TCOM-325 - Physical Layer Transmission

4 credits

This course consists of a study of the physical layer, the hardware and transmission media used for the transmission of digital data and multimedia information and high speed data transmission systems. After a short review of the seven-layer OSI model, the student is introduced to the basic components of a telecommunications system through a block diagram model. Then the fundamental concepts of signals, noise, bandwidth, and channel are introduced. Telecommunications subsystems that are peculiar to the physical layer are covered with emphasis given to their effect on data transmission rate. The concept of signal modulation is now discussed with emphasis given to the most important legacy and present day bandwidth efficient digital communication systems. The theory of operation behind each system, the practical implementation, and the relative merits of each are presented. The course concludes with a discussion of modem physical layer multiplexing and access techniques and an introduction to the transmission of signals via EM propagation, wire line transmission line, and fiber-optic telecommunications systems. Overviews of present day telecomm networks: Cable, DSL and FIOS are presented. The lab portion of the course will provide hands-on experience with many of the topics discussed in the lecture.

Prerequisite(s): Senior Standing in TCOM or instructor permission.