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Digital Communication systems

By Dr. S. Padmathilagam   |   IIIT, Tiruchirappalli
Learners enrolled: 106

Introduces the fundamental principles of Digital Communication Systems, focusing on signal sampling, quantization, line coding, and multiplexing techniques. 

Covers baseband transmission concepts such as inter-symbol interference (ISI), matched filtering, and Nyquist criteria. 

Focusses on various digital modulation schemes including ASK, PSK, FSK, QAM, and MSK, along with their performance in noisy environments.

Explores the basics of Information and Coding Theory, discussing entropy, mutual information, and channel capacity, as well as practical coding techniques like linear block codes and convolutional codes.

Summary
Course Status : Upcoming
Course Type :
Language for course content : English
Duration : 8 weeks
Category :
  • Teacher Education
Credit Points : 3
Level : Diploma
Start Date : 26 Jan 2026
End Date : 30 Apr 2026
Enrollment Ends : 28 Feb 2026
Exam Date :
Translation Languages : English
NCrF Level   : 4.5 — 5.5
Industry Details : Education and Training

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Course layout

Week 1: Introduction to Digital Communication

  • Overview and block diagram of a digital communication system

  • Description of transmitter, channel, and receiver subsystems

  • Comparison between analog and digital communication


Week 2: Sampling and Pulse Modulation Techniques

  • Sampling of low-pass and band-pass signals

  • Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM)

  • Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) 

  • Quantization and quantization error analysis


Week 3: Quantization and Line Coding

  • Quantization Noise Ratio (QNR) for linear and nonlinear quantizers

  • Line coding schemes and their spectral characteristics

  • Bandwidth considerations and power efficiency


Week 4: Synchronization and Frame Structures

  • PCM-TDM hierarchy and frame structures

  • Frame synchronization and bit stuffing


Week 5: Differential Modulation and Source Coding

  • Delta Modulation (DM) and Adaptive Delta Modulation (ADM)

  • Quantization noise analysis in DM and ADM

  • Differential PCM (DPCM) and Adaptive DPCM (ADPCM)

  • Low bit-rate speech and video coding techniques


Week 6: Baseband Transmission and ISI
  • Baseband transmission model

  • Matched filter and its performance under AWGN

  • Inter-symbol Interference (ISI) and Nyquist criterion for zero ISI

  • Sinusoidal roll-off filtering


Week 7: Equalization and Channel Effects

  • Correlative coding for controlled ISI

  • Equalizers and adaptive equalizers 

  • Introduction to Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL)


Week 8: Digital Modulation Basics

  • Geometric representation of digital signals

  • Maximum likelihood detection 

  • Correlation receiver and matched filter equivalence

  • Performance metrics: probability of error, SNR, and BER


Week 9: Binary and Multilevel Modulation Schemes

  • Generation and detection of:

    • On-Off Keying (OOK)

    • Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK)

    • Frequency Shift Keying (FSK): coherent and non-coherent detection


Week 10: Advanced Modulation Techniques

  • Quadrature PSK (QPSK) and Differential PSK (DPSK)

  • Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM)

  • Minimum Shift Keying (MSK) and multicarrier modulation (OFDM basics)

  • Comparison of Bandwidth and spectral efficiency of digital modulation schemes


Week 11: Information Theory

  • Concepts of information and entropy

  • Mutual information and channel capacity

  • Shannon’s capacity theorem for discrete and continuous channels

  • Differential entropy and continuous alphabets


Week 12: Channel Coding Techniques

  • Linear block codes — definitions, properties, and distance bounds (Singleton, Hamming, GW, MRRW)

  • Convolutional codes

  • — encoding and decoding (Viterbi, BCJR)

  • Turbo codes and LDPC codes — concepts and performance advantages

  • Soft vs. hard decision decoding

Books and references

Communication Systems – Haykin, S, 4th Edition, John Wiley & Sons.


2. Modern Digital and Analog Communication Systems – Lathi, B.P. and Ding, Z, International 4th Edition, Oxford University Press.


3. Digital Communications – Proakis, J.G. and Saheli, M, 5th Edition, McGraw-Hill.


4. Digital Communication: Fundamentals and Applications – Sklar, B., and Ray, P.K, 2nd Edition, Dorling Kindersley.


5. Elements of Information Theory – T. Cover and J. Thomas, 2nd Edition, Wiley.


6. Principles of Digital Communication – R. G. Gallager, Cambridge University Press.


7. A Foundation in Digital Communication – A. Lapidoth, Cambridge University Press.


8. Error Control Coding – S. Lin and D. Costello, 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall.

Instructor bio

Dr. S. Padmathilagam

IIIT, Tiruchirappalli
Dr. S. Padmathilagam is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Tiruchirappalli, India. She earned her Ph.D. under the CSIR-SRF scheme from the Department of ECE at the College of Engineering Guindy (CEG), Anna University, Chennai, India. She completed two and half years of teaching experience since 2023 from IIIT Tiruchirappalli, where she is handling courses such as Communication theory, Antenna and Wave propagation, Introduction to Electronics and Communication Engineering, Signals and Systems, Control systems, Digital Signal Processing, and Microprocessor and Microcontroller. She has granted with three international U.S. patents and 8 National patents, published with thirteen research articles in high-quality international journals, including a paper in the IEEE Transactions on Antenna and propagation, and IEEE Antenna and Wireless propagation Letters and 9 reputed international and national conferences with the specialization in the design of performance enhanced antenna for Wireless Body Area Network applications.

Course certificate

"The SWAYAM Course Enrolment and learning is free. However, to obtain a certificate, the learner must register and take the proctored exam in person at one of the designated exam centres. The registration URL will be announced by NTA once the registration form becomes available. To receive the certification, you need to complete the online registration form and pay the examination fee. Additional details, including any updates, will be provided upon the publication of the exam registration form. For more information about the exam locations and the terms associated with completing the form, please refer to the form itself."

Grading Policy:

- Internal Assignment Score: This accounts for 30% of the final grade and is calculated based on the average of the best three assignments out of all the assignments given in the course.

- Final Proctored Exam Score: This makes up 70% of the final grade and is derived from the proctored exam score out of 100.

- Final Score: The final score is the sum of the average assignment score and the exam score.

Eligibility for Certification:

- To qualify for a certificate, you must achieve an average assignment score of at least 10 out of 30, and an exam score of at least 30 out of 70. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >=40/100.

Certificate Details:

- The certificate will include your name, photograph, roll number, and the percentage score from the final exam. It will also feature the logos of the Ministry of Education, SWAYAM, and NITTTR.

- Certificate Format: Only electronic certificates (e-certificates) will be issued; hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy Learning.
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