Many people have cell phones today. Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother, Aunt, Uncle and even Grandma and Grandpa are getting into the mix of the new age technology. While many people own a cell phone, they may not know what is in it or how it works. Often times as I’m admiring my cellular device I often contemplate what is inside of it that makes it run ever so efficient. In my mind I assume that there are little tiny particles that conform together that spark electrons and all other kinds of technologies. Whatever it may be I cannot quite figure out how they do it; how they make such a small piece of technology do so much!
In the interior of your cellular device, there are many little things that make it work. Such things consist of a condensed speaker for you to hear from, a microphone to speak into, a keyboard to punch in numbers and text, a display screen and a mighty circuit board with a microprocessor that make each tiny phone a minuscule computer system. For all of these things to act as useful components, it must have a signal. All of these things sit in the palm of your hand, weigh only a few ounces and offer so much more than any other technology today for its size.
Throughout the years the cell phone has developed into a very sophisticated piece of technology and has adapted many useful tools along the way such as internet access, full keyboard, color graphics and cool ring tones that sound as though they came straight from studio. All of these things have made the cell phone a hot commodity and now it seems like everyone owns one or has to have the latest model.
The signal in your cellular device is extremely important. In reality, cell phones are actually radios; they broadcast signals on radio frequencies. The only difference between the two is that the radio operates on a simplex system, and the cell phone operates on a duplex system, which uses two frequencies instead of one. Radios have 40 channels connecting from each other in which is not as many as compared to cell phones. Cell phones have over 1,500 channels putting them in a much more sophisticated category above the radio. Although the radio has been upgraded since its initial development, the cell phone soared over it with its additional renowned quality.
The transmission of a cell phones signal is performed over frequencies, which are strips formed from airwaves. Ultimately cell phones have their own bandwidth, which are parts of frequencies, in which to transmit their signals. While this is a great process, it was causing a lot of problems because there was too many cell phones competing for signals. Therefore something had to be revolutionized and bandwidths were split. Over time, technologists have made it easier for us to use cell phones and for the signals to be delivered by changing the signal from analog to digital. For example, instead of using a cassette tape to watch a movie, we now use DVD in which are more technologically advanced in our society today. More data is able to be stored which means a lot more signals can be relayed through airwaves. By changing the signal from analog to digital makes it easier for cell phones to send more signals without any interference.
Furthermore, cell phones are made up of biological areas, namely cells- hence the name cell phone. In these cells are many assigned channels, which can be used by different cells given that they are far enough apart. If two channels were to interfere, it means that the cells were too close together which is why they are carefully assigned. The assurance that many channels can be used all across America without interference is the result of a maximized bandwidth, which ultimately makes for a more efficient society.
Recently we have stopped using channels and have converted to code signals, which can be spread all through the spectrum. The pieces that are now in the spectrum are translated back to its original message, which is your voice. Therefore during a conversation the signals you release into the mouthpiece are thrown into the air into little codes that must be decoded in order for the person on the other line to receive your communication. During the production of your cell phone there is an ESN (Electronic Serial Number) dispensed in it. This stays with this particular cell phone forever and is given in order for other cell phones to recognize the caller. Ultimately this is your signal, which is thrown into the spectrum when you need to place a call to retrieve a frequency.
One fundamental part in the mobile phone communication is the formation of relay centers referred to as base stations. These stations are in fact smaller editions of transmitter towers that you will recognize as you travel from one place to another. These are located on highways, main roads and basically anywhere needed. The base station acts as the electronic connection between two cell phones. Now, as we travel we are automatically transferred from tower to tower to assure signal to our cell phone. This is how we maintain signal as we drive away from our usual signal at home. Each base station provides a single “cell” which was describes earlier. These are also known as radio signals and when these signals are combined they are referred to as cellular compartments. While changing location, you are going in and out of a single cell as you enter a new one. However, there may be a few areas around the country in which do not have proper signal. This may be a result of too great of distance between towers, and it makes it very difficult for proper signal to be given to each cell phone user. In some unfortunate circumstances you may enter a location with no available cell, this is when the infamous “NO SERVICE” signal is placed upon your cellular device, driving you mad with anger because you cannot connect until you are close enough to a tower of service signal.
Ultimately, mobile phones are completely concrete forms of technology that bring a lot of power into a tiny device. As we go on through our lives we will never be completely aware of all of the signals and airwave frequencies that are traveling around us.
http://www.brighthub.com/engineering/electrical/articles/3885.aspx
http://peacecraft.tripod.com/infomining/cellphon.htm
