Titular Professors
Among basic concepts obtained in the previous courses, the student must have a basic knowledge of:
- Analog modulation.
- In transmission and reception systems and in the main aspects of a superheterodyne receiver.
The students acquire the knowledge and skills listed below:
Objective 1: basic knowledge of the subject.
Theory of operation and characteristics of the devices that are part of a digital communications system. The theory and characteristics associated to each system under study and each measurement being performed must be known.
Objective 2. Ability to apply the knowledge in a practical way.
The theory must be understood in order to be able to put it into practice, understanding the steps that take place and be able to evaluate the correctness and goodness of them.
Objective 3. Oral and written communication in their own language.
Students must be able to express clearly and precisely their knowledge. Moreover, the speed and correctness of the answers to the questions arisen by the teacher will be also evaluated.
Objective 4. Ability to work independently.
Practices are performed autonomously. Students must be able to understand their content. The teacher may support and answer any question, but does not perform any class.
The content is separated into the following areas:
Digital modulation: Learn the techniques of digital modulation used to transmit information. The table contains a digital RF generator, a vector analyzer, a software to perform advanced digital demodulation and other helpers. Different types of digital modulations will be studied and analyzed: QPSK, FSK, QAM ... and the students will be introduced to the most common problems in order to better understand the process of modulation - demodulation.
Mobile Communications: Mobile communication systems have become very important, the GSM mobile phone system and DECT cordless phones are two examples. The knowledge of these systems is essential for an engineer in communication systems. In this case there is a GSM, DCS and PCS-1800 and DECT analyzer.
Antennas: The student will learn the techniques to measure the parameters that characterize an antenna. Arrays of antennas are also studied. The measurement system consists of a spectrum analyzer, a computer system and a positioner.
Microwave circuits and systems: In this table, the different elements that make up a microwave radio link will be studied and characterized. The instrumentation in this case, consists of a 20 GHz network analyzer, a measurement system noise figure, an RF generator up to 20 GHz, and other aids.
Optical Communication Systems: Optical fiber is commonly used nowadays. This table introduces the different ways of transmitting information to a fiber optic network and the proper operation of such networks is verified. The instruments used are an optical reflectometer with an optical spectrum analyzer. It also discusses different types of optical transmitters and receivers.
Simulation and implementation of circuits: The RF and microwave circuit simulator ADS (Advanced Design System) is used to design, study and characterize different circuits and RF blocks that are part of communications systems.
Study of transceivers: The most important characteristics of radio transmitters and receivers are studied and measured, and homologation tests are performed according to ETSI standards: maximum usable sensitivity, selectivity, intermodulation, etc. In addition, the common problems in radio communications systems and ways to solve them are introduced.
Telephone systems: The table consists of two interconnected PBX that must be accurately programmed. Signalling functionalities, types of services and programs that enable these PBX are analyzed.
The instrumentation and methodology is exposed below:
A. Theoretical and practical tables. The course currently consists of 10 tables, 1 out every two weeks. In each of these tables one or more content items mentioned above are developed, so that the course objectives are achieved.
Students are divided into 10 groups. Every 2 weeks, each group is required to finish the table and rotated to the next table. Each group must be composed for 2 people.
Each table is self-contained and it is intended that each group works autonomously. Students must understand the theory, draw conclusions and know the basic operation of the equipment. The student has a teacher to answer questions and to guide him.
Each table includes not only the material necessary for the implementation of practices, but also with extra material so that students can experiment by themselves, going further and being able to delve deeper into the subject.
B. Virtual classroom and Forums. Supplementary material is available for the tables. This allows a greater depth at some interesting topics for students, in addition to allowing them to discuss and collaborate with each other.
The course is assessed via oral examinations:
(A) A review is performed at the end of each table (which only a maximum number of students may apply). If the student passes the review, the table is released and no longer enters in the final exam. Also, the note mark obtained is weighted with the 20% of the final semester note mark. If the table is not passed, the note mark does not affect the final semester note mark, but if a student fails two tables can not apply for another review for the rest of the semester.
(B) Two final exams (each a the end of each semester). The first, in December, assesses the first 5 tables. The second, in May, evaluates the remaining 5 tables. If a table is released during the term, however, this no longer enters in the final exam. In September, students can do the exam of those semesters that were failed.
In these examinations, students must prove that they know the theory of the tables and that dominate the equipment operation, in front of to the questions/situations proposed by the teacher.
The final grade is calculated by weighting the released tables by 20% each (if any), and the final exam with the remainder (which will decrease the more tables the student has released).
Below are listed the objectives to pass the course:
Objective 1: basic knowledge of the subject.
Theory of operation and characteristics of the devices that are part of a digital communications system. The theory and characteristics associated to each system under study and each measurement being performed must be known.
Objective 2. Ability to apply the knowledge in a practical way.
The theory must be understood in order to be able to put it into practice, understanding the steps that take place and be able to evaluate the correctness and goodness of them.
Objective 3. Oral and written communication in their own language.
Students must be able to express clearly and precisely their knowledge. Moreover, the speed and correctness of the answers to the questions arisen by the teacher will be also evaluated.
Objective 4. Ability to work independently.
Practices are performed autonomously. Students must be able to understand their content.
The course has a book that covers all the subject.
Optical communications:
M. Carl i B. Saleh, Fundamentals Of Photonics. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 1991. ISBN 0-471-83965-5.
RF circuit simulation:
D. M. Pozar, Microwave Engineering. Addison Wesley, 1990. ISBN 0-201-50418-9.
Radio transceivers:
C. W. Bostian, H. L. Krauss and F. H. Raab, Solid State Radio Engineering. Wiley-Interscience, 1980. ISBN 0-471-03018-X.
ETS 300 086, ETSI Telecommunication Standard Radio Equipment and Systems (RES); Land mobile group; Technical characteristics and test conditions for radio equipment with an internal or external RF connector intended primarily for analogue speech.
RF and microwave circuits:
D. M. Pozar, Microwave Engineering. Addison Wesley, 1990. ISBN 0-201-50418-9.
Digital PBX:
J. M. Huidobro, Manual De Telefonia: Telefonia Fija Y Movil. Paraninfo, 1999. ISBN 84-283-2343-7.
G. Dicenet, Rdsi: Red Digital De Servicios Integrados; Tecnicas Y Ventajas. Masson S.A., 1992. ISBN 84-311-0612-3.
Digital modulations:
J. G. Proakis, Digital Communications. Mcgraw-Hill, 1989. ISBN 0-07-100269-3.
B. Sklar, Digital Communications: Fundamentals And Applications. Prentice-Hall, 2000. ISBN 0-13-084788-7.
Mobile communications GSM - DCS 1800:
A. Mehrotra, GSM System Engineering. Artech House, 1997. ISBN 089006-860-7.
M. Mouly i M. B. Pautet, The GSM System for Mobile Communications. Editat pels mateixos autors, 1992. ISBN 2-9507190-0-7.
Mobile communications DECT:
J. A. Philips i G, MacNamee, Personal Wireless Communication with DECT and PWT. Artech House, 1998. ISBN 0-89006-872-0.
ETS 300 175-1, Radio Equipment and Systems (RES); Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecomunications (DECT); Common Interface (CI); Part 1: Overview.
Antennas:
C. A. Balanis, Antenna Theory: Analysis And Design. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 1997. ISBN 0-471-59268-4.
S. Blanch, A. Cardama i L. Jofre, Antenes. Universidad Politécnica de Catalunya, 1998. ISBN 84-8301-246-4.