Course syllabus for Telecommunication

Course syllabus adopted 2023-02-19 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameTelekommunikation
  • CodeRRY011
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTIELL
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyElectrical Engineering
  • DepartmentSPACE, EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 63129
  • Maximum participants50
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0119 Examination 4.5 c
Grading: TH
0 c4.5 c0 c0 c0 c0 c
  • 14 Jan 2025 am L
  • 16 Apr 2025 am L
  • 27 Aug 2025 pm L
0219 Laboratory 3 c
Grading: UG
0 c3 c0 c0 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Courses in Linear Algebra (MVE675), Calculus (MVE535, and MVE545), Electrical Circuits (LEU470), Electricity and electronics (SEE035), as well as Transforms and Linear Systems (SSY020), or corresponding skills.

Aim

High speed transfer of information requires electronic circuits operating at higher and higher frequencies. However, at high frequencies, the common theory based on Kirchhoff:s law does not apply anymore: The voltages and the currents must be treated as waves. This requires knowledge in the physics of waves, in particular voltage and current waves travelling along transmission lines. When applying wireless techniques, knowledge in wave propagation in free space is needed. Moreover, the message to be sent from a transmitter to a receiver must have a form suitable for transmission with the chosen technology and medium. This is treated in Modulation theory. The course aims at students acquiring a good knowledge about basic concepts, principles and methods used in the area of Telecommunication. This provides a good basis for further studies in analog and digital communications, as well as electronics design (in particular at high frequencies).

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • Master core concepts and terminology of this engineering subject so that she/he on her/his own can read and understand relevant literature and discuss problems with engineers working in this field.
  • Discuss societal aspects of telecommunication systems.
  • Present results from circuit simulations and experimental work in a written report.
  • Describe the propagation mechanism, as well as formulate, analyze and apply simple mathematical models for the propagation of voltage och current waves along transmission lines, and TEM-waves in homogenoeus media.
  • Determine line parameters and wave propagation speed using laboratory work.
  • Describe how waves are reflected and how reflections can be eliminated, and perform impedance and reflection calculations (in particular using the Smith chart and the bounce diagram).
  • Describe different types of optical fibres, how waves propagate in an optical fibre, what causes dispersion and attenuation and explain how they affect the transfer of information. Explain the working principle of an Erbium-doped fibre amplifier. Perform calculations related to the wave propagation mechanism and the information transfer capacity, in particular in step-index fibres.
  • Describe the principles for analogue and digital modulation techniques, and discuss their advantages and disadvantages.
  • Describe various multiplexing methods and spread spectrum techniques.
  • Describe the working principles and structure of, and perform laboratory work with, electronic components and circuits used for modulation and demodulation.
  • Analyze (using theory as well as laboratory work) and determine wave forms and amplitude spectra of modulation signals, and perform calculations (using theory and circuit simulation) on block diagrams of circuits for modulation and demodulation.

Content

Concepts and principles from wave physics and geometric optics. Propagation of TEM waves in free space and homogenoeus media. Propagation of voltage and current waves in transmission lines. Propagation of light in optical fibres. Transmission line theory: line parameters, impedances, reflections, impedance matching techniques, transients and multiple reflections. The Smith chart and the bounce diagram. Analogue and digital signals. Analogue modulation methods: theory, circuits and block diagrams for the AM, and orientation about FM and PM, technique. Buildling blocks and working principles of: Mixer, phase detector, frequency multiplier, phase-locked loop (PLL), voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), and superheterodyne receiver. Theory, principles and buildning blocks of the digital modulation methods: PCM, ASK, PSK, QAM and OFDM. Orientation about PCM and FSK. Introduction to various multiplexing methods and spread spectrum techniques.

Organisation

The scheduled learning activities in the course consist of lectures, problem solving sessions and laboratory work. The laboratory work comprises experimental work, circuit simulations, (voluntary) hand-in problems, and a discussion of societal aspects of telecommunication systems.

Literature

-Nathan Ida: Engineering Electromagnetics (3rd ed., Springer), chapters 12-16 (The book is available as an e-book through Chalmers library)
-Louis E. Frenzel: Principles of Electronic Communication Systems (4th ed., McGraw Hill)

Examination including compulsory elements

The learning goals are examined through a written exam (grading scale: fail, 3, 4, 5), and compulsory active participation in and presentation of results from laboratory work (written reports and oral discussions (grading scale: fail, pass)). To pass the course both a passed exam and passed laboratory work are required. The final grade is based on the results of the written exam.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.