This list of graduate courses is current as of July 7, 2008. Please check the Virginia Tech Timetables and the Banner system for up-to-date prerequisite information.
5604: COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN & ANALYSIS OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
Simulation techniques for communication systems operating in random environments. Simulation models for stochastic signals and system components including coders, decoders, modulators, nonlinear amplifiers, bit and carrier synchronizers, equalizers and receivers. Techniques for modeling time-varying channels. Monte Carlo simulation, semi-analytic simulation and variance reduction techniques applied to the analysis, design and performance evaluation of communication systems. Programming experience required. Pre: 4624, 4634, STAT 4714. Co: 5605. (3H,3C).
5605: STOCHASTIC SIGNALS & SYSTEMS
Engineering applications of probability theory, random variables and random processes. Topics include: Gaussian and non-Gaussian random variables, correlation and stationarity of random processes. Time and frequency response of linear systems to random inputs using both classical transform and modern state space techiques. Typically offered in Fall. Pre: STAT 4714. (3H,3C) 5605: I; 5606: II.
5606: STOCHASTIC SIGNALS & SYSTEMS
Response of continuous and discrete time, linear and nonlinear systems to Gaussian and non-Gaussian random processes. Signal to noise power ratio computations (SNR) of systems. Introduction to signal detection theory. Optimal filtering (estimation) techniques of Wiener and Kalman to both open and closed loop systems. Typically offered in Spring. Pre: STAT 4714. (3H,3C) 5605: I; 5606: II
5614: FIBER OPTIC COMMUNICATIONS
Advanced fiber optic communications technology (including laser and optical amplifier dynamics, tunable optical filters, and nonlinear phenomena), and applications to high-speed long-distance systems, local area networks and television distribution. Interrelationships between the technology, architecture, and application of fiber optic communication systems. Pre: 4134, 4634, 5605. (3H,3C) II.
ECE 5620: ADVANCED DSP & FILTER DESIGN
Advanced analysis, design, and realization of digital filters. Efficient Discrete Fourier Transform algorithm implementations, finite word length arithmetic, fixed point implementation, limit cycles, noise shaping, decimation and interpolation, multi-rate digital filter design, Hilbert transformers, analytic signal generation, basic adaptive filtering. Pre: 4624, STAT 4714. (3H, 3C)
ECE 5624: WAVELETS, FILTER BANKS & APPLICATIONS
Advanced digital signal processing topics. Review of filter design from a matrix perspective; relationship of time, frequency, and scale; downsampling, upsampling and multirate signal processing systems; quadrature mirror filters (QMF) and subband coding, biorthogonal and orthogonal filter banks; multiresolution analysis; wavelet basis construction and the cascade algorithm; wavelet representation of signals and Mallat’s fast wavelet algorithm; and applications of wavelets and filter banks. Typically offered Spring. Pre: 4624
5634: INFORMATION THEORY
Transmission of information over noisy channels. Measures of information and transmission channel capacity. Use of codes to improve the reliability of such transmission. Mathematical theory of information. Transmission at rates above channel capacity. Includes linear codes, error detecting and correcting codes, Hamming codes. Pre: 4634, 5606, STAT 4714. (3H,3C) I. Typically offered Spring.
5635-5636: RADAR SYSTEMS ANALYSIS & DESIGN
5635: Theory and practice of radar systems used for detection, tracking, and location of targets. Covers measurement of range and velocity, pulse compression, design of radar transmitters, receivers, and antennas.
5636: Performance analysis of modern radar signal processing techniques. Topics include radar signal detection theory and optimal receiver analysis, target parameter estimation, pulse compression techniques, clutter reduction, and tracking. Pre: 5605, 5655 for 5636. (3H,3C) I,II.
5644: OPTIMAL DISCRETE TIME FILTERING
Estimation theory, the design, and computational aspects of linear and nonlinear discrete time state estimators for applications in control, communications, and signal processing. Gauss-Markov modeling, discrete time Kalman filter, nonlinear filtering, innovations representations, colored noise, reduced order filters. Pre: 5605, 5704. (3H,3C) II.
5654: DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
Fundamentals of theory, design, and analysis of modern digital communication systems. Representation of signal in digital form and optimum nonuniform quantization. Design and analysis of digital modulation formats and receivers using signal space techniques. Combining error correction techniques with digital modulation. Viterbi algorithm for maximum likelihood sequence estimation. Design and analysis of spread-spectrum communication systems. Pre: 4634, 5605. (3H,3C) II.
5655-5656: COMMUNICATION SYSTEM DESIGN
5655: Physical concepts and practical topics providing tools to calculate carrier-to-noise ratio in communication systems are discussed, including: noise processes, polarization topics, atmospheric propagation, receiver components, antennas, system calculation, and case studies.
5656: Advanced topics in digital satellite communications are discussed. These include multiple access, digital modulation, error correction coding, carrier phase, and symbol timing recovery. Pre: 4634 for 5656. Co: 5105 for 5655. (3H,3C) I,II.
5660: Spread Spectrum Communications
Major topics include: direct sequence and frequency hopping methods, synchronization, resistance to jamming to jamming, low probability of detection, spreading codes and their generation, system performance, Rake receivers, Code Division Multiple Access, cellular CDMA applications, wireless LAN applications, as well as commercial and military applications. Pre: 4634, 5605. (3H,3C) I.
ECE 5664: Cellular Radio and Personal Communications
Fundamental theory and design of high capacity wireless communications systems. Topics include trunking, propagation, frequency reuse, modulation, coding, and equalization. Pre: ECE 4634. Pre or co: ECE 5605. (3H, 3C). I.
ECE 5674: Software Radios: Modern Radio Engineering
An introduction to software radios, devices that can be programmed to work with a variety of different radios. The course will cover the following topics: software radio architectures, existing software radio efforts, a review of basic principles, an analysis of receiver operation. Pre: 4624, 4634. (3H, 3C).
ECE 5984: ORTHOGONAL FREQUENCY DIVISION MULTIPLEXING AND RELATED TECHNOLOGIES
A graduate level course in the theory, design and analysis of multi-carrier communications systems that support high data rate wireless communications in a number of commercial applications. Major topics to be covered include: orthogonal frequency division multiplexing basics, modulation and coding, radio frequency distortion analysis and crest factor reduction techniques for OFDM, timing estimation and frequency synchronization issues, medium access control design for WLAN standards, multi-carrier CDMA and OFDMA, diversity and applications of OFDM principles in digital audio and video broadcasting and WLAN applications.
6604: ADVANCED TOPICS IN COMMUNICATIONS
Advanced topics of current interest in communications, which are taken from publications and industrial information. Pre: 5606. (3H,3C) II.
6614: DETECTION THEORY
Techniques of signal detection and parameter estimation theory. Topics include hypothesis testing, detection of stochastic signals in noise, detection and maximum likelihood estimation of signal parameters, sequential detection theory, optimal receiver design, and performance analysis. Pre: 5606. (3H,3C) I. Alternate years.
6624: SPECTRAL ESTIMATION & MODELING
An advanced introduction to the processing and modeling of random discrete-time signals. Random time series, auto- and crosscorrelation sequences and their generation, filtering of random sequences, Wiener filters, matched filters, modeling assumption errors, one-step predictors, rational modeling of random sequences, parametric and non- parametric spectral estimation. Pre: 5605, 4624. (3H,3C) I.
Advanced Undergraduate Courses in Communications that may be taken for graduate credit:
4605, 4606: RADIO ENGINEERING
Amplitude, frequency, and pulse-modulated communication systems, including the effects of noise. Design of radio transmitter and receiver circuits using Y- and S- parameter methods. Circuits include oscillators, radio frequency amplifiers and matching networks, modulators, mixers, and detectors. Pre: ECE 3204. Co: ECE 4675. (3H,3C) I,II.
4614: TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORKS
Architecture, technology, operation, and application of telecommunication networks including digital telephony, data networks, and integrated services networks. Design and analysis of networks for voice, data, and video applications. Pre: ECE 3604, STAT 4714. (3H,3C) II.
4624: DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING & FILTER DESIGN
Analysis, design, and realization of digital filters. Discrete Fourier Transform algorithms, digital filter design procedures, coefficient quantization, finite wordlength arithmetic, fixed point implementation, limit cycles, noise shaping, decimation and interpolation. Pre: ECE 3704, STAT 4714. (3H,3C).
4634: ANALOG & DIGITAL COMMUNICATION
Theory and practice of analog and digital communications. Design and analysis of amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, and digital communication systems. Signal to noise ratios and bit error rates in noisy channels. Pre: ECE 3604, ECE 3714, STAT 4714. (3H,3C) I.
4644: SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
Theory and practice of satellite communications. Orbits and launchers, spacecraft, link budgets, modulation, coding and multiple access techniques, propagation effects, and earth terminals. Pre: ECE 4634. (3H,3C) II.
4654: DSP IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
An introduction to designing communication subsystems and involves designing and implementing in software demodulators, signal synthesizers, and synchronizers. A significant part of this class will be DSP programming. Pre: ECE 4624, ECE 4634. (3H,3C).
4664: Analog and Digital Communications Laboratory
Laboratory experiments which deal with the design and measurement of analog and digital communication systems. Concepts include SNR, Modulation Index, PCM, and spread spectrum. Pre: ECE 3614, Co: ECE 4634. (3L,1C). II
4674: SCATTERING PARAMETERS LABORATORY
Laboratory techniques for ultra-high frequency measurements. Emphasizes the design of a microstrip amplifier using scattering parameter measurement and analysis. Pre: ECE 4605, ECE 4675. (3L,1C) II.
4675, 4676: RADIO ENGINEERING LABORATORY
Laboratory techniques for radio frequencies including the design of amplifiers, oscillators, and a single-side-band receiver. Associated measurements will be used. Pre: ECE 3204. Co: ECE 4605 for 4675; ECE 4606 for 4676. (3L,1C) I,II.
4684: Digital Signal Processing Laboratory I
Experiments for design and hardware implementation of digital filters, signal generators, and Fast Fourier Transform signal analysis algorithms. Demonstration of aliasing, roundoff and finite wordlength effects, and their control. FIR and IIR digital filters, FFT, anti-aliasing filters, quantization and finite wordlength effects. filter scaling. Pre-req: 4624 (3L, 1C) I