Lecturer: Paolo Ettore Gamba  

Course name: Telecommunications
Course code: 502573
Degree course: Ingegneria Meccatronica
Disciplinary field of science: ING-INF/03
The course relates to:
University credits: CFU 6
Course website: n.d.

Specific course objectives

Knowledge of the frequency representation of a deterministic signal.

Understanding the concept of noise as a stochastic process.

Knowledge of the simplest techniques for transmitting information.

Ability to analyze deterministic signals and calculate fundamental properties (spectrum, bandwidth, power / energy).

Course programme

Deterministic signals in the frequency domain
Fourier series. Fourier series in exponential form. Response of linear systems and properties of transfer functions. Power and energy signals. Power spectral density and energy. The Fourier transform. The convolution theorem. Parseval's theorem. Correlation between waveforms. Auto correlation. Power and cross correlation. Periodic autocorrelation functions. Meaning and Importance of integrals of correlation.

Random variables and processes
Concept of probability, independent events, random variables. Cumulative probability distribution, probability density. Noise as stochastic process. Stationary processes. Ergodic processes.

Communication systems, amplitude modulation

Baseband signal and carrier signal. Translation in frequency. Detection of the baseband signal. Amplitude modulation (DSB, DSB-SC SSB-SC). Spectrum of signals modulated in amplitude. Modulators. Detectors. Multiplexing.

Communication systems, frequency modulation
Frequency & phase of a sinusoidal signal. The FM signal. Spectrum of an FM signal with sinusoidal modulation. FM signals in broadband and narrowband. Spectrum of FM signal.

Digital communication systems
Signal sampling, quantization, binary signals, PCM and PAM systems. Digital modulation: ASK, FSK, PSK. QAM and QPSK signals.

Performance of communication systems

Signal to Noise Ratio. Comparison between AM and FM systems. Bit Error Rate for digital communication systems.

Course entry requirements

Knowledge acquired in previous courses in Mathematics and Circuit Theory.

Course structure and teaching

Lectures (hours/year in lecture theatre): 32
Practical class (hours/year in lecture theatre): 24
Practicals / Workshops (hours/year in lecture theatre): 0

Suggested reading materials

Testing and exams

There will be two written tests, focused respectively on the first and the second part of the course. Those who have not passed one of the test will have an additional written test. Who fails the tests must pass a written test covering all topics. The written exams will include problems and open questions.