ECEG 470/670
Communication and Information Systems

Fall 2025

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Bucknell University Course Catalog Description

"Digital and analog communication systems, elements of information theory and contributions of Claude Shannon, signal space, modulation, and case studies of modern digital communication systems."

Detailed Description

More specifically, this course introduces students to the various methods by which radio signals are encoded (that is, modulated) to carry audio, video, and/or digital information from one location to another and how that information is decoded, especially in the presence of noise. Closely related topics such as radio wave propagation, signal fading, multipath effects, and sources of noise and interference will also be covered because of their impact on the performance of communication systems.

These topics are central to understanding the basic operation of cell phones, wireless modems, streaming services, and all of the other radio/wireless devices that are intertwined with our modern lives.

The modulation methods and signal transmission techniques considered in the course include:

  • Amplitude modulation (AM)
  • Single sideband, suppressed carrier (SSB-SC)
  • Frequency modulation (FM)
  • Pulse code modulation (PCM)
  • Phase shift keying (PSK)
  • Frequency shift keying (FSK)
  • Quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM)
  • Multiplexing
  • Spread spectrum

Prerequisite

ECEG 270 is the co-requisite for this course. Other courses or previous experience can be substituted for the prerequisite course with permission of the instructor.

Class Meetings

The lecture portion of this course is scheduled to meet 9:00–9:50 am Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in Dana 307. The time and place for the recitation section will be determined during the first week of the semester.

 

Site maintained by:
Associate Professor David F. Kelley
Electrical & Computer Engineering Department, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
e-mail: dkelley AT bucknell DOT edu

Updated: August 17, 2025

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