ECE 4813/6813

COMMUNICATIONS THEORY

CATALOG DATA: ECE 4813/6813. Communications Theory. (3)

(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in ECE 3163).

Three hours lecture. The frequency and time domain; modulation; random signal theory; network analysis using nondeterministic signals; basic information theory; noise.

PREREQUISITES BY TOPIC:

1. Signals and linear systems theory.
2. Fourier series and transforms
3. Basic probability theory
4. Calculus

TEXTBOOK(S) AND OTHER REQUIRED MATERIAL:

1. H. P.E. Stern and S. A. Mahmoud, Communications Systems: Analysis and Design, 1^st Ed., Pearson Prentice Hall, 2004.

GENERAL COURSE OBJECTIVES AND RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

1. To review signals and linear systems theory, including Fourier and Hilbert Transforms. [1, 2]
2. To study analog modulation techniques including variations of Amplitude and Angle Modulation methods. [1, 2]
3. To study coherent and incoherent demodulation techniques for analog modulation. [1, 2]
4. To introduce the students to pulse modulation techniques. [1, 2]
5. To review probability theory and introduce random noise models. [1, 2]
6. To study the effect of noise in analog modulation techniques. [1, 2]
7. To introduce digital modulation techniques. [1, 2]

TOPICS COVERED:

1. Review of signals and linear systems. (6 classes)
2. Amplitude modulation and demodulation techniques. (6 classes)
3. Angle modulation and demodulation Techniques. (6 classes)
4. Pulse modulation. (6 classes)
5. Review of probability theory. (2 classes)
6. Random processes and noise. (2 classes)
7. Effect of noise on analog modulation (6 classes)
8. Baseband digital data transmission. (3 classes)
9. Bandpass digital data transmission (5 classes)
10. Three exams (3 classes)

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PROFESSIONAL COMPONENT:

1. Engineering Science : 2 hours
2. Engineering Design : 1 hour
3. Basic Math and Science : 0 hours

ASSESSMENT:

1. Homework.
2. Exams.
3. Final exam.

SPECIFIC COURSE OBJECTIVES AND RELATIONSHIP TO MEASURABLE OUTCOMES:

Objective 1:

• Demonstrate a solid understanding of frequency-domain analysis methods, time-domain analysis methods, and filters. (1,2)
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the Hilbert Transform as a technique for creating a two-dimensional signal space. (1)

Objective 2:

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of Amplitude Modulation techniques. (1,2)
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of Angle Modulation techniques (1,2)
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of FM stereo and AM radio operation. (1,5)

Objective 3:

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of coherent, incoherent demodulation. (1,2)
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of Phase Locked Loops and their application to demodulation. (1,2)

Objective 4:

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of pulse modulation techniques. (1)
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of systems suitable for generating pulse-width modulation, pulse-amplitude modulation, and pulse-position modulation. (1)

Objective 5:

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of probability theory and random noise. (1,2)
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of additive white Gaussian noise. (1,2)
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of how the analyze a system that uses random signals. (1,2)

Objective 6:

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of how to evaluate the performance of analog communication systems in presence of white Gaussian noise. (1, 5)
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the tradeoffs in performance of analog communication systems versus bandwidth and transmitter power. (1, 5)

Objective 7:

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of baseband and binary modulation. (1)
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of bandpass modulation. (1)
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of how to evaluate the performance of a baseband digital communication system. (1, 5)
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the tradeoffs in performance of digital communication systems versus bandwidth, transmitter power, symbol error rate, and complexity. (1, 5)

PREPARED BY:

Dr. Georgios Y. Lazarou, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, September 28, 2004.