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Outcome Summary Communications Systems

Title Communications Systems
Course Number 10660138
Credits 3
Organization Western Technical College
Developers Jeff Fancher
Development Date 2/5/2010
Revised by
Revised date 6/1/2011
Instructional Level Associate Degree Courses
Instructional Area Electronics Foundation - 660
Division Industrial Department
Department Electronics

Instructional Type Contact Hours Outside Hours Credits
 Laboratory  36  0  1
 Lecture  36  0  2

Description


This course introduces the concepts of AM/FM and digital modulations, demodulation, and transmission techniques. Topics include the frequency domain, noise effects, transmission lines, RF propagation, antennas, sampling types, multiplexing, PCM and network protocols.


Prerequisites


  • Corequisite(s) 10660125 Electronic Devices

Supplies

  • None

Core Abilities

  • Use effective communication skills
  • Apply mathematical concepts
  • Transfer social and natural science theories into practical applications
  • Demonstrate ability to think critically
  • Use technology effectively

Competency

1.  Explain the concepts behind signals and thermal noise in the frequency domain


Criteria - Performance will be satisfactory when:

  • Learner can list the common frequency ranges as specified by the FCC
  • Learner defines the term signal
  • Learner explains the common types of thermal noise
  • Learner can use the FFT function on the oscilloscope to determine the frequency components of common signals

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the radio frequency spectrum
  • Define the term signal
  • Define the term noise

2.  Summarize the effects of electromagnetic and radio frequency interference


Criteria - Performance will be satisfactory when:

  • Learner lists the types of external noise
  • Learner lists the types of internal noise
  • Learner can calculate the S/N ratio of a circuit
  • Learner can interpret the NF of a transistor given the spec sheet
  • Learner can explain the significance of the selectivity of a receiver as it relates to RF interference

Learning Objectives

  • List the major types of noise
  • Define external noise
  • Define internal noise
  • Define signal-to-noise ratio
  • Define noise figure

3.  Demonstrate functional blocks of communications systems


Criteria - Performance will be satisfactory when:

  • Learner can draw the block diagram of an AM transmitter
  • Learner can draw the block diagram of an FM transmitter
  • Learner can draw the block diagram of an AM receiver
  • Learner can draw the block diagram of an FM receiver
  • Learner can list the four types of transmission mediums
  • Learner can explain the characteristics of the different classes of amplifiers

Learning Objectives

  • Describe a basic transmitter
  • Describe a basic receiver
  • Describe what is included in the term transmission medium

4.  Identify characteristics of transmission lines and systems


Criteria - Performance will be satisfactory when:

  • Learner can list the characteristics of an nonresonant transmission line
  • Learner can list the characteristics of a resonant transmission line
  • Learner can calculate the SWR of a system
  • Learner can explain the significance of the skin effect at high frequencies
  • Learner can explain the four basic modes of radio wave propagation
  • Learner can compare and contrast the characteristics of balanced and unbalanced transmission lines
  • Learner can define the term antenna
  • Learner can calculate the electrical length of a half-wave dipole antenna
  • Learner can calculate the physical length of a half-wave dipole antenna
  • Learner can calculate the characteristic impedance of a transmission line

Learning Objectives

  • Identify the characteristics of an nonresonant transmission line
  • Identify the characteristics of a resonant transmission line
  • Define the term SWR
  • Explain what is meant by the term skin effect
  • Describe the physical characteristics of a transmission line
  • Explain the concept of electromagnetic wave propagation
  • Define the term antenna
  • Describe the physical characteristics of a half-wave dipole antenna
  • Describe the electrical characteristics of a half-wave dipole antenna

5.  Apply the amplitude modulation (AM) signal expressions to determine spectrum and waveform components


Criteria - Performance will be satisfactory when:

  • Learner can explain the need for modulation to transmit information
  • Learner can draw the AM waveform at various percentages of modulation
  • Learner can draw the frequency spectra of an AM waveform

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the process of modulation
  • Draw the AM waveform
  • Use the AM equation to determine the spectral components of the AM waveform

6.  Examine the operation of AM modulators and envelope detectors


Criteria - Performance will be satisfactory when:

  • Learner can draw the block diagram of a high-level modulator
  • Learner can draw the block diagram of a low-level modulator
  • Learner describe the function of a modulator
  • Learner can distinguish a modulator circuit from an amplifier circuit
  • Learner can draw a basic envelop detector
  • Learner can explain typical AM transmitter specifications
  • Learner explain typical AM receiver specifications

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the term high-level modulation
  • Explain the term low-level modulation
  • Describe the various methods used for AM detection

7.  Determine the relationship between an AM signal and its parameters


Criteria - Performance will be satisfactory when:

  • Learner can calculate the power distribution in an AM waveform
  • Learner can calculate the bandwidth of an AM signal
  • Learner can calculate the percentage modulation of an AM signal
  • Learner can explain the difference between a side frequency and a side band

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the term percentage modulation
  • Explain the relationship between the intelligence frequency and the bandwidth of an AM signal
  • Explain the relationship between percent modulation, sideband power, and total power in the AM waveform

8.  Apply the frequency modulation (FM) signal expressions to determine spectrum and waveform components


Criteria - Performance will be satisfactory when:

  • Learner can draw the FM waveform at various levels of deviation
  • Learner can draw the frequency spectra of an FM waveform

Learning Objectives

  • Draw the FM waveform
  • Use the FM equation to determine the spectral components of the FM waveform

9.  Determine the relationship between an FM signal and its parameters


Criteria - Performance will be satisfactory when:

  • Learner can calculate the modulation index
  • Learner can use a Bessel function table to calculate the amplitude of the carrier and sidebands based on the modulation index
  • Learner can use a Bessel function table to calculate the bandwidth of an FM
  • Learner can describe what is meant by a narrowband FM signal
  • Learner can describe what is meant by a wideband FM signal

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the term modulation index
  • Explain the relationship between the modulation index, sideband amplitude, carrier amplitude and total power in the FM waveform
  • Explain the relationship between the modulation index and the number of significant sidebands
  • Define frequency deviation

10.  Examine the operation of FM modulators and phase-locked loop (PLL) detectors


Criteria - Performance will be satisfactory when:

  • Leaner can describe three methods of direct FM generation
  • Leaner can describe how phase modulation can be used to generate an FM signal
  • Leaner can construct a PLL FM transmitter
  • Leaner can construct a VCO FM transmitter
  • Leaner can construct a PLL FM detector
  • Leaner can explain typical FM receiver specifications
  • Leaner can explain typical FM transmitter specifications

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the term direct FM generation
  • Explain the term indirect FM generation
  • Describe the various methods for FM detection

11.  Describe phase modulation (PM) and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signals


Criteria - Performance will be satisfactory when:

  • Learner can describe the three common types of PSK systems
  • Learner can draw the block diagram of a 16-QAM transmitter
  • Learner can explain the eye pattern used in troubleshooting digital communications
  • Learner can explain the constellation pattern used in troubleshooting digital communications
  • Learner can list the characteristics of QAM systems
  • Learner can describe the two types of spread-spectrum modulation techniques

Learning Objectives

  • Explain how phase modulation can be used in digital communications systems
  • Explain the concept of QAM

12.  Analyze the characteristics of digital information and signals


Criteria - Performance will be satisfactory when:

  • Learner can describe the four common types of alphanumeric codes
  • Learner can describe the the four types of digital encoding formats
  • Learner can describe the quantization process in a PCM system
  • Learner can explain the operation of a A/D convertor
  • Learner can explain the operation of a D/A convertor
  • Learner can define the term codec
  • Learner can explain the effects of noise on a digital signal
  • Learner can describe the various types of pulse modulated signals
  • Learner can define the Nyquist rate

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the various types of encoding formats
  • Explain the common types of alphanumeric codes
  • Describe the quantization process in a PCM system
  • Provide detail on common schemes used to transmit digital signals

13.  Describe basic communication and network protocols


Criteria - Performance will be satisfactory when:

  • Learner can explain the term simplex transmission of data
  • Learner can explain the term half-duplex transmission of data
  • Learner can explain the term full-duplex transmission of data
  • Learner can explain the term synchronous transmission of data
  • Learner can explain the term asynchronous transmission of data
  • Learner can define the four major protocol functions
  • Learner can describe the various types of modems used to interface to a network
  • Learner can describe the IP addressing scheme

Learning Objectives

  • Explain what is meant by simplex transmission of data
  • Explain what is meant by half-duplex transmission of data
  • Explain what is meant by full duplex transmission of data
  • Explain what is meant by synchronous transmission of data
  • Explain what is meant by asynchronous transmission of data
  • Describe the various types of modems used to interface to a network
  • Describe the IP addressing scheme