Cell Phone
Cell phones have been around for quite a few years now and the digital versions we use today are the second generation of cellular technology. Prior to our digital cell phones, we used analog phones which operate using the same basic radio technology even though they use it differently. A digital phone converts the voice into the computerized binary language and compresses it. The way it is compressed takes up less space. For instance, the same space that it takes to make an analog call can be used by 3 to 10 digital calls. There are numerous cellular systems which use FSK (frequency shift keying) to send data both directions over AMPS. There are two frequencies used by FSK, one is used for the 1s and the other one is used for the 0s that make up the binary system which consists entirely of 1s and 0s. By alternating very fast between 1s and 0s, digital information can be sent between a cell tower and a cell phone. There are also several types of encoding and modulation schemes that are needed to convert analog information in to digital information. It has to convert it, compress it and then convert it back again all while maintaining an acceptable level of quality in the voice. This simply means to the lay person that a cell phone must contain a lot of power just to process information.
Inside the Digital Cell Phone
The cell phone is highly popular around the world and it is still most likely one of the most intricately designed devices that are used in everyday life. In just one second, a digital cell phone has to process literally millions of calculation just to compress and decompress the voice. Inside a cell phone are several very familiar electronic components including:
· Circuit board ( the brains)
· An antenna
· LCD (liquid crystal display)
· Keyboard
· Microphone
· Speakers
· Battery
How it all Works
Circuit Board - At the heart of the cell phone’s operation is the circuit board. It contains chips that translate signals from analog to digital and then digital back to analog. The outgoing signal is translated from analog to digital and the incoming signal has to be translated from digital to analog; all in a matter of milliseconds. The DSP (digital signal processor) is specifically customized and designed to handle these signal calculations at a very high rate of speed.
Microprocessor - Another one of the important electronic parts in a cell phone is the microprocessor. It can be thought of as the housekeeper and performs the chores needed to keep the keyboard and display running properly. It also deals with the signals pertaining to control and command and coordinates the functions of the circuit board.
Operating System – In order for the phone’s operating system to work properly it has to have ROM and flash memory chips. This allows for features like the phone directory which the user can customize. It also has a power section and radio frequency section which is able to handle recharging and manage the power usage. And there is a RF amplifier which handles the signals that are traveling both to and from the antenna.
Display – Over the last few years the display on cell phones has grown considerably. Without a display, the user would not have access to any of the features. The most current cell phones today have built in directories, games, notes, calendars and calculator functions. But they also now have web browsers, cameras and tons of other apps that can be used to serve any desired function. Some cell phones can store a wide variety of information like MIN and SID codes using an internal flash memory and others use external cards to store information.
Speakers and Microphone – A cell phone has a very little set of speakers and a microphone that work amazingly well for their size. When you look at the electrical components in a cell phone it’s noticeable that the speakers are only about the size of a dime. And right beside that is the microphone which is smaller and about the size of a small watch battery. That’s also about the size of the battery which is used to run the internal clock chip of the phone.
It’s hard to imagine that just a few decades ago devices which had the level of functionality of today’s cell phone would have filled a huge portion of an office building. But now, all the electronic parts needed for a cell phone to operate fit nicely inside the palm of the hand.
Inside the Digital Cell Phone
The cell phone is highly popular around the world and it is still most likely one of the most intricately designed devices that are used in everyday life. In just one second, a digital cell phone has to process literally millions of calculation just to compress and decompress the voice. Inside a cell phone are several very familiar electronic components including:
· Circuit board ( the brains)
· An antenna
· LCD (liquid crystal display)
· Keyboard
· Microphone
· Speakers
· Battery
How it all Works
Circuit Board - At the heart of the cell phone’s operation is the circuit board. It contains chips that translate signals from analog to digital and then digital back to analog. The outgoing signal is translated from analog to digital and the incoming signal has to be translated from digital to analog; all in a matter of milliseconds. The DSP (digital signal processor) is specifically customized and designed to handle these signal calculations at a very high rate of speed.
Microprocessor - Another one of the important electronic parts in a cell phone is the microprocessor. It can be thought of as the housekeeper and performs the chores needed to keep the keyboard and display running properly. It also deals with the signals pertaining to control and command and coordinates the functions of the circuit board.
Operating System – In order for the phone’s operating system to work properly it has to have ROM and flash memory chips. This allows for features like the phone directory which the user can customize. It also has a power section and radio frequency section which is able to handle recharging and manage the power usage. And there is a RF amplifier which handles the signals that are traveling both to and from the antenna.
Display – Over the last few years the display on cell phones has grown considerably. Without a display, the user would not have access to any of the features. The most current cell phones today have built in directories, games, notes, calendars and calculator functions. But they also now have web browsers, cameras and tons of other apps that can be used to serve any desired function. Some cell phones can store a wide variety of information like MIN and SID codes using an internal flash memory and others use external cards to store information.
Speakers and Microphone – A cell phone has a very little set of speakers and a microphone that work amazingly well for their size. When you look at the electrical components in a cell phone it’s noticeable that the speakers are only about the size of a dime. And right beside that is the microphone which is smaller and about the size of a small watch battery. That’s also about the size of the battery which is used to run the internal clock chip of the phone.
It’s hard to imagine that just a few decades ago devices which had the level of functionality of today’s cell phone would have filled a huge portion of an office building. But now, all the electronic parts needed for a cell phone to operate fit nicely inside the palm of the hand.