Communications Engineering Course

Lesson 1 • Frequency Domain Analysis

Covers Fourier series and the Fourier transform to analyze signal spectra. Connects time-domain waveforms to bandwidth and spectral efficiency concepts.

Lesson 2 • Signal Types and Representations

Distinguishes analog from digital signals and introduces time-domain representation. Provides the mathematical language needed for later modulation topics.

Lesson 3 • Noise in Communication Systems

Characterizes thermal noise, shot noise, and additive white Gaussian noise models. Establishes signal-to-noise ratio as the primary performance metric.

Lesson 4 • The Communication System Model

Introduces the block-diagram model: source, encoder, channel, decoder, sink. Establishes shared vocabulary used throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Multiplexing Analog Signals

Introduces frequency-division multiplexing for combining multiple analog channels. Connects multiplexing to spectrum allocation and channel capacity.

Lesson 2 • AM Demodulation Methods

Covers envelope detection and synchronous demodulation circuits. Evaluates each method's noise performance and implementation trade-offs.

Lesson 3 • FM Demodulation and Noise Performance

Analyzes discriminator and PLL-based FM demodulators and FM's noise improvement over AM. Demonstrates the FM threshold effect.

Lesson 4 • Amplitude Modulation Principles

Derives the AM signal equation and analyzes its spectrum and power efficiency. Connects modulation index to bandwidth and demodulation complexity.

Lesson 1 • Time-Division Multiplexing

Structures multiple PCM streams into a TDM frame and analyzes synchronization requirements. Prepares students for digital hierarchy and framing standards.

Lesson 2 • Pulse Code Modulation

Describes the PCM encoding pipeline from sampling through binary output. Connects PCM bit rate to bandwidth requirements for digital transmission.

Lesson 3 • Source Coding and Data Compression

Introduces entropy, Huffman coding, and lossless compression principles. Demonstrates how source coding reduces redundancy before channel transmission.

Lesson 4 • Sampling Theory and the Nyquist Criterion

Proves the Nyquist-Shannon sampling theorem and analyzes aliasing. Establishes the minimum sampling rate required for perfect reconstruction.

Lesson 1 • Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing

Derives OFDM subcarrier orthogonality, cyclic prefix, and PAPR characteristics. Positions OFDM as the foundation for modern broadband standards.

Lesson 2 • Carrier Synchronization and Timing Recovery

Addresses phase and frequency offset estimation and symbol timing recovery loops. Connects synchronization accuracy to irreducible BER floors.

Lesson 3 • Baseband Digital Signaling

Covers line codes, pulse shaping, and inter-symbol interference in baseband systems. Establishes the matched filter as the optimal receiver structure.

Lesson 4 • Binary Shift-Keying Schemes

Derives BER expressions for BPSK, BFSK, and OOK over AWGN channels. Compares power and bandwidth efficiency across binary schemes.

Lesson 1 • Turbo and LDPC Codes

Introduces iterative decoding for turbo and low-density parity-check codes near Shannon capacity. Compares complexity and latency trade-offs for system selection.

Lesson 2 • Linear Block Codes

Constructs generator and parity-check matrices for Hamming and cyclic codes. Analyzes error detection and correction capability using Hamming distance.

Lesson 3 • Interleaving and ARQ Protocols

Combines interleaving with FEC to combat burst errors and introduces ARQ retransmission strategies. Analyzes throughput efficiency of hybrid ARQ.

Lesson 4 • Convolutional Codes

Represents convolutional encoders with trellis diagrams and applies Viterbi decoding. Evaluates free distance and coding gain for practical link design.

Lesson 1 • Diversity Techniques

Implements space, frequency, time, and polarization diversity to combat fading. Quantifies diversity gain and combining method performance.

Lesson 2 • Large-Scale Path Loss Models

Applies log-distance and empirical models to predict median received power. Connects shadowing margins to link budget reliability targets.

Lesson 3 • Channel Estimation and Equalization

Applies pilot-based channel estimation and adaptive equalization to mitigate ISI. Connects equalization complexity to channel coherence time.

Lesson 4 • Radio Wave Propagation Mechanisms

Explains reflection, diffraction, scattering, and free-space path loss. Provides the physical basis for all empirical and statistical channel models.

Lesson 1 • Spread Spectrum Systems

Derives direct-sequence and frequency-hopping spread spectrum operation and jamming margin. Connects processing gain to interference rejection and covert communication.

Lesson 2 • Link Layer and Data Link Protocols

Covers framing, flow control, and error control at the data link layer. Connects link layer functions to reliable end-to-end data delivery.

Lesson 3 • Random Access Protocols

Analyzes ALOHA, slotted ALOHA, and CSMA protocols for throughput and delay. Provides the queuing theory foundation for MAC layer design.

Lesson 4 • Multiple Access Fundamentals

Compares FDMA, TDMA, CDMA, and OFDMA resource allocation strategies. Establishes capacity and interference trade-offs that drive system design choices.

Lesson 1 • Antenna Systems and RF Front End

Characterizes antenna gain, radiation patterns, polarization, and impedance matching. Connects antenna selection to link budget and interference management.

Lesson 2 • Transmitter and Receiver Architecture

Analyzes superheterodyne and direct-conversion receiver architectures and transmitter chain components. Identifies key non-idealities: phase noise, IQ imbalance, and nonlinearity.

Lesson 3 • System Performance Metrics and Testing

Defines BER, throughput, latency, availability, and spectral efficiency as system KPIs. Introduces test equipment and measurement procedures for each metric.

Lesson 4 • Link Budget Methodology

Constructs a systematic link budget accounting for transmit power, gains, losses, and margins. Demonstrates how each parameter affects the received SNR and link reliability.