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A-LevelPhysicsAlternating currents9702/42 · Oct/Nov 2017 · Q58 Marks

The analogue signal from a microphone is to be transmitted in digital form. The variation with time t of part of the signal from the microphone is shown in Fig. 5.1. [Figure 5.1] The microphone output is sampled at a frequency of 5.0 kHz by an analogue-to-digital converter (ADC). The output from the ADC is a series of 4-bit numbers. The smallest bit represents 1.0mV. The first sample is taken at time t = 0.

  1. (a)Use Fig. 5.1 to complete Fig. 5.2. [Figure 5.2][2]
  2. (b)After transmission of the digital signal, it is converted back to an analogue signal using a digital-to-analogue converter (DAC). Using data from Fig. 5.1, draw, on the axes of Fig. 5.3, the output level from the DAC for the transmitted signal from time t = 0 to time t = 1.2ms. [Figure 5.3][4]
  3. (c)It is usual in modern telecommunication systems for the ADC and the DAC to have more than four bits in each sample. State and explain the effect on the transmitted analogue signal of such an increase.[2]

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Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2017). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [1] (a) (0.2 ms) 8.0 (mV) 1000
  2. [1] (a) (0.8 ms) 5.8 (mV) 0101
  3. [1] (b) series of steps
  4. [1] (b) all (step) changes are at 0.2 ms intervals
  5. [2] (b) steps with correct levels at correct times (1 mark if five levels correct; 2 marks if all levels correct)
  6. [1] (c) smaller step heights (possible)
  7. [1] (c) smaller changes (in input signal) can be seen/reproduced/represented or (allows) more accurate reproduction (of the input signal)

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About this question

Topic
Alternating currents, A-Level Physics (syllabus 9702). Structured question, 8 marks.
Source
A-Level Physics, Oct/Nov 2017 Paper 4 Variant 2, question 5.

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