Part I: Introduction

A typical point-to-point digital communication link can be functionally diagramed as

Figure 1: Source encoder aims to reduce the redundancy (without losing any information) or reduce the transmission rate (within a pre-determined distortion level), in the representation of input data sequence. (Topics of Information Theory) Channel encoder is intended to reduce the transmission error rate by inserting redundancy into the input data sequence, or reformatting its input to conform with the constraints of the coding channel. (Topics of Information Theory and Error Correcting Codes) Modulator is a mapping from discrete data sequence to waveform stream. The purpose of modulator/demodulator pair is to eectively transmit (coded or uncoded) discrete data sequences through the noisy transmission channel. - Major functions of demodulator: (a) Symbol waveform synchronization (timing, frequency, phase) (b) Data detection (Soft decision or hard decision) 1

(c) Channel equalization, channel estimation - Notes: (a) If the carrier phase has to be known (or accurately estimated) for data detection, the demodulator is called coherent. If the less accurate estimate of carrier phase is used for data detection, the demodulator is called partially coherent. (b) If the carrier phase is not needed for data detection, the demodulator is called noncoherent. If the previously received symbols are used for phase reference in data detection, the demodulator is called dierentially coherent. - Symbol waveform synchronization and channel estimation are applications of parameter estimation theory, while data detection is a subject of decision theory or sometimes a subject of joint decision and estimation theory. The objectives of this course: (i) Establishing theoretical frameworks for digital demodulation (decision and estimation theories) (ii) Providing fundamentals for data detection. (iii) Understanding digital modulations.