OVERVIEW

COURSE OVERVIEW
The course aims to provide the fundamental principles of spectral analysis of continuous and discrete signals, and their transformation through linear and nonlinear systems. It also covers the theory of probability, random variables, random processes, and signal transmission techniques over noisy channels. These topics are essential both for understanding the content of other courses in the telecommunications field and for methods and applications involving signals.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Basic principles of signals and linear systems. Spectral analysis of continuous signals; discrete signals; sampling and analog / digital conversion. Theory of random phenomena: probability, random variables, random processes. PAM, PCM, analog modulations. Techniques of transmission of signals on noisy channels.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendance and active participation in the course activities, along with individual study, will enable students to:

• understand and evaluate the properties of an analog signal (such as bandwidth, power, periodicity, etc.);
• understand and confidently use tools to project an analog signal into the frequency domain and observe its characteristics;
• understand the features and advantages of digital signals and the operating principles of analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters;
• analyze noise and sources of random signals from both statistical and spectral perspectives;
• apply frequency-domain filtering and analog modulation techniques to analyze, process, and transmit deterministic and random signals;
• understand the operation and block diagram of systems for transmitting signals over noisy channels, both in baseband and passband;
• evaluate the performance of a simple telecommunications system through appropriate models and calculations, and acquire the tools to approach more advanced and complex systems;
• independently explore topics related to signal processing, analog and digital transmission, and the characterization of signals and random phenomena;
• acquire proper technical terminology in the field of telecommunications and signal processing, and be able to describe a system for signal acquisition, transformation, and transmission using appropriate language.

PREREQUISITES

A solid understanding of the mathematical analysis tools taught in first-year courses is required, with particular emphasis on real and complex functions of a real variable, limits, derivatives, and integrals.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures (often supported by slides provided in advance to the students) and in-class exercises. Attendance at these activities is recommended.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Linear Time-Invariant (LTI) Systems (or Filters): Impulse response and convolution integral. Fourier Transform. Frequency response of LTI systems. Filtering: low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass. Signal energy and power; corresponding spectral densities.
• Sampling Theorem: Ideal and practical sampling. Digitization of analog signals using PCM (A/D conversion) and baseband digital transmission using PAM.
• Multiplexing: Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) and Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) of multiple signals.
• Probability Theory: Conditional probability, independent events, joint experiments, independent experiments, repeated trials, and the law of large numbers.
• Random Variables: Distribution and probability density functions, functions of a random variable, mean, variance, and moments.
• Two Random Variables: Joint distribution and density, covariance, and correlation coefficient.
• Random Processes: Stationary processes, correlation function, and power spectral density. Harmonic and random binary signals. White noise.
• Transmission Methods: Baseband and passband transmission of continuous signals.
• Modulation Techniques: Linear modulations (AM, DSB) and angular modulations (FM, PM). Bandwidth occupation. Basic schemes of modulators and demodulators.
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): SNR calculation at the receiver in linear and angular modulation systems. Threshold effect. FM with pre-emphasis.
• Comparison of Techniques: Performance, cost, and application trade-offs among various transmission techniques.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Teaching Material and Reference Textbooks

• Slides used  during lectures and made available on AulaWeb.

• A. B. Carlson, P. B. Crilly, J. C. Rutledge, Communication Systems, McGraw-Hill, 2001 (4th edition).

• A. Papoulis, S. U. Pillai, Probability, Random Variables and Stochastic Processes, McGraw-Hill, 2002 (4th edition).

Additional reference texts:

• R. Cusani, Teoria dei Segnali, Edizioni Ingegneria 2000, Rome, 1996.

• C. Prati, Segnali e sistemi per le telecomunicazioni, McGraw-Hill, Milan, 2003.

• A. Papoulis, The Fourier Integral and Its Applications, McGraw-Hill, 1962.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/8713/p/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of, in order, a written test and an optional oral exam.
The written test can be completed in a single two-hour session covering the entire course content, or divided into two separate one-hour tests, each covering one part of the course material. The evaluation of the written test, or the average of the evaluations of the two partial tests, is expressed in a scale of 30.
The optional oral exam must be taken within two years of achieving the written test evaluation. Although, in principle, the final exam result depends on the oral exam and may deviate significantly from the previous written test evaluation, the final grade is usually within an interval of a few points, centered around the written test evaluation.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The written test will assess the ability to solve problems that require applying various topics covered in the course through reasoning and calculations. Both the appropriateness of the student's approach and the correctness of the final result will be evaluated.
The oral exam will assess the mastery and real understanding of the topics covered in the course, through questions of both a theoretical and design-oriented nature. Responses will be evaluated for correctness, completeness, clarity, confidence, and the appropriate use of technical language. The ability to make connections between different topics and use the tools learned to answer questions is also of particular importance.