ECE 340A
Introduction to Communications
Course Level
Units
Prerequisite(s)
Course Texts
Lathi, B.P., and Zhi Ding. Modern Digital and Analog Communication Systems. 4th ed. Oxford University Press, 2009.
Schedule
Course Description
Analysis and design of analog and digital communication systems based on Fourier analysis. Topics include linear systems and filtering, power and energy spectral density, basic analog modulation techniques, quantization of analog signals, line coding, pulse shaping, AM and FM modulation, digital carrier modulation, and transmitter and receiver design concepts. Applications include AM and FM radio, television, digital communications, and frequency-division and time-division multiplexing.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, the student will be able to:
- Identify the major signal types and obtain their key properties, such as energy, power, correlation, cross-correlation, auto-correlation
- Obtain Fourier series for periodic signals
- Sketch the magnitude and phase spectra for periodic signals and identify the discrete frequency components
- Obtain Fourier transform for aperiodic signals and use it to sketch magnitude and phase spectra
- Use Fourier transform theorems to describe frequency-domain effects of specific operations in the time-domain, such as time-shift, scaling, convolution, and so on
- Calculate the bandwidth and the signal-to-noise ratio of a signal at the output of a linear time-invariant system
- Explain the operation of amplitude and angle modulation systems in the time and frequency domains
- Sketch the magnitude spectra and compute the bandwidth and power requirements for such signals
- Evaluate a given analog or digital communication system in terms of the complexity of the transmitters and receivers and the power and bandwidth requirements of the system
- Design a basic analog or digital communications system that can include:
- the selection of a digital or analog modulation format
- the block diagram design of a transmitter for the system
- the block diagram design of a superheterodyne receiver for the system
- the design of a time or frequency division multiplexing scheme, as appropriate
- the choice of an appropriate pulse shape and A/D converter to meet the performance requirements
Course Topics
- Review of basic signals, signal classification, Fourier series and discrete spectra, Fourier transform and properties (5 lectures)
- Signal transmission through a linear system, ideal low pass filters, energy and power signals, energy and power spectral density (4 lectures)
- Amplitude modulation (AM), DSB AM, bandwidth efficient AM, frequency division multiplexing (4 lectures)
- Angle modulation, relationships between phase modulation and frequency modulation, generation of FM signals, demodulation techniques, nonlinear distortion, FM broadcast system (4 lectures)
- Sampling theory and analog/digital conversion, quantization techniques, pulse coded modulation (PCM), digital multiplexing, differential PCM, video compression (6 lectures)
- Digital communication systems, line coding, pulse shaping, scrambling, PAM, digital carrier systems, M-ary digital carrier modulation (6 lectures)
Relationship to Student Outcomes
ECE 340 contributes directly to the following specific electrical and computer engineering student outcomes of the ECE department:
- Ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering (high)
- Ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems (medium)
- Recognition of the need for, and ability to engage in, life-long learning (low)
- Ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice (low)