Fairfield University School of Engineering
Electrical Engineering Department

COURSE: EE352/ECE485 Digital Communications Systems - spring, 2015

Instructor: Jeffrey N. Denenberg

Office: Bannow 301C

Google Voice:  (203) 513-9427

Office Phone: x3330

Email:  jeffrey.denenberg@ieee.org

Web: http://doctord.webhop.net/, http://doctord.dyndhs.org/

INSTRUCTOR ASSISTANCE: Tues & Wed. 3:00 - 5:00 (McAuliffe), and by phone or email.

CLASS HOURS:         Section 01, 6:30 – 9:00 pm, Tuesdays in Bannow 334
                                    Section 02, 11:00 – 1:30 pm, Wednesdays in Bannow 334

COURSE DESCRIPTION:    

This course is designed to explore current digital communications features. Fundamentals of sampling principles and channel coding are utilized to develop common baseband and digital modulation techniques (ASK, FSK, PSK, PCM, and delta modulation). Multiplexing and multiple access networks are also analyzed. Techniques are applied in design assignments with students designing to meet specified performance.  MatLab is used to solve homework problems and do the Team Design Project.

PREREQUISITES

EE 301, “Linear Signals and Systems” (or equivalent), EE350 (or equivalent) desirable.
The student should be able to solve problems and simulate systems using MatLab.

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

No.

Outcome

Cognitive Level

ABET a-k

1

Students will know the constituents of a digital communications system. 

Knowledge

c, i, j

2

Students will be able to analyze various methods of baseband and bandpass digital transmission and detection methods.

Analysis

a, c, h, i, j, k

3

Students will know how to analyze and allocate performance objectives to components of a digital communications system.

Analysis,

a, c, e, i, j, k

4

Students will understand basic channel coding techniques. 

Knowledge

a, c, e, i, j, k

5

Students will be able to design and simulate a digital communication system

Synthesis

a, b, d, e, g, k

TEXT: “Digital Communications Fundamentals and Applications”, Bernard Sklar,
            Edition 2, Prentice Hall PTR, 2001, ISBN 0-13-084788-7

REF:    “Principles of Communication Systems”, Herbert Taub and Donald L. Shilling, McGraw-Hill,
            1986, ISBN 0-13-209172-0

            “Analog and Digital Communication Systems”, Hwei Hsu, Schaum’s Outline Series,
            2008, ISBN 0-07-140228-4

            Digital Communications Videos, Dr. Ivica Kostanic, Florida Institute of Technology, 2013.

Lizhong Zheng, and Robert Gallager. 6.450 Principles of Digital Communications I, Fall 2006.
            (Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare),
Videos, Lecture Notes
SW:     The student should have access to MatLab (Full or Student Version, or Octave). 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Each student is expected to attend all of the scheduled classes if for some reason the student cannot make a class the Instructor should be contacted in advance, if possible, to arrange to turn in homework and to get the assignment for the following class. The course includes homework problems, weekly quizzes on the homework due that day, two semester exams and a Design Project (Project report, PPT, and simulation files uploaded to Blackboard). Students are expected to turn in all work on time; late work will be penalized.

CLASS SCHEDULE AND TOPICS

SESSION

 

 

 

No.

DATE

TOPIC

CHAPTER IN TEXT

HOMEWORK
(due the next class)

1

1/20
1/21

Course Introduction,

Signals Spectra &, Noise

Chapter 1- Lecture 1, Noise,
Information, Bandwidth and Noise

Review the Pre-Requisite materials and get ahead in reading the Text chapters.

2

1/27

1/28

Review: Fourier, Linear Systems and Convolution

Appendix A, Fourier Series Tutorial, Fourier Transform Tutorial, Linear Systems Tutorial

HW1
1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.8, 1.11

3

2/03
2/04

Formatting Analog Signals (Sampling)

Chapter 2.1 thru 2.7
Sampling Tutorial, Lecture 2

HW2a

2.1, 2.5, 2.8, 2.9, 2.11

4

2/10
2/11

Baseband Modulation,

Review for Exam

Chapter 2.8 thru 2.10

Lecture 2 (continued)

HW2b

2.16, 2.17, 2.18

5

2/17
2/18

Exam 1

Ch. 1, 2.1-2.7

 

6

2/24
2/25

Exam 1 Reprise

Baseband Demodulation/Detection

Chapter 3.1, 3.2

Lecture 3a, Lecture 3b

HW3a

3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6

7

3/3
3/4

Baseband Modulation & Demodulation Continued
Design Project Introduction

Chapter 3.3, 3.4

Lecture 3c, Lecture 3d

Design Project

HW3b

3.8, 3.9, 3.13, 3.17

 

3/10
3/11

Spring Break – No Class

 

 

8

3/17
3/18

Bandpass Modulation & Demodulation

Chapter 4

Lecture 4a, Lecture 4b, PLL,
PLL-Stereo-Demodulator

HW4

4.1, 4.3, 4.7, 4.9

9

3/24
3/25

Linear Block Codes

Chapter 6.1 thru 6.4

Lecture 6

HW6a

6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.8

10

3/31
4/1

Linear Block Codes (continued)

Chapter 6.5 thru 6.9

Lecture 6

HW6b

6.9, 6.14, 6.17, 6.18

11

4/7
4/8

Convolutional Codes

Chapter 7

Lecture 7a, Lecture 7b

HW7

7.1, 7.3, 7.5, 7.6, 7.9, 7.15

12

4/14
4/15

Review for Exam 2

Chapter  5 Overview

 

Sklar-Chpt5.pdf

 

13

4/21
4/22

Exam2

Comprehensive

 

14

4/28
4/29

Exam 2 Reprise,

Project presentations

Noise & BER analysis in Projects

 

15

5/5
5/8

Project Presentations

5/5 at 6:30pm
5/8 at 3:00pm

Final Exam Week
5/2 – 5/9

GRADING

Exams 1and 2

25% each

Quizzes (best 7 of 9 count)

25%

Project

25%

 


 

Required Software:

1.   MatLab (Student Edition with the communications toolbox) or Octave for Windows
MatLab Tutorial by B. Aliane

Web Resources:

1.     The Blackboard system along with our course web site will be used to manage this course.

2.     Students must submit their assignments into Blackboard for archival and grading.  All work is to be typed (including equations), drawings are to be computer-base, not scanned, hand written work.  The best file format to use is MS Word (doc or docx), but PDF can also be used.

Performance Indicators and Grading: 

Three exams will be given covering several concepts each. 

Class participation/Homework

20%

Design Project

20%

Exams (3)

60%

Total

100%

 

 

 

 

 

Exam Grading:

The purpose of the exams is to convey your understanding of the material; therefore, it is important that you show your work.  Even if you feel that the solution to a problem is obvious; you must still explain why it is obvious.  Furthermore; if you are asked to solve a problem using a given technique; then please use that technique; otherwise, I have no way to judge your understanding of the technique being tested. 

Homework policy:

Homework will be assigned from the book as your primary preparation for the exams.  We will review select homework problems in class and you will be asked to work them on the board for a participation grade.  We will also incorporate design problems / projects as appropriate to the material.  These problems are designed to challenge you to think beyond what the book has told you, and do real engineering.  There may be more than one correct answer. Periodic quizzes on the homework assignments will be the primary factors in your HW grade. If you know in advance that you will be missing class please contact me to make arrangements regarding homework.

If you understand how to do the homework problems you will have an easier time with the Exams.

Distance Education Students:

The course lecture notes and supplementary videos are accessible via links in this syllabus.  You should submit scanned copied of assigned HW and your Exams via email.  Your project materials should be directly uploaded to Blackboard in the designated assignment area.  I will arrange for a weekly, web enabled Q&A discussion once the class begins. Distance Ed students should plan on attending the presentation sessions at the end of the semester of the design projects.


 

Academic Integrity:

Working with classmates to study, resolve problems, and learn the material is expected and encouraged during normal course work.  However, during individual evaluations (e.g. quizzes, exams, individual projects, etc.) you are expected to comply with all standards of academic honesty.  You will be graded fairly, and so your work should fairly represent your knowledge, abilities, and effort, not that of others.  Any breach of integrity (including but not limited to: copying solutions, internet solutions, copying from peers, claiming work or designs without proper citation, etc.), will not only impact your ability to learn the material and my ability to help you through proper feedback, it will result in academic penalty.  Any individual found in breach of this code will fail the afflicted assignment and will be asked to meet privately; any other offenses will be referred to the Dean for further action, and could result in penalties as severe as expulsion from the University.  

 

CLASS EXPECTATIONS:

TEACHER:

Distribute syllabus.

Review the material described in the syllabus.

Explain material.

Identify additional materials, Internet sites or books that clarify the material.

Relate material to "real world" situations when possible.

Answer questions.

Be available to discuss problems.
Be receptive to new ideas.

Announce business/class conflicts in advance.

Make up missed classes

Prepare/administer 2 exams and a number of quizzes.

Grade fairly.

Assign appropriate homework problems.

 

STUDENT:

Be familiar with the prerequisite material

Ask questions.

Stay current.

Study the material described in the syllabus, preferably before it is covered in class.

Complete the assigned homework (all chapter problems with answers).

Obtain class notes if a class is missed.

Use the library and the Internet to obtain supplemental material.

Prepare for quizzes/exams.

Ask for help (tutors are available for assistance)

Follow standards of academic integrity.