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

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Communication and Detection Theory

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Amos Lapidoth

VVZ CR 3.47

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:22

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

Rechnergestützte Wissenschaften Bachelor
- Wahlfächer (Von den angebotenen Wahlfächern müssen mindestens zwei Lerneinheiten erfolgreich abgeschlossen werden.)
Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnologie Bachelor
- 6. Semester: Kernfächer des 3. Jahres (Kurswahl kann frei zusammengestellt werden, eine Liste von Empfehlungen findet sich unter )
Rechnergestützte Wissenschaften Master
- Wahlfächer (Von den angebotenen Wahlfächern müssen mindestens zwei Lerneinheiten erfolgreich abgeschlossen werden.)
Mathematik Master
- Anwendungsgebiet (Nur für das Master-Diplom in Angewandter Mathematik erforderlich und anrechenbar. In der Kategorie Anwendungsgebiet für den Master in Angewandter Mathematik muss eines der zur Auswahl stehenden Anwendungsgebiete gewählt werden. Im gewählten Anwendungsgebiet müssen mindestens 8 KP erworben werden. Kreditpunkte aus anderen Anwendungsgebieten sind nicht für weitere Anwendungsgebiete anrechenbar.)
  - Information and Communication Technology
Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnologie Master
- Master-Studium (Studienreglement 2018)
  - Vertiefung: 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.)
    - Kernfächer (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
  - Vertiefung: 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.)
    - Kernfächer (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
Quantum Engineering Master
- Wahlfächer (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
- Fachspezifische Vertiefung (Es müssen mindestens 20 KP aus den Deep Track Lerneinheiten absolviert werden. Überzählige KP können für Wahlfächer angerechnet werden.)
  - Space Communication
    - Wahlfächer Space Communication (Diese Fächer können nur als Wahlfach angerechnet werden.)