Lecture 1

Overview of EEE F311 CommSys

Dr. S .M. Zafaruddin

Assistant Professor

Deptt. of EEE, BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus

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Objectives of Today Lecture

Overview of the course

Evaluation components
Introduction to communication systems

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EEE F311 Communication Systems

4 Credits
3 Lecture Hours
1 Tutorial Hour
3 Hours of Weekly Practical Sessions

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Evaluation Components

6 quizzes; best 5 (i.e., 1 buffer).

Practicals: Both simulation software (MATLAB, Python), and
Hardware (USRP/TIMS)

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Practical Setup

Software defined radios (SDRs) will be provided for students for

practicals.
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Communication Systems: ICT

ICT: Information and Communication Technology

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Communications: ICT

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Communications: ICT

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Human Speech and Hearing System

Human voice: Transmits sound (longitudinal waves) signals with a

finite power at a speed of 1225km/h.
Speech frequency: 300Hz to 3.300 kHz
Hearing frequency: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Pt
Signal loses power with the distance Pr ∝ dα , α≥1
Human ear is a highly sensitive receiver: Receives signal with an
intensity as low as 10−12 W/m2 (=0) dB.

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Human Speech for Long Distance Communication

Delay (speed of sound wave is low)

Power (limited transmit power)
Interference (same frequency used by all of us)

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Alternative to Sound Wave?

Ideal characteristics for that wave or carrier or transportation system:

Propagates with the highest possible speed
Has enormous possibility of different frequencies (important for
waves)
Can you name the Savior?
EM wave.

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EM Waves

Have you seen the EM wave?

What is the frequency of EM wave?
What is the speed of EM wave?
EM includes the light not otherwise.

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Electromagnetic Spectrum

Frequency (Hz)
102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 1010 1011 1012 1013 1014 1015 1016 1018 1020 1022 1024

Power and Radio Microwave Gamma

Radios and
TeraHertz Infrared UV X-Ray
Telephone Televisions
Radars Lasers Ray
Voice Microphones Electronic Tubes Microwave Antennas Remote Controls
Guided Missiles

Twisted Pair ISM

Band Visible
Light
Coaxial Cable
Terrestrial and
Satellite Optical
AM Radio FM Radio Fiber
Transmission
and TV
Electronics Photonics

2G (800, 1800 MHz), 3G, 4G: sub-GHz bands.

We are moving from low frequency to higher frequency usage.
5G uses less than 50 GHz.
6G might use upto 1000 GHz.

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Electronic Communication System

Conversion of physical information to electrical signal

Information Source S Transducer

Electrical Signal m(t)

Can you name a transducer for voice signal?

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Communication Systems

Analog transmission
Digital transmission

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Electronic Communication Systems: Analog

Information
Source S m(t) x(t) y(t) m(t) S
Channel
Transducer Modulator Demodulator Transducer
h(t)

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Electronic Communication Systems: Digital

m(t) g(t) x(t) y(t) g(t) m(t)

Channel
ADC Modulator Detector DAC
h(t)

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Additive Noise

More practical scenario

m(t) g(t) x(t) y(t) g(t) m(t)

Channel Demodulator
ADC Modulator + DAC
h(t) /Detector

Noise w(t)

Model for w(t): Random

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Communication Channels

Definition: A medium to convey the electrical signals at the

transmitter output over a distance.
Twisted copper wires (telephone and Digital Subscriber Lines)
Do you know why telephone lines are twisted?
Coaxial cables
Optical fiber
Wireless radio link
Wireline versus wireless channels

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A Mathematical Model for Communication Channel

h(t)

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Wireline Channels

Copper and Fiber

For copper: signal attenuation over a telephone line of length d:

h(t) = e−γ(f )d δ(t) (1)

p
γ(f ) = α + jβ = (R + j2πf L)(G + j2πf C): attenuation
coefficient
Typically 8dB/km at lower frequencies (100 KHz) to 100 dB/km
at 30 MHz.
Fiber channels: Attenuation as low as 0.1 dB/km
Which is better?

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Attenuation in Wireless Medium: Free-Space

PT GT GR λ2
Received power PR = (4πd)2
PT : power supplied to the antenna.
GT : Gain of transmitting antenna
GR : Gain of receiving antenna
λ: wavelength
s
GT GR λ2 −jϕ
h(t) = e δ(t) (2)
(4πd)2

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Electronic Communication Systems: Example

Analog: m(t) = A sin 2πfm t.

Digital: 01110.

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Communication Systems
The Good (EM), the Bad (Noise), and the Ugly (Channel)

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