OVERVIEW

The course introduces the fundamental principles of information theory, with particular attention to the source and channel coding techniques used to ensure reliable and efficient transmissions in telecommunication systems.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching provides the bases of techniques for protecting data in digital communications. Specifically, linear block codes and convolutional codes will be covered. The aim is to furnish an adequate knowledge to understand the main components to improve the reliability of modern digital telecommunication systems.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the teaching unit, the student will be able to:

1. Describe the fundamental principles of information theory and digital communication systems.

2. Understand and apply the concepts of entropy, mutual information, and channel capacity to analyze discrete transmission systems.

3. Distinguish and compare the main source coding techniques, including Shannon-Fano and Huffman methods.

4. Apply channel coding principles to design and evaluate error detection and correction systems.

5. Analyze the properties and performance of the main block and convolutional codes.

6. Understand the operation of advanced codes used in modern telecommunication systems, such as LDPC, Turbo, and Polar codes.

7. Critically evaluate the performance of Forward Error Correction (FEC) systems in different communication scenarios.

8. Communicate clearly and appropriately the results of analyses and the characteristics of the coding techniques studied.

PREREQUISITES

No specific prerequisites are required.

TEACHING METHODS

Lessons in presence supported by slides and didactic material provided by the lecturer. Numerical examples and application-oriented exercises related to coding techniques and error correction systems will be carried out during the course.

Students with valid certifications for Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs), disabilities or other educational needs are invited to contact the teacher and the School's contact person for disability at the beginning of the teaching unit to agree on possible teaching arrangements that, while respecting the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning patterns.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Fundamentals of Information Theory: Communication System Blocks, Discrete Memoryless Source, Entropy, Joint and Conditional Entropy, Mutual Information, Binary Symmetric Channel (BSC)
• Source Coding: Code Alphabet and Information Rate, Shannon's First Theorem, Kraft's Inequality and Optimal Codes, Shannon-Fano and Huffman Coding Techniques, Extension Coding
• Channel Coding: Shannon's Second Theorem, Codewords and Code Rate, Error Probability, ARQ and FEC Strategies
• Block Codes: Repetition Codes, Hamming Distance, Ideal Observer, Parity-Check Codes, Error Correction Techniques, Systematic Codes, Generating Matrix, Parity-Check Matrix, LDPC Codes, Hamming Codes, Cyclic Codes, FEC System Performance
• Convolutional Codes: Code Tree, Code Trellis, Free Distance, Generating Function, Turbo Codes, Polar Codes, Polarization-Adjusted Convolutional (PAC) Codes

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Slides issued by the lecturer.

(Optional) Books to deepen the telecommunication networks knowledge, such as:

• A. B. Carlson, P. B. Crilly, J. C. Rutledge, “Communication Systems: An Introduction to Signals and Noise in Electrical Communication”, McGraw-Hill.
• W. E. Ryan, S. Lin, S. G. Wilson, “Channel Codes: Classical and Modern”, Cambridge University Press.

Additional bibliographic material may be indicated during the course.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written exam + Oral exam.

There are no differences for Erasmus students.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam will assess:

• the knowledge and understanding of information theory and digital communication principles;
• the ability to apply source and channel coding techniques;
• the ability to analyze and compare the performance of different coding systems;
• the clarity of exposition and the correct use of technical terminology;
• the ability to critically analyze error detection and correction techniques.

Each learning outcome will be verified according to the criteria indicated above.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Contact the lecturer for further information not included in the teaching unit description.