ECE341: Teaching Plan, Spring 2015

The capacity to learn is a gift;

The ability to learn is a skill;
The willingness to learn is a choice.
Frank Herbert
Program

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Course

ECE 341 Communication Systems

Credit Hours

3 CR

Course Hours

TR 1400 1515 @ EECE-310

Office Hours

W 1000 1130 or by appointment

Evaluation

2 Tests
15% each
Project
15%
Best two of the 2 tests and the project 30%
Assignments & Home works 25%
Midterm
15%
Final Exam
30%

Professor

Dr. Tarief Elshafiey

Office

EECE 230A

Email

telshafiey@unm.edu

TA

TBD

Homework Format

Neatly work the problem

Define terms is appropriate
Include units
Include any comments, lessons learned or conclusions
Begin next problem on a separate page

Tentative Exam
Schedule

Test No. 1
Thursday: 12 February (40 minutes)
Test No. 2
Thursday: 15 April (40 minutes)
Midterm
Thursday: 05 March (60 minutes)
Final Exam Tuesday: 05 May 2015, 1000 1200 @ EECE - 310
Principles of Communications Rodger E. Ziemer & William H. Tranter, Wiley, 6 th
Ed.
The course focuses on the analysis of analog and digital communication
systems including different modulation techniques. Noise is as a
communication systems threat is studied. An introduction to information
theory is briefed if the time allow.

Textbook
Course Synopsis:

WEEKLY TEACHING PLAN

Week

Topic

Signal models and classifications

Frequency-domain characterization of (periodic) signals (Fourier

series analysis)
Frequency-domain characterization of signals (Fourier Transform)
Power spectral density (PSD), correlation
Signals and linear systems
Bandwidth, sampling, DFT
Hilbert transform, analytic signals, complex envelope
representations of band-pass signals and band-pass systems
Linear modulation (DSB, AM, SSB)

3
4
5

Reading
Assignment
(Textbook 6th
Edition)
Chapter 1, 2.1,
2.2

7
.
8

Linear modulation (continued). (DSB, AM, SSB)

Angle modulation (PM and FM), Narrowband angle modulation,
power efficiency
Angle modulation (PM and FM), Narrowband angle modulation,
Demodulation of angle-modulated signals, PLL.
Analog Pulse modulation (PAM, PWM, PPM), digital pulse
modulation (PCM, Delta modulation), multiplexing
Probability, random variables, PDFs
Random processes, correlation, PSD
Noise in linear systems, narrowband noise, quadrature components
of narrowband noise.

2.1(a),2.2, 2.3, 2.6, 2.9,

2.18, 2.24, 2.30, 2.40,
2.42, 2.43, 2.48, 2.66, &
2.72

2.3, 2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8, 2.10
2.9
3.1

Test # 1

HW problems

3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.6, 3.10,

3.17, 3.19, 3.22, 3.24,
3.25, 3.27, 3.28, 3.42, &
3.53

3.1
3.2, 3.3
3.2, 3.4
3.5, 3.6, 3.7
5.1, 5.2, 5.3,
5.4
5.1, 5.2, 5.3
6.1, 6.2, 6.3,
6.4, 6.5

5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 5.6, 5.8, 5.9,

5.10, 5.18, & 5.21
6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, &
6.6

Midterm
9
10

11

12

13

Spring Break
Noise sources, noise figure, narrowband noise, quadrature
components of narrowband noise
SNR, AM and noise (coherent and envelope demodulations)
Noise in Angle modulation systems, FM and noise (above
threshold operation)
Digital communication systems, Analog-to-digital conversion,
sampling, quantization, compression, binary digital modulation and
demodulation, probability of error analysis of integrate-and-dump
receiver in AWGN
Binary data transmission, binary signal detection, Likelihood ratio
(LR) detector, MAP and ML detectors
Binary data transmission with arbitrary signal shapes, matched
filter receiver, optimality of matched filter in non-Gaussian noise
coherent detection of binary signals in digital communication
systems: BPSK, OOK, BFSK, and probability of error analysis
Non-coherent modulation schemes and non-coherent detection of
binary digital signals: DPSK and non-coherent BFSK, probability
of error analysis
Digital communication over band-limited channels, Baseband
modulation, Line-codes and their spectra

Appendix A,
6.5
7.1
7.2, 7.3
8.1

7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, & 7.18

TBD

8.2
8.2
8.2
8.3
4.1, 4.2, 8.6

4.1, 4.2, 4.3(a), 4.4, 4.5,

Inter-symbol interference, Nyquist criterion for zero-ISI, Nyquist

bandwidth, raised cosine pulses, Equalization, zero-forcing
equalizer

4.3,4.4, 4.5,
8.6, 8.9

Test # 2
14
15
16

M-ary modulation, signal space concept

Spread spectrum, multicarrier modulation and OFDM
Introduction to Information Theory and channel capacity (if time
permits)
Revisions

9.1, 10.2
9.4, 9.5
11.1, 11.3

Final Exam
Advices and Recommendations:
1. Do not attempt to memorize too many formulas. Memorize only the basic ones. You will be
allowed to prepare formula sheet for the midterm and final.
2. Try to identify the key words or terms in a given definition or law. Knowing the meaning of
these key words is essential for proper application of the definition or law.
3. Attempt to solve as many problems as you can. Practice is the best way to gain skill.

My teaching methodology can be briefed in the following points:

1- Theory is emphasized by solving examples as much as time allow.
2- Relating what we are studying with the real life and the practical applications.
3- Home works are assigned to help you practice and have hands on. Accordingly, do not
surprise when you find some of them in the tests and exams.
4- Attendance and punctuality are very important skills that you have to acquire to help you in
success later as an engineer.
5- Tests and exams are not a way to challenge you, rather it is a good opportunity for you to
check your understanding and to improve the way you handle the course.
6- Grading is fair, transparent and rational.