ECE 146A -- Digital Communication Fundamentals
Winter 2023
Instructor: Prof. Yasamin Mostofi
Time: MW 11:00-12:15
Place: Girvetz Hall, 2108
Course description:
This class will cover the fundamental design principles
behind communication systems, equipping students with
tools necessary to join prestigious communication
industries, and to shape the next generation of
communication systems. In particular, the students will
learn how to characterize quantifiable metrics to assess the
integrity of a communication transmission, and relate the
performance to the application requirements. The
students will also learn how communication signals can be
used for sensing, in addition to communication.
In particular, students will have the opportunity to collect
Radio Frequency (RF) data and characterize their own
unique RF gait signature.
Bonus: The class will have invited speakers from leading 6G industries.
Prerequisites:
Signals and Systems, Probability Theory (recommended)
Instructor Information:
Instructor: Prof. Yasamin Mostofi
Email: ymostofi@ece.ucsb.edu
TA Information:
TA: Alireza Parsay
Email: alirezaparsay@ucsb.edu
HW Office hours: Fridays 2pm-3pm (held in the TA trailer in person, Trailer 699, West side of HFH)
Lab: MT 7 pm-9:50 pm
Place: Harold Frank Hall, 4152
Textbook: Introduction to Communication Systems, U. Madhow (click here for the pdf)
Grading:
Homework: 15%, Lab: 20%, Midterm: 25%, Final: 40%, HW grading: loses 25%
credit per day late. Students can discuss HW problems. However, dividing the problems among themselves is not permitted.
Labs:
Lab 1: Introduction to Linear Modulation,
Deadline for the report: February 12, 2023, 11:59 pm (PST)
Lab 2: Simulation of linear modulation in AWGN,
Deadline for the report: February 24, 2023, 11:59 pm (PST)
Lab 3: Introduction to OFDM
Deadline for the report: March 5, 2023, 11:59 pm (PST)
Lab 4: RF sensing -- Person Identification with RF signals (ongoing throughout the class)
Deadline for the report: March 15, 2023, 11:59 pm (PST)
Homework Assignments:
Homework 1:
Problem 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.6, 5.13 (From the textbook)
Deadline: Feb 8, 2023, 11:59 pm (PST)
Homework 2:
Problem 5.7, 5.8, 5.10, 5.15, 5.19, 5.21 (From the textbook)
Deadline: Feb 17, 2023, 11:59 pm (PST)
Homework 3:
Problem 5.31, 6.1, 6.2, 6.5, 6.12, 6.16 (From the textbook)
Deadline: March 17, 2023, 11:59 pm (PST)
Exams:
Midterm: Wednesday, Feb 22, 2023
During the class time. It will be open notes. There will be no electronics allowed (no calculators needed).
Final: Thursday, March 23, 12-3pm
It will be open book/notes, similar to the midterm. No electronics allowed or needed.