Communication Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Communication Theory - Essay Example The various functions of the communication theory will be discussed briefly which include the function of measuring the amount of information is transmitted, the amount of information being generated, the different types of sources, the interdependence of these sources and concepts such as noise, equivocation and causality of information. The chapter will provide a basic understanding of these concepts and will provide a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the theory in measuring communication taking place. The communication theory is a purely quantitative theory used to measure how much information is transmitted to be associated in a given state of affairs and which would then in turn provide a measure as to how much information will be available at various points. This theory discusses the amounts of information being transmitted, not the type of information, as the name provides a misleading direction. In respect to studying the amount of information generated this theory works in a sort of elimination technique removing all the possibilities which have been calculated to not exist. Eliminating all the choices which will not occur provides information as to the narrowing down of the decision. A binary decision, where the elimination of half the possibilities takes place till the required outcome is obtained, is also an elimination technique used to generate information related to selections (tossing of coins selecting the winner and eliminating the loser). Bits are the number of times a binary decision has to take place before getting to the required outcome. The general formula used to compute the amount of information generated is: I(s) = log n Here the I(s) is used to denote the amount of information generated by the association of the source. n is the number of equal possibilities that may or may not occur. This formula raises a point which must be distinguished that is that the amount of information (in bits) created by some state of affairs is different from the number of binary digits that will be used to represent the state of affairs. Both are different aspects. Using binary digits instead of distinguishable characteristics can cause in the creation of less efficient codes and would cause a more complex selection and elimination process. I(s) can also be referred to as the average amount of information generated by the source which is also called the entropy of the source at s. Similarly a source r can take place. This source causes an elimination of alternatives and can be interdependent with the source s. Thus I(s) and I(r) are also interdependent. But sometimes the possibilities of occurrences are not equable. These different possibilities s1, s2,,sn can be written in the form of p(si). This is often called the surprisal of the particular event. These formulas and probabilities prove that the communication theory deals with the sources rather than be concerned with the particular messages or the amount of information associated with the events occurrence. When calculating the average amount of information associated with a given source I(s) capable of providing different individual results then we take the surprisal values of all the specific individual possibilities of that source. Another thing

Earthquake Risk and Early Warning Research Paper

Earthquake Risk and Early Warning - Research Paper Example The information systems can give necessary warnings so that power grids, energy systems and nuclear reactors can be switched off to avoid further destruction. Critical equipments, vehicles and systems can be shut down to prevent explosion and destruction. Fast moving vehicles and trains can be brought to a low speed to avoid accidents. Earthquake risk in a particular location or a typical region is presented by various ground motion parameters. The values of different parameters are measured and analyzed. Ground motion parameters like particle velocity, particle acceleration, motion intensity and values of acceleration are assessed for calculating earth quake risk. The values of these parameters are taken using probabilistic analysis. Local geological conditions, location of earthquake sources and various other parameters are taken into account. Considering the ground motion amplitude with respect to the distance from the earthquake source or the centre of earthquake, different proba bility analysis is performed. Distribution of earthquake source or location of the origin is crucial while calculating earthquake risk. Using these valuable parameters earthquake risk for a particular region is assessed. Operational earthquake forecasting also helps assess risks and forecast possible quakes using different methods. With the help of different seismicity-based methods, several methods are developed to update seismic hazard maps. Different models and seismic based methods are found to be helping in predicting future earthquakes. Probable locations and the expected time are predicted using different parameters. Hazard level warnings are provided for different locations. Region, position and time are analyzed to predict a probable earth quake. Earthquake, the most feared natural calamity was once considered unpredictable as the origin and cause of earthquakes were unknown. Modern earthquake warning systems successfully predict earthquake to a certain extent through thoro ugh study of ground motion parameters and other information related to different locations. It has also been discovered why certain areas are more vulnerable to earth quakes. Earth quake is no longer ignored and considered as a calamity that arrives without any warning. The densely populated urban areas and the expected population explosion in the coming decades make it clear that the world can no longer afford a heavy earth quake. If an earth quake happens in any major city of the world, more than 10 million people would perish within moments. Nations are therefore increasingly concerned about any probable earth quake that would cause a risk to the population. Earth quake warning systems are developed so that people would be intimated of an impending hazard. An Earthquake Early Warning System has been prepared by the United States Geological Survey in order to calculate earth quake risk for the west coast of United States. This warning system provides timely warnings, alerts for a possible earth quake. These warnings are meant to ensure public safety and perform necessary precautionary measures to avoid heavy losses. Effective forecasts and warnings would warn the population about possible attacks and educate them about the do’s and don’ts while encountering an earth quake. Earth warning systems send automatic earth quake