Understanding the Generalised Communication System Sequence

A generalised communication system is designed to transmit information from one point to another. It consists of several key components working in a specific order. Let's break down the given components and their roles. The components provided are:

1. Receiver
2. Information source
3. Channel
4. User of information
5. Transmitter

To determine the correct sequence, we need to understand the typical flow of information in such a system.

Role of Each Communication System Component

Let's briefly explain what each part does:

• Information Source: This is where the message or information originates. It could be a person speaking, a computer generating data, etc.
• Transmitter: This component takes the message from the information source and converts it into a signal suitable for transmission over the channel. This often involves modulation and encoding.
• Channel: This is the medium through which the signal travels from the transmitter to the receiver. Examples include air (for radio waves), coaxial cable, optical fiber, etc.
• Receiver: This component takes the signal from the channel and converts it back into a message that the user can understand. This often involves demodulation and decoding.
• User of Information: This is the final destination of the message, the person or device that receives and interprets the information.

Sequencing the Communication System Components

Based on the roles, the information flow in a generalised communication system follows a logical path:

1. The process begins with the creation of the message by the Information source.
2. The message is then passed to the Transmitter, which prepares it for transmission.
3. The signal from the transmitter travels through the Channel.
4. The signal is picked up by the Receiver at the other end of the channel.
5. Finally, the receiver delivers the recovered message to the User of information.

So, the correct sequence of the components as listed (A) to (E) is: Information source → Transmitter → Channel → Receiver → User of information Mapping this back to the letters: (B) Information source (E) Transmitter (C) Channel (A) Receiver (D) User of information The correct sequence is (B), (E), (C), (A), (D).

Verifying the Communication System Sequence with Options

Let's look at the given options and see which one matches the derived sequence (B), (E), (C), (A), (D):

1. (D), (A), (C), (E), (B) - Incorrect
2. (B), (E), (C), (A), (D) - Matches the derived sequence
3. (C), (A), (E), (B), (D) - Incorrect
4. (D), (E), (C), (A), (B) - Incorrect

Therefore, the sequence (B), (E), (C), (A), (D) correctly represents the flow in a generalised communication system.

Generalised Communication System Flow

Step	Component	Letter	Function
1	Information source	(B)	Generates message
2	Transmitter	(E)	Encodes/modulates message into signal
3	Channel	(C)	Carries the signal
4	Receiver	(A)	Decodes/demodulates signal back to message
5	User of information	(D)	Receives and understands message

Revision Table: Key Communication System Points

Communication System Components and Sequence

Concept	Description
Core Purpose	Transfer information from source to user.
Starting Point	Information Source (Origin of message).
Transmission Stage	Transmitter (Prepares message for channel).
Medium	Channel (Path for the signal).
Reception Stage	Receiver (Interprets signal).
End Point	User of Information (Recipient).
Correct Sequence	Information Source → Transmitter → Channel → Receiver → User of information.

Additional Information: Expanding on Communication Systems

A generalised communication system model, often attributed to Claude Shannon, also includes the concepts of 'Noise' and the 'Destination'. While 'User of information' and 'Destination' are closely related, the model explicitly shows noise entering the channel, which can corrupt the signal during transmission. * Noise: Unwanted signals that interfere with the transmitted signal, causing distortion or errors in the received message. Noise can enter at any point but is typically modelled as entering the channel. * Destination: The point where the message arrives after passing through the receiver. In simple models, the User of Information is often considered the destination. Understanding the role of each component and the potential impact of noise is crucial for designing efficient and reliable communication systems. The goal is always to ensure the message received by the user is as close as possible to the message sent by the information source, despite potential noise and channel limitations. Different types of communication systems (e.g., wired, wireless, digital, analog) implement these components using various technologies, but the fundamental sequence of information flow remains the same.