University of Toronto
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
ECE 418F — Data CommunicationFall 2003

Course Description:
This course is an introduction to methods of digital communication at the physical layer. Digital representations of information have numerous advantages over their analog counterparts, since since bits reliably can be copied, stored, transmitted, and regenerated. ECE 418 will give the student an appreciation for the engineering tradeoffs and fundamental limits involved.
Digital Representations:
Sampling, quantization, pulse-code modulation (PCM), data compression, entropy coding.
Pulse Transmission:
Representation of information by signals; pulse energy, signal power, bandwidth; intersymbol interference (ISI), Nyquist's criterion.
Channel Models:
The additive white Gaussian noise channel, fading channels.
Binary and M-ary Modulation:
Transmission using pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM), phase-shift keying (PSK), and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM); optimum detection; performance analysis.
Error Control:
Channel coding, block codes, convolutional codes, channel capacity.
Grades will be assigned on the basis of midterm and final exams. Problems will be assigned every week, but not graded. Problem-solving techniques and solutions to the problems will be covered in the weekly tutorial, conducted by the teaching assistant, Yongfeng Chen. The first tutorial takes place on September 16, 2003.
Instructor:
F. R. Kschischang, BA 4132, frank@comm.utoronto.ca

Assistant:
Yongfeng Chen, BA 7114 (first cubicle near window), yfchen@comm.utoronto.ca

Lectures:
Mondays, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m., MC 254
Thursdays, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., MC 254
Fridays, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m., SF 1101

Tutorials:
Tuesdays, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m., WB 219
Tuesdays, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m., RS 208

Main Reference:
F. R. Kschischang, Digital Communication: Lecture notes for ECE418, printed notes available from the photocopy centre, SF B540. (Not yet available for purchase, but will be soon.)

Other References:
B. P. Lathi, Modern Digital and Analog Communication Systems, Third Edition, Oxford University Press, 1998.
Simon Haykin, Communication Systems, Fourth Edition, John Wiley and Sons, 2000.

Composition of Final Mark:
 
Final Exam Midterm
60% 40%

Administrative Information:
The only aids allowed in the exams (quizzes, midterm, and final) are class notes (including the instructor's course notes) and a non-programmable (Type 2) calculator.
Last update: Sept. 4, 2003, Frank R. Kschischang.