Scientific Concepts - Observed and Utilized
1. Electrical Resistance
In short, refers to the amount of electrical energy in volts needed to get across a certain length of material.
IMC's global testing boards have a customizable number of electrical resistors, so as to achieve the clearest and most efficient signal.
2. Voltage and Wattage
We learned that V x Ah = Wh, a very widely used equation in calculating specific electrical capacity.
Capcitors were are configurable on IMC's global PCBs, to hold in reserve power. Their electrical capacity is determined by the above equation.
3. Sinusoidal Waves
This term describes the shape of an electromagnetic wave.
When we observed how different frequencies worked with the base station, we saw a sine graph of frequency response versus time.
4. Semiconductors
Materials that are selectively conductive, usually at higher voltages.
Usually silicon, this property of semiconductors enables them to control current flow unlike insulators or conductors, making them instrumental in the making of a circuit.
5. Electromagnetic Noise
EM noise refers to unwanted interference, especially on the same operating frequency.
Noise levels should be minimized to make wireless communication as accurate and efficient as possible. That is why IMC uses "shield boxes" when they test devices on the standard 900/1800MHz GSM frequency.
6. RF
RF stands for Radio Frequency, and is a measure of how many oscillations a radio wave goes through in one second. For GSM networks, the RF is usually 900 or 1800MHz.
We learnt at the RF station at IMC that different RFs lead to different wave characteristics. Higher RF usually means a higher energy, shorter range wave and vice versa. That is why WiFi's RF is 2.4 or 5 GHz while GSM's RF is usually 900 or 1800MHz.
7. Differential equation
A differential equation is a mathematical equation for an unknown function of one or several variables that relates the values of the function itself and its derivatives of various orders.
Mr. Kwok Lih showed us one application of differential equations in control system design.
8. Wave absorption
Wave absorption is the concept behind the sound room, where sound waves are homogenously absorbed by the foam soundproofing material.
In short, refers to the amount of electrical energy in volts needed to get across a certain length of material.
IMC's global testing boards have a customizable number of electrical resistors, so as to achieve the clearest and most efficient signal.
2. Voltage and Wattage
We learned that V x Ah = Wh, a very widely used equation in calculating specific electrical capacity.
Capcitors were are configurable on IMC's global PCBs, to hold in reserve power. Their electrical capacity is determined by the above equation.
3. Sinusoidal Waves
This term describes the shape of an electromagnetic wave.
When we observed how different frequencies worked with the base station, we saw a sine graph of frequency response versus time.
4. Semiconductors
Materials that are selectively conductive, usually at higher voltages.
Usually silicon, this property of semiconductors enables them to control current flow unlike insulators or conductors, making them instrumental in the making of a circuit.
5. Electromagnetic Noise
EM noise refers to unwanted interference, especially on the same operating frequency.
Noise levels should be minimized to make wireless communication as accurate and efficient as possible. That is why IMC uses "shield boxes" when they test devices on the standard 900/1800MHz GSM frequency.
6. RF
RF stands for Radio Frequency, and is a measure of how many oscillations a radio wave goes through in one second. For GSM networks, the RF is usually 900 or 1800MHz.
We learnt at the RF station at IMC that different RFs lead to different wave characteristics. Higher RF usually means a higher energy, shorter range wave and vice versa. That is why WiFi's RF is 2.4 or 5 GHz while GSM's RF is usually 900 or 1800MHz.
7. Differential equation
A differential equation is a mathematical equation for an unknown function of one or several variables that relates the values of the function itself and its derivatives of various orders.
Mr. Kwok Lih showed us one application of differential equations in control system design.
8. Wave absorption
Wave absorption is the concept behind the sound room, where sound waves are homogenously absorbed by the foam soundproofing material.
Technological Concepts - Created and Applied
1. Clock Speed
All digital systems work based on a standardized clock rate, where instructions are carried out during each clock cycle instead of in order.
We observed the difference between a synchronous processor and an asynchronous processor at the frequency station, and learned the important of the clock speed in determining the speed of a digital system.
2. Encryption
This is the practice of using a standard cipher to scramble a message, making it more secure.
The software security workshop introduced this as the primary method of securing data over wireless connections.
3. Throughput
Throughput is the efficiency of a certain wireless signal, measuring the energy transferred relative to the energy output.
The soundroom in IMC measured audio throughput of the mic, speaker and cellular radio, and a certain standard (known as 3GPP) of throughput has to be met.
4. Crystal diode
A two-terminal electronic component with a nonlinear current-voltage characteristic.
This is the most common type of semiconductor diode, and was introduced to us at the start during the talk by Mr. Kwok Lih. It consists of two gates and is essentially a voltage-controlled switch.
5. Integrated circuit
A electrical circuit, manufactured using patterned vapor diffusion of certain rare earth metals onto a thin wafer of substrate, most commonly silicon.
All modern electronics are based on the integrated circuit. IMC itself uses patterned vapor diffusion to manufacture circuit boards for its baseband processors and global PCBs, as we have seen.
6. Technological singularity
Commonly understood as the day AI becomes smarter than humans.
While not directly related to IMC as of now, any technological company that strives to keep Moore's Law true is playing a part in drawing technological singularity ever nearer.
7. Moore's Law
A widely accepted law that state that the number of transistors we are able to fit onto a piece of silicon die doubles every two years.
IMC is involved in the manufacture of silicon-substrate circuit boards, and its advanced in process technology and architecture continue to make Moore's Law hold true.
All digital systems work based on a standardized clock rate, where instructions are carried out during each clock cycle instead of in order.
We observed the difference between a synchronous processor and an asynchronous processor at the frequency station, and learned the important of the clock speed in determining the speed of a digital system.
2. Encryption
This is the practice of using a standard cipher to scramble a message, making it more secure.
The software security workshop introduced this as the primary method of securing data over wireless connections.
3. Throughput
Throughput is the efficiency of a certain wireless signal, measuring the energy transferred relative to the energy output.
The soundroom in IMC measured audio throughput of the mic, speaker and cellular radio, and a certain standard (known as 3GPP) of throughput has to be met.
4. Crystal diode
A two-terminal electronic component with a nonlinear current-voltage characteristic.
This is the most common type of semiconductor diode, and was introduced to us at the start during the talk by Mr. Kwok Lih. It consists of two gates and is essentially a voltage-controlled switch.
5. Integrated circuit
A electrical circuit, manufactured using patterned vapor diffusion of certain rare earth metals onto a thin wafer of substrate, most commonly silicon.
All modern electronics are based on the integrated circuit. IMC itself uses patterned vapor diffusion to manufacture circuit boards for its baseband processors and global PCBs, as we have seen.
6. Technological singularity
Commonly understood as the day AI becomes smarter than humans.
While not directly related to IMC as of now, any technological company that strives to keep Moore's Law true is playing a part in drawing technological singularity ever nearer.
7. Moore's Law
A widely accepted law that state that the number of transistors we are able to fit onto a piece of silicon die doubles every two years.
IMC is involved in the manufacture of silicon-substrate circuit boards, and its advanced in process technology and architecture continue to make Moore's Law hold true.