525.751.81 - Software Radio for Wireless Communications

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the left menu.  A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments.  You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting.  Modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions are noted in the Course Outline.  Assignment due dates are specified in each module.  You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.

Course Topics

• Students will analyze software-defined radios as an enabling platform for modern communication systems.
• Students will learn the theory of software-defined radio functions from the perspective of the DSP engineer.
• Students will design and implement DSP algorithms for FPGAs on software radio platforms.
  • Demonstrate proficiency with fixed-point numeric representation by designing fixed-point algorithms for communications systems on FPGAs.
  • Design systems with adequate sampling for signal under consideration.
  • Design an Automatic Gain-Control Loop.
  • Describe complex-valued baseband signals, analytic signals, and frequency shifting.
  • Design a digital source of sinusoids.
  • Implement Finite Impulse Response filters in Matlab and on FPGAs with characteristics appropriate for the requirements of the system.
  • Describe digital channelization techniques.
  • Describe Filter properties such as Group Delay and Transition Band.
  • Design efficient filter cascades for decimation.
  • Design Cascaded Integrator-Comb filters.
  • Develop multirate models.
  • Implement Digital Channelization for a Software-Defined Radio Platform.
• Students will learn the theory of digital modulation and digital communication systems.
• Students will learn the theory of cognitive radio systems
• Students will apply that theory in the design and implementation of digital communication systems.
  • Describe Classical Control Theory as applied to tracking frequency and phase of unmodulated sinusoids.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of linear and angular modulation methods by designing functional demodulation algorithms.
  • Describe and implement Matched Filtering.
  • Describe frame, carrier, and symbol synchronization for a digital signal.
  • Describe the physical aspects of a wireless system channel that affect the received signal and methods for reducing the effects of channel distortion.
  • Use error detection and correction in a wireless system to detect and correct bit errors and detail the trades made by system designers for error coding.
  • Describe a Cognitive Radio system in terms of usage, architecture, and functional components.
  • Design a spectrum-sensing algorithm to survey the spectrum to determine white/gray/black spaces.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of dynamic frequency access as used in a communications system.
  • Describe machine learning (ML) and select ML algorithms used in cognitive radios.

Course Goals

To learn the theory of software radio system functions from the perspective of the DSP engineer.  To apply that theory in the design and implementation of software radio functions.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Design and implement DSP algorithms for FPGAs on software radio platforms
• Analyze radio functions from the perspective of the DSP engineer
• Design and implement digital communication systems
• Design and implement spectrum sensing as would be used in a cognitive radio

Textbooks

R. Lyons, Understanding Digital Signal Processing (3rd ed), Prentice Hall, 2010
ISBN 0137027419

D. Chew, A. Adams, J. Uher, Wireless Coexistence: Standards, Challenges, and Intelligent Solutions (1st ed), Wiley IEEE, 2021
ISBN1119584183

Required Software

MATLAB
You will need access to a recent version of MATLAB. A license is provided at no cost to you, through JHU.
Visit the JHU IT Services Portal. Log in with your JHED ID and type “Matlab” in the search bar. Click on “Matlab for Students” in the search results and follow the instructions provided.

Intel FPGA Software
Quartus Prime and DSP Builder from Intel will be used for student projects. Licenses are provided to the students. These tools are not available for the Mac OS.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 5–8 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the text and participating in discussions (approximately 2-3 hours per week) as well as some outside reading, listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 1-2 hours per week), and assignments (approximately 2–3 hours per week).
This course will consist of four basic student requirements:

Preparation and Participation (Module Discussions) (10% of Final Grade Calculation)
You are responsible for carefully reading all assigned material and being prepared for discussion. The majority of readings are from the course text. Additional reading may be assigned to supplement text readings.
Post your initial response to the discussion questions by the evening of day 3 for that module week. Posting a response to the discussion question is part one of your grade for module discussions (i.e., Timeliness).
Part two of your grade for module discussion is your interaction (i.e., responding to classmate postings with thoughtful responses) with at least one classmate. Just posting your response to a discussion question is not sufficient; we want you to interact with your classmates. Be detailed in your postings and in your responses to your classmates' postings. Feel free to agree or disagree with your classmates. Please ensure that your postings are civil and constructive.
I will monitor module discussions and will respond to some of the discussions as discussions are posted.
Evaluation of preparation and participation is based on contribution to discussions.
Preparation and participation is evaluated by the following grading elements:
1. Timeliness (50%)
2. Critical Thinking (50%)
Preparation and participation is graded as follows:
100–90 = Timeliness [regularly participates; all required postings; early in discussion; throughout the discussion]; Critical Thinking [rich in content; full of thoughts, insight, and analysis].
89–80 = Timeliness [frequently participates; all required postings; some not in time for others to read and respond]; Critical Thinking [substantial information; thought, insight, and analysis has taken place].
79–70 = Timeliness [infrequently participates; all required postings; most at the last minute without allowing for response time]; Critical Thinking [generally competent; information is thin and commonplace].


Assignments (Homework 50%, Midterm Project 20%, Final Project 20% of Final Grade Calculation)
Most modules in this course will have a homework assignment due at the end of that module. Homework may include problems from or relating to the reading. Homework assignments may also include design challenges, which are akin to lab assignments where the student will be asked to design and implement an SDR function within a framework of requirements. The midterm and final projects will integrate the student’s work in the design challenges.
Include a cover sheet with your name and assignment identifier. Also include your name and a page number indicator (i.e., page x of y) on each page of your submissions. Each problem should have the problem statement, assumptions, computations, and conclusions/discussion delineated. All Figures and Tables should be captioned and labeled appropriately.
All assignments are due according to the dates listed in each module (also listed in the Calendar). Writing is expected to meet or exceed accepted graduate-level English and scholarship standards.
Assignments are graded as follows:
100–90 = All parts of question are addressed; All assumptions are clearly stated; All intermediate derivations and calculations are provided; Answer is technically correct and is clearly indicated; Answer precision and units are appropriate.
89–80 = All parts of question are addressed; All assumptions are clearly stated; Some intermediate derivations and calculations are provided; Answer is technically correct and is indicated; Answer precision and units are appropriate.
79–70=Most parts of question are addressed; Assumptions are partially stated; Few intermediate derivations and calculations are provided; Answer is not technically correct but is indicated; Answer precision and units are indicated but inappropriate.
<70=Some parts of the question are addressed; Assumptions are not stated; Intermediate derivations and calculations are not provided; The answer is incorrect or missing; The answer precision and units are inappropriate or missing.

Grading Policy

Provide a detailed explanation of your grading policies and outline the scale used for letter grades.

EP uses a +/- grading system.

Final grades will be determined by the following weighting:

Course Policies

Late assignments will not be accepted without prior permission of the instructor. Permission for extension must be obtained well in advance of the due date.

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.