28014 - Foundations of Telecommunications T

Learning outcomes

Basic knowledge on Fourier analysis (continous- and discrete-time signals). Linear systems. Introduction to communication networks. Introduction to ISO-OSI and TCP/IP stacks.

Course contents

Fourier Analysis (time-continuous signals)
Analysis in the frequency domain of deterministic time-continuous signals. Fourier Series; Fourier Transforms; Dirac's Delta; Fourier transform of distributions (generalized functions), step signals and periodic signals.
Fourier Analysis (time-discrete signals)
Analysis in the frequency domain of deterministic time-discrete signals. Discrete-Time Fourier Transform (DTFT), the Nyquist-Shannon sampling theorem, Shannon's series, Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT), FFT.
Linear systems
Definition of linearity. Impulse response and transfer function of time-invarying linear systems. Non distortion conditions. Ideal, real and FIR filters.
Analog to digital conversion
Sampling, quantization(uniform and logarithmic) and coding (PCM). Basics of vocoder
Generalized Fourier Analysis
Cross and auto correlation functions of deterministic signals. Energy and power spectra.
Modulation Theory
Introduction; analogue modulations (AM, PM, FM, DSB-SC, QAM).

Digital signals

Digital PAM signals: bipolar and multi-level encoding, power spectra. Basic elements of digital modulations.
ISO-OSI and TCP-IP models
Network architectures: layers, protocols and services. ISO-OSI and TCP-IP models.
Layer 2 (link)
Link layer services. Basics of Ethernet (10, 100 e 1000 Mbit/s); CSMA/CD protocol; basics of IEEE 802.11 (WiFi); CSMA-CA protocol, MAC addresses, hubs e switches.
Layer 3 (Network)
Network layer services; connection oriented and connectionless protocols (datagram), logical addresses, routing table, IPv4, basics of IPv6, NATs.
Layer 4 (Transport)
Transport services; UDP and TCP protocols (ACK, retransmission mechanisms, flow control, congestion control); ports.
DTN
Basics of “challenged network” and of the DTN (Delay-/Disruption-Tolerant Networking) architecture.

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes provided via web (AMS campus) on the first part of the course.

Slides provided via web (AMS campus) on the second part of the course.

References:

L.Calandrino, M.Chiani, Lezioni di Comunicazioni Elettriche", Pitagora

C.Caini, G.Tazzari, Comunicazioni Elettriche e Segnali Audio, Esculapio (for LAB activities)
C.Caini, C.Raffelli, Laboratorio di Comunicazioni Elettriche, Pitagora (for LAB activities)
A.S. Tanenbaum, "Computer Networks", Pearsons, 5th edition
B.A. Forouzan,  “TCP/IP Protocol Suite”, Ed.4, McGraw Hill soft cover  

Teaching methods

Lectures and lab activities (software and hardware).

Assessment methods

Written and oral examinations. No intermediate (i.e. during the courses) assessments.

Teaching tools

Goldwave audio editor for lab activities related to audio signals and linear systems. Other programs and Excel spreadsheets.

Office hours

See the website of Carlo Caini