Chapter 1: Introduction to Comm.

Systems

Undergraduate Program
School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Outlines
• Introduction to communications
• Key Evolutions in the world of communications
• Basics of communication technologies
• Wireless and Wired technologies
• Elements of communication system
• Channel characteristics
• Mathematical models of a channel
• Signals and systems – Review
• The Hilbert Transform & Bandpass Signals
• Fundamentals of Analog Transmission

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 2

Introduction to Communication Systems (1/2)
• Communication is the transfer of information
• The goal is to reproduce as accurately as possible at the receiver a
message sent from the transmitter
• Electrical communication systems convey or transmit information in
the form of an electromagnetic signal

• The type of message signals include

• Speech Music 🎶 Image Video 📹 Data

• This should be done

• as efficiently as possible
• with as much fidelity/ reliability as possible
• as securely as possible

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 3

Introduction to Communication Systems (2/2)
• Communication Services
• TV and Radio Broadcasting
• Cellular services
• Aeronautical Mobile services
• Internet
• …….

• Types of communication systems

• Wireline and wireless
• Digital and analog
• Point-to-point and broadcast /multicast
• Low-frequency and high frequency
• ….

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 4

Key Evolutions in the world of communications
• Telegraph
• 1844, Samuel Morse,
• “What hath God wrought” transmitted by Morse’s
electric telegraph
• Washington D.C ~ Baltimore, Maryland
• Morse code : variable-length code (a dot, a dash, a
letter space, a word space)

• Telephone
• 1875, Alexander Graham Bell
• Invented the telephone
• 1897, A. B. Strowger
• Devised the autiomatic step-by-step switch
• 28 January 1878:
• The first commercial US telephone exchange opened
in New Haven, Connecticut.

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 5

Key Evolutions in the world of communications…
• Radio (wireless Communication)
• 1864, James Clerk Maxwell
• Formulated the electromagnetic theory of light
• Predicted the existence of radio waves
• 1887, Heinrich Hertz
• The existence of radio waves was confirmed experimentally
• 1894, Oliver Lodge
• Demo: wireless communication over a relatively short distance (150
yards)
• 1901, Guglielmo Marconi
• Demo: wireless communication over a long distance (1700 miles)
• 1906, Reginald Fessenden
• Conducting the first radio broadcast
• 1918, Edwin H. Armstrong
• Invented the superheterodyne radio receiver
• 1933, Edwin H. Armstrong
• Demonstrated another modulation scheme ( Frequency modulation)

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 6

Key Evolutions in the world of communications ….
• Electronics
• 1904, John Abbrose Eleming
• Invented the vacuum-tube diode
• 1906, Lee de Forest
• Invented the vacuum-tube triode
• 1948, Walter H. Brattain, William Shockley (Bell Lab.)
• Invented the transistor
• 1958, Robert Noyce
• The first silicon integrated circuit (IC) produce

• Television
• 1928, Philo T. Farnsworth
• First all-electronic television system
• 1929, Vladimir K. Zworykin
• all-electronic television system
• 1939, BBC
• Broadcasting television service on a commercial basis

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 7

Key Evolutions in the world of communications ….
• Digital Communications
• 1928, Harry Nyquist
• The theory of signal transmission in telegraphy
• 1937, Alex Reeves
• Invent pulse-code modulation
• 1958, (Bell Lab.)
• First call through a stored-program system
• 1960, (Morris, Illinois)
• The first commercial telephone service with digital switching begin.
• 1962, (Bell Lab.)
• The first T-1 carrier system transmission was installed
• 1943, D. O. North
• Matched filter for the optimum detection of a unknown signal in a
additive white noise
• 1948, Claude Shannon
• The theoretical foundation of digital communications were laid

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 8

Key Evolutions in the world of communications ….
• Computer Networks
• 1943~1946, (Moore School of Electrical Engineering of the Univ. of
Pennsylvania)
• ENIAC : first electronic digital computer
• 1950s
• Computers and terminals started communicating with each other
• 1965, Robert Lucky
• Idea of adaptive equalization
• 1982, G. Ungerboeck
• Efficient modulation techniques
• 1950~1970
• Various studies were made on computer networks
• 1971
• Advanced Research Project Agency Network(APRANET) first put into service
• 1985,
• APRANET was renamed the Internet
• 1990, Tim Berners-Lee
• Proposed a hypermedia software interface to internet (World Wide Web)

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 9

Key Evolutions in the world of communications ….
• Satellite Communications
• 1945, C. Clark
• Studied the use of satellite for communications
• 1955, John R. Pierce
• Proposed the use of satellite for communications
• 1957, (Soviet Union)
• Launched Sputnik I
• 1958, (United States)
• Launched Explorer I
• 1962, (Bell Lab.)
• Launched Telstar I

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 10

Key Evolutions in the world of communications ….
• Optical Communications
• 1966, K.C. Kao, G. A. Hockham
• Proposed the use of a clad glass fiber as a dielectric waveguide
• 1959~1960
• The laser had been invented and developed

• Where are we now?

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 11

Outlines
• Introduction to communications
• Key Evolutions in the world of communications
• Basics of communication technologies
• Wireless and Wired technologies
• Elements of communication system
• Channel characteristics
• Mathematical models of a channel
• Signals and systems – Review
• The Hilbert Transform & Bandpass Signals
• Fundamentals of Analog Transmission

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 12

World of telecommunication

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 13

Wired Communication
• Transmission of data over a wire-based communication
technology
• No mobility
• Reliable and secure data transmission
• speed : Higher upload and download rate

• Telephone Networks:
• Public Switched
Wired Telecommunications Network
Technologies • Digital Subscriber line
• Local Area Network (LAN),
Ethernet
• Cable Television

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 14

Telephone Networks
• Public Switched • Later came Dial-up access over
Telecommunications Network: telephone lines
Telephone Networks designed • Modem converts digital data from
for the transmission of voice-band a computer into an analogy
Communication signal to be sent over a telephone
• Real-time ; Low latency; High line (instead of analogy voice)
reliability • Telephone system limits
• The service delivered to the end bandwidth to 4kHz (although
copper cable can carry more)
user is called the Plain Old
• Maximum data rate 56kb/s
Telephone Service (POTS) Users
Local

• Features are : Telephone

Exchanges
City Telephone

• Subscribers can be connected by Exchange

entering telephone numbers

• Multiple users connect to a local
Traffic from 1
exchange via copper wires and user

are connected in a hierarchy Traffic from all

Traffic from all local exchanges
users connect
to exchange

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 16

 Telephone Networks…
• The need to communicate digital data resulted in the invention of the Digital
Subscriber line (DSL)
• Copper line can actually transmit about 1MHz spectrum and DSL technologies
make use of most of this (except the 4kHz for voice) to provide higher-speed access
to the Internet.
• Digital signals are sent from home (modem) to exchange (multiplexer)

Exchange/Central Office
Customer Premises (e.g. house) Internet

ISP Network

ADSL Modem ADSL Filter

ADSL Multiplexer
(e.g. DSLAM)

Public Switched
Telephone Network

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 17

 Telephone Networks…
• Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
• Larger bandwidth (and hence data rate) for downstream (exchange to you)
than upstream (you to exchange) traffic
• ADSL Multiplexers (in exchange) can support larger bandwidths on
transmission
• Well suited to many Internet applications, e.g. web browsing, email
• ADSL can adapt data rate depending on amount of noise on line
• Lower speeds for longer distances and poor quality copper cables
• Key Features:
• Makes use of widely installed telephone network
• Supports basic voice and video applications ADSL Example use of
copper line spectrum
Technology Speed Use
Alternative of
HDSL 1.5Mb/s
T1/E1
Home/
SHDSL 5.6Mb/s
business

VDSL 100Mb/s FTTC

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 18

Wired Local Area Networks: Ethernet
• Operate in a limited geographical area
• Allow multiple access to high-bandwidth media
• Control the network privately under local administrative control
• Provide full time connectivity to local services
• Connect physically adjacent devices
• Provide up to Gbps internet connectivity

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 19

Wireless and Mobile Networks

• Wireless means transmitting signals using open space (atmosphere)

• No physical media, Mobility

• Advances in wireless technology

• Radio & television broadcasting , Satellite communications, wireless
networking (WiFi, Zegbi, IRFD), cellular technology

• No. wireless (mobile) phone subscribers now exceeds No. wired

phone subscribers

• No. wireless Internet-connected devices equals No. wireline

Internet-connected devices
• laptops, Internet-enabled phones promise anytime untethered Internet
access

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 20

Advantages and Disadvantages of wireless communication

• Advantages: • Disadvantages:
• Mobility • Has security vulnerabilities

• A wireless comm. network • High costs for setting the

is a solution in areas where infrastructure

cables are impossible to • Unlike wired comm.,

install (e.g. hazardous areas, wireless comm. is

long distances etc.) influenced by physical

obstructions, climatic
• Easier to maintain
conditions, interference
from other wireless devices

Sem. I, 2022/23 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 21

Satellite Communication (→ Airborne communication)
• The devices using satellite technology to communicate directly with
the orbiting satellite through radio signals.
• Covers a very large area.
• consists of a space segment and a ground segment.

• Types:
• Fixed Services Satellites (FSS)- Geostationary satellites
• Used for point to point communication
• Broadcast Service Satellites (BSS)
• Radio/Tv broadcasting
• Mobile Service Satellites (MSS) and UAVs
• Satellite Phones

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 22

IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN:WIFI
• The last link with the users is wireless, to give a
network connection to all users in a building or
campus.
• There is a need of an access point that bridges
wireless LAN traffic into the wired LAN.
• The access point (AP) can also act as a repeater
for wireless nodes, effectively doubling the
maximum possible distance between nodes.
• Most wireless LAN products operate in
unlicensed radio bands
o 2.4 GHz is most popular
o Available in most parts of the world
o No need for user licensing

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 23

Wireless Network Technologies…
• IEEE 802.15.1 Wireless Personal Area Network technology
: Bluetooth
• Coverage Area: less than 10 m diameter
• replacement for cables (mouse, keyboard, headphones)
• Ad hoc: No infrastructure
• 2.4-2.5 GHz radio band
• Throughput: up to 3Mbps

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 25

Wireless Network Technologies…
• IEEE 802.15.4 for Low-Rate WPAN (LR-WPAN) :
Zigbee
• Low-to-medium bit rates
• Moderate delays without too strict requirements
• Low cost, low energy consumption

• Applications
• Home automation and security systems
• Smart metering
• Wireless data collection

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 27

Cellular Network
• Base stations transmit to and receive from mobiles at the
assigned spectrum
• Multiple base stations use the same spectrum (spectral reuse)
• Each mobile terminal is typically served by the ‘closest’
base stations
• The service area of each base station is called a cell
• Handoff when terminals move

• Applications:
• mobile Internet access;
• voice/video over IP;
• data collection and monitoring

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 28

Cellular Networks
• It is useful to think of cellular Network/telephony in terms of generations:
• 1G: First generation wireless cellular: Early 1980s
• Analog transmission, primarily speech: AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone Systems
• 2G: Second generation wireless cellular: Late 1980s --- GSM
• Digital transmission
• Primarily speech and low bit-rate data (9.6 Kbps)
• 2.5G: 2G evolved to medium rate (< 100kbps) data
• 3G: High-speed digital cellular telephony (including video telephony)
• 144 kbps - 384 kbps for high-mobility, high coverage
• 2 Mbps for low-mobility and low coverage
• WCDMA, HSPA, HSPA+
• 4G : IP-based “anytime, anywhere” voice, data, and multimedia telephony at faster
data rates than 3G --- LTE
• Wireline capability evolution ; Need for additional wireless capacity
• Need for lower cost wireless data delivery
• Competition of other wireless technologies (WiMax)

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 29

With 5G Era
• What we have now in the 5G era
• Cisco….“By 2025, there will be an estimated 100 billion connected
devices in the industrialized world. Each person will have 10–12
connected devices. ”

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 30

Outlines
• Introduction to communications
• Key Evolutions in the world of communications
• Basics of communication technologies
• Wireless and Wired technologies
• Elements of communication system
• Channel characteristics
• Mathematical models of a channel
• Signals and systems – Review
• The Hilbert Transform & Bandpass Signals
• Fundamentals of Analog Transmission

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 31

 Elements of Communication Systems

• How do you model communication systems ?

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 32

Elements of Communication System
• High-level block diagrams

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 33

Elements of Communication System
• Source
• Generates information (speech, video, text, data, etc. )
• Transducer might be needed to transform source output into
electrical signal (e.g., microphone at transmitter) and back (e.g.,
speaker at receiver end)

• Three major parts

• Transmitter (Tx)
• Channel
• Receiver (Rx)

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 34

Transmitter
• Converts electrical signal into a form suitable for
transmission through the channel (physical medium)
• The transducer output signal cannot, in most cases, be transmitted
directly (does not match the channel)
• Transmitter converts message to a suitable form

• Conversion is made through modulation

• Amplitude (AM), frequency (FM) and phase (PM)
• Examples: AM and FM radio broadcast

• Other functions: Filtering, amplification, radiation

• Intended recipient of the message signal

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 35

Receiver

• Main function: to recover the message from the received signal

• Somewhat inverse of the transmitter function

• Demodulation: Inverse of the modulation

• Operates in the presence of noise and interference

• Hence, some distortions are unavoidable

• Some other functions: filtering, suppression of noise and interference

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 36

Transmission Media (Channel)

• Physical medium over which the information will be transmitted

from the transmitter to the receiver

• Characterized by
• Physical properties Bandwidth

• Signaling method(s) Sensitivity to noise

• Types:
• Wireline channels : a guided medium over which the information will be
transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver (Copper or fiber cables)

• Wireless Channels: an unguided medium where information transmission is

via electromagnetic waves from antenna to antenna.

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 37

 Wireline channels: Twisted pair
• Comes in two flavors:
• Shielded (STP) / Unshielded (UTP)

STP-cable UTP-cable
•larger attenuation •more sensitive to interference
•higher rates •easy to install and work with
•more expensive •example: 10BaseT Ethernet
structure
• Twisting reduces interference, and crosstalk (antenna-behavior)

• Applications
• Connects data and especially PSTN local loop analog links (Intra-
building telephone from wiring closet to desktop )
• STP used especially in high-speed transmission as in token ring-
networks.

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 38

Wireline channels: Coaxial cables
• Mechanics
• Cylindrical braided outer practical structures
conductor surrounds insulated
inner wire conductor Center conductor (copper)
Dielectric material
• Properties Braided outer conductor (metal mesh)
Outer cover
• Well shielded structure ->
immunity to external noise
• High bandwidth, up to Ghz-
range (distance/model)
• Applications
• RG- 59 :CATV (Cable TV
networks)
• RG -58 :Ethernet LANs
• RG – 11 :Earlier a backbone of
PSTN

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 40

Wired channels: Optical Fiber
Source :A. Leon-Garcia, I. Widjaja: Communication Networks (instructors slide set)
Optical Fiber
Electrical Modulator Optical fiber Electrical
Receiver
signal signal

Optical
source

l Light sources (lasers, LEDs) generate pulses of light that are

transmitted on optical fiber
l Very long distances (>1000 km)
l Very high speeds (>40 Gbps/wavelength)
l Nearly error-free (BER of 10-15)
l Profound influence on network architecture
l Dominates long distance transmission
l Distance less of a cost factor in communications
l Plentiful bandwidth for new services

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 41

Optical Fiber Properties

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 42

Channel parameters
• Wired channels are Characterized by
• Attenuation [dB/Km], --- transfer function
• Impedance [Ω], --- matching
• Bandwidth [Hz], --- data rate
• Noise is the unwanted and beyond our control waves that
attenuates the transmission of signals.
• Shot noise: the electrons are discrete and are not moving in a continuous
steady flow, so the current is randomly fluctuating.
• Thermal noise: caused by the rapid and random motion of electrons within
a conductor due to thermal agitation. (𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 𝑁𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 =
𝐾𝐵. 𝑇. 𝐵𝑊)
• Interference: cross-talk - leakage power from other users
• Channel parameters are a function of frequency, transmission length,
temperature ...

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 43

Radio (Wireless) Communication Channels

• Unguided electromagnetic wave, radiated by the transmitter

antenna, is a carrier of the signal

• Strong signal attenuation

• Up to 200 dB

• Hence, high transmitter power is required

• Antennas are required

• Size of antenna: Comparable with wavelength/frequency

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 44

What is Radio Spectrum?
• One portion of the entire electromagnetic spectrum whose frequency is
low compared to others such as optical waves, X-rays or Gamma rays
(9Khz -300GHz)
• carry information wirelessly for a vast number of services ranging from television
and radio broadcasting, mobile phones and Wi-Fi to communications systems for
the emergency services, baby monitors, GPS and radar.

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 45

Electromagnetic Spectrum
• Government regulations make specific ranges of the
electromagnetic spectrum available for communication
• A license is required to operate transmission equipment in some
parts of the spectrum
• However, some parts are unlicensed
• Industrial, Scientific, and Medical frequency bands
• transmitter output power < 1 watt
• Eg. US unlicensed bands include

100 150 1200 14000

MHz MHz* MHz * MHz

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 46

Radio Wave Propagation Modes
1. Ground Wave Propagation
• Follows contour of the earth Can
Propagate considerable distances
• Frequencies up to 2 MHz
• Example : AM radio
2. Sky Wave Propagation
• Signal reflected from ionized layer of
atmosphere. Signal can travel a
number of hops, back and forth
• Examples SW radio
3. Line-of-Sight Propagation
• Transmitting and receiving antennas
must be within line of sight
• Example: Satellite communication;
Ground communication

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 47

Wireless Link Characteristics …. propagation
• Key characteristic for spectrum is its propagation through a
media.

• Radio signal propagation is

impacted by
• Spreading and attenuation,
absorption, reflection, diffraction,
refraction and interference
• All are frequency dependent
• Different frequencies are best for
different applications

Sem. I, 2024/25 48
Wireless Link Characteristics …. propagation
• Lower Frequencies. • Higher Frequencies.
• Generally the “pros” of lower • Generally the “pros” of higher
frequencies are that : frequencies are that they:
• Better propagation, i.e., the
radio waves travel farther. • Allow for greater capacity by
• Better in-building penetration providing more contiguous
(easier to pass through objects bandwidth
such as walls with less • Support frequency reuse
attenuation). because the radio waves do
• The main “con” is the not travel as far as lower
limitation of bandwidth that frequencies.
will impact the data-rate. • The “con” is that to provide the
. same amount of coverage as for
low band spectrum more
infrastructure must be
deployed, increasing
infrastructure costs.

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 49

Wireless Link Characteristics …. (Cont.…)

• These factors restrict the

• Range

• Data-rate

• Reliability and latency of the wireless transmission.

• The extent to which these factors affect the transmission

depends upon
• The environmental conditions and

• The mobility of the transmitter and receiver

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 50

Goal of Communications Engineer
Transmitted power
Primary Communication Resources
Channel bandwidth
• To design transmitters and receivers that are
• Cost efficient
• Bandwidth efficient
• Maximum information transfer (message at sink is a faithful
representation of the source message)
• Power efficient (uses as little power as necessary)

• Many of the above goals are contrary to one another

• For example, one way to improve message fidelity at the receiver
is to increase transmit power
• Therefore, tradeoffs are required

Sem. I, 2024/25 Introduction to Communications – Introduction 53