandwidth,
compression and decompression on digital video signals are possible. Today digital
communication has been widespread due to cheaper ICs, availability of advanced
communication networks capable of high-speed communication, huge storage space
availability, and advanced computing architectures digital video can now be handled at a
variety of applications demanding data rates on mobiles, tablets and other networks.
4.20 SERIAL DIGITAL INTERFACE (SDI)
SDI was created to make it simple to convert traditional analogue component video to and
from a digital video. Nowadays, the compression of digital video has become easy due to
the development of SDI. The goal of the Serial Data Transport Interface (SDTI) is to solve
this problem by transforming SDI into an interface that can transmit many different types
of data without breaking backwards compatibility with current SDI router networks.
HD-SDI is a variant of SDI with a greater data rate to accommodate the transmission of
uncompressed HD video. Similar to SDI, HD-SDI can transmit both audio and video over
a single cable. Moreover, by combining two HD-SDI channels, certain devices can offer
even greater data rates. This is also referred to as dual-link HD-SDI.
4.21 HIGH-DEFINITION MULTIMEDIA INTERFACE (HDMI)
HDMI transmits digital video data in uncompressed form while digital audio data into
compressed or uncompressed form. Such a transfer requires an HDMI-compliant source
Television Receivers and Video Systems| 85
device at the transmitter side plus a compatible monitor, video projector, or digital TV at
the receiver side. HDMI digitalizes analogue video and it implements EIA/CEA-861
standards that specify video, audio and auxiliary data formats. Recent HDMI versions have
optional advanced features such as 3D, and Ethernet extensions. Moreover, statistics show
that approximately ten billion HDMI devices have been sold by January 2021.
4.22 DIGITAL VIDEO INTERFACE (DVI)
DVI is an abbreviation for "Digital Video Interface". The Digital Display Working Group
(DDWG) developed the DVI video connection standard The majority of DVI ports can
connect to both analogue and digital displays. DVI will convert the digital signal into an
analogue signal if the display requirement arises. However, there is no need for conversion
if the display is digital.
DVI connections are classified into three types: DVI-A is for analogue, DVI-D is for digital,
and DVI-I is for integrated (both analogue and digital). DVI can support signals with a
bandwidth in excess of 160 MHz, and hence can be used for high-resolution displays like
UXGA and HDTV.
4.23 CD PLAYER
A compact disc (CD) is a plastic disc used to store data such as video, audio, and text files.
The signal to be recorded on CD is amplified and then transformed into a digital signal using
a sample and hold circuit and an ADC. The ADC output is also used by the Laser Beam
Generator and the signal from the crystal oscillator and Laser beam generator controls both
the control circuit and the servo system. The servo system, which is powered by a motor,
controls the rotation of the disc as well as the track and focus of the Laser beam generator.
After recording, the unexposed photoresist material is chemically removed, leaving a helical
pattern across the surface of the glass disc. This is used to create the glass master for mass-
production CDs. CD recording system block diagram is shown in Fig. 4.11.
4.23.1 Working
Within the CD player is a tiny laser beam (a semiconductor diode laser) and an electronic
light detector (photoelectric cell). Pressing the play button activates an electric motor that
spins the disc at a rapid speed. From the CD's centre to its outer edges, the laser beam is
activated and scanned along a track by the photocell. Along the scanning process, the motor
gradually slows the disc's rotation. This is because the disk's actual surface moves faster
86 |Consumer Electronics
than the laser and photocell, requiring progressively more time to read the same amount of
information as the disk's distance from the centre increases.
The laser beam is shone upward onto the CD's shiny underside, where it is reflected by the
disc's pits and lands. Unlike the pits, which scatter the laser light, the lands reflect it straight
back. The reflected light is detected by the photocell a surge of current is sent to the
electronic circuit which generates the number one. When the photocell cannot detect any
light, as a result of an absence of land, the electronic circuit returns a value of 0.
So, the sequence of binary digits (0s and 1s) recorded on the disc at the manufacturer is
gradually reconstructed by the scanning laser and electronic circuit. The DAC then takes
these binary numbers and translates them back into a progressing electric current pattern. In
the end, the electric currents are converted into audible sounds by a loudspeaker.
4.24 DIGITAL VERSATILE DISC / DIGITAL VIDEO DISC (DVD) PLAYER
Fig. 4.12 shows the basic components of a DVD player. The block diagram divides into
control/servo and data paths. The control part of the system gives user connectivity with the
servo mechanisms and ensures the safety and proper operation sequence.
Television Receivers and Video Systems| 87
A servo system includes the focus and tracking servos, as well as a motorised loading drawer
and chucking mechanism. The most common form of player that uses power loading is one
that features a drawer to store the disc in the issue. A safety switch prevents the laser from
turning on inadvertently if the machine's drawer or lid is opened while it's functioning. The
goal is to ensure that the user takes no risk at all.
In order for the MPEG decoder to be able to decode the video, the data path must include
the data separator along with a de-interleaving and error-correcting mechanism as well as a
RAM buffer. Digital data is generated from the waveform sent from the EFM plus readout
via the data separator. EFM plus coding is a group code, so any error that alters the channel
patterns can lead to the loss of up to eight bits of data.
Sequentially writing into memory and reading out using a sequencer accomplish de-
interleaving. The outer decoder will then correct any burst errors in the data. Because MPEG
data is extremely error-prone, error-correction performance must be exceptional.
stream is not fixed in DVD but can vary depending on the difficulty of the programme
material to maintain consistent image quality. The bit rate is altered by varying the disc
speed.
UNIT SUMMARY
Simple PAL colour system is modified using a delay line (PAL-D) to compute averaging
before presenting the colour to the human eye. The receiver of PAL-D Colour TV is divided
into various sections namely tuner, sound strip, AGC, sync-separator & deflection circuits,
luminance channel, colour signal processing and subcarrier generation and control. The
evolution of television has resulted in the invention of Digital, LCD, LED, Plasma, HDTV,
3-D TV, and Projection TV.
DTH technology refers to the reception of TV signals from satellites to a personal dish. A
DBS's home receiver system is made up primarily of two units: an outdoor unit and an
indoor unit. Moreover, the video amplifier, sound section, sync separator, and processor are
all integral parts of the television receiver. A video amplifier is used to amplify, buffer, and
filter analogue video signals over 75W cabling to maintain signal fidelity. Sync separator is
used to separate synchronising pulses from the composite video signal and subsequently,
TV receiver has two scanning circuits, one for vertical electron beam deflection and the
other for horizontal electron beam deflection. Furthermore, data is transferred from
computer memory to a monitor via video interfaces.
A composite video cable is a traditional video signal transmission standard that uses a single
cable and connector. Component video divides video signals into three cables: green, blue,
and red, each transmitting a different component of the video signal. S-Video is a 480i or
576i video signalling standard and this video analogue signal contains two signals: chroma
and luma. Additionally, Serial Digital Interface (SDI) makes it easy to convert analogue
component video to digital and HDMI transfers uncompressed video and digital audio from
HDMI-compliant devices to compatible receivers. The digital video interface supports
signals with more than 160 MHz bandwidth, allowing it to be used for UXGA and HDTV.
A CD is a plastic disc used to store data such as video, audio, and text files, while a DVD
stands for a digital versatile disc or digital video disc.
EXERCISES
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of the following specifications should the video amplifier meet
in order to produce a favourable image?
Television Receivers and Video Systems| 89
a. Low frequencies
b. A constant amplitude of video signal
c. Weak video signal
d. The relative phases of the frequency components present in
the video signal must be preserved.
2. Which of the following is not a component of a PAL-D colour television receiver?
a. Tuner
b. Demodulator
c. Luminance channel
d. Sync-separator
3. Which statement about Plasma TV is true?
a. Doesn't work well at high altitudes
b. Bulkier than rear projection television
c. Lesser energy consumption
d. Limited viewing angle
4. In the indoor unit of the DBS system, the transponder maintains the guard band of
______ in the selected bandwidth.
a. 24 Hz
b. 240 Hz
c. 24 MHz
d. 240 MHz
5. What are video interfaces used for?
a. To provide reception of satellite signals on a TV
b. To transfer data from computer memory to a monitor for display
c. To generate the correct frequency subcarrier
d. To generate audio output.
PRACTICAL
1. To study sync separate section of TV receiver
2. To study the video amplifier section of TV receiver
3. To study AGC circuitry of TV
4. To study the working of Digital, LCD, LED, Plasma, HDTV, 3-D TV, and
Projection TV and
5. To study SDI and HDMI interfaces of TV
KNOW MORE
Business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-customer (B2C) interactions can both benefit
greatly from the use of video. It has the potential to revolutionise a company's product
offering and increase operational efficiencies. All of this activity has one overarching
purpose: to increase sales. There has been a dramatic rise in the importance of online video
in just the initial few months of 2020.
We have been engulfed by limitless video applications in our day-to-day lives because
streaming media is now integrated into everything from vacuums to watches to medical
equipment. Video-enabled health monitors, remote surgical capabilities, and smart hospitals
outfitted with AI-based surveillance are essential in today's modern healthcare system.
Additionally, visiting a store or the gym in person has largely been replaced by digital
alternatives like shoppable video and digital fitness. Consequently, video accounts for 80%
of all internet traffic, according to Cisco. With the increasing attention being paid to AR/VR
by tech giants like Meta, the internet traffic is only predicted to increase.
The cloud has enabled flexibility and expandability more than ever before in video
production, processing, delivery, and other areas. As a result, organizations can innovate
faster and expand further with the cloud. Moreover, remote-friendly workflows would
continue to benefit from virtualized video environments.
Television Receivers and Video Systems| 91
There is more content available than ever before. However, without a simple way to
organise, store, and access this content, it is merely digital clutter. Artificial intelligence
(AI) is now being used in video content management systems (CMS) solutions for content
analysis, compilation, highlight production, indexing, searchability, and other forms of
automation — all of which are game changers for content distributors with a large video
library.
According to Cisco, by 2023, the number of internet-connected devices will exceed three
times the global population. Universities, hospitals, and every other type of organisation
would employ video to blur the line between in-person and remote experiences. The
evolution of this field has always astounded us and would continue to do so in the future.
A group of engineers from Sony and Philips collaborated in 1979 to develop the first digital
audio disc. In 1980, the Red Book CD-DA standard was published following a year of
testing and debate. Moreover, after their 1982 commercial debut, compact discs and players
quickly gained widespread acceptance.
In the 1920s, 16mm projectors were used to create the first home theatres and in the 1930s,
technological advances allowed for the creation of 8mm and sound 16mm film.
Once the cost of a Kodak 8 mm film projector dropped, showing home movies became
increasingly common among middle- and upper-class American households in the 1950s.
Surround sound was first used in a film in 1940 for the Disney animated short Fantasia. The
operatic composition Flight of the Bumblebee by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov inspired Walt
Disney to include a bumblebee in his musical Fantasia and make it seem as if it were flying
in all corners of the theatre.
When the REDD 17 stereo mixing system was built at London's Abbey Road Studios by
EMI's Record Engineering Development Department in 1958, it marked a significant step
forward in the recording industry.
From 1911 through 1915, a series of experiments were conducted in which a microphone
and loudspeaker were linked to a 12-volt battery, resulting in the first such instance of
auditory feedback. Further studies led to the creation of 'Magnavox,' the first electric public
address system.
REFERENCES
[1] LCD TV, accessed 29 August 2022, <https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/lcd-tv-
13675533891.html>
92 |Consumer Electronics
subject focusing the salient observations and finding, timelines starting from the
development of the concerned topics up to the recent time, applications of the subject matter
for our day-to-day real life or/and industrial applications on variety of aspects, case study
related to environmental, sustainability, social and ethical issues whichever applicable, and
finally inquisitiveness and curiosity topics of the unit.
RATIONALE
Nowadays human daily routines are full of utilising modern electronic equipment. In
household or office usage of equipment like microwave oven and washing machine are very
common. Understanding of benefits, and drawbacks along with operating instructions is
needed for all common citizens. At the same time, in order to make them available to
common people and maintenance knowledge of basic operating principles, components,
and technical specifications is essential for technicians and designers. In addition to the
above, in this module understanding the controller, fuzzy logic, and technical specifications
of a washing machine have all been discussed.
PRE-REQUISITES
Mathematics: Electronics Circuits (Class XII)
Physics: Signal and Wave (Class XII)
UNIT OUTCOMES
List of outcomes of this unit are: After learning this unit student will be able to
U5-O1: Describe working principles of microwave oven and washing machine
U5-O2: Use consumer electronics devices with ease at home or offices
U5-O3: Identify and Diagnose primary working faults of consumer electronics devices
U5-O4: Explain concepts of controllers, fuzzy logic, and technical specifications in the
context of normal usage
in minutes in a microwave oven because the heating happens inside the food rather than
warming the surrounding air. However, they can cause foods to be cooked at a different rate
or unevenly due to the absorption heating process. In addition, microwave ovens can't be
used to cook food in metal containers because the metal inhibits microwaves.
5.1.2 Precautions, Advantages & Disadvantages
Users must adhere strictly to all safety instructions and guidelines in their microwave
oven manuals. A few examples of such safety measures are:
1. Use only microwave-appropriate cooking utensils.
2. If the microwave's door is distorted, bent, or otherwise damaged, do not use it.
3. No one, especially children, should ever stand directly in front of a running oven for
a prolonged period of time.
4. Consistently wipe the oven's interior, edge, and door with water and mild detergent.
5.1.2.1 Advantages:
1. The food can be cooked in a short time duration while retaining its natural flavours
and nutritional value.
2. Frozen food can be defrosted quickly.
3. Cooking with a microwave reduces the need for oil, enabling you to make low-fat
meals.
5.1.2.2 Disadvantages:
1. It is not suitable for deep frying.
2. Using a microwave poses risks to health because it has been linked to the production
of carcinogenic agents. Moreover, reduced immunity causes pathological alterations
in the human blood.
3. As compared to traditional stovetop cooking, microwaves alter food's texture,
colour, and flavour.
5.1.3 Working
Due to the microwave's ability to focus heat on individual molecules, food can be
cooked in a short period of time. This results in dielectric heating, whereby the rotation of
the food's polar molecules generates heat. Because excitation is relatively uniform in the
outer 25-38 mm (1-1.5 inches) of a homogeneous (high water content) food item,
microwave ovens can rapidly and efficiently heat food without drying it out.
Home /Office Applicances | 97
5.1.4 Components
Here are a few of the most crucial parts of any microwave:
1. High voltage transformer: A high-voltage step-up transformer is installed within
a microwave oven because its power requirements exceed those of the standard
voltage carried by a home's electrical wiring. 230- 240 V supply is boosted to very
high voltage levels and then fed into the cavity magnetron.
2. Cavity magnetron: A cavity magnetron is a high-powered vacuum tube. It can
transform electrical energy into long-range microwave radiation.
3. Microcontroller: It is a device that facilitates two-way interaction between humans
and electronic devices. This controlling component incorporates a central processing
unit (CPU), along with other elements such as RAM and I/O circuitry, to perform
various tasks. Furthermore, it interprets the user's commands and displays them on
the microwave's screen. A microcontroller inside the microwave receives commands
from a keypad, displays the results on an LCD screen, and activates or deactivates
the microwave generator via a relay.
4. Waveguide: The waves from the magnetron's output are directed into the cavity by
a waveguide, which is a metallic tube with a hollow interior where the food is placed.
5. Cooling fan: The magnetron's efficiency and lifespan are both improved by the use
of cooling fans, which keeps the device from overheating during operation.
To further categorise the top-loading washers, there are both semi-automatic and fully-
automatic models. These are further described in detail below:
1. Front loading washing machine: The garments are loaded into the front of this
machine. Moreover, research shows that front-loading washers are more efficient
than top-loading ones, using less water and detergent while still yielding clean
clothes.
2. Top-loading washing machine: Clothes are loaded and unloaded from the top of
this fully automatic washing machine, which features a round vessel that serves as
the washer, rinser, and dryer. In many regions, it has surpassed the popularity of the
front-loading model.
a) Semi-automatic washing machine: Both the washer and the dryer use their own
dedicated tubs, and their individual timers allow for precise control over the cycles.
Clothes can be washed by placing them in a wash vessel, filling them with water,
adding detergent, and then setting a timer. Then the washer will automatically shut
off after the allotted time has passed and the clothes can be collected and dried in
the sun, or a partial drying cycle can be run in the dryer vessel.
b) Fully automatic machine: In a fully automatic model, the same tub is used for all
three processes—washing, rinsing and drying. The number of clothes is detected by
the machine's sensors, and it then calculates the appropriate volume of detergent and
water to use, as well as the optimal wash and dry times.
4. System Controller: The system controller monitors the motor's speed and adjusts
it accordingly during various processes. This also works for the maintenance of any
sensor, be it a door or pressure sensor, keypad, or speed sensor.
5. Water Pump: In order to recycle clean water and get rid of dirty one, a water pump
is required. The drain line is connected to the pump's bottom half, while the pump's
upper half recycles the rinse water. The pump is powered by an electric motor, which
can switch directions. When the washer is in the wash cycle, the water is
recirculated, and the drum spins in one direction; in the spin cycle, the water is
drained, and the drum spins in the opposite direction.
on. The washing machine's motor has a higher power rating than the spin motor,
hence the spin cycle takes so long.
2. Wash motor: To clean the fabric, a wash motor is used which is faster and has more
torque than the spin motor. Moreover, to move wet clothes, it needs to be more
powerful. It is a single-phase induction motor with two windings, much like a spin
motor, and it needs a capacitor to get going. The wash timer controls the rotation of
the wash motor in both directions.
3. Spin timer: The spin motor can be controlled with the aid of the spin timer. It has
two connections, one to the spin motor and the other to the power source. It is
important to note that both semi-automatic and fully-automatic washing machines
utilise the spin motor and spin timer.
4. Wash timer: The wash timer can be set to run for a certain amount of time, reverse
the direction of the washing machine's motor, and sound an alarm or buzzer when
the cycle is finished. Wash timers can have anywhere from three to six terminals,
and there are a variety of different types.
5. Door switch: The door switch enables the use of the washer with the door closed
and no other conditions met. Since the door switch is wired in series with the spin
motor, the latter won't turn on unless the door is closed.
UNIT SUMMARY
Almost very modern home would have a microwave oven and a washing machine. Due
to the microwave oven’s extraordinary ability to rapidly heat, defrost, and cook food, this
accidental discovery has quickly gained widespread attention. This device uses a powerful
electromagnetic field at a high frequency to perform its functions; its core components are
a high voltage transformer, a cavity magnetron, a microcontroller, a waveguide, and a
cooling fan. Moreover, its power consumption is around 1.3kW and it employs a microwave
frequency of 2.45 GHz.
The innovations in laundry care over the years have been remarkable. The automated
settings of today's washing machines make it possible to do laundry without constantly
checking on the machine. Top-loading and front-loading washers are two different kinds of
washing machines that vary only in the direction in which one loads laundry. Top-loading
washers can be further broken down into two groups: the semi-automatic and the fully
automatic. There is a system controller integrated with a display panel, sensor, driving
motor, and water pump that all work together to accomplish the task of washing.
Furthermore, fuzzy logic is a set of sensors and controls used in washing machines to
improve the machine's performance and reduce its use of resources like water, energy, and
detergent. The typical washing machine has an efficiency of 31% and an output power of
0.1 kW to 0.4 kW.
EXERCISES
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of the following is not a disadvantage of using a microwave oven?
106|Consumer Electronics
● As early as 1960, Lotfi Zadeh from the University of California first addressed the
idea of fuzzy logic. He was investigating challenges involved in using computers to
comprehend human speech.
REFERENCES
[1] Microwave oven, accessed 25 September 2022, <https://www.zilan.com.tr/microwave-
ovens/microwave-oven-1-1>
[2] Front loading washing machine, accessed 25 September 2022, <https://www.bosch-
home.in/productlist/washer-dryer/front-loading-washing-
machines/WGA244ASIN#/Togglebox=manuals/>
[3] Semi-automatic top load washing machine, accessed 25 September 2022,
<https://www.voltasbeko.com/washing-machines/7-kg-semi-automatic-washing-machine-
wtt70dt.html>
[4] Fully automatic top load machine, accessed 25 September 2022,
<https://www.reliancedigital.in/kelvinator-8-kg-top-loading-fully-automatic-washing-
machine-with-error-monitoring-and-memory-backup-kwt-a800sg/p/491604437>
[5] ThoughtCo., A Brief History of Washing Machines, accessed 27 September 2022,
<https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-washing-machines-1992666>
[6] Bright Hub Engineering, What is a Washing Machine? Types of Washing Machine,
accessed 27 September 2022, <https://www.brighthubengineering.com/consumer-
appliances-electronics/38358-types-of-washing-machines/>
[7] ETechnoG, Washing Machine Wiring, Internal Circuit and Connection Diagram,
accessed 27 September 2022, <https://www.etechnog.com/2021/11/washing-machine-
wiring-connection-circuit.html>
[8] US Food & Drug Administration, Microwave Oven Radiation, accessed 26 September
2022, <https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/resources-you-radiation-emitting-
products/microwave-oven-radiation>
[9] Britannica, Microwave Oven, accessed 25 September 2022,
<https://www.britannica.com/technology/microwave-oven>
[10] Studious Guy, Microwave Oven Working Principle, accessed 26 September 2022,
<https://studiousguy.com/microwave-oven-working-principle/>
[11] Explain That Stuff, Microwave Ovens, accessed 27 September 2022,
https://www.explainthatstuff.com/microwaveovens.html
Home /Office Applicances | 109
6
Digital Electronic
Systems
d
UNIT SPECIFICS
Through this unit we have discussed the following aspects:
● Fax understanding;
● Operating Principle of Photocopies;
● Simple workflow of Air Conditioner;
● Understanding of Working Principal of Refrigerators;
● Working of Digital Camera;
● Basic functionality of Camcorder
The practical applications of the topics are discussed for generating further curiosity and
creativity and improving problem-solving capacity.
Besides giving a large number of multiple-choice questions as well as questions of short
and long answer types marked in two categories following the lower and higher order of
Bloom’s taxonomy, assignments through a number of numerical problems, a list of
references and suggested readings are given in the unit so that one can go through them for
practice.
After the related practical, based on the content, there is a “Know More” section. This
section has been carefully designed so that the supplementary information provided in this
part becomes beneficial for the users of the book. This section mainly highlights the initial
110|Consumer Electronics
activity, examples of some interesting facts, analogy, history of the development of the
subject focusing the salient observations and finding, timelines starting from the
development of the concerned topics up to the recent time, applications of the subject matter
for our day-to-day real life or/and industrial applications on variety of aspects, case study
related to environmental, sustainability, social and ethical issues whichever applicable, and
finally inquisitiveness and curiosity topics of the unit.
RATIONALE
Various digital electronic devices including a fax machine, photocopier, air
conditioner, refrigerator, digital camera, and camcorder are discussed in this module.
Understanding of basic operational principles and fault diagnosis is required in order to
enhance the life span of these products. This module explores the fax machine’s details, its
origins, functionalities, operation, and the basics of sending and receiving faxes.
Additionally, the components and operating principles of the photocopier, also known as
electrophotography, have been covered. One of the most widespread types of technology,
air conditioners come in a wide variety of models. Moreover, aspects of AC operation are
also discussed in this unit. A number of different parts, including the refrigerant fluid,
compressor, condenser, thermostatic expansion valves, evaporator, and receiver, carry out
a refrigerator’s cooling process. Digital cameras, including their operation and
classification, have also been outlined. Camcorder fundamentals have been highlighted in
the last section of the chapter.
PRE-REQUISITES
Mathematics: Electronics Circuits (Class XII)
Physics: Signal and Wave (Class XII)
UNIT OUTCOMES
Outcomes of this unit are : After learning this unit student will be able to
U6-O1: Describe the basic operation of FAX
U6-O2: Describe the components of the Camera
U6-O3: Explain the working of Refrigerators
U6-O4: Realize the role of camcorders
U6-O5: Apply the knowledge of Digital Cameras to solve problems
Digital Electronics Systems|111
6.1 FAX
6.1.1 Introduction
Although the concept of a fax machine dates back to the 1800s, the widespread use of
fax machines did not occur until the 1980s. A fax machine (also known as a facsimile
machine) employs a conventional telephone line to transmit and receive documents. In order
to send or receive a fax, an image must first be digitised by converting it into a grid of dots.
It is possible to tell whether a dot is "on" or "off" based on whether it is black or white.
Moreover, each dot represents a 1 (on) or a 0 (off) in a digital system. The receiving machine
decodes the information from binary code to dots to reprint the image.
Fax machine also has an optical scanner to convert paper documents into digital
format, a printer to physically deliver incoming faxes, and a phone line to connect the two
entities. However, it is widely known that the resolution of an optical scanner is lower than
that of a dedicated standalone scanner. Fax machines that use thermal paper have thermal
printers, which use heat to print faxes.
Fax systems can be constructed by integrating a fax modem and an optical scanner,
rather than purchasing an independent fax machine. You might not need the optical scanner
if the documents which is be sent are digital. A fax machine has different functionalities,
such as:
1. Speed: Fax modems can send and receive data at rates ranging from 4,800 to 28,800
bits per second. Depending on the fax machine, one page can take anywhere from 10 to
20 seconds to send data at 9,600 bps rate.
112|Consumer Electronics
2. Printer type: The thermal printer used in most fax machines requires particular paper,
which quickly turns yellow or brown with use. A common feature of higher-end fax
machines is the ability to print on standard bond paper.
3. Paper size: Most fax machines support thermal paper in either an 8.5-inch or 10.1-inch
width. When using the device, narrow-sized paper is imperative.
4. Paper cutter: Since thermal paper typically comes on a roll, the majority of fax
machines include a paper cutter. However, few economical models or portable faxes
may not have it.
5. Paper feed: If you need to send multiple pages at once, most fax machines have paper
feeds that make it convenient.
6. AutoDialing: In order to send and receive faxes, users can choose from some different
dialling options. To take advantage of cheaper phone rates, you can schedule the fax to
send the document at a later time.
are sent down the phone lines to the recipient's fax machine. Fig. 6.2 depicts a block diagram
of a typical fax network.
Electrical impulses are converted into dots by the receiving fax machine. The fax
machine's internal print mechanism receives the decoded signal and prints a replica of the
original document. Additionally, fax machines all over the world are compatible with each
other because of international standards.
machines will print a confirmation page after sending to confirm that the fax was sent
successfully.
6.1.3 Operating Principle of fax machine
Despite the widespread adoption of electronic mail and web-based faxing services,
familiarity with the operation of the traditional fax machine remains a valuable workplace
skill. The following is a summary of the primary concepts involved in sending and receiving
faxes.
6.1.3.1 Sending fax:
1. Ensure the fax machine is powered and connected to a working phone jack.
2. Activate the fax machine.
3. Get the number of the receiving fax machine.
4. Compile all the documents to verify that they are received in the correct order.
5. Include the recipient's name, fax number/phone number, your name, your phone
number, and a brief message on a separate piece of paper called a "cover sheet."
6. Place the cover sheet on top of the documents and lay them face up in the fax
machine's feeder tray.
7. Call the fax recipient's number (take care for dialling instructions for international
calls).
8. Hit the "fax" or "send" button.
A series of fax tones will play once the pages have been scanned into the fax
machine's memory. These tones facilitate communication between fax machines and
function as a "handshake." Verify whether your fax was successfully sent by looking at the
machine's digital display. An optional confirmation report may be printed out by some fax
machines.
4. Ensure the fax machine's paper tray is fully stocked with printer paper. In order to
prevent paper jams, fan the paper by running your thumb along the bottom to
separate the pages.
5. The fax machine's phone will ring if it has one. Ignore it until you hear a series of
beeps that sound like a "handshake" to know that your fax machine is
communicating with the sender.
6. After the first page is printed, the fax machine will start printing the rest of the fax
automatically.
7. Double-check the cover sheet to ensure you got the right number of pages.
8. Office etiquette dictates that you confirm receipt of a fax by calling or emailing the
sender, especially if it is a particularly important document.
6.2 PHOTOCOPIER
6.2.1 Introduction
In 1938, Chester Carlson established the photocopier, which he called
electrophotography, and after 10 years, in 1948, his invention was officially recognised and
renamed xerography. The Xerox Corporation began operations in 1949 and introduced the
world's first plain paper copier.
Photocopiers rely on the law of attraction and the property of some materials to increase
their electrical conductivity when exposed to electromagnetic radiation for their core
operating principle. Printing on paper requires the use of toner, a negatively charged
powder. At the very centre of a photocopier is a drum that is positively charged by static
electricity. The master copy is laser-transferred onto the drum. The image's white parts (like
paper's blank spaces) become more negatively charged as their charge is drawn away by the
light, while the image's black components (like the text) retain their positive charge.
Because it is attracted to positive surfaces, toner accumulates in the drum's darkest areas.
The drum is what draws the different colours of toner (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black)
when making colour copies. Countless hues are possible when these four prominent colours
are mixed and blended.
6.2.2 Features
The integral components required for the photocopying procedure are as follows:
1. Photoreceptor drum (or belt): It is an important component that looks like a metal
roller coated with photoconductive material, which is typically a semiconductor
such as germanium, selenium, or silicon. This layer becomes an insulator when it is
not exposed to light, blocking the flow of electrons between atoms. However, when
the layer is illuminated, the photon energy relieves the electrons and allows current
to flow. It is the newly liberated electrons that cancel out the positive charge that
coats the drum to create the latent image.
2. Corona wires: A corona wire will create a field of positive charges on the drum
and the paper. Applying a high voltage to these wires causes static electricity, which
is then transmitted to the drum and paper.
3. Lamp and lenses: To make a photocopy, a powerful light source is needed to eject
electrons from photoconductive atoms. The energy in the green and blue sections of
the visible spectrum is sufficient to power this procedure. UV light has enough
energy to produce a photocopy, but it is so intense that it can cause significant harm
to our eyes and skin. Because of this, a regular incandescent or fluorescent bulb is
used to shine light onto the original document in photocopiers. Moreover, the lamp
moves along the inside of the machine, lighting up a single strip of paper at a time
as the machine feeds it in. Light from the lamp assembly is reflected from a mirror
and then focused by a lens onto a drum that spins below. Because of the lens, you
can target an exact area to concentrate a duplicate of the image.
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4. Toner: Dry ink is another name for the fine, negatively charged powder that is toner.
The toner in a toner cartridge is stored on larger, positively charged beads. As the
drum is rolled over with toner-coated beads, the toner particles are drawn to the
positively charged ions on the drum's surface where they have not been exposed.
Electrostatic attraction between the paper and the particles increases as time passes,
and upon heating, the plastic particles liquefy and permanently bond the colour to
the paper.
5. Fuser: The fuser completes the process of fusing the toner onto the paper, making
the image permanent. The fuser does two things: it melts the toner and presses it into
the paper without letting either the toner or the paper stick to the fuser. These goals
are achieved by employing quartz tube lamps and Teflon-coated rollers.
6.2.3 Working
To begin, the cylinder is electrostatically charged using a high-voltage wire (a corona
wire or charge roller). The original paper is then illuminated by a bright light source, and
the drum's white areas are copied in photoelectric manner. The light-exposed portions of
the drum become conductive and discharge to the ground. A negative charge is maintained
in the dark regions of the drum, which correspond to the black in the original document.
Due to its positive charge, toner is attracted to and adheres to the drum's negatively charged
areas during the imaging process (black areas). Subsequently, the drum's toner image is
transferred to a piece of paper with a relatively stronger negative charge. Ultimately, the
toner is liquefied and fused to the paper using rollers that apply heat and pressure.
Furthermore, creating a negative photocopy reverses the original document's colours,
so that white text is superimposed on a black background. There are cases where the clarity
and conciseness of a document are improved by making a negative photocopy of an old or
faded original.
6.3 AIR-CONDITIONING
6.3.1 Introduction
It is commonly known as A/C or AC, air conditioning is the practice of reducing the
temperature and, in some cases, the humidity inside a building or other enclosed area in
order to make its occupants more comfortable. The following are a few types of air-
conditioning units:
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1. Mini-split: Ductless systems (also known as mini-splits) are frequently used for
multi-zone or multi-split applications, which permits up to eight individual rooms
to be conditioned by their indoor unit in conjunction with the outdoor unit. However,
the length of the refrigerant lines connecting the outdoor unit to the indoor units is
the primary challenge of multi-split systems.
2. Ducted central systems: The condenser is the external component of a split-system
central air conditioner, while the fan coil unit (FCU), air handling unit (AHU), or
evaporator is located indoors and serves to transfer heat to the outside air. Ductwork
runs from the FCU to the rooms that need cooling.
3. Central plant cooling: Due to air's low density and heat capacity, large central
cooling plants may use transitional coolants such as chilled water pumped into air
handlers or fan coil units adjacent to or within the spaces to be conditioned, which
then duct or deliver cold air into the areas to be conditioned. In order to cool the
water, chillers in the plant use a refrigeration system, and the excess heat is usually
released into the atmosphere through cooling towers.
4. Portable units: The indoor component of a portable system is on wheels and is
linked to the outdoor component through adaptable pipes. There are air ducts that
lead outside for the exhaust of hose systems, which may be monoblock or air-to-air.
The water is collected in a bucket or tray of the monoblock variety, which
automatically turns off when it is full. Continuous operation is possible for air-to-air
types because they recycle the water through evaporation before discharging it
through the ducted hose. However, the cooling efficiency of portable air
conditioners is reduced because they draw air from inside and release it outside via
a single duct.
5. Packaged air conditioner: Packaged air conditioners (self-contained units) are
centralised systems that incorporate all the components of a split central system into
a single housing, and then distribute the cooled air to the desired rooms, typically
through ductwork. Units can be ground-based or rooftop-based (called "rooftop
units"), cooled by water, refrigerant, or air, and used to condition either indoor or
outdoor air. The air conditioning system in an outdoor unit is typically cooled by a
cooling tower, while the air conditioning system in an indoor unit is cooled by liquid.
6.3.2 Working
The vapour-compression cycle, used in conventional air conditioning systems,
transfers heat through the forced circulation and phase change of a refrigerant between gas
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and liquid to achieve cooling. While an air conditioner and an air source heat pump have
similar parts, the latter has a reversing valve that allows it to warm and also cool a building.
If the evaporator coil surface is relatively cooler than the dew point of the surrounding air,
the absolute humidity of the air of the system would get decrease. To maintain a comfortable
level of human activity, an HVAC system installed in an area will maintain a relative
humidity of 30-60%. Fig. 6.4 illustrates the cooling cycle in which a refrigerant is processed
in the following steps:
1. A cold liquid refrigerant is circulated through an evaporator, where it draws heat
from the warmer room and dissipates it.
2. Once in its gaseous state, the refrigerant is compressed to raise its temperature.
3. The condenser coils do the work of dissipating the refrigerant's heat into the ambient
air.
4. Then the refrigerant expands in order to lower its pressure and cool down to a
temperature lower than the ambient temperature before the cycle can begin again.
Furthermore, for maximum water condensation, the evaporator temperature is lowered
during the dehumidification cycle of most modern air conditioners by running the
compressor while slowing the fan. In situations when the external air is cooler than the
internal air, it is not necessary to use a compressor. Consequently, free cooling is preferred
to ensure high efficiency in cooling.
Reverse-cycle air conditioners generate heat by switching to air source heat pump mode and
reversing the refrigeration cycle. Heat pumps are more proficient than electric resistance
heating because they transfer energy from the surrounding air or groundwater to the heated
space. The heat pump's indoor evaporator coil is converted into a condenser coil and used
to generate heat when the system is in heating mode and the outdoor condenser unit acts as
an evaporator, expelling cold air.
6.4 REFRIGERATOR
6.4.1 Introduction
The refrigerator is the most common item in almost every household nowadays.
Refrigerators make our lives easier in many ways, from preserving our food by reducing
bacterial activity to providing us with cold beverages to enjoy during the hot summer. The
modern refrigeration method can be traced back to the work of American inventors Oliver
Evans and Jacob Perkins in the 19th century. Perkins created the first refrigeration system
based on the ideas of Evans, who developed the vapour-compression refrigeration cycle.
Even though Perkin's system was not widely popular, it did pave the way for the
refrigerators we use today.
6.4.3 Working
In accordance with the second law of thermodynamics, "heat cannot pass from a cold
to a hot body without some other change, connected therewith, occurring at the same time,"
a refrigerator can maintain a constant temperature by utilising this principle. Consequently,
mechanical work needs to be performed on the system to transfer heat from an area with a
cooler temperature to an area with a higher temperature. The refrigeration system performs
the necessary mechanical work. The refrigeration cycle (Fig. 6.6), also known as the vapour-
compression refrigeration cycle, is a cyclical process that moves heat from a cooler to a
warmer area.
When a refrigerator's compressor turns on, it forces a volatile refrigerant liquid through
the evaporator's cooling coils and into the refrigerator's interior. Because of the latent heat
provided by the food items, the refrigerant evaporates inside these coils, changing its phase
from liquid to gas, thereby lowering the temperature inside the refrigerator. Next, the
vapours are sent through an electrically powered compressor, which increases the pressure
and, thus, the temperature of the vapours. These extremely hot and pressurised vapours are
then directed toward the condenser coil, where they once again undergo a liquefaction
process, this time changing their phase from vapour to liquid. This second phase transition
allows the heat to escape into the surrounding environment. After passing through an
expansion valve to lower its pressure, the liquid refrigerant is stored in a receiver or liquid
reservoir until the next cycle begins. This process is repeated until the set temperature is
achieved. In order to further boost the efficiency of the evaporator and condenser coils,
some high-efficiency refrigerators use fans.
The camera's ability to perform all necessary calculations and adjustments for taking
a picture makes it a good choice for those who lack the time, interest, or talent to
study photography. Smartphone cameras are one application of this technology.
1. Twin-Lens Reflex (TLR) cameras: It's a camera configuration where both lenses
have the same focal length. The "taking lens," or photographic objective, is the
component responsible for actually capturing an image, while the "viewfinder lens"
is used to frame the scene for the photographer from above at waist level.
2. Single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras: The mirror and prism system is the backbone of
the single-lens reflex camera (SLR). The photographer can see what will be captured
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in real-time because of the camera's transparent lens. Pressing the shutter button on a
mechanical SLR causes the mirror to flip out of the way, allowing light to reach the
photosensitive sensor and the image to be captured.
3. DSLR cameras: Digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras, as opposed to point-
and-shoot models, offer superior image quality due to their larger image sensors. It
allows for extensive manipulation of the shot by letting the user switch lenses and
adjust the exposure settings (aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc.).
a makeshift reflex mirror by relaying its signal to the viewfinder in the absence of a
reflex mirror. In this way, the photographer can view the image in real-time on a
tiny LCD screen located on the camera's back. This display serves as both the
viewfinder and the control panel, eliminating the need for the latter.
6.5.3 Additional Accessories
Photography can be made efficient in terms of time and labour through the use of
various cameras accessories which include:
1. Tripod: Tripods are extendable, three-legged stands typically used to mount
cameras, with the foremost purpose of maintaining a steady and secure camera in a
particular spot. Long exposures and taking multiple pictures from the same vantage
point both necessitate it.
2. Filters: Filters, which are small pieces of glass fastened to lenses, help to filter the
light that enters the lens. Therefore, it modifies the photo's hue, saturation,
brightness, and contrast, and can even add some effects. Moreover, they protect the
lens from debris, UV rays, and scratches.
3. Flash: The flash is the most popular piece of artificial lighting used in still
photography, and it works by emitting a burst of light for a fraction of a second.
Flashes are commonly built into modern cameras and when the shutter button is
pressed during flash photography, the flash automatically activates to illuminate the
subject. However, in order for external flashes to work in conjunction with the
camera, a trigger cable or wireless trigger must be employed.
6.6 CAMCORDER
6.6.1 Introduction
With the help of a camcorder, you can record video and audio onto a mini cassette or DVD,
or memory card. This is accomplished by combining the functions of a television camera, a
video recorder, and a synchronization pulse generator. After that, the signals are reproduced
on a standard DVD or another storage device. Microelectronics, IC design, and
inventiveness in design have all combined to produce the digital camcorders of today.
However, although the picture quality may not match with full-size professional equipment
still is a good, cost-effective solution for personal usage. Furthermore, most of the time the
user's lack of expertise rather than the camcorder itself is the cause for the substandard
quality of the resulting images. The light-sensitive chip used in modern camcorders was
first developed for satellite television. The digital system permits capturing stills along with
some sound, and the compression greatly reduces the amount of space needed for storage.
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Two innovations in the late '80s made it possible for camcorders to become much smaller.
For instance, the VHS-C (Video Home System - Compact) videotape format was
introduced. Which was compact and lightweight because the tapes could be played on any
VHS player with the help of an adapter. Although the tapes could only hold up to 40 minutes
of recordings, the devices' reduced size and weight made them useful in a wider range of
situations. Moreover, the introduction of 8 mm tapes was the second major development for
the video recording industry. Even though these tapes were much smaller than VHS tapes,
they were still capable of holding two hours of high-quality video. However, a significant
drawback was that they required a direct connection to a VHS or Betamax player in order
to play or re-record footage.
new types of digital camcorders have lately become more popular due to falling
prices of recordable media and portable storage,
3. DVD camcorders: DVD camcorders are DVRs that can also record to DVD-RAM
or DVD-R discs for long-term storage. Due to its impending portability and low
cost, the DVD format has seen an exponential rise in sales. Micro drives and flash
memory-based mobile devices typically use flash memory or a specialised memory
format to store video. Due to the high cost of storage for media larger than 2GB,
flash-based camcorders are now a niche product.
UNIT SUMMARY
Among the many digital electronic systems most widely used are fax machines,
photocopiers, air conditioners, refrigerators, digital cameras, and camcorders. In order to
send and receive faxes, a regular telephone line is used. However, a document must be
digitised before it is modulated to sound for transmission. Moreover, to verify that the fax
was successfully sent, some devices generate a confirmation page after sending.
The fundamental working principle of photocopiers is based on the law of attraction
and the fact that some materials increase their electrical conductivity when exposed to
electromagnetic radiation. Essential parts of any photocopier incorporate the photoreceptor
drum, lamp and lenses, corona wires, fuser and toner which facilitate the photocopying
procedure.
In order to improve the comfort of their users, air conditioners can adjust the relative
humidity and temperature of a room by processing the refrigerant in the cooling cycle. There
are many variations of the central air conditioner, but some of the most common is the mini-
split, central ducted systems, central plant cooling, portable units, and packaged air
conditioners.
Furthermore, the primary purpose of a refrigerator is to prolong the life of perishable
foods by decreasing the growth of harmful bacteria. that's why it's been deemed essential
for every home. The cooling process in a fridge is carried out by several different
components, such as the refrigerant fluid, compressor, condenser, thermostatic expansion
valves, evaporator, and receiver.
The term "camera" refers to any optical device that can record moving or still images
and send or store them. Moreover, modern cameras, which evolved from the traditional
camera, share many characteristics with the human eye. There is a wide variety of digital
cameras, including point-and-shoot models, rangefinder models, single-lens reflex (SLR)
models, digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) models, and mirrorless cameras. A camcorder
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combines the functions of a television camera, a video recorder, and a synchronisation pulse
generator to record video and audio onto a mini cassette, DVD, or memory card and then
reproduce the signals on a standard DVD or another storage device
EXERCISES
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of the following is not true for facsimile machines?
a. The majority of them employ a thermal printer
b. The width of the thermal printer is 8.5 inches
c. It includes a paper cutter
d. The height of the thermal printer is 8.5 inches
2. In a photocopier, __________ becomes charged when exposed to light.
a. Corona wires
b. Photoreceptor belt
c. Toner
d. Fuser
3. The refrigerant has high pressure and low temperature when it passes from ____
a. Evaporator to compressor
b. Compressor to condenser
c. Condenser to expansion valve
d. Expansion valve to evaporator
4. An ADC is used in a digital camera.
a. True
b. False
5. A camcorder is a combination of ______
a. Sync pulse generator, TV camera & video recorder
b. TV camera, video recorder & amplifier
c. Amplifier, sync pulse generator & video recorder
d. TV camera, sync pulse generator & ADC
Answers of Multiple Choice Questions
(1) d (2) b (3)c (4) (5)a
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PRACTICAL
1. Study the working of a fax machine
2. Study the working of a photocopier and diagnosis basic operational faults.
3. Study the working of standard types of air conditioners and diagnosis of basic
operational faults.
4. Study different components of a refrigerator system.
5. Study the working of a digital camera system and its types.
KNOW MORE
● The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that by 2050, there will be 5.6
billion air conditioners in use throughout the world. According to estimates, this
constituted about 20% of 2018's global building electricity consumption.
● In 1902, American inventor Willis H. Carrier put in place the first commercial air
conditioning system at the Sackett-Williams Lithographing & Publishing Company.
The Sackett-Williams office was in New York City.
● In 1959, Xerox introduced commercial xerographic office photocopying, which
quickly began to displace older duplicating technologies like the Verifax, Photostat,
carbon paper, and mimeograph machines. Office photocopying using commercial
xerography was Xerox's big break.
Digital Electronics Systems|131
● Carlson, the inventor of the photocopier, was arthritic and found the procedure of
producing multiple duplicates of significant documents to be a time-consuming
endeavour, so he decided to study photoconductivity.
● The Beta movie BMC-100P from Sony was the very first consumer camcorder, and
it was released in 1983. But since it takes a Betamax cassette and sits on the
operator's shoulder, it's not one that can be held with one hand.
● Kodak engineer Steve Sasson came up with the idea for the first digital camera in
1975 and built it out of scrap materials and unused kit components that were lying
around the factory.
● First introduced in Japan in May 1999, the Kyocera Visual Phone VP-210 was the
first mass-produced camera phone. The front-facing camera had 110000 pixels and
could store 20 JPEG digital images for later transmission via e-mail or phone.
REFERENCES
[1] Fax machine, accessed 10 September 2022, <https://indianrenters.com/fax-machine-
on-rent/>
[2]Photocopier, accessed 10 September 2022,
<https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/photocopier>
[3]Refrigerator, accessed 10 September 2022,
<https://www.mylloyd.com/refrigerator/direct-cool-refrigerator/gldf213sbbt2pb>
[4] Point and Shoot camera, accessed 10 September 2022, <https://digital-photography-
school.com/does-a-point-shoot-camera-still-make-sense-for-you/>
[5] TLR camera, accessed 10 September 2022,
<https://www.lomography.com/magazine/319470-8-tlr-cameras-for-the-creative-
photographer>
[6] SLR camera, accessed 10 September 2022, <https://flynngraphics.ca/the-
collection/the-cameras/canonflex/>
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132|Consumer Electronics
[1] Gupta, R. G. (2010). Audio & Video Systems, 2e. Tata McGraw-Hill Education.
[4] Frenzel, L. (2017). Electronics Explained: Fundamentals for Engineers, Technicians, and
Makers. Newnes.
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Course outcomes (COs) for this course can be mapped with the programme outcomes (POs) after
the completion of the course and a correlation can be made for the attainment of POs to analyze
the gap. After proper analysis of the gap in the attainment of POs necessary measures can be taken
to overcome the gaps.
The data filled in the above table can be used for gap analysis.
135
INDEX
3D TV……..74, 75
Acoustic feedback……..30
Air-conditioning……..117,130
Ambient noise……..30, 35
Aspect ratio……..17, 38, 44, 60, 62, 63, 70, 74
Back porch……..48, 63
Camcorder….3, 11, 21, 109, 110, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132
Cavity magnetron……..98, 105
CD players……..16, 24, 25, 27, 36
Component video….83,84,88,90
Composite video…7, 17, 19, 38, 47, 63, 69, 81, 82, 83, 84, 88, 90
Compression……..2, 3, 4, 74 , 86, 87, 123, 126, 131
Decibel……..4, 5, 9, 21, 25
Digital audio console……..26, 27, 35, 36, 135
Digital camera……..3, 21, 109, 110, 123, 128, 129, 130, 131
Digital TV…….18, 69, 85
Dolby-B……..10, 25, 26, 34, 35, 36
Dynamic range……..7, 20, 30, 33, 36
Electrical conductivity……..116, 128
Electromagnetic field……..16, 95, 105
Electromagnetic induction……..11, 19
Facsimile machine……..111, 129
Flicker……..17, 45, 60, 63, 73
FM tuner……10, 16, 23, 27, 28, 36
Frequency response……..2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 18
Front porch……..48
136
Thermodynamics……..122
Time period……3, 12, 19, 48
Transformer……..8, 9, 11, 14, 29, 97, 98, 105
Velocity……..3, 11, 20, 21
Video amplifier…2, 19, 67, 69, 79, 80, 88, 90
Video interfaces…….82, 88, 89
Waveguide…….98, 105, 106
Wavelength……..3, 20, 51, 52, 54, 62
138