Communications I

Sharif University of Technology

Winter 1384
 Topics and Goals of this Course
Main Topics:
 Random Process and Noise in Frequency Domain
 Continuous Time Modulation, Interference, and SNR Analysis
 Pulse Modulation and TDM Systems

Text Book: Communication Systems: Haykin

Other Refs: Communicaiton Systems : Carlson
Communication Systems Engineering: Proakis & Salehi

Side book: Seven Habits of Highly Effective People : Stephen Covey


At least one extra book on sIde topic (you can also suggest good books)

Goals:
 Gaining a deep understanding of basic noise models in communication systems
 Becoming familiar with basic concepts of modulation, interference and nosie analysis,
these topics will be later used in Digital Communication courses
 Getting basic first hand experience with some of the “real-life” issues facing an engineer
working in a fast changing environment such as Telecommunications area:
Teamwork
Change Management
Creativity
Planning and Time Management
 Why do we need to do Teamwork?
“If we believe we have a responsibility to make sure our students leave
MIT not only with analytical and technical skills, but with the so-called
soft skills as well, then we have a responsibility to provide
opportunities for the students to master those skills, especially
Teamwork.”

Our Goal: To do course projects more efficiently

Teamwork is critical in modern engineering environments (anywhere in the world)
If you can function properly in a team, you can achieve a lot more than just doing it
yourself , although in the beginning it might be painful!
Difference between Teamwork and Groupwork
Need to “Experience” in order to “Learn” professional teamwork
“Process” is even more important than the goal
-> Conference of the Birds
A Necessary differentiating factor when information is available to all so easily
Essential for coming up with creative ideas
Will help a lot in your personal lives
When you ask me to write a recommendation letter, I do not leave parts related to
group work blank!!
 The 7 Habits Book
This is not just a book on personal development.
It is used in completely professional setups at different universities.

Covey, Stephen R. (1990) The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,

Fireside Books, Simon & Schuster, New York, NY.

This book is an excellent review of individual and interpersonal practices that

will make any individual a more effective listener, learner, partner, and leader.
It suggests several excellent frameworks to enhance personal performance.
The chapters “Be Proactive,” “Begin with the End in Mind,” and “Put First
Things First” are a useful way to stimulate thinking about a personal vision for
your life and career. The chapter: “Seek First to Understand, Then be
Understood,” is the best thing I’ve ever read on empathic listening, a critical
leadership skill. Use this book to enhance the effectiveness of your learning
team, and to write your strategic thinking paper.

Tom Kosnik,
Management Department
Stanford University

Important Note: Not all materials in the book are necessarily approved but it
is a very good starting point
 Role of Teams
Teams will have regular weekly meetings and
will work on the following subjects:
1. Finding creative answers to “Key” questions about
course materials on a specific communication
system
2. Matlab Simulation Projects about course materials
3. Prepare short reports on real-life devices
(chipsets)
4. Summary presentation on what you have learnt
and used from 7-Habits and other side books
 Some Key Questions on
commercial systems
What are the main issues in a Communication system?
How can we share multiple users in a communication system?
How can we send data through these systems in addition to voice?

Satellite links
Mobile networks
ADSL
WLAN GPS
Point-to-point radios Ethernet LANs
HPNA
Homeplug
Power Line Carrier
(PLC)
Typical Course Simulation Projects
Noise Generation
Capture effects
SNR of AM/FM systems
Non-flat channel effects
PLL circuits
Synchronization issues
Report on Real-life Chipsets
AM Modulation and Demodulation
SSB/DSB Modulation and Demodulation
FM Modulation and Demodulation
Data Transmission over FM
PCM systems
E1 Systems
ADPCM systems
PPM Systems
PAM Systems
PLL Chipsets
 Team Grading
Teams will be evaluated by Team
Papers/Presentations

Students also submit individual reports on

Team process to ensure “proper” teamwork
 Output Format
Presentation Outputs:
 3-5 power-point slides
 Make it as creative as possible

Try to use “professional” humor and make it
exciting, multimedia,…
Paper Outputs
 Similar to Presentation but with more details
Summary of Action Items for next week

Get the 7-Habits book and read at least the first 3 habits
Review materials on Team Roles, Team Ethics,…
Have your first team meeting

Do initial Teambuilding

Select a team name

Set your weekly schedule of meetings

Set Agenda for the next meeting
 Prepare a report of your first meeting session

Prepare a team evaluation form so that all members fill it out
individually in next meeting
Prepare for a review quiz on probability and random
variables (on Monday 17/11)
Read Haykin: Introduction (p. 1-30)
 Teamwork
Equal and active participation: Turn taking
 Say your idea

Listen to others ideas
 Ask Questions

Discuss and come to a consensus
Four Rotative Roles (in addition to be part of the discussion):

Facilitator (make sure the process is right, everybody is participating,
session is going to the point)
 Recorder/Summarizer (make sure all important discussions and
decisions are recorded , summarizes discussions at the end and
proposes initial action items)

Devil's Advocate: This person in this role finds weaknesses in the
group's ideas and questions them and prevents the mentality where
everyone agrees with an idea. It gives the team other points of view.

Setup manager (arranges the time/location of meetings, prepares
agenda, keeps track of items in the agenda, makes sure all forms are
filled and the agenda is finished, will followup from previous session)
Develop a group plan in the beginning:

How you want the group work, logistics, decision making, task division
After a few sessions that team develops , identify what is the
main differentiating factors of your team and build upon them.
 Ethics and Rules of Teamwork
Always be on-time and be prepared
Form an agenda in advance
Take notes
Make a timeline
Have a checklist
Teams celebrate success at milestones.
Teams have fun.
Teams review quality of the team process: report problems
Arguments should always be about ideas, nothing should be
personal
Decision making by consensus (all should agree with the
decisions, do not vote)
Teambuilding: Select a topic and talk about that in your first
session:
 Problems in the university
 Movies you have seen recently
 The best advice you have received
 Best book you have read, …
 Group Evaluation Forms
1. How interesting you found your team session?
2. How difficult you found working in the team?
3. Did you understand exactly what you should do?
4. If you talked less than you wanted, why that happened?
5. How were tasks divided between team members?
6. Did you get along with everybody in the team?
7. Who did most and least of talking in your team?
8. Who presented the most ideas in your team?
9. How well did the facilitator do the job?
10. Have you had a serious conflict in your group? Assuming you
resolved it, how did you do so?
Timetable of Presentations/Reports

7 Habit book : 84/11/25

Other Extra book : 84/12/5
Answer to Key questions for
your own communication system : 84/12/23
Presentation on topics learnt and
used from side books : 85/1/31
Report on chipsets : 85/2/15