Base Knowledge
Fundamentals of mathematical analysis, including differential and integral calculus fundamentals.
Notions of statistics and probabilities.
Notions of electrical engineering, electrical circuits and electrical measurements.
Notions of logic and digital systems, representation and conversion between number bases.
Base concepts of signal representation and processing.
Teaching Methodologies
Motivation and presentation of themes in theoretical classes, including small practical examples.
Detailed resolution of exercises for real applications in TP classes, including mini-tests and previous exams, as well as exercises proposed by the students.
A practical assessment component through the execution of laboratory work with a report, including the respective individual defense.
Suggestion of quality study elements available in the Internet, especially in Youtube.
Learning Results
Objectives:
To understand the fundamentals of communication systems and to develop the ability to calculate and
analyze simple analog and digital communication systems’ applications, without and with noise analysis.
Special attention is given to the ITED Project.
Skills:
To understand: the information concept and the representation of information by means of electrical signals;
the signal representation in time and frequency; the representation of linear systems by the transfer function;
the nature, representation and effects of noise and interference;
the limitations of physical channels to the transmission of information signals;
(and to know) the baseband transmission techniques including examples of interfaces;
the principles and the motivations to use modulation;
(and to know) the more representative analog and digital modulation techniques;
the principles of light and radio propagation applied to fiber optics and radio communications;
the advantages and principles of communication networks.
Program
Lectures:
Signals and noise.
Basic notions of information theory.
Source and channel encoding.
Physical transmission media.
Limitations of physical channels.
Bandwidth and capacity. Baseband transmission.
Analog modulation techniques.
Digital modulation techniques.
Propagation fundamentals.
Power balances and applications.
Applications of power balances to telecommunications installations in buildings (ITED).
Notions of Interfaces. Notions of networks.
Basics of Information, Entropy, Redundancy and Coding.
Simplified examples of communication systems:
fixed and mobile telephone network, radio broadcasting and DVB-T, Radio Beams, RS232 and I2C local interfaces, examples IoT (LoRa).
Laboratory work with evaluation:
Decomposition and synthesis of periodic signals in Fourier Series (manual and using Matlab);
Simulation and experimental determination of the transfer function and bandwidth of a filter;
Simulation and experimental measurement of linear and non-linear distortion in communication systems (optional);
Analog communication with thermal noise – metallic cables, optical fibers, radio beams, satellite connections and sensor networks;
AM and FM modulation simulation (optional); RS232 and/or I2C and/or SPI serial transmission (optional);
Exercises:
Introduction to MatLab for signal processing of communication signals;
Signal classification; Phasor representation, power signals and Fourier series;
Energy Signals and Fourier Transform;
Fourier Transform, Transfer Function and Filters;
Power balances and analog communication;
Thermal noise and analog communication with noise and without noise;
Notions of power and noise balances in digital communications.
Curricular Unit Teachers
Fernando José Pimentel LopesInternship(s)
NAO
Bibliography
Recommended:
A. Bruce Carlson, Crilly, P. B., & Rutledge, J. C. (2002). Communication Systems. McGraw-Hill Science, Engineering & Mathematics.
Haykin, S., & Moher, M. (2007). An Introduction to Analog and Digital Communications.
Forouzan, B. A., & Sophia Chung Fegan. (2007). Data communications and networking. Mcgraw-Hill Higher Education, C.
ANACOM. (2024, February 1). ANACOM – Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações. Anacom.pt. http://www.anacom.pt
Lopes, F.J.P (2010-2026). Communication Systems [PowerPoint slides and Notes]. Istituto Superior de Engenharia de Coimbra.
Various authors (2026). Signals; Signals and Systems; Fourier Series; Power Budget and Friis Equation. Youtube videos.
Various authors (2026). Signals; Satellite Communications. Youtube videos.
Various authors (2026). RS233, RS485 and I2C Interfaces; Intelligent Sensors; Space Internet. Youtube video
Complementary:
Pierre-Gérard Fontolliet. (1986). Telecommunication Systems. Dedham, MA : Artech House.
Proakis, J. G., Salehi, M., & Bauch, G. (2012). Contemporary Communication Systems Using MATLAB. Cengage Learning.
Bhagwandas Pannalal Lathi. (2010). Modern Digital and Analog Communication Systems.
Tosin Eluwole, O., Udoh, N., Ojo, M., Okoro, C., & Akinyoade, A. (2018). From 1G to 5G, What Next? [Review of From 1G to 5G, What Next?]. IAENG International Journal of Computer Science, 45(3).
Ovidiu Vermesan, & Friess, P. (2022). Digitising the Industry Internet of Things Connecting the Physical, Digital and VirtualWorlds. CRC Press.
Hanes, D., Salgueiro, G., Grossetete, P., Barton, R., & Henry, J. (2017). IoT Fundamentals. Cisco Press.