525.752.3VL - Digital Receiver Synchronization Techniques

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Modules.  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 design and implement DSP algorithms for synchronization.
  • Design, implement, and measure the accuracy of carrier synchronization.
  • Design, implement, and measure the accuracy of symbol timing synchronization.
• Students will apply theory to the design and implementation of digital communication systems.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of linear and angular modulation methods by designing functional demodulation algorithms. 
  • Define appropriate sample rates for a modulated signal.
  • Determine if coherent demodulation is necessary.
  • Measure synchronization impairments at the system level.
  • Determine if tracking is necessary.
• Students will learn how to detect the presence of signals in noise.
  • Generate ROC curves for signal detection.
  • Design, implement, and measure the accuracy of frame synchronization.
• Students will learn how to perform coarse estimation of synchronization impairments.
  
• Students will learn classical control theory as applied to tracking and correcting synchronization errors.
• Students will apply theory to the design and implementation of synchronization tracking loops.
  • Design and implement phase-lock loops including the Costas loop.
  • Design and implement matched filtering.
  • Design and implement arbitrary resampling.
  • Design and implement EPL timing recovery.
• Students will apply theory to the demodulation of spread-spectrum signals.
  • Design and implement filtering in the frequency domain.
  • Design and implement spreading code phase acquisition.
    

Course Goals

To learn the theory of digital receiver synchronization techniques. To apply that theory in the design and implementation of a physical layer.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Design, Implement, and Measure the Accuracy of Signal Detection
• Design, Implement, and Measure the Accuracy of Frame Synchronization
• Design, Implement, and Measure the Accuracy and Efficacy of Carrier Synchronization
• Design, Implement, and Measure the Accuracy and Efficacy of Symbol Timing Synchronization

Textbooks

There is no required textbook. All assigned reading will be from relevant academic papers.

It is recommended that the student have a book on Digital Signal Processing. To that end, the following text is recommended but not required:

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.

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 6-9 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading (approximately 1-2 hours per week), attending lecture (approximately 2 hours per week), and assignments (approximately 3-5 hours per week).

Coursework will consist of Homework and a Final Project:
All assignments will include a lab components in which the student designs and implements a solution to some problem, and measures the performance of that implementation. Assignments may also include problems from or relating to the assigned reading.

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.

All assignments are evaluated by the following grading elements:
1. Assumptions are clearly stated
2. Intermediate derivations, calculations and/or unit tests are provided
3. Answer is technically correct and is clearly indicated
4. Rationale for answer is provided

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.