UELE 261 - Communication Systems

Introduction to electronic communication circuits and methodologies in transmitters and receivers. Includes history and trends in communications technology, the electromagnetic spectrum, resonant circuits, coupling, lumped filters, behavior of devices, amplifiers, receivers, transmitters, and signal sources. Also includes Amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), single-sideband (SSB), radio receivers, pulse systems, radiation, antennas and wave propagation.

Course Learning Outcomes:
1. Calculate thermal noise levels for various receiver bandwidths.

2. Develop bandwidth and sideband characteristics of an AM signal.

3. Draw the block diagram of an AM superheterodyne receiver that employs automatic gain control and describe the function or purpose of each block.

4. Analyze a given balanced modulator and state its functional characteristics.

5. Develop bandwidth and sideband characteristics of an FM signal.

6. Draw block diagrams for AM, FM and PM transmitters.

7. Analyze an FM discriminator and describe its functional characteristics.

8. Draw a block diagram of a phase-locked loop receiver.

9. Discuss digital transmission techniques.

10. Describe antennas and transmission line characteristics

Outline:

Introductory Topics
- History and trends in communications technology
- The decibel (dB)
- Noise designation, calculation and measurement
- Information and bandwidth
- LC circuits
- Oscillators
Amplitude Modulation
- Amplitude modulation fundamentals
- Percentage modulation
- AM analysis
- Circuits for AM generation
- AM transmitter circuits
- AM receiver characteristics
- AM detection
- Superheterodyne receivers, tuning and analysis
- Automatic gain control
- AM receiver systems
Amplitude Modulation-Reception
- Receiver characteristics
- AM detection
- Superheterodyne receivers
- Automatic gain control
- AM receiver systems
Frequency Modulation – Transmission
- Angle modulation
- FM analysis
- Noise suppression
- Direct and indirect FM
- Phase-locked-loop FM transmitter
- Stereo FM
- FM transmissions
Frequency Modulation – Reception
- Block diagram
- RF amplifiers
- Limiters
- Discriminators
- Phase-locked loop receivers
- Stereo demodulation
- FM receivers
Digital Communications
Coding
Pulse modulation
Pulse code modulation
Radio telemetry
Transmission lines
- Types of transmission lines
- Propagation of voltage down a line
- Non-resonant and resonant lines
- Standing wave ratio
- Applications