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227-0104-00L 6 Credits BSC , MSC D-ITET , D-MATH , D-ERDW , D-MAVT , D-PHYS

Communication and Detection Theory

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Amos Lapidoth

VVZ CR 3.47

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:19

Abstract

This course teaches the foundations of modern digital communications and detection theory. Topics include the geometry of the space of energy-limited signals; the baseband representation of passband signals, spectral efficiency and the Nyquist Criterion; the power and power spectral density of PAM and QAM; hypothesis testing; Gaussian stochastic processes; and detection in white Gaussian noise.

Objective

This is an introductory class to the field of wired and wireless communication. It offers a glimpse at classical analog modulation (AM, FM), but mainly focuses on aspects of modern digital communication, including modulation schemes, spectral efficiency, power budget analysis, block and convolu- tional codes, receiver design, and multi- accessing schemes such as TDMA, FDMA and Spread Spectrum.

Content

- Baseband representation of passband signals. - Bandwidth and inner products in baseband and passband. - The geometry of the space of energy-limited signals. - The Sampling Theorem as an orthonormal expansion. - Sampling passband signals. - Pulse Amplitude Modulation (PAM): energy, power, and power spectral density. - Nyquist Pulses. - Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM). - Hypothesis testing. - The Bhattacharyya Bound. - The multivariate Gaussian distribution - Gaussian stochastic processes. - Detection in white Gaussian noise.

Resources

Lecture Notes

n/a

Literature

A. Lapidoth, A Foundation in Digital Communication, Cambridge University Press, 2nd edition (2017)

Learning Materials (Links)

General Information

Language: English
Levels: BSC , MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: session examination
Mode: written 180 minutes
Aids: Hardcopies of the course textbook, course handouts, and personal notes.

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture with exercise	Communication and Detection Theory	Tue 14:15-18:00 (ETZ E 8)	4 h weekly

Offered In

Computational Science and Engineering Bachelor
- Electives (In the ‘electives’ subcategory, at least two course units must be successfully completed.)
Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Bachelor
- 6th semester: third year core courses (Can be freely combined, a list of detailed recommendations is available under )
  - Specialization: Communications, Control, and Signal Processing (These core courses are particularly recommended for the field of "Communications, Control, and Signal Processing" but students may choose core courses from all fields freely.)
Computational Science and Engineering Master
- Electives (In the ‘electives’ subcategory, at least two course units must be successfully completed. All courses listed as core courses (not electives) for one of the following ETH MSc programmes, MSc Statistics, MSc Physics, MSc Computer Science, MSc (Applied) Mathematics, MSc Neural Systems and Computation, MSc Robotics, Systems, and Control, MSc Data Science, MSc Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, can be taken as an elective course in the MSc CSE without prior permission.)
Mathematics Master
- Application Area (Only necessary and eligible for the Master degree in Applied Mathematics. One of the application areas specified must be selected for the category Application Area for the Master degree in Applied Mathematics. At least 8 credits are required in the chosen application area. Credits from other application areas cannot be recognised for further application areas.)
  - Information and Communication Technology
Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Master
- 01 - Courses of specializations
  - Track: Communication (The core courses and specialization courses below are a selection for students who wish to specialize in the area of "Communication", see . The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
    - Core Courses (These core courses are particularly recommended for the field of "Communication". You may choose core courses form other fields in agreement with your tutor. A minimum of 24 credits must be obtained from core courses during the MSc EEIT.)
      - Foundation Core Courses
  - Track: Computers and Networks (The core courses and specialization courses below are a selection for students who wish to specialize in the area of "Computers and Networks", see . The individual study plan is subject to the tutor's approval.)
    - Core Courses (These core courses are particularly recommended for the field of "Computers and Networks". You may choose core courses form other fields in agreement with your tutor. A minimum of 24 credits must be obtained from core courses during the MSc EEIT.)
      - Foundation Core Courses
    - Specialization Courses (These specialization courses are particularly recommended for the area of "Computers and Networks", but you are free to choose courses from any other field in agreement with your tutor. Semester / Research Projects are not allowed in this category. A minimum of 40 credits must be obtained from specialization courses during the Master's Programme.)
Quantum Engineering Master
- Electives (This is a selection of courses particularly suitable for the MSc QE. In agreement with the tutor, students may choose other courses from the ETH course catalogue.)
Space Systems Master
- Deep Track Courses (At least 20 credits must be completed within the deep track courses. Surplus credit points can be counted towards the electives.)
  - Space Communication
    - Elective Courses Space Communication (These subjects can only be credited as electives.)