Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Characteristics of alternating currents

Characteristics of alternating currents — practice question

An optic fibre is to be used to provide a telephone link between two towns. The distance between the towns along the optic fibre is $75\,\text{km}$.
(a)[2]

State two changes that happen to a signal as it is sent through an optic fibre.

(b(i))[1]

For the optic fibre, the attenuation per unit length is $1.6\,\text{dB km}^{-1}$. The least allowable signal-to-noise power ratio in the fibre is $25\,\text{dB}$. The mean noise power in the optic fibre is $6.1 \times 10^{-19}\,\text{W}$. Suggest one reason why power ratios are expressed in dB.

(b(ii))[5]

The input signal power to the optic fibre is set at $6.5\,\text{mW}$. Determine whether repeater amplifiers are needed in the optic fibre between the two towns.

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