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525.416 - Communication Systems Engineering Course Homepage

Instructor Information

Charles Alexander

Email: calexand3@verizon.net
Work Phone: (410) 796-1730
Home Phone: (410) 730-1641

Course Information

Course Description

In this course, students receive an introduction to the principles of communication systems engineering. Students examine analog and digital communication including linear (AM, DSB, SSB) and exponential (PM, FM) modulation, sampling, noise and filtering effects, quantization effects, detection error probabilities, and coherent and noncoherent communication techniques.

Prerequisites

A working knowledge of Fourier transforms, linear systems, and probability theory.

Course Goal

Course goal is to apply the concepts of Fourier and analysis (deterministic and statistical) in understanding and comparing the principles and performance of analog and digital communication systems.

Course Objectives

  • Introduce the communication channel and apply both deterministic and statistical Fourier concepts to transmission propagation , power spectral density and analog & digital signal modulation characteristics.

  • Develop and compare the functional blocks of amplitude and angle modulation and demodulation for both analog and digital sub-systems.

  • Anayze the analog - to - digital conversion (A/D) process, line coding, pulse shaping and optimum detection functions.

  • Develop and comapre the performance of [A] Analog (AM, FM, PM) and [B] Digital (binary, M-ary and spread spectrum) communication systems in the presence of noise and interference.

When This Course is Typically Offered

This course is offered every semester (Fall, Spring and Summer). 

Syllabus

Topics Covered

  • Fourier spectral and time signal analysis
  • Channel transmission and propagation effects
  • Amplitude modulation (DSB, SSB, AM, vestigal)
  • Angle modulation (phase, frequency)
  • A/D - analog-to-digital (sampling, quantization, encoding)
  • Digital formatting (coding, shaping, detection)
  • Digital carrier communication concepts (ASK, PSK, FSK)
  • Probability and random variables
  • Random processes and optimum filtering
  • Analog modulation in noise and interference
  • Binary digital modulation in noise and interference
  • M-Ary versus binary communication principles
  • Fading channels and rake receivers
  • Practical communication applications

Student Assessment Criteria

Midterm 50%
Final 50%

Participation Expectations

Homework will be assigned every week. The midterm and final exams may be a combination of in-class and take-home.

Textbooks

Textbook information for this course is available online through the MBS Direct Virtual Bookstore.

Course Notes

There are notes for this course.

Final Words from the Instructor

This course provides the student with the fundamental skills to analyze and solve analg and digital communication problems on a system level. The material learned in the course will be the basic information needed for courses in advanced digital & wireless communications, telecommunications and digital & analog signal processing.

(Last Modified: 07-21-2009 at 9:46:05 AM)