Digital Communications

by Dr. Robert Heath | University of Texas, Austin

Digital Communications is authored by Prof. Robert Heath of University of Texas, Austin. The course is well suited to post graduate studies in wireless communications and focuses on the real world challenges faced by physically separate transmitters and receivers. Featuring 10 lab classes to fill one semester, the course deep dives into algorithm design for modulation and demodulation; pulse shaping; energy detection; equalization; frame detection; introduction to orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM); frequency correction and sync; and OFDM channel coding. A sample lab is available for free download. The complete manual is included in the NI Digital Communications Teaching Bundle (see Resources tab).

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Details

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

This course is designed to accompany an intermediate or advanced class on wireless communications.
Given LabVIEW Communications and NI USRP software defined radios, students will be able to design communication algorithms that can combat the real world challenges faced wireless channels including carrier frequency offset (CFO) and synchronisation.
Students will be able to construct a robust OFDM downlink channel including transmitter and receiver design. This will stand them in perfect place to further explore wireless standards such as LTE and IEE 802.11 that make heavy use of OFDM in their physical layer (PHY).

COURSE ALIGNMENT

Level	University
Topic	Communications
Style	Laboratory
Prerequisite Skills	Background in digital communication is helpful, but not required

Included Course Labs

LAB 1: PART 1; INTRODUCTION TO NI LABVIEW

Lab 1: Part 1; Introduction to NI LabVIEW

LAB 1: PART 2; INTRODUCTION TO NI RF HARDWARE

Lab 1: Part 2; Introduction to NI RF Hardware

LAB 2: PART 1; MODULATION AND DETECTION

Lab 2: Part 1; Modulation and Detection

LAB 2: PART 2; PULSE SHAPING AND MATCHED FILTERING

Lab 2: Part 2; Pulse Shaping and Matched Filtering

LAB 3: SYNCHRONIZATION

Lab 3: Synchronization

LAB 4: CHANNEL ESTIMATION & EQUALIZATION

Lab 4: Channel Estimation & Equalization

LAB 5: FRAME DETECTION & FREQUENCY OFFSET CORRECTION

Lab 5: Frame Detection & Frequency Offset Correction

LAB 6: OFDM MODULATION & FREQUENCY DOMAIN EQUALIZATION

Lab 6: OFDM Modulation & Frequency Domain Equalization

LAB 7: SYNCHRONIZATION IN OFDM SYSTEMS

Lab 7: Synchronization in OFDM Systems

LAB 8: CHANNEL CODING IN OFDM SYSTEMS

Lab 8: Channel Coding in OFDM Systems

Requirements

USRP and Software Defined Radio Devices

Enables prototyping of wireless communication systems with LabVIEW-powered radios. Software Defined Radio Devices are tunable universal software radio peripheral (USRP) transceivers for prototyping wireless communication systems. Software Defined Radio Devices offer frequency ranges up to 4.4 GHz... Learn more

LabVIEW Communications 2.0 or Earlier

*Only compatible with LabVIEW for Communications 2.0 or earlier* LabVIEW Communications provides a design environment closely integrated with NI software defined radio (SDR) hardware to enable rapid prototyping communications systems. From host-based USRP prototypes to more demanding host- and... Learn more

Resources

INSTRUCTOR RESOURCES

Instructor resources are available. Get access

OTHER RESOURCES

NI Digital Communications Teaching Bundle

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