1.4 Course description

This course explores elements of the theory and practice of digital communications. The course will 1) model and study the effects of channel impairments such as distortion, noise, interference, and fading, on the performance of communication systems; 2) introduce signal processing, modulation, and coding techniques that are used in digital communication systems. The concepts/ tools are acquired in this course:

Signals and Systems

Classification of signals and systems

Orthogonal functions, Fourier series, Fourier transform

Spectra and filtering

Sampling theory, Nyquist theorem

Random processes, autocorrelation, power spectrum

Systems with random input/output

Source Coding

Elements of compression, Huffman coding

Elements of quantization theory

Pulse code Modulation (PCM) and variations

Rate/bandwidth calculations in communication systems

Communication over AWGN Channels

Signals and noise, Eb/N0

Receiver structure, demodulation and detection

Correlation receiver and matched filter

Detection of binary signals in AWGN

Optimal detection for general modulation

Coherent and non-coherent detection

Communication over Band-limited AWGN Channel

ISI in band-limited channels

Zero-ISI condition: the Nyquist criterion

Raised cosine filters

Partial response signals

Equalization using zero-forcing criterion

Channel Coding

Types of error control

Block codes

Error detection and correction

Convolutional codes and the Viterbi algorithm

Communication over Fading Channel

Fading channels

Characterizing mobile-radio propagation

Signal Time-Spreading

Mitigating the effects of fading

Application of Viterbi equalizer in GSM system

Application of Rake receiver in CDMA system