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EQ2311 Digital Communications 7.5 credits

Information per course offering

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Course syllabus as PDF

Please note: all information from the Course syllabus is available on this page in an accessible format.

Course syllabus EQ2311 (Autumn 2027–)
Headings with content from the Course syllabus EQ2311 (Autumn 2027–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

The course gives a broad introduction to the principles of digital communication systems and summarises the underlying theory. Problem formulation and analysis with mathematical models are an important part of the course.

Signals and modulation:

  • linear signal spaces and Gram-Schmidt ortogonalisation
  • Nyquist theorem and the degrees of freedom of the signal with time and bandwidth limitations
  • baseband signals, carrier modulation and digital modulation such as amplitude, frequency and phase shift - (ASK, FSK, PSK) and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) and differential phase shift modulation (DPSK), power spectral density of modulated signals

Optimal demodulation and detection for Gaussian channels:

  • the receiver's signal space, sufficient statistics and matched filters and equivalent vector model for time continuous Gauss channels
  • hypothesis testing, maximum likelihood decisions, maximum a posteriori decisions, error probabilities and approximations.

Non-coherent communications and parameter estimation:

  • important system parameters as delay, phase and frequency shift, optimal parameter estimation, modulation for non-coherent communications and optimal detection and composite hypothesis tests.

Information theory:

  • source coding, models of communication channels, channel coding and the channel coding theorem.

Channel coding methods:

  • properties of linear block codes and convolutional codes, soft and hard decoding with the Viterbi algorithm and error analysis of convolutional codes.

Intended learning outcomes

After passing the course, the student should be able to

  • explain basic principles and theoretical concepts behind different technologies in modern digital communications, especially in modulation and detection, channel modelling, carrier modulation, channel coding and error protection
  • formulate a mathematical model that is applicable and relevant for a given problem in the area
  • use a given or individually formulated mathematical model for solving a given technical problem in the area and analyse the result and its reasonableness
  • compare different technologies in modern digital communication techniques, contrast different technologies against one another and assess the suitability of individual technologies in different situations
  • carry out, analyse and report simple hardware based experiments in the area
  • develop simple programme code, and use this code to simulate and analyse problems in the area, and report the implementation and the result.

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

Knowledge of signal theory, 2.0 credits, corresponding to completed course EQ1270/EQ1220 or completed exam elements PRO1 and PRO2 in EQ1220.

Literature

You can find information about course literature either in the course memo for the course offering or in the course room in Canvas.

Examination and completion

Grading scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

  • LAB1 - Laboratory Assignment, 0.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • HEM1 - Home Assignment, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • HEM2 - Home Assignment, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • INL1 - Case Study, 1.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • TEN1 - Written Exam, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability. The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students. If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Examiner

No information inserted

Ethical approach

  • All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
  • In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
  • In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information

Course room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.

Offered by

Main field of study

Electrical Engineering

Education cycle

Second cycle