Electronics for Communications Systems

Code:

M.EEC042

Acronym:

ESC

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Telecommunications

Instance: 2021/2022 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://moodle.up.pt/course/view.php?id=2781
Responsible unit:	Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M.EEC	16	Syllabus	1	-	6	52

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

In Electronics for Communication Systems, students are expected to continue the learning path of signal electronics with the study of modeling, specification and design of the main circuits used in communication systems (wired and wireless), considering technological implementation considerations. The main objective is that students, starting from the knowledge of the main building blocks of communication systems, are able to approach the electronic circuits that implement them and acquire the skills to analyze and design these circuits meeting the functional specifications. It is intended that the students, before a given circuit, know how to deduce their main performance characteristics, and given the functional specifications make a careful selection of the topologies to be used, considering optimization requirements in terms of power consumption, implementation area, and other performance characteristics not explicitly specified.

Learning outcomes and competences

Once students have previously acquired knowledge and skills on basic analog and digital circuit design, as well as in the fields of instrumentation and signal processing, the contents of this curricular unit allow students to approach the modeling and functional analysis of several blocks of communication systems. A top-down approach is conducted in the learning process - from the specification level to the details of circuit implementation - which allows students to both acquire functional analysis and circuit design skills, enabling them to proceed to the selection of different circuit topologies, starting from high-level specifications. The adopted methodology complements the theoretical study with laboratory practice in order to endow students with the know-how to go through the completion of the cycle - specification, design and functional analysis, circuit optimization, and physical synthesis.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Circuit theory, signals and systems theory, Laplace and Z transforms. Analysis of circuits with bipolar and MOS transistors.

Program

- Review of the functional and topological characteristics of the main wireless and wired communication transceiver architectures;

- Design and synthesis of filters - approximation and synthesis of filtering functions; passive and active filters;

- Harmonic and relaxation oscillators and voltage-controlled oscillators (VCO);

- Frequency synthesis circuits: Direct digital synthesis (DDS) and phase lock loops (PLL);

- Multiplier circuits, lock-in amplifier, and mixers.

- Tuned and power amplifiers.

- A/D and D/A converters in communication systems;

- Fast electronics and interface circuits in high-speed communications;

- Study of the extrinsic noise sources in communication systems and intrinsic noise sources of active and passive electronic devices and respective models.

- Stochastic analysis and characterization of circuits / electronic systems considering the presence of noise.

Mandatory literature

David Johns, Ken Martin; Analog integrated circuit design. ISBN: 0-471-14448-7
Chen, W-K. ; Passive, Active, and Digital Filters, CRC Press, 2009. ISBN: 9780849372773
Ndjountche, T. ; Data Converters, Phase-Locked Loops, and Their Applications, CRC Press, 2018. ISBN: 9781138599734

Teaching methods and learning activities

The fundamental theoretical contents are presented in the tutorial classes, with reference to the adopted study elements, examples are analyzed, and problems solved as well. In the laboratory practice, bench work involving simulation (resorting to CAD tools) and experimentation is carried out. The first assignments will be of a tutorial nature in order to promote the learning of the topics taught and of the tools to be used. Progressively, an approach is adopted that will impel students’ autonomous aptitude towards project design. The final assignment requires the design of a circuit from a set of specifications that contemplate common requirements in communication systems.

keywords

Technological sciences > Engineering > Electronic engineering

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	40,00
Participação presencial	10,00
Trabalho escrito	36,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	14,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	63,00
Frequência das aulas	70,00
Trabalho laboratorial	56,00
Total:	189,00

Eligibility for exams

Minimum frequency classification = 9,0 values
The lab classes are of compulsory attendance, being the legislation in force applied regarding the maximum number of admissible absences.
All students will be assessed following this procedure, even those with a special status (working students, students’ association leaders…). Incompatibility situations, in which students cannot attend classes will be analysed on a case by case basis in order to minimize drifting from this process.

Calculation formula of final grade

- Final Classification (CF) = 0.4*Exam (E) + 0.6*Distributed Assessment (AD).
- Distributed assessment (AD) = 0.2*Performance (D) + 0.6*Reports (R) + 0.2*Final project.
- CF approval condition ≥ 9.5 values.
- Minimum AD mark to obtain frequency = 9.0 values. The obtaining of frequency is a necessary condition to gain access to the exam.
- Minimum exam grade = 9.0 values.
- The improvement of the "E" classification can be obtained in the retake exam.
- The Performance component (D) comprises the attendance and evaluation of the student's performance in carrying out laboratory work. The Reports (R) component concerns the reports of laboratory work.
- Students with an AC grade of 9.0 or more, obtained in past years, can maintain this assessment without needing to attend laboratory classes.

Examinations or Special Assignments

All students are required to fully and objectively complete all assessment components, being not foreseen, in a first instance, other criteria for extraordinary situations. These will be subject to a case by case analysis.

Internship work/project

--

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

All students are required to fully and objectively complete all assessment components, being not foreseen, in a first instance, other criteria for extraordinary situations. These will be subject to individual analysis.

Classification improvement

1. Final Grade: exam
2. Performance Assessment: in a next year, subject to individual evaluation taking into consideration the accomplished components.