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ELEC-H401

Digital communications

academic year
2025-2026
2026-2027

Course teacher(s)

François HORLIN (Coordinator)

ECTS credits

5

Language(s) of instruction

english

Course content

Most existing communication systems (e.g., cellular networks, Wi-Fi, and optical fiber) rely on the exchange of digital information. This course aims to present the technologies currently deployed to support the very high data rates demanded by users. By the end of the course, students will have a solid understanding of the key techniques used in modern digital communication systems and will acquire the knowledge needed to design and implement a complete digital modem.

Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)

The course introduces the fundamental principles of digital communications. It develops the design of an optimal transceiver in the case where the propagation channel is affected only by additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). It also examines Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) as an efficient modulation technique for mitigating multipath propagation effects caused by wave reflections in the environment.

Students will learn to:

  • Understand digital modulations such as PAM, PSK, QAM and FSK
  • Shape signals (root raised cosine filter)
  • Design the optimal transceiver when the propagation channel is only corrupted by white noise
  • Understand its limitations when there is multipath propagation in the channel
  • Study OFDM as en effective modulation in case of multipath channel
  • Investigate the performance and complexity of the OFDM transceiver 
  • Understand the impact of synchronization errors on communication
  • Design time/frequency synchronization algorithms and combine them in a global structure 
  • Study system performance using Matlab simulations

Prerequisites and Corequisites

Courses requiring this course

Teaching methods and learning activities

In addition to theoretical instruction, a project is organized in which students implement digital communication over a channel composed of optical fiber and coaxial cable. An experimental setup, provided by Orange, is made available to support this work. This project offers students the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge to the design of a real-world communication system.

The course materials consist of a set of slides supplemented by instructional videos. Scientific references are also provided at the beginning of each chapter.

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

John Proakis, Digital communications, Fourth Edition.

Course notes

  • Université virtuelle

Contribution to the teaching profile

This teaching unit contributes to the following competences:

  • In-depth knowledge and understanding of exact sciences with the specificity of their application to engineering

  • In-depth knowledge and understanding of integrated structural design methods in the framework of a global design strategy

  • In-depth knowledge and understanding of the advanced methods and theories to schematize and model complex problems or processes

  • Reformulate complex engineering problems in order to solve them (simplifying assumptions, reducing complexity)

  • Correctly report on research or design results in the form of a technical report or in the form of a scientific paper

  • Present and defend results in a scientifically sound way, using contemporary communication tools, for a national as well as for an international professional or lay audience

  • Collaborate in a (multidisciplinary) team

  • Work in an industrial environment with attention to safety, quality assurance, communication and reporting

  • Develop, plan, execute and manage engineering projects at the level of a starting professional

  • Think critically about and evaluate projects, systems and processes, particularly when based on incomplete, contradictory and/or redundant information

  • A creative, problem-solving, result-driven and evidence-based attitude, aiming at innovation and applicability in industry and society

  • A critical attitude towards one’s own results and those of others

  • An attitude of life-long learning as needed for the future development of his/her career

  • Has an active knowledge of the theory and applications of electronics, information and communication technology, from component up to system level.

  • Has a profound knowledge of either (i) nano- and opto-electronics and embedded systems, (ii) information and communication technology systems or (iii) measuring, modelling and control.

  • Has a broad overview of the role of electronics, informatics and telecommunications in industry, business and society.

  • Is able to analyse, specify, design, implement, test and evaluate individual electronic devices, components and algorithms, for signal-processing, communication and complex systems.

  • Is able to model, simulate, measure and control electronic components and physical phenomena.

Other information

Contacts

François HORLIN, Email: :Francois.Horlin@ulb.be

Campus

Solbosch

Evaluation

Method(s) of evaluation

  • Group work
  • Oral presentation
  • Written report

Group work

Oral presentation

Written report

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

Oral intermediate evaluations: 60%

Report: 40%

Language(s) of evaluation

  • english
  • french

Programmes