Communications Systems II

Course Description

EET2325C – Communications Systems II is a 4-credit lecture/laboratory course within the Electronic Engineering Technology taxonomy. Building on the foundations established in Communications Systems I, this course advances student knowledge into digital communications techniques, data transmission protocols, spread spectrum systems, wireless and cellular technologies, fiber optic communications, and modern network-based communications. The integrated laboratory component provides hands-on experience with industry-standard test equipment, modulation/demodulation circuits, and signal analysis tools.

This course is part of the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) under the Engineering Technologies > Electronic Engineering Technology discipline area. It is typically offered as a combined lecture and laboratory (indicated by the C suffix) meeting approximately 75 contact hours per term.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Analyze and apply digital modulation techniques including ASK, FSK, PSK, BPSK, QPSK, and QAM to practical communications systems.
• Explain and calculate key digital communications performance metrics including bit error rate (BER), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and bandwidth efficiency.
• Describe pulse code modulation (PCM), time-division multiplexing (TDM), and analog-to-digital conversion processes used in digital transmission systems.
• Analyze and troubleshoot spread spectrum techniques including direct sequence (DSSS) and frequency hopping (FHSS) systems.
• Identify and describe the operating principles of cellular telephone and wireless communication systems, including frequency reuse, cell architecture, and access methods (FDMA, TDMA, CDMA).
• Explain the principles of fiber optic communications, including light propagation, optical transmitters and receivers, and fiber types.
• Use electronic test equipment — including oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators — to measure and analyze communication signals in the laboratory.
• Interpret eye diagrams and signal constellation diagrams to evaluate digital link performance and channel impairments.

Optional / Enrichment Outcomes

Depending on institutional emphasis, students may also be expected to:

• Apply software-defined radio (SDR) or simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB, GNU Radio) to model and analyze communication systems.
• Describe error detection and correction coding techniques, including parity, Hamming codes, and convolutional codes.
• Explain satellite communication system architecture, orbital mechanics, link budgets, and transponder operation.
• Analyze OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing) principles and their role in modern broadband and wireless standards.
• Demonstrate basic fiber optic cable handling skills including splicing, connector termination, and loss measurement.
• Identify and describe emerging communications technologies such as 5G networks, IoT communications, and software-defined networking (SDN).

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following content areas are covered in all standard offerings of EET2325C across Florida colleges:

• Review of Analog Communications Foundations: AM, FM, phase-locked loops, mixers, and tuned circuits as background context for digital systems.
• Digital Modulation Techniques: Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK), Frequency Shift Keying (FSK), Phase Shift Keying (PSK), BPSK, QPSK, and Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM); modulator and demodulator circuit analysis.
• Pulse Modulation and PCM: Sampling theorem, quantization, encoding, PCM formats, delta modulation, and analog-to-digital / digital-to-analog conversion.
• Time-Division Multiplexing (TDM): TDM framing, synchronization, T-carrier systems (T1/E1 hierarchy), and demultiplexing.
• Spread Spectrum Systems: Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS), Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS), pseudorandom noise (PN) codes, and applications in wireless security and interference resistance.
• Digital Communications Performance: Bit error rate (BER), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), eye diagrams, intersymbol interference (ISI), and link budget analysis.
• Wireless and Cellular Communications: Cellular architecture, frequency reuse, handoff, multiple access methods (FDMA, TDMA, CDMA), and an overview of 2G/3G/4G standards.
• Fiber Optic Communications: Optical fiber types (single-mode, multimode), light sources (LED, laser diode), photodetectors, attenuation, and basic fiber optic link design.
• Data Communications and Networking Fundamentals: Serial data protocols, line coding techniques, error detection (parity, CRC), and introduction to the OSI model as it relates to physical/data-link layer communications.
• Laboratory Practicum: Hands-on experiments with modulation/demodulation circuits, spectrum analyzer and oscilloscope measurement techniques, eye diagram interpretation, BER testing, and fiber optic link setup.

Optional / Supplemental Topics

The following topics may be covered depending on instructor discretion and program emphasis:

• Satellite Communications: Geostationary and LEO orbit systems, uplink/downlink frequencies, transponder operation, link budgets, and VSAT systems.
• OFDM and Multicarrier Systems: Principles of OFDM, cyclic prefix, guard intervals, and applications in Wi-Fi (802.11) and LTE/5G systems.
• Error Control Coding: Hamming codes, cyclic redundancy check (CRC), convolutional codes, and an introduction to turbo/LDPC codes.
• Software-Defined Radio (SDR): Architecture of SDR platforms, use of GNU Radio or similar tools for signal simulation and demodulation experiments.
• 5G and Emerging Wireless Technologies: 5G NR architecture, massive MIMO, millimeter wave communications, and IoT communication protocols (LoRa, Zigbee, Bluetooth).
• VoIP and Packet-Switched Voice: Digitization of voice signals, VoIP protocols (SIP, RTP), and quality-of-service considerations.
• Antenna Theory (Advanced): Antenna gain, radiation patterns, polarization, and link budget calculations extending beyond EET2326C coverage.

Resources & Tools

• Textbooks: Electronic Communications Systems by Wayne Tomasi (Prentice Hall) is widely adopted across Florida EET programs; Modern Electronic Communication by Miller & Beasley is also commonly used.
• Laboratory Equipment: Dual-channel oscilloscopes, RF spectrum analyzers, function/signal generators, digital modulation trainer kits (e.g., Emona TIMS or Lab-Volt systems), fiber optic demonstration kits.
• Simulation Software: Multisim, MATLAB/Simulink, GNU Radio (optional), or equivalent circuit and communications simulation platforms.
• Online References: Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) at scns.fldoe.org; IEEE Xplore digital library for supplemental technical reading.
• Standards Documents: IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.15 (Bluetooth/Zigbee), ITU-T G-series (optical fiber), and TIA/EIA telecommunications standards for reference.

Career Pathways

Successful completion of EET2325C supports preparation for the following career roles and industries:

• Communications/RF Technician – Installation, alignment, testing, and maintenance of radio frequency and microwave communication systems for broadcast, public safety, or military applications.
• Telecommunications Technician – Supporting cellular tower infrastructure, central office equipment, and fiber optic network deployment and troubleshooting.
• Wireless Network Technician/Engineer – Configuration, optimization, and troubleshooting of Wi-Fi, cellular (4G/5G), and other wireless data networks.
• Fiber Optic Technician – Splicing, testing, and certifying fiber optic cable plants for enterprise, carrier, and government networks.
• Broadcast Engineer – Operation and maintenance of radio and television transmission systems, including digital broadcast (HD Radio, ATSC).
• Avionics/Defense Electronics Technician – Maintenance and testing of airborne or shipboard communication and navigation systems, highly relevant to Florida's aerospace and defense industry cluster.

This course also supports academic progression into Bachelor of Science programs in Electronic Engineering Technology (e.g., FAMU, Keiser University) and serves as foundational preparation for industry certifications including the NCEE Certified Electronics Technician (CET) Communications Specialty and the FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL).

Special Information

Certification Preparation

• FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) – Element 3: Course content in digital modulation, transmitter/receiver circuits, and RF propagation aligns directly with GROL examination elements required for commercial radio operators. Many Florida EET programs explicitly recommend GROL preparation alongside this course.
• ETA International Certified Electronics Technician (CET) – Communications Specialty: Topics in digital communications, signal analysis, and wireless systems map to the CET journeyman-level communications specialty exam administered by ETA International.
• CompTIA Network+ (Supplemental Alignment): The data communications and networking fundamentals component of this course provides partial overlap with CompTIA Network+ objectives, particularly OSI model physical/data-link layers and transmission media.

Laboratory Safety and Practices

Students working with RF signal sources, high-frequency test equipment, and fiber optic light sources must follow established laboratory safety protocols. Direct viewing of optical fiber laser sources without appropriate safety eyewear is strictly prohibited. All laboratory activities should adhere to ESD (electrostatic discharge) handling procedures for sensitive RF components.