Communications Systems I

Course Description

EET2326C is a 3-credit-hour introductory course in electronic communications systems within the Electronic Engineering Technology (EET) program. Communications Systems I introduces students to the fundamental theory and circuit-level building blocks used in modern electronic communications. The course covers both analog and introductory digital communication techniques, combining lecture content with a required laboratory component in which students apply test equipment, simulation tools, and hands-on circuit measurement to reinforce theoretical concepts.

This course is offered at multiple Florida colleges — including Hillsborough Community College (HCC), Broward College, and Eastern Florida State College — as a required course in the A.S. in Electronics Engineering Technology. The "C" suffix denotes a combined lecture and laboratory course format.

Learning Outcomes

Required Learning Outcomes

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

• Describe the fundamental concepts and terminology of electronic communications systems, including signal bandwidth, carrier frequency, modulation index, and the electromagnetic spectrum.
• Analyze and measure the operation of RF oscillator circuits, including LC oscillators and crystal-controlled oscillators used as carrier sources.
• Explain and analyze amplitude modulation (AM) — including standard AM, double-sideband suppressed carrier (DSB-SC), and single-sideband (SSB) — in terms of waveforms, spectra, bandwidth, and power distribution.
• Explain and analyze angle modulation techniques, specifically frequency modulation (FM) and phase modulation (PM), including modulation index, deviation, bandwidth (Carson's Rule), and demodulation methods.
• Identify and analyze the operation of key communications circuit building blocks: mixers, tuned circuits, intermediate-frequency (IF) amplifiers, and filters.
• Describe the operation and applications of phase-locked loops (PLLs) in frequency synthesis and demodulation.
• Explain AM and FM receiver architectures, including the superheterodyne receiver, and analyze each functional stage (RF amplifier, mixer, IF section, detector, and audio amplifier).
• Apply electronic test equipment (spectrum analyzer, oscilloscope, signal generator, frequency counter) to measure and troubleshoot communications circuits in the laboratory.
• Calculate relevant communications parameters such as modulation percentage, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), frequency deviation, bandwidth, and decibel (dB/dBm) levels.

Optional Learning Outcomes

Depending on institutional emphasis and available lab resources, students may also:

• Describe pulse modulation techniques including pulse amplitude modulation (PAM), pulse width modulation (PWM), pulse position modulation (PPM), and pulse code modulation (PCM).
• Explain basic digital modulation methods including ASK, FSK, and PSK, and relate them to their analog counterparts.
• Describe multiplexing concepts including frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) and time-division multiplexing (TDM).
• Explain the fundamentals of antenna operation, basic antenna types, electromagnetic wave propagation, and transmission lines.
• Describe satellite and cellular telephone communication concepts and system architectures.
• Use computer simulation software (e.g., Multisim, LTspice) to simulate and verify communications circuit behavior.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following content areas are covered across all known Florida college offerings of EET2326C:

• Introduction to Electronic Communications — Communication system model (source, transmitter, channel, receiver, destination); the electromagnetic spectrum; frequency bands and allocations; noise fundamentals; decibels and signal levels.
• Signal Analysis — Frequency domain analysis; Fourier concepts; bandwidth; signal mixing and the heterodyne principle; harmonic content.
• Oscillators and Frequency Sources — LC oscillator topologies (Colpitts, Hartley, Clapp); crystal oscillators; frequency stability; voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs).
• Phase-Locked Loops (PLL) and Frequency Synthesizers — PLL operation and components (phase detector, VCO, loop filter); lock range and capture range; applications in FM demodulation and frequency synthesis.
• Amplitude Modulation (AM) Transmission — AM generation; modulation index and percentage; AM power and bandwidth; DSB-SC; SSB generation and advantages.
• AM Reception — Superheterodyne receiver architecture; RF amplifier; local oscillator and mixer (frequency conversion); IF amplifier; envelope detector; AGC; image frequency and selectivity.
• Single-Sideband (SSB) Communications — SSB generation methods (filter, phasing); SSB transmitters and receivers; advantages over standard AM.
• Angle Modulation (FM/PM) Transmission — FM vs. PM; modulation index; frequency deviation; Carson's Rule bandwidth; FM transmitter circuits; pre-emphasis.
• FM Reception and Stereo — Limiter; discriminator and ratio detector; PLL demodulators; de-emphasis; FM stereo multiplex system.
• Filters and Tuned Circuits — Resonant circuits; Q factor; bandwidth; RF filters (low-pass, high-pass, bandpass, band-reject); crystal and ceramic filters in communications.
• Mixers and RF Amplifiers — Mixer types and operation; conversion gain/loss; intermodulation distortion; RF amplifier design considerations and noise figure.
• Laboratory Practice — Use of spectrum analyzer, oscilloscope, RF signal generator, and frequency counter; measurement of modulation index, bandwidth, and carrier power; circuit troubleshooting techniques.

Optional Topics

Coverage of the following topics varies by institution and instructor:

• Pulse and Digital Modulation — PAM, PWM, PPM; PCM encoding and decoding; sampling theorem (Nyquist rate); quantization noise.
• Digital Modulation Methods — ASK, FSK, PSK, QAM; constellation diagrams; spectral efficiency.
• Multiplexing — Frequency-division multiplexing (FDM); time-division multiplexing (TDM); demultiplexing.
• Transmission Lines — Characteristic impedance; standing waves; VSWR; impedance matching; coaxial and waveguide basics.
• Antennas and Electromagnetic Wave Propagation — Antenna types (dipole, monopole, Yagi, parabolic); antenna gain; ground wave, sky wave, and space wave propagation.
• Satellite Communications — Geostationary orbits; uplink/downlink frequencies; satellite link budget basics.
• Cellular Telephone Concepts — Cell structure; frequency reuse; basic cellular system architecture; generations of cellular technology (1G–5G overview).
• Circuit Simulation — Use of Multisim, LTspice, or equivalent EDA tools to simulate AM/FM modulator and demodulator circuits.

Resources & Tools

• Textbooks (commonly adopted):
  • Electronic Communications Systems: Fundamentals Through Advanced — Wayne Tomasi (Pearson/Prentice Hall) — widely used in Florida EET programs
  • Electronic Communications: A Systems Approach — Frenzel & Bose (Pearson) — alternative adoption
  • Modern Electronic Communication — Miller & Beasley
• Laboratory Equipment: Spectrum analyzer, dual-channel oscilloscope, RF signal generator, function generator, frequency counter, regulated DC power supply, AM/FM demonstration boards.
• Software Tools: Multisim or LTspice (circuit simulation); MATLAB (signal analysis, optional); NI ELVIS lab platform (where available).
• FCC Resources: FCC online frequency allocation chart; FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) study materials (reference).
• Online References: All About Circuits (allaboutcircuits.com); Electronics Tutorials (electronics-tutorials.ws); IEEE Xplore for supplemental readings.

Career Pathways

Graduates of the EET program who complete Communications Systems I are prepared for entry-level and advancing roles in industries that design, deploy, test, and maintain electronic communication equipment. Representative career pathways include:

• RF / Communications Technician — Install, test, and maintain radio transmitters, receivers, and antenna systems for broadcast, public safety, and commercial wireless networks.
• Telecommunications Equipment Technician — Install and repair telecommunications equipment including satellite systems, microwave links, and private branch exchange (PBX) systems.
• Electronics Engineering Technologist — Support design and testing of communication devices and systems under the supervision of licensed engineers.
• Broadcast Maintenance Engineer — Operate and maintain AM/FM radio and television broadcast transmission equipment.
• Field Service Technician (Wireless / Cellular) — Deploy and maintain cellular base station equipment, antenna arrays, and RF distribution systems.
• Avionics Technician — Maintain aircraft communications and navigation electronics; pathway may require additional FAA certification.
• Defense / Government Electronics Technician — Support military and government communications systems, radar, and electronic warfare equipment (may require security clearance).

Special Information

FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL)

The content of EET2326C aligns closely with the knowledge domains tested on the FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL), Element 1 (Marine Radio Operator Permit) and Element 3 (General Radiotelephone). Students who complete this course — along with the broader EET program — are well-positioned to pursue GROL certification, which is required for employment maintaining FCC-licensed broadcast transmitters and ship/aircraft communication stations. Some Florida EET programs explicitly reference GROL preparation in their communications sequence.

ABET / Program Accreditation Context

This course contributes to program-level student outcomes required for ABET accreditation of A.S. and B.S. Electronic Engineering Technology programs, particularly outcomes related to the application of circuit analysis, electronic instrumentation, and modern communications concepts to practical technical problems.

Laboratory Requirement

The "C" suffix in EET2326C designates a combined lecture-laboratory course. Laboratory sessions are an integral, required component. Students must complete all scheduled lab activities to satisfy course requirements. Lab reports documenting procedures, measurements, and conclusions are typically required.