Introduction To Digital Communications Networking

AY2020/2021 Semester 2

The evolution of networked devices and associated communication technologies in recent years has been substantial and it is fundamental to our modern existence. In this context, the objective of the present course is to introduce the basics of digital communications and networking, and recent advances in communication technologies for networked devices. The course consists of two parts. The first part discusses about the fundamentals of digital communication systems and networking. It starts with an introduction on digital communications followed by a discussion on layered approach of communication systems. The operations of major components of a digital communication system are discussed subsequently. Various steps in digital communications such as real signals to bits, bits to packets and packets to transmission signal conversions are discussed here. The importance of transmission channels is also highlighted in this section. The second part of the course introduces basics of modern wireless communication and networked systems. It begins with a discussion on resource sharing and multiple access methods in wireless communication systems. The operational principles of cellular communications and various wireless radio technologies for interconnectivity are discussed in this part. The basic concepts in internet of things (IoT), design and functioning of IoT technologies, physical infrastructure and typical applications of IoT are also discussed subsequently. Overall, this course provides an introduction for modern digital communications and networking with recent advances in communication technologies. It provides a good starting point to explore the possibilities of future developments in communication technologies.