A–28
(3) Phase hit
“Phase hit” is the sudden phase fluctuation caused by fading on carrier
equipment and on microwave transmission zones, or by the switching of
the transmission line on a multiplex transmission line.
Phase hit does not cause any special problems in telephone conversations.
However, in G3 facsimile transmission, the same phenomenon as in phase
jitter occur significantly.
7.3
Echo
“Echo” is the phenomenon where one’s own voice is reflected at the other
party and returns after a certain time to be heard.
Echo mainly occurs in international communications.
7.3.1 Causes of echo
Generally, some of the power in electrical signals is reflected between the
line and load (such as the exchange), between lines of differing character-
istics impedance, and in hybrid circuits (see figure Fig. A-29 for details of
a 2-wire/4-wire conversion circuit). It is very difficult to eliminate this
reflection. This difference in characteristic impedances is sometimes
called “impedance mismatching.”
Fig. A-27 Reflection of Signal Energy
Communication satellites and submarine cables are used as the transmis-
sion lines in international communications.
Since communications satellites are in stationary orbit at a height of
35,800 km over the equator, the one-way distance extends about 100,000
km. Submarine cables are shorter than that, though the distance still
reaches several thousands of kilometers.
Due to these distances, the propagation delay time will be 0.3 sec and 0.1
sec, respectively, even at the speed of electric current or radio waves
(approx. 300,000 km per second). Because of this signal propagation delay
Incidence wave
Transmission
wave
Line A
Reflection
wave
Line B