Integration of System Design and Standard Development in Digital Communication Education Xiaohua(Edward) Li State University of New York at Binghamton
Contents Introduction SAM project in digital communications Technical standard of SAM Conclusions
Introduction Digital communications education should teach theory with a systematic view use MATLAB projects to strengthen the systematic view develop practical system design experience Traditional ways of teaching may not perform well enough
Introduction Our approach: joint theory, system design and technical standard drafting Objectives: Integrate theory with hands-on experience Cost effective: computers only Convenient: Matlab programming only Competitive: drafting standards
Design of the SAM Project SAM: soft acoustic modem a modem with PC and MATLAB Overview: Phase 1: baseband transmission Phase 2: passband transmission (wireline) Phase 3: passband with coding (wireless) Modem standard discussion and draft Work of students demonstration, presentation, standard draft
The SAM Project (1) Phase I. Baseband system design Theory: data packet, pulse shaping, synchronizations Hardware: one PC Software: MATLAB
The SAM Project (2) Phase II. Passband wired transmission Theory: modulation/demodulation, synchronization Hardware: one or two PC Software: MATLAB
The SAM Project (3) Phase III. Wireless modem Theory: wireless, SNR, channel coding/decoding Hardware: two PCs
The SAM (4). Software: MATLAB
The SAM Project (5) Typical transmitter and receiver block diagrams Simulation results of one student group Start TransmitterGenerate random message Format message with Barker and Training Sequence Convolutional encode message Differentially encode entire signal Pulse shape entire signal Transmit Modulate signal with 1 kHz carrier Sample for 1 kHz carrier Record Waveform upon detection of 1 kHz carrier signal Demodulate signal Differentially decode Time synchronize and sample Frame Synchronize using Barker Convolutional decode Assess Bit Error
Technical Standard Activity Technical standard Provide design guide and inter-operability Encourage competition Approaches for drafting standards: Only design objective is assigned Students are free to choose techniques Perform regular discussion to define common parameters Each group draft a standard, among which the most competitive one is recommended
Conclusions Project that stimulates students’ interest Use practical design projects which involve both software and hardware Use tools which are under students’ control Introduce competitions Make it challenging by leaving questions open Draft standards instead of writing ordinary reports