Communication systems are the foundation of the Internet, but they are also a fundamental component for many other applications: transporting information to allow connections between humans, machines, systems and subsystems is nowadays crucial. This laboratory course aims to introduce students to the basic knowledge of digital communications systems through laboratory experiments based on simulations.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING Students will be taught basic knowledge of: - information theory; - digital transmission techniques; - simulation theory; - channel and filter theory. Students will understand how a digital communication system works and how it can be analzyed using a numerical simulator. SKILLS Students will gain the ability to: - build and use a numerical simulator to analyze the performance of a digital communication systems; - analyze the impact of main design parameters on system performance; - perform optimization of system performance; - critical analysis of results obtained.

This course has the following prerequisites: • basic understading of statistics and probability; • a good understanding of the methodologies and techniques of signal theory.

- Information theory basic: source and channel coding (9 hours) - Digital modulation techniques: PAM and QAM modulations (12 hours) - Analysis of channel impairments : intersymbol interference, crosstalk, phase noise, etc (12 hours) - Analysis and detection of wireless signals (12 hours) - Project and demonstration of a wired digital communication system based on audio signals (15 hours)

Assisted laboratory sessions will be held in regular classrooms: students are required to bring their own laptops.

The course is organized as follow: - 24 hours of lessons; - 36 hours of laboratory sessions. Along the semester the course is organized in several experiences: each of them will have an introductory lesson and then laboratory sessions. During lessons the teacher will introduce the basic knowledge required to work on the experience and then tools and methods to carry out and complete them. Then during laboratory session the teacher will assist student working in group toward the development of the solution of experiences.

All the teaching materials will be made available by the professors.

Modalità di esame: Prova orale obbligatoria; Elaborato progettuale individuale;

Each student must complete laboratory activities individually. Each student will be asked to prepare and deliver a project report on assigned projects. The report will be evaluated and the report grade will be part of the exam grade. The report is evaluated based on its correctness, the level of knowledge acquired on the topic, the ability to apply the acquired know-how, the ability to precisely perform the required optimization, to clearly communicate the technical material with accurate terms and to correctly analyze, interpret, and comment the obtained results. Each student will be required to discuss the project report during an oral exam. The oral exam consists of a discussion where the student must show: - the ability to build and use a simulator for the applications analyzed in experiences and projects; - the ability to critically discuss results obtained by simulation. Both the oral exam and the project report evaluation must have a positive evaluation (>=18/30) to pass the exam. The final grade will be a weighted average of the two scores: 70% for the report score and 30% for the oral examination score.

Modalità di esame: Prova orale obbligatoria; Elaborato progettuale in gruppo;

Each student will participate at the laboratory activities in a group. Each group will be asked to prepare and deliver a project report on assigned experiences and projects. The report will be evaluated and the report grade will be the same for all group members. The report grade will be part of the exam grade. The report is evaluated based on its correctness, the level of knowledge acquired on the topic, the ability to apply the acquired know-how, the ability to precisely perform the required optimization, to clearly communicate the technical material with accurate terms and to correctly analyze, interpret, and comment the obtained results. Each student will be required to discuss the project report individually during an oral exam. The oral exam consists of a discussion where the student must show: - the ability to build and use a simulator for the applications analyzed in experiences and projects; - the ability to critically discuss results obtained by simulation. Both the oral exam and the project report evaluation must have a positive evaluation (>=18/30) to pass the exam. The final grade will be a weighted average of the two scores: 70% of the group report score and 30% of the oral examination score.