How does phones work

The lower the number of bars is an indication of a weaker signal strength, which means you are too far from the cell tower , or there is too much signal interruption between your cell phone and the cell tower. The result is poor connectivity. When your phone has weak connectivity, it tends to transmit a stronger signal to connect to the tower. Antenna There are many types of antennas, which include cell phone antennas. There are two types of antennas for cell phones: External antenna — a common feature in older cell phones Retractable whip antenna — an antenna with a flexible wire or cord Helical antenna — an antenna with a springy wire with a shape of a narrow helix, encased in a plastic or rubber jacket for protection.

Internal antenna — a common feature in modern cell phones Microchip antenna — also known as microstrip antenna, it uses microstrip techniques on a printed circuit board, mostly used at microwave frequencies. While older generation cell phones have external or extractable antennas, modern cell phones contain more compact antennas inside the device thanks to advanced antenna technologies.

Many modern smart phones also contain more than one type of antenna. As mentioned earlier, a cell phone is a two-way wireless communication device and needs both the inbound signal reception and the outbound signal transmission to work. The connectivity between a cell phone and its cellular network depends on both signals and is affected by many factors, such as the distance between the phone and the nearest cell tower, the number of impediments between them and the wireless technology e.

GSM vs. In order to conserve battery life, a cell phone will vary the strength of its transmitted signal and use only the minimum necessary to communicate with the nearest cell tower. When your cell phone has poor connectivity, it transmits a stronger signal in order to connect to the tower, and as a result your battery drains faster.

Your email address will not be published. We can help you select the perfect technologies that will be a great fit for you, your employees, and your business. Did you know that landline telephones have essentially worked in the same way since they were invited by Alexander Graham Bell in ? Phones also contain other pieces of technology. The most basic pieces are the speaker the part you put your ear to , the microphone the part you speak into , a switch the part that connects your phone into a network , and other pieces that you are most likely familiar with, such as the keypad which allows you to dial numbers using various tones , the cords for the wall jack, and the ringer.

However, in order for phones to do what we need, like call a number of your choice and ring when someone is calling you, your phone will look a lot more like the one in diagram 2. The telephones you have in your office or the landline you have at home all operate essentially the same way. Though they may seem complex, they are actually fairly simple when compared to some of the other advanced technology we use every day!

Have you ever wondered how your boss, co-worker, or friend hears you as you speak into the phone? The device that allows others to hear you when you speak on the phone is called the transmitter.

You can see what a transmitter looks like to the side. The transmitter contains multiple smaller pieces of technology, including the diaphragm and carbon grains. These parts work together to pick up your voice and send it to those on the other end of the phone. See the process below:. Source — thoughtco. The telephone receiver is most likely the image that comes to mind when you think of a traditional landline.

The receiver allows you to hear others while they speak through vibrations, the diaphragm, and magnets. What are you wondering? Wonder Words roam data wave radio range tower digital coverage channel physical cellular smartphone transmitted recipient intermediate mobility frequency digitizing Take the Wonder Word Challenge. Join the Discussion.

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Feb 8, Brody Feb 5, Feb 6, Jocelyn Apr 24, Hi Wonderopolis, what is the universe made of? Apr 27, Potoes are people too Jan 24, Jan 24, I wonder how you can call even when your really far away. Nov 14, Oct 5, Shatayah Mar 31, Apr 2, Wonderopolis Mar 16, Wonderopolis Mar 6, Wonderopolis Mar 2, Wonderopolis Feb 12, Hi, nneka! Jaheim Feb 10, I love touch screen they are the best thing that ever happen in the United States of America history. Wonderopolis Feb 10, Welcome, Jaheim!

It is amazing how phones and touch screens work. Thanks for commenting! Andrew Feb 10, I love phones they are so cool and stuff you can call text and stuff play doodle jump by.

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