2. Unit 5: Evolution of Technology in Science Topic: Wave Transmissions
Learning Target: I can…
Use the COSMOS Technology Toolkit to transmit and receive a wave signal and visualize it on my computer
I will determine the frequency and power of the transmitted wave signal
Standard(s):
MS-PS4-1. Develop a model and use mathematical representations to describe waves that include frequency, wavelength, and how the amplitude of a wave is related to the energy in a wave.

3. What does “Wi-Fi” stand for?
Homework
Write 1 paragraph to explain the difference between electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves
Problem of the Day
What does “Wi-Fi” stand for?

4. Discussion Questions
What devices do you have that transmit and receive information?
Can all electronic devices transmit and receive information?

5. Transmitters
Recall that all electronic signals are electromagnetic waves. Transmitters have a power supply, an oscillator, a modulator, an amplifier, and an antenna. Once the transmitter is powered on you can talk into a microphone, type text, create a video or a picture to send. This is your signal. The oscillator will then create an electrical current at the frequency the transmitter will use. This is the carrier wave.

6. Transmitters cont.
The modulator will now add the signal you created (voice, text, video, or picture) to the carrier wave by modulating it in either AM or FM. The amplifier now amplifies the modulated wave to increase its power. The antenna then converts the amplified, modulated wave signal into an electromagnetic wave signal. This signal is partly electric and partly magnetic and is transmitted at the speed of light to wherever you want it to go.

7. Receivers
Receivers have an antenna, a Radio Frequency (RF) Amplifier, a tuner, a detector, and another amplifier. The antenna captures the electromagnetic wave signals (radio waves) and creates an electric current. The RF amplifier amplifies the signal from the antenna so it can be processed by the tuner.

8. Receivers cont.
The tuner identifies and extracts signals at a particular frequency (i.e. the frequency of the signal you sent) and sends it to the detector. Remember the information signal is voice, text, video, or picture. The detector separates the information from the carrier wave (demodulation) and an amplifier amplifies it for you to hear and/or see.

9. Transceiver
A transceiver is a device that can both transmit and receive information. Our COSMOS Technology Toolkit includes the ADALM-PLUTO Transceiver (PLUTO) for short. We will be using the PLUTO transceiver for our COSMOS experiments.

10. Lab Activity
We are now going to perform an experiment/activity in which your teacher will transmit a wave signal from his computer and you will try to receive and visualize that signal on your computer. We will use equipment from our COSMOS Technology Toolkit: a computer and monitor, an ADALM-PLUTO Transceiver and antenna. The materials are already assembled on your desks. Get ready and wait for your teacher to tell you to begin