ECE 146A -- Digital Communication Fundamentals

Winter 2024

Instructor: Prof. Yasamin Mostofi

Time: MW 11:00-12:15

Place: ILP 3205

Course description:

The number of connected devices is anticipated to reach 500 billion by 2030. Connected devices will have many forms, including smart sensors, drones, home appliances, VR headsets, etc. They are envisioned to not only successfully communicate but to sense and build an understanding of their environment. How will 6G communication technologies guarantee seamless and successful connectivity of all these devices? What are the fundamental design principles that can support the high data rate demand of truly immersive XR applications such as digital twins and mobile holograms? 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. Bonus: The class will have invited speakers from leading 6G industries.

Prerequisites:

Signals and Systems

Instructor Information:

Instructor: Prof. Yasamin Mostofi
Email: ymostofi@ece.ucsb.edu

Teaching Assistant:

Aaditya Prakash Kattekola
Email: aadityaprakash@ucsb.edu
Office Hours: Thursdays 2pm-3pm

Textbook: Introduction to Communication Systems, U. Madhow (click here for the pdf)


Grading:

Homework: 15%, Lab: 20%, Midterm: 25%, Final: 40%

Labs:

Time: Tuesdays 7 pm-9:50 pm
Place: Harold Frank Hall, 4152

Lab Report Submission Format:

The format is as follows,
  1. The lab report is an electronic document (pdf format preferred, although .doc is also acceptable) which contains plots, results, answers and discussion. In addition, you must separately include the Matlab scripts (.m files) for all the problems.
  2. These files should be contained in a zip file. The name of the zip file should be the format, "Lab#_your name.zip". For example,"Lab1_HsinYehChen.zip".
  3. Please indicate your name in the lab report document as well.
  4. The m. files should have clear comments that make your code comprehensible to anyone.

Lab Assignment:

Lab 1: Introduction to Linear Modulation
Deadline for the report: January 30, 2024, 11:59 pm (PST)
Lab 2: Simulation of linear modulation in AWGN
Deadline for the report: February 16, 2024, 11:59 pm (PST).
Lab 3: Introduction to Channel Equalization
Deadline for the report: February 27, 2024, 11:59 pm (PST)

Homework Assignment:

Homework 1: Problem 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.6, 5.13 (From the Textbook)
Deadline for the report: January 19, 2024, 11:59 pm (PST)
Homework 2: Problem 5.7, 5.8, 5.10 (From the Textbook)
Deadline for the report: January 26, 2024, 11:59 pm (PST)
Homework 3: 5.15, 5.19, 5.21, 5.43 (From the Textbook)
Deadline for the report: February 06, 2024, 11:59 pm (PST)
Homework 4: 5.31, 6.2, 6.3, 6.5 (From the Textbook)
Deadline for the report: February 12, 2024, 11:59 pm (PST)
Homework 5: 5.20, 5.35, 5.36, 6.1, 6.12, 6.14, 6.16 (From the Textbook)
Deadline for the report: February 25, 2024, 11:59 pm (PST)
Homework 6: 6.17, 6.19, 6.20, 6.24, 6.28 (From the Textbook)
Deadline for the report: March 06, 2024, 11:59 pm (PST)
Homework 7: 6.10, 6.15, 6.18, 6.21, 6.31 (From the Textbook)
Deadline for the report: March 15, 2024, 11:59 pm (PST)

Supplementary Reading:

COLLABORATION POLICY:

Collaboration on homeworks and labs is encouraged for the purpose of problem solving. However, each person must individually complete all the work, including writing code, and must individually document the results. Copying is strictly prohibited, including from work done in prior years, and will have severe consequences.