525.616.81 - Communication Systems Engineering

Course Structure

Course Topics

• Analog Techniques Overview and Mathematical Fundamentals
• Fourier Transform
• AM Modulation and Demodulation
• FM Modulation and Demodulation
• Applications of Analog Systems
• Digital Techniques Sampling and Digitization
• Principles of Digital Communications Systems
• Review of Probability Theory
• Random Processes Review and System Performance
• Optimal Detection of Digital Signals
• Spread Spectrum Communications and Error-Control Coding
• Applications of Digital Systems

Course Goals

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Introduce the communication channel and apply both deterministic and statistical Fourier concepts to transmission propagation, power spectral density, and analog and digital signal modulation characteristics.
• Develop and compare the functional blocks of amplitude and angle modulation and demodulation for both analog and digital sub-systems.
• Develop and compare the performance of [A] Analog (AM, FM, PM) and [B] Digital (binary, M-ary, and spread spectrum) communication systems in the presence of noise and interference.
• Understand the basic principles of information theory and error-control coding

Textbooks

Required Software

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each class will take approximately 5–8 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 2–3 hours per week), listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 1-2 hours per week), and writing homework assignments (approximately 2-3 hours per week).

Students are expected to complete the course labs using MATLAB (1-4 hours per assignment). A total of three computer labs will be assigned.

This course will consist of four student requirements:

Midterm and Final Exams (25% and 30% of Final Grade Calculation, respectively)

The exam problems will be similar to weekly homework assignments. The role the exam is to ensure that the student has fully understood the concepts in the modules. The highest academic integrity is expected on the exams. Since the exams are administered in the online environment, they are also open book and open notes.

Exams are graded as follows:

100-99.00 = A+: The student demonstrates an exceptional knowledge of the topic and performs at almost perfect on every assignment.

98.99–92.00 = A: All problems are worked in full; math is properly worked. For 100% correct answers are required. However, a correct answer is not the goal.

91.99–90.00 = A-: All problems are worked in full; math is properly worked. Student’s performance is an A in quality, but mathematical mistakes or other errors have plagued the student’s work.

89.99–88.00 = B+: Student’s work is above the B level, but has not reached as high as an A.

87.99–82.00 = B: All problems are worked in full; some misunderstanding of how to solve the problem exists.

81.99–80.00 = B-: Student’s work is a B in quality. Consistent low scores have kept the student from achieving full potential.

79–70 = C: All problems are worked in full; major misconceptions of how to solve the problem exist.

Exams must be submitted on or before the due date. To maintain fairness among the students in the class, exam grades will be decreased by 20% per day late.

Homework (15% of Final Grade Calculation)

Homework assignments will draw upon the material in the texts and serve as the primary reinforcement tool for engineering concepts. The intent is to ensure the student is successfully learning the concepts taught in the course. Homework assignments will generally involve working analytical problems based on the weekly reading assignments and associated lesson modules. Students are allowed to discuss the homework outside of class and/or online (on Canvas). However, all submissions must be completed independently. Discussions are archived for all students to view at their convenience.

Homework assignments will be evaluated for completion, not correctness, on a basis of 1 point per problem.  A complete or reasonably complete attempt at the problem will earn a point.  Homework solutions will be posted on Canvas the day after they are due and students can evaluate their homework for accuracy and follow up with the instructor with questions.  Therefore, homework must be submitted electronically in a pdf on Canvas by midnight on the day due to obtain credit for the assignment. Homework not submitted will receive a grade of 0.

Computer Labs (20% of Final Grade Calculation)

A set of computer labs will allow the concepts from the class to be realized in a modeling tool and illustrate various concepts. Students will have multiple weeks to complete each MATLAB-based computer lab. Lab reports must be submitted online by midnight on the date due in PDF format.  Late submissions will be reduced by 20 percent for each week late. The Final Report should include all generated software in an appendix. Final Reports submitted without corresponding code will result in a 10% penalty.

Lab Reports are graded as follows: 

100–90: The report is clear. It begins and ends with a short introduction and conclusion. Figures are labeled. All code generated in the lab is submitted.

89–80: The report is clear. It begins and ends with a short introduction and conclusion. Figures are labeled. Points are lost when figures do not relate to the claims of the report.

79–70: The report is not clear. Introduction and conclusion paragraphs are missing. Figures are not described or not labeled. Points are lost when figures do not relate to the claims of the report.

Preparation and Participation (Class Discussions) (10% of Final Grade Calculation)

Each student is responsible for 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.

Students are expected to contribute to online discussions of the topic. Each student must make a minimum of 2 postings each week. Students may respond to the posted discussion questions. Or, they may generate a question or answer regarding the homework or labs. Students should read and comment on other students’ postings. 

Students may contribute to a past week’s discussion; however, it will NOT count towards participation. This rule is to encourage students to keep up with the weekly discussions.

Preparation and participation are graded as follows:

10: Student has posted the required number of postings.  The postings are relevant to the topic and contain elements of critical thinking.  The postings are timely in that they are submitted within the weekly cycle.  

5: Student has posted less than the required number of postings.  Or, the postings are irrelevant or are repeats of other students.  The postings are timely in that they are submitted within the weekly cycle.

0: Student has not participated in discussions during the week.  Opportunity to participate in on-line discussions will close on Monday nights at 11:59pm.  Participation in discussions after the due date will not be accepted.

At the end of the semester the student’s average weekly participation grade will be scaled into a 0-100 percent score. This score will count for 10% of the final course grade.

Grading Policy

Timely feedback on students' performance is an established learning tool, so we will endeavor to grade and return to you, as quickly as possible, all material that you submit. A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week. A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course.

100–97.00 = A+
96.99–93.00 = A
92.99–90.00 = A−
89.99–87.00 = B+
86.99–83.00 = B
82.99–80.00 = B−
79.99–70.00 = C
<70 = F

Final grades will be determined by the following weighting:

Course Policies

Students are expected to participate/submit the following to receive a grade for the course:

• Preparation and Participation (Online Discussions)
• Midterm and Final Exam
• Homework
• Computer Labs

Spelling and grammar are generally not graded. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted without comment. Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade. The instructor may need to cancel office hours. This will not likely happen more than once during the duration of the course. The instructor will inform the students ahead of time when this is necessary and will also post the announcement on Canvas. An e-mail will also be sent to each student.

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.