78092 - Information and Communication Technology Laboratory

Learning outcomes

With this course the student will be able to construct computer-based simulations and conduct experiments on systems for the processing and transmission of information. In particular the student will learn how to:

-process audio and image signals using Matlab;

- use basic statistics and big data analytics on experimental data;

implementing Monte Carlo techniques for the system simulation; - use numerical simulation and operations research techniques to solve problems in ICT engineering;

- use the basic equipment for signal generation and analysis and for systems characterization.

Course contents

Module 1

The course will analyze the tools for the resolution of decision problems by using mathematical programming models and numerical resolution tools. The models will be solved by interfacing professional solvers in a development environment (e.g. Matlab) and by reading input data and parameters from external sources and with graphical representation of the obtained solutions.

Module 2

This module introduces the student to the development of comprehensive projects using the C programming language. The first part of the module focuses on several C language aspects, with emphasis on information representation and data manipulation, complexity, dinamic memory allocation and de-allocation. Then, the student develops several laboratory experiences about the development of C projects. They include:

• Pattern rcognition in a stream of data corrupted by Gaussian noise;
• FIR filters implementation;
• Spectral analysis systems based on FFT.

Readings/Bibliography

Module 1

Slides and lecture notes prepared by the teacher and available online

Module 2

The lecture notes distributed by the instructor and the descriptions of the projects to be carried out (made available online in electronic format in the institutional repositories) are a sufficient instrument to learn the module contents.

Teaching methods

Module 1

Frontal lectures and laboratory exercises

Module 2

Most of the activity will take place in the Laboratory of Electronics and Telecommunications and will mostly be devoted to the development of laboratory experiences in which C projects will be implemented. Such experiences will require a team work (typically, two students per group). Some frontal lectures are also foreseen, mainly devoted to the explanation of the C language projects to be developed and, wherever necessary, to reviewing theoretical results useful to understand the practical experiences.

 

Assessment methods

Module 1

The exam aims to test the understanding of course content through the development of a project. The project can also be carried out in groups with a maximum of two students. Groups must register by the end of the module by sending an email to the lecturer. The teacher assigns the group a specific problem and the objectives to be achieved by a fixed date, usually the first exam date after the conclusion of the course. Students can interact with the teacher during this period by appointment. At the end of the period, students must submit to the teacher a short report that describes the project and summarizes the results achieved. The teacher evaluates the report and fixes a meeting with the students in which the content is examined and it is verified the individual contribution of each student to the results achieved.

For students who do not attend to the course and do not carry out the project during the course it will be defined by the teacher a specific timing according to the specifications above.

The evaluation of the module is expressed as a mark in thirtieths.

Module 2

A project will be assigned by the instructor to each group of students. Each group will develop the project and propose a C implementation of it. Each group will produce a report that must describe the project objectives, the identified solution, a description of the implemented algorithm, all source files that have been developed, and the individual contribution to the project of each team member. After the technical report has been delivered to the instructor, each group will present their project and will answer to oral questions from the instructor.

Overall evaluation

The overall mark is the average of the marks obtained in the two modules.

Teaching tools

Teaching material, slides, lecture notes, exercises and code examples available online. Module 1 uses Matlab software. Module 2 foresees the use of C compiler.

Office hours

See the website of Daniele Vigo

See the website of Enrico Paolini